Thousands attend Manningtree festival about climate crisis
Thousands of people attended a festival held in a small town to raise awareness of the climate crisis. The Earth Festival, in Manningtree, Essex, aimed to inspire people to live a more sustainable life, through speeches, music, games and workshops. It was organised by the local environmental group Practical Actions for Climate and the Environment (Pace). "It was bigger and better than I could have hoped for," said Pace's Bonny Williams. "Our counts have estimated that at least 3,000 people came to our tiny town throughout the day, which is 3,000 more people becoming inspired and empowered to make change in their corner of the world." More than 100 volunteers helped out at the festival on Sunday afternoon, which featured 56 stalls, 10 talks about the environment plus 12 musical performances. The wild swimming group Manningtree Mermaids, which has formed a group called Safe Water in Manningtree, had a stall promoting its campaign to get bathing water status for the town. Around 500 people took to the water, and they were counted up to provide evidence for the application for the status. Ms Williams said taking action on climate change "couldn't be more important" and she was proud of the impact being made in the town, which is the smallest in England when it comes to geographical size, at just 19 hectares (47 acres). "With the Earth set to reach 1.5 degrees of warming at some point in the next three years, our town puts it at the top of its priority list," she said. "Our aim was to inspire, educate and empower people to make the everyday choices which will make a difference. "We are absolutely thrilled with the festival, but now we are looking for action." Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830 Hundreds dive in for clean river campaign The tiny town that dreams of saving the planet 'Sick and tired' library row comment criticised Library closure U-turn after celeb-backed campaign Literary stars back libraries campaign Pace Manningtree Basildon tower blocks security contract set to be extended Southend Victoria Wilko set to stay open in some guise Mid and north Essex road closures scheduled Mid and north Essex road closures scheduled Mid and north Essex road closures scheduled Number of unpaid young carers has almost doubled. Morocco rescuers dig with bare hands as foreign aid sent US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' A Serbian scientist's long quest to name Srebrenica's dead How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans. Video The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.