The Great Big Green Week events
Runnymede Borough Council joined forces with its local communities to celebrate the Great Big Green Week from 8 to 16 June 2024.
The Council ran its own events and collated those happening across the borough organised by local groups here and under the ‘Runnymede Local Green Week’ on the Great Big Green Week website.
The events listed below were those that were open for the public to attend and could therefore be promoted on this platform for people across Runnymede. There were many additional events that also happened across the borough and the highlights reel video on our homepage shows some of these wonderful initiatives. A full summary of all events that took place is available below, alongside the report taken to the Council’s Corporate Management Committee in September 2024 with full details of what happened in 2024 and to agree the Council’s approach for Great Big Green Week 2025.
The committee again decided to support, promote, co-ordinate, provide assistance, and participate in the Great Big Green Week 2025. Keep an eye on these pages to stay up to date with our plans for 2025 as they develop.
Kindly note that Runnymede Borough Council accepts no liability associated with events not directly organised by the council.
The Green Grow-Your-Own Giveaway
Location: Various locations across Englefield Green
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024 to Sunday 16 June 2024
Time: All day
Cost: free
From Saturday 8 June 2024 - Saturday 16 June 2024, plants and seeds will be available for people to take to grow at home. These will be outside local participating shops and community centres such as Premiere in Ashwood Road, The Hub, Englefield Green, the Village centre, and outside a shop on St Jude’s Road, with a mobile barrow on 8 June 2024 in the morning.
There will be edible plants such as tomatoes and flowering plants.
People will be encouraged to take one plant per household initially, to ensure everyone who would like to participate has opportunity to grow their own at home!
For more information or to get in contact with the event organisers, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Green Café week
Location: The Village Centre, Englefield Green
Date: Monday 10 June 2024 to Friday 14 June 2024
Time: All day
Cost: Free to attend
Specials cooked and available through the Village Centre Community Cafe for the week will be “non meat” to reduce the impact on the environment.
Customers will be encouraged to bring their own re-usable mugs to reduce the amount of disposable cups given out for takeaway drinks.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website.
Children’s cooking with honey workshop
Location: The Village Centre, Englefield Green
Date: Thursday 13 June 2024
Time: 15:30 to 16:30
Cost: Free to attend
Visit by local beekeeper Richard Emmett who will bring in a display bee hive and give a short presentation on how bees live and produce honey and how they help the environment.
This will be followed by a cooking with honey workshop and the children will be making honey based cereal bars.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Englefield Green litter pick
Location: Victoria Street Car Park, Victoria Street, Englefield Green
Date: Saturday 15 June 2024
Time: 11:00 to 12:30
Cost: free to attend
Join a litter pick in Englefield Green on Saturday 15 June 2024 in celebration of Great Big Green Week. The meeting point is at Victoria Street car park, from where volunteers will be allocated to different areas of the green.
For more information email peter.deane@ntlworld.com or visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Plant a seed activity
Location: Egham Library
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024
Time: 14:00 to 16:00
Cost: £1 per child
On Saturday 8 June 2024, Egham Library will be running a plant a seed activity in celebration of Great Big Green Week.
The event is suitable for age 4-11 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a cost of £1 per child for this activity.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Community Fridge
Location: The Caddey at St John’s Church, Manor Farm Lane, Egham
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024 and Saturday 15 June 2024
Time: 11:00 to 13:00
Cost: Free to attend
This initiative is about reducing food waste and valuing the difference between Best Before vs Used By dates. Surplus food that would have been wasted is collected from supermarkets and made freely available to the public. This is available to everyone from any background. Cash donations are accepted to help keep the initiative running.
For more information, please visit St Johns Eco-Church or contact stjohnseghamecochurch@gmail.com
Blue Heart Promotion
Location: St John’s Church, Manor Farm Lane, Egham
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024
Time: 11:00 to 13:00
Cost: Free to attend
This is to guide people to help develop the Naturehood to increase the biodiversity in the local area even if they don’t have a garden. They can own a grass curb / verge.
