Eco Festival: Food, Entertainment and Marketplace

Saturday 2nd September 2023 – 11am to 6pm
Lower Castle Park, Colchester, CO1 1UD

We have a huge assortment of organisations, clubs, societies, charities and individuals who will be attending the Eco Festival.

Below is the latest information on who is attending the Festival and the various activities and entertainment.

Eco Festival 2023 Site Plan

Click on the picture to see a larger version or click here to download a copy.

Last updated: 27-August-2023

Welcome Zone (West)
  • Entrance gate tent – Information, First-aid & lost children & property
  • Main stage – See Entertainment to for performance times.
  • 1 En-form
  • 1A Eco Essex
  • 1B Pesticide Free Essex
Energy Zone (North West)
  • 2 Green Pulse Energy – Renewable Energy
  • 3 Colchester City Council – Energy Efficiency
  • 4 Energie Solutions
  • 5 Colchester Community Energy
  • 6 Utility Warehouse
  • 7 Orsted – Renewable Energy
Transport Zone (North) – Includes free Bike parking & repairs
  • 8 Roy Tolley
  • 9 Colchester EV Chargers
  • 10 Enterprise Car Club
  • 11 Colchester Electric Vehicle (EVs) Society
  • 12 Colchester Sports Park
  • 13 Flight Free
  • 14 Colchester Bike Kitchen
  • 15 Re-cycle
  • 16 Cycle Colchester
  • 17 Tier
  • 18 Future Bikes
  • 19 Walk Colchester
  • 20 Essex Pedal Power
  • 21 Raleigh
  • 22a TBC
  • 22b TBC
Wildlife Zone (Central)
  • 23 TBC
  • 24 Owl & Birds of Prey Rescue
  • 25 The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
  • 26 Boxted Wildlife
  • 27 Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB)
  • 28 Field Studies Council (FSC)
  • 29 Colchester Woodland & Biodiversity Project
  • 30 Natural England LIFE REMEDIES Project
  • 31 Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT)
  • 32 Colchester Natural History Society
Eco Living Zone (Central)
  • 33 Beth Chatto Education Trust
  • 34 Abberton Rural Training
  • 35 Green Christian
  • 36 Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk Pylons
  • 37 Friends of Castle Park
  • 38 Essex Climate Action Commission & Essex County Council
  • 39 Sustainability Team – University of Essex
  • 40 TBC
  • 41 TBC
  • 42 PACE Manningtree
  • 43 Old Hall Community
  • 44 Community 360
  • 45 TBC
  • 46 Eden Project Communities
  • 47 Colchester Liberal Democrats
  • 48 TBC
  • 49 Suffolk & Essex Hunt Sabs
  • 50 Cause creating Flare
  • 51 Young Greens
  • 52 Green Party
  • 53 Colchester Labour Party
  • 54 Triplet Flowers
  • 55 Guilt Free Soapery
  • 56 Vale Woodcraft
  • 57 Malex International (Cortissa)
  • 58 MacraMade For You By Claire
  • 59 Sew Dutch
  • 60 Beautiful Healthy Home
  • 61 Wiccaknitta
  • 62 Craft BEERings
  • 63 A Little Eco
  • 64 Bar Suds
  • 65 Eco Hug Stor
  • 66 Wombleknits
  • 67 Buzz Power Honey
  • 68 Little Adventures with Dough
  • 69 Hoopsy
  • 70 Wild Taste – foraging
  • 71 Bennison Farm
  • 72 Colchester Food Co-op
  • 73 Bolivian Pastries
  • 74 Fairfield Crisps
Waste Reduction Zone (Central)
  • 75 GO4Enterprises CIC
  • 76 Colcheco
  • 77 Spindler demolition and
    reclamation
  • 78 Essex Library Services
  • 79 Colchester Litter Pickers
  • 80 RentMy
  • 81 Morsbags
  • 82 The Refill Den (van)
Food Zone (South) – includes the main water point, seating, picnic areas and our recycling bins.
  • 73 Bolivian Pastries (central)
  • 83 Mamas Kitchen
  • 84 Sir Isaacs Artisan Coffee
  • 85 Juicy Bar
  • 86 Chickpea Catering
  • 87 Good Food Karma
  • 88 Café2u Braintree
  • 89 Samu Kitchen
  • 92 Mr Shakespeare
  • 93 Pizza Mind
  • 94 Norwegian Bakers
Children’s Zone (East)
Baby Zone (East)
Water Zone (East)
  • 100 Anglian Water
  • 101 TBC
  • 102 TBC
Health & Wellbeing Zone (North East)

See Health & Wellbeing Activities

  • 103 In Her Element / Yogababe
  • 104 Manor Health & Wellness Centre
  • 105 Tropic Skincare – Independent Ambassador
  • 106 Healing Tent
  • 107 Beautiful Boho
  • 108 Blossome CIC
  • 109 Beautiful Boho
  • 110 Adaptable By Design
Clothing Zone (North East)
  • 111 The Textile Collective
  • 112 Kida-Majig Preloved children’s clothes
  • 113 – 116 – TBC
  • 117 Consciously Clothed
  • 118 Colchester Frock Swap
  • 119 TBC

Baby Zone

Sponsored by Anglian Water

Activities Timetable

Click on the activities below for more information

11:00 to 18:00 - Beautiful Bonds sling library, offering free sling hire for the day and free fit checks

Beautiful Bonds sling library, offering free sling hire for the day and free fit checks

11:00 to 18:00 - East Essex Cloth Nappy Library offering free advice

11:00 to 18:00 - Essex Baby Lab

Showcasing their research on baby development and offering Baby activities

11:00 to 18:00 - Breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding support provided by La Leche League Colchester.

Our trained breastfeeding counsellors are all volunteers who have nursed their own babies, completed breastfeeding support training, and are accredited as LLL Leaders

We support you to provide human milk for your baby, however that looks for you and your family. We are committed to serving everyone – mothers, parents, families – regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental ability, socio-economic status, political views, gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, cultural values and beliefs.

11:00 to 18:00 - Craft table to make baby toys from recycled materials

12:00 - 12:30 - Rhythm Time Colchester

13:00 - 13:30 - TBD

14:00 - 14:30 - Tiny Talk Colchester

15:00 - 15:30 - TBD

Last updated: 13-August-2023

In the Baby Zone you will be able to relax and rest with your babies and toddlers in the seating area.

If you need feeding support La Leche League and a local lactation consultant will be on hand to help.

Beautiful Bonds sling library will be running a buggy park with free sling hire to make navigating the festival easier.

You’ll also be able to chat to East Essex Nappy Library about all things cloth nappy. Essex baby lab from the University of Essex, will have a variety of activities for you to try throughout the day to help learn about your baby’s development. And if all this wasn’t enough there will also be free demos throughout the day for babies and toddlers!

Beautiful Bonds

Beautiful Bonds offers support with the postnatal period, preparing you through pregnancy and supporting you in the fourth trimester with babywearing, feeding, love and nurture.

Essex Babylab

At the Essex Babylab, we study how infants and children learn and develop. At the Eco Festival, we will provide families with fun activities they can do with their baby that will show them how babies discover the world during their very first years.

East Essex Cloth Nappy Library CIC

We offer advice and support for everyone interested in reusable nappies. We also provide trial kits and newborn kits.

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La Leche League GB (LLLGB)

We are committed to serving everyone – mothers, parents, families – in a way that is inclusive of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national origins, ancestries, ages, marital statuses, physical or mental abilities, socio-economic statuses, political views, gender identities, sexual orientations, family structures, cultural values and beliefs.

