Chorlton’s first-ever Big Green Festival, which took place on Saturday, was a resounding success
attracting thousands of local residents keen to sample sustainable living in a fun and friendly environment.
Organisers put environmental issues centre stage with a vibrant and varied programme of activities.
well as talks and workshops introducing festival-goers to different aspects of ethical and environmentallyfriendly living, there were numerous live bands, local films, dance groups and comedy performances to keep the crowds entertained. Cyclists could take their bikes for check-ups by local bike shops and find out about cycle routes in South Manchester from Friends of the Fallowfield Loop and Sustrans, while children were taught handy new skills by members of the Didsbury-based Pauper’s Wood Forest School.
A large group of cyclists got on their bikes and took the Festival out on the road at noon, free-wheeling
down past Chorlton Green, through Chorltonville, along Beech Road and back to St Clement’s. Bikes
participating in the Big Green Bike Parade included recumbents, unicycles, trailers and trikes, and there
was even a pedal-powered sound system towed along to accompany the ride. People of all ages took part
in the parade and cyclists dressed up and decorated their bikes with flags, banners, flowers and leaves.
Running all day from 11am to 11pm, the free Festival filled the entire site at St Clement’s, with teepees,
tents, stages and stalls transforming the outside space, and the contestants in the Chorlton and the Wheelie Bins art project lining the entrance. Inside, taster treatments were available for visitors to try out in the very popular wellbeing area; books, clothes and plants changed hands in the busy swapping zone, and various recycled and reclaimed arts and crafts were for sale and information on green products was on display in the marketplace area.
From 8pm, the main church transept became a giant dancefloor as in excess of 100 merrymakers simultaneously got up and Stripped The Willow to music by ceilidh band The Midgebites.
There was also loads of local food and drink, including Chorlton’s own co-operative grocery Unicorn with a
soup kitchen and a wood-fired pizza oven where kids had the chance to make and bake their own organic
creations. Homemade curry was dished up in a yurt and local outdoor-reared pork sausages went down a
treat from Frost’s barbecue. Well over 2,000 meals were served from the food stalls and so much Cheshire
cider and organic beer from Little Valley Brewery was supped that for a short time the pumps ran dry!
One of Big Green Festival organisers, Bernard Leach, says: “We were stunned by the number of people
who came on Saturday. The day was a fantastic success, starting with a colourful bike parade through
Chorlton and ending with a ceilidh. The mix of food and craft stalls, talks, workshops and music worked
really well. The fashion show using charity-shop clothes, none of which cost more than £5, was a highlight,
along with the bands in the Big Tent, ending with a terrific set from Thingumabob and the Thingumajigs.
Another organiser, Helen Starr-Keddle from local charity Action for Sustainable Living, says: “We were
bowled over by how amazing the festival was – we couldn't have expected a better turnout, the sun was
shining and the atmosphere was great. One of the best aspects for me was that everyone got to find out
about local green businesses and charities, with loads of people signing up to volunteer, order organic
veg box schemes and get solar panels put on their roofs. We really wanted to talk about green issues
but in a fun context and I think the balance of music, entertainment and info was just right.”
Bernard continues: “Given how successful it was, we are planning to hold another Big Green Festival next
year, and would welcome anyone who would like to get involved.” To get involved in the future running of
what the organisers hope will become an annual event, see www.greenchorlton.org.uk.
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