Red Funnel

Newport, Isle of Wight - 24 & 25 May 2008

The Big Green Picnic is a fun packed community event, sponsored by Red Funnel, for individuals of all ages and families on May 24 and 25 at a transformed County Hall car park in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

From the Art workshops from Quay arts or building a straw bale house and Live bands -including the Unity Stomper, Martin Harley, The Hat and local heroes The Bees Sound Selection will be dj-ing between storytelling and theatre pieces on the Bestival Bandstand through to the environmental speakers and videos in the cinema tent - come and join in the fun!

Help the Isle of Wight Council and its partners create sustainable communities on the Island; learn how to reduce your carbon footprint whilst listening to live bands, eating local food and generally having a brilliant time!

The Big Green Picnic follows on from the hugely successful Eco Island conference which was staged on the Isle of Wight in March this year.

This time, the emphasis of the weekend is exploring ways in which individuals and families can do their bit to help the Island with its long term aim of having the lowest carbon footprint in England by 2020.

Exhibitors range from a solar powered toy exhibition staged by the Medina Valley Centre to a special "Bestival" bandstand organised by one of the Island's most popular music festivals which will feature local bands.

Other exhibitors include Quay Arts and Smallfoot - a new local eco-friendly mobile coffee company which has just started on the Island and sells organic fairtrade tea, coffee and hot chocolate from the back of a 1940s Italian moped.

There will be exhibitions from firms selling solar panels, wind turbines and rainwater harvesting equipment, a Women's Institute tea tent, and an exhibition of new eco-friendly buses by Southern Vectis.

There will be an exhibition from the Isle of Wight Council's Parks and Countryside section showing a range of the Isle of Wight's stunning walks in its beautiful landscape as well as a planter of drought tolerant plants.

Also at the council exhibition will be information about composting and Eco Island.

Hosts of voluntary organisations, public bodies and traders will also be present at the event which takes place in Quay Street and the car park.

Isle of Wight Council leader Councillor David Pugh said: "Isle of Wight Council leader Councillor David Pugh said: "Our ambitious Eco Island strategy sets out how the Isle of Wight will become a dynamic and thriving community in balance with its local environment.

"We staged a successful Eco Island conference last month which set out our vision and encouraged local businesses to play their part in creating a place which residents and visitors alike can be proud of.

"But it is also down to individuals to do their bit to protect our beautiful environment for future generations. The Big Green picnic will give visitors, residents and their families a marvellous fun day out, whilst at the same time furthering our Eco Island vision."

There will be a series of themed marquees and areas focusing on various issues, including:
    * local food
    * transport
    * arts and crafts
    * lifestyle/home/gardening
    * beauty and health
    * energy and water
    * construction
    * waste and recycling
    * the natural environment