Chepstow Racecourse will be raising awareness of ‘green’ issues by holding Great Britain’s first environmentally themed Family Race Day on Sunday 31 July.
The ‘Go Green’ Race Day has been organised in association with Keep Wales Tidy whose aim is to improve the local environment and make Wales a better place to live.
The free entertainment will include an educational ‘green zone’ for children and all activities for the youngsters will be operated without the use of electricity (a full list of attractions is at the end of the press release).
One of the main attractions is the ‘power bike challenge’ where families will be able to generate energy to charge a mobile phone by pedaling a stationary bicycle. There will also be music powered by bike in the form of the ‘Big Bicycle Disco’ so if the cycling stops so do the tunes!
Customers are also being encouraged to come to the race meeting by public transport, walk or cycle. A bus service operates from Chepstow and Newport Railway Stations and there is a train service to Chepstow from major towns and cities including Bristol, Cardiff, Newport and Gloucester.
The first 700 people who arrive by bus will receive a free £2 bet courtesy of Totepool.
The race day programme and children’s colouring packs will be printed on recycled paper and recycling bins will be in use throughout the venue during the day. From the food and drink outlets, the cutlery, napkins, coffee cups and lids are made out of recycled materials and the takeaway food packaging is bio-degradable.
Chepstow School, based three miles from the racecourse, is also involved in the event with pupils on the ‘Eco-Committee’ conducting an environmental review of the racecourse. The committee will be advising on litter, waste management, energy, water, transport and the environment to enable the racecourse to create an action plan moving forward to develop it approach to eco-management.
Phil Bell, Executive Director at Chepstow Racecourse, said: ”We thought combining one of our popular family race days with an opportunity to raise awareness of environmental issues is the right thing to do. Clearly the country’s future environmental strategy will be in the hands of today’s children and we are keen to do our bit to inform them of the challenges that lie ahead.”
Jamie Goddard, Assistant Head Teacher, said: “Chepstow School’s Eco-committee is pleased to be helping the racecourse produce an environmental action plan. It is great that they are committed to improving their environmental activities and I have no doubt that the students will come up with some fantastic ideas that the racecourse can implement.
Keep Wales Tidy, who manage the Eco-Schools program in Wales, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the charity partner for the first ever Go Green family race day. It’s a brilliant opportunity for people of all ages to come along and learn a bit more about being environmentally friendly while having fun making seed bombs, creating monuments out of recycled packaging and promoting a safe and healthy environment.
“It’s really encouraging to see Chepstow Racecourse take their environmental responsibilities seriously and by supporting Keep Wales Tidy, they’re helping local people make a real difference to their surrounding communities and to their environment.”
MP David Davies, whose constituency includes Chepstow, said: “I am delighted the racecourse has partnered with Keep Wales Tidy to present a fun day out at the races with an emphasis on the environment. Litter can be a blight on our otherwise beautiful county and involving the schools in promoting a litter free day out is fantastic idea.”
There will be varied and exciting entertainment available for all racegoers to enjoy, including:
· A Mascot Race
· Four Face Painters
· A Rugby Zone with the Newport Gwent Dragons
· Three Children’s Entertainers
· A Mobile Climbing Wall
· Trampolines
· Roaming Reptiles
· Donkey Rides
· Circus Workshop
· Giant Garden Games
· Crazy Golf
· The Wacky Races
There will also be a Green Zone for children to learn about the environment with activities that include:
· Making a Seed Bomb
· Making a Bird Feeder
· Making a Mini Bug Hotel
· Helping Build a Cardboard City
· “Play Your Cards Right” and “How Quick Can You Pick” Games
· Lots of Arts and Crafts Activities
Chepstow Racecourse and Keep Wales Tidy have attracted numerous companies to support the day including Panasonic, Wessex Garages, Gallery Loft Conversions, The Potter Group, Intercity Technology and Capital Networks.
Gates open at 12pm and the first race is 2pm. There is a special early bird family ticket for just £25 (advance only) which gives admission for two adults and unlimited children. Parking is free of charge and you can bring a picnic (no alcohol).
