The Sustainable Bucklebury June meeting was held at the Oak Room in Upper Bucklebury on 17 June 2025. At the meeting Nina updated the group on on-going projects, and we welcomed Penny Locke of Hungerford Food Community who gave a very informative presentation on avoiding food waste. Penny’s notes from her talk are available just here.
Plastic Free Bucklebury
We still need someone to take on the lead for this project and Nina ran through the responsibilities that this would involve.
This initiative is not about removing all platics from our lives but reducing single use plastic where we can.
With a population of just over 2,000 we would, initially, need to sign up 2 business and 5 community allies (these could include the churches, guides, village halls, horticultural society, tennis club, etc. We would have to be present at 2 events per year but these could include piggy backing on existing events such as The Beerfest and school events.
This link explains in full and the role should take a few hours a month.
Plastic Free Thatcham have confirmed that we could join their Steering Group and would need to attend meetings twice a year. With a small sub committee, it shouldn’t be too arduous and as it’s a long term project, it needn’t all be done at once.
Repair Café
We are still also looking for someone to take the lead on this. We have many volunteers to repair and help with the café but really require someone to co-ordinate.
Nina suggested that we all think laterally about people we know who might not have been to any of the meetings but might enjoy taking on this role.
Graham will be visiting the Thatcham Repair Café at the Frank Hutchings Community Hall on Sunday 29th June (10-12.30) to see how the repair café is run and would encourage anyone who might be interested in helping to join him.
Community Orchard
This is ongoing as Graham is in the process of making applications to fund this project
Social Media
Graham has set up an Instagram account - @sustainablebucklebury
Please do follow and send any relevant photos or information to contact@sustainablebucklebury.org.uk for us to post
Community Bus
JW is encouraging use of the bus and would like support to try and get it extended to cover West Berkshire Hospital. DS suggested speaking to Chris Read
Date of Next Meeting
TBC