A diverse and exciting range of over 40 other BIG Green Week events took place right across the different communities of Bristol throughout the festival, organised by the cities’ huge number of environmental community groups, projects and businesses.
Below are summaries of 2012′s Fringe events.
Friday 8th June
Enjoy two special fringe events on the eve of BIG Green Week.
Film Premiere: Protein-Rich and Planet-Friendly
7.15pm @ Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
Film premiere of VegFest’s 2011 Ready-Steady-Chef competition, with comperes Tony Wardle and Claire Evans.
Admission: Free, but ticket required from: www.bristolfoe.org.uk/vegfestuk or call 07809-122474.
The Big Catch: Monty Halls the Fisherman’s Apprentice
7.30pm @ QEH Theatre, Berkeley Place, BS8 1JX
Stanfords present this talk and book signing by television presenter Monty Halls.
Tickets: £8 (Green Pass holders can get 20% off both event tickets and Monty’s book)
Tickets available from Stanfords, 29 Corn Street, BS1 1HT. Phone: 0117-9299966 or Email: stanfordsbristol@gmail.com
Saturday 9th June
Keeping Chickens
10am @ Windmill Hill City Farm, BS3 4EA
Half-day course covering the basics of chicken keeping.
Tickets: £35 – www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
Rescue, Recycle, Reuse!
10am – 4pm @ Bristol Wood Recycling Project, BS1 6QW
Garden planter making workshops using recycled timbers at 12pm and 2pm (take away what you’ve made for £10) with tours of the Project at 1pm and 3pm. (20% off all reclaimed timber for Green Pass holders on this day only).
Free – www.bwrp.org.uk
Recycle for Bristol: Interactive Games
10am – 4pm @ Create Centre, BS1 6XN
Resource Futures hosted road show and games to promote recycling in Bristol.
Free
Summer Herb Walk
12noon @ St Werburghs City Farm, BS2 9YJ
Gentle stroll around the lanes and allotments of St Werburghs identifying and discussing the uses of medicinal plants found on the way.
Tickets: £6 – www.rhizomeclinic.org.uk
The BIG Paddle
1pm – 8pm @ Baltic Wharf, Bristol Harbour
Bristol’s first ever paddle racing event! The Big Paddle is all about getting in the water and having fun, with an opportunity to come and try the paddle boards and enter the races yourself. Plus live music and great food.
Free - www.thebigpaddle.net
Earth Pilgrimage into Bristol
2pm @ No 36 Bus Stop on Baldwin Street
Walk from Brislington Brook to St Anne’s Well then to the river Avon and along to Bristol city centre. Come to listen, to share, to find objects en route with which we’ll give birth to a land art assemblage back in Castle Park. Bring an evening picnic.
Free (you’ll need £4 for your own day rider bus fare) – www.ecoshow.org.uk
Recycle for Bristol: Talks
Talks at 11am and 2pm @ Create Centre, BS1 6XN
Resource Futures hosted talks to promote recycling in Bristol.
Free
Get Growing Garden Trail
Second year for this favourite 2 day event as Bristol’s secret vegetable growers open their garden gates and community plots for you to visit. Over 30 in all, with workshops, walks, garden tours, tastings, seed sowing and planting sessions.
Free – get trail map and opening times from – www.bristolfoodnetwork.org
Sunday 10th June
Get Growing Garden Trail
Second year for this favourite 2 day event as Bristol’s secret vegetable growers open their garden gates and community plots for you to visit. Over 30 in all, with workshops, walks, garden tours, tastings, seed sowing and planting sessions.
Free – get trail map and opening times from – www.bristolfoodnetwork.org
Bazaar Inspirations: Handmade Market
10am – 5pm @ Windmill Hill City Farm, BS3 4EA
Local, ethical, hand-made market with workshops, belly dancing, live music, craft demos, DJs, animals, chutneys, toys, arts, clothes, jewellery, prints, fairy wings, Monster Hoods and more….
