Greener Henley Strategy Launch
2025-05-07 19:00 - 21:30 UTC
Join Greener Henley for an inspiring evening as we unveil our ambitious strategy: A Bold New Vision for Henley’s Future.

We’ll be joined by expert guest speakers exploring the crucial role of newly registered charity Greener Henley in tackling the climate and nature emergency, highlighting how local community action can address these pressing challenges.
While large-scale, national policies and international agreements are essential, meaningful change often begins at the grassroots level, where communities can implement practical solutions tailored to their unique environments. By working together, communities create a ripple effect—demonstrating successful models that can be scaled up and replicated elsewhere, ultimately strengthening global efforts to combat climate change and nature loss.
Greener Henley is Henley’s local climate and nature action charity, which seeks to bring our community together to make meaningful change.
Our expert panel will consist of:

Professor Christopher Merchant (Professor in Ocean and Earth Observation, University of Reading) – Understanding the science at a local level
Louisa Reeve (ecologist and former Team GB rower) – The role of nature in our environment, and how it’s changing
Tim Hoskins (headteacher at Badgemore Primary School, Henley-on-Thames) – How schools can inspire change

Come along to find out how local community action can make a difference, and how together we can create a greener, cleaner, and safer Henley for future generations.
Doors open at 7pm
7:30pm – 8:45pm: Strategy launch and panel discussion including Q&A
8:45pm – 9:30pm: Drinks, nibbles and conversation

GBGW 2025 - Greener Henley's Big Green Festival
2025-06-14 10:00 - 16:00
Greener Henley’s Big Green Festival
Market Place, Henley – 10am-4pm
Saturday 7th June 2025
Our Big Green Festival will be buzzing with lots of different stalls and activities for all on Saturday 7th June from 10am – don’t miss it! You can visit Bee Friendly Henley for free pots of mini meadows, meet the NEW Henley Repair Cafe volunteers and see what can be fixed, plus prizes go to anyone dressed as a bee!
Test your knowledge at our mini Environmental Science Fair with students from Gillotts Eco Club, stop for a cuppa at our Pop-up Swap Shop and mull over a habit swap to add to our big green heart, or chat with Henley Toad Patrol and other local nature groups to find out about ways to help our local wildlife. Explore how you can get involved with protecting and restoring nature locally with Greener Henley – helping to make Henley safer, cleaner and greener! Come and find out what your local climate and nature action charity is all about.
There will be plenty of fun and interesting things to find out and do – come wearing green and have your face painted as your favourite insect, plus we’ll have a giant snakes and ladders game, and lots, lots more!
Why not help slow down the fashion train and opt for preloved? Head over to Henley Town Hall for the Big Green Prelovd Fashion Fair, which is on from 11am-2pm in tandem with the Festival – check out the best in second hand and vintage and find something that is ‘new to you’.
**LATEST FESTIVAL UPDATES**

We will now have a LIVE ART PROJECT with Nephele Swann, a talented local nature artist, who will be painting a big wildlife scene on the day featuring wildflowers and bees. Come along and watch an artist at work!
Get advice on wildlife-friendly gardening from Assistant Head Gardener Vicki Bruss, and quiz invertebrate expert Phil Bruss with all your tricky bug and insect questions on the Greener Henley stall between 10am-2pm
Stop by and have a chat with Greener Henley’s own flora guardian Sally Rankin about all things wildflowers and plant related, and find out how you can get involved with restoring our local green spaces
Nick Hay from Three Oaks Orchard is coming down from 2-4pm to demonstrate how to trim a fruit tree
Heritage Trees will be bringing their boundless tree knowledge, plus colouring sheets for children and prizes of tree saplings!
BBOWT* will have information about our local Warburg Nature Reserve plus animal mask-making activities (*Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust – our local Wildlife Trust)
Come and try a felt making activity using natural, local fibres, with Carol Crowdy’s Felt & Wool. Stop by to watch the spinners and have a go at crochet, knitting and weaving
Investigate all things Fair Trade with the Henley Quakers

Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

Cancelled - GBGW 2025 - The Big Green Prelovd Fashion Fair
2025-06-14 11:00 - 14:00
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel this event due to reasons beyond our control.

The Big Green Prelovd Fashion Fair
Henley Town Hall – 11am-2pm
Saturday 7th June 2025
Calling all vintage lovers and sustainable fashionistas! Local sustainable fashion champion Lizzie Hughes has joined up with Greener Henley for Great Big Green Week 2025, to bring you The Big Green Prelovd Fashion Fair, where you can sell or shop the best in second hand & vintage fashion, accessories and crafters.
Back at Henley Town Hall, this hugely popular fair has been welcoming hundreds of sellers and shoppers since 2018 and will be packed with stalls of gorgeous sustainable fashion and accessories, curating ‘new to you’ items and helping us all choose planet friendly ways to shop.
Doors open at 11am and close at 2pm. All monies raised at this local June event will go directly to Greener Henley charity, helping fund wider sustainable initiatives within our local community.
Pre-book your tickets here or buy on the door.
After you’ve found something ‘new to you’, head over to Market Place where Greener Henley’s Big Green Festival will be buzzing with lots of different stalls and activities for all between 10am-2pm – don’t miss it!
Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

