 Wokingham Borough's first Climate Action Week
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Woodley Town Council to organise a series of free events as part of the borough's first Climate Action Week (18 to 23 November).
The week will see a variety of events taking place online and in person to raise awareness of what we can all do to contribute positively to tackle the climate emergency.
Both councils declared climate emergencies in 2019 and our latest Climate Emergency Action Plan sets out goals and the current progress for each action.
Climate Action Week will have added significance, as the week coincides with the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29), which runs from 11 to 22 November in Azerbaijan.
There will be something for people of all ages to enjoy, so continue reading this newsletter to find out more about the events taking place.
 Events to inform, entertain and inspire climate action
We want as many people to get involved in Climate Action Week, which is being organised in partnership with Woodley Town Council.
All events are free to attend and open to residents across Wokingham Borough, with booking required in some cases. Here is how you can get involved:
Monday 18 November
- Recycled art workshop for pre-schoolers, 10.30am to 11.30am, the Oakwood Centre*
Tuesday 19 November
- Woodford Park walk & tour – hosted by Friends of Woodford Park, 10.30am to 12noon, meeting at the Oakwood Centre reception*
Wednesday 20 November
- Citizen’s Advice mobile advice drop-in, 9.30am to 4pm, Woodley Town Centre
- Charity shop fashion show – organised by Thames Hospice, 12.30pm to 1pm, centre stage in Woodley Town Centre
- Woodley Repair Café, 2pm to 4pm, the Oakwood Centre (free tea, coffee and biscuits for attendees)
- Electric vehicle webinar – hosted by the Energy Saving Trust, 7pm to 8.30pm, online*
Thursday 21 November
- Dr Bike session – hosted by My Journey Wokingham, 2.30pm to 3.30pm, Woodford Park Leisure Centre*
Friday 22 November
- Climate, Cake and Coffee, 11am to 12noon, the Oakwood Centre (voucher for free coffee and cake from Crumbs for attendees)*
- Rolling climate videos, all day, Oakwood Centre theatre
Saturday 23 November
- Citizen’s Advice mobile advice drop-in, 9.30am to 4pm, Woodley Town Centre
- Climate fresk card game – 10am to 1pm, the Oakwood Centre*
- Community litter pick – hosted by Woodley Adopt a Street, 10am to 2pm, meeting at the Oakwood Centre*
Events marked with a * must be booked in advance. For more information and to book, visit the Woodley Town Council website.
 Planning ahead to protect and improve green space
The final draft of our new local plan, which sets out how the borough should grow and develop to 2040, includes a raft of measures to improve our natural environment.
As well as identifying suitable sites for housing and other types of development, it designates more than 100 important sites as Local Green Spaces, 13 more areas as valued landscapes and six sites of urban landscape value.
This would ensure that their importance to our borough’s unique identity can be recognised in future planning decisions.
As part of the planned Loddon Valley Garden Village development to the south of the M4, the local plan also proposes new nature parks and a large new country park.
This would create more habitats for local wildlife while opening up substantial areas of land along the River Loddon and at Barkham Brook to the public for the first time.
Visit our Engage Wokingham Borough page for detailed information about the local plan, the role it will play in our future and the steps we’re taking to make it a reality.
 Fix up your old items at new Earley Repair Café
A new repair café has arrived! Earley Repair Café opened its doors on Sunday 13 October at Centrepoint Community Centre, next to Lower Earley Library on Chalfont Close.
It is run by Earley Town Council and is held on the second Sunday of the month, from 10am to 1pm.
A friendly team of volunteers will help fix your broken household items, such as small domestic appliances, bikes, clothes, lamps, tools, laptops, clocks, chairs, suitcases and more.
Visitors will be able to get some refreshments from the café on site while waiting for their items to be repaired, or watch and learn about the repair process if they want.
All repairs are free, but donations are welcome to help cover running costs. No booking is required, just drop in.
 Grounds to celebrate for award-winning coffee shop
An independent coffee shop in Twyford has recently won a prestigious national award.
Ola Coffee Co has won the coveted Grounds of Innovation Award 2024, recognising its dedication to innovation, sustainability and community impact in the coffee industry across the UK.
The award celebrates forward-thinking coffee shops that not only craft excellent coffee but also prioritise responsible practices.
Owners Stacey and Martin Collings said: “We’re beyond excited to have won this award. It’s a testament to our incredible team and loyal customers who’ve supported us from day one.
"Our goal has always been to offer a unique and memorable experience for our customers and this award is a testament to that."
 Plug in to the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy
We are developing an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Strategy for the borough, making sure that we continue to provide charging points where people need them, and want to hear your views.
We want to make sure that the network of charging points we are building meets the needs of you, the people that need them.
In just over a decade, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned and we want to make sure the infrastructure is in place as people make the switch.
The consultation is open until Sunday 27 October.
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