East Garston Eco Group (EGEG) was set up in 2022 and aims to bring local people together to find out more about the connections between nature and climate and

  • 😋 the food we eat
  • 🏡 how we heat our homes
  • 🚗 how we travel
  • 🛍️ the stuff we buy
  • 🤔 how it is not just up to individuals to tackle the nature and climate crisis.

As part of this, East Garston resident Dr Pat Watson has halved her carbon footprint, and now has lower bills, a cosier home and a healthier diet. More information here.

This helped create a ‘Positive Actions for People, Nature and Climate’ accredited Carbon Literacy course. As of August 2026, almost 140 people have taken this course, and the feedback has been amazing, with over 300 low-carbon actions pledged, and comments including ‘eye-opening’, ‘transformation’ and ‘empowering’. Places are currently free to people from the West Berkshire area, thanks to grants to the Nature and Climate Network from the National Lottery, Newbury Town Council and Greenham Trust. Please email drwatson.eco@gmail.com or visit this webpage for more information.

EGEG also works with local councils and other environmental groups on a range of projects including:

  • Organising a screening of the Public Emergency Briefing in East Garston Village Hall on Tuesday 29 September 2026
  • Improving the ecology of trees on the edge of the Millennium Field with support from West Berkshire Countryside Society.
  • Planting a wildlife hedge with saplings donated by the Woodland Trust and Asgar Trees, and planting bulbs donated by The North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust.
  • Supporting East Garston Village Hall in it’s energy improvement plans with solar, battery storage, heating and cooling. Energy costs in the last year are down about 40%, and the heat pump works great for the main club room, both for cooling and heating.
  • Managing two WhatsApp groups – one for the Lambourn valley, and the other (very active) for the Nature and Climate Network. Please get in touch if you would like to be added to either of these.
  • Lending out a thermal imaging camera.
  • Helping to bring a mini recycling centre to the village.
  • Organising two popular ‘Green Weekends in the Lambourn Valley’.

We would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved. For more information, please follow us on facebook.com/lambournvalleyecocommunity or contact Penny or Pat at ecoeastgarston@gmail.com or 07768 981658.