The Great Big Green Week is back in Bedford from 6 – 14 June, and for the ninth year running, there are lots of free events taking place across the borough.
The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of action on climate change and nature, and the event brings together communities across the country to take part in practical, positive action, with plenty of things in Bedford to get involved in.
The week’s worth of events is the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button on how we treat the local environment, especially when global climate news can feel a bit overwhelming.
It’s all about bringing sustainability back to our own doorsteps and about small, local actions that add up to a massive difference for our neighbourhood.
“The best thing about Green Week is that it doesn’t actually end when the week is over,” said the team from the Queen’s Park Community Organisation.
“A swapped seed grows into a plant that feeds our local bees for years to come, a learning session gives a neighbour the confidence to start their own allotment, and a donated shrub becomes a home for local birds.
“By joining in, you aren’t just visiting an event; you are helping to grow a greener, friendlier, and more resilient community for all of us.”
Here’s where you can get involved – and everything is completely free.
Saturday, 6 – Sunday, 14 June
Events at Bedfordshire Libraries
Throughout Great Big Green Week, take part in nature-themed treasure hunts and Rhymetime sessions at all libraries in Bedford Borough.
Saturday, 6 June
Charity Plant Stall and BedsGOVET Sustainability Information Table
The Panacea Museum @ 11am – 4.30pm | Free
Panacea Museum volunteer, Valerie, grows, pots up, trims and waters this permanent plant stall in aid of Sue Ryder and Bedford Hospital’s Primrose Unit.
There will also be a Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust (BedsGOVET) information stall, outlining their monitoring of the River Great Ouse and exploring how river quality impacts biodiversity, the local economy, and community wellbeing.
Sunday, 7 June
Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park
Bedford Park @ 10am – 7pm | free
The ever-popular Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park returns, offering a free, accessible day of more than 20 yoga and wellness activities for all ages and abilities next to the Pavilion in Bedford Park.
Now in its ninth year, activities include laughter yoga, Reiki, cacao ceremonies, breathwork, Qigong, sound baths, SEND, women’s and family sessions, all led by qualified local instructors, with British Sign Language interpretation available at selected sessions.
For the full list of sessions, please visit bedford.gov.uk/yogaday
Saturday 13 June
The Great Big Green Week at the Higgins
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am – 4pm | Free
As part of Great Big Green Week, visit the Higgins Bedford to learn new skills like whittling or wood carving, relax and unwind during Liz Burfield’s forest bathing and mindful doodling session, or explore nature on the smartphone discovery walk.
For younger audiences, Nature’s Playground will be running snail-themed crafts, dressing-up, stories and sensory play for children aged three to eight, and there will be information stands from community group Country Days, seed planting with Zesti Foundation and more.
Bedfordshire Natural History Society (BNHS) will be hosting a nature table and volunteers from The Higgins will be running a plant stall with a beautiful array of indoor and outdoor plants for sale.
Saturday, 13 June
Seed and Book Swap
John Bunyan Museum @ 10am – 2pm | Free
Good for the body and mind, the John Bunyan Museum is hosting a seed swap and book swap as part of its Great Big Green Week celebrations. There will also be children’s craft activities.
Saturday, 13 June
Craft Stash Swap
The Panacea Museum @ 11.30am – 3.30pm | Free
This is your chance to clear out any art and craft supplies you don’t want and swap for something you do. It’s completely free, and even if you don’t have anything to swap, you can still take home something inspiring. Come along for a good crafty rummage.
Swap together for Good with QPCO
Tuesday, 9 June: Khush Haal women’s group, Queen’s Park Community Centre MK40 4LF @ 10.30am – midday
Wednesday, 10 June: Bhagwan Valmik Mandir Community Centre MK42 9JB @ 1pm – 5pm
Saturday, 13 June: The Mount Zion Pentecostal Church, Midland Road MK40 1DW @ 10.30am – 12.30pm
Pop along to the free drop-in sessions organised by the Queens Park Community Organisation as part of Great Big Green Week.
Contribute to the community’s own circular economy by taking part in the plant and seed swaps – bring a plant, take a plant – plus there will be learning sessions to discover how to start your own ‘grow your own’ journey.
Free entry and all are welcome, from beginners to green-fingered experts.
