Green Fair 2008 Report

On Saturday 7th June 2008, Redditch Town Centre once again turned green for the day thanks to the biggest green fair ever staged in Redditch. For the third year running, a glorious sunny day helped to ensure the independant eco extravaganza was a fantastic success. A record number of 26 stallholders filled St Stephens Church green and the church hall itself.

The fair aimed to promote sustainable, eco-friendly ways of living whilst showcasing the regions ever increasing network of `green` organisations and companies. Eco-friendly products on sale/display included electric vehicles(see photo), renewable energy systems, ethical clothing, recycled stationery, organic food, fair trade goods, toxic chemical-free cleaning products, re-usable cloth bags, natural cosmetics and lots more.

There were an equal number of stalls raising awareness of a diverse variety of issues including energy efficiency, composting, trade justice in the developing world, waste reduction solutions, the environmental impact of the world`s growing population and the ecological devastation caused by meat and dairy production (the United Nations have reported that livestock farming is responsible for more global greenhouse gas emissions than all the world`s cars, lorries and planes combined!!). Click here for a full list of companies, organisations and campaign groups that held stalls.

Redditch based group Talking Drums invited fair goers to join their `drumming circle` and dozens of adults and children jumped at the opportunity to have a go for free. A lead drummer set the beat and others had to copy him. The sound of rythmic beating drums attracted passing shoppers and entertained everyone at the event throughout the day.

Dozens of children, and their parents, amused themselves making `Green Man` masks on the childrens activity table. Using cardboard, paper, leaves, straw, paint, crayons and various other materials, and lots of imagination, children of various ages made numerous colourful, attractive masks, which were in some cases, quite scary! (see our gallery for more photos)

Catering was provided on 3 separate stalls throughout the day and all the food was vegan in line with the event`s eco/ethical theme. The wide range of food on the Redditch Vegetarian & Vegan Society stall was free, in order to demonstrate to curious fair goers how delicious and appetising meat and dairy free cuisine can be. RVV send thanks to Redwood and Beanie`s for generous donations of their products and thanks also to numerous local cooks who were busy preparing food days before the event. Mountains of delicious delights had been devoured by the end of the day!

The fair was held 2 days after World Environment Day(WED), a global day of awareness raising, organised annually by the United Nations, who officially endorsed the fair in Redditch. Hundreds of similar events took place across the globe to mark the biggest date in the `green` calendar.

As with last year, we were overwhelmed with the success of the event. Crowds of people flocked into the church grounds throughout the day and all stallholders reported good sales and lots of interest in the issues they were highlighting.

Whilst government action on environmental issues is vital, it`s equally important for us all to take personal action. Saving the planet doesn`t mean that we have to change our lives beyond recognition. The fair showed hundreds of visitors that by making just a few simple changes to our daily lives, we can protect the planet for future generations.

The message we`re hearing from stallholders over and over again is that they like doing the Redditch Green Fair because of it`s fantastic, beautiful location, in the heart of the town centre where the general public have easy access. Many stallholders are keen to display their products & raise awareness of their issues amongst the ordinary general public whilst they go about their shopping. It`s easy to attract those already into green living, but for people not yet bitten by the green bug, we like to take the green fair to them, rather than expect them to come to us!

Stallholders

Green Transport Solutions - Sell a range of electric vehicles and displayed a van and motorbike at the fair.

Enjo - Produce a wide range of household cleaning materials that don`t require any chemicals, yet result in cleaner surfaces.

Redditch Freegle - An internet based recycling system for useful but unwanted items, which saves them going to landfill.

Green Hands - Sell a wide range of oils, creams, lotions and associated products for eco-friendly nail, hand and body care, all free of harmful chemicals/toxins etc.

Redditch Vegetarian & Vegan Society - Local group for socialising, support and promotion of healthy, compassionate, eco-friendly living. The stall offered a wide range of FREE eco-friendly, vegan food to sample and recipes.

Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - A `not for profit` organisation which provides advice on energy conservation to householders and businesses in Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Redditch Friends of the Earth - A small campaign group that take action locally on environmental and social justice issues.

Red Kite Health Foods - Independant Bromsgrove shop selling a wide range of healthy, organic, fair trade food and also toiletries, cleaning products, vitamins and supplements.

Earth, Wind & Solar Renewable Energies - Birmingham based installers of a wide range of renewable energy and water heating systems.

Redditch Trade Justice Network - Campaigns to promote Trade Justice and Fair Trade, and is currently working to achieve Fair Trade Town status for Redditch.

Composting Clinic - Local `master composters` advised on how to make the perfect compost, therefore saving food and garden waste from going to landfill, and providing the perfect resource for a healthy garden.

Hayley`s Green - Eco-friendly products for everyday living, including recycled/fair trade bags, cards, stationery, toys, gifts, jewellery, games etc.

Midlands Vegan Campaigns - Promotion of plant based diets for the benefit of animals, people and the planet.

Earth Star Shop - A West Midlands based company whose aim is to offer a wide range of products for ritual and meditation purposes as well as great gift ideas.

Boomerang - A Redditch shop that collects your unwanted goods free of charge, then sells them at bargain prices, to save them ending up in landfill.

Viva! - The UK`s largest vegetarian campaigning organisation offered a range of merchandise including health books, nutrition wallcharts, gifts, recipes and lots of free information.

Traidcraft local trader - Traidcraft is the UK's leading fair trade organisation, fighting poverty through trade.

Green Finder - Based in Leamington Spa, Greenfinder is an online directory for all things green, clean and ethical.

Naturally Fair Chocolates - Naturally fair to people, animals and the environment. Hand made using fair trade and organic ingredients wherever possible.

Vegan Society - The UK`s national vegan advocacy organisation explained how switching to a plant based diet would dramatically reduce your ecological footprint.

Freedom Clothing Project - Coventry based co-operative which provides a range of ethical and environmental clothing and accessories.

Redditch Green Party - The local branch of the Green Party.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust - The county's leading local charity working to conserve and restore wildlife and wild places.

Green Garden Cafe - Pure vegetarian(ie. vegan) catering service based in Coventry, providing appetising food at affordable prices - buffets, parties, functions etc.

Optimum Population Trust - The leading think tank in the UK concerned with the impact of population growth on the environment.

Media Coverage

The following list may well not be complete. If you know of more press/media coverage, please let us know.

Advance Publicity

RAG launches eco-poster competition for schools - Redditch Standard, 16 May. (mostly about our schools poster competition, but also mentions the Redditch Green Fair)

Poster contest with eco theme - Redditch Advertiser, 23rd May.

Town centre gets ready for green invasion - Redditch Advertiser, 29th May.

Learn different ways to go green - Redditch Standard, 30 May.

After the Event

Third green fair hailed a big hit - Redditch Advertiser, 10 June.

Ethical clothes, vegan grub - Birmingham Mail, 12 June.

Event brought a green message - Redditch Standard, 13 June. (front page article!!)