GBGW 2025 - Henley Rotary's Plasticblitz
2025-06-15 10:00 - 17:00
Henley Rotary’s Plasticblitz
Towpath in front of River & Rowing Museum – 10am start
Sunday 8th June 2025
Join Henley Rotary Club on their Plasticblitz – a river litter pick from Marsh lock to Hambeldon lock, with a citizen science twist!
The Plasticblitz is not just another litter pick. It is about pushing for change at a high level, altering people’s habits and raising awareness of the ultimate danger of plastics to our health, as well as that of the environment. This is citizen science in action. A survey is conducted of the rubbish collected and the data from this is submitted to international studies. It is then used to lobby large companies with the aim of pushing major manufacturers to reduce their use of single-use plastics.
Many people think of plastic waste as being a problem primarily affecting our marine environments. In fact, 80% of this pollution passes through our rivers and streams on its way to the sea. Many of our rivers are now effectively channeling plastic from inland areas to the sea. However, once plastic has entered our rivers, there is no statutory obligation for any organisation or public body to remove it.
Collective action is therefore needed to address this issue and stop plastic from entering our rivers.
Plasticblitz is a project running all year round, culminating in the National June Plasticblitz in partnership with Thames 21 and the Environment Agency.
Litter pickers, gloves and bags will be supplied. Please wear sturdy footwear and clothes to suit the weather conditions.
Email Phil Fletcher to join

GBGW 2025 - Green Screen: Honeyland
2025-06-17 18:00 - 20:30
Green Screen: Honeyland – film + panel discussion + Q&A
Regal Picturehouse – 6-8.30pm
Tuesday 10th June
Greener Henley is pleased to be hosting our Great Big Green Week Green Screen event, the award winning, immersive documentary Honeyland, at the Regal Cinema on Tuesday 10 June at 6pm, followed by a live Q&A session with our expert panel.
In a deserted Macedonian village, Hatidze, a 50-something woman, trudges up a hillside to check her bee colonies nestled in the rocks. Serenading them with a secret chant, she gently manoeuvers the honeycomb without netting or gloves. Back at her homestead, Hatidze tends to her handmade hives and her bedridden mother, occasionally heading to the capital to market her wares.
One day, an itinerant family installs itself next door, and Hatidze’s peaceful kingdom gives way to roaring engines, seven shrieking children, and 150 cows. Yet Hatidze welcomes the camaraderie, and she holds nothing back—not her tried-and-true beekeeping advice, not her affection, not her special brandy. But soon Hussein, the itinerant family’s patriarch, makes a series of decisions that could destroy Hatidze’s way of life forever. The film has English subtitles.

Watch the trailer here

Book your tickets here

Join our expert panel in discussion and Q&A after the film:

Mike Barry, panel chair: Chair of the Board of Trustees for local nature and climate charity Greener Henley and former Director of Sustainability at Marks & Spencers. Mike has a keen interest in ethical and sustainable food systems and understands the importance of small-scale producers to help us understand the real cost of the food in our weekly shopping baskets.
Diana Mills, panelist: Environmental Advisor for Natural England, recently completed her Certificate in Sustainable Land Management and runs the Wild Side – Forest School and outdoor clubs at Nettlebed School. Diana has a keen interest in sustainable farming practices and managing natural resources. Diana is also a bee keeper producing her own honey from hives in her garden.
Filipe Salbany, panelist: a self-described ‘bee-sultant’ with over 50 years of experience working with bees in Africa, Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom, Filipe recently discovered 50 colonies of rare bees in Blenheim Palace and is a keen advocate for protecting Britains 270 bee species.

Honeyland has much to say about conserving nature, but its lessons are also about human life and relationships. The film shows how different human responses take place when there’s a need to survive and provide amidst limited natural resources. The documentary received numerous awards and nominations at film festivals, including three awards at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and two nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards in the categories for Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature. Honeyland is the first documentary to receive a nomination in both categories in the history of the Oscars.
Read the review from BBC Culture here
This event promises to be an inspiring screening and conversation, not only on beekeeping but also on how closely intertwined nature and humanity are, and how much we stand to lose if we ignore this fundamental connection. What approaches can we take to protect our fellow creatures and rethink our interactions with the world around us? Come join the discussion!
Doors open: 5.50pm | event starts: 6pm (there are no adverts or trailers) | event ends 8.30pm

What is a Green Screen?
Green Screens are a series of thought-provoking environmental films, each aimed at raising awareness and fostering meaningful debate and discussion about climate and nature. Most Green Screen events are also accompanied by a live panel discussion afterwards. The format has now spread amongst the 26 Picturehouse Cinemas around the UK and has also inspired other local community film hubs to show environmentally themed film and panel discussions too. The events are a wonderful way to educate and bring the community together to discussion on these important issues.

Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

GBGW 2025 - Climate Café
2025-06-18 16:30 - 18:00
Climate Café – discussion space with facilitators
Chantry House, St Mary’s Church, 4.30-6pm
Wednesday 11th June 2025
Our Great Big Green Week Climate Café is a supportive space in which to talk about how the climate crisis is affecting us – without pressure to act. The space is run by two experienced facilitators.
Climate Cafés offer something different from the usual gatherings of people with interests in climate change. They are facilitated – so you can be sure that there will be space for you to speak. They are not designed to recruit you to do anything or to put you under any pressure. The idea behind them is that talking about climate change is really important – but it is often made more difficult by our feelings of guilt that we are not doing enough, or frustration that others are not doing enough. So we provide a space in which we don’t talk about what we or others are doing or should be doing. We just talk about climate change and how it is making us think and feel.
This gathering is available to anyone over the age of 16. Hot drinks and cake will be provided.
The Chantry House is a beautiful and unusual late-medieval building adjacent to St Mary’s Church, Henley. It offers a calm, quiet and secluded space, tucked away on a quiet town centre cut-through, between St Mary’s Church on Hart Street and Hotel du Vin on New Street.
Climate cafés are not drop-in events, and we limit numbers to 12, so please try to arrive in time for the start (though we won’t turn you away if you’re a few minutes late and there are still spaces!)
This event is FREE to students; £5 ticket fee to cover costs otherwise.
Book your tickets here
This event is kindly sponsored by St Mary’s Church Henley.
Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

