ONCF March 6th bulletin

Forging partnerships that will create a sustainable future for nature'

Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum's Weekly Environmental E-Bulletin

6 March 2008

(Comments and notices featured in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect

the views of ONCF. Should you disagree with any items and wish to post a

clear counter-argument please send it in along with the date of the bulletin

and number of the item concerned. Editor's discretion applies, naturally.

Thanks).

NOTICES

1. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee report on badgers

and cattle TB - The Wildlife Trusts' response

2. Power into your Project Scheme

3. Northmoor Trust Clumps Wildlife Appeal

4. OCV booking tasks for the next quarter

5. Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve - Volunteering Opportunities

6. Ignite Woodfuel courses available across the UK

7. New £10m grants programme to help communities reduce their carbon

footprint

8. Eco inventions competition launched

9. Oxfordshire gets fit for wildlife

10. Work Placement Required

EVENTS

11. Green Drinks at the Cape of Good Hope, 1 Iffley Road

12. County Wide Swap Shops

13. Community Tree Planting event

14. Ss Mary & John Churchyard Planting Day

15. Honeybees and beekeeping

16. Field Outing to the Forest of Dean, Gloucester

17. Green Feast - Explore the Multiple Meanings of Sustainable Food

18. Chefs source the best Local Flavours

19. Wychwood Gardeners' Question Time

20. Ethiopian Endemics

21. Hope for Planet Earth climate change tour

22. Outdoor first aid

23. Lambing Weekend at Northmoor Trust

24. Save Radley Lakes Quiz Night

25. From Greenfields to RAMSAR, the story of Rutland

26. Finding and keeping volunteers - a 'hands on' workshop

27. Easter Eggstravaganza

28. Lambing Weekend at Northmoor Trust

29. Nature Trail Easter Egg Hunt

30. Diversity in Stone guided walk - Ashbury, Oxfordshire

31. Fair Trade Coffee Morning

32. Local Barn Owl Synergy Symposium

33. Events Activities Workshop

34. Clumps Club

35. Working in conservation

36. Hurdle making

37. Fun With Environmental Education Workshop

38. Restoring threatened farmland species and wildflower habitats

VACANCIES

39. Bioscan UK Limited - Senior Ecologists and Project Managers - Oxford

40. Kent Wildlife Trust - 3 posts

41. EiE Project Coordinator

42. Research Assistant, Chimney Meadows (Voluntary)

43. Community Wildlife Trainee, Bucks

44. Volunteer Posts with BBOWT

45. PA to Regional Director/Office Manager

46. Cotswold Way National Trail Officer

47. Oxfordshire Reserves Officer

48. Wild Trout Trust Conservation Officers x 3

SEE BELOW VACANCIES FOR DETAILS OF REGULAR WORK PARTIES:

ASTON ROWANT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE VOLUNTEER GROUP

BARTON FIELDS GREEN TEAM

BBOWT WORK PARTIES

BTCV GREEN GYMS (ABINGDON, BICESTER, CHIPPING NORTON, SONNING COMMON, and

WALLINGFORD)

HENLEY WILDLIFE GROUP WORK PARTIES

NORTHMOOR TRUST FRIDAY WORK PARTY

OXFORD CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS TASKS

OXFORD URBAN WILDLIFE GROUP

OXFORD VOLUNTEER RANGERS

SHOTOVER CONSERVATION WORK DAYS

SOUTH CHILTERN VOLUNTEER TASKS

SS MARY & JOHN CHURCHYARD RESTORATION PROJECT

WENDLEBURY WOODLAND PROJECT

WITNEY WOODLAND VOLUNTEERS

NOTICES

1. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (EFRA) SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT ON

BADGERS AND CATTLE TB - THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS' RESPONSE

Commenting on the report on badgers and cattle TB, Stephanie Hilborne, chief

executive for The Wildlife Trusts, said: "This report rightly highlights the

need for tighter controls on cattle movements and testing as the way to

combat this disease. Far from giving a green light to badger culling, the

Committee reinforces the view that badger culling could, in theory, be

effective if certain conditions were met - conditions that we know are

impossible to meet in practice."

The Wildlife Trusts accept bTB in cattle is a significant problem for

farming in the UK and that urgent action is required to combat the disease.

The Trusts particularly recognise the important role the livestock industry

can play in the environmentally-sensitive management of the countryside and

the serious disruption and anxiety caused to farmers experiencing a herd

breakdown.

The Wildlife Trusts are pleased the EFRA committee agrees the following

measures must be rigorously enforced to control bTB:

More frequent cattle testing, with more frequent and targeted combined use

of the tuberculin skin test and the gamma interferon test

The evaluation of post-movement cattle testing

Greater communication with farmers on the benefits of bio-security measures

The deployment of badger and cattle vaccines, when they become available

Continued work on the epidemiology of the disease.

However, The Wildlife Trusts believe the conditions for effective

badger-culling, suggested in the report, mean that it is impractical as a

control mechanism:

Culling should be over large areas (at least 265sq km, nearly the size of

the Isle of Wight)

For sustained periods of time (at least four years)

Be co-ordinated

Be carried out competently and efficiently

Be undertaken where there are natural boundaries to dispersal

The Independent Scientific Group, set up by Government to look at this

issue, concluded that because they could see no situation where the

conditions could be met, culling provides 'no meaningful contribution' and

is 'not cost effective' as a control measure for combating bovine

tuberculosis.

For further information please contact: Anna Guthrie, senior press officer

Tel: 01636 670075. Email: aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org

2. POWER INTO YOUR PROJECT SCHEME

Community groups and educational institutions in South Oxfordshire can apply

for an energy boost by taking advantage of an electrifying £10,000 fund set

up by npower's Didcot Power Stations. The

power stations are looking for community projects or events worthy to

sponsor in and around the Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage areas.

