Local Eco News 📰
A very belated February update! (It just went by in a blink!)
Draught Busters Busting Draughts
Anthony and Bob (KEG’s wonderful draught-busting ninjas) have been out and about over the winter doing great work: plugging draughts, reducing heating bills and denting carbon footprints.
Have the recent late frosts and cold snaps reminded you about your own home’s pesky draughts and heat-leaks? Before the weather picks up and you forget all about the need til next winter, why not take advantage of this free initiative? Visit our DB page here for more info and/or to request a visit.
Hedgerow Heroes
Those of you who frequent Park Hill may have seen that the dead and ivy-choked elders adjacent to the growing space were removed over the winter. In their place a new native hedgerow was planted on an incredibly drizzly and muddy Saturday in February (the 15th). The gang of damp but cheerful volunteers and parish councilors, along with our Wild Kidlington officer Rhiannon, hope these little sap-and-seedlings will grow into a beautiful habitat in years to come.
Similar work took place over at Axtell Close where wildlife-encouraging woodland edge habitat planting took place at the end of January.
To find out more about the hedgerow heroes initiative see here.
Water voles spotted
Local nature enthusiasts may be exited to hear that water voles have been sighted along the Kidlington canal towpath. Keep an eye out for our new little neighbours and if you happen to see one do send us a photo or post it on our facebook page! (The above is – alas! – not a resident of Kidlington but from the magical land of Wikimedia Commons).
Calendar 📆
Want to know what ecological things are going on locally over the next few weeks?
| March 2025 | |
| ⑤ | Kidlington Gardening Society| Weds 5th Mar, 7.30pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – A talk by Mr A Mills, Head Gardener at Blenheim Palace. All welcome, non-members £3, refreshments 50p. |
| ⑥ | KEG Meeting | Thurs 6th Mar, 1pm | Exeter Hall, in the Small Hall or Bar (OX5 1AB) – Join representatives of different local eco groups and enthusiasts to connect, communicate and collaborate. |
| ⑬ | Climate Community Networking Event | Thurs 13th Mar, 9.45 am – 1:30 pm | Venue TBC – Cherwell District Council are hosting this networking event for those engaged or interested in tackling climate locally. You can view the agenda here, and contact: climatechangenetwork@cherwell-dc.gov.uk if you are interested in coming along. |
| Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 13th Mar, 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 March, 10am – 12pm| Park Hill Recreation Ground (OX5 2DA) – Come and join the volunteers planting, socialising and developing the community garden space in the park. For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ㉒ | Spring Recorders Conference TVERC | Sat 22nd Mar, 10am-4.30pm (registration from 9.30am) | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – It’s the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) Spring Recorders’ Conference 2025! Join with fellow wildlife enthusiasts for a day packed with captivating talks, interactive workshops, and engaging discussions. TVERC’s goal is to foster knowledge sharing, inspire action, and promote collaboration among like-minded individuals. More info here; the day costs £10 (including lunch). Book via Eventbrite here. |
| Eco-Cafe | St Mary’s Church, Church Street (OX5 2BB) | 10:30 to Noon – Come along for St Mary’s monthly cafe’s in the church – with tea, coffee, conversation about things ecological and, well, anything else you want to chat about. | |
| ㉙ | WISH Street Party | Sat 29nd Mar, 4-7pm | 4 The Parade, Kidlington (OX5 1EE) – Come along for a street party to celebrate the grand (re)opening of WISH Waste Innovation Station Headquarters after some big renovations and the 5 year anniversary of Cherwell Collective and Cherwell Larder! Free entry and family friendly, with live music, drinks, activities, tombola, and more. |
| ㉛ | Growing Spaces Gardening Session | Mon 31st March, 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 |
| April 2025 | |
| ① | Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 1st Apr, 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. |
| ② | Kidlington Gardening Society | Weds 2nd Apr, 7.30pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Our speaker Andy Pedley will be sharing with us on the topic of Beekeeping. All welcome, non-members £3, refreshments 50p. |
| ③ | KEG Meeting | Thurs 3rd Apr, 1pm | Exeter Hall, in the Small Hall or Bar (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 Mar, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Join the team of volunteers working on some more Spring tasks, encourage nature and monitor river quality. Also enjoy a well-earned slice of Julia or Rosie’s homemade cake at half time! |
| ⑩ | Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 10th Apr, 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. |
| ⑲ | Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 19th Mar, 10am – 12pm| Park Hill Recreation Ground (OX5 2DA) – Come and join the volunteers planting, socialising and developing the community garden space in the park. For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ㉖ | Eco-Cafe | St Mary’s Church, Church Street (OX5 2BB) | 10:30 to Noon – Come along for St Mary’s monthly cafe’s in the church – with tea, coffee, conversation about things ecological and, well, anything else you want to chat about. |
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 Mar, from 1pm @ Exeter Hall in the small hall or bar area. All welcome!
Kidlington Eco Group 
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