Morton Stanley Family Fun Day - August 2006
At first appearance, Redditch Borough Council`s(RBC)
annual Family Fun Day held in the beautiful Morton Stanley Park on Sat 12
August, was pretty much the same as events held in towns across
the country. There were many attractions for all the family
including bouncy castles, a live broadcast from Hospital
Radio Pulse, face painting, an american football display
courtesy of Redditch Arrows, art & craft displays, live music
from rock `n` roll band The Starlites, a climbing
demonstration, a junior football tournament, a Tai Chi
demonstration, a range of stalls and lots more.
But unlike most similar events, Redditch residents were treated to delicious meat-free food thanks to a vegetarian caterer booked by RBC!! Veggies Catering Campaign from Nottingham generally cater at festivals, conferences, mass rallies and green fairs all across the country, but they were happy to serve up their irresistible veggie burgers, samosas, dairy-free choccy cakes and refreshments in Redditch. Not only was all the food vegetarian, it was also suitable for vegans! And judging by the queue, meat eaters and veggies alike, were all very eager to tuck in!!
The event had a loose environmental theme, there was a big recycling awareness bus and many employees from RBC`s refuse department were on hand to educate the masses about the forthcoming switch to alternate weekly collections for household waste/recyclables. And there were stalls from various local environmental groups including Redditch Friends of the Earth and Redditch Freecycle. RVV had our own information stall and we were busy all day handing out copies of our latest newsletter, recipes, free veggie magazines etc.
In the weeks leading up to the event, RBC approached RVV to ask if we could help them find a caterer that would serve organic, fairtrade & veggie food, in line with the environmental theme for the day!! We started our search immediately, and soon established that, by an incredible stroke of luck, that this was the only free day throughout the summer in Veggies calendar!
As the event approached, RBC placed large adverts in both local newspapers. The advert announced the fact that there would be `a wide range of ethical stands including Friends of the Earth, Redditch Veggies & Vegans and Veggie Catering`. As a result of these adverts, we talked to various people that were persuaded to attend because they knew veggie food would be available!! See the advert below:
Despite fears of stormy weather, the event turned out to be a big success, with the council estimating that 3,000 people attended, far more than in previous years. They have suggested that, if funds allow the event to take place next year, veggie caterers will be booked again!!
A letter congratulating RBC on their decision was published in the Redditch Standard a few days after the event. Click here to read the letter. We took many more photos of the stalls, entertainment etc - take a look at our gallery
But unlike most similar events, Redditch residents were treated to delicious meat-free food thanks to a vegetarian caterer booked by RBC!! Veggies Catering Campaign from Nottingham generally cater at festivals, conferences, mass rallies and green fairs all across the country, but they were happy to serve up their irresistible veggie burgers, samosas, dairy-free choccy cakes and refreshments in Redditch. Not only was all the food vegetarian, it was also suitable for vegans! And judging by the queue, meat eaters and veggies alike, were all very eager to tuck in!!
The event had a loose environmental theme, there was a big recycling awareness bus and many employees from RBC`s refuse department were on hand to educate the masses about the forthcoming switch to alternate weekly collections for household waste/recyclables. And there were stalls from various local environmental groups including Redditch Friends of the Earth and Redditch Freecycle. RVV had our own information stall and we were busy all day handing out copies of our latest newsletter, recipes, free veggie magazines etc.
In the weeks leading up to the event, RBC approached RVV to ask if we could help them find a caterer that would serve organic, fairtrade & veggie food, in line with the environmental theme for the day!! We started our search immediately, and soon established that, by an incredible stroke of luck, that this was the only free day throughout the summer in Veggies calendar!
As the event approached, RBC placed large adverts in both local newspapers. The advert announced the fact that there would be `a wide range of ethical stands including Friends of the Earth, Redditch Veggies & Vegans and Veggie Catering`. As a result of these adverts, we talked to various people that were persuaded to attend because they knew veggie food would be available!! See the advert below:
Despite fears of stormy weather, the event turned out to be a big success, with the council estimating that 3,000 people attended, far more than in previous years. They have suggested that, if funds allow the event to take place next year, veggie caterers will be booked again!!
A letter congratulating RBC on their decision was published in the Redditch Standard a few days after the event. Click here to read the letter. We took many more photos of the stalls, entertainment etc - take a look at our gallery