Green Fair 2009 Report

On Saturday 13th June 2009, the annual independant eco-fest returned to Redditch Town Centre. The event is now firmly established as one of the biggest and best environmental fairs across the region with fair goers travelling from far and wide.

The green fair banner flapped in the wind as it hung from the trees on the church green, attracting visitors throughout the day. Stallholders covered the green and also filled the church hall. For the fourth year running, the weather was very kind to us, as there was glorious sunshine most of the day. Being in the heart of the town centre allowed shoppers who perhaps would never usually consider attending such an event, to stroll across to find out what was going on.

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.

Crowds of people flocked round the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust stall throughout the day. They were one of the dozen or so 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.

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!

Dozens of fair visitors filled in short questionnaires/comment slips, which has given us essential feedback. We now have lots of ideas as to how next year`s fair can be improved!

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.

Year after year, the Redditch Green Fair keeps getting bigger and better! The council stage their own annual Green Fair Day at the Arrow Valley Countryside Centre, but our independant event always has a more varied line up of stallholders and we keep the emphasis firmly on eco-friendly, ethical living which is what green fairs should be all about! We know our fair is favoured by many due to it's town centre location so long may the Redditch Green Fair continue!

Stallholders

Flights Orchard Organics - An organic box scheme company providing locally grown, organically certified produce to over 2000 satisfied customers throughout the West Midlands.

Green Transport Solutions - Sell a range of electric vehicles - cars, scooters, motorbikes, vans, pedal cycles & tri-cycles - some of which will be on display at the fair.

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

Major Eco Products - Local distributors of Wikaniko innovative eco-friendly products.

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

Act on Energy - A `not for profit` organisation which provides practical 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.

Eco2Solar - Eco2Solar supply and install solar water heating systems allowing you to generate your own solar power and solar energy.

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.

Advertabox - Local supplier of recycled, biodegradable boxes for use by take aways, chip shops etc.

Composting Clinic - Local `master composters` will advise 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.

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.

Tasker`s Tasty Takeaways - Small Redditch company which makes and supplies healthy, authentic takeaway food.

Transition City Birmingham - Motivated by the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change, this network of ordinary people are learning how to build socially just and resilient communities.

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

Chocolate Skyes - A Birmingham based company which produces handmade, vegan confectionery including delicious creme eggs.

Tenoch - Provides practical solutions to help businesses and homes reduce their CO2 emissions, use less energy and save costs.

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

North Worcestershire 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.