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July 25, 2024
Cottenham skip hire company SunSkips demonstrated its commitment to the community by donating a skip and sponsoring this year’s Fen Edge Festival.
The festival, held annually in Cottenham for the past 10 years, continued its tradition of reusable plastic ‘glasses’ for all drinks served at the bars. The scheme reduces single-use plastic waste, saving thousands of plastic cups from ending up in landfill.
Festival-goers paid a £2 deposit for each reusable glass, which could be refunded upon return. Any unclaimed deposits were allocated towards local causes, including an outside seating area for students and the community at Cottenham Village College.
Fen Edge Festival 2024 was a huge success, reflecting the village’s strong community spirit. The festival has grown from around 3,000 attendees to over 11,000 this year. While the final tally has yet to come in, this year’s event is expected to have raised between £15,000 and £20,000 for local charities.
Graham Beckford, Joint Chair of the Festival Organising Committee, said he was pleased to see people of all ages take advantage of what the festival had to offer, from the toy library for children to a free dinner for 300 elderly residents.
He said, “That, to me, is the special part about this festival. It’s not just about drinking and music; it’s about including every age group and every part of the community. It brings a lot of people together and fosters a sense of community.
“Families can spend the whole weekend at the festival without spending much money at all.”
SunSkips, with its second site located in Cottenham, has always been passionate about sponsoring local causes, as well as lending waste management support to ensure a cleaner and greener environment for all attendees.
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Graham and fellow Chair Rebecca Bell expressed their gratitude to all sponsors and participants.
They said in a joint statement, “The Fen Edge Festival showcases the best aspects of our village community … This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, all local businesses to whom we are very grateful. It does make a big difference.”
This year’s festival featured a variety of attractions, including a new treasure hunt and an appearance from the local Ghostbusters.
Mat Stewart, SunSkips managing director, emphasised the importance of local events like Fen Edge Festival.
He said, “Fen Edge Festival is an important event for the local community, welcoming new residents and offering a platform for long-time villagers to reconnect.
“And the proceeds, dedicated to local groups and projects, ensure that the positive impact of the event extends beyond the weekend.”
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The SunSkips team embodies the collaborative spirit that makes events like Fen Edge Festival possible. Got an event coming up and don’t want to worry about waste management? Trust our team to provide a solution that maximises convenience while minimising environmental impact.
