Villagers make SusWot's first Eco-Fiesta a success

SusWot's first Eco Fiesta took place in the pedestrianised High Street of the village yesterday between 2pm-5pm. It was Sustainable Westbury on Trym's biggest event since it was formed a year ago and attracted almost 1,000 visitors.

The free event was all about having fun and promoting sustainable living. The Eco-Fiesta was based around four sustainable themes: energy; waste and recycling; transport and green spaces.

WoT resident, Janet Walton Masters, said: "I am really impressed with how many young people are doing things for the environment. They seem to really care about the future for their children.

"It is a really lovely village atmosphere here today."

Another WoT resident Gwilym Edwards, who is also a member of Bristol Bee Keepers said: "I am amazed at how many people have come today."

Gwilym was hanging a leaf on the pledge leaf when Westbury On Trym People spoke to him. He had ticked the "switch off the stand-by" pledge.

Tracy Tainton, one of the founder members of SusWot explained how the pledge tree works: "The leaves have 10 pledges on it, but we don't expect everyone to tick all 10. Once they have signed the leaf they can hang it on the pledge tree. We don't monitor what people are doing, it is more of a pledge to themselves."

"I think we will keep the pledge tree theme going in SusWot's monthly meetings."

Other pledges included 'switch to a green electricity supplier' and 'grow some veg'.

Chris Muddimam, SusWot member was promoting organic growing. She said: "The Fiesta is fantastic. People are very interested in the information I have here about growing your own and environmental groups. They want to belong and take action, which is great."

The children visiting the Eco-Fiesta were entertained by Sir Randolph Ramsbottom The Brave and his puppet show. Sir Randolph Ramsbottom opened the event and when Westbury on Trym People caught up with him he was taking time out to enjoy a smoothie. He said: "It is a lovely day, I didn't expect to see so many people. And the smoothie is excellent."

Bristol Food Hub had brought their Smoothie Moves along - a bike that powers a smoothie maker. Emily Swan, of Bristol Food Hub said: "We are a sustainable healthy food initiative. We want to make healthy food fun. It is good to see the Knight enjoys our smoothies!"

Local resident Karen White was enjoying her afternoon and had this to say: "It is a great community initiative. We should be doing this more often, getting together, sharing ideas and getting to know people."

Jill Kempshall, a SusWot member was looking after one of the quiz stalls. She said: "I was in my hi-vis vest at 9.30 this morning, stopping the traffic so we could set up the stalls. It is good that pedestrians have claimed back the roads today. It shows us what it can be like.

"The day is beyond expectations. I never thought it would be as good as this. We are promoting sustainability but we have the added extra that there is such a good community feeling to it."

Sue Boyd, of Westbury in Bloom was impressed with how popular the event was. "It is absolutely great, there is a lovely atmosphere. It's good to see so many families here, and with smiles on their faces. It is a perfect Sunday activity for everyone, people of all ages are entering the quizzes and joining in."

The SusWot chairman Andy O'Brien was busy handing out leaflets with the phone number for Gordon Brown's Climate Change line and told Westbuy On Trym People:

"We are asking everyone to call this line at 4.30pm and tell Gordon Brown to get off his backside and go to Copenhagen to attend December's UN Climate Change Conference. We want him to sign an ambitious, fair and binding global treaty on climate change."

When asked how he felt the day had gone he said: "It has surpassed expectations, both in numbers and enthusiasm. It is our biggest event to date. The 300 programmes we had printed went in the first half hour or so. I estimate that we have had about 1,000 local residents attend today.

"The next step is to build on this for other sustainable events. It is good for the planet and good for the village."

Other people taking part included Alice McGarie, of Bristol City Council answering queries about recycling; Nick Riley of Riverford Organic Veg's with his new hybrid van; Steve Tainton of Tainton SDS - a sustainable development service and Veronica Taylor of Avon Organic Group and Organic Orchard, Horfield. View images of these and more Eco-Fiesta pictures.