Nourishing People & Planet

Welcome to the heart of Sidmouth’s citizen spirit. Our  Community Stall provide a vibrant tapestry of local groups dedicated to wellbeing, the environment, and collective action.

The ‘Marine & Green’ Festival

Our grassroots event celebrates Sidmouth’s natural beauty across generations. Join us for a deep dive into our local ecosystem:

• Interactive Marine Workshops: Hands-on biology experiments and educational games designed to spark curiosity in young ocean explorers.

• Action for the Future: Participate in community-led initiatives focused on preserving our seas and coastline.

• Connect & Cultivate: Engage with local experts and environmental stewards to learn how you can make a difference.

• Get Involved: Active participation is the soul of this festival. Come discover how our community is working together for a better, greener future.

The Safe Spot is here to ensure everyone can enjoy the festival with peace of mind. Whether you need a bit of assistance or just a helping hand, our dedicated team is ready to support you.

• Site Medic & First Aid: Meet our friendly on-site medical team, available to help with any health concerns or minor injuries.

• Lost Child Point: A designated, secure space to reunite families and ensure children are looked after until their guardians arrive.

• Safety & Security: Chat with our site security team, who are working across the event to keep the environment safe and welcoming for all.

Stop by The Naked Larder stall to see how easy it is to shop with the planet in mind. We’re all about the circular economy—supporting local makers, mastering the refill, and waving goodbye to single-use plastics.

Refill, Reduce, Rejoice

Ditching the packaging doesn’t have to be a chore. Swing by our stall to see a sustainable system in action:

• Sample & See: Test out high-quality local products and explore a variety of clever, reusable containers.

• The Refill Revolution: Learn how to stock your cupboards without the plastic waste.

• Sustainable Fun: Join in with quick, engaging activities designed to spark new habits for a greener lifestyle.

Meet the team and discover how we are Turning the Tide on local water quality. Our mobile hub is here to share the latest updates on the Sidmouth sewage improvement scheme, a vital investment designed to protect the future of our coastline and community.

• Share Your Views: Talk directly with our representatives to ask questions and provide your feedback on our local initiatives.

• Explore the Scheme: Find out more about the engineering work behind reducing storm overflows and protecting Sidmouth’s natural environment.

• Turning the Tide: Learn about our ambitious goals for cleaner seas and how we are building a more resilient water system for the region.

River Sid Catchment Group: Protecting Our Blue Corridor

Discover the lifeblood of our valley! The River Sid Catchment Group is dedicated to showcasing our local “blue corridor” and sharing our long-term plan for a healthier, more vibrant river system.

• Life in the River: Dive into our “What Lives in the River?” games. Children can try their hand at catching paper riverflies to learn about the fascinating creatures that call the Sid home.

• The Salmon Run: Challenge yourself with the Salmon Run game, a fun and active way to understand the epic journey these fish take through our waters.

• Art & Ideas: Get creative with art-based activities that allow young explorers to express their thoughts on the river and share their big ideas for how we can improve it.

• Catchment Awareness: Meet the team to learn about our ongoing activities across the Sid Valley and find out why protecting our river is vital for the whole community.

What is WHAT? Discover the Sid Valley Wellbeing Health Action Collaborative

Take a moment to breathe and focus on wellbeing, happiness, and resilience.

The WHAT team is here to provide a calm space amidst the festival excitement—a place to prioritize your mental health and find the support you need.

• Chill Out & Chat: Meet our friendly faces for a relaxed conversation and learn more about the mental health support available for young people and families.

• Mindfulness in Action: Participate in gentle mindfulness activities designed to help you de-stress and stay grounded.

• Community Resources: Find out how the Collaborative works across the Sid Valley to build a stronger, more resilient community for everyone.

Clean Jurassic Coast: Guardians of the Shoreline

Visit the Clean Jurassic Coast stall and join the mission to keep our world-famous coastline pristine! This interactive hub is dedicated to protecting our local shores from plastic pollution through education, action, and a bit of coastal magic.

• The Art of Beach Combing: Learn how to identify shoreline treasures and master the skill of sifting for nurdles (microplastic pellets) to help clear our sands.

• Stories from the Deep: Meet a real-life mermaid and listen to enchanting tales that bring the magic of the ocean to life.

• Hands-On Conservation: Dive into practical activities and discover the best ways to responsibly recycle your shoreline finds.

• Protect the Coast: Discover how collective action can safeguard the Jurassic Coast for generations to come.

Sidmouth Repair Café: The Art of Giving Items a New Life

Visit the Sidmouth Repair Café stall to see the “make do and mend” culture in action. Our expert fixers are on hand to celebrate the heritage skills that keep precious belongings out of the landfill and in our homes.

• Fixers at Work: Watch our skilled team as they dismantle, repair, and upcycle items right before your eyes.

• Stories & Skills: Hear the fascinating histories behind the objects being saved and learn about the traditional techniques used to restore them.

• Give it a New Lease of Life: Find out exactly where and when you can bring your own cherished, battered, or broken items to our regular local sessions.

