Celebs honour green champs at Vivienne Westwood themed event

Eco-friendly Tintwistle villagers have been crowned Green Champions at a special event honouring former resident Dame Vivienne Westwood, who was renowned for her passionate environmental activism.

The event was held in aid of the Tintwistle Climate Emergency Campaign and was attended by Ben Westwood, the son of Dame Vivienne Westwood, along with television and theatre star Su Pollard and Vogue fashion writer and author Linda Watson, who are both regular visitors to the village.  

After an opening speech given by Jo Gregory of the Hummingbird Project, The Arden Theatre School gave a dynamic performance using punk music to set the tone. Vivienne Westwood was often referred to as the ‘Godmother of Punk’ and was credited in bringing the genre into the mainstream through her fashion designs.  

One of the winners, The Stitch Club from Gorse Hall Primary School, also gave a nod to the punk era, as they showcased their unique creations with an upcycled fashion show. Accompanied by teacher Kathleen Hughes, the message from the Y6 children was clear: reduce, reuse and recycle in order to protect the planet. 

They were joined on stage by the Under 16’s Green Champion winners, The Creation Club, an initiative run by Ali Holmes at Tintwistle CofE Primary School which emphasises the joy of crafting.  

Fashion expert Linda Watson shared how she had become friends with Dame Westwood in the 1970’s, before going on to write a book charting her career through the decades.  

Bursting onto the stage, Su Pollard wowed the crowd by belting out her 80’s hit song ‘Starting Together’, along with her iconic ‘Hi-De-Hi’ catchphrase. She talked about her friendship with Tintwistle resident and theatre director Roger Haines, whose skills and expertise brought the event to life, saying how much she loves to visit the area as there is such a strong sense of community.  

The event was hosted by Councillor Marianne Stevenson, Chair of the Tintwistle Parish Council, who explained that the judges had a hard time choosing their winners and had added another category for those deserving a Special Recognition award.   

Ben Westwood, himself an environmentalist, was tasked with handing out certificates to the winners, which his mum had signed just before she died. He shared that he will be returning soon as he is in the process of organising a headstone and plaque for Dame Westwood’s grave.  

Speaking to The Glossop Chronicle, he said afterwards: “Tintwistle is part of my family roots, my mother is buried here, and it’s a special place to me. Holding an event like this is so important to highlight these issues, as we are sawing the branch that we are standing on. We are the guardians of this planet, not the destroyers and the devourers.  

“Planet Earth with all of its diversity is wonderful and we need to look after it. It would be great if Tintwistle led the way by being an example of how we can live more ‘off-grid’ with everyone wearing the wonderful recycled clothes that we’ve seen modelled here today!”  

After the ceremony, the winners were toasted with a champagne celebration, and each received a book on green issues donated by Deak Peak Books.