GBGW 2025 - In Our Hands: Our Climate, Our River, Our Future
2025-06-18 19:00 - 21:00
In Our Hands: Our Climate, Our River, Our Future – talk with Q&A
Leander Club, Henley-on-Thames – 7-9pm
Wednesday 11th June 2025
Doors open: 7pm | Talk and Q&A: 7:15 – 8:30pm | Drinks until 9pm
As part of Great Big Green Week 2025, Greener Henley is delighted to welcome back Professor Christopher Merchant, a leading climate scientist from the University of Reading, for a fascinating and thought-provoking talk at the historic Leander Club. The evening will be led by Olympic rowing champion, Greg Searle MBE, who will guide the conversation and open the floor for a lively and engaging Q&A.
Climate change isn’t a distant threat—it’s happening now, reshaping our planet in ways we can already see. From extreme heatwaves to rising sea levels and disrupted ecosystems, our world is undergoing rapid transformation. But what do these global changes mean for us?
Professor Merchant will take us on a journey from the latest climate science to the risks we face worldwide, the knock-on effects on people, economies, and nature, and the urgent actions needed to steer toward a better future.
With the discussion hosted in one of rowing’s most legendary venues, he’ll also touch on the local implications for the Thames and Henley in our changing climate. What might these shifts mean for the future of our weather and water? How might rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events influence flooding, water levels and water quality?
Book your tickets here
This event is kindly sponsored by Mercers Solicitors.
Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

GBGW 2025 - Greening Your Business
2025-06-19 17:30 - 19:30
Greening Your Business – interactive workshop with speakers
The Café at the River & Rowing Museum – 5.30-7.30pm
Thursday 12th June 2025
Local business owners can get involved in the interactive Greening Your Business workshop at the River & Rowing Museum. During the session you can learn how to reduce your carbon footprint and accelerate the rapid economic transition needed to secure a liveable planet. Learn from others’ progress and work together to plan how you can make a difference and bring more customers with you.
Speaking about their own journeys to “green their business” will be:

Peter Hopkins – Managing Partner at Mercers Solicitors
Lottie Pheasant – Theatre Manager at The Kenton Theatre & Rachael O’Sullivan Environmental Manager at The Royal Opera House and sustainability adviser to the Kenton
Katrina Judge – Biodiversity officer at Henley Town Council and Founder of Young Climate Warriors

This will be the fourth annual event which brings together local businesses during Great Big Green Week to explore what businesses are doing to reduce carbon footprint and their impact on the planet. The response each year has been very positive with over 40 participants each time, and some powerful initiatives happening as a direct result. This year, we will build on the best of the past events, with speakers setting the scene for us and then move into a workshop format. The aim is to enable participants to deepen their understanding of the options available to them and to strengthen the network of like minded businesses.
Book your tickets here
This event is kindly sponsored by O’Brien Real Estate.
Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

Postponed - GBGW 2025 - Flood Question Time: Rising Waters and Resilience
2025-06-19 19:00 - 21:00
Please note that this event has been postponed due to low ticket sales.
We plan to hold the event later in the year when this issue is more at the forefront of people’s minds, and will be providing more information on this soon.
The river also features strongly in the “In Our Hands: Our Climate, Our River, Our Future” talk by Professor Christopher Merchant on Wed 11th June, hosted by Olympic rowing champion Greg Searle. To sign up, please visit the event page
Do sign up to our newsletter for updates about the new date for the Flood Question Time or follow us on Instagram or Facebook

——

Flood Question Time: Rising Waters and Resilience – talk with Q&A
Helping to Keep Henley Safer, Together
Henley Rugby Club – 7-9pm
Thursday 12th June 2025
Doors open: 7pm | Main panel: 7:30 – 8:30pm | Drinks until 9pm
With extreme weather events on the rise, what does Henley’s flood future look like—and how can we respond in ways that keep our homes, businesses, and communities safe?

In 25 years’ time, 1 in 4 properties in England will be in areas at risk of flooding[1]
Flooding poses a risk to water quality – heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems, flushing pollutants and even untreated sewage into our rivers
The iconic Henley Swim was cancelled after 20+ years due to growing pollution concerns and falling participation
Recent test results are continuing to show evidence of poor water quality in Henley. A recent reading taken in May 2025 by HoT Water was 5 times the satisfactory level of E. coli[2]

Join us for an engaging evening panel discussion featuring leading experts in flooding, emergency planning, and insurance – a critical part of our overall strategy for managing flood impacts and protecting what matters most, and an area that is likely to be ever more important.
Our panelists will examine how residents, businesses and organisations across our town can all work together to become safer in the face of flooding, with plenty of opportunity for audience questions. The discussion will also cover how flooding will affect the sport of rowing and the Henley Royal Regatta, which brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town every year.
As flooding becomes more frequent and intense, so too does the risk to water quality – heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems, flushing pollutants and even untreated sewage into our rivers.
Book your tickets here
Our panelists include:

Dr Jess Neumann – Associate Professor in Hydrology, expert in flood risk management and community preparedness
Toby Garbett – Olympic rower and owner of local Henley business TG Gym and Wellness
David Rochester – Head of Reserving, Flood Re; expert in climate risk & flood insurance
Dr Pete Sudbury – Oxfordshire Flooding Taskforce, Oxfordshire County Council

The evening will be facilitated by broadcaster and journalist, Ginny Buckley.
Who is this event for?
Everyone who lives and works in and around Henley. Flood risk is no longer confined to homes by rivers or low-lying areas. As Dr Jess Neumann explains:
“Flash flooding from sudden and intense rainfall can strike anywhere with little-to-no warning. Flash floods are often highly localised and tricky to accurately forecast – your house or road can be flooded whilst your neighbours remain safe and dry. Living on a hill, or away from a river doesn’t mean you can’t be flooded by surface water… and it can happen within minutes.”
What to Expect

Expert insights: Cutting edge science to real-world experience
Audience Q&A: Your chance to ask the panel your questions
Community discussion: Drinks and networking before and after the panel

Why you should attend
This event isn’t just about highlighting problems—it’s about finding solutions. We’ll explore:

What individuals and businesses can do to prepare for flooding
How communities can monitor and protect water quality
How local and national policies need to change

Flooding affects more than just your doorstep – it impacts health, safety, local businesses, and our environment. This is your chance to get the facts, ask tough questions, and be part of the solution for a safer, more resilient Henley.
Book your tickets here
This event is kindly sponsored by Henley Rugby Club
Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

References

https://www.theccc.org.uk/2025/04/30/the-country-is-not-prepared-for-climate-impacts-say-advisors/
HoT Water, 13th May 2025

GBGW 2025 - Henley's Big Green Picnic
2025-06-22 11:30 - 14:00
Henley’s Big Green Picnic
Mill Meadows, by the bandstand – 11.30am-2pm
Sunday 15th June 2025
Henley’s Big Green Picnic marks the last day of Great Big Green Week and is an invitation to everyone to attend a fun, family-friendly picnic celebrating nature and community. Bring along your favourite food, games & activities to enjoy in this beautiful spot by the river, connecting children and families with each other and the natural world. There will be plenty of space to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) will be there with us, so come and see them and put your Nature Detective skills to the test – grab a spotter sheet and go exploring!
Whether you are passionate about protecting our planet or just looking for a joyful day out, Henley’s Big Green Picnic is the perfect way for our community to come together over a picnic and celebrate a safer, cleaner and greener future for Henley.
Important information

Please note this is a ‘bring-your-own’ picnic
This is weather-dependent event – check our website or social media for updates closer to the day
BBQs are not permitted due to fire risk
Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times, especially near the river
There will be volunteers on hand and a designated meeting point in case of lost children
Please bring sun protection, water, and any personal medications (eg for allergies or stings)
If you bring games or activities to enjoy, please do so at your own risk

Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

GBGW 2025 - Paddleboard River Clean
2025-06-22 15:00 - 23:59
Paddleboard River Clean
Val Wyatt, Willow Marina, RG10, 3pm
Sunday 15th June
Join eco-warrior Lynne Lambourne of Warriors on Waste and Nick from Go With The Flow paddleboarding for a session of paddleboarding for a meaningful and fun day on the water as we come together to clean our beautiful stretch of the river during Big Green Week! With the generous support of Val Wyatt Marine, caretakers of our river and passionate advocates for a plastic-free future, we’re hitting the water on paddleboards to remove single-use plastic and other waste polluting our precious river.
Book your FREE place here
Why Join?

Help protect nature and improve the health of the river
Make a real difference during Big Green Week
Connect with like-minded, caring individuals
Enjoy time on the water, doing good and having fun

Bring your own paddleboard or book to use one of Nick’s boards — just let us know!
Let’s take action together and show some love to our local environment.
Every bottle picked up is one less harming wildlife. Let’s clean the river, one paddle at a time!

Please note:
Parking is limited at the marina, we encourage you to meet us there on your boards or car pool. Please can you park in the main car park (or meadow if the car park is busy).
If you’re bringing your own paddleboard to the River Clean, you do so at your own risk. Insurance cover is only provided for those using boards hired through Go With The Flo, and neither Go With The Flo nor Val Wyatt Marine can accept liability for personal equipment or incidents involving privately owned boards.
Book your FREE place here, so we have an idea of numbers and boards required.
Join us at the marina for drinks and snacks at the lovely @velolife at 3pm before we set off at 3.30pm.
DATE – Sunday 15 June 2025
TIME – 3pm
LOCATION – Val Wyatt Marine Val Wyatt, Willow Marina, RG10
COST – FREE
Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2025 here.

Greener Henley Fundraiser: A Life’s Journey through Photography with Alistair Morrison. Weds 17th September
2025-09-24 18:30 - 21:15
A Life’s Journey Through Photography with Alistair Morrison
The Relais, Hart St, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2AR
Wednesday 17th September 2025, 6.30pm for a 7.15pm start
We are delighted to invite you to a very special fundraising event in support of Greener Henley – an inspiring evening with renowned photographer Alistair Morrison, as he shares the stories and images behind a lifetime spent photographing some of the world’s most iconic individuals.
Alistair Morrison is one of the UK’s leading portrait photographers, with more than 80 of his works featured in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London. Over the past 45 years, Alistair has photographed an extraordinary range of cultural figures and dignitaries, including Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Judi Dench, Bruce Springsteen, Sir Elton John, Margaret Thatcher, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and many more. His portraits are exhibited and collected around the world, from New York to Florence.
Though Alistair’s career has taken him around the globe, he calls Berkshire home, where he finds peace and inspiration in the beauty of our countryside. He shares our belief in the urgent need to care for and protect the natural world. We are honoured that he is supporting Greener Henley through this event, with all proceeds going directly to our environmental work here in the Henley area.
This promises to be a memorable evening of powerful storytelling, stunning imagery, and thoughtful reflection on a remarkable career — all in support of our shared mission to protect local nature and rivers.
Timings:

6:30 PM – Doors open
7:15 PM – Introduction from Kate Oldridge, Greener Henley
7:25 PM – Screening of “The Real You”, a short documentary (25 minutes)
7:50 PM – Alistair Morrison: A Life’s Journey Through Photography
8:45 PM – Audience Q&A
9:15 PM – Finish (welcome to stay on for drinks afterwards)

Guests are welcome to purchase drinks at the hotel bar.
Tickets are just £10, with the option to donate.
Book your tickets here

Greener Henley at the Henley Literary Festival
2025-10-11 16:00 - 17:00
Sangeeta Waldron & Tony Juniper in conversation with Greener Henley: Why Community is Climate Power
What role can communities play in tackling the climate crisis? Find out at Henley Literary Festival 2025, where two of the UK’s most influential environmental voices join forces with Greener Henley for an urgent and inspiring discussion.
Book tickets
Sangeeta Waldron, award-winning communications expert and author of What Will Your Legacy Be?, joins Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England and author of Just Earth. Together, they’ll explore how local action can drive real global change, and why truth, equality, and community leadership matter more than ever.
Chaired by Mike Barry, former Head of Sustainability at M&S and Chair of Trustees for Greener Henley, this conversation will explore vital topics from their latest books. Waldron’s What Will Your Legacy Be? amplifies voices from NASA scientists to indigenous leaders, urging communities to act now. Juniper’s Just Earth, delves into how inequality stands as one of the greatest barriers to climate progress, while challenging us to build a fairer, more sustainable world.
Both authors bring urgent and hopeful perspectives to this event, which is part of Greener Henley’s Big Green Conversation series. Be part of the conversation. Be part of the change.
Don’t miss out – book your tickets now
About the books:
‘Just Earth’ highlights how inequality is the main obstacle to effective climate action, emphasising the need for fairness in systemic change
‘What Will Your Legacy Be?’ inspires individual and collective action through the wisdom of global change makers

GH WILDLIFE WORKING GROUP – Holy Trinity Churchyard
2025-10-29 09:30 - 12:30
Holy Trinity Churchyard

Date and time: Wednesday 22 October, 9:30 – 12:30
Meeting place: in front of Holy Trinity Church, RG9 1SE, SU759822
Things to bring: gardening gloves and garden rakes, the metal ones used for raking soil will be best, if you have one.

We will continue to cut and collect the long grass.

I hope you will be able to join us at our sessions in October. If you haven’t already done so, could I please ask everyone who intends coming to work parties to provide the contact details specified in the table below. Procedures relating to risk assessments require these details to be lodged with the Town Council. They state that ‘All information will be kept safe and confidential.’

Please contact Lex or me if you have any queries. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you are attending a session to help ensure we have enough tools, tea, coffee and cake. Lex works for the Town Council on Wednesdays and Thursdays. His work mobile is 07508 427026.

If you know anyone else who may be interested, could you please forward this e-mail to them. If you no longer wish to be reminded about these sessions, please let me know.

Best wishes,

Sally

Sally Rankin
07941 207687

Greener Henley Wildlife Group sessions
Our sessions are generally pleasant and sociable occasions. Some of the work is quite strenuous, but there are always lighter tasks for those who would prefer them, for whatever reason. We have a break mid-morning when refreshments are provided: tea, coffee and cake. Please bring your own gardening gloves. Any gardening gloves will be all right for tasks like pulling Himalayan Balsam but heavier ones will be needed for working with brambles. No previous experience is necessary, and tools are usually provided. Tough clothes and stout footwear are recommended. Marsh Meadows is often wet underfoot so waterproof footwear is recommended when we are working there, particularly if we are working in the pond area. Volunteers are welcome to join us for the full three hours or any part of them.

If you intend coming to work parties and haven’t already provided the information in the table below, could I please ask you to do so.

Your Contact Details

Name:

Address:

Home phone:

Mobile:

Email:

Signature:

Date:

Green Screen: The Line We Crossed
2025-11-02 19:00 - 21:00
Green Screen: The Line We Crossed
The Regal Picturehouse, Henley-on-Thames – 7pm
Sunday 26th October 2025
Book tickets
A British story of dissent, drawn from the frontlines of climate resistance. Through the experiences of those who stood in defiance, it traces the quiet unraveling of our protest rights. The film challenges audiences to question what makes dissent effective and where the line of acceptability is.
The film will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Liz Smith and activist Trudi Warner who is featured in the film.
Read more about them here: https://page75productions.com/TLWC-People/
Watch the trailer:

Don’t miss out – book your tickets now

Green Screen: Power Station
2025-11-26 20:00 - 22:00
Green Screen: Power Station
The Regal Picturehouse, Henley-on-Thames – 8pm
Wednesday 19th November 2025
BOOK TICKETS
Inspired by lockdown mutual aid initiatives, artist-activists Hilary Powell and Dan Edelstyn decided to turn their street into an energy-generating powerhouse – a prototype for a new way of living, with the hope of galvanising a wider push towards sustainable alternatives.
Directed by the duo, POWER STATION charts their turbulent journey, from pitching the idea to their neighbours and sleeping on the roof of their home to raising finance and launching a bid for a Christmas number one single.
By turns funny and heartwarming, Powell and Edelstyn’s film is a vibrant portrait of their local neighbourhood, and a charming testament to the power of art in changing minds about what could be possible.
After the film, a live panel discussion will explore how Henley and nearby towns can join the movement towards locally generated, rooftop-based renewable energy.
The panel will be chaired by Rebecca Chandler-Wilder, Chair of Henley Town Council Climate & Nature Emergency Advisory Group (CANEAG), and she’ll be talking to:

Lisa Warne, Director of CPRE Oxfordshire, campaigning for rooftop solar,
Claudia Kalver, a specialist in Energy Markets & Technologies and CANEAG member
Stuart Major, Director of R-eco co-op, a solar installation company

Watch the trailer:

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

25 years and 2000 Trees
2025-11-29 11:30 - 14:30
25 years and 2000 trees

Join Henley’s Tree Warden, Andrew Hawkins, for a guided walk around the woodland that was planted 25 years ago to commemorate the Millenium, identifying some of the 2,000 trees that were planted.