• Sustainable Heritage: Join us in championing a circular lifestyle that values repair over replacement.

Devon Wildlife Trust: Leading the Way to a Wilder Future

Nature is in trouble, but you can be part of the solution. Visit the Devon Wildlife Trust stall to meet the team dedicated to helping our county’s wildlife and wild places recover on a grand scale.

• A Wilder Devon: Learn about our mission to put 30% of Devon’s land and sea into nature recovery by 2030, from restoring rainforests to reintroducing keystone species.

• Take Local Action: Discover how you can transform your own space—whether it’s a garden, school, or workplace—into a haven for wildlife through our Wilder Communities initiative.

• Vital Conservation Projects: Get the latest updates on landscape-scale efforts like Saving Devon’s Treescapes and Northern Devon Natural Solutions that are making a real difference today.

• Join the Team: Find out how to get involved, from recording wildlife sightings and citizen science to joining one of our passionate local volunteer groups.

Sidmouth & East Devon Walking Festival Stall

Embrace active travel and connect with nature by exploring the stunning Jurassic Coast and surrounding countryside. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a “not-yet-walker,” everyone is welcome to discover why Sidmouth is a proud “Walkers Welcome” town.

• Save the Date: Meet the festival team to find out more about this year’s Autumn Walking Festival, running from September 12–18, 2026.

• Find Your Path: Learn about our incredible local trails and get expert advice on finding a route that perfectly suits your pace and ability.

• Health & Wellbeing: Discover how walking can boost your physical and mental resilience while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of our National Landscape.

• Join the Community: Celebrate the joy of exploring on foot and learn about the guided walks led by our passionate local experts.

Sidmouth in Bloom: Creativity in the Gardens

Sidmouth in Bloom will be working their magic to make Connaught Gardens look beautiful for Sea Fest with their stunning floral displays. Visit our stall to meet the award-winning volunteers who keep our town vibrant and discover how you can get involved in supporting local biodiversity.

• Floral Craft for the Beds: Join us on the day for a hands-on creative activity! Help us create unique decorations for our flower beds using recycled materials.

• Support Biodiversity: Every blossom counts. Learn how our floral displays and community projects help provide vital habitats for local pollinators and wildlife.

• A Flutter of Colour: Add your own creative touch to the gardens and see how art and nature combine to celebrate our natural environment.

• Meet the Gold-Medal Team: Chat with our volunteers about our year-round efforts to keep Sidmouth looking its best and how you can join the “In Bloom” mission.

Head over to the Boatyard to meet our Plastic Warriors!

This dedicated team is on hand to help sort the festival recycling and chat with anyone looking to join the local beach cleaning community.

You’ll also find them managing the plastic cup amnesty box—stop by to drop off your cups for reuse and help us keep the coast clear of waste.

Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth (CAPS): Empowering Our Community

Discover how Sidmouth is taking collective action for a sustainable future. At the CAPS stall, we are showcasing the power of local connection and the incredible impact of the “Sidmouth: Powered by Volunteers” project.

• The Eco-Hub Success: Explore the achievements of our successful Eco-Hubs over the past year. See how these community spaces have sparked sustainable changes and find out about our exciting proposals for even more hubs across the valley.

• Powered by Volunteers: Volunteering is the heartbeat of Sidmouth. Come and engage with us on the vital role of volunteer groups and learn how you can contribute your skills to local environmental and social projects.

• Take Action Together: Whether you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint or supporting community resilience, find the resources and connections you need to make a difference.

The Vision Group for Sidmouth (VGS) & Sidmouth Cycling Campaign

Discover how the Vision Group for Sidmouth acts as a catalyst for local action. We are here to showcase our community-led projects and empower you to turn your own green ideas into reality with VGS support.

• Sidmouth Cycling Campaign: Explore our active-travel initiatives and learn how we’re working to make cycling safer and more accessible for everyone in the valley.

• Friends of Glen Goyle & Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries: Join us for activities centered on the trees, flora, and fauna that make our local green spaces so special.

• Sustainable Sidmouth Champions: Find out about the “Love Sidmouth” project and how you can nominate local heroes for our year-end awards.

• Launch Your Own Project: Have an idea for a more sustainable Sidmouth? Chat with us about how the VGS can help you initiate and support new community projects.

Eden Project Communities: The Big Lunch & Big Help Out

Join the mission to build stronger, better-connected communities! The Eden Project stall is your local link to a national movement, showcasing how simple acts of togetherness can nourish both people and the planet.

• Upcycled Bunting Activity: Take part in our free creative workshop! Use recycled bunting to reflect on your relationship with nature and share your vision for a greener community.

• The Big Lunch: Learn how you can host or join a Big Lunch to share food and friendship with your neighbors, reducing loneliness and strengthening local bonds.

• The Big Help Out: Discover meaningful ways to give back. We’re promoting sign-ups for this national volunteering campaign, helping you find local causes that need your skills.

• Build Connections: Chat with the team to find out how you can use Eden Project Communities resources to spark positive change right here in Sidmouth.