Greening Tetbury's Great Big Green Week
Photo taken from the Fashion Show organised by Greening Tetbury at the Goods Shed, Tetbury, on the 14th June 2026
Eighty-four people packed into the Tetbury Goods Shed on a June evening to watch fifteen models walk a charity-shop catwalk - three outfit changes, one hour, and every item sourced from local shops. That was just one night of a fortnight that saw Greening Tetbury fill the town with foraging walks, farm ecology talks, litter picks, a bioblitz, and a brand new mending group.
The programme ran either side of the official Great Big Green Week (6th-14th June), with advance publicity on BBC Radio Gloucestershire giving the campaign four consecutive mornings of coverage. Members spoke about their specific areas of involvement, helping to build local awareness before the events began.
Greening Tetbury volunteers also attended the launch of Stronger South Cotswolds - an exciting new community initiative led by local MP Roz Savage - at Cirencester Baptist Church, where local organisations gathered to showcase their work to the public. The event proved a valuable networking opportunity: volunteer Fergus made contact with a Tetbury youth group that could provide volunteers for hedge planting this winter.
Foraging walks along the railway path led by volunteer Emmanuele drew participants over two days, while a talk at the Goods Shed on balancing farming and nature at Sapperton - delivered by ecology and engagement officers from the Wilder project - attracted 44 people and a lively question-and-answer session.
Men in Sheds opened their doors for a full day, and the Tetbury Wombles organised a town litter pick on the final day of GBGW, with 16 volunteers including the Town Mayor and fellow councillors turning out. Equipment and insurance were provided by Tetbury Town Council.
The Thrifted Threads Fashion Show itself was planned by volunteers Mary and Julie, with all proceeds from purchases on the night returned to the charity shops that supplied the clothes. The evening also saw the launch of a new Meet Make Mend group, with an offer to run a Repair Shop alongside it.
The programme closed on 20th June with a Bioblitz at St Mary's churchyard, where twelve citizen scientists - including several children - surveyed birds, plants, butterflies, beetles and snails as part of the Beautiful Burial Grounds Project. The morning opened with a moth reveal from overnight light traps: more than fifty species identified, including six Elephant Hawkmoths.
Discover more about Greening Tetbury, their work and how you can get involved by visiting their website.