CHEPSTOW Racecourse’s upcoming ‘Go Green’ race day will be closely monitored by some local eco-friendly officials.

Chepstow School is also involved in Sunday’s event (31st July) with pupils on the ‘eco-committee’ conducting an environmental review of the racecourse. The committee will be advising on litter, waste management, energy, water, transport and the environment to enable the racecourse to create an action plan moving forward to develop it approach to eco-management.

The day, hailed as Great Britain’s first environmentally themed family race day has been organised in association with Keep Wales Tidy whose aim is to improve the local environment and make Wales a better place to live.

The free entertainment will include an educational ‘green zone’ for children and all activities for the youngsters will be operated without the use of electricity.

One of the main attractions is the ‘power bike challenge’ where families will be able to generate energy to charge a mobile phone by pedalling a stationary bicycle. There will also be music powered by bike in the form of the ‘big bicycle disco’ so if the cycling stops so do the tunes!

Customers are also being encouraged to come to the race meeting by public transport, walk or cycle.

A bus service operates from Chepstow and Newport Railway Stations and there is a train service to Chepstow from major towns and cities including Bristol, Cardiff, Newport and Gloucester.

The first 700 people who arrive by bus will receive a free £2 bet courtesy of Totepool.

The race day programme and children’s colouring packs will be printed on recycled paper and recycling bins will be in use throughout the venue during the day.

From the food and drink outlets, the cutlery, napkins, coffee cups and lids are made out of recycled materials and the takeaway food packaging is bio-degradable.

Jamie Goddard, Assistant Head Teacher at Chepstow School said: “Chepstow School’s Eco-committee is pleased to be helping the racecourse produce an environmental action plan. It is great that they are committed to improving their environmental activities and I have no doubt that the students will come up with some fantastic ideas that the racecourse can implement.”

Keep Wales Tidy, who manage the eco-schools program in Wales, said:“It’s a brilliant opportunity for people of all ages to come along and learn a bit more about being environmentally friendly while having fun making seed bombs, creating monuments out of recycled packaging and promoting a safe and healthy environment.

“It’s really encouraging to see Chepstow Racecourse take their environmental responsibilities seriously and by supporting Keep Wales Tidy, they’re helping local people make a real difference to their surrounding communities and to their environment.”

There will be varied and exciting entertainment available for all racegoers to enjoy, including: a mascot race, four face painters, a rugby zone with the Newport Gwent Dragons, three children’s entertainers, a mobile climbing wall, trampolines, roaming reptiles, donkey rides, circus workshop, giant garden games, crazy golf.

There will also be a green zone for children to learn about the environment with activities that include: making a seed bomb, making a bird feeder, making a mini bug hotel, helping build a cardboard city, “play your cards right” and “how quick can you pick” games, lots of arts and crafts activities.

Gates open at 12pm and the first race is 2pm. There is a special early bird family ticket for just £25 (advance only) which gives admission for two adults and unlimited children. Parking is free of charge and you can bring a picnic (no alcohol).