Free – www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
Monday 11th June
Bazaar Inspirations: Handmade Market
10am – 5pm @ Windmill Hill City Farm, BS3 4EA
Local,, ethical, hand-made market with workshops, belly dancing, live music, craft demos, DJs, animals, chutneys, toys, arts, clothes, jewellery, prints, fairy wings, Monster Hoods and more….
Free – www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
What Makes a Sustainable Building?
7.30pm @ YHA, 14 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA
“Zero Carbon”, “Low Energy”, “Low Carbon” “Passivhaus” in this laypersons guide Craig White will explain all and guide us through the process of designing a sustainable building from scratch.
Tickets £5 – email riba.bristol.bath@gmail.com to book.
Tuesday 12th June
Wildlife Wilderness Walk
12.45pm @ Main Reception, University of West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY
Lunch-time stroll around around the campus with UWE’s sustainabilty manager Mark Webster. Hear about wildlife habitats on our doorstep, and what UWE is doing to support biodiversity. Includes the launch of UWE’s annual Naturewatch gallery and competition.
Free
A natural history of Bristol’s hidden water
5.30pm @ St Stephen’s Church Yard, BS1 1EQ
Join Bristol Green Party for this guided walk around the City Centre to discover its watery history. Find out about where it’s hidden waterways flow and what has happened to them.
Free – but ticket required from the Colston Hall Box Office
Urban Pollinators: What’s buzzing near you?
6.30pm @ Welcome Lodge, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, BS9 1JG.
Join Dr Katherine Baldock on this science picnic to discuss the value of urban habitats for the insect pollinators that are essential for many crop plants and wild flowers. With short tour of the garden. Bring an evening picnic.
Free – advance booking required at http://urbanpollinators.eventbrite.com
GET ACTIVE: Forty Years of Greenpeace
7.30pm @ Room 501, Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
A short film celebrating Greenpeace achievements and actions over the last 40 years on behalf of the Earth and its ecosystems.
Free
Wednesday 13th June >
Into the Woods!
9.45am & 1.15pm @ Lawrence Weston Community Farm, BS11 0NJ
A day or half-day exploring how activities in nature can provide health, social and educational benefits with Rowena Kenny. This is an outdoor event for health, social and education professionals.
Tickets £40 (full day) or £25 (half day) – contact jonattwood@forestofavontrust.org or call 0117-963-3383.
Bristol’s Community-Owned Energy
12noon @ Create Centre, BS1 6XN
Why should energy remain in the hands of six huge overseas-owned corporations? We can produce it locally and we can own it together, as community groups across Bristol and the UK are starting to demonstrate.
Free – www.bristolenergy.coop
The Bolland Lecture 2012
5.30pm @ University of West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY
This year’s lecture will be given by Andrew Jackson, Head of the BBC’s Natural History Unit in the Glendinning Lecture Theatre, Block D.
Free – but booking essential - http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/event.aspx?id=13077
A Midsummer Night: Green
6pm @ Knowle West Media Centre, BS4 1NL
Tour this straw bale building, taste food from local growing projects in Knowle West and learn about projects supporting local people to use digital technologies to live more sustainably.
We look forward to seeing you!
Free – but to help with catering, we’d be grateful if you could let us know you’re coming by calling 0117 903 0444.
Thursday 14th June
A Journey in Human Revolution
9.30am @ Caffe Gusto, 3 Hanover Quay Bristol, BS1 5JE
This facilitated walk will take a light-hearted look at sustainability. Quirky questions will meet moments of quiet reflection at intersections en route, as we consider how we embody our values.
Tickets: £10 (£9 concessions, £8 Green Pass Holders). Book here.
Permaculture & Practical Sustainability
12noon @ Eastside Roots Community Garden Centre, Stapleton Road Station, BS5 6NE
An action packed day of practical demonstrations, workshops and activities, including how to make a wormery, making mushroom logs, DIY solar panels, and water harvesting and more. With a cafe and acoustic music all day.
