Member Article

Gentoo comes on board as Festival of Thrift sponsors

Gentoo is to sponsor the UK’s first national Festival of Thrift, to be held at Lingfield Point in Darlington.

The two-day free extravaganza on September 21 and 22 – curated by renowned designers Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway - celebrates recycling, upcycling and sustainable living.

Sally Hancox of Gentoo said: “As soon as we heard about the festival we realised it was a perfect fit for us – we completely share its eco-friendly ethos.

“At Gentoo, we firmly believe in ‘the Art of Living’ - that means investing our money wisely in people, property and the planet to enhance lives whenever and wherever we can.

“Being ‘Planet Smart’ is at the heart of our business, and considering the environment in all that we do. We want to influence action and initiate change at all levels – internally, locally, nationally and globally.”

Gentoo branding will feature on the festival’s stage, and the company will also sponsor the Multi-Thrifty Swap Shop, where visitors can exchange unwanted goods for something more desirable.

The idea for the Swap Shop came from Phillippa Scrafton, Darlington Council’s recycling officer, who was inspired both by TV’s Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and by the council’s annual Green Fair.

Phillippa said: “We’re hoping to create a colourful circus-type atmosphere and recruit a larger-than-life ringmaster who’ll really get the crowd excited about swapping their unwanted goods for something they want.”

People wanting to take part will bring along their old items and receive vouchers for them that they can ‘spend’ on other items.

“We’ll have two sessions on each of the two days of the festival, and in between people can view the items and see what they might want to bid for,” said Phillippa.

Gentoo will also be promoting its charitable Nuru Fund (www.nurufund.com), which is raising cash to give communities in rural East Africa small loans to buy solar-powered lamps that can also charge mobile phones.

“It’s a great safe environmental solution for areas where 85 per cent of people have no electricity,” said Sally.

Visitors to the Festival – at Darlington’s Lingfield Point - can find out more about Nuru at a special stall, and buy solar lamps and chocolate to boost the fund.

Other events and attractions at the festival include Home Live Arts’ Alternative Village Fete, a lively trader marketplace, street performers, pop-up allotments and a magical fairytale show.

“Our Gentoo volunteers will also be on hand to help out with events,” said Sally.

“We think the Festival of Thrift is a unique and innovative idea that’s going to provide a fantastic boost for the region – and it’s going to be a lot of fun!”

Lingfield Point is Europe’s biggest sustainable multi-use development, and the Festival of Thrift was dreamed up by John Orchard, a Director of Lingfield Point owners Marchday, to reflect its recycling and upcycling principles.

Festival Director Stella Hall said: “We’re thrilled to have Gentoo as a sponsor – the company has an excellent reputation for its sustainable ethos and the work it does to improve lives across the world.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .