With the environmental troubles we are currently experiencing in the world, it makes sense for us to be a green as possible and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council clearly agree as they have announced the annual Green Week. Running from Saturday 17th through to Monday 26th, Green Week will see visitors and residents take part in all sorts of activities ranging from litter picking, scarecrow making, and even ‘soup fest’.

Both the council and Festival Place have supported local volunteers who have made this year’s event possible and as a result, most of the events will be free of charge. As well as village markets and guided bicycle rides, there will also be family fund days and a trip to Chineham Energy Recovery Facility in order to promote how we can look after our planet. Many others have got involved with this year’s event including Brookvale Community Association, Greening Chineham, Cycle Basingstoke, Basingstoke Transition Network, Buckskin Evangelical Church, and Christ Church Chineham. 

On Saturday 17th, Green Week will be launched by Basingstoke Green Fair which will be found in Castle Square, The Malls. Here, locals will have an opportunity to find out about local produce, cycling, recycling, and there will also be some tasty vegan food on offer. Later in the week, Tuesday and Wednesday will see a pop-up shop hit Festival Place and there will be a particular focus on reducing carbon footprint and what we can do at home.

The council have clearly thought about all audiences as children can have fun at the Kids Go Wild Daffodil Dig on the second Saturday; the plan will be to plant 2,000 bulbs on the pathway between Oakley and Kempshott. If you run a small business and want to get involved, there is going to be a Carbon Management Workshop on Tuesday 20th and two days later, Basingstoke Environment Group’s Networking Evening might appeal to local community groups. With the workshop at the Ark Conference Centre, the networking evening will take place at the council offices.

During the week, community cycle rides, surplus food lunches, plant-based BBQs, a swap shop, and a Green Fun Day at Buckskin will be really good chances to not only learn more about keeping the planet healthy but also to get to know people in your local neighbourhood. All of the events have been planned with a dual target of spreading knowledge and getting people to meet, get along, and then take action together!