Two awards in two weeks for environmental champion

A Thatcham environmental champion has been celebrated with two awards in the space of eight days.

Jenny Kirby, who runs Thatcham Refillable, received a Best Green Business Award at the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards on Friday, March 31.

She and her husband Tom have been running their business in Thatcham for the past five years.

For the past three years Mrs Kirby has been collecting sweet tubs to recycle into cash for Macmillan Cancer Care.

The collection of the tubs also saves the items from ending up in landfill.

She picked up the Environmental Champion award at the Thatcham Town Council annual meeting on March 23 for her dedication to improving Thatcham’s environmental status.

Mrs Kirby is a part of the West Berkshire Sustainable Community Committee which is working towards achieving a plastic free status for Newbury and Thatcham.

Thatcham Refillable has also started operating from the town’s weekly Friday markets in the Broadway where they sell ethical, sustainable and vegan home and personal care items.

Upon receiving their recognition, Mr and Mrs Kirby said: "We were surprised to be finalists in two categories, let alone win Best Green Business.

“Thank you to everyone involved, it's amazing to be recognised for all the hard work we have put into making a difference.”