Darlington town centre will host its Eco Fair today (Saturday, June 8) with plenty of educational activities and shows promising fun for all the family.
Below are listed all the events taking place across the between 10am and 3pm - and where you can find them.
MARKET SQUARE
The market square will be filled with stalls, including Darlington Beekeepers’ Association who promote the craft of beekeeping and offer advice on getting started in the hobby.
They will be joined by Pepperfield Farm Hedgehog Rescue who work to rehabilitate injured and distressed hedgehogs before releasing them into safe and sustainable new habitats.
Acorn Dairy, who produce organic milk and cream from herds in the Durham and Yorkshire Dales will also feature. Last year, they won Deliciously Yorkshire’s Most Sustainable Product 2023.
In the market square, visitors will also be able to purchase sustainably produced soaps and cosmetics.
Added to this, a marquee has been put up in the market square, which will offer free arts and crafts sessions with a focus on sustainability.
Cummins, who provide power solutions around the world, are also gearing up to provide one of their tracks to test model cars built on the day by visitors.
Sustrans, a charity who look after more than 12,000 miles of signed paths and promote the reduction of neighbourhood traffic, will also be offering healthy refreshments with their ‘Smoothie Bike’.
And there’s plenty more to entertain the kids, with free rides on tractors and diggers too.
MARKET HALL
Darlington’s market hall will play host to a range of interactive performances and shows promoting environmental care and discussing the dangers of climate change.
Washed Away, an interactive theatre show, will take place at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.
This 30 minute show explores the dangers of flooding through music and storytelling, considering how these disaster can affect communities.
Following this, the Environment Agency will be on hand to deliver advice on how to tackle local flood risks.
Exciting experiments will be exhibited at the Big Science Show, with two performances at 12pm and 2pm. The show promises amazing displays of dry ice, air canons, and whoosh bottle experiments for all the family to enjoy.
Big Science will also offer drop-in sessions at 1pm and 3pm, where families can explore the wonders of science and make their own sherbet.
DOLPHIN CENTRE
Inside the leisure centre, volunteers from Darlington’s Fix-It Café who provide broken items a new lease of life will offer their services repairing broken items and sharing practical advice throughout the day.
And for animal lovers, fascinating rainforest creatures are being brought to the fair by Animal Encounters. Sessions take place from 11.30-12pm, 1-1.45pm, 2.45pm, and 3-3.45pm.
AROUND THE TOWN
Between all these activities and shows, visitors to the Eco Fair can follow a wicker sculpture trail around the town centre.
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Local businesses are also joining in the spirit of sustainability, with free arts and crafts competitions taking place across shops including those down Post House Wynd and in Queen Street and Cornmill Shopping Centres.
Others involved are:
- Earth Warriors
- Oxfam
- Scope
- Coco Dress Agency
Darlington’s Eco Fair takes place today, Saturday, June 8, from 10am to 3pm.
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