Bristol's Big Green Week gets under way
THOUSANDS of people got involved as a week of environmental awareness got under way.
The Big Green Week started on Saturday with markets, talks and children's events kicking off the festival.
And yesterday Park Street was closed off for activities culminating in an electric bike race.
The festivities were launched on Saturday with Bristol's BIG Market which saw 15,000 flock down Corn Street and onto the Harbourside.
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The market featured food and drink produced in the South West and locally created arts and crafts. The idea was to showcase a host of inspirational independent businesses from the region.
Sarah Drummond, co-owner of Bristol Cheese, which had a stall in Corn Street, said: "The festival is great for Bristol and great for all the local traders.
"We've all been rushed off our feet from the start – it's been a crazy day.
Despite the drizzle on Sunday, crowds flocked to Park Street, which was closed off for the festivities.
Children marked the street with chalk drawings before the Atmosphere Electric Bikes World Championship got under way.
Hosted by Red Dwarf star Robert Llewellyn, the first ever competition of its kind saw electric bike manufacturers pitted against each other in uphill races for the Good Energy Trophy.
Chris Moody, from Electric Transport in Bristol, won the first race. On his return back down Park Street he told the Post: "It feels amazing."
He added: "The event is a great promotion for green transport and really raises green awareness."
Stuart Drinkall, an organiser from Atmosphere Bikes, said: "This uphill race is just about showing people how easy it is. It's not the Red Bull bike race with athletes in lycra it's just normal people tackling Park Street without the strain"
Big Green Week runs until Sunday, June 17.
There will be events, talks, screenings and lectures every day next week at venues including the Colston Hall, the Watershed, The Passenger Shed Arnolfini, M shed, At-Bristol, Berkeley Square Hotel, Mercure Holland House hotel and Bristol Cathedral.
On the final weekend, June 16 and 17, there will be the annual Festival of Nature – Europe's biggest free nature festival held in a tented village across the Harbourside.
And on the final Sunday Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride takes place – the annual city council-organised event which starts and finishes at the Festival of Nature.
Half of the events are free of charge, but others have admission prices.
The £10 discount Green Pass wristband is the best value way to enjoy the week, with reduced price tickets, as well as discounts at cafes, restaurants and bars around the festival.
For a full programme of events, offers and entry prices, visit www.biggreenweek.com, call 0117 922 3686, or search for Big Green Week on Facebook or Twitter.
Comments
by Pete303North
Monday, June 11 2012, 11:41PM
“I would have gone but there's no parking in bristol”