Sustainable September 2023
What took place?
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in Sustainable September 2023.
People joined activities and events to explore the borough, connect with nature and help create a greener future for everyone.
Over 400 people took part in council-led activities like bat walks, scything workshops and Dr Bike maintenance sessions.
There were also great community-led activities including a family friendly bike ride, community garden open days and community planting sessions.
During the month a number of milestones were reached, including:
- The launch of the Biodiversity Action Plan
- The launch of the Biodiversity Partnership
- The electric waste fleet hit the streets
- We published our first report on climate action delivery
- The Winter tree planting survey got underway
- Kingston's Green Business Community celebrated its first year.
We've kept a list of activities below in case you'd like to find out what took place.
You can find out about our work to protect and enhance the environment by visiting our climate and biodiversity pages.
Saturday 2 September: Repair Cafe
Pop along to Kingston Library where members of Transition Town Kingston will be on hand to help you fix a variety of items and give you the skills and confidence you need to save things from the bin. Find out more about the Repair Cafe on Transition Town Kingston's website.
10.30am to 1.30pm, Kingston Library.
Saturday 2 September: Barnsbury Green litter pick
Join members of The Sunray & Egmont Community Residents Association for a litter pick and meet members of the community. All equipment will be provided, so just bring yourself and dress for the weather.
10am (meet at Barnsbury Crescent). Find out more on the group's Facebook page.
Sunday 3 September: Tidy up at Hogsmill Community Garden
Join members of the Good Gym team and give the Hogsmill Community Garden a bit of TLC. Don't forget your gardening gloves! Find out more and sign up on the Good Gym website.
10am, Hogsmill Community Garden.
Sunday 3 September: Open Wild-life Friendly Garden
Come and discover this former gardeners' yard which has been transformed into a productive wild-life-friendly community garden. Find out more on the group's Facebook page.
12am to 1.30pm, Canbury Community Garden (entrance beside the Canbury Secret Cafe). You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Monday 4 September: Bat walk at Kingston Cemetery (fully booked!)
Join the council's Biodiversity Officer to learn about the fascinating world of bats at Kingston Cemetery!
Tuesday 5 September: Scything workshop at Tolworth Court Farm
Join us at one of Kingston's most special nature reserves and take part in a scything workshop, which uses traditional hay meadow management techniques to trim the grasslands.
10am, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information.
Tuesday 5 September: Deep clean at Kingston Pantry foodbank
Join members of GoodGym to help give Kingston Pantry's foodbank a little TLC. You can join them for a walk, cycle or run beforehand or meet them there at 7pm. It's a great way to explore the borough, have fun and do some good.
6.30pm to 8.30pm - visit Eventbrite for more information. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Wednesday 6 September: BIG Design Lab
Design Lab is a collaboration between the University of the Arts London, Kingston University, and the University of Roehampton. It is open to anyone interested in improving their property while reducing its impact on the environment. Find out more and book a space on the BIG website.
11am to 4pm, Kingston University Townhouse.
Thursday 7 September: Rewilding Rangers at Tolworth Library (fully booked!)
A club for children to find out about the wonders of the natural world!
4.30pm, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Friday 8 September: Hogsmill Nature Walk
Join us for a walk along the Hogsmill and find out about its importance to the local area and the wide variety of wildlife that calls it home.
6pm, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information.
Saturday 9 September: Litter pick on School Lane
Join Kingston Councillors and members of the community for a litter pick on School Lane and in the surrounding area. Glendale Services will be providing tools and bags and will remove all litter collected.
9.30am to 12.00pm - Meet at Sainsbury Local on Red Lion Road, Tolworth. Email andy.hallett@glendale-services.co.uk to register your interest, or turn up on the day.
Sunday 10 September: Scything workshop at Fishponds Park
Join the council's Biodiversity Officer and the Friends of Fishponds Park to learn about scything!
12pm, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Sunday 10 September: Family-friendly bike ride
Kingston Cycling Campaign is inviting people of all ages and abilities on a family-friendly bike ride. Starting at 11am from the newly refurbished Kingston Road Recreation Ground pavilions in Norbiton, the short, fun and easy-paced route will take in a mix of the borough's quieter roads, bike lanes and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. Dust off your bikes and build up your family's confidence in good company!
11am. Book a free space online.
Monday 11 September: Bat walk at Fishponds Park (fully booked!)
Join the council's Biodiversity Officer and the Friends of Fishponds Park to learn about the fascinating world of bats at Fishponds Park.
7pm, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Tuesday 12 September: Weeding the Surbiton Library planters
Head to Surbiton Library with GoodGym and help improve the outside space by through some weeding and the taming of some unruly plants! Join them for a walk, cycle or run to the location or meet them there at 7pm.
6.30pm to 8.30pm - visit Eventbrite for more information. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Tuesday 12 September: Bat walk along Beeline Way
Join the council's Biodiversity Officer to learn about the fascinating world of bats along Beeline Way!
