A shared love of birdwatching inspired the team at Preston’s Plug & Taps to turn their busiest weekend of the year into a celebration of local wildlife.
The small, family-owned craft beer bar hosted a bird-themed tap takeover during Preston Pub Festival, held from 18–20 September. With binoculars at the bar, bird-inspired beers and a guided walk attracting more than 50 people, the event raised funds for Lancashire Wildlife Trust and helped customers discover the wildlife on their doorstep.
For Ben, Plug & Taps’ manager, and Kally, its marketing manager, the idea came from an interest they already shared: a love of wildlife and birdwatching.
They had talked about organising a bird-themed event for years. After noticing more younger people getting into birding, they decided it was time to bring their idea to life.
Preston Pub Festival offered the perfect opportunity. Each year, 13 venues host special events across the same weekend, bringing plenty of visitors through the bar’s doors.
Ben and Kally wanted to use that opportunity to share their enthusiasm and support a cause close to their hearts.
We wanted to capture that large audience to raise money for a cause close to our hearts and that worked well with the event theme, Lancashire Wildlife Trust was the obvious choice.
The team found plenty of creative ways to bring birdwatching into the pub.
Every beer on tap had a bird-themed name, binoculars were available for customers to borrow, and specially created spotting guides helped visitors identify birds through the windows. One of the bar’s regulars also exhibited their wildlife photography.
The response was even better than the team had hoped. Customers who had never taken much interest in birdwatching found themselves watching a pied wagtail outside or learning the difference between a great tit and a blue tit.
For those already keen on birds, the weekend offered a chance to make friends with people who shared their interest. A familiar social space became somewhere to discover something new about nature.
On the Sunday, Ben led a 'Hungover Birding Walk' through Avenham and Miller Parks, introducing participants to some of the birds sharing their city.
Buzzard by Dave Steel
More than 50 people came along, many of them completely new to birdwatching. For Kally, their enthusiasm was a highlight of the weekend.
"It was really beautiful and humbling to be able to help introduce so many people to the beautiful wildlife we’re lucky enough to live among every single day."
Near the end of the walk, the group spotted two buzzards, a special moment to share and a memorable finish to the outing.
The walk proved so popular that Plug & Taps plans to arrange more, with details to be announced on its social media channels.
The weekend shows how an idea from colleagues can grow into something that involves customers and the wider community.
Ben and Kally built their event around something they enjoyed, using their enthusiasm to raise funds, start conversations and give people the confidence to try birdwatching.
For other businesses and employees thinking about fundraising, it’s an encouraging place to start: what does your team enjoy, and how could you invite others to get involved?
Just do it, if you’re worried the event you’re planning is too ‘niche’, don’t. Worst case, you have fun and make some money for a brilliant cause, best case you create new wildlife enthusiasts.
A huge thank you to Ben, Kally and everyone at Plug & Taps, along with everyone who donated, joined the walk or picked up a pair of binoculars for the first time.
Their bird-themed weekend shows how a shared enthusiasm at work can become an opportunity to bring people together and support local wildlife.
Could you and your colleagues turn something you love into a fundraiser? From a workplace quiz or bake sale to a sponsored challenge or themed event, there are plenty of ways to get your team involved and raise funds for Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
However you choose to take part, your support can help us protect wildlife and wild places across Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.
