A Greener Seaford Climate & Eco Fair

More than 40 local organisations with concern for the environment and climate change at their core got together at the Salts recreation ground on Sunday 1st August, unified in their zeal to undo the damage we have already done to our world and offering their vision of how we could work towards a positive future.

The fair was held with the aim of drawing attention to the urgent need to mitigate the effects of climate change, recognising that the Seaford area’s four miles of coastline are particularly at threat from violent storms and isolation caused by flooding of the Ouse and Cuckmere rivers.

The Alliance’s message was: ‘In the wake of the terrible news [of flooding] from Germany and the Benelux countries it is becoming increasingly

apparent that urgent action is needed from everyone to prevent these kind of disasters becoming more frequent. Whether it is driving less often, eating less meat, not flying or simply thinking twice before buying something you might not need, every small action can make a huge difference when multiplied by the whole population.’

Groups like Seaford Community Partnership (SCP), Plastic-free Seaford, Trees for Seaford and Martello Rotary all have existing ‘green’ projects, and in the last year Seaford Environmental Alliance and On the Verge have come into being. In this time frame, SCP was invited to take part in the Ouse Valley CARES project – a potential £2.5m Lottery Fund grant. Added to all this, Seaford Town Council declared a Climate Emergency.

So under the umbrella title Seaford Environmental Alliance, the groups came together to plan a packed afternoon of events, talks and activities for all ages, with Seaford Town Council partnering this call to action against climate change and offering advice on what we can all do to reduce our environmental impact.

The result was a jolly, family-oriented event which delivered its message to hundreds of visitors with thought-provoking ideas and information, colour and humour.

Items including plants, bric-a-brac, books, soaps, fruit and veg were temptingly on display but, instead of being for sale, were all given away. Donations were accepted but not asked for.

In order to bring home the message that there should be no waste and no single-use plastic employed, a decision was taken not to sell food, so what an excuse for picnics with the challenge to make them single-use plastic free.

Children and adults were entertained with story-telling in teepees, and in another tent speakers like Lara Huege and Martin Meadows talked about tackling climate change. Outside, Nigel Goss’s band Cushion

Photos from top: Seaford Environmental Alliance had products including soap, vegetables and flowers going free; Hayley Cox of Natural Connection Sussex places her figure in a forest; Lara Huege talks about tackling climate change; Maja and Shuna were on the Extinction Rebellion stand; No single-use plastic at Emma, Andrea, Susie and Liz’s picnic.

the Blow played while visitors appreciated the vibrant banners created by Liz Bur and the wit and imagination of eye-catchers like a huge model of David Attenborough in a deckchair and Hayley Cox’s Natural Connection forest goddess attired in vivid tissue paper. Bike maintenance was demonstrated and Seaford’s cycle rickshaws provided rides. SCIP was there with art activities, and bugs were hunted while scientific demos entertained and informed, plus there were lots of games to amuse young and old alike.

The fair was organised by

Gemma and Simon McFarlane and others, who invited people like SCP chair Keith Blackburn to boost awareness about Seaford CARES projects. Charlie Grimble and Stephanie Mills were on hand to discuss the purpose of the Ouse Valley Nature Reserve Project and why community awareness needs to be raised. Hilary Miflin explained how schools could use the Cliff Gardens Climate Change garden, Dinah Pryor talked about the purpose of On the Verge and its nature streets and sea meadows projects, Margery Diamand spoke about the achievements of Trees for Seaford and gave away free baby oak trees, and Simon McFarlane boosted the benefits of cycling. James Meek explained what Seaford Town Council’s Climate Emergency working group is doing and Martello Rotary president Andy Meade described what the club hopes to achieve with its local green spaces project.

The organisations which took part in this communal event should be very proud of themselves. Not only did they emphasise the importance of each one of us doing what we can, but they demonstrated how it is possible to work together for the common good. Thank you Seaford Environmental Alliance, For this valuable afternoon out.

Andrea Hargreaves

Photos: from top David Attenborough is a powerful figurehead; Children loved these teepees.

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