Great Big Green Week

The Great Big Green Week Events

We are planning our own events and we would also love to collate and promote all the events being organised in the local area. So please link your event to our Local Runnymede Green Week when registering if it is taking place within the borough of Runnymede.

Kindly note that Runnymede Borough Council accepts no liability associated with events not directly organised by the council.

Location: Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, TW20 0EA - Shilling Building Lecture Theatre

Date: Monday 5 June 2023

Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm followed by light refreshments

Cost: open to the public and free to attend – please book using the link below

As organisations across the country prepare to celebrate local climate action during the Great Big Green Week, Royal Holloway University of London, in partnership with representatives from Runnymede Borough Council and Surrey County Council, will be hosting a panel event to explore ‘How responding to the global threat of climate change is being translated at a local level’.

Come and join our diverse group of speakers to engage with this important topic

  • Professor David Simon - Director of External Engagement, Sch of Life Sciences & Environment, Royal Holloway University of London (@UrbanDavidSimon)
     
  • Professor Sigrun Wagner - Head of the Department for Strategy, International Business and Entrepreneurship, Royal Holloway University of London
     
  • Councillor Marisa Heath - Cabinet Member for Environment, Surrey County Council
     
  • Georgina Pacey - Planning Policy and Strategy Manager, Runnymede Borough Council
     
  • Dr Marcel Steward - Head of External Projects and Emergency Response, Runnymede Borough Council

Duration 90 minutes, including Questions and Answers and followed by light refreshments.

This event is open to the public and free to attend. To book a place please follow the link

Great Big Green Week panel event- RHUL, RBC and SCC

Egham Environment and Sustainability Day

Location: Egham Town Centre

Date: Saturday 10 June 2023

Time:: 10:00 – 16:00

Cost: Free

This event will be focussed around the themes of sustainability, nature preservation and climate change action. It will comprise of Egham regulars the Ethical Vegan Market activities running all day at St Johns Egham Eco Church situated at the top of Egham High Street and stalls on Egham High Street hosted by different environmental, community and nature-based organisations.

This aim is to provide fun and engaging day out for the local community, celebrating environmental action that is taking place locally, sharing information and encouraging participation. Stall holders will include the River Thames Scheme, Holme Farm, Surrey County Council, Brooklands College, and more.

Children will have the opportunity to contribute to building an Eco City out of lego throughout the day with Brickies Club Ltd Those attending will also be able to have a go at our 100% human powered Head-to-Head challenge being run by Electric Pedals

Great Big Litterpick

Location: Meet on Hummer Road, Egham

Date: Saturday 10 June 2023

Time: 10am – 12noon

Can you spare a couple of hours to help #CleanUpEgham? We will meet on Hummer Road, before working our way along Runnymede Road until we reach the roundabout. If you are free and would like to attend please email Cllr.Sam.Jenkins@runnymede.gov.uk so that he can have an idea of numbers.

Celebrating Spring - Forest Bathing at Holme Farm

Date: Sunday 11 June 2023

Time: 14:00

Cost: Free but tickets must be booked (see below for details)

We will take time to explore our woodland landscape, tuning in to our micro and macro awareness of nature and noticing how it communicates with us. Forest bathing is scientifically proven to improve health. Countless Japanese studies have revealed how it boosts immune systems, reduces stress hormones, enhances mental wellness and bolsters brain health. It can provide emotional healing, decrease blood pressure, improve general sleep-wake cycles, improve relationship skills, reduce stress and reduce feelings of aggression.

This 2.5hr session in the woods surrounding Holme Farm will be gentle, personable, small group introduction to Forest Bathing and include sensory and meditative exercises.

2.5 hours Forest Bathing experience with woodland tea is included.

Please wear suitable clothing, making sure you are warm enough in the woods (it's always colder amongst the trees) and wear good, comfortable walking shoes. If the weather looks like it may rain, please wear appropriate clothing to keep you dry. You'll be walking no more than 0.5 mile in total. 

This event is being run in partnership with Runnymede Borough Council and tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Places are limited so email Contact@HolmeFarm.org.uk to express an interest in attending, or request further information

Holme Farm will be open for volunteering

Date: Monday 12 June – Friday  June 2023

Time: 10:30 - 15:30

Cost: free

Come down and join us working on the allotment or out in the field. Come and enjoy the woods and the fields and see how you could be involved with Holme Farm, or just come for chat and cup of tea.

Contact@HolmeFarm.org.uk if you have any questions.

Holme Farm Summer Party

Date: Saturday 17 June 2023 

Time:14:00 -16:00

Cost: free

Holme Farm is celebrating its successful first year and is excited to invite everyone to come and join us in celebrating all we have achieved and looking forward to all that is to come. We will be having BBQ and other refreshments will be available.

Contact@HolmeFarm.org.uk if you have any questions.

Holme Farm Summer Walks

Date: Sunday 18 June 2023

Time: 11:00,13:00 & 15:00

Cost: free

Andi Roy, Holme Farm’ own Ecologist will be conducting several nature walks around Holme Farm. He will be explaining what we have been doing and how that is improving habitats and creating opportunities for wildlife on the farm. Come down and join any of the walks. (Closed shoes, long trousers recommended for children – we have stinging nettles on site).