The criteria are:

Education - within the scope of national curriculum, the applications will

contribute towards education, particularly involving engineering, science,

environment and technology subjects.

Environment - priority will be given to projects that support and reinforce

npower's reputation for effective environmental management such as

development of areas to encourage sustainable living or energy-saving

ventures.

Youth and Community - consideration will be given to proposals that benefit

young people directly.

Arts and Sports - consideration will be given to events that make an active

contribution to the quality of life of the community.

Support will be concentrated on projects that provide an opportunity to

maximise the impact of the funding through hospitality events, publicity and

media relations as appropriate.

The scheme has been very successful over the last 5 years with Didcot Power

Station supporting over 80 local initiatives varying from wind turbines,

sensory and vegetable gardens for schools, to swimming days and equipment

for local amenities.

Please request more information and an application form by email

eddidcot@rwenpower.com

or contact Power into your Project Scheme, Didcot A Power Station, Didcot,

Oxon, OX11

7HA. Deadline for receiving applications is Friday 21st March 2008.

3. NORTHMOOR TRUST CLUMPS WILDLIFE APPEAL

Wittenham Clumps, right here on your doorstep, could soon become an

important home to some of our favourite and most precious wildlife, but we

need your support to make this happen.

The aim of the Wittenham Clumps Wildlife Appeal is to restore and recreate

37 hectares of wildlife-rich lowland meadow on and around the Wittenham

Clumps. This exciting project will involve sowing wildflower seeds,

increasing the beauty and diversity of the landscape and restoring habitats

for a number of our nationally threatened species such as the pipistrelle

bat, hornet robberfly and skylark. The land will come alive with hares

bounding and the song of skylark filling the air.

The Trust has already approached local authorities, businesses, grants and

trusts and raised the majority needed. We now urgently need to raise the

remaining £15,000 by 18th April 2008. Each and every donation can make a

real difference!

http://www.northmoortrust.co.uk/

4. OCV BOOKING TASKS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER

We are now booking Sunday tasks for the next quarter (Sun 6 Apr through to

Sun 29 Jun). We are delighted to have secured funding for our programme of

special 2-day training tasks. For the spring-summer programme we are looking

for potential fencing projects that would benefit from 2 days of work over a

weekend, led by our specialist trainer - Brian Williamson.

The types of projects we undertake include:

All types of fencing and step construction

Public rights of way management

Scrub clearance

Hedgelaying and planting

Pond construction and maintenance including dipping platforms

Watercourse and pond clearance/management

Woodland management including felling, planting, coppicing. (Handtools only)

Meadow and park maintenance

Dry stone walling

Footpath and gate construction

Otter holt construction

Each Sunday's task is led by an experienced volunteer, who is responsible

for liasing with the client and ensuring that the work is completed to the

required standard. The task leader also ensures that new volunteers

understand the purpose of the work and how to use the tools safely. We are

fully insured via our affiliation with BTCV.

If you would like to discuss your requirements, or arrange a free site visit

contact Gary Hillier,

Task Programmer, Oxford Conservation Volunteers, www.ocv.org.uk

5. CUTTLEBROOK NATURE RESERVE - VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

With several different habitats in one easy-to-stroll site, Cuttlebrook

Nature Reserve is a unique piece of "semi-wild" countryside just a few

minutes walk from the centre of Thame, Oxon. Meandering right through the

reserve is a tributary of the river Thame called the Cuttle brook, which

springs to life in the Chilterns. The whole area offers open river-meadow

views and a network of paths through about thirty acres of land.

Volunteering opportunities: We always welcome new volunteers - we meet twice

per month on 2nd Wednesday and 4th Sunday at the Scout Hut at 10.00am -

bring boots and gloves, we provide the rest.

Address: Off Southern Rd, Thame, Oxfordshire - adjacent to the recreation

ground, OX9 2EP

Website: www.cuttlebrook.org.uk

Contact: Telephone Thame Town council - One stop Shop on 01844 260495

6. IGNITE WOODFUEL COURSES AVAILABLE ACROSS THE UK

Are you interested in using a low-carbon, cost-effective heating fuel in

your community? The Ignite Woodfuel course could be for you.

Producing energy from woodfuel has both environmental and economic

advantages; not only is it a low-carbon source of fuel, but when a local

resources are used it results in local investment and employment and

minimises fuel transport costs.

Ignite courses will provide you with a grounding in the economics of

woodfuel supply, the technology available to produce woodfuel and the

systems that burn it.

Ignite is the UK's first and only formally accredited woodfuel training

course and it recently won a prestigious National Training Award. For

further information about the course and details of dates near you, see

http://www.northwoods.org.uk/c.php/home/wood_fuel/ignite, call 0845 226 2890or email ignite@ruraldevelopment.org.uk. (Community Action for Energy, News

Centre, 21 Feb 08).

7. NEW £10M GRANTS PROGRAMME TO HELP COMMUNITIES REDUCE THEIR CARBON

FOOTPRINT

An important new grant for those working to help their local community

become more energy efficient has been announced this month. A total of over

£10.1 million will enable communities across England to reduce their carbon

footprint.

The Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP) is an open grants

programme run by BRE, an award partner of the Big Lottery Fund. Groups will

be able to apply for grants to install small-scale energy efficient

technology such as wind turbines or solar panels on sites including village

halls, visitor centres or schools. Funding to improve building insulation

will also be offered.

Grants will only be awarded to eligible not-for-profit community-based

organisations in England. Project development funding to look at the

feasibility of the above measures will also be available.

