05/06/2010
Sir Paul backs our "Let it Bee" campaign
SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY GIVES A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL AS THEY ANNOUNCE THEIR ECO ACTIONS FOR 2010 AND OUTLINE THEIR 'GOOD THINGS’ PROGRAMME WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CHARITY PARTNERS, GIFT TO NATURE.
"It's really great that the Isle of Wight Festival has initiated such change over the last few years in making the event as 'green' as possible. I'm glad that winning the Greener Festival Award last year has helped to encourage them to take further action in 2010. It is fantastic for artists like myself to see festival organisers investing in ways to reduce their C02 emissions and taking responsibility for the environment. Not only will this approach encourage others in the music industry to look at best-practice but it will also highlight to audiences that times are changing and we all have to do our bit at events such as these as well as at home" Sir Paul McCartney
This year, the festival's 'Good Things' programme in conjunction with charity partners, Gift to Nature, launches the Let it Bee campaign in a fitting tribute to headline act, Sir Paul McCartney, and reintroduces native trees to the Isle of Wight.
Let it Bee (previously Give Bees a Chance) was started three years ago by the festival to build awareness of the dwindling bee populations. Money raised by the sale of T-Shirts at the festival will fund a long-term protection plan for a local bee habitat in the middle of the island called the Field of Hope, where some rare types of bees and wasps have been found.
'Good Things' continues with the reintroduction of black poplar trees to the island – a major environmental achievement as this indigenous species had all but died out. Other ongoing enhancement work includes a path through the millennium wood, a wild flower meadow in the arboretum and survey for a pond on site. All designed to leave a positive legacy for islanders and visitors to enjoy all year round.
"It has always been a priority for us to give something back to the island that hosts our event each year and I hope these sorts of initiatives as well as what we achieve on site to reduce our environmental impact sends a clear message of our ongoing commitment and leadership within the industry" John Giddings, Festival Promoter
Click Here to Read More about Eco Action's work at the Isle of Wight Festival
