‘We feel more galvanised and inspired to drive transformational change’

A CLIMATE action charity held its annual review at Henley town hall on Monday.

It was the first of its kind for Greener Henley since it became a registered charity almost a year ago.

Executive director Kate Oldridge reflected on the year’s achievements, which she said included strengthened partnerships, events at the Kenton Theatre on river pollution and flooding and a new collaboration with the Henley Literary Festival.

She also reported that it had stabilised its finances, established an “excellent” board of trustees, clarified roles within the organisation and strengthened its fundraising.

After attending a national emergency briefing in Westminster last month, Ms Oldridge said the urgency highlighted at the event was both “sobering and motivating”.

She said: “The briefing has made us feel more galvanised and inspired to continue this work in Henley because it is grassroots, community action that sparks the ripple effect that drives true transformational change.” Ms Oldridge updated on projects from the wildlife working group, the community outreach team, the schools team and the business group.

She reported that after
30 years of tending Mill and Marsh Meadows, marsh orchids, a rare species, began reappearing two to three years ago after disappearing in the Sixties.

The community outreach team delivered school nature clubs, a bumblebee workshop and Great Big Green Week, with more than 1,500 visitors attending Big Green Festival.

The schools team launched the environmental science challenge and the new “Green Futures Awards”, with
11 schools joining since it launched in October.

The business group is to host an event at Henley Business School to help businesses build resilience to increasing climate impacts.

The charity has outlined four key projects to focus on in 2026 — Nature Squared, the Green Futures Awards, Make Henley Safer and Great Big Green Week. It said that all projects were aimed at improving local resilience, biodiversity and community engagement.

The charity also pledged to put “renewed energy” into practical community action, including planting and habitat restoration, next year.

Ms Oldridge invited residents and organisations to take part in Greener Henley’s pledge for the planet — a pledge to take on a meaningful action to reduce climate impacts.

She also invited people to support the charity by becoming a “Friend of Greener Henley” and offer a financial contribution each month.

Mike Barry, who chairs the trustees, said: “Helping Henley thrive by making it safer, cleaner and greener, is just like making a mosaic.

“It’s about linking all our schools and all 2,500 plus children in them, linking 5,000m² of green spaces rich in pollinators across our town, and building links with towns upstream and downstream of us so we can help them and they can help us.

“On our own we are tiny, together we are strong.”