You guys all probably know by now how much I love the Festival of Thrift and that I’ve been just about every year since it started. Well, I’ve just got back from this year’s and thought I’d share some of the great stuff that was going on with you…
The Festival of Thrift is all about sustainability and promotes great ways to reuse, recycle and reduce consumption with some amazing craft and food stalls mixed in with all kinds of workshops and fun that fit in with the sustainability theme. It’s spread out over a very small local village taking over some fields, barns, a beautiful church, and a local museum and its grounds so it’s pretty big too with something for everyone.
I always go along with the intention of taking some amazing photos to share with you but every year, I let myself get distracted so I’m just going to have to describe it to you with the limited photos that I did manage to take. 🙂
It’s super bright and colourful with lots of sustainable decorations around the site – these gorgeous flowers were made from plastic bottles and I loved that there was also a workshop with loads of kids enjoying making their own plastic bottle flowers in the main field too!
There are flags and bunting everywhere but it’s all made from scraps of material or scarves which just adds to the bright and colourful atmosphere. Honestly, wherever you look there’s something that’s going to catch your eye!
Everything is well thought out and has a purpose – this little sculpture was in the corner of the field and I actually spotted it right from the other side because the light was shining through the bottles and making some really pretty effects. I knew it would have a reason behind it and when I got to it, there was a poster on the side explaining the meaning.
It was thought out as a way to promote the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge to reduce water usage by 40% in the next nine years which really interests me as I’ve really tried hard to reduce our water usage. Also unrelated to this but to give you an idea of some of the stalls this year, there was a Northumbrian Water stand who were giving out all kinds of water-saving devices and advice.
There’s all kinds of stalls selling everything you could possibly want but all made with sustainability in mind – jewellery, clothes, candles, make up, and everything home decor that you can imagine. I was so close to buying this little kitchen cabinet but they didn’t deliver and there was no way I was getting it home but I really wish I’d tried harder to think of a way now as I definitely regret leaving it there.
I’ve bought some amazing little things over the years but this year, I literally bought three cakes and a scotch egg! I could have spent a fortune but I deliberately spent less time on the craft stall section because if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years of visiting, it’s that sustainability isn’t cheap somewhere like this.
I’m absolutely not knocking it because I have no doubt that the time, materials used, and the individuality of the things you can buy do warrant a higher price tag than mass-produced goods but this year, I just made the decision that I wanted to spend less time in that section and spend less money.
I could have spent a fortune if I’d let myself though – even just on vintage sunglasses and sparkly things!
If you get the chance to go to next year’s festival, definitely do it! I might even see you there. 😇
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