Many hundreds of West Berkshire residents have been longing to get back to their beloved free weekly Newbury parkrun at Greenham Common, one of 2000 such events across the UK and around the world. Over 90% of UK landowners have now approved the restart of parkruns in their local area, so it is very disappointing that the relevant authorities at Greenham have not yet given permission for Newbury parkrun to restart. 
That means the public currently have access to the Common to run, cycle and walk their dogs with few restrictions, but not to participate in a wonderfully organised and carefully marshalled running event that takes an hour a week. 
Newbury parkrun is an amazing event, which welcomes everyone, every week, for free, all managed and run by unpaid volunteers.  In the years Newbury parkrun has been at Greenham Common over 17,000 people have participated in 437 runs, the vast majority of them local West Berkshire residents - usually several hundred each week.  If you talk to them you will hear how the event is a massive boost to people’s physical and mental health, and offers wonderful opportunities for weekly social connection, friendship and community volunteering.  All that in just an hour a week! 
As we emerge from the COVID pandemic, the need for those benefits to our local community has never been greater. Please sign the petition to urge the landowners, and those authorities whose voice counts to please support the prompt restart of Newbury parkrun. Please don’t leave the people of West Berkshire behind in such an important part of our national recovery:  - the social reconnection, health and wellbeing of all of us. Thank you.