Basingstoke Green Week and the national Great Big Green Week start next Saturday (10 June) as a celebration of local action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Organised by communities across the borough with the support of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the week runs from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 June with events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

To kick off the festivities, there will be a variety of activities in Basingstoke town centre on Saturday 10 June, including free interactive performances of ‘Rainbow-LICIOUS’ with songs and rhymes by artist Junk Jodie, a wildlife trail with prizes and the opportunity to browse refill stalls and organic produce at a green market.

People visiting central Basingstoke on the first day of green week will be able to make a pledge about how they will do things differently for the planet on a pledge tree painted by pupils at Hatch Warren Infant School.

Activities will take place throughout the borough during the rest of the week. These include guided walks with nature enthusiasts to learn more about local plants and wildlife, free workshops and repair cafés focused on repairing and upcycling furniture to give it a new lease of life, a forest school with games and outdoor cooking and an open day at Northdown Orchard.

To encourage residents to consider making the switch to a lower carbon way of getting around, people will be able to come to take a look at zero-emission electric vehicles at the Top of the Town in central Basingstoke on Friday 16 June.

Cabinet Member for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Cllr Chris Tomblin said: “We are committed to driving forward more action to tackle climate change and protect nature and we are putting this at the heart of everything we do.

“As part of this, we have worked with our communities to organise a wide variety of events and activities for Basingstoke Green Week to raise awareness of local climate and environmental action and help us think about what else we can all do to make a difference.

“From watching live performances through to browsing stalls at a green market and making a pledge for the planet, there’s plenty going on throughout the borough for people of all ages. I would encourage everyone to take a look at the programme and get involved.”

For the full programme, see www.basingstoke.gov.uk/green-week. The webpage will continue to be updated with events and activities until the week begins.