Local Eco News
Some headlines since the last update…
Wildlife Wanders – Over the last few weeks Rhiannon the Wild Kidlington officer has been running family friendly wildlife wanders for those looking to get out and about during the summer hols. If you’ve missed these, don’t worry! – there are still several to go. Click here for more details or to sign up via eventbrite!
Kidlington Draught Busters – It may feel pretty warm right now – but the autumn will be upon us faster than you can say: ‘Is it me or is it a bit chilly in here?’ KEG has recently been awarded funding to help deliver a new free community service called Draught Busters. The project has been inspired by similar projects in Wantage and Reading, will be facilitated by Kidlington Parish Council, and has been enabled by generous funding from Cherwell District Council and the Low Carbon Hub.
As part of this KEG is hosting a free draught-busting training event on the Tuesday 10th September aimed at those who want to learn how to save energy and conserve heat in their own home this winter, and/or those who might be up for joining a crack team of local Draught Busting volunteers willing to help others in our community draught-proof their homes. To find out more and to sign up please visit our eventbrite page here.
Wild Kidlington Project Video – In case you haven’t yet viewed the video Wild Kidlington has produced introducing the project and some of the great things going on in Kidlington do have a watch!
Coming Up…
Want to know what ecological things are going on locally over the next few weeks?
Well here you go then!:
| August 2024 | |
| ㉒ | Flower Fairy Guided Trail | Thurs 22nd Aug, 2pm – 3pm | St Mary’s Fields, Church St (OX5 2BA) – Another of Wild Kidlington’s summer ‘Wildlife Wanders’ events. A flower fairy themed guided wildlife wander around St Mary’s Fields. Can you find all the fairies? All ages welcome. To find out more or sign up visit the eventbrite page here. |
| ㉓ | Flower Fairy Guided Trail | Fri 23rd Aug, 2pm – 3pm | St Mary’s Fields, Church St (OX5 2BA) – Another of Wild Kidlington’s summer ‘Wildlife Wanders’ events. A flower fairy themed guided wildlife wander around St Mary’s Fields. Can you find all the fairies? All ages welcome. To find out more or sign up visit the eventbrite page here. |
| ㉕ | Big Hay Rake | Sun 25th Aug 2024, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s Fields, Church St (OX5 2BA) – The annual hay rake on St Mary’s fields is a popular community event. After the grass in the meadows has been mown, it is essential to rake up the cuttings to encourage the wild flowers next spring. Some rakes provided, but if you have one please bring it! All ages welcome! Meet in the car park behind St Mary’s Church |
| ㉖ | Wildlife Wander with gardening & building an insect home to keep | Sat, 26th Aug, 10am – 12pm | Lyne Road Green (OX5 1AE) – Another of Wild Kidlington’s summer ‘Wildlife Wanders’ events. Joining the Growing Spaces gardening session at Lyne Rd Green. Garden, do some nature detecting, and make an insect home to keep! Fun for all ages. To find out more or sign up visit the eventbrite page here. |
| Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 26th Aug, 10-11am | Lyne Road Green (OX5 1AE) – Come and join in or just chat to us as we tend the beds with wildlife and people in mind! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk | |
| September 2024 | |
| ② | Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 2nd Sep, 10-11am | Exeter Close play area (OX5 1AB) – Come and muck in with other volunteers as we maintain and enrich this community green space! All welcome; tools provided; no experience necessary! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| Magic themed wildlife wander | Mon 2nd Sep, 11am-12pm | Stratfield Brake Nature Reserve (OX5 1UP) – Another of Wild Kidlington’s summer ‘Wildlife Wanders’ events. Focusing on myths, legends and the wizarding world of Harry Potter, come and enjoy this spellbinding wildlife wander. To find out more or sign up visit the eventbrite page here. | |
| ③ | Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 3rd Sep, 10am-2pm | Venue TBC – Come and help improve the canal environment through Kidlington at these new drop-in volunteer working parties run by Canal & River Trust. Something for all skill levels. Sign-up at Canal & River Trust Minimum age 18. |
| Pokémon themed Wildlife Wander | Tues 3rd Sep, 2pm-3pm | St Mary’s Fields, Church St (OX5 2BA) – Another of Wild Kidlington’s summer ‘Wildlife Wanders’ events. “Gotta catch ’em all!” On this wildlife wander, we’ll be exploring nature with a Pokémon theme. Discover the ‘powers’ of our local wildlife. To find out more or sign up visit the eventbrite page here. | |
| ④ | Kidlington Gardening Society Talk | Weds 4th Sep, 7.30pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Our speaker Kate Burton-Wood will be talking on the topic of ‘Trinity College Garden’. More info here! |
| ⑤ | KEG Meeting | Thurs 5th Sep, 1pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Join representatives of different local eco groups and enthusiasts to connect, communicate and collaborate. |
| ⑦ | St Mary’s Fields Work Party | Sat 7th Sep, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Join the team of volunteers working on some summer tasks to encourage nature and monitor river quality. Also enjoy a well-earned slice of Julia or Rosie’s homemade cake at half time! |
| ⑨ | Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 9th Sep, 7-8pm | Ron Groves play area (OX5 1HW) – Come and muck in with other volunteers as we maintain and enrich this community green space! All welcome; tools provided; no experience necessary! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ⑩ | Draught Busters Training Day | Tues 10th Sep, 9.30am-4pm (ish – times TBC) | Exeter Hall, small hall – We are being joined by Draught Buster pro Tony Cowling. Tony assists a number of charities and helps to advance several renewable energy projects in Reading.For the last ten years, he has been leading the Reading DraughtBusters, the aim of which is to help the most vulnerable in society reduce their energy bills by draught proofing their homes. KEG is planning to launch a Draught Busters project in Kidlington this Autumn. Come along to hear about the project, learn how to bust draughts, and have a go. The second part of the day will involve a practical. For more information about this event and to sign up please visit our eventbrite page here. |
| ㉑ | Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 21st Sep, 10am – 12pm| Park Hill Recreation Ground (OX5 2DA) – Come and muck in with other volunteers as we maintain and enrich this community green space! All welcome; tools provided; no experience necessary! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ㉚ | Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 30th Sep, 10-11am | Lyne Road Green (OX5 1AE) – Come and muck in with other volunteers as we maintain and enrich this community green space! All welcome; tools provided; no experience necessary! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
If you have any local eco news or events to feed in to our next monthly digest please email: kidlingtonecogroup@gmail.com
Our next KEG meeting is on Thurs 5th Sep, from 1pm @ Exeter Hall in the small hall. All welcome!
Kidlington Eco Group 
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