Launch Day
Penistone Carry-a-Bag Launch Day was held in Penistone Town Centre on Saturday 12th July, 10am-12noon.
Our turtle (with help!) handed out raffle tickets to people seen carrying their own bag in Penistone. The winner received a huge box of Fairtrade goods donated by the Co-op.
Children enjoyed the quiz, where they had to find out what each shop sold, looking for soft toy creatures in each shop. The Co-op also donated 2 fairtrade hampers to the quiz winners, full of chocolate and biscuits!
There was a bag making workshop in St John's Church, which people came along to and made their own bag to take home. This got very busy, especially towards the end, but some lovely bags were made - hopefully soon to be spotted around Penistone!
There were lots of children with sea creatures painted on their faces - and then the painters got painted themselves!
We ran a stall in the Farmer's Market, selling Penistone Carry-A-Bags and giving out information about plastic bags. Local shops are now selling Penistone Carry-A-Bags; for a list of where to buy, look on the Shoppers page.
There was also a Plastic Bag Amnesty in the Farmer's Market. Old plastic bags dropped here will be distributed to be re-used in Penistone shops. For information on what to do with any plastic bags you still have, look on the Shoppers page.
The Co-operative also had a fairtrade tasting stall outside their store.
Razzmatazz performed in St. John's church, adding to the pleasant atmosphere of bag making, face painting and tea and muffins. Thanks for the beautiful singing!
We have had fantastic support from everyone in Penistone and surrounding areas - and on launch day, even Mick Clapham MP made an appearance. Look out for that bag on the steps of Westminster!
Even greener...
Now Launch Day is over, hopefully you are feeling motivated to ditch those plastic bags for good! It's just a matter of getting into the habit of taking your bags with you - keep at it!
Of course, plastic bags are not the end - they are the beginning. There is so much more you can do to help the environment. How about going to the shops on foot, on a bike or on the bus instead of the car? Or choosing shopping which has less packaging and is local. You could also join Penistone Friends of the Earth
and get involved in doing more environmental things locally - projects such as Penistone Carry-A-Bag.
