Newtown residents are gearing up for a day of connection, inspiration, and green initiatives as the Eden Project brings its community-focused event to Hafan yr Afon on Saturday 27th April 2024.

The event promises an enriching experience packed with activities, including a mini-Big Lunch, designed to foster connections among locals and with nature.

Collaborating with local partners, the eco-charity aims to facilitate meaningful interactions and shed light on impactful projects already enhancing the area. The event is part of Eden's flagship Big Lunch campaign, promoting the values of friendship, food sharing, and communal enjoyment, with a special emphasis this year on making the upcoming June 1-2 Big Lunch the greenest yet.

Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, idea sharing, and practical workshops aimed at injecting community spirit into daily life. Notable speakers include Stuart Owen and his team from Open Newtown, an independent development trust dedicated to sustainable community projects. Stuart will share insights into their efforts to foster civic pride and maximize community resources, including the management of over 130 acres of green spaces in Newtown.

Workshops will cover a range of topics, from crafting beeswax wraps in line with Newtown's bee-friendly aspirations to hands-on sessions led by food-focused cooperative Cultivate, focusing on planting, growing, and cooking activities. Green enthusiasts can explore creating wildflower habitats in their communities and join guided walks led by Keep Wales Tidy to local sites like Ponthafren Community Garden and Dolerw Park.

The day will culminate in a mini Big Lunch, where attendees can share locally sourced food and deepen connections forged throughout the event.

Samantha Evans, Community Network Developer at Eden Project Communities, said:

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our passion for community connection to Powys."

"With some wonderful projects already in place, we hope more local people will be inspired to chat to their neighbours, volunteer where they live or embark on their own community activity."

Whether you have a burning idea for a project, or you fancy organising a Big Lunch on your street and seeing what comes from it, we hope all our guests leave feel motivated to make a difference in their neighbourhood!”

The event is part of a nationwide series aiming to showcase simple yet effective ways to unite communities. Stuart Owen, Chief Executive at Open Newtown said:

“We’re excited to meet community- minded people from Powys at this very special event this April."

"Here at Open Newtown, we know the powerful things that can happen when people come together to try and make positive change in their community."

"We’ll be sharing more about our own journey getting to where we are today, focusing on volunteering, green spaces and working collaboratively with partners.”

The Big Lunch, an annual celebration supported by the Eden Project and The National Lottery, has a proven track record of boosting community cohesion and inspiring local initiatives. Impact research from 2023 revealed significant increases in community spirit and motivation for improvement among participants.

Spaces for the event are limited, and booking is required. Visit the booking page here.