Henley to host Great Big Green Week with festival and events

The Great Big Green Week will run from June 6 to June 14 across the town and is being organised by environmental charity Greener Henley.

The programme will feature a diverse range of activities designed to inform, inspire and engage people of all ages.

Kate Oldridge, executive director of Greener Henley, said: “We’re excited to be organising another Great Big Green Week within the community.

“We’re seeing a growing appetite across Henley and its surrounding areas for practical ways to respond to the climate and nature challenge.”

The week kicks off with the Big Green Festival at Market Place, a free public event offering workshops, stalls and hands-on activities for all ages, including recycled glass painting, a drumming session and circus skills.

Visitors can also enjoy Greener Henley’s Nature Squared hub, which will offer free plants to help build pollinator corridors and support local biodiversity.

Diana Barnett, organiser of the Big Green Festival, said: “There is something for everyone at the Big Green Festival, from free plants to giant games, drumming and bats.

“Henley is such a special town and events like this remind us just how much there is to discover on our doorstep – and how much is worth protecting.”

This year’s theme is ‘Pledge for the Planet’ and encourages residents and organisations to commit to one practical action to help the environment.

Organisers hope these pledges will highlight the value of collective action and inspire others to get involved.

The wider programme includes poetry readings and a screening of Sir David Attenborough’s documentary A Life on Our Planet, followed by a panel discussion.

The charity is also organising an event titled Henley Prepared: Community Resilience Briefing comprising a screening of the National Emergency Briefing film and action-focused workshop.

This invite-only event will bring together around 100 local leaders from business, education, health, faith, sport, culture and media, including MP Freddie Van Mierlo, to explore how the Henley community can build resilience in an increasingly unstable world.

Councillor Ian Reissman, incoming Mayor of Henley for 2026/27, said: “More than ever, we are aware of the importance of our environment and the need to enhance and protect nature from threats such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

“Great Big Green Week is a wonderful way to bring our community together – not just to understand the challenges we face, but to take positive action and celebrate everything that makes Henley such a special place to live.”

The week is supported by Henley Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and an army of volunteers.

Full programme details are available on the Greener Henley website.