Gledhow Green Fair
Having worked with Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods on projects such as Social Prescribing: On the Trail Of Series and Roots & Routes, Balbir Singh Dance Company was delighted to return and help plan the first road closure and green fair of Gledhow Valley Road in 2024, before again taking part in 2025.
2025
The focus for our part in this year’s Green Fair was water: instigated by a report put together by Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods, and designed by Balbir Singh Dance Company, that examined the levels of pollution and water quality within the becks at Gledhow. Dancers, models and participants were clad in blue to highlight the importance of the water within the woods, along with Sanchita using blue fabric to simulate motion, waves and tranquility.
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- Anonymous Group Participant ”
The experience is so good because the group facilitators really listen to us and bring us together - we all look out for each other.
- Anonymous Group Participant ”
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- Anonymous Group Participant ”
I come to the sessions because they connect me to people I feel really comfortable with.
- Anonymous Group Participant ”
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- Anonymous Group Participant ”
This experience has shown me again - we never need to be defined by our age - we are all worthy of being seen, of dressing in a way that expresses who we are, and having fun.
- Anonymous Group Participant ”
2024
A preliminary site visit
The Green Fair
Setting the scene for the day
The communities of Gledhow
Our interactions with the people of Gledhow
A new way of sustainable travel
A sustainable fashion show
Gledhow’s catwalk
Impact
- The Green Fair could not have been delivered
without the active support of the Partnership of
local voluntary groups working together. All the
partner organisations are keen to continue working
together to deliver another event in summer 2025.
- There is widespread Support for active travel
improvements in the Gledhow valley to create better
infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling.
- 80 people volunteered their time on the day to
make the event a success. The Green Fair would
not have been possible without this level of local
support and we are extremely grateful to all our
volunteers. A further 40 people who attended the
event expressed an interest in volunteering with
one or more of the partner organisations.
- Both survey and social media feedback indicates
widespread public support for further one-day
closures of Gledhow valley Road for events such
as the Green Fair.
- There is widespread public support for improvements
to fresh water and air quality and the paths network
in the Gledhow Valley. Monitoring and research is
ongoing with university partners on local air and water
quality and initial findings will be publicised shortly.
- The survey highlights the high value placed by the
local community on Gledhow Valley woods and
the work of the Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods.
Survey respondents particularly value the woods
as a haven for wildlife, a place to exercise, socialise
and recognise its contribution towards improving
their mental health.
- There is a strong demand from surrounding communities, where there are less opportunities for people to feel safe and welcome in local green spaces, for more events and activities in Gledhow Valley woods. We will explore ways in which we can do this working with community advocates and partners to ensure access to the woods by all under- represented groups.
Devika Rao
Sanchita Mazumdar
Balbir Singh
Devika Rao