More information on the Blue Heart campaign can be found on The Blue Campaign surrey website.
For more information, please visit St Johns Eco-Church or contact stjohnseghamecochurch@gmail.com
Nature-themed story time and paper flower craft
Location: Egham Library
Date: Wednesday 12 June 2024
Time: 10:30 to 11:30
Cost: Suggested donation of 50p per child for the paper flower craft
On Wednesday 12 June 2024, Egham Library will be running a nature-themed story time followed by paper flower craft in celebration of Great Big Green Week.
The event is suitable for age 0-5 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a suggested donation of 50p for the paper flower craft.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Environment-themed story time and paper bead craft
Location: Egham Library
Date: Wednesday 12 June 2024
Time: 15:45 to 16:30
Cost: Suggested donation of 50p per child for the paper flower craft
On Wednesday 12 June 2024, Egham Library will be running an environment-themed story time followed by paper bead craft in celebration of Great Big Green Week.
The event is suitable for age 5-8 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a suggested donation of 50p for the paper flower craft.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Egham Town Litter Pick
Location: Egham Youth and Community Centre
Date: Wednesday 12 June 2024
Time: 18:00 to 20:00
Cost: Free to attend
In celebration of Great Big Green Week, join a litter pick in Egham. Meet outside the Egham Youth and Community Centre at 18:00.
For more information, please contact cllr.sam.jenkins@runnymede.gov.uk
Nature-themed rhyme time and paper flower craft
Location: Egham Library
Date: Thursday 13 June 2024
Time: 10:30 to 11:30
Cost: Suggested donation of 50p per child for the paper flower craft
On Thursday 13 June 2024, Egham Library will be running a nature-themed rhyme time followed by paper flower craft in celebration of Great Big Green Week.
The event is suitable for age 0-5 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a suggested donation of 50p for the paper flower craft.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Really Really Free Market
Location: St John’s Church, Manor Farm Lane, Egham
Date: Saturday 15 June 2024
Time: 11:00 to 15:00
Cost: Free to attend
In an effort to support the circular economy, St John's will be providing a managed area for the public to share skills and gift clean, unwanted items to others. No money or bartering is allowed. The public might like to:
- Share their skills: sharpen knives, play a musical instrument, repair items, etc
- Play a game (like chess, checkers, etc)
- Lay out clean, intact, unwanted items to see if someone else wants them
Anyone can register from 10:30am onwards outside the Caddey at St John’s Church in Egham. Last registration of items will be at 1:45pm. You are invited to set up your own stall as a table or a tablecloth on the ground and promote your goods.
There will be unmanned tables for the public to leave items for others. However, if those items have not gone to another home, then please can you return at 2:45pm to take home the items. Volunteers will call and advise you.
For more information, please visit Really Really Free Market or contact stjohnseghamecochurch@gmail.com
Chertsey Clean Up community litter pick
Location: Gogmore Park
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024
Time: 10:00 to 12:00
Cost: Free to attend
Join Chertsey Clean Up on a litter pick at Gogmore park during Great Big Green Week.
Visit Chertsey cleanup for more information and to express your interest to the organisers.
Paper flower craft activity
Location: Chertsey Library
Date: Tuesday 11 June 2024
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00
Cost: Suggested donation of 50p per child
On Tuesday 11 June 2024, Chertsey Library will be running a paper flower craft activity in celebration of Great Big Green Week. There will be two drop in periods from 10am to 12pm, and from 2pm to 4pm.
The event is suitable for ages 2-5 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a suggested donation of 50p for the activity.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Junk modelling
Location: Chertsey Library
Date: Friday 14 June 2024
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 & 14:00 to 16:00
Cost: Free to attend
On Friday 14 June 2024, Chertsey Library will be running a junk modelling activity in celebration of Great Big Green Week. There will be two drop in periods from 10am to 12pm, and from 2pm to 4pm.
