Big Green Picnic

The Isle of Wight Council are hailing the Big Green Picnic a huge success with over 7,000 people attending the event in County Hall car park, Newport over the spring bank holiday weekend. It was the first event of its kind on the Island to be entirely designated to promoting environmental issues and was completely free to attend.

The purpose of the Big Green Picnic was to highlight the aims of the Eco-Island vision to families and individuals in an entertaining and engaging way. Numerous exhibits and stalls gave visitors the chance to sample local sustainable produce and many others provided information on how people can begin to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

A fusion of enlightenment, education and entertainment

The event demonstrated the many ways we can make changes in our daily lives in order to make them more environmentally friendly and proved that even the little things will make a difference. It was the fun side of the event that helped to get the message across, with the emphasis being placed very much on entertainment.

Bestival organisers kindly donated their bandstand to the event and this became the site for great music throughout the weekend. With acts ranging from The Martin Harley Band, The Hat, Lucky Elephant, JC and Angelina and the Unity Stompers there was something to delight every age group. The Bees Sound Selection also provided afternoon tunes in between bands.

The Quantum Theatre group performed twice-daily environmentally friendly theatre acts proving that it's easy to go green once you know how. A green cinema tent showcased environmental videos focussing on a whole range of green issues as well as providing a platform for Friends of the Earth speaker Hugh Kelly to present specialist information on biofuels.

Eco-treats, artistic activities and sustainable suggestions

Special areas were set-aside for visitors to the event to enjoy their own picnic or to tuck into some of the numerous tasty examples of green Island food on offer. The Women's Institute tea tent supplied delicious homemade cakes, fudge, pies, pastries and pizza with the Farmers' Market, a Taste Tent, Island ice cream, homemade burgers, ginger beer and lemonade also on-hand to form the perfect picnic accompaniments.

The Quay Arts insured that the serious business of going green was introduced to young people in a fun way by organising a whole host of artistic activities. As well as being given the opportunity to create their own environmental footprint pledge, help build a cardboard castle and make their own bunting with which to adorn it, there were also felt making demonstrations, pottery and an insight into how art can be used to issue old furniture items with a completely new lease of life.

Other popular attractions included a health and beauty tent, games and workshops hosted by the Medina Valley Eco-Challenger, Aldermoor EarthWorks and Quay Arts straw bale building, a Green Science tent, a display of new energy vehicles and a 2.5kW Proven wind turbine situated over by the law courts.

The first major step towards making the Island the greenest place in the country

It was great to see so many local people taking time out of their busy weekends to support the event whilst getting on board with Eco-Island and helping to make the Island a better place to live. With such a positive reaction to this innovative addition to the Islands yearly events calendar, it is very much hoped that Islanders will be inspired to do contribute to the ultimate aim of transforming the Island into the greenest place in England.

In the months leading up to the Big Green Picnic, the event attracted a great deal of publicity due to its seemingly unconventional choice of venue. Originally set to be staged in Church Litten Park, the danger of further collapse of some of the 3,200 graves following an incident in the former churchyard back in March, meant that an alternative location had to be sought. A prior agreement with Isle of Wight Festival organisers Solo meant that nearby Seaclose Park was unavilable for use a month before the high profile music event. With its central location and easy access to riverside walks and the Cowes to Newport Cycleway, County Hall car park provided the ideal venue for everyone to drop by and get involved in helping the environment.

Sponsors included Southern Vectis, who provided discounted travel to the location, Liz Earle, Quay Arts, Vestas and Red Funnel. Island 2000 were responsible for the artwork, including signs and banners with decorative batik flags created by Medina High School pupils. Southern Vectis also took the opportunity to display one of their newest buses, which already meets tough Euro 5 emission standards; despite the fact they are not yet mandatory.

An informative and innovative concept with ample scope for magnification

Almost as soon as the Newport site was cleared, the council began thinking about next year's event and it is also looking to have an Eco-Island presence at the forthcoming IW Garlic Festival. IW Council leader David Pugh said: "We are delighted that so many people attended the first Big Green Picnic over the weekend despite the uncertain weather forecast. The feedback we have had so far has been extremely encouraging. It is clear that local people have a great interest in green issues and are really keen to help the Island achieve its Eco-Island aims.

"We are already turning our attention to future events and all options are open in terms of location. There were many advantages to holding it in a central location but we will also consider the merits of moving it to a different location each year. We are also looking to attend the garlic festival to further promote the ethos of Big Green Picnic and Eco-Island."

Local member Cllr Peter Humber also praised the event. He said: "After visiting the 'Big Green Picnic' event on Saturday, I would like to say that despite my initial concerns over the venue for the event, these concerns were soon dispersed during my visit. "The event was well attended and the local residents commented on how informative and useful it was. "Let's hope this is the beginning of an annual event to raise public awareness of Green Issues and how we can all help to save the environment. Also I would like to add to the thanks already given to all those involved to make this such a successful event."

For a full list of exhibitors please visit the official Big Green Picnic website.

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