Dorchester will be marking Earth Day this week on the Great Field in Poundbury with activities, music, workshops and more.

Earth Day - on Friday, April 23 - is a global cause, where around the world people will be celebrating those who are making a difference, questioning current ways and finding solutions together.

This free event is being organised by Dorchester town Council with its partners, the Dorset Climate Action Network (CAN), Bournemouth University, The Embroidery Barn, Litter Free Dorset and Pavilion in the Park (PiP).

Guests can get creative with crafts from Dorset Scrap Store, relax and listen to music from local artists such as Viva Choir, Camaris Fowler, Shannon White and Pop Club, and meet likeminded people and groups sharing their work and projects.

You will also be able to hear and ask questions from experts, including Pete West - who has worked in sustainable energy for 20. Rachel Worth, a lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth, will also be there talking about the fast fashion industry and Dave Levi from Dorset Waste Services, who will be giving his talk and answering questions on 'Getting the Right Stuff in the Right Bin'.

There will be lots of other workshops and activities. Discover exotic animals and how they survive in the wild with World Life. Join in with a creative solar workshop from Dorset Community Energy or do some planting and stone painting with the Gap Project and Dorset Mind.

If you feel like stretching your legs, you can take part in walks around the Great Field. Walk leader Eleanor Gallia is a medical herbalist who will be sharing her knowledge on foraging and the importance of nature, while Miles King from People Need Nature will also be leading walks on how they are bringing wildlife into Poundbury. You can also explore mindfulness in nature with Maria Morris.

Opening the event will be mayor of Dorchester, Gareth Jones, and Isla, an inspirational young person who has already made huge achievements in helping our planet.

Tamara Umasanker, environmental development assistant at Dorchester Town Council, said: "Hearing from a young person at Earth Day is important to us, everything we can do to help the planet will help their futures. 

"We are amazed at how passionate many young people are about helping the environment, including Isla. We hope to inspire more people to be as passionate as her."

People are invited to wear something green on the day to show their solidarity with taking care of the environment.

There will also be a clothes swap. Bring two or three items on the day to exchange for something new to you. Loving by Nature, a local shop selling sustainable items for babies and kids, will also be linking with the clothes swap through its reusable nappy give and take. 

Other sustainable sellers will also be on hand, providing products from kombucha starter kits to pottery. There will also be pizza from Sourdough Ted! And the PiP's café will be open all day.

The Repair Café will be offering the do some simple repairs on the day. If you have an item that's broken, why not ask the volunteer repairers if they can fix it. The Embroidery Barn will be bringing its seamstress to fix clothing too.

The organisers would like to thank their funders - RiskSTOP, The Duchy of Cornwall, the Poundbury Community Trust, Waitrose and Dorchester Town Council.