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Children's Zone

Activities Timetable

Click on the activities below for more information

11:00 to 18:00 - Create a sculpture using recycled materials (suitable for all ages)

Create a sculpture using recycled materials either a Dragon or a tree with Nicola Burrell. This will be an on going creative peace of art, that the children will be encouraged to get involved in making throughout the day along with Nicola and presented at the end of the festival.

11:00 to 18:00 - Punch & Judy shows throughout the day (suitable for all ages)

Punch & Judy shows throughout the day with Tommy Bradshaw

11:00 to 18:00 - Professor Bo Bubbles & Circus Skills with Chris Mayne (suitable for all ages)

Chris Mayne will be Professor Bo Bubbles, showing off his amazing Circus Skills and entertaining children of all ages.

11:00 to 18:00 - Eco Face Painting and fake tattoos (suitable for all ages)

Purple Whisker’s will be providing face painting (over 3’s) and fake tatoo’s (under 3’s) throughout the day. No need to book just turn up.

11:00 to 18:00 - Archery, fire demos and cordage making (suitable from 3+ years)

Woods O Wisdom will be running fire demos and cordage making workshops along with the archery range and arts n crafts for children from natural renewable resources.

11:00 to 16.30 - Recycled crafts! (suitable for all ages)

Big and little kids can join the Colchester Museums team and enjoy some recycled crafts! Drop in, get creative and give something unwanted a new lease of life.

11:00 to 16.30 - Sandal Sticks Theatre - Storyteller (suitable for all ages)

Last updated: 27-August-2023

More activities will be added very soon!

Chris Mayne’s World of Magic

Over 20 years of experience as a Magician and Illusionist, specialising in children’s entertainment. I’m looking forward to a wonderful day, full of fun & laughter at Eco Festival 2023.

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Purple whiskers face painting

Offering face painting services for parties and events, in Benfleet and surrounding areas.

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Colchester & Ipswich Museums

Colchester Museums look after three incredible venues in the city centre: Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and of course, the Natural History Museum. Find out more about local wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change at this much-loved, family-friendly museum. Get up close to nature as you learn about stag beetles – a Colchester success story – and discover the secrets of the drowned world underneath the North Sea. Did you know that there was an earthquake in Colchester in 1884? Or that mammoths and hippos used to roam this area? To plan your visit, head to: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/natural-history-museum/

Activities will take place from 11am till 4.30pm in the children’s zone.

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Woods O Wisdom

We offer a range of experiences in the Colchester, Essex area to help you shake off the stresses of modern-day life & give you the opportunity to reconnect with nature whilst enjoying the tranquillity of our campfire.

Have fun whilst learning new skills from an older age. Awaken your primaeval instincts by learning the art of creating fire & immerse yourself in the natural surroundings, learning more about our remarkable native flora & fauna. Taking Colchester bushcraft courses to a new level!

We hold our courses in 40 acres of beautiful deciduous woodlands offering family-friendly fun bushcraft skills to full-on bushcraft skills and woodland crafts reconnecting you back to nature and an older age when you had to thrive in the natural environment in a safe environment taught by a very experienced and qualified bushcraft instructor.

We also run group and family archery fun sessions on our woodland range all taught by qualified Archery GB instructors.

We can also bring our bushcraft & archery fun to you with our 10m bushcraft shelter and mobile archery range making it perfect for school groups, private gatherings, festivals and fayres alike.

We will be running fire demos and cordage making workshops along with the archery range and arts n crafts for children from natural renewable resources

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Eco Living Zone

en-form

en-form is a registered charity dedicated to helping make a difference one bit at a time. Whether you are trying to commit to recycling your plastic to reduce your carbon impact, or you want to know about making your home more energy efficient to reduce your fuel bills – we are here to help!

Our Aim: To encourage public involvement in safeguarding and improving the environment.

Our Objective: To contribute towards the establishment of a healthy and sustainable environment in which all communities can thrive.

We aim to fulfill the following functions:

  • Provide comprehensive information on a wide range of environmental issues.
  • Assist individuals and organisations to make better informed decisions on how they can help improve and sustain our environment.
  • Act as a focal point for all local environmental groups.
  • Help all the local groups to achieve their environmental projects by building partnerships with like minded groups, helping with funding advice and providing more general advice.
  • Inform & educate the local population on environmental matters by offering a link between schools and other local groups and environmental education services
  • Inspire other groups to start and achieve a range of environmental projects, acting as a catalyst and partner.

Eco Colchester

We are Eco Colchester – a non-profit & community led group, whose intention is to enable the local community to network, communicate, learn and take action on the climate crisis and global biodiversity loss at a local and grass roots level.

As the Colchester community arm of En-form, we act as a community voice for social responsibility and environmental preservation and improvement and want to help Colchester to grow and flourish into an ecological and environmentally sustainable place to live today and for our future generations.

We are an integral part of the Eco Festival

Beth Chatto Education Trust

The famous Beth Chatto Education Trust will be at the festival this year. Famous for developing a drought garden at Elmstead Market. Find out about sustainable Planting. Plants (not for sale) that are adapted for dry sunny conditions or shade. Peat Free compost used and illustrated. Course information.

Abberton Rural Training

A National Award winning charity providing education and training in a range of Land Based Studies including Horticulture, Woodlands, Land Management, Conservation, Countryside & Environment, Construction and Rural Crafts.

We work with a range of groups including disadvantaged, vulnerable and isolated people, with specialist groups for young people, people with Special Education Needs, Wounded and Injured Service Personnel, victims of Domestic Violence and many others, as well as being for the general community who just want to learn conservation or gardening skills etc.

With sites right across Essex and South Suffolk we are sure to have a course close to you, however, if you cannot come in yourself due to isolation or other factors, then why not have a look at our online courses to help you get started.

Clean Air Colchester

To support air quality improvements in the borough, we have been awarded funding to manage a two-year Clean Air for Colchester project. This community-led project aims to cut pollution from cars, buses and vans.

The project, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), focuses on changing habits and encouraging people to walk and cycle for short journeys.

We know from research that small changes to driving habits, such as switching the engine off whilst stationary, can cut pollution by up to 20-30%.

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Eco Essex

A group offering eco support, tips, information, resources, teacher resources and  kids activities.

Green Christian

Green Christian aims to provide a contribution to the festival, linking with other groups in the context of the climate and biodiversity crises. We will aim to celebrate God’s creation, offering hope for the future and drawing attention to the need to bring justice to our neighbours across the world.

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Friends of Castle Park

To promote membership of Friends of Castle Park who provide support to the park by volunteering on tasks such as deadheading roses, watering etc. We also provide financial support to the park, for example by contributions to projects such as pond refurbishment. We will be selling a few homegrown plants, knitted hedgehogs and flower fairies to attract people to our stall and raise funds to support the park.

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Essex County Council and the Essex Climate Action Commission 

The Essex Climate Action Commission was set up by Essex County Council to give independent expert advice on how to tackle climate change, build our resilience to more extreme weather and become a net zero, carbon neutral county. Join us at the Eco Festival on 3 September where you can learn more about action to tackle climate change in Essex. We will also be providing information on our Climate Advice Packs which provide a collection of practical tips and advice on actions we can all take to help the environment.

