Greenhouse

Amelia’s Magazine | Food from the Sky: Growing food on top of a Supermarket in Crouch End

by

Food from the Sky by Sam Parr
Food from the Sky by Sam Parr.

It’s a stiflingly hot day in Crouch End as my friends and I venture into Thornton’s Budgens and, approved feeling slightly stupid, ask one of the cashiers how we can get onto the roof. He smiles and immediately takes us to a staircase supported by scaffolding in the car park at the back, with a notice cheerfully asking everyone to take up a box of compost. As we get to the top, a sea of different kinds of sun drenched greenery opens up, with volunteers already gathered at a wooden picnic table in one corner, discussing how best to get started on the greenhouse we’ve come here to build.

Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne
Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne.

So this is Food from the Sky. I’d initially found out about the project in a brief Guardian piece, and the seemingly chalk ‘n’ cheese synthesis of a permaculture/transition inspired grassroots project on the roof of a supermarket, which actually sells its harvest in the supermarket (not compatible…surely??) immediately appealed. It certainly caught the eye of our esteemed mayor Boris Johnson, who came to visit it last week.

Boris Johnson Visits Food from the Sky by Sam Parr
Boris Johnson visits Food from the Sky by Sam Parr.

Food from the Sky by Claire Kerns
Food from the Sky by Claire Kearns.

The Food from the Sky blog has regular opportunities to volunteer, as well as to take part in courses and workshops, so I went along to build the first stage of a greenhouse made of recycled plastic bottles. With bags and bags of collected empty bottles in tow. Fetching look.

Making the Greenhouse by Claire Byrne
Making the greenhouse at Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne.

Making the greenhouse, by Claire Kearns
Making the greenhouse by Claire Kearns.

Food from the Sky had its practical inauguration in May 2010, when the first load of compost was lifted onto the roof. But the progression to this stage started a long time before, when its creator Azul moved to London and set about utilizing all the endless roof space she saw for food growing. A meeting over a coffee with the owner of the Crouch End Thornton’s Budgens, Andrew Thornton, turned out to be a meeting of minds with a shared vision – she wanted a roof to build her project, and he had one. Once this was established they met frequently with the local community (there are blocks of flats whose windows overlook the Food From The Sky roof), debating and discussing what could and couldn’t be done.

Food-From-the-Sky-by-Victoria-Haynes
Food from the Sky by Victoria Haynes.

All the soil used on the roof is recycled food and garden waste donated by the council. She sees the relationship with the supermarket as an opportunity to bring people to a better relationship with food on a huge scale – the shop has 17,000 visits a week. “I used to hate supermarkets,” Azul says, “but then I thought, what a waste! Supermarkets are a huge part of the reason we have a bad relationship with food, so using the supermarket as a base to promote a better relationship means everything comes full cycle.”

Food-from-the-Sky-by-Victoria-Haynes
Greenhouse building by Victoria Haynes.

Food from The Sky’s first harvest was on the 4th of July 2010, and since then they’ve been bringing down their wares to the supermarket every Friday, in a special display dedicated to them, right at the front of the shop.

Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne
Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne.

Education and community engagement is absolutely central to the project, so they’ve partnered up with local schools, running workshops on biodiversity and food growing, as well as running permaculture courses. Food From the Sky is also working with Thornton’s Budgens employees, who between them speak 31 different languages, to share the space. But Azul says that none of the project would have been possible without volunteers, so if you’d like to get involved, check out the website, and go along at least once. The plan is for the project to grow and be used as a template for other supermarket roofs, so catch it while it’s still a gem of an idea just about ready to spread its wings. And have a chat to Azul, she’s a very inspiring woman. Any article you read about this project can only scrape the surface of the philosophy that has shaped it.

Written by Zofia Walczak on Monday June 20th, 2011 10:26 am

Categories ,Biodiversity, ,Boris Johnson, ,Budgens, ,Claire Bryne, ,Claire Kearns, ,Crouch End, ,Food from the Sky, ,grassroots, ,Greenhouse, ,Growing Food, ,permaculture, ,Rooftop, ,Sam Parr, ,Supermarket, ,Thornton’s Budgens, ,transition towns, ,Victoria Haynes

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Amelia’s Magazine | Food from the Sky: Growing food on top of a Supermarket in Crouch End

by

Food from the Sky by Sam Parr
Food from the Sky by Sam Parr.