The walk takes place at Gillotts Field (Town Green), at 11.30am on Saturday November 22nd and will be a wonderful opportunity to see what long-term thinking can achieve.

Desert Island Video - FREE ENTRY
2025-11-30 16:00 - 18:00
Desert Island Video
Sunday 23 November 2025, 4 pm, in the Elizabeth Room, Henley Town Hall.
Jeux d’Esprit: By the Sleepy Lagoon; a production by Jill Richardson.
IN AID OF THE CHILTERN CENTRE
ENTRY FREE
TO RESERVE SEATS CONTACT JILL RICHARDSON’S EMAIL
jillrichardson31@gmail.com

Think about the original Desert Island discs when one person chose eight records to take on a desert island
Now imagine eight special people each choosing one VIDEO to share by a sleepy lagoon Desert Island Discs started in 1942 as part of the BBC’s Forces Overseas Programme Eric Coate’s composition BY THE SLEEPY LAGOON has been its theme tune from the beginning
The eight special people will be:
Angelina Jones, Toad Patrol; Sally Rankin, Greener Henley; Wendy Hawkins, Henley Choral Society; Gail Rosier, Acorn Music Theatre Company; Amelia Ash, The Chiltern Centre; Paul Barrett, The Chiltern Centre; Tim Prior, Nomad; Patrick Mulcahy, The Lions Club and Presenter Tim Harling

GH WILDLIFE WORKING GROUP – Holy Trinity Churchyard
2025-12-03 09:30 - 12:30
Holy Trinity ChurchyardDate and time: Wednesday 26 November, 9:30am – 12:30pmMeeting place: in front of Holy Trinity Church, RG9 1SE, SU759822Things to bring: gardening gloves and garden rakes, the metal ones used for raking soil will be best, if you have one.We will continue to cut and collect the long grass.I hope you will be able to join us at our sessions in November. If you haven’t already done so, could I please ask everyone who intends coming to work parties to provide the contact details specified in the table below. Procedures relating to risk assessments require these details to be lodged with the Town Council. They state that ‘All information will be kept safe and confidential.’Please contact Lex or me if you have any queries. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you are attending a session to help ensure we have enough tools, tea, coffee and cake. Lex works for the Town Council on Wednesdays and Thursdays. His work mobile is 07508 427026.If you know anyone else who may be interested, could you please forward this e-mail to them. If you no longer wish to be reminded about these sessions, please let me know.Best wishes,SallySally Rankin07941 207687Greener Henley Wildlife Group sessions
Our sessions are generally pleasant and sociable occasions. Some of the work is quite strenuous, but there are always lighter tasks for those who would prefer them, for whatever reason. We have a break mid-morning when refreshments are provided: tea, coffee and cake. Please bring your own gardening gloves. Any gardening gloves will be all right for tasks like pulling Himalayan Balsam but heavier ones will be needed for working with brambles. No previous experience is necessary, and tools are usually provided. Tough clothes and stout footwear are recommended. Marsh Meadows is often wet underfoot so waterproof footwear is recommended when we are working there, particularly if we are working in the pond area. Volunteers are welcome to join us for the full three hours or any part of them.If you intend coming to work parties and haven’t already provided the information in the table below, could I please ask you to do so.

Your Contact Details

Name:

Address:

Home phone:

Mobile:

Email:

Signature:

Date:

Protecting What We Love: Tackling Flooding and Pollution in Henley
2025-12-03 19:00 - 21:00
Protecting What We Love: Tackling Flooding and Pollution in Henley
Expert panel discussion with Q&A
The Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames
Wednesday 26th November 2025 – £10
Theatre & bar open: 6pm | Talk and Q&A: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Book tickets
With flooding risks rising and ongoing pollution threatening Henley, the Thames, and the rowing that defines our town, we are bringing together a panel of local experts in flooding, pollution, sport and business to explore what is happening and, most importantly, what we can do about it. How can we protect our homes, schools, businesses and sporting communities? And how can local government play its part?
Building on our last Big Green Conversation at The Kenton, this event focuses on practical, positive action – from steps towards flood and pollution prevention, to improving preparedness for increasingly extreme weather. The panel will look at the growing risk of flash flooding – which can strike anywhere with little or no warning, often away from the riverside. They’ll identify the local areas where it’s most likely to occur, and share ways to strengthen resilience across Henley’s homes, schools and businesses.
Panellists include:

Dr Jess Neumann – University of Reading – expert in pollution, flooding and community preparedness.
Greg Searle MBE – Olympic rowing champion & Royal Regatta Steward leading in sustainability
Jonathan Hobbs – Royal Waterman to His Majesty King Charles, and fifth generation owner of Hobbs of Henley
Dr Pete Sudbury – Oxfordshire Flooding Taskforce, Oxfordshire County Council

Behaviour change facilitator and local resident, Kate Lloyd, will chair the panel.
Our experts will explore the impact on rowing of increased ‘red board’ days, when the river flows fast and may be in flood, disrupting year round training in Henley where the sport is central to the town’s identity. They will also examine how flooding and pollution affect local business continuity, and what steps can be taken to improve business resilience to shocks like flooding.
Don’t miss out – book your tickets now
Join us for an evening of insight and inspiration, with plenty of time for Q&A, sharing ideas and discovering how, together, we can protect what we love and build a safer, stronger future for Henley.
This event is part of Greener Henley’s Big Green Conversation series which brings important issues centre-stage within our community, empowering everyone to explore and understand the problems we are facing, as well as how we can address them. This is our second Big Green Conversation in partnership with the Kenton Theatre.
Book tickets

Wreath Making Workshop
2025-12-12 19:00 - 20:30
Wreath making workshop – materials provided, £15 per person.
Friday 5 December 2026, 7pm – 8:30 pm, at the YMCA centre, 2 Lawson Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1NU.
All money raised for the YMCA Volunteer Gardening Group.
Refreshments available.
To book a place, please e-mail louise@henleyYMCA.org.uk or call 01491 411849.

