June 15th, 2009 | Events, Locals Taking Action
The Age was Stupid, The Day was Seized, The Fayre was in The Square - Stretton Green Festival - June 29 to July 4
Theo and Shannon of Seize the Day
Stretton’s first Green Festival kicked off on Monday with a showing of our very own Pete Postlethwaite in The Age of Stupid. 
It suggests we’ve only got until 2015 to take some pretty drastic steps to limit the temperature increase to a manageable two degrees. If we don’t, and if we don’t then reduce our carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, we - the human race - have had it. Sobering message? Don’t despair! Help was at hand; on Saturday there was the FAYRE IN THE SQUARE when you could find out about high-tec solutions to global warming and low-tech ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Tom Acton’s new electric car was there plus all sorts of low carbon transport solutions; and stands from the Energy Saving Trust with their careful driving simulator and the Shropshire Hills AONB, Llanisolar Water heating and Scrappies, plus competitions and other eco-friendly activity. The famous Climate Care Light Bike (the Brian Bradley MkII) was back, giving you the chance to truly experience the difference in energy requirements for traditional and low energy light bulbs
Seize the Day - Bold, Beautiful, Frontline Folk
And in the evening there was a rare opportunity to hear bold, beautiful, cutting-edge folk in the form of Seize the Day (performing appropriately unplugged without all that amplification stuff) supported by local folk duo Emma and the Professor at Rushbury Village Hall.
Emma and the Professor in mid-song
Emma and the Professor were a revelation. Emma’s powerful voice filled the hall and Mark’s subtle drumming perfectly complemented their original sound. They had us all joining in by the end of their set singing words the meaning of which none of us knew but who cared?
No Mikes, No Inhibitions, No Seizing Up
We Knew Seize the Day would be excellent. What we didn’t know was that as well as being superb performers they are also really lovely people; funny, clever and caring. They are the folk equivalent of Greenpeace - we’re glad (if a little disapproving sometimes) about the waves they make and rather wish we had the courage to do the same. Shannon’s daughter Rosa was a little star, allowing their final song ‘Thank you’ to be sung as long as she sat on mum’s lap throughout.
It was a memorable evening. So to all those who missed it - Nyaaa!
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For any one who has not yet seen ‘The Age of Stupid’ it is essential viewing for anyone who cares about the future of our environment.
One thing that Seize the Day reminded us is that everything that we are engaged in has a political dimension and that if we really wish to bring about change, we need to engage constructively with those who say they represent us, in serious dialogue about future measures and actions which will mitigate against the effects of climate change and an oil-less world.
We travelled some 180 miles from the Essex/Suffolk border for Sunday night’s Seize the Day performance.
I had been looking for somewhere to take my wife for her birthday, and this is one of our favourite bands, so ideal!
[It was worth the journey, wasn't it?]
The Age of Stupid sounds great - where can I get to see it? [click on our link to the Age of Stupid website and look for a screening near you - Ed]