UPDATED 16th July 2014

Further events are being held at Meadow Farm during August and September.

Work parties looking after the habitats that form the Upper Ray Meadows continue to meet on Tuesdays 9:30am – 4pm; the next ones are 12 & 26 August and 9 & 23 September, then weekly from October. No experience is necessary – come along and give it a try. For more information contact Andy Collins, call 01869 245864 or email andycollins@bbowt.org.uk.

Family Event – Mega Meadow Moths: Saturday 6^th September, from 7:45pm – 9:15pm is a chance to get up close to some of the 120 species of moths found at Meadow Farm this year. Suitable for children 7 and over. Bookings only – Tel: 01869 245864 or email: meadowfarm@bbowt.org.uk. Guided walks and talks can also be arranged for local groups. Get in touch to book for spring or summer 2015.

See here for further details. Meadow Farm is on the B4011 near between Piddington and Blackthorn (Grid ref: SP 626 188; Post code: OX25 1TW). Click here for map.

Previous article 1st July 2014

A family event is being held on Saturday 12th July to explore the wildflower meadows at Meadow Farm, Blackthorn (approximately 3 miles from Langford – see map).

The event is suitable for children over 5 years, with the opportunity to hunt for minibeasts out and about in the day, and get up close to some night-time creatures.

Booking is essential – contact 01869 245864 or email meadowfarm@bbowt.org.uk.

Further details for this event can be seen here, and additional details of Meadow Farm can be found in previous LVCA website articles dated 24 May 2014 and 25 June 2013.

Cherwell District Council is organising a Neighbourhood Blitz in Langford Village during  23-27 June.

This will include a Recycling roadshow, extra pavement and road sweeping, litter picking and graffiti removal, discounted sales of blue & brown bins for £10, a one-off textile collection, fly tip removals and abandoned vehicles towed away for recycling.

Further details can be found here and here.

There will also be an opportunity for free bulky waste collections, which can be booked online.

Thanks to the generosity of local supporters and a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, BBOWT (Berks, Bucks, Oxon Wildlife Trust) purchased Meadow Farm, a 28ha site of rare wildflower meadows, earlier this year. This site is now integrated within the wider Upper Ray Living Landscape area, a further 100+ ha of grassland reserves which also owned and managed by BBOWT.

BBOWT is organising  a series of guided walks to explore Meadow Farm, and further details of these can be found here.

More information about Meadow Farm is  available on the Berks, Bucks, Oxon Wildlife Trust website: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/meadowfarm

Dear Orchard Friends,

There’s lots of good news about the Orchard!

1. We’ve been ‘given’ an allotment on the Clay Pits site. It’s just over the fence from the Orchard. It’s big enough to have 6ft x 4ft shed to keep some tools which will be useful. So lets do some fund-raising for a shed! Please let us know if you want to help with the allotment or Orchard before the next work session as there’s lots to do. Lets think about what plans we have for it…trees…fruit bushes….more rhubarb!

2. The amazing folk at Bicester Green have made us a bench! It’s crafted with love and ingenuity! We need to decide where to site it and how to stop it being removed!

3. Bea and Steve have made a very attractive hazel ‘hedge’ to protect the newly planted currant bushes from enthusiastic mowers. It’s already saved a lovely clump of cowslips under the cooking apple tree from being cut down.

4. The ‘old’ currant bushes are sprouting new growth in response to the light and space and freedom from brambles as well as a dollop of cow manure. The strawberry plants look good and have been weeded. The pear trees have lots of blossom and the apple blossom is coming out, so here’s hoping for no late frosts and plenty of fruit this year.

5. One brave fritillary has been flowering in the ‘damp square’ also protected by Bea’s hazel twig fence.

6. We are invited to Chipping Norton Orchard’s Blossom Day. Sunday 27th April 12.00 – 3.00pm. Please see here for details and contact Pam for more. It’s great fun with food and music and a lovely community orchard to see.

Our next Orchard sessions are Thursday May 1st, Sunday May 25th, Thursday June 26th, Saturday July 26th. All at 2.00 – 4.00 pm. Tea provided! 

Please bring gardening gloves and your favourite spade/fork/trowel/shears etc.

So, what jobs need doing? 

a) The allotment needs weeding + fertilizing with manure ready for autumn planting.
b) The new currant bushes need weeding and watering and mulching.
c) Nettles under the mulberries, daffodils and the apple tree by the gate need removing
d) The bramble pile needs clearing

We look forward to seeing you and wish you a Happy Easter.
Pam, Claudia and Susan
(phone 01869-245313)