Big Tent Festival 2010

Some of the Exhibitors and promoters at The Big Tent Festival 2010.
More to follow.
Scottish Native Woods is dedicated to the conservation, restoration and enlargement of native woodlands in Scotland.
Take a look.

Scouting. BE PREPARED. The Scout Association provides adventurous activities and personal development opportunities for 400,000 young people aged 6-25. Internationally, we have over 28 million young people enjoying the benefits of Scouting across 216 countries. Personal development means promoting the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual well-being of the individual, helping them achieve their full potential. In Scouting, we believe that young people develop most when they are 'learning by doing,' when they are given responsibility, work in teams, take acceptable risks and think for themselves.
More information.

The Green Fork is all about raising awareness – self and others – and move towards an ethical and healthy consumption. Conscious eating helps not just our health, but the environment and the animals too. Take a look at the Facts to find out a bit more about different foods and their impact and the events to see if there’s anything happening in your area – and try out some fantastic recipes.


The Soil Association is a charity campaigning for planet-friendly food and farming. We believe in the importance of the connection between soil, food, the health of people and the health of the planet.
The Soil Association pioneered the first organic standards in 1967 and they remain among the highest in the world. Wherever you see the Soil Association symbol, you can trust your food has been produced sustainably, in harmony with nature and that animals have enjoyed free-range, high-welfare lives.
It’s much bigger than great food though. We work at all levels of government and community to develop and promote our campaigns and policy work. Our objective is to lobby for the UK to be 100% organic by 2050.
The Soil Association campaigns against genetic modification (GM), and the misuse of antibiotics in livestock production, which has led to a government ban on seven growth promoting hormones, and pesticides.
Pesticides have a devastating effect on the environment and there are uncertainties about the effectiveness of their official safety regulation, as well as the unknown impact on human health.
See how you can benefit.

The John Muir Trust is a leading UK charity dedicated to the protection of wild land for both nature and people. Scottish-born John Muir inspired our name and ethos, as the first person to call for action to be taken to protect wild land, and an instrumental figure in the modern conservation movement.

The Trust was founded in 1983 to safeguard the future of wild lands against development and to promote awareness and recognition of the value of such places. We are achieving this through ownership in over 25,000 hectares of land with partnerships in a further 50,000 hectares.
More.

ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide. Formed in 1972, for over 30 years we have been growing and expanding to where we are today - helping over 13 million of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people in 42 countries worldwide.

We work with local partners to fight poverty and injustice worldwide, reaching over 13 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people over the last year alone, helping them fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, education, healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
More Information.

Plant life Scotland. Scotland provides habitats for many of our most beautiful and significant wild flowers and plants. That is why the work of Plantlife Scotland, based in Stirling, is so important – and why we carry out conservation and outreach work across the whole of Scotland.
How to contact Plantlife Scotland
Our office:

Plantlife Scotland
Balallan House
Allan Park
Stirling FK8 2QG

Tel: +44 (0)1786 478509/479382
Email: scotland@plantlife.org.uk
Web.

Permaculture.
Permaculture combines three key aspects:

1. an ethical framework

2. understandings of how nature works, and

3. a design approach

This unique combination is then used to support the creation of sustainable, agriculturally productive, non-polluting and healthy settlements. In many places this means adapting our existing settlements. In other cases it can mean starting from scratch. Both offer interesting challenges and opportunities.

The word 'permaculture' comes from 'permanent agriculture' and 'permanent culture' - it is about living lightly on the planet, and making sure that we can sustain human activities for many generations to come, in harmony with nature. Permanence is not about everything staying the same. Its about stability, about deepening soils and cleaner water, thriving communities in self-reliant regions, biodiverse agriculture and social justice, peace and abundance.
Find out more.

RSPB Scotland. Our work is driven by a passionate belief that we all have a responsibility to protect birds and the environment. Bird populations reflect the health of the planet on which our future depends.
The need for an effective bird conservation organisation has never been greater. Climate change, agricultural intensification, expansion of urban areas and transport infrastructure, and over-exploitation of our seas all pose major threats to birds.
Loads of useful information.



Link to Love arts.
Blog.

Di Gilpin, hand knitter. In 1983, Di Gilpin decided to take a year out and spend time on the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. It was to be a year of relaxation and a time to "find herself". That year turned into – well – the best part of twenty years!
In that time, she opened her first store and became one of the most highly respected hand-knit designers in the UK.
In the autumn of 2000, she moved to her present store in St Andrews, where her reputation has grown and spread.
For more information.
Blog.

Knit and blether at The Big Tent.



Free software. Gimp download.
Share International magazine brings together two major directions of contemporary thought ― the political and the spiritual. It shows the synthesis underlying the political, social, economic and spiritual changes now occurring on a worldwide scale and seeks to stimulate practical action to rebuild our world along more just and compassionate lines.

Letter Cutting demonstrated by Roger Hall.

Basket Making. All About Willow.
Website and info.


The Scottish Potters Association is a members’ run organisation managed by a twelve strong committee, elected each year, under a Chairman elected for three years.

The SPA aims to promote any activity which in the opinion of the members will further their collective and individual interests as potters/ceramists and to raise the standards and awareness of the craft when possible. The SPA is open to any individual or organisation with an interest in ceramics. This means that any professional or amateur maker, collector or someone with a commercial interest in ceramics is welcome to join.
Displaying at the Big Tent:-
Karen Ross, Falkland Pottery. Tel 01337 857827.
George Young of St Andrews Pottery.
Kirsty O'Conner, WASPS Patriothall Studios, Edinburgh. Tel 0131 659 5408 & 07742 747713
Fran Marquis


Further information scottishpotters.org