The event is suitable for ages 2-11 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Nature walk at Chertsey Meads
Location: Chertsey Meads ‘B’ car park on Dumpsey Stump
Date: Friday 14 June 2024
Time: 10:00 to 11:00, 12:00 to 13:00, and 15:00 to 16:00
Cost: Free to attend
Join Runnymede Borough Council’s Biodiversity Officer on a walk around Chertsey Meads, taking in all the wonderful plants and animals the site has to offer.
There will be three sessions on Friday 14 June, from 10:00 to 11:00, 12:00 to 13:00, and 15:00 to 16:00. The meeting point with be at the Chertsey Meads ‘B’ car park on Dumpsey Stump
For more information, please contact Andi.Roy@runnymede.gov.uk
Addlestone Library book swap
Location: Addlestone Library
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024 to Sunday 16 June 2024
Time: All day
Cost: Free to attend
Bring a book and swap it with one of our book-sale books from 8 to 16 June 2024 in celebration of Great Big Green Week. Find a new favourite and save money and paper too!
For more information, please contact addlestone.library@surreycc.gov.uk or visit the Addlestone Library website
Nature & History Walk at Hare Hill Open Space
Location: Hare Hill, Addlestone
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024 and Saturday 15 June 2024
Time: 14:00 to 15:30
Cost: free to attend
Learn a little about the wildlife, biodiversity & history of this hidden green gem between Rowtown and Ottershaw. Find out how our volunteer group, in collaboration with Runnymede Borough Council, is maintaining and improving the Open Space for nature and people and how you can join the volunteers if you’d like to. Meet at the entrance to the Open Space just off Howards Lane in Rowtown at 2pm.
For more information or to contact the organiser directly, please visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Addlestone Clean Up community litter pick
Location: Tesco Extra, Addlestone
Date: Sunday 9 June 2024
Time: 09:00 to 11:00
Cost: Free to attend
Join Addlestone Clean Up on a litter pick during Great Big Green Week.
Visit Chertsey Cleanup for more information and to express your interest to the organisers.
Children’s craft session
Location: New Haw Library
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 & 11:30 to 12:30
Cost: £2 per child
On Saturday 8 June 2024, New Haw Library will be running children’s craft sessions in celebration of Great Big Green Week. Two sessions will run between 10:30am and 12:30pm, with booking required direct from the library for £2 per child. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
New Haw library will also have a selection of books available throughout Great Big Green Week related to the environment, and a bug watch leaflet for children to encourage them to discover and take note of a variety of garden insects.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
New Haw Litter Pickers - BIG Community litter pick
Location: Exact location to be confirmed.
Date: Sunday 9 June 2024
Time: 10:00 and 14:30
Cost: open to the public and free to attend.
Join us in celebrating Great Big Green Week by litter picking in New Haw with our community group. Visit New Haw Litter Pickers linktree to discover more details about the group and to keep updated with their events on social media.
For further information, contact Leigh or Brian on 07557445755 or email: newhawlitterpickers@gmail.com
Recycling talk from Runnymede Borough Council
Location: New Haw Library
Date: Monday 10 June 2024
Time: 14:00 to 15:00
Cost: Free to attend
On Monday 10 June 2024, New Haw Library will be hosting a talk from Runnymede Borough Council’s recycling team on recycling do’s and don’ts in celebration of Great Big Green Week.
