This year's EcoFest, which took place at Leamington's Pump Room Gardens, saw locals and visitors enjoy a variety of activities.

Attendees participated in cycling sessions, money- and energy-saving advice, craft workshops, and charity stalls.

Warwickshire Changemaker award-winners 2025, Action 21, offered quality second-hand clothes, toys, furniture, and bric-a-brac from its Re-Useful Centre, which diverts approximately 10-12 tonnes of items from landfill each month. 

The charity also provided free bike maintenance assistance and a children's workshop that transformed materials into badges, fairy gardens, and festival outfits.

Regular visitor to the Re-Useful Centre antiques and collectibles charity store, Ian Hill from Warwick, said that it was a favorite for both him and his 89-year-old mother, stating: "It's like a real charity shop - proper, sensible prices. 

"It's proper environmentalism: we all care about the planet, but this is hands-on; they're feeding people and clothing people."

Re-Useful Centre manager Louise Haycock added: "EcoFest offers an opportunity to discuss what we do, from education partnerships to various community projects."

Louise also noted initiatives like emergency kits for the homeless, donations to nurseries and schools, and a redeemable voucher scheme for residents in need. 

Student accommodation provider Capitol Students donated 47 bikes and hundreds of toasters and kettles, in return for which Action 21 is taking on student volunteers. 

The charity has been cultivating a plot of land near Radcliffe Gardens flats in the south of Leamington, where residents learn to grow produce and are encouraged to help themselves to apples, pears, soft fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the plot.

Action 21 volunteer Pippa Lampe expressed her inspiration that accumulated clothing is "not going to landfill - it's going to help people." 

Lampe enjoys the social aspect and the sense of contributing to the community. 

"It's good for your mental health - just coming down and seeing what's come in is a thrill," she stated

Simon Storey, Bicycle Mayor of Warwick District and founding director of community interest company Cycle Infinity, conducted bike skills sessions for kids around a short course, ahead of the launch of a new 'bike bus' to promote safe cycling to school in Kineton, Stratford District, next week. 

Beth Perdue, inspired by Storey to set up the Brookhurst Primary School Bike Bus where parent volunteers ride protectively around children, said: "Being part of the bike bus overcomes lack of skills and confidence about riding on roads with kids... 

"Kids love cycling with their friends, listening to the disco music we ride to, and waving to everyone they see. It's a carnival procession to school every Friday!"

The Warwick and Leamington Beekeepers' stall ran hive demonstrations, honey tastings, and sessions in the traditional craft of making beehives out of straw. 

"We love engaging with the public - we try and be as interactive as we can," said Honorary Life Member Bernard Brown. 

Brown thinks people are "a lot more aware" of bees' crucial role in the ecosystem than they used to be.

 "Particularly the kids - schools teach them an awful lot. It's having an effect nationally," he noted.

Derek Nisbet of Coventry-based theatre company Talking Birds, which brought immersive environmental storytelling in the giant acorn-shaped OakMobile, mentioned the show was a fun way of conveying a serious theme - the need to pay attention to the nature around us. 

"There's a rich history of environmentalism in the area - the Green Party started in Coventry, Leamington has the Peace Festival," Nisbet added. 

Chris Moir and Louise Haycock of Action 21 at EcoFest 2025 (image supplied)

"Events like this are a great way of connecting people with practical ways to protect the environment. 

"And storytelling is a highly accessible way of putting that message across to all ages."

Among many other festival attractions was advice on cutting bills and exploring home insulation upgrades from charity Act on Energy, a willow sculpture activity, ArtLAB's recycled art tent, live music on the bandstand and sign-ups for Canalside Community Food's organic produce share scheme. 

There was a talk about Leamington Eco Hub, a forthcoming space for people to learn about more sustainable lifestyles and develop resilience to climate change.

There was also a discussion about the forthcoming Leamington Eco Hub, a space for learning about sustainable lifestyles and developing resilience to climate change.

 This was the sixth Leamington EcoFest to be held, with an estimated attendance of 2,500 people. 

A spokesperson for Warwick District Council described EcoFest as "the perfect opportunity to find out more about what's happening locally to improve our lives… 

"Aince it first began, the event has [shown] people consciously want to make a difference to their environment."

In Climate Emergency UK's recent scorecards, Warwick District Council was the highest scoring local authority for climate action across the Midlands, more than ten percentage points ahead of any other council in Warwickshire.