In June, we hosted the third annual Greenspace Festival at Grey College.
Greenspace is all about bringing together the community of students and staff at Durham and showing us all that small actions do add up to a big difference.
Our yearly Greenspace Festival aims to celebrate the University and wider community’s achievements in the past year in sustainability and encourage engagement with environmental issues.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien opened the festival, followed by Grey College Principal Dr Sonia Virdee, who welcomed our keynote speakers.
Professor Karen O'Brien opening the festival
Sustainable careers
The festival’s main theme this year was around sustainable careers. We welcomed keynote speakers Professor John French (Deputy Chair of the EAUC) and Paul Irwin Rhodes (Head of Sustainability and SHE at Greggs).
We also heard from Kirsty Peck from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and early career professionals, including Durham alumni. Visitors also had the chance to attend workshops and a film screening, or take a guided nature walk around the estate at the end of the day.
Keeping it local
The main exhibition took place in Fountains Hall, with stalls from local businesses, charities, and student organisations. Attendees had a chance to hear from local charities such as Wear Rivers Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust, plus Durham County Council’s Low Carbon Economy team and the waste contractor Biffa, who were on hand to discuss their commitments to sustainability.
The festival also featured several sustainable businesses, such as The Ugly Fruit Group, who reuse, donate, and educate on food waste. Recyke Y’Bike attended to run a bike maintenance pop-up shop.
Thank you to everyone who attended!