It is anticipated that the Community Sustainable Energy Programme will open

for applications in April 2008. For further information visit

www.communitysustainable.org.uk or email your contact details toinfo@communitysustainable.org.uk. (Community Action for Energy, News Centre,

21 Feb 08).

8. ECO INVENTIONS COMPETITION LAUNCHED

The UK is one of the world's leaders in 'eco-friendly innovations', it has

been revealed as a new competition is launched to inspire youngsters to come

up with new green ideas. The UK-IPO (UK Intellectual Property Office) found

that Britain - along with Japan, China, USA, Germany and Korea - is leading

the way in developing environmental inventions. The UK-IPO's new 'Cracking

Ideas 2008' competition is challenging primary school children nationwide to

create eco-friendly inventions, in order to encourage green thinking. The

scheme is being backed by the award-winning Aardman Animations, creator of

Wallace and Gromit. (Green Consumer Guide, Monday 03 March 2008)

9. OXFORDSHIRE GETS FIT FOR WILDLIFE

Racing for red kites and strolling for swans, hundreds of people from

Oxfordshire are set to get fit for wildlife during the RSPB's first

sponsored walk around Oxford on Sunday 30 March.

Walkers will be raising money for the charity's Oxfordshire team, which runs

the Otmoor nature reserve, Beckley, reintroduced red kites to the county and

works with the area's farmers.

Two circular routes of 5 and 8.5 miles start from Oxpens Meadow, next to the

Thames, staggered between 10.30am and 12pm and follow the canal,

universities, dreamy spires and green parks.

Registration is required via www.rspb.org.uk/sponsoredwalks or SharonBoardman on 01295 676456 - all participants get a goody bag on the day.

Every entrant giving a registration donation of £10 or more will receive a

cotton Fair Trade RSPB t-shirt.

Sharon Boardman, RSPB Fundraiser, said: 'Bring your family and friends along

for a relaxing stroll enjoying the historical sites of the city, its

wildlife and at the same time raising money for the society and improving

your health.'

10. WORK PLACEMENT REQUIRED

I require 3 months of work, in order to complete a mandatory work experience

placement for my HND in countryside conservation at the University of

Aberystwyth. I am a 19 year old student and have worked various roles in the

countryside throughout my life helping me to acquire some valuable skills.

These are as follows:-

Hedge laying.

Fully qualified NTPC and guilds Chainsaw operator, Felling and cross cutting

of small trees and chainsaw maintenance.

Completed ATV traing course awarded by Lantra.

6 months experience volunteering with the RSPB Wales, Ynys-hir reserve.

Assistant keeper on a Local shoot.

Fencing skills, Stock fencing/Post and rail.

Bridge building.

2 days drystone walling tutorial.

I have full UK driving licence, and vehicle. I am available within driving

distance of the Tetsworth/Thame area in the following months Mar-Aug.

Please contact Owain Devey at odge_bodge_splodge@hotmail.com

EVENTS

Can you walk, cycle, use public transport or share a lift to your chosen

event? Visit Sustrans at http://tinyurl.co.uk/s0dq, the Oxford Bus Companyat http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/, Stagecoach Buses at

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/ or Oxfordshire County Council public transportinformation at http://tinyurl.co.uk/wt9

11. Thursday 6 March 6.30 pm

GREEN DRINKS AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, 1 IFFLEY ROAD

We're in the upstairs bar this week, reserved just for us.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=SNYD,SNYD:2004

-13,SNYD:en&um=1&q=cape+of+good+hope&near=Oxford&fb=1&view=text&latlng=51748

916,-1243124,8485966633211110439

AND... fellow organisers wanted!

I'd love to hear from anyone who is keen to help out with Green Drinks, from

the occasional "I'll be there to greet the early birds", to working on some

exciting special events.

Speak to me next Thursday, or send me an email (with contact number).

Michael Buick [greendrinksoxford@yahoo.co.uk]

12. Saturday 8 March

COUNTY WIDE SWAP SHOPS

The day for bumper countywide Swap Shops. Most are listed below but for full

information go to www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk

Abingdon, 10.00-12.00, Long Furlong Community Centre

Abingdon, 10.00-12.00, The Vale House Association, South Abingdon Children's

Centre

Ascot Village, (time and venue to be confirmed)

Buscot, 11.00 - 14.00, Village Hall

Didcot, 10.00-12.00, Fleet Meadow Community Centre,

Didcot 13.00-16.30, Community Centre, All Saints School

Dorchester on Thames, 13.30-16.00, Village Hall

Faringdon, 10.00-12.00, Corn Exchange

Oxford, * Barracks Lane Community Garden (off Cowley Rd)

* Bullingdon Community Centre (Headington)

* St Margaret's Institute, Polstead Rd, N.Oxford

* West Oxford Community Centre

Thame, 10.00-12.00, Town Hall

Wallingford, 10.00-12.00, Regal Centre

Wheatley, 9.30-12.00, The Merry Bells, 89 High St

Wolvercote, (time and venue to be confirmed)

Woodcote, 10.30-13.00, Village Hall

Swap shop on Saturday 1st March - Charlbury, Memorial Hall, Browns Lane

If you do not have a Swap Shop running in your area and you are inspired to

'give it a go'

then contact the CAG officers for further help.

Telephone: 07903037290. Email frances.buckel@resourcefutures.co.uk

More information on particular swap shops:

SUSTAINABLE WALLINGFORD SWAP SHOP AND COLLECTION DAY 10 am - 12 noon

At the Regal Centre.