University of Essex (Sustainability)

Based in Wivenhoe Park, the University of Essex is home to thousands of students and staff, and we’re working hard to reduce our environmental impact. Visit us to find out about our work around sustainability on campus and what we have planned, and learn about ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Old Hall Community

We are a group of families and individuals who have chosen to live together in a large old building, with 70 acres of land, in rural Suffolk. There are approximately 40 adults and 10 under 18s living here, though that can vary from year to year. A number of the founder members from 1974 still live here and, although people come and go, we are a fairly settled community. We see ourselves as part of the wider community rather than separated from it – our children attend local schools and several members have jobs locally, in nearby towns or London. We have a ‘no dogs‘ policy

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Community 360

Community360 has been at the heart of our local voluntary and community sector since 1968 and all our work is driven by our purpose. Through partnership working we will foster resilient, thriving and inclusive environments so everyone can live their best lives.

Our purpose is underpinned
by our core values

We want an equal society where everybody whatever their background can access the support they need. We are committed to connect people with their community in a way that works for them, and to build capacity through collaboration.

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Eden Project Communities

Creating happier, healthier communities

We bring people together and support them to make positive changes where they live. Find the ideas, actions and inspiration to help you get involved with your community.

Energy Zone

Sponsored by Green Pulse Energy and Ørsted

In the Energy Zone learn about renewable energy, talk to Ørsted about their wind farm and speak with Green pulse energy about renewables for your home. Switch your home energy to a renewable energy providers and discuss how to move towards Net Zero.

Join the Green Pulse Energy FREE Raffle

1st place- £1500 off full standard install (12 panels and above)

2nd place- £1000 off Battery install

3rd Place- Free iboost

Visit the Green Pulse Energy stand on the day to enter and for more information.

Green Pulse Energy

Since 2014 Green Pulse Energy have been installing Solar PV, Heat Pumps, and renewable technologies in homes across East Anglia.
A certified installer under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), and Government Trust Mark, these nationally recognised quality assurance schemes that insist that we provide every customer with a top-quality service throughout each installation.

Ørsted

We were once one of the most coal-intensive energy companies in Europe. Today, we’re the world’s most sustainable energy company, and a global leader in the transition to green energy. We develop, construct, and operate multiple offshore wind farms and are gradually expanding our global presence. You can learn more about what we are doing right here in the UK on our website.

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Utility Warehouse

All your home services in one
Save time and money by getting all your home services in one, simple, monthly bill.

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Community Energy Colchester

Our energy, Our choice. Helping Colchester to move toward Net Zero

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Energie Solutions

Expert Solutions for a Sustainable World is what we strive to deliver in everything we do.

Energie Solutions is a customer focused leading Renewable Energy company covering East Anglia and London.

We provide our customers with long-term cost-effective solutions on products that aim to reduce environmental impact and create eco-friendly homes, businesses and environments. We can now offer finance, making the transition to an eco-friendly home more affordable.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility is very important to us, that’s why we are working towards our ISO:14001 Environmental Standard.

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Colchester City Council

Find out if you could save money on your energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of your home.

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Entertainment

Entertainment Timetable

Click on the activities below for more information

11:00 to 11.15 – Fraser Morgan – folkist/punkist extraordinaire!

11:15 to 11:30 - Intro & Announcements

11.30 to 12.10 - Elmer & Friends

Headed by Dr Elmer van der Hoek, local jazz musician of great renown, and environmentalist.

12.10 to 12.40 – Bhadram School of Dance

A massive hit in 2021, and now an established hit with our audiences.

12.40 to 13.20 – Armoured Man - folk/rock and thirsty!

13:20 to 13:40 - Talk by Peter Schwier, Essex Climate Commission.

13.40 - 14:10 - Tai Chi

14.10 to 14.50 – Bear Witch Project - Upbeat indie folk blues rock reggae

14.50 to 15.15 – Emily Myers, Celebrant

Celebrant. Join us for this Earth Blessing – suitable for all.

15.15 to 15.45 – Hells Bells Goth Morris - Steampunk & Sassy

Hello from Hells Bells. We are a group of highly enthusiastic, amateur dancers and musicians, devoted to keeping the Morris tradition alive with a modern twist.

Our dance style is Border Morris and our dress style is steampunk – it’s a sassy combination!
Hells Bells is proud to be a mixed side that welcomes adult performers of any age and ability. The only essentials are a willingness to learn and commitment to practice.
We perform at festivals and fairs as well as specific Morris and steampunk events.
We love what we do and we hope you will too.

15.45 to 15.50 – Announcements

15.50 to 16.30 – The Chloë Lupton Band - New Age Soul/R&B

Mellow away the afternoon with Chloë Lupton

16.30 to 17.00 – Light of the Nile Bellydance

Always a hit with the eco-festival crowd.

17.00 to 17.10 – Thanks, and goodbye

17.10 to 17.40 – Suzy Cramer - local folk singer/songwriter to play us out

Last updated: 27-August-2023

Food Zone

Please bring your own drinking vessels/containers to the Eco Festival #reuse

Cafe2u Braintree

We provide Espresso Coffee, Hot Chocolates, speciality Teas, alternative milks. All hot drinks are served in compostable cups. Chilled drinks come in cans.

Our van is a fully electric Vivaro E. all the equipment is powered by lithium batteries so NO generators.

Juicy Bar

We make cold-pressed juices and smoothies from fresh fruit and vegetables – some of which we have grown ourselves.

We are plant-based and vegan. At our base which is on Culver Square, Colchester we also make healthy foods, gym shakes, juice Packs and herbal tonics. We deliver these on our ecargo bike and can be found on our website – www.juicybarvitality.co.uk.

All our packaging, including our cups and straws, are made from plants and are compostable.

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The Chickpea

The Chickpea is a catering company with a difference. Inspired by the exotic ingredients and passionate commitment to fresh food in Asia, we decided to re-create the street food experience in Colchester. The idea started as a market stall and has grown through our commitment to always creating authentic fresh food. All of the curries are prepared by grinding fresh spices and are cooked to perfection from our chef’s original recipes.

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Sir Isaacs Artisan Coffee Ltd

Range of ice creams available this year from a local, popular shop.

Ice cream – Range of Gelato Scooping Ice cream – Wafers or tubs – toppings and sauces

Fruit flavours – 100% vegan pure fruit just made Strawberry Fruit Ice, Raspberry Fruit Ice, Mango Fruit Ice

Coconut, Mint choc chip biscoff – stand has been in culver square for 1 month over summer

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Bolivian Pastries

We are a local independent home bakery shop based in Colchester, specialising in vegan: cakes, bread, pasty, and desserts,Through baking and providing honest traditional food we aim to pay tribute to our wonderful heritage and culture. We hope you enjoy the taste of our authentic Bolivian street food as much as we do.

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Norwegian Bakers

We are bakers of highest quality breads, sweet and savoury buns, cakes and cookies at our vegan bakery in Wivenhoe, near Colchester in Essex.

We are now baking on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and the bakery is open on these days and welcome visitors from 9am til 2pm.

We also deliver to Wivenhoe, Colchester and surrounding villages – see our handy Baking Days information sheet here – and we utilise our e-cargo bike on local deliveries from the bakery.

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Samu Kitchen

We offer beautiful vibrant seasonal food that is plant-based.

Taste and flavour are what we do best.  We love the foods of the middle-east with its fragrant spices, Asia for its vibrancy as well as our own food heritage.

But most of all we love to delight people with food that is fun, delicious and healthy. We supply food for festivals and music events as well as weddings, supper clubs, fitness and wellness retreats, private events and business lunches.

At Samu, food provenance is very important as well as reducing food miles, food waste and creating more sustainable ways of growing, cooking and eating. Nutrition is a core part of Samu’s aim and honouring the powerful effect of food on the body and mind.

My mission from the start was to celebrate exciting life-giving food that would be good for the body as well as creating a community driving towards food security, health and to help everyone access healthy food.

