Gloucestershire's first festival dedicated to sustainability is taking place this spring, with author and environmentalist, Sir Jonathon Porritt, coming to the county to formally launch the Hucclecote Sustainability Festival this May 2023.
Helping local residents tackle the challenge of climate change, the free, week-long festival features a series of talks, workshops and demonstrations, spanning growing your own vegetables and composting; reducing energy bills; sustainable travel; litter picking; to the pros and cons of solar panels and heat pumps.
Speakers include shadow environment spokesperson and former Stroud MP, David Drew; chair of the Gloucestershire Community Energy Co-op, Dr Peter Boait; chief executive of Severn Wye Energy Agency, Sandy Hore-Ruthven MBE; and chair of the local Horticultural Society, Jan Broadway.
There's also a family wildlife walk taking place at Hucclecote Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest with senior countryside ranger, Richard Lawrence.
Porritt is in town to officially launch the festival — organised by Hucclecote Parish Council with support from local businesses and voluntary organisations — on Wednesday 3 May 2023, at one of the county's most sustainable buildings, event sponsor Benefact Group's headquarters, Benefact House in Gloucester.
Benefact Group impact director, Chris Pitt, said: 'As a group, we’re committed to making a positive social and environmental impact and we’re hugely supportive of the community around our office at the Gloucester Business Park.
'Since moving to Benefact House, we’ve worked with the parish council to improve the local environment including volunteering to improve the local green spaces and supporting wildflower planting. The festival is a great initiative from Hucclecote Parish Council, and we’re delighted to be able to support a really interested and motivated community.'
Vice chair of Hucclecote Parish Council and chair of the Climate Change Action Group, Ted Stevens, added: 'Our residents said they were keen to learn from experts so they could figure out what they could each do to help tackle climate change. They also asked for simple guidance and tips that they could take on board.
'In addition to organising the various festival events, we have also produced a very practical ‘Green Guide’ that shows how they can save money, protect wildlife, and reduce their carbon footprint.'
Hucclecote Sustainability Festival takes place from Wednesday 3 to Wednesday 10 May 2023. Tickets are free and can be booked online in advance via Eventbrite.