Just about anything that can be re-used by someone else is welcome at a Swap

Shop, with the exception of electrical goods and clothes. Items collected

for recycling include old light bulbs and fluorescent tubes, batteries, tins

of paint (though these should be over one-third full), aluminium foil,

mobile phones, computers and tetrapaks.

There is more information on the Sustainable Wallingford website. Go to

www.sustainablewallingford.org and click the Swap Shop link on the HomePage.

LIVING LIGHTLY IN DORCHESTER DAY 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm

At Dorchester Village Hall.

Lots to do and see for all the family.

SWAP SHOP. Give away those things you no longer need or take away useful

things for free.

Lots of STALLS. Come and see the WILD WASTE SHOW, ENERGY BUSTERS, JUST

TRADING of Wallingford, RECYCLING and Waste Reduction INFO

Judge the Children's LOGO COMPETITION

"Lollipop" reusable cloth NAPPIES

RAFFLE, REFRESHMENTS, REFILL STATION - refill your washing up liquid and

more. LOTS OF INFO and ADVICE on how you can Live Lightly in Dorchester.

Alternative energy and energy saving products.

Call 01865 340286 for more info.

DIDCOT EARTHCARE SWAP SHOP 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm

At Ladygrove Community Centre, All Saints School, Tamar Way

What is a swap shop day?

A chance to get rid of things you don't want and pick up something you do.

NO money is going to pass hands

This is a simple way of stopping goods ending up in our land fill sites

There will also be recycling boxes for used batteries and printer cartridges

What can I give?

Household and garden items like books toys bikes tools kitchenware

bric-a-brac

Paint, pot plants, garden tools

In fact anything that is in good condition and you can carry

There will be a swap shop notice board for large and bulky items BUT...

No clothes or electrical items please

What can I take?

What you need and can use

Please bring along unwanted items between 1.30 and 2.30

If you don't have anything to bring just bring yourself and you might find

something you need!

13. Saturday 8 March 10 am - 3.30 pm

COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING EVENT

How about celebrating spring by getting outside and planting some trees? The

new Transition Oxford group is helping to organise an event on Saturday 8

March. People are needed to help for all or part of the day.

We are planting native food species; a Hazel coppice of 650 hazels, plus a

further 100 mixed gean (wild cherry), crab apple, etc. We're in partnership

with other groups including:

Forest of Oxford, which is working to create a "necklace of forest" around

Oxford,

Friends of Cutteslowe Park

Cutteslowe Primary school

Green Accountancy who have sponsored the event.

There are lots of trees, so we would love as much help as possible!

The event will be at Cutteslowe, N Oxford, on Oxford City Parks Dept land

north of the Ring Road, on the SE corner of Cutteslowe Park. Directions are

also on poster (attached) and on the Google map:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cutteslowe+park+oxford&i

e=UTF8&ll=51.789188,-1.253471&spn=0.023785,0.080338&z=14

It would be great if you could pass this on to interested friends or other

groups that you know. You can check out Transition Oxford on facebook, or

see www.transitiontowns.org for more general info. If you think you or yourgroup can come, could you send me a quick email (david@greenaccountancy.com)

so we get a sense of numbers - thank you.

14. Saturday 8 March any time between 10am and 4pm

SS MARY & JOHN CHURCHYARD PLANTING DAY

We will be plugging in plants to encourage butterflies and insects, such as

nectar plants and caterpillar food plants. All are welcome.

We will also be sharing news of our new 5 year Wildlife Management plan

Further information from Ruth Conway 01865 723085

15. Saturday 8 March 2 - 4 pm

HONEYBEES AND BEEKEEPING

A talk, followed by a demonstration by Martin Buckle. Martin is interested

in beeswax and its many uses, as well as the history of beekeeping. He will

show how to make bee skeps and basketry (did you know you can weave with

bramble?), as well as wax modelling and candle making. There will be an

opportunity to buy some of the bee products. Refreshments available.

Suitable for adults and children. Science Oxford, (the new home of The

Oxford Trust), 1-5 London Place (on St Clements next to the traffic lights

at the bottom of Headington Hill),. Free for members of OUWG and Oxford

Trust, non-members £3. This is an Oxford Urban Wildlife Group event

16. Sunday 9 March

FIELD OUTING TO THE FOREST OF DEAN, GLOUCESTER

An all day trip with the Oxford Ornithological Society

For more information please contact Steve Alley on 01608 659628

17. Wednesday 12 March

GREEN FEAST - EXPLORE THE MULTIPLE MEANINGS OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD

Food is a hot topic, with consumers advised to make ethical food choices,

like 'organic', 'fair trade' and 'rainforest friendly'. Explore the

different and sometimes conflicting meanings of 'sustainable food' with

leading experts in the field.

Speakers include:

Dr. Charlie Clutterbuck, Research Fellow, Dept of Food Policy, City

University London - 'Sustainable food' in context

Tim Wilson, Managing Director, Historic Futures - Sustainability Issues and

the Food Supply Chain

A panel discussion 'Peeling Away the Labels of Sustainable Food Branding',

will take place in the afternoon.

ALSO Wednesday 2 April

Greening the Greenhouse - Designing a Carbon Neutral Future

GREENING THE GREENHOUSE - DESIGNING A CARBON NEUTRAL FUTURE

Explore practical innovations in low-carbon design which promise to reduce

energy costs and remove the unwanted environmental costs of heated

greenhouses today.

Speakers include:

Dr Feije de Zwart, Plant Research International, Wageningen University, The

Netherlands - 'Greening the Greenhouse' - an overview

Professor Gareth Edwards-Jones, University of Bangor, Wales - The lifecycle

of horticultural food production - horticultural carbon emissions in context

Jenn Nelkin, Greenhouse Director, New York Sun Works, New York City - Urban

Agriculture and the 'Science Barge' Project

Both at the Living Rainforest, Hampstead Norreys (only just into Berkshire).

