Big green bus coming to town (From Malvern Gazette)

Big green bus coming to town

11:20am Wednesday 1st April 2009 in News

MALVERN’s green campaigner Brigit Strawbridge, known to millions of TV viewers from the series It’s Not Easy Being Green, has come up with another idea to encourage people to look after the environment.

The Big Green Idea is a specially-converted bus that began touring the country last week and will be in the Malvern area later this month. The green double decker is manned by volunteers and Brigit plans to use it to take ideas into the heart of local communities - town centres, schools and villages.

First stop in Worcestershire will be The Fold at Bransford on April 22, followed by a visit to St Joseph’s Primary School on May 8 and a stop in Colwall on July 10-11.

The Big Green Bus belongs to a registered charity set up by Brigit after she was inundated with requests for information and advice after appearing on television in It’s Not Easy Being Green with her family.

The bus is a focal point from which volunteers can provide information or talk to the public. It was re-fitted by craftsmen in Herefordshire and Worcestershire using locally grown willow, has seating made from recycled theatre curtains and working wind turbines and solar panels to show to visitors.

It also has a library of books on green, ethical and environmental issues, a space for talks and workshops and, once a sponsor can be found, will be installing a solar powered cinema.

Brigit is passionate about being green and wants to empower ordinary people by providing information and facts.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about green issues. You don’t need to be wealthy or middle class or own a few acres or look or dress in a certain way. There are lots of easy ways to be greener and lots of them help people save money and be healthier at the same time.”

Brigit said that although there were arguments about climate change no-one argued with the fact that finite and precious resources were running out and that people were too wasteful.

“The bus isn’t about telling people what to think or do. It’s just to provide help and information and show people what they can do if they want,” said Brigit, adding that they had free samples of safe low energy bulbs and environmentally friendly cosmetics to give away.

To find out more about Brigit’s bus visit www.thebiggreenidea.org.