It’s a stiflingly hot day in Crouch End as my friends and I venture into Thornton’s Budgens and, approved feeling slightly stupid, ask one of the cashiers how we can get onto the roof. He smiles and immediately takes us to a staircase supported by scaffolding in the car park at the back, with a notice cheerfully asking everyone to take up a box of compost. As we get to the top, a sea of different kinds of sun drenched greenery opens up, with volunteers already gathered at a wooden picnic table in one corner, discussing how best to get started on the greenhouse we’ve come here to build.

Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne
Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne.

So this is Food from the Sky. I’d initially found out about the project in a brief Guardian piece, and the seemingly chalk ‘n’ cheese synthesis of a permaculture/transition inspired grassroots project on the roof of a supermarket, which actually sells its harvest in the supermarket (not compatible…surely??) immediately appealed. It certainly caught the eye of our esteemed mayor Boris Johnson, who came to visit it last week.

Boris Johnson Visits Food from the Sky by Sam Parr
Boris Johnson visits Food from the Sky by Sam Parr.

Food from the Sky by Claire Kerns
Food from the Sky by Claire Kearns.

The Food from the Sky blog has regular opportunities to volunteer, as well as to take part in courses and workshops, so I went along to build the first stage of a greenhouse made of recycled plastic bottles. With bags and bags of collected empty bottles in tow. Fetching look.

Making the Greenhouse by Claire Byrne
Making the greenhouse at Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne.

Making the greenhouse, by Claire Kearns
Making the greenhouse by Claire Kearns.

Food from the Sky had its practical inauguration in May 2010, when the first load of compost was lifted onto the roof. But the progression to this stage started a long time before, when its creator Azul moved to London and set about utilizing all the endless roof space she saw for food growing. A meeting over a coffee with the owner of the Crouch End Thornton’s Budgens, Andrew Thornton, turned out to be a meeting of minds with a shared vision – she wanted a roof to build her project, and he had one. Once this was established they met frequently with the local community (there are blocks of flats whose windows overlook the Food From The Sky roof), debating and discussing what could and couldn’t be done.

Food-From-the-Sky-by-Victoria-Haynes
Food from the Sky by Victoria Haynes.

All the soil used on the roof is recycled food and garden waste donated by the council. She sees the relationship with the supermarket as an opportunity to bring people to a better relationship with food on a huge scale – the shop has 17,000 visits a week. “I used to hate supermarkets,” Azul says, “but then I thought, what a waste! Supermarkets are a huge part of the reason we have a bad relationship with food, so using the supermarket as a base to promote a better relationship means everything comes full cycle.”

Food-from-the-Sky-by-Victoria-Haynes
Greenhouse building by Victoria Haynes.

Food from The Sky’s first harvest was on the 4th of July 2010, and since then they’ve been bringing down their wares to the supermarket every Friday, in a special display dedicated to them, right at the front of the shop.

Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne
Food from the Sky by Claire Bryne.

Education and community engagement is absolutely central to the project, so they’ve partnered up with local schools, running workshops on biodiversity and food growing, as well as running permaculture courses. Food From the Sky is also working with Thornton’s Budgens employees, who between them speak 31 different languages, to share the space. But Azul says that none of the project would have been possible without volunteers, so if you’d like to get involved, check out the website, and go along at least once. The plan is for the project to grow and be used as a template for other supermarket roofs, so catch it while it’s still a gem of an idea just about ready to spread its wings. And have a chat to Azul, she’s a very inspiring woman. Any article you read about this project can only scrape the surface of the philosophy that has shaped it.

Written by Zofia Walczak on Monday June 20th, 2011 10:26 am

Categories ,Biodiversity, ,Boris Johnson, ,Budgens, ,Claire Bryne, ,Claire Kearns, ,Crouch End, ,Food from the Sky, ,grassroots, ,Greenhouse, ,Growing Food, ,permaculture, ,Rooftop, ,Sam Parr, ,Supermarket, ,Thornton’s Budgens, ,transition towns, ,Victoria Haynes

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Amelia’s Magazine | An interview with Laura Schofield: Amelia’s Colourful Colouring Companion featured artist.

by

Laura_Schofield_5
Laura Schofield has contributed a wonderfully vibrant artwork inspired by a love of pattern and texture. The Arts University Bournemouth graduate talks about her love of microcellular biology, how to spread the concept of sustainability and possibilities for the future. Find her work in Amelia’s Colourful Colouring Companion now.