Refreshments will be available

Contact@HolmeFarm.org.uk if you have any questions.

Nature and Sustainability Photography Competition

Date: Friday 5 May – Sunday 18 June 2023

Cost: Free

Between Friday 5 May and Sunday 18 June 2023 (23:59 pm), Runnymede Borough Council will be calling on all amateur photographers to share their favourite snaps which showcase nature and sustainability in the Borough. There are three age categories; primary age children (up to age 11), secondary/college age children (age 12-18) and over 18. The winners and other highly commended photographs will be announced on Friday 30 June 2023. The winner from each category will be awarded £50 shopping voucher. All photographs should be sent to climatechange@runnymede.gov.uk

RULES

  • Maximum of 10 photos per person
  • Entries must be taken in Runnymede, with each image file clearly labelled with the location of the photo and the name of the photographer - eg: Magna Carta Memorial by Jane Smith
  • Entries must be submitted via email to the Climate Change team before 23:59pm on Sunday 18 June 2023
  • By submitting your photographs, you are giving the Council permission to use your image on social media, our websites, and in our printed publication unless you opt out in writing

Public exhibition to celebrate local action in response to climate change

Time: Running throughout June, 8:30-17:00 Mondays to Thursdays, 8:30-16:30 Fridays

Cost: Free

Runnymede Borough Council is asking for local groups to send in information of any activities (however small-all changes make difference!) that they are proposing to celebrate the Great Big Green Week, or more generally in response to climate change. The Council will be running public exhibition between 9 - 30 June 2023 at the Civic Centre in Addlestone and we would love to showcase the work being undertaken by local groups. Please send details of your initiatives and any photographs that you are happy for us to display to climatechange@runnymede.gov.uk

Events at Local Libraries

Addlestone Library, Runnymede Civic Centre, Station Road, Addlestone, KT15 2AF

Frog’ Bog with Marielle Bayliss
Date: Saturday 10 June 2023
Time: 10:30 AM
Cost: £4 – please book see below
Age group: Suitable for 3-6 year olds

Come and have some fun with this interactive storytelling session with author Marielle Bayliss who will be reading her story "Frogs Bog". Frog's Bog is inspired by our local Surrey waterways and the wildlife they support, followed by questions and fascinating froggie facts. Followed by some creation fun, with frog themed activity sheets and the chance to buy signed copy of the books.
Frogs Bog storytime with Marielle Bayliss ticket booking

Great Big Green Week Upcycling Bird Feeders
Date: Saturday 13 June 2023 
Time: 3.30pm
Cost: Free- just drop in
Age group: Suitable for 3-10 year olds

Chertsey Library, Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9BE

Great Big Green Week Christine Kendall from Holme Farm
Date: Friday 9 June 2023
Time: 10am to 12noon
Cost: No booking required, just turn up to the library to get cake and coffee for £1

Great Big Green Week The Tap-Dancing Pigeon of Covent Garden
Date: Saturday 10 June 2023
Time: 2.00pm
Cost: £4 – please book 
Age group: Suitable for 3-6 year olds

Green Themed treasure trail for families
Date: June 2023

Egham Library, High Street, Egham, Surrey TW20 9EA

Great Big Green Week Craft session – Seed planting
Date: Saturday 10 June 2023 
Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Cost: Free- just drop in

Great Big Green Week Frog’ Bog with Marielle Bayliss
Date: Tuesday 13 June 2023
Time: 10.30am
Age group: suitable for 3 to 6 year olds
Cost: Tickets £4. Please book

Great Big Green Week Storytime with craft
Date: Wednesday 14 June 2023
Date: 10.30am - 11am
Age group: suitable for under 5’,
Cost:  free - just drop  in

Great Big Green Week Rhymetime with craft
Date: Thursday 15 June 2023
Time: 10.30am - 11am
Age group: suitable for under 5
Cost: free - drop in

For more details of library opening times please see: Libraries in Surrey - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

St Johns Egham Eco Church - Egham

Community Fridge
Date: 10 June 2023
Time: 11am-1pm
This will have surplus good food that would have been wasted available to the public in The Caddey, St John’ Church

Really Free Market
Venue: St John's Church
Date: 10 June 2023
Cost: Free
Give away usable items, skills, food, entertainment, games and many others things that community can come together and share

The Shed
Date:15 June 2023 
Time: 9:30am-1pm
Repair any wooden / metal items in The Caddey, St John’ Church

Community Fridge
Date: 17 June 2023 
Time: 11am-1pm 
This will have surplus good food that would have been wasted available to the public

Repair Café
Date: 17 June 2023
Time:12pm-2:30pm 
Learn to give your broken items second life

Date: 18 June 2023
Time:9 and 10:30am
Sermons about Creation Care

Easter Centre
Date: 18 June 2023 
Time: 4pm-5:30pm 
Litter picking around Egham