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Sustainable living gets the green light at the Didcot Eco Fair

Repair and reuse were themes at this year’s Didcot Eco Fair, with clothing repair services, upcycled homewares and reusable items just some of what was on offer at the event at Cornerstone Arts Centre earlier this month.

Hundreds of local people attended the family-friendly event hosted by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils with support from community action group, Sustainable Didcot.

Stallholders offered a variety of goods and services ranging from sustainable clothing, jewellery, skincare and beauty products, upcycled lamps, handmade products, electric bikes and clothing repair services.

Fixers from the Didcot Repair Café and volunteers from the Swish group of Sustainable Didcot were on hand to show people how to save money and resources by repairing and swapping items.

There was plenty on offer for children with free activities and storytelling from Sustainable Didcot and craft sessions run by Orinoco Scrapstore.

Cllr Robin Bennett, South Oxfordshire District Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: “Once again it was great to see the variety and quality of local sustainable businesses on display including some in the repair business. We are looking to encourage the reduction of waste and that begins by extending the life of what we already have.”

Cllr Helen Pighills, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Community Health and wellbeing, said: “While we were pleased to offer a platform for small companies offering climate-friendly goods and services, it was also lovely that so many children were able to come and enjoy the activities on offer, so we can get the ‘green’ message to the younger generation.”

Notes to editors

The Didcot Eco Fair was organised by Didcot Garden Town team at South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. It was supported by Sustainable Didcot – a community action group Didcot residents with a shared interest in the environment, living sustainably and raising awareness of climate change. 

The following stallholders and activities involved were:

  • Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) – wildlife charity
  • Community Action Group Oxfordshire – advice and information
  • Clothes swap – run by Sustainable Didcot
  • The Crafter Emporium – refill products
  • The Dorcus Dress Project – sewing demonstration and activity
  • Ducky Zebra – sustainable clothing
  • Earth Trust – environmental charity
  • Earthwise Girls – reusable period products
  • Fereverie Handmade – handmade cards and gifts
  • Lovely Oxford – handmade jewellery and gifts
  • Men in Sheds – woodcarving activity
  • Mountain Mania Cycles – test ride bikes inc e-bikes
  • Oxfordshire County Council – Promoting the new Energy Saver App
  • Orinoco Scrapstore – Craft workshop for children and adults
  • The Quirky Sewist – hand-made items to buy and mending service
  • Recycloanalyst – repurposed lamps and jewellery
  • Repair café – Sustainable Didcot running a clothing and textile service
  • SOHA housing – offering advice and information
  • South Oxfordshire District Council – Waste and Climate Teams offering advice and information
  • Sustainable Didcot – Storytelling with Mandy Jones
  • Sueunique – handmade and pre-loved clothing
  • Tredwell Travel – sustainable holidays
  • Tweedles Handmade – reusable homewares