POSITIVE thinking was the order of the day at Minehead Climate Fair on Saturday, September 28.

More than 100 people attended the event which featured over 20 local organisations, all highlighting ways to address climate change and make a positive impact on our environment.

Organised by the West Somerset Green Forum, the event boasted a “fun atmosphere” with colourful stalls, non-stop music and home-made refreshments helped to draw the crowds.

A Minehead Climate Fair visitor was impressed with the range of information and advice on offer, and said: “It got more and more interesting as we got further in.”

Act to Adapt’s consultation stall for Minehead’s draft Climate Adaptation Plan
Act to Adapt’s consultation stall for Minehead’s draft Climate Adaptation Plan ((Photo: Elizabeth Atkinson))

Topics ranged from flood prevention, climate adaptation and nature recovery to ethical finance, home energy, waste management and regenerative farming.

Additional attractions were the mini repair café with clothing and china repairs, the National Trust’s virtual beaver tour and the LETS (Local Exchange and Trading Scheme) stall, demonstrating how skills can be exchanged within a community without the use of money.

Passers-by were invited by the young people’s organisation Stacked Wonky to add to their growing collection of plastic-free pledges as part of their ongoing campaign to raise awareness and reduce plastic use across the county.

Climate Fair organiser Elizabeth Atkinson makes her plastic-free pledge with the young people’s organisation, Stacked Wonky, who have taken their plastic-free campaign to events across West Somerset
Climate Fair organiser Elizabeth Atkinson makes her plastic-free pledge with the young people’s organisation, Stacked Wonky, who have taken their plastic-free campaign to events across West Somerset ((Photo: Elizabeth Atkinson))
Somerset Council’s environment and energy display at the Minehead Climate Fair
Somerset Council’s environment and energy display at the Minehead Climate Fair ((Photo: Elizabeth Atkinson))

A series of expert talks, on community transport, climate adaptation, trees and woodlands, climate action and sustainable land management, completed the afternoon.

Presenters and stall-holders alike were impressed with the depth of interest and the quality of discussion at the event, demonstrating the strength of interest across our community in addressing climate change in every way we can.

Carhampton Climate Group: one of the many organisations featured at the event. The group will be holding a public event on cleaning up our rivers and seas in Carhampton Village Hall on Saturday, November 16 from 10am-12.30pm
Carhampton Climate Group: one of the many organisations featured at the event. The group will be holding a public event on cleaning up our rivers and seas in Carhampton Village Hall on Saturday, November 16 from 10am-12.30pm ((Photo: Elizabeth Atkinson))
The LETS (Local Exchange and Trading Scheme) stall at the Minehead Climate Fair
The LETS (Local Exchange and Trading Scheme) stall at the Minehead Climate Fair ((Photo: Elizabeth Atkinson))

A follow-up event with free drinks and refreshments will take place on Monday, October 28 at 7.30pm, at Our Precious Earth, Keith Hunt’s award-winning plastic-free shop which is moving to new premises in Minehead’s Wellington Square.

Carhampton Climate Group, one of the many organisations featured at the event, will be holding a public event on cleaning up rivers and seas in Carhampton Village Hall on Saturday, November 16, from 10am-12.30pm.

For more information about this or about the Climate Fair, contact Elizabeth Atkinson [email protected].

To take part in the consultation on Minehead’s draft Climate Adaptation Plan, search online for Act to Adapt Minehead.