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Fairfields Farm

Hello! Our families have been farming in East Anglia for three generations. We harvest potatoes, maize and rye on beautiful farmland across the Colne Valley just north of Colchester in Essex.
We’re the Stratherns, Laura and Robert. This is Fairfields Farm, where we live with our children. It’s where it all happens, from growing our potatoes to making our handcooked crisps, which we’ve been doing here since 2006. Not many farms can say they have a crisp factory on site!

Growing potatoes is something our families have been perfecting for three generations. Despite this long history, we’re not afraid to try new things – particularly if by changing our methods we reduce our impact on the environment around us. In fact, we’re setting our sights firmly on being the UK’s first carbon neutral crisp producer. You can find out more about our sustainability journey here

Unlike many snack and produce companies, we’re not owned by any huge corporation, or beholden to shareholders. The beating heart of our business is the incredible team we’ve built around us, who bring so much care and dedication to what they do. Because
of them, we win awards and pass inspection audits with flying colours. Because of the support of people like you, we grow and thrive.

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Pizza Mind

We make delicious wood-fired pizza at events, on the street and for private functions.

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Mr Shakespeare

Your food is made fresh every order, it’s worth the wait!

#greek #lunch #dinner #breakfast

Health & Wellbeing Zone

Activities Timetable

Click on the activities below for booking details

ALL DAY - 15 or 30 minute chair massages, mini Sound Baths, rebozo massage and Womb healing - £15 for 15 mins or £25 for 30 mins

Naomi from In her element will be offering 15/30 minute chair massages, mini Sound Baths, rebozo massage and Womb healing.

To book your place: Text or WhatsApp Naomi on 07801 350469.

ALL DAY - Take a moment - one minute mini breath meditation, Blossome - FREE

ALL DAY - Mindful Gardening, Blossome - FREE

11:00 - 12:00 - Men's Circle

An opportunity to explore modern-day experiences of being a man. Held by Orlando, in a non judgemental confidential space, supported by fellow men. Come along – it could change your life!

To book please contact Orlando on 07801350369
[email protected]

11:15 - 11:45 - Sacred Self Care - Outdoor soundbath with crystals and reiki healing - £15 per person

On arrival to the sound bath you will be invited to lay down on a cotton matt which will be laid directly on the on the grass, by laying on a natural material you will be more connected to the healing energies & vibrations of Mother Nature.

The cotton mats, cushions, and blankets will be provided for you, all you need to bring is water, a journal if you wish to note anything that arises and if you have your own special blankets and pillows you are welcome to bring them.

Once you have found your peace in the space, I will guide you into a deep nourishing mediation by working with various instruments which will have been infused and activated with reiki energies and you will connect with the crystalline energies.

The instruments that will be used include the shamanic drum, gongs, crystal bowls, chimes, voice notes, and the language of light. You simply bathe in the sounds, vibrations and frequencies which will wash over you calming, balancing, and restoring you.

£15 per person

To book your place: https://www.beautifulboho.co.uk/collections/sacred-self-care-1/products/mother-natures-sancturay-outdoor-sound-bath-with-crystals-reiki-healing

11:30 - 12:00 - Forest Bathing led by Gina Geremia Adaptable by Design

12:00 - 12:45 - Drumming circle – £10 per person

Come and join our drumming community, you will be welcomed into the bell tent sanctuary and lead on a beautiful drumming journey where you will connect with your primal self in this ancient practice.

£10 per person

To book your place: https://www.beautifulboho.co.uk/collections/sacred-self-care-1/products/mother-natures-sancturay-outdoor-sound-bath-with-crystals-reiki-healing

12:15 - 12:45 - Nia Dance with Sarah Varella - Session 1 of 2 - £5 per person

Join Sarah in The Manor Health & Wellness Centre Tent for a 30-minute
Nia taster session. Taught in more than 50 countries all over the world, Nia combines dance, martial arts and mindfulness. The classes usually last an hour and are suitable for everyone – men, women, young, old – and for all shapes, sizes, abilities and fitness levels.

£5 per person

To book your place email: [email protected]

13:00 - 13.30 - Doodling your Emotions, Blossome - FREE

13:00 - 14:00 - Yin Yoga with Chris McKnight - FREE

If you are looking to join a Yoga class with a more fun and relaxed atmosphere, please come and join Chris.

Chris will be teaching my Yin Yoga class which focuses on deep stretches that will help with your mobility/flexibility/strength and movement, everyone of all levels and abilities are absolutely included. Spaces are limited so please book early. Donations towards the class on the day are welcomed. Hoping to see you there.

To book your place: Text or WhatsApp Chris on 07903 324662

13:00 - 14:00 - Mother Earth Energy Healing Cacao Ceremony – £15 per person

A beautiful offering of a Ceremonial Cacao sacred circle, using the nurturing plant medicine to tap into our heart space allowing us to connect deeply with mother earth. I will guide you through collection a variation of rituals and mediations to feed into the healing earth energy, where we will complete an energy healing exchange with Mother Earth. The Ceremony will include a powerful sound bath with crystal bowls, Tibetan bows, drumming, gongs, chimes & other percussion instrument. To embody the healing, to celebrate Mother Earth and Cacao we will engage our bodies in free dance movement.

Choose which session you feel aligned with – please note spaces are extremely limited.

You should receive a PDF download with all the info you need for your chosen session. If you do not please contact me,

I’m so looking forward to welcoming you.

£15 per person

To book your place: https://www.beautifulboho.co.uk/collections/sacred-self-care-1/products/mother-natures-sancturay-outdoor-sound-bath-with-crystals-reiki-healing

14:00 - 14:30 - Writing for Wellbeing, Blossome - FREE

14:20 - 15:10 - Pilates movement and stretch with Alice Webster - FREE

Alice is an advanced clinical massage therapist, practising since 2006. She qualified as a APPI Pilates instructor in 2017 and runs mixed ability classes at the Manor and in other venues around Colchester.

Alice will be offering a gentle 50 minute stretching and movement class based on Pilates principles – suitable for all abilities. The class will be in standing and on the floor and mats will be provided. Come along to stretch, move and have fun!

The class is FREE but donations, on the day,  to en-form, Colchester’s environmental information and support hub ( www.en-form.org.uk)  would be welcomed.

To book your place: Text or WhatsApp Alice on 07894 630450 or email [email protected]

15:15 - 16:00 - Sacred Self Care - Outdoor soundbath with crystals and reiki healing - £15 per person

On arrival to the sound bath you will be invited to lay down on a cotton matt which will be laid directly on the on the grass, by laying on a natural material you will be more connected to the healing energies & vibrations of Mother Nature.

The cotton mats, cushions, and blankets will be provided for you, all you need to bring is water, a journal if you wish to note anything that arises and if you have your own special blankets and pillows you are welcome to bring them.

Once you have found your peace in the space, I will guide you into a deep nourishing mediation by working with various instruments which will have been infused and activated with reiki energies and you will connect with the crystalline energies.

The instruments that will be used include the shamanic drum, gongs, crystal bowls, chimes, voice notes, and the language of light. You simply bathe in the sounds, vibrations and frequencies which will wash over you calming, balancing, and restoring you.

£15 per person

To book your place: https://www.beautifulboho.co.uk/collections/sacred-self-care-1/products/mother-natures-sancturay-outdoor-sound-bath-with-crystals-reiki-healing

15:40 - 16:10 - Nia Dance with Sarah Varella - Session 2 of 2 - £5 per person

Join Sarah in The Manor Health & Wellness Centre Tent for a 30-minute
Nia taster session. Taught in more than 50 countries all over the world, Nia combines dance, martial arts and mindfulness. The classes usually last an hour and are suitable for everyone – men, women, young, old – and for all shapes, sizes, abilities and fitness levels.

