The ACAN Committee announces with great sadness the untimely death on 10 September of Phinna (Philippa) Brealey, one of the founders of the charity.  A dedicated and passionate environmentalist, she had a warm and outgoing personality with a real talent for talking to people and drawing them into ACAN’s activities.  She had an infectiously upbeat attitude to life and was generous with her time, energy and enthusiasm.  She will be greatly missed in our community and we all feel fortunate to have known her. 

Phinna was active with Energy Alton for several years before becoming a very energetic Trustee for ACAN from 2019-2024, and remained active in ACAN until her death. 

She was a “trooper” – she would always step in to help where needed.  She contributed one way or another to most of ACAN’s groups and projects, two Eco-Fairs, school assemblies and innumerable stalls at public events over the years.

Phinna ran the Eco-Café in Market Square throughout 2021-22, organising numerous displays, Terracycle sorting, Eco-Chats and Cuppas for the Climate. 

She played a very active role in ACAN’s initiatives linked to waste reduction and recycling, especially:

• The Alton Community Share for toys, games and jigsaws (commencing as a service to the community during the Covid pandemic)

• Action on Plastic and recycling: she was leading litter picks from her garage until the last weeks of her life, seeing this as an important way of engaging with people.  In June this year she organised a “salvage” display for ACAN, as part of the Alton Lions D-Day-themed Party in the Park.

Phinna leaves a huge legacy to the community of Alton.  The ACAN Committee are considering an appropriate memorial or tribute to her: ideas are welcome.