BASINGSTOKE turned green this week for an annual event celebrating all things that are environmentally friendly.

The aim of the week is to show people how easy it is to be ‘greener’ in everyday life, with activities on offer showcasing the importance of thinking about the environment and our impact on it.

A host of activities have been taking place across the borough.

The third Green Week launched on Saturday when a fair was held in Festival Place.

Shoppers could find out information about a variety of products from a range of community groups including Northdown Orchard, Basingstoke Energy Co-operative, Cycle Basingstoke, Incredible Edible and Goodlife Gateway’s organic plant food.

A fun day was also held at Buckskin Evangelical Church, in Chiltern Way, where visitors could swap clothes and find out about cycle maintenance.

The following day a transport event was held in the shopping centre, giving the public the chance to make a tasty free smoothie using the power of a Sustrans sponsored smoothie bike.

There was also information about green transport options, including the BMW i8 supercar, Tesla supercar and the new Renault Zoe.

A recycling day with information and advice from the council’s recycling officer was held on Tuesday in Festival Square, while in Cliddesden people enjoyed a leisurely cycle ride to Lasham, followed by refreshments.

On Wednesday the focus turned to energy, with energy efficiency specialists on hand in Porchester Square providing a host of information on how to make homes and businesses more energy efficient.

A ‘Swishing’ party was also held at The Tea Bar, at the Top of The Town, where people could swap their clothes, shoes, scarves, jewellery and unwanted gifts.

A pop-up shop appeared in Festival Place, with energy efficiency advice, lighting advice and recycling information.

Yesterday the public enjoyed a tour of AXA Wealth’s spectacular roof garden.

It has been transformed from an empty urban space to a thriving garden providing fruit and vegetables for various local charities.

Today, Festival Place is hosting a recycling competition between primary schools, and will display the bouquets made by children using recycled materials before the winners are chosen by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Anne Court.

Various activities are also taking place over the weekend, including a green fair in Overton and a daffodil planting session in Oakley.

For more information visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/rte.aspx?id=1596.