Laura_Schofield_1
You clearly love to use colour, what inspired the colour palette for your double page spread in my book?
Colour palettes and complimenting combinations have always intrigued me. I take inspiration from a wide variety of objects but mostly from the colourful, unique items I have collected on my travels. I am also interested in the possibilities of mismatched arrangements and enjoy the elective feel they can bring to my work. For the colour palette in this piece, I was admiring the vibrancy in exotic fruits and also took inspiration from a patterned hair scrunchie I found on the little Greek island of Skiathos!

Laura_Schofield_10
Where did you find reference material to create your illustration?
If possible, I always try to find real-life references and like to keep my sketchbooks to hand from all the previous inspiring locations I have been lucky enough to visit so far. Therefore, for the plant shapes and textures in this particular piece, I used my visual research collected from Kew Gardens Greenhouse a few months back. And with regard to the monkeys and apes, I enjoyed another trip to my local zoo where I often spend hours enjoying their fascinating company.

Laura_Schofield_3
When did you first start drawing and when did you realise you wanted to make a career as an artist?
When I was young, my Dad always encouraged my drawing and took my brother and I to draw horses in the local fields near my hometown. We would also take many enjoyable trips to sketch the spectacular views of the South Devon countryside and coastline. Drawing and exploring nature became a passion of mine that I didn’t want to let go of and although I still have quite a few other academic interests, I decided pursuing Illustration would make me happiest and hopefully also bring such joy to others.

Laura_Schofield_4
I first found your work at the AUB graduation show this summer, what was the best thing about getting your work out there at the end of your course?
It was great to finish university off with a bang in July with The Observatory AUB graduation show. I was heavily involved with the organisation and coordination of this exhibition, which was a fantastic experience in itself. But, being from Bournemouth and managing to get our work up in London, for it to be seen by the creative eyes wandering about Brick Lane, was very exciting for all of us and has opened up many opportunities since.

Laura_Schofield_2
What inspired your beautiful installation at the show?
I am allured to the mystery and depth within the jungle environment and so I based my installation on the beautiful yet peculiar shapes and colours found within such exotic climates. Being interested in the potential of working with both 2D and 3D surfaces, I also explored the placement of my designs on textiles and ceramics and enjoyed a very positive reaction to these.

Laura_Schofield_9
Why are you so fascinated by microscopic cell biology?
As nature has always been the main inspiration for my work, of course Biology has always appealed to me; I love learning about how natural things work the way they do. Though, I am particularly intrigued by microscopic cell biology because of the intricate detail and complexity inside something almost unimaginably small. I also find the fact that while all living things are made up of cells, there is such immense diversity between each type of cell. And when observing them under the microscope, I find the patterns and textures they unintentionally create absolutely incredible.

Laura_Schofield_7
How do you incorporate or promote sustainability into your work?
Being passionate about sustainable and eco-friendly living, I see my overall role as an Illustrator to use my creativity to help influence people’s views and actions to make the world a more sustainable and harmonious place. Yet, as there seems to be a current abundance of fear-evoking campaigns, I try to counteract this by creating positive, colourful and energetic designs, in the hope to gain an optimistic and more productive outcome. Most recently, I have submitted designs to Paignton Zoo’s The Great Big Rhino Project, in conjunction with Wild in Art. I hope to gain the chance to promote rhino conservation with Save the Rhino International and give these critically endangered, beautiful but shy-natured creatures, a voice.

Laura_Schofield_8
Can you tell us more about your bespoke gift service L-E?
A fellow illustrator and myself created L-E in our second year at AUB as part of the Young Enterprise Start-up Scheme. It was a trial business, only lasting for the duration of a year but in that time we managed to set-up and run an illustrative gift service, hand-making products to order, such as personalised cushions, cards and mugs. I find the prospect of turning my illustrations into products that the public can purchase very exciting and it is something that I may likely pick up again in the future.

