Wildflower Project grant for Nettlebed

Nettlebed Parish Council has been awarded a grant of £620 for their Wildflower Project. 

This project aims to enhance the floral diversity of the road verge in the heart of the village.  During 2022 the verge was left uncut so the volunteers involved could see what already grows there and they were pleasantly surprised to find some wildflowers already including Cow Parsley, Red Clover, Oxeye Daisy and Plantain.

Following advice from a local expert, this grant will fund additional wildflower plugs which will be planted in the spring.  With a bit of care, these should be enough to create a sustainable wildflower verge that will be a home to bees and butterflies (amongst other insects of course).  

As well as benefiting wildlife the project has already benefited volunteers one of whom has been so impressed he has created a herb garden out the front of the parish hall for everyone to help themselves so this project is already inspiring others. 

New Stretch of Boardwalk in Hinksey Heights

New Boardwalk under construction

Located in the Hinksey Heights nature reserve on the west side of Oxford, a new 30m boardwalk has been put in place to make the popular Hinksey Trail more accessible.

Just in time for the muddy winter conditions, we’re delighted that a grant from our Local Environment Fund has funded a new 30m stretch of boardwalk by the Lower Lake.  The original wooden boardwalk had weathered and started to sink over time which created accessibility and safety issues for its users. Now, thanks to the hard work of 12 volunteers, the new boardwalk has been constructed, made from recycled plastic so it can be safely enjoyed for many years. In total, this project cost £11,600 and the TOE grant of £8,800 was matched by a grant of £2,800 from Vale of White Horse District Council.

For more info about the trail or if you are keen to join this proactive team of volunteers check out their website.

Local Stream Brought Back to Life

We have received some exciting news from the Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Environment Group.

In 2020, TOE awarded a grant to Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Environment Group which enabled the volunteers to de-culvert a spring-fed brook to improve the ecological and recreational value of a public green space in the heart of the village.  A year after completing the project, they have reported seeing rare insects at the stream.

Macrosteles sardus

Dicyphus tamaninii

Keen insect recorder John Bloomfield from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell said “we officially have only the third ever record of Macrosteles sardus leafhopper for the UK!”.  He also believes that in the stream is a type of Mirid Bug Dicyphus tamaninii which, if confirmed, will be the fourth recorded in the UK.  

We are so pleased to hear about the positive impact this project has had on local biodiversity.

Volunteers at work in March 2021

Thame Showground Hedge

Showground missing hedge

21st Century Thame have been awarded a grant of £1,525 for their hedge-planting project at Thame Showground.

The project will plant up two gaps in the hedge around Thame Showground to provide protection for the migration of small mammals across Thame’s countryside. This project will benefit biodiversity as hedgerows provide vital resources for mammals, birds, and insects. As well as being an important habitat in their own right, hedges act as wildlife corridors allowing dispersal between isolated habitats.

Island Pond Wood Biodiversity Boost

The Friends of Island Pond Wood have been awarded £9,345 for the first year of their ‘Biodiversity Boost’ project.

The Friends of Island Pond Wood are striving to enhance the site’s biodiversity to help the species which live there thrive. Works including pond creation, woodland thinning and wildflower meadow creation will provide opportunities for not only wildlife, but community engagement and education.

This grant will fund the first year of the 5-year project. The project will benefit the local community by increased wildlife spectacle and enhancing this green space.

This project also includes community engagement and education through guided walks, community events and working with local groups including schools and Scouts.

The Playclose Enhancement Project

St. Michaels Blewbury Parochial Church Council have been awarded a grant of £924 to lay the hedge by a busy footpath through The Playclose.

North boundary - area for new hedge

The Playclose is an attractive grassy area in the centre of the village with a chalk stream running alongside two sides and two footpaths crossing it.

A hedge-laying expert who lives in the village will be doing this project in the winter.

Connecting Communities

The Chiltern Society has been awarded a grant of £6,174 for their new gate project near Watlington.

The route between Little Haseley, Clare and Stoke Talmage is currently difficult to walk along. The project will replace 8 stiles with gates to improve accessibility. With the introduction of gates, clearance and bridge-repairs, the route will be opened up to walkers (and their dogs) of all abilities.

The volunteers will be doing this work in 2023.