£45 each conference (£22.50 student concession). £70 for admission to both

conferences

For booking information and registration form see www.livingrainforest.org

For agenda details please email lisam@livingrainforest.org

18. Wednesday 12 March

CHEFS SOURCE THE BEST LOCAL FLAVOURS

Leading local chefs are on the hunt for the best ingredients in South

Oxfordshire to create top quality dishes. The chefs from well-known hotels,

pubs and restaurants are joining forces with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire

& Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire (BBO) Food Group to put more local flavours

on their menus.

On Wednesday 12 March a Chefs Tour will be visiting food and drink producers

in South Oxfordshire. These include: Brookleas Fish Farm in East Hendred, Q

Gardens in Steventon, where they will also sample Hendred wines and Sugar

and Spice cakes, The Old Farmhouse Bakery in Steventon, and Challow Hill

Meats from East Challow, Wantage.

Tamara Schiopu, co-ordinator of the BBO Food Group says: "More customers

want to eat local food in their favourite restaurants and pubs, so we are

taking the chefs on a tour to seek out local ingredients on their doorstep

to help them create exciting new dishes using the best produce in season. It

is important for chefs to get to know the farmers that raised the beef with

loving care, who grew the carrots and carefully turned the cheeses to create

top quality produce. Those chefs are then able to continue that care when

they create their dishes."

The Chefs Tour is part of a larger project "Fresh Skills for Chefs" - a

training programme of masterclasses to encourage chefs to develop new dishes

using more local seasonal produce on their menus. To find out more about

other events, including Fresh Skills for Chefs, contact Tamara Schiopu on

01865 484116 or email localfood@brookes.ac.uk

19. Wednesday 12 March 7.30 pm

WYCHWOOD GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME

Ramsden Village Hall

We hope that you can join us for our very own Wychwood Gardeners' Question

time.

We have a panel of local gardeners ready to discuss gardening and how we

might adapt our practices in a changing climate.

Roddy Llewellyn (chair), Ian Gourlay from Bridewell Organic Gardens, Tim

Treacher from the Allotment Association, Rob Lane (Gardening Consultant).

We will be raffling some great prizes donated by local garden centres and

Daylesford Organic to raise money for two charities who provide respite for

ill children and their families.

Free Entry, no advance booking required.

No, this isn't the Radio 4 programme, but it will be just as good (probably

better).

Sofia Dyson, Wychwood Network Administrator

www.wychnet.org

20. Wednesday 12 March 7.45 pm

ETHIOPIAN ENDEMICS

A talk by Timothy Hallchurch for Oxford Ornithological Society.

At Stratfield Brake Sports Pavillion just south of Kidlington off the A4260.

Access only from the northbound carriageway.

Admission free to members. Non-members: a donation would be appreciated.

All welcome.

21. Thursday 13 March

HOPE FOR PLANET EARTH CLIMATE CHANGE TOUR

"Next week we are in SW, and then the final week is in SE. The one in our

region is Newbury on 13th. The tour is just simply wonderful, has a very

high quality multimedia presentation from JRI, A Rocha and Tearfund, and

really is not to be missed!!! So get together with your friends, book your

tickets, fill up some cars and come down for the evening (we finish at 9.30

so it is not too late). Martin J. Hodson

Details at: http://www.hopeforplanetearth.moonfruit.com/

22. Friday 14 & Saturday 15 March 9 am - 6 pm

OUTDOOR FIRST AID

Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre, nr Didcot, Oxon

Trainer: React First

Cost: BBOWT Volunteers: free, Non-volunteers: contact us for cost

This new two-day course is intended for practical work party leaders,

Wildlife Watch leaders and appointed volunteers who have agreed to take on

the responsibility of being an appointed first aider for BBOWT. It will

include examining and assessing a situation, emergency life-support

techniques and symptoms of common conditions. This course is tailored to

managing incidents in the outdoors, so will involve outdoor practice.

Attendance at both days is compulsory to receive a first aid certificate,

which is valid for three years.

Didcot Parkway + (to Milton Park) + 1/4 mile

23. Saturday15 / Sunday16 March 10am - 4pm

LAMBING WEEKEND AT NORTHMOOR TRUST

At Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, near Wallingford. With the Northmoor Trust.

Join us for a fun time on the farm! Find out about sheep production and

maybe see a lamb being born. Lots of fun for all the family.

Adults £3, Children under 16 & Friends Free. Booking not required.

24. Saturday 15 March 8 - 11 pm

SAVE RADLEY LAKES QUIZ NIGHT

Radley Village Hall.

Tickets from Marjorie, tel 01235 530174

25. Monday 17 March 7.45 pm

FROM GREENFIELDS TO RAMSAR, THE STORY OF RUTLAND

For the Vale of White Horse RSPB group by Tim Appleton.

For many of us Rutland Water is synonymous with first British breeding

ospreys and the annual British Birdwatching Fair. However it has not always

been a reserve. Tim the reserve manager since its creation will describe the

reserves history, development and why it is now one of the most important UK

and international sites.

Indoor events are at held at The Civic Hall Didcot. Doors open at 7.00pm for

sales tables, displays and booking for trips. Contact:

chairman@rspb-vwh.org.uk

26. Wednesday 19 March 10.00 am - 4.30 pm

FINDING AND KEEPING VOLUNTEERS - A 'HANDS ON' WORKSHOP

Wantage Civic Hall (Segsbury Suite)

£20/£15. Trainer: Andrew Woodgate

Many voluntary organisations rely on volunteers to run projects and serve on

committees. But where can we find them? How can we keep them on board? What

do we need to do to get the best from them, and keep them happy and

committed? This tried and tested workshop takes a very practical approach to

helping you to work out how to recruit and manage your volunteers more

effectively.

