Colchester will host its first large scale eco festival which promises to be both inspiring for all who attend and a blueprint model for any festival. The Eco Festival taking place on 4th September in Colchester, Lower Castle Park, is a free community event, organised and run entirely by volunteers who want to help inspire positive social change towards sustainable ways of living. 

“We are living in a climate emergency and we all need to make changes. It’s a big ask, but we need to change. The way we eat, the way we shop, what we buy, how we use water, how we travel.  It’s the everyday changes in how we consume products and services that can have a positive social impact on our community and the planet. Come along and see what’s on offer. You can even try out some e-bikes and e-scooters.“ commented Malcolm Laquis-Alden, Project Manager for the festival. 

The Event Committee has been planning the festival for the past year.  The aim is to entertain, inspire and demonstrate how to live more sustainably, helping people to discover how to consume products and services differently. It will offer everyone the chance to explore sustainable ways of living whilst having a great time for the whole family at the same time.  The festival will offer something for everyone enabling visitors to pick and choose all things eco, from eco soap to renewables, eco fashion, recycling, health and wellbeing, to personal mobility and sustainable transportation eco-living. There will be the main stage with musical acts and performances, a speakers tent, walkabout entertainers, children’s activities, a healing tent, and a variety of vegan and vegetarian food and drink stalls. 

There are also fabulous prizes to be won including a Family one-day rail pass, Colchester Zoo one-day family visit, Leisure World one-month free family Leisure Pool pass, Cannock Mill cohousing one-day experience of cohousing for two people.  Plus more.   Children can enter with their completed Family Woodland Animals Stamp Trail postcard, and anyone can enter by completing a survey to share their views. With over 70 stalls to visit, there is something for everyone who is looking for more ways to be more eco friendly. 

“By learning, and doing things differently, together we can all make a big difference. It is our aspiration that all future events – any event – will be sustainable, carbon-neutral and ecologically sound.” commented Andrew Wilkinson, Project Manager en-form, Colchester’s Environmental Centre. 

The festival is supported by a number of sponsors including Octopus Energy, Roy Tolley Motor Group, Love Essex, Active Essex, East of England Coop, Spin, GridServe, ecoliving, Colchester Borough Council, Our Colchester, Orsted, KG Moore, and the Colchester Green Party.

There will be FREE entry on the day. However, the festival organisers ask that you book your free ticket online, to help them plan and organise the event. You can get more information and book your ticket on the eco festival website. https://www.eco-festival.org/reserve-tickets/

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Notes to the editor: 

• Photos available
• Eco Festival is the first of its kind in Colchester
• Eco Festival is organised and run by volunteers
• The festival is being held on 4th September 10 am – 6 pm in Lower Castle Park, Colchester 
• The Eco Festival is a free event. We encourage visitors to book their free tickets online. 
• For more information visit the festival website
  https://www.eco-festival.org/
• For more information contact Andrew Wilkinson en-form
  info@en-form.org.uk
• en-form is Colchester’s Environmental Information Centre
  www.en-form.org.uk