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. Working with FGVW, fashion designer Goodness Woodhead, community creative consultant Natalie Tharraleos and dancers from BSDC, we were able to help shape a fun, family-friendly day that focused on fashion, sustainability and celebrating our natural environment.


24-25
Credits
2024 to 2025



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



  1. 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.

  2. There is widespread Support for active travel improvements in the Gledhow valley to create better infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.




Dancers

Devika Rao
Sanchita Mazumdar

 Photographers

Balbir Singh
Devika Rao