Terena Plowright is the founder of the Greening Initiative, which, with the help of lottery funding has assisted over 200 communities to date by promoting projects under the five core principles or pillars scheduled below.
Focus has now turned on 20 communities in Hampshire and includes local groups in Droxford, Hambledon, Denmead, Bishops Waltham and Shedfield. As many of you might know, Terena lives in Meonstoke and as well as managing the whole programme has become the ‘natural’ leader of the Corhampton, Exton and Meonstoke group.
Villagers gathered in Meon Hall for the first meeting of our Greening group early in February where Terena gave an overview of the action taking place across Hampshire and the professionally supported programmes that could take place here. Exton village was well represented but the rest of the parish not so…..benefit would almost certainly be derived from engagement with Preshaw.
The focus is on ‘action’ and not just talking about it, the pillars are identified below:
- ‘Space for Nature’ group are focusing on the safeguarding of the local Otter population and also potentially improving space for nature along the river & back gardens with the ambition of creating wild life corridors. There is an opportunity for 2 people to be trained as Garden Wildlife Assessors which will be followed up. David F-C has already taken the lead in promoting an initiative to protect the otters at the A32 crossings by potentially creating some form of underpass. Katy Gary from the Hants and IoW wildlife trust addressed the meeting and underlined her organisations willingness to support any appropriate initiative.
- ‘Waste Prevention’ is looking at supporting a repair cafe (with another community) and education around food waste (38% of Hampshire waste is food); there is training and support materials available for residents.
- the ‘Energy’ group are already meeting to prepare to take thermal images of local homes to show where the heat leaks out and provide support about Home Hacks, two Extonians have already offered their services.
- ‘Health’ is supporting education and understanding around climate related issues such as heat resilience and increased tick numbers.
- and finally, highlighting the message about ‘food’ security across the county and the joy of growing your own vegetables (the gardening club will be an essential advice line).
Lively discussion took place about many of the different activities in the Greening Campaign and nearly all the attendees offered to join a working party. Other than providing an update, one of the main purposes of this note is to highlight that it is not too late to get involved as there is a workshop session, targeted to happen within the next few weeks, where the specific projects to be taken forward and developed will be identified.
Perhaps one of the most sobering aspects discussed was the realisation that climate change targets set at the various COP’s are most unlikely to be met…..so part of the groups remit will be to understand and implement the changes that this will force our communities to adopt!
If anyone wants to join any of the activity groups please contact Terena Plowright as regular meetings will now be taking place…
TerenaPlowright@gmail.comwww.greening-campaign.org
Meeting Dates:
October 2025 Update