Green things to do this weekend: Christmas Market in Brussels, Fashion Made Fair and more
There's plenty going on in the green calendar this weekend, and for a bit of a European flavour, I've looked a bit further afield than the UK for this week's roundup. With the new, high-speed carbon neutral Eurostar service running from St Pancras, getting to the continental Christmas fairs has never been easier or more environmentally friendly. I just spent a weekend in Brussels checking out the winter wonderland that is the Plaisirs D'Hiver Christmas market, where you can see me slurping one of many glasses of delicious Gluhwein, and there's still time to fit in a trip before C-Day! Read on for more info.
Carbon neutral train-it to Brussels
You can now get to the Plaisirs D'Hiver Christmas market by Eurostar in approximately 2 hours from London St Pancras. Last week, my partner and I managed to book return tickets just a day in advance, so this is much more of a realistic last minute shopping prospect than it used to be! I was very impressed with the on-board catering this time around, which has switched from mostly uninviting, dry sandwiches with debatable veggie-option to offering a reasonable selection of organic and fairtrade teas, snacks and food. The napkins and even the bog-roll are all made from recycled paper, and as we reported from the grand opening of St. Pancras, Eurostar is doing all it can to make journeys carbon neutral at no extra cost to passengers.
The Plaisir's D'Hiver market runs right through until 1st January 2008, so if this weekends is too ambitious a prospect, you've got weeks to experience it yet. The huge market which winds through the most beautiful of Brussels' streets plays host to hundreds of independent artisans and traders selling gifts and Christmas ornaments of all kinds. I was especially partial to some of the home-made jams and preserves on offer, but there's something for everyone here. Brussels is small enough that you won't need a car, so you can make this a very green break indeed!
London
If you want to stay a little closer to home this weekend, Worldfair is a great opportunity to do get some fair trade xmas shopping done in London. Taking place in Conway Hall, less than five minutes walk from Holborn Tube, you'll find over 60 stalls selling fairtrade, sustainable and environmental products and services from useful everyday items to unique and ethical gifts. By chosing to shop here instead of the chain stores nearby you'll be supporting poor communities around the world, by buying for your friends and family at Worldfair. And if you're going along, why not combine the trip with a visit to the best spot for quick, affordable and delicious vegetarian grub, Food For Thought in nearby Covent Garden?
If you're in London, don't forget that the Fashion Made Fair sample sale is also taking place this weekend. There's more info on the event here, but at every Fashion Made Fair event I've been to so far there have been racks upon racks of stylish, sustainable fashion, a relaxed and fun atmosphere and surprises at every turn, and with reductions up to 80%, this one promises to be no different.
Maybe a more "carbon neutral" weekend might be going to the German Christmas Markets in either Birmingham or Manchester which are both amazing - sell pretty much the same products...
Posted by: Andy Wright | December 14, 2007 2:04 PM