Pupils' chance to hug a hen (From Wiltshire Times)

Pupils' chance to hug a hen

10:55am Tuesday 7th October 2008 in Latest News By Victoria Ashford

A BIG green bus proved to be a star attraction when it rolled into town for the first eco fair to be held in Bradford on Avon.

The seven-and-a-half tonne bus, which runs on bio-diesel - recycled chip fat - and is fitted with solar powered lights, pulled into the grounds of Fitzmaurice Primary School on Friday, to offer youngsters the chance to try out a bicycle-powered smoothie maker, learn how to grow vegetables, interact with hens and take part in a range of craft activities.

The bus is the brainchild of TV presenter, writer and eco campaigner Brigit Strawbridge, whose charity the Big Green Idea will spend the next two years spreading the word that sustainable living isn’t just for the rich or super dedicated.

The bus remained in the school grounds on Saturday for the first ever green fair initiated by local businesswoman Cally Smart, who is also a sponsor of the Big Green Idea.

The fair brought together a host of local green organisations and businesses to showcase how people can save energy, cut household bills, plant productive gardens and keep livestock.

She said: “It was brilliant for the school and great for the community. We hope that it will leave a legacy in the area.

“We wanted it to be very interactive so the fact that children could come along and hug a hen and things like that is brilliant.”

Plans are already in place to make the green fair an annual event and include more local food producers next year.