Local Eco News 📰
A Happy New(ish) Year to You!
🎵 ‘Who you gonna call? DRAUGHT BUSTERS!’ 🎵
Perhaps during the current cold snap you’ve noticed the warmth whistling out of your home and those fuel bills nudging up and up and up. Why not find out more about KEG’s free Draught Busters initiative and/or request a visit from Anthony and Bob (our wonderful draught busting duo) to come and carry out some quick-win interventions for you. Visit our DB page here for more info – or pick up one of our flyers from Exeter Hall or the library.
Some TLC for Stratfield Brake – A Woodland Trust Task Group was established before Christmas (here are some snaps from the 12th Dec session) to carry out a variety of practical tasks under the guidance of the Woodland Trust Site Manager. They’ve started work on keeping the site looking spic and span and the pathways accessible, as well as helping to manage the woodland in line with management plans. It’s a great way to learn skills and meet new people, and the Working Group is directly contributing to the care and upkeep of valuable habitats. If you’d be interested in joining them you can find out more info and register as a volunteer via the Woodland Trust volunteers page here.
Pining for Christmas Past – KEG-ites festooned a couple of trees for the Christmas Tree festival at St Mary’s church last month, when a pine forest sprung up in the nave, populated with trees decorated by many different community groups and organisations. KEG’s tree was festooned with a combination of pre-loved decorations, recycled materials and natural ornaments. Some were made with help from members of the public at the No Waste Noel. St Mary’s Fields Conservation group’s tree (partially finished above) which was woven from coppiced hazel twigs can still be admired by the gate leading into the reserve from the carpark.
Coming Up… 📆
Want to know what ecological things are going on locally over the next few weeks?
Well here you go then!:
| January 2025 | |
| ⑮ | Ladies’ Swap Shop | Wed 15th Jan, 7.30-9.30pm | Kidlington Baptist Church, High Street (OX5 2DS) – All ladies welcome to come along to swap some good quality household items / gifts / clothes / toys / books that you no longer need, to exchange with each other, to reduce landfill (and maybe find a new home for unwanted Christmas presents!). Refreshments provided. |
| ⑱ | Axtell Close Tree Planting | Sat 18th Jan, 10am | Axtell Close (OX5 1TW) –Come help other volunteers plant native and wildlife-encouraging woodland edge habitat 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! |
| ④ | Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 4th Feb, 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. |
| ⑥ | KEG Meeting | Thurs 6th Feb, 1pm | Exeter Hall, in the Bar (OX5 1AB) – Join representatives of different local eco groups and enthusiasts to connect, communicate and collaborate. This month we’ll be firming up our dreams and goals for 2025. |
| ⑤ | Kidlington Gardening Society Talk | Weds 5th Feb, 7.30pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Speaker: Katherine Shock from the Turrill Sculpture Garden in North Oxford. More info here. |
| ⑬ | Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 13th Feb, 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. |
| 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 📢
Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042
It may seem a little way off (!) but the Cherwell Local Plan for 2042 is currently under review and inviting feedback. The plan includes proposals for land development which will inevitably have an impact on local green space and biodiversity, factors which are also considered in the plan.
To find out more information about the proposals and/or to fill in the survey (the deadline is Friday 14 February 2025) visit the Cherwell District Council page here.
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 6th Feb, from 1pm @ Exeter Hall in the small hall or bar area. All welcome!
Kidlington Eco Group 
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