Derbyshire Christmas Tree Festival gets a green option
28/11/2008

Eco Eco is designing “green” theme decorations for the Christmas Tree Festival that will take place in the Derbyshire village of Hope from 5th - 7th December.  Local groups, schools, and businesses will all decorate trees donated by Haddon Hall. They will be displayed in St Peter’s Church to raise money for the Local Red Cross and the Send a Cow appeal.

Alison Jackson Bass from Eco Eco said “Christmas is a magical time of year but there is a tendency to consume huge amounts, putting pressure on our environment and our pockets. Following the same ethos that guides our selection of products to sell in our clothes and home shops in the village, we want to demonstrate how you can have beautiful things that are both ethical and eco-friendly. Our Christmas tree at the festival will reflect our approach.”

She continued: “The festival was a huge success last year and a fantastic way to start the festive season. It is a great way to get inspiration for your own Christmas decorations!”

Both Eco Eco shops in the village will be open until 9pm on 5th December so you can combine a trip to see the trees with a chance to do some eco-friendly festive gift shopping.  The home shop sells some gorgeous locally sourced products from wooden bowls to herb plants. If you don’t fancy getting creative to make your own decorations, Eco Eco also has some fantastic environmentally friendly and fair trade decorations in stock.

The Christmas Tree Festival will be open to visitors as follows:

Friday 5th December              18.00 – 21.00 Carols by Candlelight at 19.00

Saturday 6th December          10.00 – 16.00

Sunday 7th December            11.00 – 16.00

The clothing and home shop will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00am to 4.30pm up to Christmas Eve.

http://www.eco-eco.co.uk

Fair Trade Decorations from Eco Eco

These decorations are entirely made by hand in a small family firm which has been doing this work for three generations.  The unit, based in Kashmir, is a valuable source of employment in an area which was once dependent on tourism.  The papier mâché is made in the traditional way using recycled newspaper which is soaked, moulded, dried and finally painted by hand.  The tree decorations are made from off-cuts of Himalayan pine.  All the items shown are fair trade.

About the company

Eco Eco Ltd was formed in January 2005 by Alison Jackson-Bass.

Alison formed the company after her own personal search for eco clothing and items for her home left her feeling disappointed with the choice available and disillusioned by the fact that mail order was her only option.

Alison’s idea is a simple one. She sources a wide range of exciting goods that combine environmental and social awareness with sophisticated design. These goods are sold online (http://www.eco-eco.co.uk) and at the clothing and home shops in Hope, a small village in the picturesque Peak District in Derbyshire.

Some of the products on offer from Eco Eco Home include:

• Natural paints from Auro and Earthborn
• Non-toxic body care and makeup (Lavera, Primavera, Weleda, Akamuti and many more )
• Eco-friendly household cleaning products
• Organic cotton bed linen
• Environmentally friendly gardening tools and accessories
• Energy saving lights
• Eco-friendly toys
• Ethically produced gifts
• Recycled/FSC stationery

The company sells products that are created by companies who share their concern for the welfare of people and the environment. 

About Alison

Alison lives with her husband, Mike, in Sparrowpit, Buxton in Derbyshire. She has had a variety of jobs from computer programmer to acupuncturist. All of her roles have proven to be good training for starting her own business. The decision to set up Eco Eco Ltd was made after a period of personal tragedy and time for reflection. 

Alison comments on how the idea came to her and how she has developed her business over the years:

“I have always been interested in sustainability and concerned about the environment but, when I was trying to cheer myself up with some retail therapy, I realised that I couldn't find any clothes that were fashionable but also ethically sound and environmentally friendly.  Such clothing seemed readily available in Europe, especially in Germany, but not in the UK and I wished that someone would import these ranges.  A few months later the concept of a travelling store came to me, along with the company name and logo - almost fully formed (I wish I could say it came to me in a dream!).  I then allowed the idea to brew for another few months before deciding to form the business at the end of January 2005.”

“We set up the clothing shop in Hope in 2006 to give us a base. People in the area have been very supportive and keen to see us expand. As part of my search for eco-friendly products to use at home or to give as gifts and comments from our clothing customers, I could see an opportunity to expand the business. Our existing shop wasn’t big enough to stock everything I wanted so we found new, picturesque premises just around the corner. Our web site is having an overhaul too so that we can offer the home and body care goods to customers all over the world.”

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