Scarecrow making, litter picking and a soup fest are just three of the environmentally-friendly events planned for this year’s Basingstoke Green Week.  

Residents and visitors can get involved in a week of activities, from Saturday 17 to Monday 26 September. Most events are free of charge and include village markets, family fun days, guided cycle rides and even a visit to Chineham Energy Recovery Facility.  

Organised by local volunteers and supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Festival Place, Green Week aims to highlight green-related issues and initiatives in the borough.  

Others involved in Green Week events in their areas include Basingstoke Transition Network , Greening Chineham, Brookvale Community Association, Cycle Basingstoke, Buckskin Evangelical Church, Christ Church Chineham.  

Basingstoke Green Fair launches the event in Castle Square, The Malls, on Saturday 17 September, where visitors can find out more about cycling in the borough, recycling and local produce and freshly-cooked vegan food will be available to tickle the tastebuds.  

A pop-up shop is also planned in Festival Place, near the Wote Street entrance, on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 September, where visitors can find out how to reduce their carbon footprint and pick up useful tips for greener living with advice from Basingstoke Energy Co-operative, Love Food Hate Waste, Community Furniture Store and Basingstoke Vegans.  

There will be a variety of green-themed activities to keep children entertained, such as a Kids Go Wild Daffodil Dig on Saturday 24 September, when 2000 bulbs will be planted on the Oakley to Kempshott pathway. The week will also include a Green Fun Day at Buckskin, community cycle rides, a swap shop, a surplus food lunch and a plant-based BBQ.  

Local community groups can take part in Basingstoke Environment Group’s Networking Evening at the borough council offices on Thursday 22 September, and for local small businesses a free Carbon Management Workshop is on offer at The Ark Conference Centre on Tuesday 20 September.  

The council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and the Environment Cllr Hayley Eachus said: “The borough is delighted to be hosting Green Week for the fourth year running and this time it’s bigger and better than ever.  

“I would encourage people of all ages to get involved with the many events and activities - there really is something of interest for everyone.  

“Basingstoke Green Week helps raise awareness of how local people can really make a difference by being greener.”  

For information or to get involved in Green Week visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/greenweek, email greenweek@basingstoketransition.org or email the council at climatechange@basingstoke.gov.uk