BBC’s Jonathan Dimbleby confirmed as headline speaker
Working with nature, promoting better food and supporting sustainability is what the GO! Organic Festival is all about – and what better way to do this than to hear from inspiring experts themselves. The capital’s major new organic event has secured even more big names in its unmissable Natural Talk Theatres – including BBC presenter Jonathan Dimbleby.
Taking place over the weekend of 8-9 September at Battersea Park in London, The Natural Talks Theatre will feature captivating and informative talks from a range of sustainable and organic thought-leaders, discussing topics ranging from organic farming to horticulture, and plastic pollution to wildlife – all showing that organic conversations really are relevant to everyone.
For writer and TV personality Jonathan Dimbleby, ‘organic’ has always been close to his heart. From 1993–2004, Dimbleby ran an organic farm near Bath, Somerset and became president of the RSPB and the Soil Association for over 10 years – becoming a major driving force behind organic certification and sustainable farming initiatives in the UK.
“Organic is the best-known way of sustaining an environment which we all depend on,” says Jonathan Dimbleby, whose talk will take place at 12.30pm on Sunday 9 September.
“I’m excited to be speaking at the GO! Organic Festival, what I am sure will be a fun and stimulating event that promotes organic. I will be telling you about my story of how and why I became organic, because I’ve always been extremely passionate about the subject!” he says.
As plastic pollution becomes a pertinent talking point in 2018, other big names to hit the stage include environmental campaigner Natalie Fee, who founded City to Sea, a non-profit organisation helping to combat plastic pollution at source, by reversing the trend for disposable items.
“Protecting and conserving the environment and our wildlife is integral and very close to my heart,” says Natalie Fee. “I’m thrilled to be part of the new GO! Organic Festival this year as it celebrates everything in sustainability and healthier lifestyles, whilst being in a fun, laid back festival setting.
“In my talk, I will be discussing how becoming engaged with the issue of plastic pollution changed my life and how it can change yours, for the better,” she says. Natalie’s talk will take place at 1.30pm on Saturday 8 September.
If that wasn’t enough, former BBC Blue Peter gardener and head of horticulture at Garden Organic Chris Collins, and top wildlife photographer Simon King – well known for his work on nature programmes such as Spring Watch, Planet Earth and Big Cat Diaries – have also joined the weekend’s line-up.
Organic health and beauty products galore
If exploring natural and organic beauty is also top of your agenda, Janey Lee Grace has you covered. Known as an ‘encyclopaedia of knowledge for all things natural and holistic’, she is absolutely passionate about adopting an organic lifestyle but in the most ‘realistic’ way, with five bestselling books and a hugely successful recommendations website.
She will explain why it’s critical to ditch the synthetic chemicals and opt for natural and organic products, from choosing skincare and beauty products, to cleaning your home without chemicals and even what clothes to wear.
“I’m so excited to be part of this innovative event, I love the fact that it’s a festival which will combine all the best bits of the organic lifestyle with fun for all the family and great music,” says Janey Lee Grace, “whether you are someone who is always looking for organic options or you just want a fabulous day out, there will be something for you!”
If you’re feeling super inspired to try out (or restock) on the top health, beauty, clothing and natural living brands on the market, you can head over to the stalls where you will find the latest products from: Green People, Neal’s Yard, Aqua Oleum, BeeBee Wraps, Keweko, Garthenor, Lavera, Greenscents, Nathalie Bond, Incognito, Natracare, Kinn Living, Lunette, ORGANii, Silver Bamboo, Organyc, Sleep Organic, Green Fibres, G+G Vitamins, Nutri-Fungi and many more.
Also, don’t forget, there’s plenty of other activities to keep the whole family busy, including a raft of big-names and up and coming bands on the main stage; celebrity talks; children’s entertainers; fantastic feature areas like Meet The Farmer and the Clearspring Japanese Tea Garden; Abel & Cole’s picnic area; Honest Organic’s Eco Art Camp and kids orchard PYO; circus acts; free fair rides; a children’s farm; hands-on workshops; bug hunts and so much more.
Discounted advance tickets can be purchased via the website, with tickets for adults priced at £26, children at £13, and a family of four at £69 (after the early bird discount ends, prices are £32 for adults, £15 for children and £85 for a family ticket). For full details, please visit www.goorganicfestival.co.uk.
For further information about getting involved, please contact the festival’s sales manager Amanda Thackray at athackray@divcom.co.uk.
