Lemington spa Eco fest: a faith reflection.

Leamington's sixth annual EcoFest was held in Pump Room Gardens on Saturday 30th August. An estimated 2500 people came before the heavens opened towards the end of the afternoon to explore the stalls and enjoy live music from the bandstand, workshops, talks and yoga originated in a parish fair showcasing environmental action, which grew into a bigger Eco Fun Day, both of these run by Leamington charity Action 21. Warwick District Council took over management of the event in 2019. Among attractions this year were weaving with Catholic Church initiative LiveSimply, ArtLAB’s recycled art tent, and advice on cutting bills from charity Act on Energy. There were representatives from Leamington’s Church of England Eco Churches and charity EducAid which runs schools and asocial inclusion projects in Sierra Leone. The headline act was Earth-Bound's physical theatre show with a set built from repurposed materials. Talking Birds brought immersive environmental storytelling in the acorn-shaped OakMobile.A talk was given about Leamington Eco Hub, a new space in town for people to learn about greener lifestyles.

Warwick and Leamington Beekeepers ran a hive demonstration and honey tastings, and Warwickshire Bicycle Mayor Simon Storey offered bike skills sessions for learners around a short course.Sue Bartlett of Action 21 held a workshop for children to make badges, fairy gardens and festival outfits from materials otherwise probably going into landfill. “I’m driven by my love of nature and try to limit my impact on the environment,” Sue says. “I hope the small steps I take - like using refillables, repairing clothes and buying pre-loved items - add up and make a difference”.

My freind Josh Neicho who i have known for a few years, a enthuaisis and smart individual, keen on eco stories, encouraged me to come along with him. It was a interesting day as there seemed to be lots of stalls, such as crafts and food stalls too. What I felt was positive as a Muslim to go to a area that did not have a large Muslim presence.

I could make connections across regions. The people there where freindly. I personally enjoyed visiting the lemington spa museam, not too far, interesting to learn about the city. I purchased two reubable bottles, which i gave to Josh and kept one myself, i use it every day, its just great.

I visited the repair cafe at the local church, its a good way to connect and take the learnings with me back to birmingham, with the current bin strikes, it make me think about what more local people from the Muslim community can do, inner city areas of birmingham have seen people fly tip in their parks and across their homes, especially when there is a tip that people can take things too.

I feel Islamic values of respect Allah earth and resouces need to be really understood, we should share. What i learnt was that repair cafe was a greatway to repair electronic items such as radios, phones ect that can increase how long they last, no need to buy more stuff, good to meet new people too. I hope to take this positive experience to Balsall heath and explore through workshops how to reduce and reuase as much as possible. Why not get involved with your local litter pick groups, find them on facebook or conatct your local mosque to set one up, we can all make a difference.