RESIDENTS in Menston are holding their first ‘Green Festival’ in the village this Saturday (September 18) with talks from local groups as well as the chance to pedal your way to making a smoothie and try vegan cakes.

Marilyn Banister, of Climate Action Menston said: “We set up CAM in Spring 2019 and this is our first event for the village that can happen in person. We will be based in a tent outside Kirklands on Main Street between 10am and 4pm. There will be talks on travel and transport, our sustainable business award scheme as well as the chance to use pedal power to make a smoothie!

"Menston in Bloom will be there as well as Wharfedale Greenway and the newly formed Menston Area Nature Trust. It is taking place during the Great Big Green Week set up by the Climate Coalition to celebrate what climate groups are doing; encourage others to join in and show that local people care about the climate emergency; prior to COP 26 taking place in Glasgow in November. The week also includes a talk by Dr Rick Battarbee, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Change at University College London and co-ordinator of the Addingham Environment Group. He will be speaking on “One planet living” - a short introduction on the global challenges we face and with examples of how we are trying to tackle them in Addingham.”

Hear him at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 22 in the Parish Room behind St John’s Church on Burley Lane, Menston, LS29 6EU. All welcome. Masks recommended.

There will be various walks during the week and on Saturday, September 25th Menston Preschool are marking Big Green week with a trail in the park, colouring and a teddy tombola outside the library.

See Menston Preschool Events Facebook page for more details. Or email fundraising@menstonpreschool.org

Also , there is a chance for budding photographers between the ages of 5-15 to help us celebrate the natural world by joining in the photography competition. Photographs can be of any part of nature, big or small, at home or far away. Entries to be sent to photocomp@climateactionmenston.org.uk by Saturday, September 25th with name and age of photographer, and a title.

Full details of events at https://climateactionmenston.org.uk/menston-green-festival-gbgw