Last winter, after months of lockdown stresses, 2.6 million people tuned in to the 1^st episode of BBC’s Winterwatch – almost a million more than had watched the same programme the year before and more than watched the opening shows of the 2020’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch series.

Whilst popular presenter Iolo Williams won’t be seen on this year’s Winterwatch due to a diary clash and longstanding Springwatch frontman Martin Games Hughes left the show in 2018 after more than a decade – the popular pair will be in Nottingham on Thursday November 18^th for a special ‘Evening with’ event to raise funds for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

The Trust believes the heightened viewing figures for Winterwatch reflect the fact that huge numbers of people turned to nature for solace in a difficult year and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is delighted to be welcoming two of the Springwatch family of shows’ favourite presenters to the City to present their fun packed ‘Wildlife Road Trip. 

Extremely wild about wildlife, these two brilliant and entertaining enthusiasts will take the audience on a funny and fascinating journey. The journey begins with stories from their childhood when their love of nature and wildlife was just natural: Martin’s love of chickens and Iolo’s connection with fish and a compulsive desire to skip school, preferring to be out in the wild. The journey continues with stories of the occurrences and life events that lead them to where they are today, including Martin’s experience as a producer/director and Iolo’s experience working with the RSPB catching egg thieves and working with the army.

The tales of their journeys continue to where they are today: well-known and passionate wildlife TV presenters working with the BBC to educate and inspire its audience to connect with and care for the natural world.

Speaking about the event, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Head of Communications Erin McDaid said: “With the nights drawing in and opportunities to see and enjoy wildlife more restricted with the dark and cold, we’re delighted that Iolo and Martin are coming to Nottingham to help us brighten people’s spirits with their stories, experiences and their sheer infectious enthusiasm for nature.”

Martin & Iolo are touring together with their Wildlife Road Trip which brings together their experiences of the world of wildlife TV presenting to the audiences along with many interesting and unusual wildlife facts. The show will take place at Nottingham’s Albert Hall and tickets are available from the Wildlife Trust’s website.

Erin added: These events are a really important way for the Wildlife Trust to raise funds for our conservation work and we’re really excited and looking forward to what will be a funny, informative and very wild show – and we hope many of Martin and Iolo’s fans will join us.