Wild Orchid Project
2025-12-14 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday 7 December 2026, 10 am, Whitchurch-on-Thames.
Andy Byfield, one of Britain’s leading plant conservationists is working on a couple of local wild orchid projects, and he has asked for help with some of the practical work.
On 7 December, he would like help with raking leaves etc, on the Lady Orchid site in Whitchurch.
Andy will be there all day and volunteers are welcome to come along for just a couple of hours, if they wish.
With luck, he will show us the plants in flower next year. They are in a locked enclosure so you can’t see them unless someone lets you in.
If you are able to help, please contact me for more information.
Sally Rankin
07941 207687

Green Screen: Fungi
2025-12-18 18:00 - 19:00
Green Screen – Fungi: Web of Life
The Regal Picturehouse, Henley-on-Thames – 6pm
Thursday 11th December 2025
BOOK TICKETS

Director: Gisela Kaufmann and Joseph Nizeti
With: Merlin Sheldrake and narrated by Björk
Australia 2024. 40min
Certificate U

Celebrate World Soil Day with a special screening of Fungi: the Web of Life, a fascinating documentary delving into the secret world of fungi.
Narrated by Björk, the film follows acclaimed British biologist, Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, is on a quest to find an incredibly precious blue mushroom, against the backdrop of Tasmania’s ancient Tarkine rain forest. Merlin will show us some the grandest and strangest organisms ever discovered, showcased through jaw-dropping time-lapse cinematography, in a landscape largely unchanged from the time of the dinosaurs. Fungi have important lessons to teach humanity about survival through cooperation. Indeed, these incredible lifeforms may hold the key to solving some of humanity’s most urgent problems. With millions more species to discover, our journey into the world of fungi has only just begun.
The film will be preceeded by a recorded Q&A with Merlin Sheldrake and followed by an informal panel discussion with writer and nature photographer Linda Seward and local fungi farmer, Mark Binns.
Watch the trailer:

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

GH WILDLIFE WORKING GROUP - Holy Trinity Churchyard
2026-02-04 09:30 - 12:30
Date and time: Wednesday 28 January, 9:30 – 12:30
Meeting place: in front of Holy Trinity Church, RG9 1SE, SU759822
Things to bring: gardening gloves and garden rakes, the metal ones used for raking soil will be best, if you have one.
We will continue to cut and collect the long grass.
I hope you will be able to join us at our sessions in November. If you haven’t already done so, could I please ask everyone who intends coming to work parties to provide the contact details specified in the table below. Procedures relating to risk assessments require these details to be lodged with the Town Council. They state that ‘All information will be kept safe and confidential.’
Please contact Lex or me if you have any queries. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you are attending a session to help ensure we have enough tools, tea, coffee and cake. Lex works for the Town Council on Wednesdays and Thursdays. His work mobile is 07508 427026.
If you know anyone else who may be interested, could you please forward this e-mail to them. If you no longer wish to be reminded about these sessions, please let me know.

Greener Henley Wildlife Group sessions
Our sessions are generally pleasant and sociable occasions. Some of the work is quite strenuous, but there are always lighter tasks for those who would prefer them, for whatever reason. We have a break mid-morning when refreshments are provided: tea, coffee and cake. Please bring your own gardening gloves. Any gardening gloves will be all right for tasks like pulling Himalayan Balsam but heavier ones will be needed for working with brambles. No previous experience is necessary, and tools are usually provided. Tough clothes and stout footwear are recommended. Marsh Meadows is often wet underfoot so waterproof footwear is recommended when we are working there, particularly if we are working in the pond area. Volunteers are welcome to join us for the full three hours or any part of them.
If you intend coming to work parties and haven’t already provided the information in the table below, could I please ask you to do so.

Your Contact Details

Name:

Address:

Home phone:

Mobile:

Email:

Signature:

Date:

People, Planet, Pint - February meet-up
2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:00
We’re really happy to be restarting People, Planet, Pint — our relaxed monthly get-together for the Greener Henley community.
Right now, it feels more important than ever to connect — to meet face-to-face, share ideas, support one another, and remember that positive change starts locally 💚
That’s exactly what People, Planet, Pint is about -no talks, no agenda, just good conversation, friendly faces, and a drink in hand.
Arrive early for a free drink, then join us on the first Thursday of every month
Everyone welcome. Save the date and come along.

Nature Squared Plant Party
2026-03-05 14:00 - 15:00
This spring, we’re giving our Nature Squared campaign a joyful boost – and you’re invited to be part of it!
By planting even a single square metre – in a garden, on a balcony, in pots, at work, school or in our public spaces – we can create a living network of habitats linking across Henley and beyond. Individually small, but together powerful.
When we all plant a little, nature grows a lot.
While the full campaign launches later this spring, we’ve already begun building a community of Plant Parents and Plant Fosterers – and this month, we’re kicking things off with our very first Plant Party.
Join us on Thursday 26th February, 2-3pm in the Committee Room, Henley Town Hall for seeds, cake & cordial!
It’s a chance to:

Pick up seeds
Meet like-minded people
Learn how Nature Squared works & what we’ll be planting
Find out about Plant Parents & Plant Fosterers
Discover how you can get involved – no gardening experience needed

Together, we can help pollinators thrive – and make our town bloom!