New Haw library will also have a selection of books available throughout Great Big Green Week related to the environment, and a bug watch leaflet for children to encourage them to discover and take note of a variety of garden insects.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Beekeeping talk
Location: New Haw Library
Date: Wednesday 12 June 2024
Time: 15:30 to 16:30
Cost: Free to attend
On Wednesday 12 June 2024, New Haw Library will be hosting a talk on the delights and worries in the world of beekeeping in celebration of Great Big Green Week. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
New Haw library will also have a selection of books available throughout Great Big Green Week related to the environment, and a bug watch leaflet for children to encourage them to discover and take note of a variety of garden insects.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Owls and their habitats talk
Location: New Haw Library
Date: Thursday 13 June 2024
Time: 15:30 to 16:30
Cost: Free to attend
On Thursday 13 June 2024, New Haw Library will be hosting a talk from Holme Farm on owl types and their behaviours in celebration of Great Big Green Week. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
New Haw library will also have a selection of books available throughout Great Big Green Week related to the environment, and a bug watch leaflet for children to encourage them to discover and take note of a variety of garden insects.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Free jigsaw puzzle day
Location: New Haw Library
Date: Friday 14 June 2024
Time: 10:00 to 16:30
Cost: Free to attend
On Friday 14 June 2024, New Haw Library will be hosting a free jigsaw puzzle day, for people to come along and get/swap a jigsaw puzzle, in celebration of Great Big Green Week. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
New Haw library will also have a selection of books available throughout Great Big Green Week related to the environment, and a bug watch leaflet for children to encourage them to discover and take note of a variety of garden insects.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Balsam bashing at Holme Farm
Location: Holme Farm, Woodham Park Road
Date: Sunday 16 June 2024
Time: 10:00 to 16:00
Cost: free to attend
Himalayan Balsam is one of the world’s worst invasive species, taking over river banks and woodland and causing untold harm to their ecology. Holme Farm has been tackling the infestation since 2021 and it is making a clear difference with the amount of balsam decreasing every year. But we need as many volunteers as possible to pitch in and help us tackle the remaining hotspots until we have eradicated it once and for all!
No tools or expertise are needed and balsam bashing is suitable for all ages. The plants are easily pulled out due to their shallow roots and instructions on identifying balsam will be given to participants on the day. Gloves are available if you can’t bring your own. Cakes and refreshments will be provided to say thank you for helping us on our mission to make Holme Farm a home for nature.
For more information, visit the event page on the Great Big Green Week website
Children’s Craft
Location: Virginia Water Library
Date: Saturday 8 June 2024
Time: 10:30 to 12:30
Cost: Donation of £1 per child
On Saturday 8 June 2024, the library will be running a children’s craft activity with an environmental focus. This is a great opportunity to get creative, and our crafty team provide inspiration and materials for your child to try out and make something to take home.
The event is suitable for age 3-9 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a donation of £1 per child, and no advance booking required although numbers may need to be managed.
For more information, please visit the Virginia Water Library website
Rhymetime
Location: Virginia Water Library
Date: Friday 14 June 2024
Time: 10:30 to 11:00
Cost: Free to attend
On Friday 14 June 2024, the library will be running a rhyme time with an environmental focus. This is a wonderful time to bring your toddler to the library, whether you are a parent, grandparent, or carer. Together you can enjoy nursery rhymes and songs and meet other parents and carers.
For more information, please visit the Virginia Water Library website
Virginia Water Nature Reserve Talk
Location: Virginia Water Library
Date: Saturday 15 June 2024
Time: 14:30 to 15:30
Cost: Free to attend but booking required
On Saturday 15 June 2024, the library will be hosting a talk about the wonderful nature reserve in the heart of Virginia Water, highlighting the animals, birds, and flowers that can be found along the riverside walk. Following the presentation, there will be an optional guided walk along the riverside walk route. All participants join at their own risk.
The talk is suitable for children aged 4 to 14. Tickets are free but booking is required. Please book a ticket for each person attending. Tickets can be booked online by following this link, or purchased directly from the library.
For more information, please visit the Virginia Water Library website
Virginia Water Litter Pick
Location: Virginia Water Train Station
Date: Saturday 15 June 2024
Time: 10:00 to 12:00
Cost: Free to attend
In celebration of Great Big Green Week, join Christ Church Virginia Water in a litter pick around Virginia Water. Meet outside Virginia Water train station at 10:00.
For more information, please contact cllr.sam.jenkins@runnymede.gov.uk
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