Donations on the gate to cover costs – programme and timings at – www.shiftbristol.org.uk
Enabling Community Energy Projects
6pm @ Creative Common, Temple Meads Enterprise Zone
An overview of projects from Bristol Energy Network’s member groups, and discussion of the practicalities of private companies and communities working together, with drinks and networking.
Free – www.bristolenergynetwork.org
Good, Green Fun: How to have fun & entertain without trashing the planet
6pm @ Watershed
Roll up, roll up for the greenest show in town presented by Think Future Now. Guests Julie’s Bicycle and Chris Johnson (Shambala Festival, Green Festival Alliance) discuss what it means to entertain and to be green. Other live and virtual guests from theatre, music, comedy and film will inspire and amuse.
Free – booking required – www.thinkfuturenow.com
Buildings & Places for People
Please note, this talk has now been postponed until Autumn. Please contact the Architecture centre for further details.
6pm @ The Architecture Centre, Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA
Architect David Mellor discusses Alec French’s architecture and urban design. Focussing on designing sustainable buildings, with a look at notable recent projects, such as the Environment Agency and Aardman.
Tickets £6 – from the Architecture Centre: 0117-922-1540
Cider Fantastic!
7pm @ The Milk Thistle, Quay Head House, Colston Avenue, BS1 1EB
A gourmet cider tasting evening of the very best cider and perry in the West! From single varieties and Champagne-style ciders to cider brandy and cider cocktails, all made locally by small independent producers on traditional cider farms.
Tickets £20 – from Bristol Cider Shop, 7 Christmas Steps, BS1 5BS or 0117-382-1679 or www.bristolcidershop.co.uk
NB – Green Pass holders receive 10% off tickets and can also get 10% off all purchases in the Bristol Cider Shop for the duration of Big Green Week.
Introducing Tree Sisters
7pm @ Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
Hear about this inspiring women’s campaign to reforest the earth and accelerate the shift to sustainable living.
Free – www.treesisters.org
Ituri: Bristol Ecoshow concert and film night
7.30pm @ Saint Stephen’s Church, BS1 1EQ
Ituri is a just-made documentary of the Ituri equatorial forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Mbutu Pygmies who live there. Also showing is James Murray-White’s short film The Bridging Place together with a reading of the same titled prose-poem by David Mowat. Moussa Kouyate Master of Kora and his Galaxy Band and Didgeridoo Maestro Pete Appleton also perform.
Admission – £8 (£6 cons) on door.
Friday 15th June
A Journey in Human Revolution
7.00am @ Caffe Gusto, 3 Hanover Quay Bristol, BS1 5JE
This facilitated walk will take a light-hearted look at sustainability. Quirky questions will meet moments of quiet reflection at intersections en route, as we consider how we embody our values.
Tickets: £10 (£9 concessions, £8 Green Pass Holders). Book here.
BIG Green Friday
A whole day of events from 9am to 9pm @ Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
An exciting day packed with a wide range of talks, workshops and exhibitions, including:
- 9am – 5pm: Bristol Solar City Conference (with a range of speakers) – Tickets £25 (including lunch)
- 10am – 12noon: Nandita’s Dream: Children (age 7-12) who love the Planet (with singing talking and drawing) – free, but booking required at info@nanditasdream.com
- 12noon – 8pm: Permaculture Design (with a range of speakers) – suggested donations of £3 www.shiftbristol.org.uk
- 2pm – 4pm:Why Reduce Income Inequality? (with speakers from the Equality Trust) – free.
- 3pm & 7.30pm: 40 years of Greenpeace free film show and discussion.
- 6.30pm: Free talk by Resource Futures on Bristol’s improved recycling service.
- 6.30pm – 7.30pm: Be Aware What You Wear – Free talk by Mabboo Bamboo on sustainability in the Fashion Industry.
