Upcoming Nature and Climate Network Events
Tuesday 3 February, Newbury People Planet Pint. Many thanks to everyone who came to this local People Planet Pint meet-up to find more about what's going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved.
Everyone is welcome regardless of their experience or background.
Afterall, creating a sustainable future requires connected communities. And what better way to bring everyone together than over a drink?
Everyone is welcome regardless of their experience or background.
Afterall, creating a sustainable future requires connected communities. And what better way to bring everyone together than over a drink?
Recent Events
Press release: On Saturday, 31st January, nature, climate and sustainability groups from across West Berkshire came together to enjoy a wonderful social evening at Ace Space in Newbury. A very tasty bring and share meal was enjoyed, achievements were showcased, and people looked at how they could work together for even greater impact.
Dr Susan Millington, coordinator of Newbury Friends of the Earth said 'This was a great opportunity to recognise our successes throughout 2025. Especially to celebrate the regional Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) award for environmental impact for our Newbury Nature Corridors project. And to enjoy the company of our friends in the wider environmental movement locally'.
Cakes celebrating the BBOWT award, and the newly launched Nature and Climate Network (previously known as West Berks Green Exchange) were shared, and toasts made to the amazing work of all groups working right across the area.
Dr Pat Glover, secretary of Nature and Climate Network commented “Many volunteers who care deeply about nature and climate are often over-stretched, and feel belittled by some of our media and politicians, and so it was lovely to come together to relax and recharge in each other’s company. And the cakes were great too!”
Photo: Gina of Robin Song Photography.
Dr Susan Millington, coordinator of Newbury Friends of the Earth said 'This was a great opportunity to recognise our successes throughout 2025. Especially to celebrate the regional Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) award for environmental impact for our Newbury Nature Corridors project. And to enjoy the company of our friends in the wider environmental movement locally'.
Cakes celebrating the BBOWT award, and the newly launched Nature and Climate Network (previously known as West Berks Green Exchange) were shared, and toasts made to the amazing work of all groups working right across the area.
Dr Pat Glover, secretary of Nature and Climate Network commented “Many volunteers who care deeply about nature and climate are often over-stretched, and feel belittled by some of our media and politicians, and so it was lovely to come together to relax and recharge in each other’s company. And the cakes were great too!”
Photo: Gina of Robin Song Photography.
Many thanks to everyone who came to see Newbury Town Council's January showing of the inspiring film 2040, and took part in the short, but lively post-film discussion. (And with apologies to those that didn't get a chance to speak - which highlights the need for more public discussion on what we can all do, the problems of conflicting information, and what we need our elected representatives and world leaders to do.)
Most of the audience felt they were already doing what they could around food, stuff, and nature. The main points for discussion were:
- the practicalities of electric cars, and travel more generally
- the pros and cons of electrification
- more information is needed on the recently announced Warm Homes Plan, and more support is needed if heat pumps are to become more widespread.
- the practicalities of electric cars, and travel more generally
- the pros and cons of electrification
- more information is needed on the recently announced Warm Homes Plan, and more support is needed if heat pumps are to become more widespread.
We were delighted to take part in this much-needed evening at St John's Church in Newbury.
There's an article about this event in Penny Post, including web links to all organisations who made a presentation.
There's an article about this event in Penny Post, including web links to all organisations who made a presentation.
Many thanks to everyone who came to talk to us at the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire Volunteer Fair on Saturday January 10th, 10am to 2.30. We're recruiting for volunteers for the planning of, and helping on the day at GreenFest 2026.
We will be in touch soon with everyone who signed up.
We will be in touch soon with everyone who signed up.
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There was brilliant local support for the planting of this important tree sapling at Greenham Common Control Tower on Saturday 22 November by the Greener Greenham Group.
We were delighted to take part in the exhibition of local groups in the Control Tower afterwards.
We were delighted to take part in the exhibition of local groups in the Control Tower afterwards.
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One of our members spoke at two recent events held by the Newbury Branch of the United Nations Association - the UN 80th Anniversary Celebration, and the Southern Region AGM.
As part of Thatcham Festival, we showed the upbeat film 2040, which looks at the technologies and opportunities available to help protect nature and climate. This was followed by a lively discussion on what local people are already doing. Please see the review by Thatcham Town Radio for an insightful review of the event.
Wednesday 24 September, 7pm. WBGE AGM, Hungerford Hub and Library.
Hosted by Hungerford Environmental Action Team, and with a brilliant talk by Carolyne Culver on 'How we can influence politicians'. A pdf of the slides are available here.
Carolyne has served Ridgeway ward on West Berkshire Council for six years. She has also been a parish councillor, a district councillor, and stood for parliament twice. She worked in parliament for an MP and has worked for charities and universities, and so is well placed to provide insights into how we can influence our local councillors and our MP.
Hosted by Hungerford Environmental Action Team, and with a brilliant talk by Carolyne Culver on 'How we can influence politicians'. A pdf of the slides are available here.