What are you drawing tribal masks for?
After visiting the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford earlier this year and researching into the backgrounds of their vast collection of indigenous folk art, I found such masks and artefacts highly inspirational. A lot of these fascinating and skilful creations have been delicately made in cultures with isolated environments; with natural surroundings being their predominant influence. I think this is something to be celebrated. I hope one day that I will get the opportunity to see the making of such art firsthand and am eager to learn even more about the purpose and uses of such exquisite items.

What do you hope to do with your designs in the future?
In the future, I would like to see my designs spread across a variety of different platforms. My work can be easily adaptable and applicable to a wide array of concepts and I see it fitting well within packaging and advertising design. Yet I am also eager to explore textiles and the many products this medium can produce. There are a lot of possibilities and I am very excited to have the opportunity to be flexible in the way I work. I can’t wait to see my designs in action!

What is your favourite way to relax after a hard day’s drawing?
Preferably I would be on a beach, overlooking the Ionian Sea and watching the sun go down, but I suppose a few drinks in good company will do!

Laura Schofield is featured in Amelia’s Colourful Colouring Companion alongside 40 other artists, funding on Kickstarter. Get your copy now, it makes a perfect Christmas gift!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Monday November 9th, 2015 9:53 am

Categories ,#ameliasccc, ,Adult Colouring Book, ,Arts University Bournemouth, ,AUB, ,Brick Lane, ,Coloring, ,Colouring, ,Colouring Book, ,Greenhouse, ,illustration, ,interview, ,Ionian Sea, ,Kew Gardens, ,Kickstarter, ,L-E, ,Laura Schofield, ,Pitt Rivers Museum, ,Save the Rhino International, ,Skiathos, ,South Devon, ,The Great Big Rhino Project, ,The Observatory, ,What do you hope to do with your designs in the future?, ,Wild in Art, ,Young Enterprise Start-up Scheme

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Amelia’s Magazine | Festival Preview: the Eden Sessions

by

kyla la grange
Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp
Can it really be a year since the last Glastonbury? Last year, this web for the first time, Climate Camp was given it’s very own space in the Dragon Field just above the Craft Field as you wend your way down to Shangri La. This year we’re back to once again educate and entertain festival goers at our beautiful site only a few minutes walk from the Old Railway Line.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp workshop
Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp paddling pool
Glastonbury-June-2009-First Aid Kit
Workshops, at play, and First Aid Kit playing at the Climate Camp Tripod Stage in 2009.

In 2010 Climate Camp is targeting the Royal Bank of Scotland, which has been bailed out with £50 billion of public money that is now being used to finance the extraction of fossil fuels across the world, with no regard for climate change or the destruction of communities that it causes. We will be camping near the RBS global headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 19th-25th August, but in the meantime to find out more about why we decided to focus on RBS this year come along and take a look at our exhibition at Glastonbury, then pick up a copy of our Never Mind The Bankers newspaper to peruse over a cup of tea or share with friends. We will be running DIY screenprinting workshops where you can learn how to screenprint your clothing with an anti RBS slogan. Simply bring your own or print onto one of our tshirts or bags. A great activity for kids! There will also be a chance to take part in Tripod Training: Tripods are used to blockade and secure a space on a direct action protest; come find out how to put them up and climb them safely. Good fun, and no previous experience or skills required.

Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training
Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training
Tripod Training.

Then of course there is our fabulous music, poetry and comedy line up, put together by yours truly. Read on to find out who will be gracing our Tripod Stage…. Pyramid Stage eat your heart out, this is where the real talent is.

Green-Kite-Midnight
Green Kite Midnight.

When I wrote up about the Climate Camp presence at Glastonbury in 2009 in my blog I talked about my hope that my band Green Kite Midnight would be able to play as the Climate Camp house band in 2010, so I’m very excited to report that we will be doing daily gigs this year. Five years ago I co-founded the barndance troupe Cutashine out of a desire to make traditional collective dancing more fun: after all, what’s better than a dance where you get to meet other people and really work up a sweat?

YouTube Preview Image

With Cutashine I played at gigs all over Glastonbury for several years, then left to start Green Kite Midnight through my contacts in Climate Camp; a band that supports and plays at direct action protests. Our first gig was at the Climate Camp in Bishopsgate during the G20 in April last year, we played to 800 people at the Blackheath Climate Camp in August 2009, and more recently we went on a 10 day solidarity bike ride together to play gigs to support the struggle against the Shell gas pipeline at Rossport in Ireland. With myself as emcee (I’m a gobby shite, so turn your mind away from those boring barn dances you might have attended as a child) we can teach anyone how to barn dance, so please come and join us.

