A festival has been launched to inspire eco-friendly living throughout West Berkshire.

Organised by the local community for the local community, GreenFest will take place on Saturday, September 7th, between 10am and 4pm, across six venues in Hampstead Norreys.

The event will include activities and stands offering ideas for more sustainable living, from upcycling and wellness, to green energy and reducing plastic.

Vicky Trentham, a member of the GreenFest Organising Committee, said: “The aim of GreenFest is to inspire families to live more sustainable lifestyles, through a range of fun, practical and informative activities, talks and stands.

“The event has come about through the collaboration of many communities and organisations across West Berkshire. Our venues will be crammed with organisations and individuals promoting everything from electric bikes to how to make eco crafting glitter!

“The festival will help encourage people to take steps towards living sustainably; small steps are still steps, and it should be a fun and educational day for the whole family.”

Informative and educational talks will take place throughout the day in Hampstead Norreys Parish Church by a range of experts including nutritionists, Laurence Woodward OBE, who will talk about organic agriculture, and climate change expert Sir Brian Hoskins CBE. There will also be talks about fashion, bees, and plastic, and a guest panel Q&A.

Visitors will be able to browse 30 lifestyle stalls and workshops, many of which will be hosted by West Berkshire companies, in Hampstead Norreys Community Shop courtyard.

A mix of free workshops for all ages, including seed bomb and eco-brick making, will take place in Dean Meadow playing field.

In the village hall there will be various stands hosted by conservation charities and eco/green companies offering information about initiatives such as solar energy and electric cars and bikes, including a bike servicing workshop.

There will also be children’s games and craft workshops in addition to displays and activities hosted by students from The Downs School, The Castle School and BrockHurst School, as well as by experts from the Living Rainforest Centre.

A display of art and crafts created from plastic waste and rubbish by children from 15 West Berkshire primary schools will be on display throughout the event. The work has been produced as part of the festival’s Our Planet competition which has been running since May.

A number of local parishes are supporting the event including, Hampstead Norreys, Thatcham, Newbury, Hermitage, Compton, Shaw/Donnington, Ilsleys, Curridge, Theale, Yattendon, Winterbourne, Beenham, Bucklebury and Cold Ash.

For more information visit, https://communitygreenfest.weebly.com