£5 per person

To book your place email: [email protected]

16:30 - 17:30 - Shakti Yoga with Naomi Davies - £5 per person

This class is a nourishing & gentle mix of hatha, yin & restorative Yoga to support your wellbeing through all life stages: bring harmony to the menstrual cycle, fertility, postpartum, life with children, peri-menopause & post-menopause (especially if you lead a busy, chaotic or stressful life,  feel over-stimulated by modern living/disconnected from your essential self). Help your self find strength, power and belief in your own body and a sense of space & fun.

£5 per person

To book your place: https://inherelement.as.me/?appointmentType=50354981

Last updated: 27-August-2023

The Manor Health and Wellness Centre

Our Beautiful Yoga studio and Therapy Rooms here in the heart of Colchester Essex offer a wide range of natural holistic healthcare, therapies, classes and workshops.

Sarah Pinckney & Fiona Wallis created The Manor fulfilling their dream of being able to offer a whole combination of natural healthcare under one roof in Colchester Essex

“Our team of professional passionate therapists and teachers all have the same mission to provide the best natural healthcare to help and support you to live a happier, healthier life”

The Manor boasts warm and welcoming modern spacious therapy rooms and a fully equipped Yoga studio which are all available to hire.

Beautiful Boho

Beautiful Boho is the creation of Laura, a Crystal Healer & Reiki Master who uses the subtle power of crystals and other holistic remedies to help heal others in a truly unique way through her hand made holistic pieces.

Laura is passionate about her craft, infusing every piece with Healing Reiki Energy, sending her unique high vibrational pieces out into the world with a beautiful blessing of Peace & Love.

She knows first-hand how powerful this type of healing can be after falling ill herself and exhausting conventional avenues of medication. She turned to holistic remedies and healing and in curing herself she has now become an advocate in holistic health being accessible for all. Her calling is to extend her gift to as many others as she can through Beautiful Boho.

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Tropic Skincare

Tropic Skincare and Makeup business

Tropic is a company whose infinite purpose is to help create a Healthier, Greener more empowered world. Tropic is a certified carbon neutral company with all carbon emissions double offset. They heavily invest in conservation projects across the world and many of their products come with refillable packaging and recycling schemes. They are certified vegan and cruelty-free 100% naturally derived products.

 

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In her element

In her element is a boutique studio for women’s wellness, created by senior Yoga Practitioner and YogaBabe Founder, Naomi Davies, to offer tailored yoga, sound therapy, bespoke massage and energy work for all life stages: from womb & cycle wellness, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum to post menopause.

She is based at The Manor Health & Wellness Centre and runs regular Yoga classes, Sound Baths, workshops and masterclasses as well as private appointments in her beautiful garden room. She will help you to integrate your physical, mental, emotional and energetic bodies when you feel disjointed. Her specialist and bespoke appointments include: women’s wellness massage, womb & fertility massage, deep tissue & swedish, pregnancy massage, Closing the bones ceremony, shamanic energy practices, rebozo massage & sound therapy.

Adaptable By Design

At Adaptable by Design, we believe our overall wellbeing is linked to our connection with nature.

Our bespoke wellbeing programmes and services address our natural ability to adapt. This allows you to reconnect to your natural self and establish new patterns of thought and behaviour that work for you. In doing so, you develop strategies to overcome your unique problems, build resiliency and elevate your wellbeing. This is truly nature designed wellbeing.

We offer personal, workplace and community wellbeing services and programmes including:

  • Coaching
    • Personal & Professional Performance
    • Wellbeing Coaching
    • Teams
    • Climate Action
  • Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)
  • DISC Personality Profiling
  • Forest Bathing
  • Forest Therapy
  • Nature Connection Development Workshops
  • Wellbeing Retreats

We are also an Eco Tourism Partner!

If you’re looking to build your visitor experience, we bring forest bathing, guided walks and workshops to you so you can enhance your guest’s visits

Blossome

Blossome is a not-for-profit that helps those who have endured losing a loved one to alcoholism or addiction go from feeling alone, exhausted and guilty to supported, energised and happy on a guided self-care journey. It was founded by Kim Moore after she lost her husband Chris to alcoholism. Complicated grief for the whole family and the stigma surrounding alcoholism meant a difficult path to recovery which led Kim to developing the Pathway to Peace Healing Journey, to make it easier for others. Now you can meet others in the Blossome Community who understand the heartache. Participate in activities that teach you self-care and self-compassion and together, we put life back together in a healthy way.  Find the courage to be you and open up to joy. You are not alone.

Self Care Group

Join a Private Facebook Group offering a place to connect with others healing too. Listen, share anonymously and join in the conversation. Gain support and self care tips. This is a great first step for anyone affected by a loved one’s alcoholism or addiction. Join the free self-care support group.

Self Care Activities 

Take part in a self-care activity. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover old and new experiences, connect with others both online and in person. You choose. This is a great step towards regular self-care. You can Explore some of our activities and take part in short 30-minute taster sessions at Eco Festival.

Activities from our programme at Eco Festival include:
  • Take a moment – one minute mini breath meditation (all day)
  • Forest Bathing led by Gina Geremia Adaptable by Design
  • Doodling your emotions led by Kim Moore
  • Sountbath led by Beautiful Boho
  • Writing for Wellbeing led by Kim Moore
  • Nia led by Sarah Varela
  • Mindful Gardening led by the Mindful Gardener Sara Heard
Self-Care Community 

Surround yourself with others committed to their self-care and healing. Learn and practice self-care and self-compassion. This is all about deciding to prioritise your happiness and wellbeing. Join the Community.

Marketplace

Womble Knits

Colourful, reusable, handmade alternatives to plastic such as cotton market bags, soap sacks and washcloths, wool nappy covers, bottle slings, reusable gift bags, personalised Christmas stockings and decorations.  I also stock eco knitting patterns and knit kits for a range of my products.

Consciously Clothed

High quality preloved boutique
A unique mobile boutique extending the life cycle of clothing and accessories, helping you to achieve a more sustainable wardrobe.

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The Textile Collective is made up of three experienced, academically trained textile & art professionals. 

We all have sustainability and mindfulness at the core of our practises and together we have created a company within the local community that provides access to a large open workspace, a variety of sewing equipment and technical/artistic support. 

As a community interest company, we aim to enable visitors to develop their own creativity, be it their sewing skills or an overall understanding of textile craft in a safe, open, and friendly environment using donated fabrics and equipment.  We have developed flexible activity sessions and drop-in groups which allow visitors to connect and be inspired in their own personal way.

MacraMade For You By Claire

Handmade Macrame for you. Bespoke pieces made to order

Wiccaknitta

Unique handmade items including knitted, fabric and paper

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Sew Dutch

Hello, My name is Ingrid and I make Colourful Handmade Hair Accessories.

A range of colourful Mini, Wide elastic and XL scrunchies, jersey and retro knotted head bands, pretty bows and hair claws.

To start of my Autumn range I will be bringing a selection of knitted ear warmers. Everything is handmade in Colchester in my home studio.

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Kida-Majig

Kida-Majig is run by Tasha, Mum of two and passionate ‘pre-lover.’

Kida-Majig is a small business based in the Essex countryside, very close to the border of Suffolk. All garments come to Tash where she processes, washes and redistributes to their new lovely second homes.

