What’s On

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

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

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

Last updated: 17-Feb-2023

Festival Site Plan

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Click here to download the Festival Program

Click here to download the Festival Site Plan

Main Stage & Arena

Children’s events have been funded by the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund.

The Baby Zone has been sponsored by Anglian Water

A timetable of events is shown below:
Click on each category to show events, click on each event for more details.

Main Stage & Arena

Walkabout Entertainers

Baby Zone

  • Maria Louise Renshaw 30-minute demonstrations from local baby and toddler groups, including baby massage, baby signing, storytime and toddler dance.
    11.00 - 18.00

Children's Area

Children's Tent

Health & Wellbeing Area

Healing Tent

Sustainable Transportation - Walking / eBikes / eCargo Bikes / Electric Vehicles

Sustainable Transportation - eBikes / eScooters - Try out area

Workshop Tent

  • Workshops Transforming Essex to net zero: how we can all take action on climate change - Cllr Peter Schwier, Essex County Council Climate Czar
    11.45 - 12.00
  • Workshops Make your own cleaning materials – Lisa Cross
    12.00 - 12.30
  • Workshops Saving water in the home and garden – Grace Darke
    12.30 - 13.30
  • Workshops Energy
    13.30 - 14.30
  • Workshops Love Your Period – Grace Darke and Sam Pitman
    14.30 - 15.30
  • Workshops How to make your garden Wildlife Friendly – Mark Goacher
    15.30 - 16.30
No events available!

Sustainable Transportation

Timetable

Sustainable Transportation - Walking / eBikes / eCargo Bikes / Electric Vehicles

Sustainable Transportation - eBikes / eScooters - Try out area

No events available!

Stalls

Colchester Electric Vehicle Society

We are a friendly community of local EV drivers.

We are aiming to have approximately 10 Electric Vehicles at the Festival covering lots of different makes, models, ages and price points. There will be information available about the cost of ownership, cost of charging and various different charging options. You will be able to look around the vehicles and talk to directly with EV owners.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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 about current and future plans to make them available for businesses and residents to borrow.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Colchester eBike and family bike users group

We are a friendly group of local ebike and ecargo bike owners

Come and see a range of ebikes, eCargo bikes and eLongtail bikes and feel free to ask questions from experienced ebike owners about price, performance, range and any other questions you have. We are happy to share our experience of purchasing and using ebikes for everything from transporting children, our weekly shopping, trips to the tip to simply using ebikes to get around quickly and efficiently for work and home life. You will also be able to try out a range of ebikes in the Try Out area.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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.

Roy Tolley

We are a family owned business that has been helping Colchester with their motoring requirements since 1960, we are the official Citroën, Peugeot and MG dealer for North Essex and are located in Gosbecks Road, Colchester.

We pride ourselves in offering you the highest level of service, offering new cars, approved used and servicing as well as all of the latest offers.

We will be demonstrating our range of fully electric vehicles.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Wheels for All

The Wheels for All initiative is a nationally recognised programme that embraces all children and adults with disabilities and differing needs, to engage in a quality cycling activity providing fun and stimulating cycling across the UK.

By using specially adapted cycles, the activities are both physically and mentally stimulating and above all fun for everyone involved.

All the centres are equipped with specially adapted cycles and Wheels for All trained leaders, who have the knowledge and confidence to work with adapted cycles for participants to enjoy the benefits of cycling. The centres welcome individuals, groups and families to be involved.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Tier

Our vision is to lead the way towards seamless and sustainable mobility – joyful for everyone. Together with cities and partner organisations, we’re rethinking urban transportation by offering easy, accessible and affordable mobility services for all.

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.

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.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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

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.

North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP)

NEPP is a multi-award-winning council-run organisation, led by Colchester Borough Council, bringing together parking services in North Essex.

As an organisation we are committed to reducing our own environmental impact and enabling others to do so, through our services.

At the festival, we will be exhibiting some of the positive steps we have already taken to reduce our carbon footprint and will also be carrying out research to help develop future policies.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Vegan & Vegetarian Food & Drink Stalls

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

Organic Alex

I started my vegan catering business in 2015 and now have hundreds of my own recipes at my fingertips. I enjoy changing things up, experimenting with new recipes and inventing new dishes, so please come back regularly and check out my daily and weekly specials. Some new dishes are made in small batches, and when they’re gone, they’re gone!

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.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Bake me kind

Bake me kind 🖤
Cakes, graze boxes, brownies and treats 🍫🧁
5* food hygiene rating 🧁
Level 2 food hygiene certified 🍰
Specialising in Vegan bakes

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Toast Bakery

We are originally from Colchester and are very invested in sustainability in our small business. We will be selling our vegan bakery goods, pastries, sourdough doughnuts & bread as well as our barista coffee, and reusable coffee cups for people to purchase.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Bangladeshi Women’s Association Essex

We will be providing a range of Indian and Asian food, including curry dishes and indian street food

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Sir Isaacs Artisan Coffee Ltd – ICE CREAM

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

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Baby Zone

The Babyzone has been sponsored by Anglian Water.