7pm, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information.
Thursday 14 September: Dr Bike in Chessington
Bring your bike along to North Parade in Chessington for a free ten minute cycle check-up by the Dr Bike team. They'll be on hand to help with minor repairs and adjustments, including adjusting brake levers, indexing gears and lubricating key mechanical parts. There will also be Biker Register Security cycle marking available until 4pm.
2.30pm to 4.30pm, North Parade.
Saturday 16 September: Kingston Recycling Hackathon
Join and collaborate with individuals and groups from across the borough to come up with innovative solutions to enhance recycling practices in Kingston. Find out more and save a free space on Eventbrite.
11am to 3pm, The cornerHOUSE Arts Centre, 116 Douglas Road, Surbiton, KT6 7SB. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Saturday 16 September: Nature crafts and colouring (ages 4-8)
A two hour nature crafts and colouring session at Kingston Library for children aged 4 - 8 years old. Please note that parents or guardians will need to remain present during the activity.
10am to 12pm, Kingston Library, Fairfield Road, Kingston, KT1 2PS.
Saturday 16 September: The Great Fairfield Litter Pick
Join local litter heroes of all ages on World Cleanup Day as they strive to make Fairfield Recreation Ground plus the Children's Playground lovely and clean for everyone to enjoy. Organised by two local residents associations, Sunflower Streets and Tricorn, they'll have litter pickers to lend out for those without their own, plus sweet treats for everyone who takes part.
2pm to 3pm, Fairfield Recreation Ground, KT1 2PY. Meet by the pavilion and email fairfieldlitterpick@hotmail.com if you have any questions.
Saturday 16 September: Dr Bike in New Malden
Bring your bike along to Jubilee Square for a free ten minute cycle check-up by the Dr Bike team. They'll be on hand to help with minor repairs and adjustments, including adjusting brake levers, indexing gears and lubricating key mechanical parts.
11am to 4pm, Jubilee Square, New Malden, KT3 4AJ.
Sunday 17 September: Co-cooking with Perle of Vegecoopia
The first in a series of cooking workshops hosted by Kingston Environment Centre, for anyone curious about food from around the world. The workshops aim to use locally grown fruit and vegetables from community gardens and allotments, with this one focusing on fruit crumble making!
11am to 2pm, contact Pat Dobson for more information and to save a space: patdobson56@gmail.com. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Tuesday 19 September: Reusable nappy meet-up and baby clothes swap
Real Nappies for London are holding an event at Chessington Children's Centre for parents where you can find out about reusable nappies and the environmental benefits they have. You'll also be able to exchange unwanted baby clothes, free of charge at a 'give and take' stall.
10am to 12pm. Book a free space online. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
Thursday 21 September: Dr Bike in Surbiton
Bring your bike along to Surbiton train station for a free ten minute cycle check-up by the Dr Bike team. They'll be on hand to help with minor repairs and adjustments, including adjusting brake levers, indexing gears and lubricating key mechanical parts.
4pm to 7pm, Surbiton train station
Friday 22 September: Bat walk at Latchmere Recreation Ground (fully booked!)
Join the council's Biodiversity Officer and the Friends of Latchmere to learn about the world of bats at Latchmere Recreation Ground.
6.45pm, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information.
Saturday 23 September: Canbury Gardens tidy up
Saturday 23 September: Dr Bike in Kingston
Sunday 24 September: Caring for Creation service at All Saints Church
Tuesday 26 September: Planting at Canbury Gardens
Wednesday 27 September: (NEW DATE) Bat walk at Dickerage Recreation Ground
Join the council's Biodiversity Officer and learn about the world of bats at Dickerage Recreation Ground.
6.30pm, booking is required - visit Eventbrite for more information.
Saturday 30 September: Vegan Market
Local small businesses making high quality vegan products. Find out more on the Kingston First website.
10am to 4pm in the Ancient Market Place, KT1 1JS.
Saturday 30 September: Storytime and Crafting at New Malden Library
Drop by New Malden Library between 10.30 and 12.00 for a morning of crafting and green stories, suitable for ages 4 - 10. Please note that parents and guardians will need to stay with their children.
10.30am to 12pm, New Malden Library, Kingston Road, New Malden, KT3 3LY. You can find accessibility information on the AccessAble website.
All month: Capture Kingston photography competition
Capture Kingston is an annual photography competition sponsored by the Friends of Kingston Museum and Heritage Service in collaboration with Kingston Council. Joined this year by Kingston Rotary in their Centennial year. The theme for 2023 is Climate Change, Nature, Wildlife and Recycling. Find out more on the Kingston Heritage website.
All month: Community Brain walking routes
The Community Brain has created a number of fantastic walking maps to help you get out, discover the borough and reconnect with nature. Each map contains detailed information about the places you'll see on the way and the wildlife you may encounter.
Start your walking adventure by visiting the Community Brain website.