AS sure as acorns grow into mighty oaks the annual Green Day in Jersey is destined to become a major event with increasingly new ideas and activities.

Evidence that this is the case came yesterday when, despite a wet and miserable day, Islanders of all ages responded to Green Day with enthusiasm.

Organised by the Gerard Le Claire Environmental Trust, the event, aimed at encouraging people to swap some journeys by car for walking, cycling or vehicle sharing, has become increasingly more ambitious as it gains community support.

There is a strong general ‘be kind to our world’ message about the event as well.

Trust chairman Sarah Le Claire said that although heavy showers were a deterrent for some people who had intended cycling those who had covered up and continued on course had done so in the best of spirits.

As a special concession yesterday, bus company Connex offered a 50 pence flat fare for passengers between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm.

The walls of the marquee set up in the Royal Square yesterday as an information centre were decorated with lists of those who had signed a register outlining their ‘green journey.’ On show were environmentally friendly vehicles and information about recycling and ways of making daily lives more complementary to a cleaner world.

Green Day co-ordinator Clare Paisley also showed that going green can be fun and creative – she was making trendy shoes using rubber from old bicycle tyres for the soles.

Ribbons of all colours have become easily recognisable world-wide symbols of issues of vital importance like beating Aids and breast cancer.

The Gerard Le Claire Trust’s green ribbons, denoting the part everyone has to play in improving the Island’s atmosphere, are taking on a significance which led to them selling out on a number of occasions around Jersey this week.

The build up to Green Day included a free offer to motorists yesterday at St Peter’s Co-op to have their cars tested for emission levels.

This service was a joint effort from staff from Driver and Vehicle Standards and Environment and Public Services.

Mrs Le Claire said that more and more States departments, schools, individuals and businesses were becoming involved with Green Day making it a true community venture.

The main sponsors are Deutsche Bank and Jersey Telecoms.

Environment Department principal ecologist Mike Freeman, who took part in the event, said there was no pressure on motorists to give up their cars on a permanent basis.

‘The message is that if the weather is good then why not take the bike or walk and help the environment,’ he said.

Grouville School was among many in the Island yesterday which celebrated Green Day as an important event in their calendar.

They made unique ties from recycled materials or with a message about the importance of caring for the environment.

Mrs Le Claire visited the school to see how imaginative the children had been with their entries.

‘The ties were fantastic – 272 children took part and one was made out of a copy of the Jersey Evening Post,’ she said.

Next week, the school will continue the theme by talking about the importance of recycling.