Local Eco News
Some headlines since the last update…
St Mary’s Fields Conservation – After a very well attended annual Great Hay Rake in August (55+ people including OCV volunteers), the conservation morning on Sat 7th September was also well attended with people of all ages gathering to cut back growth on the edge of pathways, create dead hedges, plant a new tree in the hazel coppice, test the water quality of the river, consume home made malt loaf and flapjack in impressive quantities, and perform other similarly essential September tasks. As well as the mahusive hawk moth caterpillar espied during the morning (which have been seen a lot around the village this summer), one of the highlights of the morning was looking into the moth trap that had been out overnight. We were thrilled to see several different species dozing in the egg boxes (see the rogues gallery below)! Kudos if you can name any!
Kidlington Draught Busters – On Tuesday 10th September KEG hosted a free draught-busting training event aimed at those who wanted to learn how to save energy and conserve heat in their own home this winter, as well as for 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 this winter. It was a lovely day and with thanks to a local family, after a morning of theory, were able to use their home as guinea pigs!
Watch this space for more info about this project in the coming weeks. We’re currently sorting out the practicalities of getting volunteers ‘DBSed’, arranging public liability insurance, trying to get KEG formally constituted, and apply for a bank account. This may not sound exciting, but we feel the DB project is serving as a catalyst for upping our game!
Park Hill Growing Space – Last Saturday (21st) the Park Hill gang were working away at the the community growing space with a bumper harvest of potatoes, tomatoes, runner beans, and even a little pumpkinny thing! If you’d like to find out about this or one of the other Growing Spaces around Kidlington let Ruth Mo know at: growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk
Coming Up…
Want to know what ecological things are going on locally over the next few weeks?
Well here you go then!:
| September 2024 | |
| 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 |
| ㉗ | Nature Hour | Fri 27th Sept, 10.30-11.30am | Moorside Place, The Moors (OX52UZ) – Join us for a ‘Nature Hour’ led by Wild Kidlington officer Rhiannon Young. After a short nature talk on the topic of the day there’ll be a related nature-based activity to enjoy. This event is open to the public and is suitable for all ages and abilities. We meet in the lounge area next to the Willow Tree Cafe. |
| ㉘ | Apple Pressing | Sat 28th Sep, 12pm – 2pm | Methodist Church, Oxford Road (OX5 2BP) – Join Kidlington Abundance at the Methodist Church Fun Day as we celebrate the abundance of the natural world. Bring your surplus apples and pears*. Help chop, scrat, press and bottle the juice. If you don’t have any fruit – don’t worry! Just come and join in the fun. Everyone takes home some juice! *Fruit does not have to be in perfect condition (windfalls are fine). |
| ㉚ | Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 30th Sep, 10-11am | Lyne Road Green (OX5 1AE) – Come along and join in as we tend the planters on the green. All very welcome; tools provided; no experience necessary! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| October 2024 | |
| ① | Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 1st Oct, 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. |
| ② | Kidlington Gardening Society Talk | Weds 2nd Oct, 7.30pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Our speaker Tim Mitchell will be talking on the topic of ‘Permaculture’. More info here! |
| ③ | KEG Meeting | Thurs 3rd Oct, 1pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Join representatives of different local eco groups and enthusiasts to connect, communicate and collaborate. |
| ⑤ | St Mary’s Fields Work Party | Sat 5th Oct, 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! |
| ⑪ | Nature Hour | Fri 11th Oct, 10.30-11.30am | Moorside Place, The Moors (OX52UZ) – Join us for a ‘Nature Hour’ led by Wild Kidlington officer Rhiannon Young. After a short nature talk on the topic of the day there’ll be a related nature-based activity to enjoy. This event is open to the public and is suitable for all ages and abilities. We meet in the lounge area next to the Willow Tree Cafe. |
| ⑫ | Apple Pressing | Sat 12th Oct, 10am – 12pm | North Kidlington School, Benmead Road (OX5 2DA) – Join Kidlington Abundance in the playground as we celebrate the abundance of the natural world. Bring your surplus apples and pears*. Help chop, scrat, press and bottle the juice. If you don’t have any fruit – don’t worry! Just come and join in the fun. Everyone takes home some juice! *Fruit does not have to be in perfect condition (windfalls are fine). |
| ⑭ | Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 14th Oct, 10-11am | Exeter Close play area (OX5 1AB) – Come along and join in as we tend the beds in the playpark. All very welcome; tools provided; no experience necessary! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ⑲ | Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 19th Oct, 10am – 12pm| Park Hill Recreation Ground (OX5 2DA) – Come and muck in with other volunteers as we maintain and enrich this community green space! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ㉕ | Nature Hour | Fri 25th Oct, 10.30-11.30am | Moorside Place, The Moors (OX52UZ) – Join us for a ‘Nature Hour’ led by Wild Kidlington officer Rhiannon Young. After a short nature talk on the topic of the day there’ll be a related nature-based activity to enjoy. This event is open to the public and is suitable for all ages and abilities. We meet in the lounge area next to the Willow Tree Cafe. |
| ㉘ | Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 28th Oct, 10-11am | Lyne Road Green (OX5 1AE) – Come along and join in as we tend the planters on the green. All very 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 3rd Oct, from 1pm @ Exeter Hall in the small hall. All welcome!
Kidlington Eco Group 
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