Earth Hour

In 2009 we thought that Earth Hour would be a great opportunity to officially launch Transition Town Newcastle as we were then called and to focus attention on  the need to reduce our energy usage.

Rosscus ProbiscusIt was a successful though fairly modest event at Gregson Park. The kids workshopped a play with Louie Hahn that they performed later in the park and Ross Brown (that rhymes with clown) enchanted the children with his madcap albeit meaningful show until the Pied Piper led them a merry dance around the park.  Friends Pat and Allen played some blues and we wiled away the evening picnicking by candlelight.

Somehow in 2010 we decided that Braye Park would be a spectacular venue as we'd have a 360 degree view of the night sky and could actually see whether novocastirans turned off their power.

Great idea but logistically a nightmare. Thankfully Livesites pitched in to help with logistics and performers fees, but still we had to carry in lighting, flags, kids' activities, an outdoor PA not to mention giant wind puppets. We'd also graduated to an event that needed an OHS approval, risk assessment, road blocks, first aid kits, fire extinguishers and a doctor on site. We knew then we'd really hit the big time.

But hey, it was worth it. We had firedancers, wandering minstrels, a loping dragon, flagmakers, puppetmakers, a pied piper, inspiring guest speakers and a fabulous view.

Craig Manhood talked about his experiences of building community through the fabulous Figtree Community Garden, while Mark Brown and Kate Beveridge took us on a journey of a day in the life of Purple Pear Organic Farm   explaining the Community Supported Agriculture box scheme, and how the simple life can be something to celebrate.

Ian Wilcox gave a rundown on the bulk solar project undertaken by Climate Action Newcastle showing what a difference a small group of people can have when they commit to change more than their own behaviour. The result is an incredible increase in the uptake of renewable energy in Newcastle.

Kids created puppets, had their faces painted as Eco Earthlings, decorated flags, were gobsmacked by firetwirlers and revelled in the chance to run around the park after dark. Volunteers fought off invading armies of mozzies to keep the activities happening.

People checked out the Wheel of Change and developed two personal resolutions to reduce their carbon footprint.  One resolution to embraced a positive change (something I’d like to do more of is…) and the other a commitment to do less of something that is harming the planet (something I’d like to do less of is...). 

We also invited people to write their resolutions onto recycled fabric flags. Then just before Earth Hour, a pied-piper led a candlelight procession to the top of the hill where we flew our flags of resolutions and sang songs as Earth Hour approached.

The spectacular finale was an exquisite fire performance on the summit of Braye Park with the giant wind puppets and flags swaying in the breeze. A truly atmospheric event that the adults loved as much as the kids.

Unfortunately we didn't see a great difference in the city lights on the night but we did our bit and the sense of community was palpable.

The help from Newcastle City Council, Climate Action Newcastle and The Roost was greatly appreciated.