July 2026

The last three months have been eventful for eeCAN, with the Living Rivers Exhibition and associated walks, continuing work on the Library of Things, and plenty more. We are thrilled to have welcomed new volunteers and are looking forward to further climate conscious activity in the latter half of this year. If you are a new subscriber: welcome! To update your email preferences, scroll to the bottom of the email where you can find a link to do so.

Before proceeding with eeCAN events and updates, it feels remiss to write a climate newsletter during such extreme heat without acknowledging it. The recent record-breaking heatwave is an indication of the evolving climate crisis and a reminder of why eeCAN and our various projects exist. Whether it’s donating an old phone at the next Tech Amnesty, becoming a Library of Things member, or speaking at a Climate Conversation, our climate action all contributes to preserving our planet. However, our politicians also have a role to play: you can email our local MP Helen Maguire asking her to reject the development of Rosebank, the UK’s biggest undeveloped oil field, by following this link to help prevent a massive increase in the UK’s CO2 emissions - and further blistering heatwaves.

Read on for upcoming climate action events, volunteering opportunities, news, and the announcement of eeCAN’s 2027 exhibition theme.

On Monday 27th July, 10:30am-12:30pm, we’re hosting our next Climate Conversation in partnership with Epsom and Ewell U3A at Birch Grove Lower Mill Apartments. The topic of conversation this time will be ‘Transport and Integrated and Sustainable Travel’. Climate Conversations take place on the second and fourth Monday of every month; find out more on the U3A website here.

Do you have a tablet, mobile phone, or laptop you no longer use? Or perhaps a bike? Our next Bike and Tech Amnesty will be in the Scout Hall at Epsom Methodist Church from 9am-5pm on Saturday 24th October. Bring your unused tech to have all your personal data removed professionally by Relove Technology, then your old tech will be refurbished and repurposed. Meanwhile Active Surrey will refurbish old bikes and redistribute them across the Surrey community to give them a new life.

Everyone who donates on the day and signs up for eeCAN updates will be entered into a raffle as follows:

So to be in with a chance of receiving that WINNER email from us in November, bring a donation along to the Bike and Tech Amnesty in October.

Our recent Living Rivers exhibition brought schools, art groups, local charities, and community volunteers together at Epsom Square, creating a vibrant and diverse display of over 500 artworks. The exhibition's core objective was to raise awareness about the importance of local waterways and to invite people of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on the role water plays in our daily lives, our heritage, and our future. In particular the children’s contributions held a special place, serving as a powerful reminder that environmental awareness does not begin in adulthood. It begins in a child noticing the shimmer of a stream, or marvelling at a water vole finding its way home.

At the celebratory event on the exhibition’s final day, there was no sense of an ending – only of a new beginning: we are delighted to announce that the theme for next year's Community Art Exhibition has already been chosen: Water is Life. Building on everything that Living Rivers achieved, this new theme invites our community to explore water not simply as a resource, but as the very foundation of all living things – from our rivers and streams to the water that connects us across continents and generations.

Read Lead Volunteer Inna’s exhibition reflection in full on the eeCAN website here.

The Library of Things team are continuing to work hard behind the scenes towards the aim of opening by the end of this year. They achieved a big win last month, when Epsom and Ewell Borough Council agreed to enter into a legal agreement with us to rent space at Bourne Hall for free. In this space, we hope to build an outdoor store for keeping all the items available for loan. This will include items such as a sewing machine, a leaf blower, and DIY tools. If you’re clearing out over summer and come across anything you’d like to donate, please click here.

In celebration of their 150th anniversary this year, Christ Church Epsom hosted an Eco Fair in May, at which eeCAN was grateful to have a stall. We received new newsletter signups (welcome!), interest in our Home Energy Surveys, and even a donation offer for our Library of Things. Read more about our afternoon at the fair here.

Trustee Deirdre is continuing to develop her horticultural skills as a Wisley Allotmenteer in preparation for the eeCAN Community Garden project. She has explored how to make the most of a small plot, such as through companion planting for pest control and pollinators, and providing early support for climbers and tall crops. She has improved her weed literacy by learning how annual and perennial weeds differ, and completed a masterclass in tomato mastery. These experiences and more are laying the foundations for a future community growing space that is welcoming, sustainable, and rooted in local needs. Read more about Deirdre’s allotmenteering triumphs and troubles in her article here.

eeCAN was recently featured in Epsom Civic Society’s newsletter, with a detailed article outlining many of our climate action projects, including the Library of Things, Community Conversations, and the recent Living Rivers Exhibition. Find the article on page 9 of the newsletter, which you can access here.

Learn from leading experts about the latest evidence on the climate and nature crisis, presented to politicians in November 2025. The National Emergency Briefing is being screened across the country, including some upcoming showings in Surrey:

Sign up to this online training course which teaches an overview of the principles of sustainable development, communities, and energy management, and the social responsibility of businesses concerning sustainability. The course also covers the principles of waste management and sustainable transport, as well as how to apply zero waste in your own setting. You can complete the course in your own time, usually across six to twelve weeks. It is free to all eligible participants: find out more and sign up here.

Save the date for the return of Epsom Eco Fair this autumn: this year Sustainable Epsom and Ewell will be hosting a line-up of local, green, and community-based stalls on at Epsom Methodist Church from 10:30am until 3pm on Saturday 26th September. Keep your eye on this page for more details and for updates about vendors.

eeCAN is looking to expand its Board of Trustees! We’re looking for passionate, committed people with a desire to make a positive local impact. As a Trustee, you will help to:

Email us at [email protected] to express your interest or find out more.

As a volunteer organisation, eeCAN relies on donations and grants to fund our work. If you are able, please donate to help us bring projects such as the Library of Things to life, and bring you more climate-focused events and initiatives. Click here to go to our donation page; we are grateful for all donations, however small. You can also help us out by sharing the link and QR code. Thank you for your patronage!

As summer goes on and many of you likely have holidays approaching, we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has put time and effort into attending or running eeCAN events and projects this year, and we hope you manage to get a well-earned rest over summer in amongst any sustainability endeavours. That said, if you’d like to get more involved and are interested in helping to produce the newsletter, particularly with design and distribution, please email us at [email protected] or message volunteer Emily Anderson on WhatsApp.

Enjoy the summer, and look out for the next newsletter in autumn!