Carolyne has served Ridgeway ward on West Berkshire Council for six years. She has also been a parish councillor, a district councillor, and stood for parliament twice. She worked in parliament for an MP and has worked for charities and universities, and so is well placed to provide insights into how we can influence our local councillors and our MP.
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Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 September. Newbury Show.
54 visitors took part in our 'Positive Actions for Nature & Climate' survey. Everyone was worried about nature and climate, and trying to do what they could. However, visitors expressed a range of opinions on the best actions to take, reflecting the conflicting information from politicians and media. |
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It was great to get together at our Summer BBQ on 25 July 2025.
Many thanks to Ken and Carole Neal for hosting us at their lovely cob house and grounds. |
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Annual Winter Social. A joint event by WBGE and Newbury Friends of the Earth, bringing together over 40 local environmentalists. It was brilliant to catch up with old friends and new. With many thanks to everyone who came, and especially to the organising team (who would have guessed we were in a gym!). We even made a small profit, which will be put towards GreenFest.
V365 Volunteer Fair, 11 January, at the Corn Exchange in Newbury.
We had some inspiring, and thought-provoking conversations at this event, not only with people hoping to volunteer, but also with the other stall holders. It really showed how our current food, housing and travel systems not only have unintended consequences for nature and climate, but they don't serve the needs of many local people. Thank you to everyone who spoke to us.
We had some inspiring, and thought-provoking conversations at this event, not only with people hoping to volunteer, but also with the other stall holders. It really showed how our current food, housing and travel systems not only have unintended consequences for nature and climate, but they don't serve the needs of many local people. Thank you to everyone who spoke to us.
We held our AGM on 15 November at the Nature Discovery Center in Thatcham. This followed on from a group forum, and we are grateful to Richard Marshall stepping in at very short notice to give a talk on 'Too much turkey - cutting the carbon footprint of Christmas', which inspired a lively discussion. Mr Lee Dillon MP, who had been due to talk, sent his apologies, and will instead speak at a meeting in the New Year. We were also fortunate to have Professor Sir Brian Hoskins attending, who gave a fascinating insight into some of the challenges of climate mitigation and adaptation. "I’ve never been to such an interesting, informative and relaxed AGM before - and thanks for the lift in the excellent electric minibus."
Many thanks to Hungerford Repair Cafe, who have supported the development of our Nature and Climate Stall over the past year.
We've had a wide range of conversations with visitors, from sharing experiences of Mediterranean cooking, heat pumps and electric cars, to the frustrations in finding reliable information and local service providers.
The Repair Cafe dates for 2025 are: 18 January, 15 March, 17 May, 19 July, 20 September and 15 November.
We've had a wide range of conversations with visitors, from sharing experiences of Mediterranean cooking, heat pumps and electric cars, to the frustrations in finding reliable information and local service providers.
The Repair Cafe dates for 2025 are: 18 January, 15 March, 17 May, 19 July, 20 September and 15 November.
In collaboration with local
groups, we ran a very
successful stand at
Newbury Show on
21 and 22 September, 2024.
groups, we ran a very
successful stand at
Newbury Show on
21 and 22 September, 2024.
Hungerford Food Community invited visitors of all ages to have a go at butter churning and flour milling to help show where our food comes from. HFC believe the choices we make about the food we eat can have a huge effect on our health (mental and physical), our environment, and our local economy. They also support the reduction of food waste, excess food packaging and run cooking projects with local schools and community groups.
Hungerford Environmental Action Team shared firsthand experiences of making sustainable choices around the food we eat, how we heat our homes, how we travel, and the stuff we buy. This not only reduces our impact on climate and nature, but can also reduce our household bills, improve our health, and make our homes cosier.
A special mention goes to the team from Newbury Friends of the Earth, who were runners up in the Trentham Environment Award with their Newbury Nature Corridor display. This project links their Goldwell Park Lockdown Wood to the Lockdown Wood in Barn Crescent, with a corridor of habitats to attract wildlife. They are involving school pupils and scouts, aiming to empower the next generation to care for our precious, threatened nature.
Hungerford Environmental Action Team shared firsthand experiences of making sustainable choices around the food we eat, how we heat our homes, how we travel, and the stuff we buy. This not only reduces our impact on climate and nature, but can also reduce our household bills, improve our health, and make our homes cosier.
A special mention goes to the team from Newbury Friends of the Earth, who were runners up in the Trentham Environment Award with their Newbury Nature Corridor display. This project links their Goldwell Park Lockdown Wood to the Lockdown Wood in Barn Crescent, with a corridor of habitats to attract wildlife. They are involving school pupils and scouts, aiming to empower the next generation to care for our precious, threatened nature.
On 8th September and 13th October, we supported Hungerford Environmental Action Team at the Hungerford Artisan and Food Heritage and Apple Festivals, run by the Hungerford Food Community.
On 31st August 2024, we enjoyed good food and company at our annual BBQ at the home of our Chair, Ken Neal.
