Dacorum CAN annual event
Ready to explore a greener, more sustainable lifestyle but don’t know where to start?
Or perhaps you’re already on your way and looking for local community groups to connect with?
The Dacorum Climate Action Network (Dacorum CAN) Annual Event is back and it’s getting a major refresh! This year’s theme is ‘Turn Over a New Leaf’, and organisers are bringing a vibrant, family-friendly event right to the heart of our community.
It’s a brilliant summer holiday day out designed for all ages to explore eco-action side by side. Best of all, the event is completely free (advance booking is highly recommended for theatre talks and workshops).
Date: Wednesday 29 July 2026
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: The Old Town Hall and Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead
What’s on: Highlights and full schedule
Inside The Old Town Hall Theatre
11am: Cleaner Air Starts Here: EV Charging for Our Community
Hosted by Hertfordshire County Council, discover the future of local electric vehicle infrastructure.
11.45am-12.15pm: Sustainable Tring: Solar Powered Tring
Learn how a community solar campaign achieves massive green results.
12.15-12.45pm: Nature Recovery in Dacorum
Presented by Dacorum Borough Council, find out how the council is boosting local biodiversity.
1.15-1.45pm: Live Music from Still We Rise
An unforgettable live, multi-media performance.
2-2.30pm: Stronger Together: Cohousing, Community, and Street Activism
A panel discussion by Westwick Row Cohousing Group and TOWN.
Hands-on workshops and outdoor activities
All Day: The Repair Shed and Repair Café
(Inside the Cellar Club)
Brought to you by Community Action Dacorum. Bring your broken items or your curiosity and learn how to give everyday items a completely new lease of life.
11am: Forest Bathing
(Gadebridge Park)
Join Anna’s Funky Art for a calming, guided sensory experience under the trees to de-stress.
2pm: Land Art and Nature Mandalas
(Gadebridge Park)
Roll up your sleeves and help create beautiful temporary art using entirely natural materials found in the park.
Bringing the kids? Keep them entertained with vibrant face painting, giant structures from Phoenix Bubbles, and hands-on crafts while you chat with local experts.
Meet your local Eco-Champions and explore interactive displays
Inside the gallery
Drop by the main indoor hub to chat with local teams, get expert technical guidance on sustainable living, or try hands-on activities:
- Everyone Active – Meet the team and find out about local active lifestyle options
- Grand Union Community Energy – Discover local community energy initiatives
- Sustainable Tring – Learn about their incredible community solar and sustainability campaigns
- CPRE Herts – Connect with the countryside charity and learn about local campaigns
- Swifts Local Network and Herts Swifts – Learn how we can support and protect local swift populations
- Herts County Council, Cycling, Walking and Wheeling/Air Quality – Get practical updates on local cycling infrastructure and pathways
- Herts County Council, EV Charging – Chat about expanding on-street electric vehicle charge points
- The Box Moor Trust – Discover local wildlife, historic estates, and green spaces
- Dacorum Borough Council, Nature Recovery – Find out how biodiversity is actively being boosted across the borough
- Herts County Council, LCWIP – See the latest local cycling and walking infrastructure plans
At the Arches
Perfect for families, this outdoor, interactive space is all about creativity, heritage, and nature connection:
- Frogmore Paper Mill – Watch and take part in historic, live paper-making demonstrations
- Phoenix Face Painting and Phoenix Bubbles – Keep the kids entertained all day with vibrant face painting and giant bubble structures
- Westwick Row Cohousing Group and TOWN – Explore collaborative, eco-friendly community housing models
- Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust – Get expert advice on how to protect and support local wildlife
- Dacorum Borough Council Waste Team – Grab brilliant, everyday tips on reducing waste and recycling more effectively
- EcoBerko – Meet your local grassroots eco-action group to find out how to get involved
- National Trust Ashridge Estate – Connect with conservationists protecting our wider natural heritage
Outside The Old Town Hall
- National Energy Action Mobile Advice Centre – Step inside their giant mobile hub parked right outside to get free, expert advice on saving energy at home and lowering your household bills
While the main marketplace is a completely free drop-in space, seats in the theatre and spots for the Gadebridge Park workshops are strictly limited.
Don’t miss out on your favorite sessions, plan your day and reserve your free tickets now.
Come together and turn over a new leaf for Dacorum!