To book/for more information phone Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary

Action on 01865 251946, or email admin@ocva.org.uk

27. Friday 21 March 10.30 am 01.00 pm

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Scramble up to Shotover for another round of egg rolling on the hill. Bring

a painted hard boiled egg and enter it for all three competitions: Best

Painted Egg, Fastest Egg and Demolition Derby. Entry fee £1per egg. You can

register your egg at any time between 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM during meanwhile

there will be displays and stalls by local wildlife groups and activities,

refreshments. Meet in the car park at Shotover Country Park, at top of Old

Road, Headington, Oxford. For details call Anthony 08000 521 455 the Rangers

or email countryside@oxford.gov.uk.

28. Saturday 22 / Sunday 23 March 10am - 4pm

LAMBING WEEKEND AT NORTHMOOR TRUST

At Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, near Wallingford. With the Northmoor Trust.

Join us for a fun time on the farm! Find out about sheep production and

maybe see a lamb being born. Lots of fun for all the family.

Adults £3, Children under 16 & Friends Free. Booking not required.

29. Saturday 22 March 10 am - 12.30 pm & 2 pm - 4.30 pm

NATURE TRAIL EASTER EGG HUNT

Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxon

Come and celebrate the launch of Warburg's new and improved Spring & Summer

Nature Detectives Trail, and get geared up for Easter with a chocolate egg

hunt. Trail is about 1 mile, with no stiles, but wear sturdy shoes. Picnic

area, for packed lunches. Admission: £1 per child, adults free. BOOKING

ESSENTIAL. Meet: Car park, Warburg Nature Reserve. SU 720 879 Contact:

Louise Print-Lyons 01491 642 001. Wheelchair accessible (1 tramper

available) Children welcome (all ages, if accompanied by adult) No dogs,

please

30. Saturday 22 March 10.30 am

DIVERSITY IN STONE GUIDED WALK - ASHBURY, OXFORDSHIRE

Chalk-block cottages with sarsen foundations and a fifteenth century manor

house. Not far away, sarsen stones can be seen in their original position

in the valley floor near Ashdown House.

Leader: Bill Horsfield of Oxfordshire Geology Trust.

Meet by the village cross at the junction of the Idstone Road, Chapel Road

and High Street. SU264851. For further information: email Oxfordshire

Geology Trust at contact@oxfordshiregt.org.

31. Saturday 29 March 10 am - 12.30 pm

FAIR TRADE COFFEE MORNING

Witney, Oxon

Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and help us to raise funds for local

wildlife. All welcome to this coffee morning organised by BBOWT's Upper

Thames regional group. We will also be holding a street collection in

Witney! Admission: Free Meet: Methodist Church, High Street, Witney OX28

6HG. Contact: Shirley Jarvis 01865 371 297. Wheelchair accessible. Children

welcome

32. Saturday 29 March 2 - 5 pm

LOCAL BARN OWL SYNERGY SYMPOSIUM

At Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre, Lambourn

An event to forge links for Barn Owl conservation between volunteer groups,

conservation bodies and public bodies around and beyond the Pang, Kennet and

Lambourn valleys - so that includes Oxfordshire!

Whatever you are into, botany, inverts, mammals, herpetofauna, birds, fish

or fungi, you're welcome to join the event. The Symposium will cover habitat

requirements, locating and putting up nest boxes and recording. Includes

farm walk and practical session.

Read more... > www.sheepdrove.com/370.htm

To book and for more information contact Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys

Countryside Project FWAG Tel: 0118 930 5336 or email pang.kennet@fwag.org.uk

33. Thursday 3 April 10 am - 4 pm

EVENTS ACTIVITIES WORKSHOP

Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre, nr Didcot, Oxon

Trainers: Linda Knight & volunteers (BBOWT)

This practical workshop is aimed at volunteers who wish to get involved in

helping with events on their reserves. You will learn how to prepare and

carry out some of the most popular events activities, such as face painting,

paper making and pond dipping from experienced staff and volunteers. The day

will develop your confidence to provide activities to engage families and

give them a fun and educational experience. You will have the opportunity on

the day to try out your new skills.

Didcot Parkway + (to Milton Park) + 1/4 mile

Our courses are open to all members of the public, BBOWT members and

volunteers. For more information please contact the Volunteer Development

Officer on 01865 788309 or e-mail volunteering@bbowt.org.uk. Latest

information on course availability is available online at www.bbowt.org.uk

34. Monday 7 - Friday 11 April 10 am - 3 pm

CLUMPS CLUB

Themed days including Magic Masks, Tribal Day and Spring into Life!

£15 per child (aged 8 - 12)

With the Northmoor Trust at Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, near Wallingford.

Booking required. Please phone 01865 407792 or email

admin@northmoortrust.co.uk

to reserve your place.

35. Thursday 10 April 10 am - 4 pm

WORKING IN CONSERVATION

BBOWT Headquarters, The Lodge, Littlemore, Oxford

Trainers: Martyn Lane & Emily Sharp (BBOWT)

Conservation is a very popular area of work and getting started in paid

employment can be difficult. This practical course will introduce the sector

and major employers, cover the process of looking for work, applying for

jobs, interviews and securing employment. It is aimed at BBOWT volunteers

and others looking for the next step to working in conservation.

