A Halloween Event with a Difference – Waste Not, Want Not 30^th October 2021

This Halloween, NHP staff, in collaboration with the Ovenden Ward councillors, Todmorden Climate College and All 1 Collective and Lab hosted a Halloween event with a difference! With COP26 getting underway on the same day, we held a spooky fun day all across Lee Mount to get people thinking about their environmental impact, involving the community in conversations around climate change and action, as well as providing simple ideas to tackle plastic waste in our homes.

In the main venue, Lee Mount Baptist Church, Paint Me Parties was there to paint faces and the Artworks artist provided a workshop making pencil holders out of recycled fabric and waste.

Dan nearly ran out of his piggy planters, made from recycled materials, and encouraging people to grow something of their own. Natalie was there talking about litter picking, demonstrating the Vintage litter Museum which contains all types of litter from the last century and letting people have a go at litter picking themselves – taking the collected litter to St. George’s House to win a prize! And also speaking to people about the green spaces in Lee Mount and asking for their ideas on how these can be better used to the benefit of the community.

Peter and the Pavilion group were there to promote the Pavilion project and gather more signatures for the petition. Hilary from All 1 Collective was there talking to people about Doughnut Economics and Calderdale green New Deal ran an environmental quiz and highlighting the work they are doing to bring about a green jobs revolution. We also had the recycling team from Calderdale Council handing out recycling containers for those that need them as well as advice on recycling. Andrew from Noah’s Arc was on hand to talk to people about their service and ways they can help save money on bills.

Last but not least, Danielle Durrans, the ward councillor, welcomed people to the event and handed out goodie bags with free samples of things we can use to reduce out plastic consumption – bar shampoo and conditioner, bamboo toothbrushes, cellulose sponges and sisal soap bags with soap that can replace shower gel bottles, plastic body puffs and plastic sponges. Finally, people were encouraged to pledge one change and we had some brilliant ideas that demonstrated people had really taken the message to heart.

Over at St. George’s House, Lisa and her team opened up the St. George’s charity shop, spoke to people about what they’d like to see happening in Shroggs Park with Friends of Shroggs Park and provided homemade cake and refreshments. We also had Libbi from NHP help man the smoothie bike using fresh fruit provided for free from Morrison’s.

Up at Shroggs Park, Leah of Positive Impact Sports hosted a Recycling Olympics assault course that aimed to test people’s knowledge on recycling.

The event was very well attended with over 100 people of all ages turning up, some having travelled from other areas of Halifax. It felt like a hugely successful day with lots of people having fun, learning something new and introducing an element of collaboration between local services and people on this crucial issue. There was always a nervousness that such an event might not be appreciated and we worked hard to make sure we were not preaching but allowing space for curiosity, solution finding and collaboration. This felt like a truly community effort!

As a result, we feel confident that despite so far being left out of these conversations, our communities are ready and willing to think about their part in the solutions, make changes however small, and above all, recognise that now is the time to work together to tackle climate change. Our group are now planning further events with an environmental theme so please watch out for those next year. And if you have an idea or would like to be involved, please get in touch as we’d love to hear them!

To discuss any of the aspects of this article, please contact Natalie