Community is at the heart of our shop. Projects are run by volunteers who give freely of their time and energy.
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This video was filmed by the Plunkett Foundation after we won their national competition for community shops, in the category Diversifying to Make a Difference, in December 2018. It shows some of our community activities, especially eco-bricking (scroll down for more information on eco-bricking and other activities and events). Thank you Plunkett! |
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'MAKE YOUR OWN WOODEN CHRISTMAS TREE' WORKSHOPS
On the afternoon of Saturday 7 December we ran two consecutive workshops, each an hour and a half, for people to build their own reusable wooden Christmas tree.
We couldn't have done this without the hard work and expertise of Andrew from NAD HackSpace who cut and prepared all the components from discarded scaffolding planks, purchased from Oxford Wood Recycling. It was a great day, enjoyed by adults and children alike. The creativity was amazing, helped of course by a little mulled wine!
We couldn't have done this without the hard work and expertise of Andrew from NAD HackSpace who cut and prepared all the components from discarded scaffolding planks, purchased from Oxford Wood Recycling. It was a great day, enjoyed by adults and children alike. The creativity was amazing, helped of course by a little mulled wine!
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TOY SWAP SHOP - part of our drive to live more sustainably
On Saturday 23rd November, the shop hosted our very own 'toy swap shop'. From 9am to 11am we accepted high-quality but unwanted toys which were exchanged for tokens, or donated. From 11.30am to 2pm the toys were available to take away - 'paying' with tokens or cash.
Despite the rain we had a great time and were amazed at the generosity of people donating unwanted goods. Many children (and adults) left clutching new toys, and Helen and Douglas House charity shop at Didcot was thrilled to receive the toys left over at the end of the event. We didn't set out to make any money (the aim was to re-home toys) but we are pleased to have raised £170 to be shared between Helen and Douglas House (a hospice for children) and the children's ward at West Berks Hospital.
Despite the rain we had a great time and were amazed at the generosity of people donating unwanted goods. Many children (and adults) left clutching new toys, and Helen and Douglas House charity shop at Didcot was thrilled to receive the toys left over at the end of the event. We didn't set out to make any money (the aim was to re-home toys) but we are pleased to have raised £170 to be shared between Helen and Douglas House (a hospice for children) and the children's ward at West Berks Hospital.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
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Each year we host two markets with a wide range of stalls from a variety of local businesses - if you are looking for original and engaging presents this is the place to be. This year, for the first time, we were unlucky with the weather. There was torrential rain and the wind was so fierce the shop marquees blew away. We squeezed some stallholders into the shop and a few stalwarts stayed outside - thank you to everyone (including customers) who braved the elements! |
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HALLOWEEN
On October 31st, we were bewitched, bothered and bewildered . . . There's a goblin at the window A monster by the door The pumpkins on the table Keep on smiling more and more There's ghosts who haunt the courtyard Witches with faces green They used to be nice at HN Shop Until it was Halloween! |
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At 6pm, dressed in their best Halloween outfits, were all types of ghouls. Judging the best pumpkin was difficult - so many creative entries. We hope you enjoyed the free 'blood' drinks and scary cakes.
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ECOBRICKING
One of the major projects undertaken is ecobricking - that entails filling plastic bottles so full with plastic that they act as bricks. The bricks are then used as building blocks to create eco-friendly structures.
To date, this project has removed almost 520kg of single-use plastic from our environment.
We are proud to show Sammy the snake, our recently completed eco-bench at Hampstead Norreys Primary School (especially as he appeared on ITV and local news). To our knowledge, he is the country's first major structure built with ecobricks.
One of the major projects undertaken is ecobricking - that entails filling plastic bottles so full with plastic that they act as bricks. The bricks are then used as building blocks to create eco-friendly structures.
To date, this project has removed almost 520kg of single-use plastic from our environment.
We are proud to show Sammy the snake, our recently completed eco-bench at Hampstead Norreys Primary School (especially as he appeared on ITV and local news). To our knowledge, he is the country's first major structure built with ecobricks.
BRING-ME-BACK BAGS
We wanted a way to help reduce single-use plastic and support customers who had forgotten their bags, so our sustainability sewing group was born.
All material is recycled, e.g. from unwanted duvet covers, and the scheme has been so successful that we have even made bring-me-back bags, free of charge, for other businesses in the area. And we also have bring-me-back bags for children!