This year we have introduced a babyzone to the festival. Inside 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 30 minute demonstrations throughout the day from local baby and toddler groups, including baby massage, baby sign, story time and toddler dance!

Timetable

Baby Zone

No events available!

Stalls

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.

Website | Facebook  | Instagram

Children's Area

Timetable

Children's Area

No events available!

Stalls

Magic

Website | Facebook

Health & Wellbeing Area

Timetable

Book in advance,  click on each event for more information and to book.

Health & Wellbeing Area

Healing Tent

No events available!

Stalls

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 jewellery maker who is a uses the subtle power of crystals and other holistic remedies to help heal others in a truly unique way. Laura is passionate about her craft, she gently cleanses her crystals & gemstones prior to making her pieces, she works her magic on every piece. She raises the vibrations of the crystals with pure love intention, then sends her unique pieces out into the world with a message 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 pain relief and healing and not only did she cure herself she discovered hidden within herself her healing power. Her calling is to extend this gift to as many others as she can through Beautiful Boho Jewellery.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Vitali-Chi Ltd

The Vitali-Chi Energy Balancing System means more energy, therapeutic healing and better sleep and meditations. We also have a fantastic product range, we’ve got you covered, from top to toe!

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.

 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Stallholders

Stall No Stall
1 En-form
2 Eco Essex
3 Pesticide Free Essex
4 Mark Goacher
5 TBD
6 TBD
7 TBD
8 The Refill Den
9 Sandy Armitage Designs
10 University of Essex (Sustainability)
11 University of Essex (Sustainability)
12
13 Perrywoods Garden Centre
14 Essex Wildlife Trust
15 Clean Air Colchester (CBC) Carless pollution
16 Colchester Woodland & Biodiversity Project
17 Bennison Farm
18 Colchester Food Co-op
19 Guilt Free Soapery
20 Colchester Natural History Society CNHS
21 Beth Chatto Education Trust
22 The Green Christian
23 Cannock Mill Cohousing
24 The Woodland Trust
25
26
29 Old Hall Community
30 Eco Hug Store
31 Malex International (Cortissa)
32 Essex Library Services
33 Bar Suds
34 Bimble Design
35 Morsbags
36 Colchester Labour Party
37 Indie Kate Upcycled (Kate Robertson)
38 Craft BEERings
39 Utility Warehouse
40
41 Colchester Borough Council Waste and recycling
42
43 Deleted
44 Extinction Rebellion
45 Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs
46 Vale Woodcraft
47 Mad Patch Creations
48 Wombleknits
49 Buzz Honey
50 RentMy
51 Colchester Liberal Democrats
52 Melon cauliflower
53 Women’s Institute (WI) Essex
54 Beautiful Healthy Home
55 Eco Jewellry
56 Essex Climate Action Commission and Essex County Council
57 Organically Epic
58 Colchester Zoo
59
60 Deleted
61
62 Colchester Museums
63 A Little Eco
64 Little Adventures with Dough
65 RSPB
66 MacraMade For You By Claire
67 Olive & Ivy Candles
68 Abberton Rural Training
69
70 Patrician Press
71 Indie-go Fairtrade
72 Wombleknits
73 Norwegian Bakers
74 Bolivian Pastries
75 Colchester Climate Alliance
76 XR Youth Colchester
77 byKatyMac
78 Textile Collective
79
80 Groundwork East
81
82 Falun Dafa
83 BEAUTIFUL NATURE WELLNESS
84 Peace of Me
85 Adaptable By Design
86
87
88 Colchester Frock Swap
89 Colchester Frock Swap
90 Colchester Frock Swap

Caterers (will be allocated starting at the stage area)

Stall No Stall
  Chickpea Catering
  Cafe2u Braintree
  Organic Alex
  Bangladeshi Women’s Association Essex
  Sir Isaacs Artisan Coffee Ltd – ICE CREAM
  Juicy Bar – Vitality
Bake Me Kind

Transport Stalls (stalls listed on the site plan)

Stall No
  North Essex Parking partnership
  Colchester Bike Kitchen (Dr Bike)
  Cycle Colchester
  Walk Colchester
  Friends of Castle Park
  Raleigh
  Tier
  Wheels for All
  Colchester E Cargo Bike Project
  Roy Tolley

Health and Wellbeing Tent

Stall No Stall
  Manor Health & Wellness Centre
  Beautiful Boho
  Vitali Chi
  Tropic Skincare

Babyzone

Stall No Stall
  Anglian Water (Listed separately)
  Beautiful Bonds
  Essex Babylab
  East Essex Cloth Nappy Library CIC
  La Leche Breastfeeding Support

Children’s Zone (Listed separately)

Stall No Stall
Coddiwomplers
Purple Whiskers
Kew Gardens Workshop

Also listed separately

Stall No Stall
Moved to stall 13 Perrywoods Garden Centre
  Orsted
  Woods O Wisdom Bushcraft