- 7pm(ish): music with Sax off the Roof – fierce and angular post-punk from the saxophone ensemble that used to play on a roof!
- www.hamiltonhouse.org
A Journey in Human Revolution
3.00pm @ Caffe Gusto, 3 Hanover Quay Bristol, BS1 5JE
This facilitated walk will take a light-hearted look at sustainability. Quirky questions will meet moments of quiet reflection at intersections en route, as we consider how we embody our values.
Tickets: £10 (£9 concessions, £8 Green Pass Holders). Book here.
Saturday 16th June
The Magic of Raw Chocolate
10am @ The St Werburghs Community Centre; Horley Road Bristol, BS2 9TJ
Join us for a truly indulgent morning! Using the finest raw, organic ingredients we’ll make delicious raw chocolates and beautiful raw body treats.
Tickets: £45 per person (£40 for BIG Green Week ticket holders). www.goodnessandwonder.co.uk/
Earth Pilgrimage to Westbury-on-Trym
10.30am @ Temple Meads Station
Join Chris Bloor on the 10.34am train to Sea Mills, pre-Bristol’s Roman port, and walk along the Avon River, through an overgrown garden nature reserve and back lanes to Westbury-on-Trym. The artistic theme for this walk is poetry and meditation. It’s a 7 mile walk, but with a 3 mile option to catch a bus back to Bristol from Westbury.
Free – you just need your £3 return train fare – www.ecoshow.org.uk
The BIG Lunch
12noon @ Artspace College, Marksbury Road, BS3 5JJ
A celebration of life, community and creativity. Come dine with us… local food; creative workshops; self-build; sustainable living demonstrations; art installations; music and dance.
Tickets £5 – www.artspacecollege.com
The Farm Summer Fair
12noon @ St Werburghs City Farm, BS2 9YJ
This popular annual Fair brings together families and local residents to celebrate good food, sustainability, animals and of course, the Farm. Four live stages, a range of food stalls, green crafts, children’s activities and a colourful street procession.
Tickets £6 / £3 – www.swcityfarm.org.uk
(Optional logo – 29.1 St Werburghs Summer Fair Logo)
Seize the Day Music Gig
8pm @ Bristol Folk House, 40A Park Street, BS1 5JG
Popular UK “green” band Seize the Day feature big voices and glorious harmonies with a message. “The authentic voice of protest in Britain today” – George Monbiot. A passionate, powerful presence that delivers a great show. Tickets will go fast – www.seizetheday.org
Tickets £9 (£8 concession) on the door, or £7 in advance from Bristol Folk House 0117-926-2987.
Sunday 17th June
Herbal Lotions & Potions Workshop
10am @ The Wooden Cabin St Werburghs City Farm, BS2 9YJ
Day workshop where Becs Griffiths will show you how to make your own herbal medicines. Discover how to make a herbal infusion, a syrup, a tincture and an ointment using local herbs grown around Bristol. All medicines made can be taken home.
Tickets £60 (including lunch) – www.rhizomeclinic.org.uk
Sat 9th to Thurs 14th June
Creative Industries Degree Show 2012
10am to 8pm @ University of West of England, Bower Ashton campus, BS3 2JT
(Closes 6pm on Sat and 4pm on Sun)
Showcase of UWE’s Faculty of Environment and Technology final year student’s work ranging
from architecture through to games technology, mechanical engineering to product design, and geography to music technology.
Free
Throughout the Festival
Electric Cycling Experience on the Clifton Downs
11am to 6pm daily (except Sun 10th) @ The Electric Transport Shop, 35 Lower Redland Road, BS6 6TB
Pop into The Electric Transport Shop to try out an electric bicycle ride around Clifton Downs, and see how life on 2 wheels can be not as painful as thought. Plus a free tea or coffee for all that take the ride and their companions.
Free – just a photo drivers licence or passport required.