Creative students go green for Market Garden Festival!

Creative students at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) have been working with East Staffordshire Borough Council (ESBC) to support the forthcoming Market Garden Festival taking place on Saturday 27th May, 12pm-8pm at Market Square, Friars Walk and Burton Library.

Students have been liaising with Tracey Parr, BSDC alumni and Local Centres Tourism Officer at ESBC, to support the event as part of their work experience. Tasks have ranged from creating artwork, photography and filming, to event stewarding and litter picking.

The Garden Market event will be a fun family festival of all things green, with nature inspired activities including forest bathing, willow weaving, children’s crafts, bug hunts and fascinating talks. The event will host a number of stalls and activities, including a 10x10 meter ‘Carbon Bubble’ where visitors can learn about the small steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint and become climate change heroes.

Event organiser, Tracey Parr previously studied a National Diploma in Design course at Burton and South Derbyshire College, which eventually led to her progressing to her position at ESBC, where she has the opportunity to use both her creativity and analytical skills. Tracey is committed to supporting new talent and has worked with BSDC students on a range of large-scale events, including The Roundabout pop-up theatre weekend, The Queen’s Jubilee and Carousel Horse trail launch event, and the Burton Swans trail via Making Trails. 

Tracey said: “Being a past student, it has been lovely to be able to offer opportunities and placements to the College. Working with the students on these events had been a wonderful opportunity, not just for the students, who get to try lots of new things, but for myself and my colleagues who receive alternative opinions, insights and skills. I believe these last two years would not have been as successful without the help and support of the College, and we hope to continue working together for many years to come.”