And now for the rest of our fabulous line-up:

Kirsty Almeida
Kirsty Almeida
My Luminaries
My Luminaries

On Thursday Kirsty Almeida opens for us with her bass heavy soulful Bayou blues; a very exciting start to four days of renewably powered music. She is followed by another folky female. Anna Log – singer with pop folk band We Aeronauts – will be doing a solo set accompanied by her trusty uke. Glastonbury Emerging Talent winners My Luminaries round the evening off with a special semi-acoustic set of their epic indie rock.

Danny and the Champions of the World
Danny and the Champions of the World

On Friday we’re pleased to welcome the epic musical dreamscapes of Newislands, described as Pink Floyd meets Depeche Mode. Then it’s time for some other Climate Camp regulars, Danny Chivers, Claire Fauset and Merrick, to grace the stage with their “triple-headed tag team political poetry extravaganza”. They’re all friends of mine that I’ve seen perform before so I highly recommend their set, which will be repeated on Sunday afternoon. As a closer we have the country-tinged big band folk of Danny and the Champions of the World.

Patch William
Patch William
Dry the River
Dry the River

To kick the day off on Saturday we welcome Patch William – the dreamy lovechild of Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix. They are followed by the scuzzy rock sound of York boys The Federals, described as a cross between the White Stripes and The Beatles. Then, time for a very special guest. Following my interview with Robin Ince a few weeks he very kindly promised to come by and do us a special secret set, which will be a must see for all comedy fans at the festival. Tell all your friends! And come on by for a very intimate set from this well known comedian. Dry the River end the day with their beautiful melodic folk, singing songs of religion, history and community to rival those of Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons.

Pete the Temp
Pete the Temp
Pete Lawrie
Pete Lawrie
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

On Sunday we’ve got another packed day to end the festival. Pete the Temp returns to wow us with his comedic eco-political music and spoken word, then we look forward to hearing the bittersweet gospel blues of latecomer Pete Lawrie, who confirmed just as our flyer had gone to print. I am particularly pleased to welcome Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. the official moniker of singer songwriter Sam Duckworth. He will be showcasing music from his new album due for release later this year, and I’ve got a soft spot for him because he appeared in the print version of Amelia’s Magazine. Robinson will play a gypsy cajun folk set before we round off the festival with our GRAND RAFFLE. If you see our outreach team out and about please give generously to support Climate Camp and come along to our grand prize giving, which will be hosted by the inimitable Danny Chivers.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers
The Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers in 2009.

Don’t forget to follow myself and Climate Camp on twitter to find out how the festival is going; we can always live in hope that 3G reception will be better than it was last year! But most of all, don’t forget to come and visit us! And bring your friends along with you. I will of course write up a full report on my return. For a reminder of what to expect read my blog from last year here:

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp
Can it really be a year since the last Glastonbury? Last year, stomach for the first time, shop Climate Camp was given it’s very own space in the Dragon Field just above the Craft Field as you wend your way down to Shangri La. This year we’re back to once again educate and entertain festival goers at our beautiful site only a few minutes walk from the Old Railway Line.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp workshop
Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp paddling pool
Glastonbury-June-2009-First Aid Kit
Workshops, cure at play, and First Aid Kit playing at the Climate Camp Tripod Stage in 2009.

In 2010 Climate Camp is targeting the Royal Bank of Scotland, which has been bailed out with £50 billion of public money that is now being used to finance the extraction of fossil fuels across the world, with no regard for climate change or the destruction of communities that it causes. We will be camping near the RBS global headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 19th-25th August, but in the meantime to find out more about why we decided to focus on RBS this year come along and take a look at our exhibition at Glastonbury, then pick up a copy of our Never Mind The Bankers newspaper to peruse over a cup of tea or share with friends. We will be running DIY screenprinting workshops where you can learn how to screenprint your clothing with an anti RBS slogan. Simply bring your own or print onto one of our tshirts or bags. A great activity for kids! There will also be a chance to take part in Tripod Training: Tripods are used to blockade and secure a space on a direct action protest; come find out how to put them up and climb them safely. Good fun, and no previous experience or skills required.

Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training
Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training
Tripod Training.

Then of course there is our fabulous music, poetry and comedy line up, put together by yours truly. Read on to find out who will be gracing our Tripod Stage…. Pyramid Stage eat your heart out, this is where the real talent is.

Green-Kite-Midnight
Green Kite Midnight.

When I wrote up about the Climate Camp presence at Glastonbury in 2009 in my blog I talked about my hope that my band Green Kite Midnight would be able to play as the Climate Camp house band in 2010, so I’m very excited to report that we will be doing daily gigs this year. Five years ago I co-founded the barndance troupe Cutashine out of a desire to make traditional collective dancing more fun: after all, what’s better than a dance where you get to meet other people and really work up a sweat?

YouTube Preview Image

With Cutashine I played at gigs all over Glastonbury for several years, then left to start Green Kite Midnight through my contacts in Climate Camp; a band that supports and plays at direct action protests. Our first gig was at the Climate Camp in Bishopsgate during the G20 in April last year, we played to 800 people at the Blackheath Climate Camp in August 2009, and more recently we went on a 10 day solidarity bike ride together to play gigs to support the struggle against the Shell gas pipeline at Rossport in Ireland. With myself as emcee (I’m a gobby shite, so turn your mind away from those boring barn dances you might have attended as a child) we can teach anyone how to barn dance, so please come and join us.

And now for the rest of our fabulous line-up:

Kirsty Almeida
Kirsty Almeida
My Luminaries
My Luminaries

On Thursday Kirsty Almeida opens for us with her bass heavy soulful Bayou blues; a very exciting start to four days of renewably powered music. She is followed by another folky female. Anna Log – singer with pop folk band We Aeronauts – will be doing a solo set accompanied by her trusty uke. Glastonbury Emerging Talent winners My Luminaries round the evening off with a special semi-acoustic set of their epic indie rock.

Danny and the Champions of the World
Danny and the Champions of the World

On Friday we’re pleased to welcome the epic musical dreamscapes of Newislands, described as Pink Floyd meets Depeche Mode. Then it’s time for some other Climate Camp regulars, Danny Chivers, Claire Fauset and Merrick, to grace the stage with their “triple-headed tag team political poetry extravaganza”. They’re all friends of mine that I’ve seen perform before so I highly recommend their set, which will be repeated on Sunday afternoon. As a closer we have the country-tinged big band folk of Danny and the Champions of the World.

kyla la grange
Kyla la Grange
Patch William
Patch William
Dry the River
Dry the River

To kick the day off on Saturday we welcome an exclusive Glastonbury appearance from talented newcomer Kyla La Grange, who creates soaring melodies with her stunning voice. Then comes Patch William – the dreamy lovechild of Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix, who are followed by the scuzzy rock sound of York boys The Federals, described as a cross between the White Stripes and The Beatles. Then, time for a very special guest. Following my interview with Robin Ince a few weeks he very kindly promised to come by and do us a special secret set, which will be a must see for all comedy fans at the festival. Tell all your friends! And come on by for a very intimate set from this well known comedian. Dry the River end the day with their beautiful melodic folk, singing songs of religion, history and community to rival those of Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons.

Pete the Temp
Pete the Temp
Pete Lawrie
Pete Lawrie
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

On Sunday we’ve got another packed day to end the festival. Pete the Temp returns to wow us with his comedic eco-political music and spoken word, then we look forward to hearing the bittersweet gospel blues of latecomer Pete Lawrie, who confirmed just as our flyer had gone to print. I am particularly pleased to welcome Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. the official moniker of singer songwriter Sam Duckworth. He will be showcasing music from his new album due for release later this year, and I’ve got a soft spot for him because he appeared in the print version of Amelia’s Magazine. Robinson will play a gypsy cajun folk set before we round off the festival with our GRAND RAFFLE. If you see our outreach team out and about please give generously to support Climate Camp and come along to our grand prize giving, which will be hosted by the inimitable Danny Chivers.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers
The Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers in 2009.

