THE VERY best of Stroud’s green and eco credentials will be showcased for all to see during an extensive, eight-day long event.

Stroud Nature and Transition Stroud have teamed up to create The Stroud Valleys Showcase, which runs from Saturday October 1 until Saturday 8.

Spread over eight days, the free event has organised activities, demonstrations, discussions and workshops showing off everything from canal boat trips to a tour of Stroud Brewery.

Organiser Helen Royall says the show is a celebration of all the thought-provoking and ground-breaking projects in the Five Valleys.

“We have so much to be proud of here in Stroud – I think it’s about time we celebrate and talk about our achievements,” she said.

“Our community has long been a beacon for excellent and sustainable practices. Stroud has done, and continues to lead the way nationally on many green and sustainable issues.

“Some of the projects we have going on here really are some of the finest examples of community-led schemes anywhere in the country.

“I want local people and visitors from other towns across Gloucestershire and the country to come together to recognise and talk about all the progress we’ve made.”

The event starts this Saturday and Sunday at The Arkell Centre in Nailsworth with an all-day exhibition of more than a dozen different initiatives and projects on the four areas of Waste, Food, Nature and Energy.

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Here visitors will get a chance to hear a number of talks from panellists such as Stroud Farmer’s Market organiser Gerb Gerbrands, Lesley Greene from Bisley Community Compost and Simon Pickering, senior ecologist for Ecotricity.

Display board will also showcase the work of a number of different charities and organisations in the district.

Following on from the weekend, Monday to Friday will feature two or three different daily activities and excursions visitors can take part in.

These include a look at some electric cars and bikes from eCycle at Marling School, a chance to see the ground-breaking work of the Rural Sustainable Drainage, or join the film screening of Naomi Klein’s film ‘This Changes Everything’.

Participants can also learn more about Stroud time bank, get involved in the Selsley Community Growing Scheme or join in the Bisley Community Composting Scheme.

Friday will also see discussions on the pioneering work of Stroud District Council and a Trashion Show where models will strut the catwalk in their upcycled creations.

Then Saturday sees the much anticipated return of Eco Open Homes day – where owners of some of the district’s most amazing properties will open their doors for the day.

This one-off event will boast some of Stroud’s greenest and most sustainable houses and bring together householders, individuals and organisations across the Stroud Valleys to celebrate ‘fit for future’ homes.

Ecotricity have allocated funding to allow for a minibus to take visitors from Stroud town centre to The Arkell Centre in Forest Green.

As part of Transition Stroud’s 10th anniversary, an exhibition will also look back at the effect the movement has had on the town since its creation.

While every single activity in free, donations will be welcomed. Financial support has come through Nailsworth Town Council, Cainscross Parish Council and Ecotricity.

For times, directions and any further information visit www.stroudvalleysshowcase.org.uk/