Yeo, Yeo, Yeo!

Can't get enough of yummy Organic grub?!

Well, grab your basket and spade and skip down to the Bristol harbour side to devour delicious natural delicacies at this years Soil Association Organic Food Festival sponsored by Yeo Valley Organic -1-2 September 2007.

The 2007 Soil Association Organic Food Festival is going to be bigger and better than ever before. Lots of organic food, health and beauty products, textiles and wild harvested products as well as organic catering and refreshments.

But the Festival is much more than an organic food and drink market - there's something for all the family with activities to entertain, educate and excite including the demonstration kitchen, the organic bar, talks and tastings, festival fringe and kids zone.

New for this year will be the Soil Association Organic Fashion Show sponsored by Marks & Spencer. The show brings to the forefront the huge growth of interest in this area, showcasing a vast range of stylish clothing from street wear to lingerie. Participating labels include Katherine Hamnett, Ciel, People Tree, Seasalt and Howies, featuring both established names in the fashion industry as well as many 'up and coming' young designers. Stunning visuals and soundtrack complement the show, with Daddy G of Massive Attack showing his support for organic fashion by treating fashionistas to one of his legendary DJ sets at every show. To add to the experience visitors will be treated to a pre-show glass of organic wine.

there's trouble brewing

I nearly spat out my mug of Fairtrade coffee when I read the article this morning from Tree hugger.

It appears that the AMT chain of cafes that operate out of London train stations. Are to be no more.

They have lost the contract to work out of Network Rail's stations and the company that is replacing them doesn't offer any fair-trade options at all.

If this makes your blood boil, then Email Barbara Barnes, the Head of Customer Service at Network Rail at Barbara.Barnes@networkrail.co.uk, expressing your concern that it is important to offer fair-trade produce, whether by AMT or not, as an easily accessible option in these mainline stations.

Let's get Fairtrade coffee back on the ethical track!

Cut your carbs at The Mall!

And you could win £50 Marks and Spencer vouchers!

Our friends at Sustainability South West are at The Mall, Galleries in Bristol this week giving shoppers useful information on how we can all make a positive difference to the environment, and reduce our carbon emissions in the battle against climate change.

The charity are at the Mall's EnviroMall Week between 18th-25th August to provide information about climate change initiative Fair Shares, Fair Choice, and on how everyone can live within fair and safe levels of carbon.

Sustainability South West are inviting shoppers to work out their carbon footprint and are offering loads of carb-busting challenges people can do to help reduce their carbon emissions.

Everyone who works out their carbon footprint during the week will be entered into a draw to win £50 of Marks and Spencer vouchers!

The mall will encourage shoppers to trade-in their carrier bags for a free re-usable Mall tote bag, and also to make a pledge to change their behaviour to benefit the environment at the Mall’s Pledge Tree.

There will be a special treat for visitors on Monday 20th August, when Bjorn the Polar Bear (a life-size pod puppet) and his herder Ursula will visit The Mall Galleries to explain in detail about the plight of polar bears and the effect that global warming has had on their natural habitat. In addition visitors will also have the opportunity to enter a competition to win one of ten trees for their own garden.

Other organisations participating in EnvironMall Week include WRAP, the EEA and Bristol’s Sustainable City team.

EnviroMall Week’s goal is to raise awareness of easy, low or no-cost ways to combat climate change and encourage shoppers to promise to make small changes to their lifestyle and have a positive effect on the environment.

Colston Hall free gigs

Well - not actually at Colston Hall...

Colston Hall is presenting 2 evening of great FREE music in Queen Square on Friday 3 August and Friday 10 August.

Starting from 5pm - 9pm after work - come down to Queen Square to chill out to some fab local bands. Bands taking part are as follows:

Friday 3 August

The Cedar
Kamben
Sirius B
Pee Wee Ellis & the James Morton Quartet

Friday 10 August

Beth Rowley
Mankala
Sellors and the Scientists
Sheelanagig