Eastbourne environmental group set to host 10-day festival

Eastbourne residents are being urged to get involved in a 10-day environmental festival to reduce single-use plastics by using water refill stations.
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A spokesperson from Plastic Free Eastbourne said, “The Spring Water Festival will celebrate our water, our beach and our network of refill stations, located along some of the 19km of Eastbourne’s seafront and coastline.

“By providing free mains ‘spring water’ we can raise awareness for everyone to refill reusable water bottles and reduce the amount of single use plastic, to help protect our environment.”

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The festival is set to start on Friday, May 14 and will continue until Sunday, May 23.

File: Eastbourne seafront/Eastbourne beach/Eastbourne pier SUS-210324-130110001File: Eastbourne seafront/Eastbourne beach/Eastbourne pier SUS-210324-130110001
File: Eastbourne seafront/Eastbourne beach/Eastbourne pier SUS-210324-130110001

Founder and community leader of the group Oliver Sterno said, “We believe in taking action with urgency in order to raise public awareness about some of the most pressing issues facing our environment.

“We are driven by a single goal: to do our part in making Eastbourne a better place for everyone. We want to influence all stages of this environmental crisis and we strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact.”

Mr Sterno, who is a former geography teacher, said his career helped him gain an interest in the environment while developing a passion for protecting it.

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The Eastbourne resident also explained the danger in people not know that products such as masks contain plastic.

Mr Sterno said, “If we could get Eastbourne to get rid of all these plastics it would be amazing.

“I want the Spring Water Way to go around the country.”

During the festival a wide range of events will be on offer, celebrating all aspects of water, along Eastbourne seafront and beyond.

The group say the main focus will be on walking to visit the refill stations along the Spring Water Way route, from the Beachy Head Story centre to Sovereign Harbour.

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According to the group the festival is being planned carefully with the safety and welfare of all participants and organisers being their utmost priority.

Mr Sterno said, “It is open to everybody but they should take caution of the Covid-19 restrictions.

“Some events are restricted to six only because of that up to May 17.”

​Events set to take place during the festival include a self-guided walks along the seafront, beach cleans and events to raise awareness of issues resulting from litter and ocean plastic, a special ‘pilgrimage’ walk , art projects including permanent and specially commissioned sculptures along the seafront, exhibitions and a ‘studio on the beach’ event where visitors can come and talk art, ideas and the philosophy behind the Spring Water Festival.

To find out more visit the Plastic Free Eastbourne website and to read about one of the new refill stations click here.

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