Don’t forget to follow myself and Climate Camp on twitter to find out how the festival is going; we can always live in hope that 3G reception will be better than it was last year! But most of all, don’t forget to come and visit us! And bring your friends along with you. I will of course write up a full report on my return. For a reminder of what to expect read my blog from last year here:

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp
Can it really be a year since the last Glastonbury? Last year, medicine for the first time, Climate Camp was given it’s very own space in the Dragon Field just above the Craft Field as you wend your way down to Shangri La. This year we’re back to once again educate and entertain festival goers at our beautiful site only a few minutes walk from the Old Railway Line.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp workshop
Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp paddling pool
Glastonbury-June-2009-First Aid Kit
Workshops, at play, and First Aid Kit playing at the Climate Camp Tripod Stage in 2009.

In 2010 Climate Camp is targeting the Royal Bank of Scotland, which has been bailed out with £50 billion of public money that is now being used to finance the extraction of fossil fuels across the world, with no regard for climate change or the destruction of communities that it causes. We will be camping near the RBS global headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 19th-25th August, but in the meantime to find out more about why we decided to focus on RBS this year come along and take a look at our exhibition at Glastonbury, then pick up a copy of our Never Mind The Bankers newspaper to peruse over a cup of tea or share with friends. We will be running DIY screenprinting workshops where you can learn how to screenprint your clothing with an anti RBS slogan. Simply bring your own or print onto one of our tshirts or bags. A great activity for kids! There will also be a chance to take part in Tripod Training: Tripods are used to blockade and secure a space on a direct action protest; come find out how to put them up and climb them safely. Good fun, and no previous experience or skills required.

Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training
Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training
Tripod Training.

Then of course there is our fabulous music, poetry and comedy line up, put together by yours truly. Read on to find out who will be gracing our Tripod Stage…. Pyramid Stage eat your heart out, this is where the real talent is.

Green-Kite-Midnight
Green Kite Midnight.

When I wrote up about the Climate Camp presence at Glastonbury in 2009 in my blog I talked about my hope that my band Green Kite Midnight would be able to play as the Climate Camp house band in 2010, so I’m very excited to report that we will be doing daily gigs this year. Five years ago I co-founded the barndance troupe Cutashine out of a desire to make traditional collective dancing more fun: after all, what’s better than a dance where you get to meet other people and really work up a sweat?

YouTube Preview Image

With Cutashine I played at gigs all over Glastonbury for several years, then left to start Green Kite Midnight through my contacts in Climate Camp; a band that supports and plays at direct action protests. Our first gig was at the Climate Camp in Bishopsgate during the G20 in April last year, we played to 800 people at the Blackheath Climate Camp in August 2009, and more recently we went on a 10 day solidarity bike ride together to play gigs to support the struggle against the Shell gas pipeline at Rossport in Ireland. With myself as emcee (I’m a gobby shite, so turn your mind away from those boring barn dances you might have attended as a child) we can teach anyone how to barn dance, so please come and join us.

And now for the rest of our fabulous line-up:

Kirsty Almeida
Kirsty Almeida
My Luminaries
My Luminaries

On Thursday Kirsty Almeida opens for us with her bass heavy soulful Bayou blues; a very exciting start to four days of renewably powered music. She is followed by another folky female. Anna Log – singer with pop folk band We Aeronauts – will be doing a solo set accompanied by her trusty uke. Glastonbury Emerging Talent winners My Luminaries round the evening off with a special semi-acoustic set of their epic indie rock.

Danny and the Champions of the World
Danny and the Champions of the World

On Friday we’re pleased to welcome the epic musical dreamscapes of Newislands, described as Pink Floyd meets Depeche Mode. Then it’s time for some other Climate Camp regulars, Danny Chivers, Claire Fauset and Merrick, to grace the stage with their “triple-headed tag team political poetry extravaganza”. They’re all friends of mine that I’ve seen perform before so I highly recommend their set, which will be repeated on Sunday afternoon. As a closer we have the country-tinged big band folk of Danny and the Champions of the World.

kyla la grange
Kyla la Grange
Patch William
Patch William
Dry the River
Dry the River

To kick the day off on Saturday we welcome an exclusive Glastonbury appearance from talented newcomer Kyla La Grange, who creates soaring melodies with her stunning voice. Then comes Patch William – the dreamy lovechild of Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix, who are followed by the scuzzy rock sound of York boys The Federals, described as a cross between the White Stripes and The Beatles. Then, time for a very special guest. Following my interview with Robin Ince a few weeks he very kindly promised to come by and do us a special secret set, which will be a must see for all comedy fans at the festival. Tell all your friends! And come on by for a very intimate set from this well known comedian. Dry the River end the day with their beautiful melodic folk, singing songs of religion, history and community to rival those of Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons.

