WWOOFer Sarah Ackroyd, who is also RHC for Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset, went to the Sustainability Fair in Salisbury on 3rd June on our behalf and tells us how it went.
This fair was set up in the central market square by Salisbury Transition City(STC) in order to promote sustainable living. There were many stalls ranging from Greenpeace to Salisbury Young Farmers, bees to Salisbury’s Secret Garden together with stalls representing all the subgroups in the STC group. It was the second fair organised by STC and judging by the footfall, well attended.
The Transition Stroud knitted farm was a great draw to the WWOOF stand! As people approached to take a closer look, I was able to lure them in for conversation. We were provided with a table, two chairs and gazebo so I was able to display all the materials that were sent to me.
During the day, I spoke at length with approximately 60 people. Only a handful had heard of the WWOOFing movement but everyone I spoke to expressed interest. One lady had had a cattle farm many years ago and had many WWOOFers from Holland. She would routinely drive them to Greenham Common as they were interested in CND! One middle-aged lady was planning to go to Italy to WWOOF and was trying to persuade her son to go with her. I encouraged people to recommend WWOOFing as a worthwhile gap year activity and many I spoke to therefore took information away with them.
We have started to collect email addresses at events to follow up these conversations but only a couple of people signed up. Most people said they were bombarded with emails so preferred to take information away with them instead. A photographer from the Salisbury Journal was there so hopefully there was mention of our stall in the next issue.
I found this a thoroughly enjoyable day and one which certainly spread the word! Apart from sharing my WWOOFing experiences, I also learned a lot.
Thank you Sarah and everyone else who is representing us at events during this year; if you would like to join them please get in touch by using info@wwoof.org.uk
