Village turns Christmas tree recycling into race

BBC

January 5, 2025 at 2:08 a.m.·1 min read

Two villagers run towards the finish line with their Christmas trees — The race, now in its second year, looks set to be an annual fixture [Nancy Bassant]

Christmas tree recycling has been turned into a competitive sport in a Hampshire village, where residents race each other to the recycling station.

Runners, armed with their old Christmas trees, ran from St Mary's Church in Ewshot to the village hall car park, about 1,640ft (500m) away, on Saturday.

The idea was born at a party in December 2023, when Nancy Bassant suggested to another villager that she could beat him to the recycling point.

Rules for the event include no decorations, no wheels or motorised vehicles and no use of pets for assistance.

Nancy Bassant talking on Zoom. She has long blonde hair and is wearing an orange padded jacket. — The tradition began after Nancy Bassant challenged a fellow villager to a race [BBC]

The race is mostly downhill and, after the winner is declared, villagers head to the local pub for a round of drinks bought by the loser.

Ms Bassant said: "It's starting the new year in a healthy way and doing something positive by recycling.

"It's just a positive fun thing to do and a bit hare-brained."

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

BBC
Waste bin lorries to be powered by vegetable oil
Gravesham Borough Council’s HGV fleet consume about 320,000 litres of diesel per year.
PA Media: Science
UK’s first liver transplant for advanced bowel cancer is a success
Bianca Perea was a bit bloated and constipated but had no idea her symptoms were cancer.
The Conversation
Carbon dioxide has been regulating Earth’s climate for hundreds of millions of years – new study
New evidence that low levels of atmospheric CO2 led to the longest ice age in Earth’s history.
Global News
Winter blast set to swoop in across Canada, U.S.
Millions of Canadians from the Prairies all the way to the East coast are bracing for a fierce blast of winter tonight as part of a deep freeze that's affecting tens-of-millions on both sides of the border. Catherine Urquhart reports.
The Weather Network
Strong temperature flip takes hold of Canada this week. See where you land
Canada faces another temperature divide as Arctic air is pushed out of the Prairies and into Ontario by Tuesday. Consequently, a warm-up is in store for the Prairies and Northern Canada, putting some areas in line to sit 15-20 degrees above normal
CBC
Toronto Zoo loses spotted hyena and moose, closing out year of several animal deaths
The Toronto Zoo ended 2024 by bidding farewell to two geriatric, long-term residents, a 25-year-old spotted hyena and an 11-year-old American moose — the last in a series of animal deaths at the zoo last year. The hyena, Moja, became lethargic and weak on Christmas Day, the zoo said in a social media post on Saturday. After his health rapidly declined, "it was determined that euthanasia was warranted given poor prognosis for recovery," the zoo said. Moja was on the upper end of spotted hyena lif
The Weather Network
Impactful storm blasts parts of the East Coast with intense winds, heavy snow
A powerful weather bomb charging through parts of Atlantic Canada is bringing impactful, intense winds and heavy snow, leading to a growing number of power outages and difficult travel
CBC
Hope for Wildlife seeking unwanted Christmas trees
The animal rehabilitation organization in Seaforth, N.S., says the trees are helpful for the animals they house for a variety of reasons, including climbing and food. They also offer some protection for animals during the last steps of a rehabilitation process.
The Weather Network
Windiest week in years as howling gusts hit southern Ontario
It’s a good week to be a windmill in southern Ontario, with some locales seeing their gustiest week since December 2022
HowStuffWorks
The Bowhead Whale Survives Icy Waters and Killer Whale Attacks
The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is found in the icy waters of the Arctic. These are the longest-living mammals; some bowhead whales live for over 200 years. That's older than many countries' independence!
Sky News
Tourist, 22, killed while bathing elephant in Thailand
A 22-year-old Spanish tourist has died after being attacked by an elephant she was bathing in Thailand. Student Blanca Ojanguren Garcia had been visiting the island of Yao Yai in southwestern Thailand with her boyfriend when the attack took place, according to local media reports. The couple had been bathing one of the elephants when Ms Garcia passed in front of it and it gored her with its tusk, a worker at the Koh Yao Elephant Care centre told EFE.
CBC
Impacts of puppy breeding by people during COVID live on for this Sudbury, Ont., animal rescue group
Pet Save Sudbury director Jill Pessot says dog owners need to spay and neuter their pets to prevent more animals from ending up in shelters.
CBC
Power outages, wind damage as winter storm lashes Newfoundland
More than 9,000 Newfoundland Power customers were left without power Sunday as high winds, rain and snow pounded the island. Special weather statements and winter storm warnings have been issued for parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, as Environment Canada projects a mess of rain, wind and snow to hit the island, lasting into Monday morning.Gander weather office meteorologist Veronica Sullivan said that as of 6:30 a.m. NT, 10 mm of rain had been recorded at St. John's International Airport, with
BBC
Seal mothers 'may be moving to less crowded sites'
The number of seals being born at one of the east coast's largest colonies is levelling out.
CBC
Sask. won't get any new wild boar farms, but expert says population still out of control
The Saskatchewan government is taking measures to stop the spread of swine flu disease, cracking down on the invasive wild pig population on the Prairies. The province is now placing a moratorium on new wild boar farms, which means no new wild pig farms are able to operate. Farms had until Jan. 1 to apply for a licence at no cost.Restrictions are also being imposed on existing wild boar farms. Farmers are required to add additional surveillance, follow through with annual inspections, keep recor
Associated Press
Jimmy Carter raised climate change concerns 35 years before the Paris Accords
When Jimmy Carter chose branding designs for his presidential campaign, he passed on the usual red, white and blue. “The minute it was announced, we all had the shirts to put on — and they were green, too,” said LeAnne Smith, Carter’s niece, recalling the 1976 victory celebration. Nearly a half-century later, environmental advocates are remembering Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, as a president who elevated environmental stewardship, energy conservation and discussions about the global threat of rising carbon dioxide levels.
The Weather Network
Wicked U.S. blizzard strands drivers and cancels flights
More than a thousand flights were cancelled Sunday as a major winter storm spread from Kansas to New Jersey
The Conversation
It’s OK to feed wild birds – here are some tips for doing it the right way
Millions of Americans feed wild birds, especially in winter and spring. Studies show that this can influence birds’ health and behavior in surprising ways.
The Canadian Press
Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Germany
LONDON (AP) — Heavy snow and freezing rain brought widespread disruption across Europe on Sunday, particularly in the U.K. and Germany, with several major airports forced to suspend flights.
USA TODAY
'Just a mess': Winter storm battering Mid-Atlantic, burying DC. Live updates
Millions were under weather advisories as the storm stretched from southern Illinois to Washington, D.C.