Oxford + (to Littlemore)

36. Saturday 12 April 10 am - 4 pm

HURDLE MAKING

Warburg Nature Reserve, nr Henley-on-Thames, Oxon

Trainer: Alistair Phillips

Woven hazel hurdles have a wide variety of uses, including holding

livestock, hut making and temporary fences. This practical workshop for

beginners will introduce the history and uses of hurdles and wattling as

well as the basic tools and techniques involved in making wattle hurdles.

Participants will complete their own hurdle during the day using local

materials.

Henley + (to Nettlebed) + 1 mile

37. Thursday 24 April 9.30am to 3.15pm

FUN WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP

At Hill End Residential and Field Studies Centre, Eynsham Road, Farmoor.

Cost £60.00(£5.00 reduction for forest schools, healthy schools &

eco-schools)

Lunch will be provided (please let us know of any special dietary

requirements).

Participants will be shown the many different approaches that can be used in

environmental education to make it fun and approachable for teacher and

pupils alike. The basics of 'Earth Education' and 'Environmental Role

Playing' and 'Eco-games' will be introduced. Activities will range from

simple warm up games to longer activities teaching more complex

environmental concepts. All of the skills taught can be undertaken in the

classroom or school grounds. Each participant will learn new skills and

take them back to share at school. Participants should bring outdoor

clothes and shoes.

Booking is essential. Please contact David Millin the Land Management

Officer. Tel.01865 863510 or E-mail david.millin@oxfordshire.gov.uk

38. Thursday 3 July

RESTORING THREATENED FARMLAND SPECIES AND WILDFLOWER HABITATS

Ref SW4. Facilitator: Flower Farms

Location: Wiltshire/West Berkshire border

After a brief indoor session, a wide range of wildflower habitats will be

visited on Flower Farms' 71-ha restored farm. The impact of floral diversity

on threatened birds, butterflies, other insects and bats will be discussed.

Habitat restoration is a priority of Environmental Stewardship. We will

examine the skills required to identify opportunities for creating

wildflower and insect-rich habitats such as species-rich hedges, woodland,

wildflower grasslands, created wetlands, "wetted " areas, chalk scrapes and

others. Geology, soil types and the capabilities of a JCB (or larger) will

be considered. For more information see www.wildflowerfarms.com

VACANCIES

39. BIOSCAN UK LIMITED - SENIOR ECOLOGISTS AND PROJECT MANAGERS - OXFORD

Salary negotiable

Ecologists with a proven track record in consultancy are required to assist

with an ever increasing workload at our new offices just outside Oxford. We

are looking for candidates with exceptional field survey, protected species

and site assessment skills allied to broad-ranging project experience and

the ability to respond to the service demands of a wide-ranging client base.

To fit the bill it is likely that you will already have at least three years

experience working within an ecological consultancy and are able to

demonstrate an ability to meet our exacting standards in botanical/habitat

survey, protected species-work, site assessment and written outputs. We also

expect a good working knowledge of wildlife legislation and the planning

system, excellent interpersonal skills and an eye for detail. A higher

degree, experience with other taxa (particularly invertebrates) and good IT

skills would be advantageous.

If you have all this, why move? Well, suitable candidates can expect to be

offered a generous salary, a high degree of autonomy, continuity of project

'ownership' from inception to completion, and room for growth within a

small, but highly-respected and long-established practice that is entering a

new period of dynamism. We are based in attractive rural surroundings close

to a vibrant University City.

Please apply in writing (CV and covering letter) to:

Personnel Manager, Bioscan UK Limited, The Old Parlour, Little Baldon Farm,

Little Baldon

Oxford OX44 9PU

Email: bioscan@bioscanuk.com

A shortlist of applicants will be invited for interview in March/April 2008.

Please note that the interview process includes species ID tests and a

report writing exercise.

40. KENT WILDLIFE TRUST - 3 POSTS

Kent Wildlife Trust is the county's leading nature conservation organisation

with a membership of 28,500 and an increasingly important voice in the

future of Kent's natural environment. Three new posts have been created to

meet the challenge of rebuilding Kent's biodiversity. They will play

critical roles within the Trust and provide real and exciting opportunities

for professional and personal development, as well as making a genuine and

lasting difference for wildlife.

Conservation Officer (Policy & Planning)

Salary range £21,806 - £25,872

You will take responsibility for the Trust's work on Local Development

Frameworks, major development proposals and other strategically important

development issues, where the opportunities are already in place to make

real gains for wildlife.

Closing date for applications - 20th March 2008

Living Landscapes Team Leader

Salary range £21,806 - £28,581

You will be responsible for taking forward the Trust's work on promoting and

delivering the restoration of biodiversity at the landscape-scale. The post

will have line management responsibilities and will involve co-ordination

with other Wildlife Trusts in the South East region.

Closing date for applications - 17th March 2008

Living Landscapes Project Officer

Salary range £19,096 - £23,161

You will be driving forward the delivery of landscape scale biodiversity

restoration projects within identified project areas, bringing together

stakeholders, co-ordinating and facilitating the work of project partners,

and working to make real change happen on the ground.

Closing date for applications - 17th March 2008

For full details and application form please contact:

Dot Hughes on 01622 662012. email: dot.hughes@kentwildlife.org.uk

visit: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

41. EIE PROJECT COORDINATOR

This post will combine general EIE (Environmental Information Exchange) work

with specific projects focusing on outreach, research, delivery of support,

and administrative aspects with a group of about 20 SMEs.

