Eco Friendly Festivals
It’s festival season - we’re looking at eco friendly festivals and how to party the planet friendly way
It’s time to festival. Here’s our favourite eco friendly festivals to enjoy this summer with a spot of vintage thrown in coz we can’t not.
eco friendly festivals in the UK
Our festival culture in the UK is big - we love a good party. What’s exciting to see is the new eco friendly focus on environment, minimising waste and sustainability. From banning plastic bottles to recycling schemes and lots of lovely water points to refill your reusable bottle.
Tyson Dudley
Here’s some of the best eco friendly festivals in the UK happening this summer…
Timber 5-7 July, National Forest
Latitude 18-21 July, Suffolk
The Green Gathering 1-4 August, Chepstow
Wilderness 1-4 August, Oxfordshire
Valley Fest 2-4 August, Bristol
Sunrise 16-18 August, Hereford
Green Man 15-18 August, Brecon Beacons
River Cottage 24-25 August, Axminster
Shambala 25-29 August, Northamptonshire
A vintage affair
It doesn’t get any more sustainable than vintage. Invest in joyous pieces from the past, reminisce and revel in the look, feel and sound of bygone eras with a vintage festival.
Oh and we’ll be popping up at the Nottingham Carnival and Vintage & Handmade in Shropshire so come on down and party with us!
Twinwood Bedford, 23-26 August
Vintage & Handmade RAF Shropshire 17-18 August
Vintage Carnival Nottingham, 31 August
Goodwood Revival Sussex, 13-15 September
what kit to pack
When packing up your festival kit, remember less is more and who needs to shower anyway?
Here’s how to be a little more eco friendly this season…
Avoid plastic; don’t bring disposable plastic with you and refuse single-use plastic when there.
Bring reusables; your cup and water bottle, cutlery, a container for food, a cloth napkin and a simple bar of soap and cloth for washing.
A rain mac to avoid those nasty single-use ponchos for the inevitable downpour.
If you simply must glitter, make it biodegradable.
Avoid cheap festival sunnies that will end up in landfill. Bring your own sunglasses and the hard case to protect them. Better still invest in a frame chain - perfect for a little festival action.
Travel light - just essentials and the spirit of the fiesta and car share where you can.
by Gilbert Beltran
woodstock baby
We can’t talk about festivals and not mention Woodstock. In August 1969, over half a million people came to New York for the iconic 3 day concert. America was knee deep in the Vietnam war and Woodstock Festival was an opportunity for people to escape into music and spread a message of peace and unity.
“Woodstock 1969 was a reaction by the youth of its time and the conditions we faced,” Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang. “We proved that it is possible to live together in harmony and with compassion. Woodstock gave people around the world hope, which is why I think it remains relevant today.”
And they’re attempting to do it again this year, fifty years on. ‘For Woodstock 50, we’re supporting causes that represent the issues of our times… but our call to action is timeless. Stand with us. Make a difference. Help heal the planet and the people living on it’
We can’t disagree with that - read more here
Enjoy a planet friendly festival this summer..
Peace Out.
Jo
Peep at Glastonbury
Festival fever is upon us - so let's kick things off with the mother of festivals... Glastonbury. Wellies or Wayfarers who can tell? But one thing's for sure you won't run out of things to see and do...
Festival fever is upon us - so let's kick things off with the mother of festivals... Glastonbury. Wellies or Wayfarers who can tell? But one thing's for sure you won't run out of things to see and do...
Who to see?
Ed Sheeran is headlining and you can catch the Foo Fighters, Lorde, Katy Perry, Radiohead, British Sea Power, Rag'n'Bone Man, Martha Wainwright, Goldfrapp, The Flaming Lips, Jamiroquai, The Lemon Twigs and so many more take a peep at the line up here
What to wear
Most importantly, what threads to pack? Read on we got you covered...
What to do?
The Wood is full of hidden surprises. A magical place to relax and recharge, there’s a fire lighting every night with installations lovingly created by the local crew. From willow sculptures to The Gathering installation by Rob Mulholland to the intriguing Ilumaphonium – a dynamic music making multi sensory installation.
In the Green Fields you'll find the Tipi field, peace gardens and the artisans of the Green Crafts Village where you can try your hand at jewellery making at the Lost Treasure Silver Workshop.
At Green Futures you'll find stunning Green art work, sculpture and interactive debate. Keep an open mind as issues are explored by this year’s guest speakers Ruby Wax, Gillian Anderson and Jenny Jones.
The Croissant Neuf Field is all about sustainability – feeding the green message through pure inspiration. From the handcrafted marsh reed archway to the exhibits and stalls - hand crafted, locally sourced, organic, fairtrade or recycled, it‘s all off-grid. Amazingly this field is run on pure Solar Power alone!
We've got our eye on The Unfairground with it's 'mind-altering zone for subversive, radical, art and music. Infused with anarchist spirit and satirical wit, the act of repurposing both ideas and salvaged material, turns the unethical cycle of consumerism and wastefulness into a virtuous one'.
Join the fiesta at Glasto Latino the portal to Latin America. Here partying is an art form, known for its rhythm, colour, and movement.
Each night they hold their famous salsa parties and in the afternoons lessons can be had in salsa, tango and reggaetón all whilst sipping latin cocktails from the dancing bar staff of Peacocktails.
Babylon Uprising a not-for-profit collection of sound boys, artists, musicians and eco-builders showcasing some of the undergrounds most prolific artists, alongside up and coming talent.
2017 sees the return of the Reason Roadblock, bringing the caribbean vibe via the medium of a carnival cart navigating the festival pathways complete with dancers and Afrobeat vibrations!
What to eat & drink
Chef Andy Evans (winner of the Observer’s Best Sunday Lunch Award ) will be back to host the Deluxe Diner, cooking some of the most delicious food onsite.
Dress up and join them for a 'cheeky dose of civilization' to a dreamy soundtrack of live jazz. All on a real chair with actual knives and forks!
Check in at the Beat Hotel and get your bearings at the motel like bar that stocks bartenders with sass and world DJs in bathrobes.
There's plenty of tipple from dedicated Tennessee Whiskey at the Meeting Place to the Mojitos at West Holts Bar, not forgoing plenty of locally sourced cider of course which you can sip out of your reusable Glastonbury steel cup!
Ready set festival!
Jo