Claire, on the left, has written a short and witty blog on bring-me-back bags.
See www.ourgreenfest.co.uk/blog
We wanted a way to help reduce single-use plastic and support customers who had forgotten their bags, so our sustainability sewing group was born.
All material is recycled, e.g. from unwanted duvet covers, and the scheme has been so successful that we have even made bring-me-back bags, free of charge, for other businesses in the area. And we also have bring-me-back bags for children!
Claire, on the left, has written a short and witty blog on bring-me-back bags.
See www.ourgreenfest.co.uk/blog
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RECYCLING ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY
We are based in West Berkshire where the only plastic collected by local government for recycling is plastic bottles, nothing else. We have introduced a scheme whereby local people can bring some of their waste plastic to the shop - this is collected by the lovely Jana (see below, being filmed by ITV News outside the shop). Jana bags the plastic and sends it to Terracycle for processing. In return she receives a small amount of cash which is donated to charity. The cumulative effect of her work is amazing - over 1400kg of waste has been saved from landfill and nearly £1800 has been raised for the charity Canine Partners who provide dogs to support those who need physical help.
Space is limited at the shop but we collect crisp packets, biscuit and cake wrappers, and sweet wrappers (we have changed from pet food because of hygiene). Many people from neighbouring villages, as well as from Hampstead Norreys, bring their plastic to be recycled - the large bins below (beautifully made by volunteer Frank) are full each week.
We also collect milk bottle tops, used pens and felt tip pens, egg cartons and used asthma inhalers, all for recycling. And now, our latest addition, we accept used (small) batteries.
We are based in West Berkshire where the only plastic collected by local government for recycling is plastic bottles, nothing else. We have introduced a scheme whereby local people can bring some of their waste plastic to the shop - this is collected by the lovely Jana (see below, being filmed by ITV News outside the shop). Jana bags the plastic and sends it to Terracycle for processing. In return she receives a small amount of cash which is donated to charity. The cumulative effect of her work is amazing - over 1400kg of waste has been saved from landfill and nearly £1800 has been raised for the charity Canine Partners who provide dogs to support those who need physical help.
Space is limited at the shop but we collect crisp packets, biscuit and cake wrappers, and sweet wrappers (we have changed from pet food because of hygiene). Many people from neighbouring villages, as well as from Hampstead Norreys, bring their plastic to be recycled - the large bins below (beautifully made by volunteer Frank) are full each week.
We also collect milk bottle tops, used pens and felt tip pens, egg cartons and used asthma inhalers, all for recycling. And now, our latest addition, we accept used (small) batteries.
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GREENFEST
In late Spring 2019 the shop was approached by a person from a neighbouring village to see if we would consider hosting a sustainable living event, helping people to think about how we can all tread more lightly on our planet. From those humble beginnings GREENFEST was born.
In just four months, the organising committee (Vanessa, Vicky and Lesley from the shop's sustainability group and Alisdair from Compton) created an event that attracted nearly 3000 people. With educational talks and workshops, stalls, major solutions providers and a range of children's and adult's activities and music, the event was a fun and educational day out with plenty to keep everyone busy, whatever their age.
Although we had no immediate plans to repeat, there were so many requests to run the event again, we have set aside the date of Saturday 5 September 2020. If you would like to be involved, in any capacity, please email ourgreenfest@gmail.com or hncshop@yahoo.co.uk We would love to hear from you!
In late Spring 2019 the shop was approached by a person from a neighbouring village to see if we would consider hosting a sustainable living event, helping people to think about how we can all tread more lightly on our planet. From those humble beginnings GREENFEST was born.
In just four months, the organising committee (Vanessa, Vicky and Lesley from the shop's sustainability group and Alisdair from Compton) created an event that attracted nearly 3000 people. With educational talks and workshops, stalls, major solutions providers and a range of children's and adult's activities and music, the event was a fun and educational day out with plenty to keep everyone busy, whatever their age.
Although we had no immediate plans to repeat, there were so many requests to run the event again, we have set aside the date of Saturday 5 September 2020. If you would like to be involved, in any capacity, please email ourgreenfest@gmail.com or hncshop@yahoo.co.uk We would love to hear from you!
To find out more about GreenFest, just click on the image above . . .