Local Eco News 📰
Want to catch up on the eco goss’ as well as find out what’s going on as a new term begins? Well have no fear – KEG’s September guide is here!
ACCESSIBLE PATH WORK AT ST MARY’S FIELDS
From the 10th September, the circular path from one end of the St Mary’s Fields car park down to the pond and back round to the gate will be resurfaced – with improved drainage. St Mary’s Fields Nature Reserve have been working with The Genuine Disabled Access Taskforce to make it fully accessible and thus enable more people in our community the opportunity to enjoy this lovely local natural resource and beauty spot. The work will take about two weeks, with the footpaths closed and alternative routes marked in the interim. The new path will be 1.2 metres wide and include periodic passing places. The £42K that the improvements cost have been made possible by a TOE grant, as well as generous contributions from the Parish Council, Smiths of Bletchington, and the contractor Handingham Kirk have given an ecology/community discount. Keep an eye out for the grand opening in the coming weeks!
As part of a separate project being worked on by Sustrans, the Route 51 cycle path over the ridge and furrow fields will also be going on between August and November. This will involve resurfacing the path and widening it. For more info see here.
HEY! IT’S THE BIG HAY RAKE!
A worthy crowd of local volunteers showed up for this year’s ‘Big Hay Rake’ at St Mary’s Fields on Sunday 24th August and were rewarded by lovely weather and dry hay! The excellent turn-out and high spirits meant all the hay was raked and piled high by 1pm. A big thank you to everyone who came, especially local newcomers and, of course, the Oxford Conservation Volunteers (OCV), whose annual support for this task makes such a big difference.
THE SOWING OF A SEED BANK
Are you green-fingered, or interested in having a go? Well, if you pop down to Exeter Hall you might spot a new feature near to the left of the hall as you go in. It’s a new ‘Seed Bank’ where you can donate flower or vegetable seeds, or pick up some new ones to go try plant – and all for free! Maybe you’re wondering: Why save or share seeds? If so, click here for just a few of the many reasons it’s great to do it.
WHO YOU GONNA CALL? – DRAUGHT BUSTERS!
Did you know that KEG runs a free draught-busting project in Kidlington? You can apply to have our wonderful trained volunteers (Anthony and Bob) visit your home to assess and fix draughts so that you can keep warmer in winter and spend less money on heating bills. Sealing up draughts also helps reduce our impact on the planet by decreasing the demand for fossil fuels. For more info and/or to enquire about booking visit our DB webpage here or email us at kidlingtonecogroup@gmail.com
Here are some recent pics of our Draught Busters out and about:
Calendar 📆
Want to know what ecological things are going on locally over the next few weeks? Well here you go!
| Sep 2025 | |
| ⑥ | St Mary’s Fields Work Party | Sat 6th Sep, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Join the team of volunteers working on late summer tasks, encourage nature and monitor river quality. Also enjoy a well-earned slice of Julia or Rosie’s homemade cake at half time! |
| ⑨ | Exeter Hall Planters Growing Space Session | Tues 9th Sep, 1.30 – 2.30pm| Exeter Hall (OX5 1AB) – Come and join the volunteers planting, socialising and developing the new accessible planters. For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ⑪ | Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 11th Sep, 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. |
| ⑬ | Kidlington Repair Cafe | Sat 13th Sep, 10am-12pm | Kidlington Methodist Church, Oxford Rd (OX5 2BP) – Need to repair or restore an item? Drop in for repairs of electronics, household items, bicycles, textiles, toys etc. Also for restoring items, such as knife and tool sharpening. And a coffee while you wait! Last items taken at 11.30am. For more information see here. |
| ⑮ | Ron Groves Play Area Growing Space Session | Mon 15th Sep, 5.30-6.30pm| Exeter Close Play Area (OX5 1AB) – Come and join the volunteers planting, socialising and developing the community beds in the play area. For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| ⑳ | Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 20th Sep, 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 |
| Kidlington Library Nature Hour: ‘Helping Hedgehogs’ | Tues 20th Sep, 2-3.30pm | Kidlington Library, 23 Oxford Rd, Kidlington (OX5 2BP) – All-age fun for everyone. Book your place at the KIdlington Library. Children must be accompanied by an adult. | |
| ㉗ | Eco-Café | Sat 27th Sep, 10:30 to Noon| St Mary’s Church, Church Street (OX5 2BB) – Come along for St Mary’s monthly café in the church – with tea, coffee, conversation about things ecological and, well, anything else you want to chat about. |
| ㉙ | Lyne Road Green Growing Space Session | Mon 29th Sep, 10 – 11am| Lyne Road Green (OX5 1UA) – Come and join the volunteers planting, socialising and developing the community beds on the Green. For more info contact growspace@kidlington-pc.gov.uk |
| Oct 2025 | |
| ① | Kidlington Gardening Society| Weds 1st Oc, 7.30pm | Exeter Hall, small hall (OX5 1AB) – Our speaker Mandy Bradshaw; her talk will be entitled “Beyond the Garden Gate: a guide to Cotswolds Gardens”. She will also be bringing greetings cards for sale. All welcome, non-members £3, refreshments 50p. |
| ② | KEG Meeting | Thurs 2nd Oct, 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. |
| ④ | St Mary’s Fields Work Party | Sat 4th Oct, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Join the team of volunteers working on early autumn tasks, encourage nature and monitor river quality. Also enjoy a well-earned slice of Julia or Rosie’s homemade cake at half time! |
| ⑦ | Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 7th Oct, 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 via the Canal & River Trust Portal. Minimum age 18. |
| ⑨ | Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 9th Oct, 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. |
| ⑪ | Kidlington Repair Cafe | Sat 11th Oct, 10am-12pm | Kidlington Methodist Church, Oxford Rd (OX5 2BP) – Need to repair or restore an item? Drop in for repairs of electronics, household items, bicycles, textiles, toys etc. Also for restoring items, such as knife and tool sharpening. And a coffee while you wait! Last items taken at 11.30am. For more information see here. |
| Apple Pressing | Sat 11th Oct, 2-5pm | Kidlington Methodist Church, Oxford Road (OX5 2BP) – Join Kidlington Abundance at the Methodist Church 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). | |
| ⑱ | Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 18th Oct, 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 |
| ㉕ | Eco-Café | Sat 25th Oct, 10:30 to Noon | St Mary’s Church, Church Street (OX5 2BB) – Come along for St Mary’s monthly café 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 upcoming KEG meetings are on Thurs 2nd Oct, from 1pm @ Exeter Hall in the committee room. All welcome!
Kidlington Eco Group 
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