Some years ago, a group of people in the distant Basque country of the South of France had a spine-tingling brain-storm and in October 2013 they organised a big festival called “Alternatiba Baiona”, which presented how ordinary folk could fight climate change with discussions, conferences and hands-on experiences – all in a spirit of festivity with local food, drink, music and street theatre.
It was attended by around 12,000 people and was a moment long remembered, not least by local campaigners who are hoping to replicate what it had to offer on home turf.
A group will be meeting in Todmorden on Sunday, November 2, to address the issue of man-made climate change in our own backyard and consider the possibility of organising a festival in the same style in Todmorden next year.
The “Public Meeting Addressing the Climate Change Nightmare” will be held between 5pm and 7pm at the 3 Wise Monkeys bar at Water Street, Todmorden.
Spokesperson Joe Mobbs said the group will present details on what it calls “the current Climate chaos”, the festival of climate alternatives “Alternatiba Baiona” in photos, the project of an “Alternatiba Todmorden”, with a slideshow and a short film before opening the floor to discussion, debate, objections or support from the public.
If you want to get involved in dragging Climate Change denial into the light of day or for more info please contact Joe Mobbs joe@stop-tafta.info
Friends of the Earth Calderdale, Finn Jensen, a member of Blackshaw Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Pennine Community Power (PCP), 3 Valley Veg*ans, Incredible AquaGarden and the Incredible Edible Todmorden community group have expressed interest in the project and the idea has been aired at a lively Todmorden Town Council meeting, said Joe.