The Green Parent
Raising kids with conscience
16 May 2011
The best festival
Well after months of careful consideration we are delighted to announce the winners of The Green Parent Festival Awards 2011. We had a tough job narrowing down the winners but we are confident that we have picked the very best.
So without further ado, the Green Parent Green Festival of the Year award goes to Sunrise Celebration. Highly Commended awards have been given to Croissant Neuf, WOOD Festival and 2000 Trees.
WINNER BEST GREEN FESTIVAL
SUNRISE CELEBRATION is an innovative, pioneering green festival with sustainability at its heart. The event is run by Natural Communities CIC, a social enterprise, which ploughs profits into holistic permaculture and environmental sustainability. Money is raised for local causes and to plant trees on site. Sunrise is designed to raise awareness. This is reflected from the micro; staff do team workshops in personal development to improve communication to the macro; every artist and performer is selected for their message and how they contribute to the event’s mission. Festival goers can learn new skills – the Green Village area includes permaculture, eco build workshops, green crafts and activism. The event is powered on 100% renewable energy including solar, wind, cycle and waste vegetable oil. 80% of food available is organic and most produce sourced from local farms. Water usage will be reduced this year with new spring water refill points utilising the on site spring. With this level of care and consideration from management to every aspect of the festival it builds a strong, vibrant and conscious community.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
CROISSANT NEUF is an award winning solar powered festival, which was set up with “green” ethics at its heart. The event has a strong environmental policy and strives to continuously improve their systems. Festival goers are encouraged to use public transport and lift sharing to reach the event and recycle bags are issued to all campers. Everything from lighting, communications, refrigeration and sound systems to wireless internet is powered by the sun.
WOOD FESTIVAL managed to recycle 85% of waste generated in 2010. The compost toilets generate fertiliser for the site, only organic food is used and grey water is used for washing dishes and other non-drinking uses. The event is 100% powered by renewables including solar, wind, pedal power, biodiesel and green electricity. Public transport and cycling are encouraged and single car drivers fined.
2000 TREES Locally sourced, recycled chip fat is used to power 2000 Trees festival. 90% of waste is recycled and all food waste is composted. They have a UK based artists policy and visitors can use the shuttle bus service, which runs from the local train station. A car parking charge aims to discourage inefficient car usage.
To read more about these and other festivals and green events taking place this summer, check out the next edition of The Green Parent magazine. We have tucked a super cool festival guide into every issue. Inside you’ll find competitions to win family tickets, articles, interviews and a comprehensive guide to our favourite events. Find your copy in WH Smiths, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Boots, newsagents and health food stores from Friday 11th May. Or subscribe online here and get every copy direct to your door.
Melissa Corkhill is the editor of The Green Parent magazine, mother of two and author of the book Green Parenting
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The Green Parent is the UK's leading green lifestyle and natural parenting magazine. A truly inspiring read, TGP is like nothing else on the newsstand, with insightful intelligent journalism covering topics from babywearing and attachment parenting to home-education and alternative medicine. Each issue features regular columns on Organic Gardening, Seasonal Food and Drink, Green Travel, Ethical Fashion and lots more.
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