This ergonomic snow shovel is 'way easier on the back' — it's 56% off

Village turns Christmas tree recycling into race

Latest Stories

Waste bin lorries to be powered by vegetable oil

UK’s first liver transplant for advanced bowel cancer is a success

Carbon dioxide has been regulating Earth’s climate for hundreds of millions of years – new study

Winter blast set to swoop in across Canada, U.S.

Strong temperature flip takes hold of Canada this week. See where you land

Toronto Zoo loses spotted hyena and moose, closing out year of several animal deaths

Impactful storm blasts parts of the East Coast with intense winds, heavy snow

Hope for Wildlife seeking unwanted Christmas trees

Windiest week in years as howling gusts hit southern Ontario

The Bowhead Whale Survives Icy Waters and Killer Whale Attacks

Tourist, 22, killed while bathing elephant in Thailand

Impacts of puppy breeding by people during COVID live on for this Sudbury, Ont., animal rescue group

Power outages, wind damage as winter storm lashes Newfoundland

Seal mothers 'may be moving to less crowded sites'

Sask. won't get any new wild boar farms, but expert says population still out of control

Jimmy Carter raised climate change concerns 35 years before the Paris Accords

Wicked U.S. blizzard strands drivers and cancels flights

It’s OK to feed wild birds – here are some tips for doing it the right way

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Germany

'Just a mess': Winter storm battering Mid-Atlantic, burying DC. Live updates