Archived press release

Wychwood festival to reduce its carbon footprint

11 May 2007

The Wychwood Music Festival, which runs from 1-3 June at Cheltenham Racecourse, is linking up with Friends of the Earth to reduce the environmental impact of the festival. The Festival is rebranding the Big Top Tent as the Friends of the Earth `Big Ask Stage' to help raise awareness of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's campaign for a strong climate change law.

Since The Big Ask's launch in 2005 by Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, over 130,000 people have taken action prompting over 450 MPs (that's almost two thirds of MPs overall and a majority from each political party) to support a Climate Change Bill. As a result a climate change bill was announced in the Queen's speech last November. Now the Big Ask is calling for the new law to be a strong one and include year-on-year 3% cuts in carbon dioxide.

Friends of the Earth's Director, Tony Juniper, said:

"It's fantastic that the Wychwood Festival organisers are encouraging people to cut their carbon footprint at the festival this year. As well as enjoying the music, festival goers will have the opportunity to tackle climate change by supporting The Big Ask - Friends of the Earth's campaign for a strong climate change law. We want the law to commit the UK to cuts of three per cent in carbon dioxide emissions each year."

Festival Director Graeme Merifield commented,

"We're thrilled to be able to work in partnership with Friends of the Earth on their Big Ask campaign. As well as staging a world class music festival with a diverse and exciting line-up, we are committed to reducing our own carbon footprint over the weekend. By rebranding our Big Top stage the Big Ask stage, I'm hoping we can send a clear message to the Government."

Festival organisers are encouraging people to minimise their carbon dioxide emissions by:

Promoting greener transport

• Creating a lift-sharing forum on the festival website.
• Providing bike parking inside the festival site.
• Running a shuttle bus running between the festival site and the train and bus stations in Cheltenham.

Reducing waste

• Promoting use of real nappies at the festival.
• Using waste water from taps on the site for irrigating the racecourse.
• Encouraging caterers to use recycled materials (cutlery, packaging etc).
• Providing recycling facilities on site. Approx. 5 tonnes of waste recycled in 2006.

Saving energy:

• 4,000 energy efficient light bulbs used across site. Daylight sensors used to turn lights of when not required.
• 30% of main stage lights are low energy LED lights.
• Running longer power cables, where possible, to minimize the number of generators used.

More information is available at www.thebigask.com.

The Wychwood Music Festival 2007 has sold a 1,000 weekend camping tickets. Tickets are priced at £95 adult weekend and £75 concession (12-18, unwaged, disabled, NUS) and can be purchased at www.wychwoodfestival.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 1993 772580 or +44 (0) 1242 227979.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust