Earth Day is fast approaching! Dorchester will be marking the day on the on the 23rd April 12noon – 4pm on the Great Field, Poundbury. Earth Day is a global cause, where around the world, including in Dorchester, people will be celebrating those who are making a difference – questioning current ways and finding solutions together. This free event is being organised by Dorchester Town Council with their partners, the Dorset Climate Action Network (CAN), Bournemouth University, The Embroidery Barn, Litter Free Dorset and the PiPs Café.
It will be a perfect activity for families looking for things to do as the Easter Holidays come to a close. There will be lots of likeminded individuals and groups sharing their work and projects that you can get involved in. Earth Day is for everyone!
There will be lots to see and do at the event, you can get creative with crafts from the Dorset Scrap Store. Design a masterpiece made out of scrap material to help reduce, reuse and recycle, or contribute to a large art project that we will be displaying after the event.
You will have the chance to hear from and ask questions of our experts including Pete West, who has worked in sustainable energy for 20 years. Rachel Worth, a lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth, will also be there talking about the fast fashion industry and Dave Levi from Dorset Waste Services. Who will be giving his talk and answering questions on ‘Getting the Right Stuff in the Right Bin’.
You can also relax and listen to music from local artists such as Viva Choir, Damaris Fowler, Shannon White and Pop Club. Or if you prefer to boogey then you can dance at our wheelbarrow disco – powered by sunlight!
There will be lots of other workshops and activities… Discover interesting exotic animals and how they survive in the wild with World Life. Join in with a creative solar workshop from Dorset Community Energy, or do some planting and stone painting with the Gap Project and Dorset Mind. You can also have your face painted too!
If you feel like stretching your legs you can take part in walks around the Great Field. One of our walk leaders, Eleanor Gallia, is a medical herbalist who will be sharing her knowledge on foraging and the importance of nature. Miles King from People Need Nature will also be leading walks on how they are bringing wildlife into Poundbury. You can also explore mindfulness in nature with Maria Morris.
Opening the event will be the Mayor of Dorchester Gareth Jones and Isla, a very inspirational young person who has already made huge achievements in helping our planet.
Tamara Umasankar environmental development assistant at Dorchester Town Council says: “Hearing from a young person at Earth Day is important to us, everything we can do to help the planet will help their futures. We are amazed at how passionate many young people are about helping the environment, including Isla. We hope to inspire more people to be as passionate as her.”
People are invited to wear something green on the day to show their solidarity with taking care of the environment!
You can also get involved in a clothes swap. Bring two or three items on the day including clothes or accessories to exchange for something new to you! Sadly, £140 million worth of clothing goes into landfills each year – by re-loving clothes and accessories we can help to reduce the harmful impacts of fast fashion on our planet.
Loving by Nature, a local shop selling sustainable items for babies and kids, will also be linking with our clothes swap through their reusable nappy give and take. And we will be joined by other sustainable sellers, providing products from kombucha starter kits to pottery. You will also be able to buy yummy pizza from Sourdough Ted! And the Pips Café will be open all day, selling delicious food and drinks.
The Repair Café will be offering to do some simple repairs on the day. If you have an item that’s broken why not ask their volunteer repairers if they can fix it. The Embroidery Barn will be bringing their seamstresses to fix clothing too. This is a great way to save money and reduce waste!
The organisers would like to thank their funders, RiskSTOP, The Duchy of Cornwall, the Poundbury Community Trust, Waitrose, and Dorchester Town Council.
Award Winning Independent Citizen Media Needs Your Help.
PLEASE SUPPORT US FOR JUST £2 A MONTH
