Greenpeace
Give Green Festival Seal of Approval

By Sam Gauntlett

When Greenpeace decided to support Earthwise, it was a proud moment for the festival’s founder, Bob Buxton. The family festival for environmental awareness is run as a ‘not for profit community business’, relying on dedicated volunteers to make it happen. Bob sees the official support from Greenpeace this year as recognition for three years hard work.

A corporate events organiser in a former life, Bob had long wanted to see a green festival in Dorset where education and entertainment could combine.

‘Regionally there isn’t an event that helps people lead a more sustainable life. I wanted to create an event that would offer people the opportunity to learn about alternative ways to live.’ He made the first festival happen in 2004.

Earthwise promotes sustainable lifestyles, natural health and social justice through live music, a children’s area, cinema, workshops and seminars. The four-day festival includes an array of activities and entertainment for all the family. You could make your own didgeridoo, watch a yurt being built or throw a clay pot to take home. A programme of alternative cinema will showcase independent and issue based films and entertainment will be provided by well-known bands such as Nik Turner’s Galaktikos, Seize the Day, Kangaroo Moon and SubGiant. There is even an exhibition space for environmental and ecological art and performance art.

The festival showcases green technology, includes a fair trade market and organic cafes and offers a chance to hear guest speakers on a variety of subjects. The entire event is powered by the wind and sun, an amazing feat when you consider that an Internet café housing twenty computers, a cinema and two live music stages will provide entertainment for the duration of the event.

The healing area includes a variety of alternative and natural therapies and workshops offer the chance to take part in early morning yoga, or African drumming, or even the hugely popular Laughter workshop. You can also learn about and pledge support to green campaigns.

The kids’ area is an important aspect of the festival for Bob where activities that teach environmental awareness through play are timetabled daily.

‘The children’s activities teach recycling, reusing and being creative. It’s about exploring green issues in kid’s terms. They are our future. They are the people who are going to have to live with what we have left for them.’ He said.

Although the festival only happens once a year, Bob wants to see the programme extended to provide year round events and services.

‘Sustainable living skills is where we have to go.’ He said.
‘I would like Earthwise to show people how to use sustainable building methods and energy production to live without leaving hardly any footprint, and more importantly to have fun with being clean and green.’

Earthwise takes place on a hilltop near the Cerne Abbas Giant from 1st to 4th June. Tel: 0845 330 4340, or visit www.earthwise-uk.com