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BAR:SUDS LTD

BAR:SUDS was created with the sole purpose of removing plastic from the supply chain and harmful chemicals found in commercially made soap. My bars do not contain anything other than natural products, which is how soap should be made, considering it’s been around thousands of years! I chose to turn my passion into a small business and forge ahead with the idea of changing people’s habits when it comes to skin products.
Our skin is precious and research has shown a greater number of people now have problem skin due to stress, anxiety, the environment and products used in everyday life. BAR:SUDS soaps are designed with ingredients that help sooth, calm and nourish the skin without taking any of the precious oils and moisture. Skincare without compromise is good for the skin and the planet.

Beautiful Healthy Home

A curated range of stylish, sustainable and ethical brands suitable for non-toxic living.
From natural candles and essential oil room sprays to reusable kitchen essentials and nourishing skincare.

Vale Woodcraft

Vale Woodcraft was founded in July 2020.  Our aim is to reduce the amount of wood waste that ends up in landfill (Currently in the UK 10 million tonnes of wood waste is generated each year and only 1 million tonnes is recycled). Since starting we have used over 12 tonnes of waste wood to make our range of homewares.

We design and make our own range of homewares which are handmade using reclaimed wood.  We are constantly expanding our product range so check back regularly to see what’s been added. We also source other high quality, sustainable materials that can be used to create unique gifts, such as Bamboo.

We also have a wide range of personalised options available and love bringing your ideas to life. All orders that need to be delivered are shipped using only recyclable and biodegradable packaging.

We will be selling a range of items at the Eco-Festival. Why not check out our online store.

Buzz Power

Buzz Power was born of two family passions: a love of beekeeping and running and cycling in the great outdoors.

Our founder and Apiarist-in-Chief, Tony, has been keeping bees for many years and his son Ed, a seasoned marathon runner and long-distance cyclist, suggested that a honey-based carbohydrate would be an excellent substitute for maltodextrin-based energy gels.

Like many competitive runners and cyclists, Ed found conventional maltodextrin-based energy gels an “unpleasant necessity”.

The Guilt Free Soapery

Plant based, organic, handmade cold processed soaps with ethics at heart. With a focus on sustainability and fairtrade ingredients. Low waste, no palm oil, home compostable packaging.

Craft BEERings

Hand-crafted, up-cycled earrings and broaches embracing the wonderfully different designs of craft beer cans, bottle tops and ring pulls.

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Cortissa

Cortissa® has a unique personality because of its vintage look and its eco-friendly, fun and colourful accessories. Everyone has a favourite colour that better defines who they are. After all, we believe that Cortissa®’s bright colours can change our clients’ moods. We choose things in general because we want to feel in a particular way.

We challenge you to let Cortissa® bring some fun and elegance to your life and want you to feel good. Those bright colours can be a reflection of your happiness and cheer you up. We want Cortissa®’s vibrant and lively colours to be combined with elegant and sustainable materials to help you raise your – and everyone around you – spirit.

Triplet Flowers

We are triplet sisters who grow cut flowers, locally and organically on our plot in Colchester. Grown with organic practices and no pesticides

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Eco Hug

In a world where consumerism has gone mad and with the over- production of plastics, with no proper means of disposing or recycling of it, we need to be looking to real alternatives to lessen our waste footprint at home. Its not always easy!

Little Adventures With Dough

Children’s natural compostable playdough. Planet friendly playdough
each of our doughs is scented & compostable! happy play, happy planet.

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Bennison Farm

Local, Seasonal, Organic Vegetables

Join a veg box scheme with a difference on our farm near Colchester. You’ll get a share of fresh local veg every week and if you join us on the farm for work days and social events, you’ll get a share of fresh air too. It’s a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme.

A Little Eco

Hi I’m Tara, owner of A Little Eco, mum to three little people who have been the inspiration behind my business. Using cloth nappies on them was my introduction into a more sustainable way of living. My business is about being “a little eco”, making small swaps collectively for a bigger impact overall.

We specialise in cloth nappies and accessories and lovely homeware items to help make a positive impact on the planet.

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Hoopsy

Hoopsy is a journey that I (Lara Solomon) started after going through two failed embryo transfers. When I looked at the challenges of getting or not getting pregnant, I realised that there are so many plastic pregnancy tests being thrown into landfill each year that it is horrifying. In the UK alone there are 12 million plastic tests that go into landfill each year.

With Hoopsy my goal is to provide sustainable healthcare products that help women, their partners, and the planet. I want to reduce the amount of plastic going into landfill from pregnancy tests and know that every test we sell means one less plastic test thrown in the bin – that is what makes me JUMP out of bed each morning!

Colchester Food Co-op

The Colchester Food Co-op will be at the festival selling a range of ethical goodies and giving out information on the Food co-op. Find out how to become a member and get access to a wide range of eco friendly products through their town centre shop at 15 Queen Street which has 24 hour access and a bulk buying service.

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Transport Zone

Sponsored by Colchester eCargo, Tier, Roy Tolley, Raleigh, Tier and Enterprise CarClub

The transport zone will showcase a vast variety of new and innovative ways to get about, helping us to reduce our impact and transition to more sustainable, greener forms of transportation. From walking, scooters, bikes, cargo bikes, public transport, electric vehicle car clubs, private and commercial electric vehicles. Owners will also be on-hand to answer your questions, free cycle parking, bike kitchen will be on hand for cycle repairs and there is even a fun try-out area

Activities Timetable

Click on the activities below for more information

11:00 to 18:00 - Try Out: Colchester Borough Council’s eCargo bikes - FREE

Come and try out a range of electric cargo bikes, please note riders must be 16+ but children can ride on-board.

Book on the day by visiting the relevant stall outside the eBike/eScooter try out area.

11:00 to 18:00 - Try Out: Raleigh electric bikes - FREE

Come and try out a range of Raleigh electric bikes, please note riders must be 16+ but children can ride on-board.

Book on the day by visiting the relevant stall outside the eBike/eScooter try out area.

11:00 to 18:00 - Try Out: Tier e-scooter training session - FREE

Tier will be offering free training sessions on their e-scooters and e-bikes with a free helmet and free 30-minute ride for participants. Please note riders must be 16+

Book on the day by visiting the relevant stall outside the eBike/eScooter try out area.

11:00 to 18:00 - Bike Repairs - FREE

Pop along for have a free health check on your bike, along with any minor repairs you might need.

11:00 to 18:00 - Ask your questions to our Electric Vehicle owners

Coming and have a chat about Electric Vehicle ownership and charging with our EV Owners, sit in vehicles and have a careful play around.

11:00 to 18:00 - Explore a selection of new Electric Vehicles

Sit in new electric demo vehicles, talk with someone at Roy Tolley about your needs and what they can offer.

Last updated: 13-August-2023

Try-out Area

Come and try out a range of Raleigh electric bikes, Tier electric bikes, Tier electric scooters and Colchester Borough Council’s eCargo bikes. Talk to our experienced volunteers about where to ride, riding with children and how to get the support you need to cycle more.

Book a space on the sessions via the relevant stall outside the try-out area

Sponsors

Colchester eCargo

Colchester’s unique zero emission, low cost, sustainable delivery service. Whatever you need collected and delivered to your door quickly by green, clean, eco-friendly eCargo Bike.

We work with retailers and businesses across Colchester from local independents to national chains, supporting our local economy and getting you what you need quickly and with a tiny carbon footprint.

We promise to have your local delivery with you quickly – all our deliveries can be next day, even same day, or even booked a few days in advance, and always delivered at a time that suits you.

Roy Tolley

At Roy Tolley, we are pleased to be able to offer you a selection of Electric vehicles from across our model ranges.

