Philippa Forrester to launch Wrexham Science Festival

The Wrexham Science Festival 2009 will be officially launched by TV celebrity, acclaimed producer and successful writer Philippa Forrester.

Since leaving her Broom Cupboard days behind in the early 90s Philippa has been at the forefront of technological innovation as well as conservational issues. Her accolades range from hosting Tomorrow’s World with Peter Snow to presenting documentaries for the BBC Natural History Unit. Other notable achievements have included presenting Robot Wars and The Heaven and Earth Show.

Off camera, Philippa, with her husband Charlie Hamilton-James, has set up the successful production company Halcyon Media, producing award winning documentaries such as My Halcyon River and Tarka, both shown on BBC2. If all of the above were not enough Philippa is also a keen author, having had a number of works published and making regular contributions to big name magazines and newspapers.

Philippa will be opening the Wrexham Science Festival on Thursday 26 March 2009 at 6.30pm, with a short talk on the environmental and green issues we currently face. This event will be free and there will also be a chance for a question and answer session afterwards.

Helen James, Chairperson of the Wrexham Science Festival and a Director at Glyndŵr University, is delighted with the news. “This will be a great event to kick-off the Festival," she said. "Philippa’s talk about the environment will be engaging and informative. Her passion for wildlife as well as green issues will, I’m sure, enthuse people of all ages. New events are being confirmed for the programme every day, and everyone will be able to see what they can look forward to when the programme is published in the New Year.”

The 2009 Wrexham Science Festival will take place from Thursday 26 March until Saturday 4 April. A full programme of events will be available in January. If you would like to join the mailing list please send your postal address to wsf@glyndwr.ac.uk

Over 10,000 people attended events at last year’s Wrexham Science Festival, and this year’s Festival is set to be just as popular. A range of public talks and demonstrations, business events, an educational programme for schools and the family fun day that is Scientriffic are being organised.

The Festival is once again being organised and supported by Glyndŵr University, Wrexham County Borough Council, the Welsh Assembly Government, Yale College and Careers North East Wales.