2024 Green Hustle festival in pictures

Creative workshops, nature-based talks and a whole lot more

On Saturday 1st June we had a fantastic outing at this year’s Green Hustle festival, hosted in Market Square. Visitors enjoyed an array of free activities, creative workshops, talks, live music, street entertainment, a pop-up garden and even a community café serving pay-what-you-feel meals.  

Without a doubt, this year’s edition showcased what can happen when communities from across the city come together to create a welcoming event in the city centre. The crowds reflected the diversity of those living it the city, with entertainment on stage showcasing a range of cultural traditions. Over 100 partners, including businesses, charities, sustainability organisations and the University of Nottingham, came together to curate a programme to help individuals and businesses adopt better sustainable practices to make Nottingham a greener and healthier place to live.

The festival ensured it was accessible to all, providing approximately 550 pay-as-you-feel meals from the Himmah community kitchen. Free drinking water and numerous complimentary activities ensured everyone had something to enjoy.

Researchers from University of Nottingham show participants how to grow food in small spaces

Once again, the Institute is proud to have supported this great festival with a grant towards infrastructure and by funding two research projects linked to this year’s theme of common ground. Dr Stacia Stetkiewicz led a group from biosciences to partner with Honeybee Farmacy and build a pop-up garden which was used to demonstrate different ways people can grow their foods in small spaces. This pop-up garden was then donated to Welbeck Primary School, who will be using it in their school grounds to support children to learn about growing food. Plans are being put in place to provide training sessions for the teachers and students next academic year, to ensure the garden is maintained and remains a hands-on teaching resource.

In collaboration with The Friends of Wollaton Park, Dr Katy Voisey led the second project which showcased learnings from her study on leaf collection, disposal, and potential uses. She summarised the life cycle of leaf uses, and explained this often-misunderstood term to participants, while presenting experimental results that demonstrate leaf extract generation. 

Once again, the festival reminds us of why we need to inspire people and businesses to adopt sustainable practices that will make Nottingham a greener place to live, study, and work.  

Thanks to everyone who came to our stand to learn useful tips for sustainable living in Nottingham. If you would like to read more about the Green Hustle festival, we wrote more about it in our blog.  You can also read more about this year's event on the Green Hustle website