A first-look image of a giant inflatable puppet named ‘Poppet’ has been unveiled as tickets go on sale for The Big One Hundred, a major outdoor cultural event in Ashdown Forest.
The newly released photos show ‘Poppet’ roaming the forest during rehearsals, offering audiences an early glimpse of the striking creation that will sit at the heart of the project.
Presented by Trigger, The Big One Hundred launches on 18 and 19 July in Ashdown Forest, the real-life inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood, before touring to locations across Wealden throughout the summer.
Created to mark 100 years of A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories, the large-scale production brings together immersive performance, environmental storytelling and community-led activity.
‘Poppet’ is operated by 10 performers simultaneously, pushing the boundaries of live puppetry and design in what is described as an ambitious and rarely attempted feat.
The creature has been designed by costume designer Jack Irving alongside Trigger’s Creative Director Angie Bual, drawing inspiration from the forest’s plant life and protected species.
Angie Bual said: “Our Create a Creature competition had a huge and varied response from children across the district – as a result we got the message, it was clear we needed to make something colourful, punky, fun and playful as a new gateway to nature. ‘Poppet’ is the name that one of the children dreamt up, and it’s beautifully apt to convey our cheeky amorphous creature which takes on the guise of several creatures at once. We’ve been inspired by plant life, heather, gorse, an adder’s eyes, the Purple Emperor butterfly, and the green tiger beetle. You’ve got to see it to believe it!”
Alongside encounters with ‘Poppet’, audiences can take part in a wide-ranging programme of nature-based events, including forest bathing, poetry, workshops, wildlife sessions and creative activities for all ages.
The celebrations also extend into local communities, with high streets across Wealden transformed into a playful public art trail, as businesses create their own “forest creatures” from everyday materials.
Councillor Rachel Millward said, “Investment in the Ashdown Forest and this creative and educational project is part of Wealden District Council’s commitment to ensure nature and communities thrive together. The unveiling of this unique creature, inspired by elements of the forest itself, offers a fun and engaging way for people of all ages to discover the rich biodiversity, history and character of Ashdown Forest. We are helping residents build a deeper connection with one of Wealden’s most treasured assets, and we hope that this inspires the next generation, and future local authorities, to take care of this precious place and all the species within it for the next 100 years.”
Following its opening weekend, The Big One Hundred will tour to Hailsham Town Centre on 26 July, Sheffield Park and Garden on 1 August, Uckfield’s Weald on the Field on 8 August and Herstmonceux Castle on 22 and 23 August.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