In our ever-changing world, an increase in innovative technology and efficiency is inevitable. Offering outstanding potential to cut carbon emissions whilst offering efficiency like no other, electric and hybrid vehicles are soon to become the first choice for the modern driver.

Fully electric vehicles are currently limited by range and charging points available, but as these technologies improve, the benefits of electric will undoubtedly begin to outweigh the negatives.

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Tier

In January 2020, we became the first micro-mobility company to be fully climate-neutral. We go beyond reducing emissions linked to charging and include production, operational and transportation emissions. Our commitment to being climate-neutral will not only benefit the environment but also ensure a liveable and sustainable future.

We will be offering free training sessions on their electric bikes and electric scooters with a free helmet and 30-minute ride for participants.

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Raleigh

Raleigh is one of the best-known bike brands in the world. Established in Nottingham, England in 1887, we offer reliability and trust from a brand with over 130 years of heritage. Raleigh now offers a range of e-cargo options to help you choose a more sustainable and environmentally friendly path through a brand you can trust.

We will be at the Eco Festival to let you try our range of both family and business e-cargo bike/trike models, plus answer any questions you may have.

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Enterprise Car Club

We have a range of electric vehicles that you can rent. Join and you can access vehicles across the UK, picking it up from a convenient street, train station, car park or Enterprise Rent-A-Car Branch. Membership includes energy, servicing, MOTs, breakdown cover, damage protection and cleaning, meaning you only pay for a vehicle when you need it, not when you don’t.

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Walking & Running

Walk Colchester

Walk Colchester was set up in 2010 with the following objectives: To promote and facilitate safe and enjoyable walking. To provide information about and facilitate walking access. To promote an inclusive approach to mapping. To aid protection of our green open spaces

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TravelEssex

TravelEssex – a journey planning app that allows you to search for sustainable travel options throughout Essex – all in one place. You can plan journeys by walking, cycling and public transport, including train, bus and DigiGo.

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Cycling

Colchester Borough Council’s eCargo bikes

An electric cargo bike, often called an eCargo bike, is an electric bike with purpose-built storage. The bikes come in different shapes and sizes to suit whatever is being transported, whether that be shopping, equipment, flowers, parcels, heavy goods or kids!

They offer a sustainable, low cost and environmentally friendly way for businesses to deliver goods and services and for residents to carry larger and heavier loads .

Come and try out a range of Colchester Borough Council’s eCargo bikes and find out more about Pay As You Go Hire and if you are interested in trying one before buying one. You can also fill out our short-term loan form

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Cycle Colchester

We’re here to keep you up to date with what’s happening locally to promote and support cycling. Whether you’re a beginner, looking to cycle more, a club rider, or just about getting from a to b, our objective is to encourage more people to cycle more often.

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Colchester Bike Kitchen

We’re a friendly DIY community bike workshop in Colchester town centre run completely by volunteers.

For a suggested minimum donation of just £5 you can make use of our fully stocked workshop to work on your own bike, either on your own or under the supervision of one of our mechanics. No need to book, just drop in whenever we’re open.

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Essex Pedal Power

Essex Pedal Power is one of the flagship programmes of the Active Essex Local Delivery Pilot (LDP). The scheme provides FREE bikes to residents in the county’s most disadvantaged communities, to significantly increase cycling, active travel and physical activity levels.

Working together with Essex County Council, The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS) and other key partners, the inclusive programme aims to make cycling accessible for everyone providing access to employment, training and educational opportunities or key local services.

The plan is to giveaway over 5,000 bikes by 2025 focusing on the six Levelling Up areas recognised by Essex County Council. Essex Pedal Power is a multi-agency programme, delivering on multiple agenda’s and outcomes.

Colchester Sports Park

Colchester Sports Park, part of Leisure World, is a 76 acre site providing both indoor and outdoor sports and leisure activities.

The Sports Park is unique to Essex and features a 1 mile floodlit Cycle Track and Pump Track. This facility is a safe space for both leisurely and challenging cycling. The track will have cycling provisions for people with disabilities and for those with special needs.

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Future Bikes

Welcome to Future Bikes!
We are NOW OPEN for E-Bike sales, servicing & maintenance on ALL bike types, cleaning equipment, bike accessories and more!

We stock Lapierre, Mi-Rider, Ridgeback, Muc-Off, Met Helmets and Crank Brothers, among others.

We offer amazing Caffia coffee, Tea Pigs and hot chocolate to tantalise your taste buds on these chilly autumn days. We also have a selection of cakes & scones most days. Be quick though!

We look forward to seeing you!

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Re-Cycle

The ethos behind our work is sustainability. Re-Cycle works in partnership with four organisations across four different African countries, each one doing something inspiring and empowering with the bicycles we send them. All own and run bike social enterprises – this ensures that the bikes we provide can be repaired, distributed and maintained for a long time to come.

We send our partners bikes, spare parts and tools (for free) that can be sold for a fraction of market value via their bicycle social enterprise.

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Electric Vehicles

Colchester Electric Vehicle Society

Electric Vehicles are greener, less polluting, cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain than petrol and diesel cars. With the upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 Electric Vehicles are going mainstream. Have a read of this helpful article.

We will have over 10 privately owned Electric Vehicles for you to look at, touch and sit in. Owners will be on hand to answer your questions about owning, charging and driving an Electric Vehicle.

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Colchester EV Chargers

We make it easy to charge your electric vehicle with quality EV Chargers & Cables. Colchester’s #1 Supplier and Installer of Universal Electric Vehicle Chargers. Powered by durable components and intelligent software, our equipment is recommended and approved by all major EV manufacturers. Charge faster today with Colchester’s largest range.

Air Travel

Flight Free UK

Our mission is to inform people of the climate impact of aviation and inspire people to travel by other means.

Flight Free UK was set up in 2018 by Anna Hughes, a behaviour change specialist and long-time advocate of flight-free travel. We challenge people to take a year off flying to reduce emissions and shift the norm away from aviation. Our short-term challenge is a great way to inspire long-term behaviour change, and we show that individual consumer choices can lead to industry and system change.

Try the flight free challenge and see where staying grounded could take you

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Waste Reduction Zone

Find out how to get rid of your rubbish, reduce your waste and recycle more in Essex. The Essex Waste Partnership (EWP) work together to ensure cost-efficient and sustainable household waste management is delivered across Essex. Essex County Council (ECC) are the Waste Disposal Authority (WDA), this includes looking after the majority of recycling centres in Essex. The district, city and borough councils are the Waste Collection Authorities (WCAs), such as kerbside collections.
Morsbags use fabric that might otherwise have gone to landfill to make free tote (reuseable) bags that are given away with the encouragement not to use plastic.
Want to find out more, visit our stall to volunteer, find out how to donate fabric, get a free bag (they are always free, it is an important part of our ethos) but only if we have enough made by then! Or even have a go at making a bag yourself using a manual sewing machine (under supervision)

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Essex Library Services

Promoting Essex Library Services which are sustainable and eco-friendly, encouraging people to borrow items rather than buying them and promoting our free digital services over printed materials.

Also promoting the environmental initiatives Essex Libraries support from recycling services to new building designs. Plus the household appliances, tools, sports and leisure equipment available to borrow from the Essex Library of Things, saving people buying items they may only need occasionally.

The Refill Den

Here at The Refill Den, we want to go back to basics. We’re passionate about our planet and we want you to be too. Our aim is to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste and be more eco conscious, especially when it comes to food shopping. By buying products free-of-packaging, you get to choose how much you want of a product, whilst also saving money and reducing waste, it’s a win-win!