Weathering the Storm: Rethinking Business for Climate Resilience
2026-03-25 17:00 - 19:00
Do you know how climate change could disrupt your business—and what steps you can take to protect it?
Many organisations still aren’t fully prepared. According to the latest ONS Business Insights Survey (Dec 2025), only 23% of UK businesses say they’re concerned about the impact of climate change—its lowest level since 2022—highlighting just how far behind we are in adapting and building resilience.
The Greener Henley Local Business Group is hosting this event to help local businesses understand the real risks, learn practical ways to strengthen resilience, and feel motivated to take proactive action by creating robust Business Resilience Plans. The aim is to equip Henley’s business community with hands‑on strategies to prepare for climate‑related disruptions, inspire leadership in reducing carbon footprints, and foster collaboration across our local network.
The evening will begin with real‑world stories from businesses that have already faced climate‑driven challenges, setting the scene for why action matters now. This will be followed by a panel discussion led by Amy Clarke, Co‑Founder of Tribe Impact Capital and a prominent green campaigner.
In the second half of the event, you’ll join guided round‑table sessions to start shaping your own Business Resilience Plan—leaving with practical next steps tailored to your organisation.
Join us to protect your business, strengthen our community, and take meaningful action for a more resilient future.
Sincere thanks to Mercers Solicitors and O’Brien Real Estate for supporting this event

GH WILDLIFE WORKING GROUP – Holy Trinity Churchyard
2026-04-01 09:30 - 12:30
Date and time: Wednesday 25 March, 9:30 – 12:30
Meeting place: in front of Holy Trinity Church, RG9 1SE, SU759822
Things to bring: gardening gloves.
We will start to remove some of the debris in the Churchyard.
I hope you will be able to join us at our sessions in March. If you haven’t already done so, could I please ask everyone who intends coming to work parties to provide the contact details specified in the table below. Procedures relating to risk assessments require these details to be lodged with the Town Council. They state that ‘All information will be kept safe and confidential.’
Please contact Lex or me if you have any queries. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you are attending a session to help ensure we have enough tools, tea, coffee and cake. Lex works for the Town Council on Wednesdays and Thursdays. His work mobile is 07508 427026.
If you know anyone else who may be interested, could you please forward this e-mail to them. If you no longer wish to be reminded about these sessions, please let me know.
Best wishes,

Sally

Sally Rankin
07941 207687

Greener Henley Wildlife Group sessions
Our sessions are generally pleasant and sociable occasions. Some of the work is quite strenuous, but there are always lighter tasks for those who would prefer them, for whatever reason. We have a break mid-morning when refreshments are provided: tea, coffee and cake. Please bring your own gardening gloves. Any gardening gloves will be all right for tasks like pulling Himalayan Balsam but heavier ones will be needed for working with brambles. No previous experience is necessary, and tools are usually provided. Tough clothes and stout footwear are recommended. Marsh Meadows is often wet underfoot so waterproof footwear is recommended when we are working there, particularly if we are working in the pond area. Volunteers are welcome to join us for the full three hours or any part of them.
If you intend coming to work parties and haven’t already provided the information in the table below, could I please ask you to do so.

Your Contact Details

Name:

Address:

Home phone:

Mobile:

Email:

Signature:

Date:

GBGW 2026 - 'Stop. Look. Listen. The Earth is Speaking' poetry competition
2026-04-24 08:00 - 2026-06-07 17:00
Stop. Look. Listen. The Earth is Speaking – poetry competition
Submit entries by 31 May 2026
You are invited to write a poem based on the theme Stop. Look. Listen. The Earth is Speaking.
We are encouraging people to tap into their feelings and emotions about the earth and what it gives us. We would like you to use your own creativity and resources to express your thoughts.
Your poem can be any format : maximum 19 lines. It must be your own original work.
There are 3 age categories

Children under 12 years
Teens 13 -20 years
Adults 21 years or over.

The winners in each category will receive a £20 book token and their poems will be displayed in Henley Library. A prize giving and poetry reading will take place at the Library on Wednesday 10th June at 6pm.
CLOSING DATE – Sunday 31st May 2025
How to submit your poem
Email: as a Microsoft word document to: ruskinsbooks@gmail.com.
Post: Sue Turner at Candela, 19 Reading Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 1AB

Please include your name, age and contact details when submitting your poem.
A Poetry Reading session at Henley Library will showcase the winning entries on Wednesday 10th June at 6.00pm. Competition entries will be displayed at Henley Library.
Children’s entries received by 30th April will be displayed at the Greener Henley Environmental Science Challenge ‘Stop! Look! Listen!! Noticing Nature’ Exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery, 13th – 19th May 2026.
This event is kindly sponsored by Candela Hypnosis.
Find out about all the events happening at Henley’s Great Big Green Week 2026 here.

Wild Coffee Morning
2026-04-30 10:00 - 12:00
Join Greener Henley for a Wild coffee morning of Conservation & Conversation on Thursday 23rd April at 10 a.m.
At the Friends Meeting House, 45 Northfield End, Henley RG9 2JJ

Come together informally for a chat then go out into the lovely Meeting House garden and see what we can find, identify, get to know and maybe log on Environmental Records.
Tea, coffee, identification guides, magnifiers etc. provided.
Any queries to Diana at greenerhenley@gmail.com
