Sustainable Overton Marks Five Years of Environmental Impact
Sustainable Overton celebrates five years of initiatives for a greener community
Sustainable Overton, Overton, Hampshire, Climate Change, Community, Biodiversity
Overton: Sustainable Overton, a local volunteer group, just celebrated its fifth anniversary. They’ve been working hard to tackle climate change and make their village carbon neutral by 2030.
It all started back in September 2019 when Laura Harrison asked the Overton Parish Council to declare a climate emergency. Since then, the group has launched several initiatives to get the community involved.
Laura, the chair, expressed her surprise at how strong the volunteer group has become. She said they’ve achieved so much together, which is pretty inspiring.
One of their cool projects is the Overton Cup, a reusable cup you can grab from local cafes. You just return it after use, which helps cut down on waste.
In 2022, they opened a Repair Café with a grant from Hampshire County Council. It’s a monthly event where folks can bring in broken items, and expert volunteers help fix them up. So far, they’ve saved a whopping 916 kg from going to landfill!
They’re also spreading the word about sustainability by hosting sessions for local groups like the Woman’s Institute and working with Overton Primary School to reduce single-use plastics.
Laura mentioned that teamwork is key. By collaborating with other local groups, they can share knowledge and maximize their impact.
Another neat initiative is The Nappy Library, which helps new parents try out reusable nappies. They even rent them out, making it easier for families to go green.
They’re also working with the Basingstoke District Borough Council to increase wildflowers on Overton Hill by reducing the mown area.
Plus, they transformed a neglected space behind Red Fort into a pesticide-free vegetable garden, giving residents a chance to learn and harvest fresh produce.
Looking ahead, Laura said they’ll focus on boosting local biodiversity and encouraging small, impactful changes in gardens and neighborhoods.
They recently held their first Wassail, a fun event to celebrate and ensure a good harvest at their Community Orchard.
They’re on the lookout for new members to help achieve their goals. Laura invites anyone interested in biodiversity, sustainability, or community engagement to join in.
Mark your calendars! They have an Overton Hill Conservation Work Party on January 25 and the next Repair Café on February 1 at the Overton Community Centre.
For more info, check out their website at https://www.sustainableoverton.org.uk/