On
Saturday 13th September you can really big it up in Nottingham’s Old
Market Square. The Big Day Out is part of In Town Without My Car day, Europe’s
biggest street festival. Thousand of
cities will be making people their priority
– and giving them a chance to come together without cars getting in the
way. Come and help us celebrate the construction of a new green transport
system that will help everyone to enjoy a cleaner, healthier city centre.
We
have tons of entertainment for the biggest day out in Nottingham – starting at
11.00am and finishing at 5.30pm.
Artists,
performers, stalls and rides are all up geared for alternative ways to travel.
Watch out for our walking tree – and our badly behaved camel. Check out the
graceful Brazilian martial art of Capoeira, or the ancient Chinese exercise
form Tai Chi. Take your children to the creative arts workshop lead by
award-winning environmental artist Usha.
You
have your own personal transport system, so look after it! Treat your feet in
our foot zone. They deserve it - walking is the greenest way to get around the
city. Put them up and get them pampered with a pedicure, reflexology or a foot
massage. Then you can chill out and refuel yourself in our recycled car café,
specially created from dismembered cars by local artists.
Don’t
forget the rest of your body, either. You can try free taster sessions of
aromatherapy, Indian head massage and Reiki so that you’re really relaxed.
If
you’re a cyclist have a big day out by bike. Dr Bike, Freewheel, Pedals and
Transport 2000 will be on hand to help you keep it – and yourself – in good
shape. If you’d like to rest while someone else does the work, have a free ride
on a pedal driven rickshaw, courtesy of Nottingham’s green courier company
Pedal Express. If it’s big air you’re after watch James Needham, professional
Flatland BMX-er defying gravity. He’ll be doing demonstrations and giving tips
all day. Look out, too, for our solar powered cycle sculpture with sound
system.
DJs
will be playing all day – and we’ll be rounding up with a stunning display of
break dancing courtesy of Take 1 studios.
We
know it’ll be a great day, but we also want to change attitudes towards travel.
We want everyone to know about the big wheel, a new transport network that
brings together all the different types of travel. If we all used more public
transport, walking and cycling we’d help to clean up our air – and reduce
global warming.
Over
the next few years over £300 million will be spent on transport in and around
Nottingham, making the world’s best city a greener, groovier place. You can
find out much more information at the big day out.
So
see you there!
Mary
Gallagher and Mark Edwards
Big
Wheel work experience trainees