Local Eco News 📰
After a scorcher of a week, here’s a sprinkling of soothing eco news and a cool calendar of upcoming events.
ST MARY’S FIELDS IN BLOOM
Earlier in the month and before their recent sun-scorching and glory-shearing, the flood plain meadows of St Mary’s Fields were exploding with colour and life, awash with foaming meadowsweet, purple vetch, and sneezewort. The lush days of early summer now give way to more golden hues. On the topic of which, and don’t forget: soon upon us – in fact tomorrow! (Sunday 26th July) – is the Big Hay Rake, a favourite event in the community calendar:
GROWING SPACE
On the topic of the abundance of the first part of this month, here are a few snaps from the various Growing Spaces around the town – which well and truly entered the months of peak productivity and harvest. Please do check them out if you’re out a-wanderin, and perhaps help yourself to a tomato or bean, or a pinch of herbs for your evening meal. Keeping all the planters well watered is a particular challenge so if you can find or carry a can and quench a greenling’s thirst that would be much appreciated!
GALA DAY GREEN LANE – Saturday 18th July 2026
Did you manage to get down to Kidlington Gala Day last week? If so, perhaps you happened upon the Green lane – now on the field and in a less cramped horseshoe format! We hope you had the opportunity to find out more about all the great ecological and conservation based charities and organisations that are working towards a greener Kidlington and world. If you stopped by our KEG stall you will in particular have heard more about our ongoing DraughtBusters initiative and recieved a few top-tips on energy-saving from Ant, Bob & Alison, as well as heard from Chris about the proposed new ‘K-BUG’ (Kidlington Bike Users Group).
HAVE YOUR SAY 📢
As you know there are a huge number of building developments proposed to go up over the coming decade or so. At KEG we recently produced an eye-watering summary see the pdf here.
Here are two opportunities to have your say:
- The Land Behind the Moors appeal is also in motion and the Kidlington Green Belt Development Watch are encouraging people to respond. More information here.
- One more recent addition is the proposed ‘EXOq’ site which is proposed for both sides of Frieze Way. The plan is still in outline means that it can be altered as required by the planning dept and developer. If you would like to feed into this process here’s a link. NB the due date for comments was 23rd July (i.e. has already passed) but the button still works – so you may be able to squeak in!
Calendar 📆
Want to know what ecological things are going on locally over the next few weeks? Well here you go!
| Jul 2026 | |
| ㉖ | Big Hay Rake | Sun 26th Jul, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s Fields, Church St (OX5 2BA) – The annual hay rake on St Mary’s fields is a popular community event. After the grass in the meadows has been mown, it is essential to rake up the cuttings to encourage the wild flowers next spring. Some rakes provided, but if you have one please bring it! All ages welcome! Meet in the car park behind St Mary’s Church. |
| Aug 2026 | |
| ① | St Mary’s Fields Work Party | Sat 1st Aug, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Join the team of volunteers working on some summer tasks, encourage nature and monitor river quality. Also enjoy a well-earned slice of Julia or Rosie’s homemade cake at half time! |
| ③ | Growing Spaces Session | Mon 3rd August, 10–11am| In the playpark behind Exeter Close – Join us as we care for the wildlife & sensory garden beds in the play area. For more info contact: growspace@kidlingtontowncouncil.gov.uk |
| ④ | Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 4th Aug, 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. |
| ⑥ | KEG Meeting | Thurs 6th Aug, 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. |
| ⑧ | Kidlington Repair Cafe | Sat 8th Aug, 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. |
| Coronation Garden Work Party | Sat 8th Aug, 10am-12pm | Home Close (OX5 2DN) – Come along and join other volunteers as we look after the village’s youngest garden. We’ll be planting, weeding, and beautifying this already much-cherished oasis of calm in the heart of the village. | |
| ⑪ | Exeter Hall Planters Growing Spaces Session | Tues 11th August, 1.30 – 2.30pm| At the back of Exeter Hall (OX5 1AB) – Come and join the volunteers tending the accessible planters and garden space. Contact growspace@kidlingtontowncouncil.gov.uk |
| ⑮ | Park Hill Monthly Garden Work Party | Sat 15th August, 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@kidlingtontowncouncil.gov.uk |
| ⑬ | Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 13th Aug, 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. |
| ㉑ | Bat Walk [TBC] | Fri 21st Aug, 8.30pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Back by popular demand Andy P (Kidlington’s very own bat man) and St Mary’s Field Nature Reserve Group are planning to host a number of evening bat walks around the town. A short talk and Q&A is followed by an expedition to go track some down with bat detectors! Please note: these details are still provisional / TBC – keep an eye out for more up to date info and sign up via our eventbrite sign up page here. |
| ㉛ | Lyne Road Green Growing Spaces Session | Mon 31st August, 10–11am| Lyne Road Green (OX5 1UA) – Come and join the volunteers tending the planters on the Green. For more info contact growspace@kidlingtontowncouncil.gov.uk |
| Sep 2026 | |
| ① | Kidlington Towpath Taskforce | Tues 1st Sep, 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. |
| ③ | KEG Meeting | Thurs 3rd Sep, 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 Sep, 10am-12pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Join the team of volunteers working on some 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! |
| Bat Walk [TBC] | Sat 5th Sep, 8.30pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Back by popular demand Andy P (Kidlington’s very own bat man) and St Mary’s Field Nature Reserve Group are planning to host a number of evening bat walks around the town. A short talk and Q&A is followed by an expedition to go track some down with bat detectors! Please note: these details are still provisional / TBC – keep an eye out for more up to date info and sign up via our eventbrite sign up page here. | |
| ⑩ | Woodland Trust Stratfield Brake Task Group | Thurs 10th 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. |
| ⑫ | Kidlington Repair Cafe | Sat 12th 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. |
| Coronation Garden Work Party | Sat 12th Sep, 10am-12pm | Home Close (OX5 2DN) – Come along and join other volunteers as we look after the village’s youngest garden. We’ll be planting, weeding, and beautifying this already much-cherished oasis of calm in the heart of the village. | |
| ⑲ | Bat Walk [TBC] | Sat 19th Sep, 8.30pm | St Mary’s carpark (OX5 2BA) – Back by popular demand Andy P (Kidlington’s very own bat man) and St Mary’s Field Nature Reserve Group are planning to host a number of evening bat walks around the town. A short talk and Q&A is followed by an expedition to go track some down with bat detectors! Please note: these details are still provisional / TBC – keep an eye out for more up to date info and sign up via our eventbrite sign up page here. |
| ㉙ | Sustainable Fashion Show at Blenheim Palace 2026 | Tues 29th Sep, time tbd | Blenheim Palace, Woodstock (OX20 1UL) – Tickets are now live for the annual Sustainable Fashion Show at Blenheim Palace. WISH, the organisers of the event, are offering an Earlybird 25% discount for those who book here with code ‘FutureOfFashion’ for all ticket types until 1 June 2026. |
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 meetings are on Thurs 6th Aug from 1pm @ Exeter Hall in the committee room. All welcome!
Kidlington Eco Group 
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