Growing Up Green Festival branches out into Stourbridge and Dudley

People in Stourbridge and Dudley can enjoy a range of activities for children, families and adults later this month. From apple pressing to theatrical performances, eco crafts and fashion to jewellery making, there’s lots on offer between 24th September and 2nd October.

Local community groups and residents have come together under the banner of ‘Growing Up Green’ meaning that activities will have an environmental focus. Organisations hosting events include Wild About Stourbridge, Wild Earth Movement, Fruits of the Forest, EcoManiax, Moms Mindful Hub, Ekho Collective, CVT Shared Lives and Riverside House. They have been brought together by Hayley Guest, a community artist based in Stourbridge, and Dudley CVS.

Hayley wanted to bring the festival to her local area after seeing it happen in Birmingham and other parts of the Black Country. Hayley said, “Stourbridge has lots of environmentally-minded community groups and I wondered if they would be interested in coming together to bring a festival here. To keep it simple we encouraged everyone to provide one activity they were good at – if we had 5 events over the week it would be a huge success for the first year. We now have more than 15 events, with lots of fun free activities happening in the Ryemarket, EcoManiax and the Library on Saturday 1st October.”

Top Church in Dudley is also hosting an Eco Fair on Saturday 1st October, 10am-2pm.

Growing Up Green is annual children and family arts festival that ran in Birmingham and parts of Sandwell last year, led by Smethwick-based organisation The Parakeet Studio. The festival coincides with the national Great Big Green Week, led by The Climate Coalition.

To find out about all the events happening locally from 24th September – 2nd October, visit www.growingup.green/stourbridge or join the Facebook group by searching ‘Growing Up Green in Stourbridge and Dudley.’