Pete the Temp
Pete the Temp
Pete Lawrie
Pete Lawrie
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

On Sunday we’ve got another packed day to end the festival. Pete the Temp returns to wow us with his comedic eco-political music and spoken word, then we look forward to hearing the bittersweet gospel blues of latecomer Pete Lawrie, who confirmed just as our flyer had gone to print. I am particularly pleased to welcome Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. the official moniker of singer songwriter Sam Duckworth. He will be showcasing music from his new album due for release later this year, and I’ve got a soft spot for him because he appeared in the print version of Amelia’s Magazine. Robinson will play a gypsy cajun folk set before we round off the festival with our GRAND RAFFLE. If you see our outreach team out and about please give generously to support Climate Camp and come along to our grand prize giving, which will be hosted by the inimitable Danny Chivers.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers
The Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers in 2009.

Don’t forget to follow myself and Climate Camp on twitter to find out how the festival is going; we can always live in hope that 3G reception will be better than it was last year! But most of all, don’t forget to come and visit us! And bring your friends along with you. I will of course write up a full report on my return. For a reminder of what to expect read my blog from last year here:

There are some places on this planet that I can’t believe I haven’t been to yet. On this occasion I’m not talking about far flung exotic hideaways, page but bio-domes. One of the most advanced bio-domes on this earth, viagra to be exact. This accolade goes to the Eden Project in Cornwall, home to tropical and mediterranean environments; a hub of creative and sustainable activities. But wait, this is the music section, so why am I harping on about a greenhouse? The answer lies in a series of one day music festivals, otherwise known as the Eden Sessions, spanning across the last week of June and onto the second week of July that take place nestled within the greenery of the Project. The calibre of singers and bands who play at Eden surpass expectation, and seriously rival big name festivals.


Florence and the Machine performing at 2009 Eden Session

Now running for nine years, the Eden Sessions hit the ground running in 2002 with performances from Pulp, Spiritualized, Doves and Beth Orton and continued strong over the next few years, giving us headliners such as Air, Supergrass, Primal Scream, Goldfrapp, Vampire Weekend, Florence and the Machine and Kasabian. Given the setting, it is only natural (in all senses of the word) that there would be an active and encouraged link between the performances and the environmental ethos that Eden is built on. The organisers are keen to encourage audiences to think about the actions that they can take to modify their impact upon the environment, adding that all profits from the Eden Sessions go towards supporting their educational charity and programmes.


Mumford & Sons, performing at this years Eden Sessions.

This year was due to open on June 24th with a much anticipated performance by Vampire Weekend and Broken Bells, but unfortunately, both bands cancelled very close to the time of their gig (a reason has not been given). Nonetheless, the other nights have so much to offer that hopefully everyone will forget this little blip of a cancellation. While tickets for Jack Johnson/Mojave 3 and Doves/Mumford & Sons have sold out (but we will be down to cover the Doves night, so expect full coverage!) there are still tickets and special offers available for the night of Mika/Diana Vickers (playing on Sunday, 27th June) and Calvin Harris, Annie Mac, Audio Bullys and Zero 7 (DJs) who are all performing on Saturday 3rd July. Check the website for the listed offers. What’s extra special about the Session ticket is that it gives you access to the Eden Project on both the day and the day after, which conveniently gives you an excuse for a thorough exploration of the domes when you come down for the gigs. The setting is glorious; the acts will be phenomenal and the West Country cider will be on hand throughout. So really, is there any reason not to go?


The Eden Project at night

Written by Cari Steel on Tuesday June 22nd, 2010 6:37 pm

Categories ,Air, ,Annie Mac, ,Audio Bullys, ,broken bells, ,Calvin Harris, ,Cornwall, ,doves, ,Eden Project, ,festival, ,Florence and The Machine, ,goldfrapp, ,Greenhouse, ,Mumford and Sons, ,pulp, ,Spiritualized, ,Vampire Weekend, ,Zero 7

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