RentMy

RentMy, the Airbnb of everything

RentMy tools, tents, trailers and so much more!
80% of household items are used less than once per month.

Save money AND make money!
Why buy for more, when you can rent for less? Or, if you do need to buy it, rent it out and recoup some of the costs.

For the planet!
If everyone in the world consumed as much as we do in the UK, we’d need 3+ planets of resources.

Colchester Frock Swap

Bring what you no longer need/use/wear and take whatever you think you can use/wear. If what you take is no good/doesn’t fit bring along to the next frock swap on 25-11-2023 at the Colchester Arts Centre. De-clutter your wardrobe and swap it for a new look.

The Colchester Frock Swap has been operating in Colchester since 2009 and has 2 FREE events in the Colchester Arts Centre per year.

To keep updated join the Colchester Frock Swap Facebook Group

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Colcheco

We are a refill shop at 37 Layer Road, CO2 7JW and carefully research all of the products and companies we stock. We will be bringing some of our cleaning, beauty and homeware products to show alternatives to single-use plastic and explaining how investing in well made quality products can actually save you money over time, and better protect the environment.

We will also have a selection of our best selling savoury and sweet snacks available. Additionally, we have teamed up with Jordan’s Farm, based at Wakes Colne and Alex will be selling some of her beautiful, sustainably grown flowers.

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Colchester Litter Pickers

This group is for all litter pickers to post their contributions on how they are keeping our beautiful Colchester and surrounding areas clean. Also to raise awareness on how bad littering has become and to encourage more like minded people to join in

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M J Spindler Trading; Reclamation and Demolition

We’re a family run business with over 4 generations of experience. All our work is completed with

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GO4 Enterprises

GO4 Enterprises is a Community Interest Company, based in Colchester, Essex.

A group of local Christians have joined together to respond to the growing unemployment rate amongst young people, particularly from those with a disadvantaged background.

Our aims are to provide training, work and ongoing support to young people unable to get employment.

We also wish to encourage a culture of enterprise amongst the young people we will be engaging with, exploring their interests and ideas and assisting them in making their ideas happen, through the establishment of a portfolio of GO4 services and businesses that reflect their ambitions, goals and dreams.

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Water Zone

Anglian Water

At Anglian Water, we believe in doing the right thing for the environment and the planet. We’re committed to reducing CO2 emissions, protecting precious water resources and local habitats in our region. We continue to invest in innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable future for water, nature and the communities we serve.

Investing now to improve tomorrow​
Creating a sustainable future is something we have been working on for decades. We’ve made ambitious commitments that protect our environment, water and people: ​

  • Generating up to half of our own energy from renewable sources to help us achieving Net Zero Carbon status by 2030​
  • Accelerating £300million investment to protect our region’s environment ​
  • Investing millions in new fibre-optic technology to find and fix leaks faster, saving precious water​
  • Adapting to climate change by constructing hundreds of kilometres of interconnecting pipeline to move water around our region​
  • Building two new reservoirs by 2035, to make sure the driest parts of our region have enough water​

Wildlife Zone

Essex Wildlife Trust

We are the county’s leading conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. Our climate is in crisis and our species face extinction. The natural world needs our help. Together we can protect the future. Join us.

Colchester Woodland and Biodiversity Project

We launched in 2019 and with the help of many of you we have made a great start with this great initiative. As the project grows, we want to share with you what is at the very heart of the project.

The Colchester Woodland and Biodiversity Project:

  • strives to make our borough greener.
  • is committed to planting trees and helping biodiversity to flourish
  • will plant and manage our spaces without harming existing habitats
  • will enhance environments to create more space for nature to grow and thrive
  • will encourage our community to love and care for our environment, from wildflowers and meadows, to our woods and parks, old or new
  • will take the time to discover, nurture and enable the work led by communities

We want to work alongside our community to get to know, love and use our woods and parks, and we want everyone to benefit from the environmental, health and wellbeing, and societal benefits they bring.

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RSPB

We’re now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves.

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Colchester Natural History Society

Wildlife isn’t just something to watch on screen. We are surrounded by amazing biodiversity whether we live in the town or the country and by joining CNHS you can discover the natural world, right on your doorstep. Active members also help to shape the future of wildlife in the county by recording everything from tiny beetles and rare butterflies to huge flocks of wading birds and resident populations of otters.

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Owls and Birds of Prey Rescue – Suffolk and Essex

Owls and Birds of Prey Rescue, run by Stephanie Callister-Jarrold as a charitable organisation, has existed for a good number of years and is based in Gestingthorpe, a village on the Suffolk/Essex borders, where it operates to look after injured and orphaned Owls and Birds of Prey prior to release back into the wild, wherever possible.

We will have a Children’s Tombola with all prizes recycled or donated. Super prizes of cuddly toys, puzzles, games, etc. Children aged 10 and under who do not win a prize, get to choose a consolation prize that has also been recycled.

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Field Studies Council

We want to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it. Our world is changing which is having an impact on all life on Earth. We help people learn about the environment so they can make informed choices about how best to protect it

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)

We are The Conservation Volunteers
Connecting people and green spaces to deliver lasting outcomes for both.

Join thousands of people and communities across the UK connecting to nature on their doorsteps and contributing to its protection

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Natural England LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES Project

LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES is focusing on how sensitive seabed habitats are impacted by recreational activities. Together, our partnership aims to:

  • Reduce recreational pressures on sensitive habitats
  • Restore and protect sensitive habitats
  • Promote awareness of these habitats and their importance

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Campaigns

Pylons East Anglia

Say No! to 180km of Pylons. Say YES! to an offshore grid

If you are new to the campaign, you might not be aware that an integrated offshore grid for the East of England was shown by a different part of National Grid (Electricity Systems Operator) to be £2bn cheaper than the current piecemeal & pylons approach.   It requires 50% less infrastructure and is better for the environment and communities.

Sign our online petition

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Pesticide Free Essex

We are a coalition of campaign groups across Essex (including charities, community groups & political parties) whose key aim is to encourage and support Essex County Council and all it’s councils (Borough, Towns & Parish’s) to become Pesticide Free.

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Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs

Will be selling a range of merchandise, jewellery and hand made gifts to raise much needed funds and to create awareness about wildlife persecution and potentially recruit new volunteers.

Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs has been involved with hunt sabotage for 30 + years and is an affiliated group with the Hunt Saboteurs Association, using non-violent direct action to save wildlife.  We cover most of the East Anglia region sabbing Fox and Hare hunts, Mink and Otter Hunts and shoots.

We are a mixture of ages and backgrounds, with many members involved in animal rescue, social justice and environmental campaigns, coming together for one common goal, to intervene with hunts to save lives.

Colchester Liberal Democrats

We will be giving out environmental literature and getting the eco message out.
Will probably do a very small ‘frock swap’ and possibly one of our councillors will demonstrate her environmental crafting.

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Colchester Labour Party

We shall be outlining the key principles of the Labour Party’s plan for a fairer, greener future, including the mission to make Britain a ‘clean energy superpower’. Powered by the Green Prosperity Plan – a Labour government will help Britain lead the world in cheaper, cleaner power and industry.

green party

Colchester Green Party

Colchester Green Party has been campaigning on a range of issues.  We led the campaign to get Colchester Council to stop spraying glyphosate herbicides on our roads and pavements. We also monitored air pollution in central Colchester and published the results. Colchester Young Greens ran a campaign for equal recycling facilities for those residents living in flats.

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green party

Young Greens

Young Greens are the youth and student branch of the Green Party. We aim to harness the energy and ideas of young people, and change the direction of our society towards a sustainable and just future