Your Chance To Turn Sussex Green
Published 1st Jun 2007 by JR

Sussex residents are being urged to attend a groundbreaking new eco-event this June. The first ever EcoFair (www.ecofair.org.uk) to come to Sussex will give residents an opportunity to start living a ‘greener’ life by offering accessible advice, raising awareness of green issues and staging a market with more than 50 stall holders. The event will be taking place on the 23rd June at St John's Park in Burgess Hill and comes at a time when society is realising we all need to act in order to tackle the growing problem of climate change.

The EcoFair has been set up by ecotecture an ecological architectural practice based in Bolney, and is being run in conjunction with Burgess Hill Environmental Issues Forum and Mid Sussex District Council. The EcoFair will have a series of zoned streets crisscrossing the park with stalls offering everything from information on sustainable building materials and energy efficiency, to Fair Trade crafts and local produce.

As there has been an increasing amount of attention dedicated to global warming by both the media and politicians alike, more and more people are beginning to recognise the impact they have on the environment. Many people want to do something to change their lifestyle but are unsure where to start and the EcoFair will act as a stepping stone for those who need some guidance.

Visitors to the EcoFair will be able to browse more than fifty different stalls and learn simple and effective ways to help them adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle without compromising any of life’s luxuries. One of the companies taking part in the event is Bamboo Clothing that produce performance clothing made of bamboo. Managing Director David Gordon believes that the EcoFair represents a growing interest from mainstream consumers in ethical / environmental issues. He said:

‘I was looking for an eco friendly business idea with huge potential when I came across bamboo in a small town in China. The incredible benefits of bamboo clothing - for the wearer - were soon clear, it surpassed every criterion I had. Bamboo is grown 100% organically and is ethically made, but what's really exciting is it's almost unfeasibly soft and worn next to the skin, is moisture wicking, temperature regulating, anti static (so it doesn't stick to you when hot), antibacterial, so keeps fresh and also cuts out 98% of UV rays. We want to build a brand by doing things the right way, challenging the ethos of the big guys and reaching out to the general public and events like the EcoFair are a great way of us doing that.’

Residents will also be able to sample delicious locally sourced produce and handmade organic goodies. Local Vegetarian and Vegan catering company VegOut will be running a barbecue on the day using environmentally friendly charcoal sourced locally and the veggie burgers and hot dogs that are purchased by visitors will be served up on plates made from reeds and wooden cutlery made from sustainable sources. VegOut’s Diane Page says: ‘It is widely accepted that vegetarians have a lighter footprint on the earth’s resources,’ and both Diane and her business partner Pat, will be at the Fair promoting tasty and delicious vegetarian food.

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