Local Eco News

A Very Merry Pictorial Montage of Ecological Happenings and General Goings-On in Kidlington During 2024…

No Waste Noel! – As a final flourish to what has been a great year, Cherwell Collective’s annual No Waste Noel event on Saturday 7th Dec drew together various Christmassy vendors of repurposed products to create an eco market, featuring sustainable artisanal products, tombola and activities, live music, delicious food and drinks made from surplus, a gift swap and even an auction. KEG was also there running a Christmassy craft stand, publicizing our Draught Busters project, and joined by our friends from the Low Carbon Hub offering free energy advice to stave off the winter chills and save the planet in the process!

Want to know what ecological things are going on locally over the next few weeks?

Well here you go then!:

December 2024
⑫	Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 12th Dec, 10am-1pm | Stratfield Brake, Frieze Way (OX5 1UP) – Sign up to help carry out a variety of practical tasks under the guidance of the Woodland Trust Site Manager, to keep the site looking great and pathways accessible, as well as help manage the woodland in line with management plans. A great way to learn skills and meet new people, the Working Group also directly contributes to the care and upkeep of valuable habitats. Volunteers need to sign up via the Woodland Trust volunteers page here.
January 2025
⑦	Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 7th Jan, 10am-2pm | Roundham Lock, Partridge Place OX5 1SL – Come and help improve the canal environment through Kidlington at these drop-in volunteer working parties run by Canal & River Trust. Something for all skill levels. Come for all or part of the time. Sign-up at Canal & River Trust Minimum age 18.
⑨	Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 9th Jan, 10am-1pm | Stratfield Brake, Frieze Way (OX5 1UP) (2nd Thurs of month) – Sign up to help carry out a variety of practical tasks under the guidance of the Woodland Trust Site Manager, to keep the site looking great and pathways accessible, as well as help manage the woodland in line with management plans. A great way to learn skills and meet new people, the Working Group also directly contributes to the care and upkeep of valuable habitats. Volunteers need to sign up via the Woodland Trust volunteers page here.
	KEG Meeting | Thurs 9th Jan, 1pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Join representatives of different local eco groups and enthusiasts to connect, communicate and collaborate. This is a week later than usual.
⑪	Lyne Road Green Oak Tree Planting  | Sat 11th Jan, 10.30-11.30am | Lyne Rd Green (OX5 1AE) – Don your wellies and join us for an hour of tree planting with volunteers and support from the Parish Council and Wild Oxfordshire. Let’s establish a lovely leafy legacy for the next generation!
⑱	Axtell Close Hedge Planting | Sat 18th Jan, time TBC | Axtell Cl (OX5 1TW) –Come help other volunteers plant native and wildlife-encouraging hedge with support from the Parish Council and Wild Oxfordshire.
	Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 18th Jan, 10am – 12pm| Park Hill Recreation Ground (OX5 2DA) – Come and join the volunteers filling the tyre planters with compost ready for another growing season, and cutting hazel poles for use in the community gardens. For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk
㉗	Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 27th Jan, 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
February 2025
①	St Mary’s Fields Work Party | Sat 1st Feb, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Join the team of volunteers working on some early Spring tasks to tee up for the year, encourage nature and monitor river quality. Also enjoy a well-earned slice of Julia or Rosie’s homemade cake at half time!
⑥	KEG Meeting | Thurs 6th Feb, 1pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Join representatives of different local eco groups and enthusiasts to connect, communicate and collaborate.
⑤	Kidlington Gardening Society Talk | Weds 5th Feb, 7.30pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB)  – Our speaker is still TBC. Watch this space for more!
⑮	Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 15th Feb, 10am – 12pm| Park Hill Recreation Ground (OX5 2DA) – Come and help plant a native hedgerow alongside the community garden space with Wild Oxfordshire & Growing Spaces. Other tasks will also be available! For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk
㉔	Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 24th Feb, 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

Have Your Say

Our friends at Gosford & Water Eaton Parish Council have highlighted a consultation going on concerning the East-West Railway development that will impact a parcel of land poetically named PR7a just south and east of Sainsbury’s. Some of this was land was previously earmarked for leisure & green space but is now in danger of being developed.

Groups and individuals can comment here.

The Environmental Update Report is here and here’s the consultation document (See Chapter 8 and specifically section 8.5).

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 9th Jan, from 1pm @ Exeter Hall in the small hall. All welcome!