Responsibilities will include:

a) planning and carrying out a number of special projects (eg waste audits,

energy reviews, training workshops)

b) building up a network of contacts among local businesses and other

organisations

c) providing information for businesses and other organisations

d) organising events, and supporting participating organisations

e) arranging publicity concerning the EIE

f) administrative office support

You should have...

a) degree or equivalent experience in a relevant area (eg Environmental

Sciences)

b) experience working with businesses or equivalent organisations, and/or

local authorities

c) experience in developing projects

d) excellent communications skills (verbal, written and visual)

e) aptitude/ skill in presentation of information/data in an understandable

way to a variety of audiences

f) self motivation and the ability to work on your own initiative without

close supervision

Salary: £19,841, rising annually to £21,682

Contract: 12 months

Closing date for applications: Friday 7th March

For an application pack and further information, please see:

https://edm.brookes.ac.uk/hr/hr/vacancies

42. RESEARCH ASSISTANT, CHIMNEY MEADOWS (VOLUNTARY)

Location: Based at Chimney Meadows, nr Bampton, Oxon

Hours: 5 days a week (flexible), Late May-September.

Closing date: 18th March, 9am. Interviews: 1st April

Take this unique opportunity to get involved in an evidence based

conservation site, gain experience in an array of monitoring techniques,

whilst gaining an insight into experimental design & conservation

management. No specific monitoring experience necessary, as training will

be given. We are looking for someone from late May/early June to September.

Limited travel expenses provided to/from site.

For more information, contact Lindsay Watts on 01865 788309 or

lindsaywatts@bbowt.org.uk

43. COMMUNITY WILDLIFE TRAINEE, BUCKS

Location: Based out of BBOWT HQ in Littlemore, Oxford

Hours: 3-4 days a week, Mondays essential, for 6 months or a year.

Closing date: 17th March, 9am. Interviews: 27th March

Take this opportunity to join the team delivering a wide variety of

community and interpretation work, including supporting our wildlife

gardening programme. You will receive a significant amount of training to

further your job prospects in the sector.

For more information and to apply, contact Lindsay Watts on 01865 788309 or

lindsaywatts@bbowt.org.uk

44. VOLUNTEER POSTS WITH BBOWT

A. Voluntary Assistant surveyor

Location: Based out of our HQ in Littlemore, Oxford

Hours: 2-3 days a week, Mondays essential, for 6 months or a year.

Closing date: 25th March, 9am. Interviews: 31st March

Take this opportunity to assist us in carrying out regular surveys and

interpreting data so the health of our reserves can be monitored and results

fed back into management. You will need good species ID skills. Limited

travel expenses provided to/from work.

For more information, contact Lindsay Watts on 01865 788309 or

lindsaywatts@bbowt.org.uk

B. Voluntary Summer Warden, College Lake

Location: College Lake Nature Reserve and Environmental Education Centre, nr

Tring, Bucks

Hours: 4-5 days a week and some evening/ weekend work, ideally from mid-late

April for 6 months.

Closing date: 31st March, 9am. Interviews: 7th April

Enthusiastic volunteer required to help with wardening, practical

conservation, species monitoring & helping visitors enjoy the site for

mid-late April for 6 months.

For more information, contact Lindsay Watts on 01865 788309 or

lindsaywatts@bbowt.org.uk

45. PA TO REGIONAL DIRECTOR/OFFICE MANAGER

£16,000 - £18,000 pa. Banbury, Oxfordshire

We are looking for a skilled office manager and Director's PA to support and

be part of a dynamic team working to secure a healthy environment for birds

and other wildlife across the Midlands region. If you are excited by the

prospect of this important role within the regional office of a major UK

environmental charity, you could be the person we are looking for.

Please download an application pack from www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies

Closing date: 2 April 2008 Interview date: 17 April 2008

46. COTSWOLD WAY NATIONAL TRAIL OFFICER

£27,909 - £34,222

Fixed-term, 12 month contract (secondment considered)

The Cotswold Way is England's newest National Trail, linking Chipping

Campden and Bath, a World Heritage Site, passing through the stunning

countryside of the Cotswolds AONB for just over 100 miles.

This key role will lead the development and promotion of this unique route.

Initially for 12 months, subject to Natural England's review of National

Trails, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic

plan for the Cotswold Way, building and developing partnerships, ensuring

the route meets National Trail standards and delivering a series of

projects. You will also lead on the marketing and promotion of the National

Trail.

You should have achieved a minimum relevant honours degree, which is

supported by substantial

appropriate experience including the implementation of rights of way

legislation. A natural organizer and enthusiastic team player, you will also

have excellent communication and people skills, and a good level of IT

skills.

For an informal discussion please contact Martin Lane or Mark Connelly, on

01451 862000.

Please also visit the Conservation Board's website www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk

and the Cotswold Way National Trail's website

www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cotswold

If you are interested in this stimulating and rewarding role, please see our

recruitment service provider's website at www.cotswold.gov.uk for furtherinformation and how to apply.

Closing date: 14th March 2008. Interview date: 2nd April 2008.

47. OXFORDSHIRE RESERVES OFFICER

Salary: £18,100 per annum (pay award pending)

Full-time (35 hours per week)

Permanent Contract

Based at Trust HQ, Littlemore, Oxford

The Oxfordshire Reserves Officer will assist the Senior Reserves Manager

(Oxfordshire) in carrying out management of 25 nature reserves across the

county including lowland meadows, woodlands, chalk grasslands, wetlands and

ex-quarry sites. The responsibilities include the supervision and training

of volunteers, support of Volunteer Wardens and their teams involved in

estate work and biological surveys; care of and movement of Trust livestock;

maintenance of equipment, buildings and vehicles; contributing to the

development of management plans, government funding applications and

supervision of contractors on site.

We need an enthusiastic and practical person with a deep interest in

wildlife and habitat management. They will need to be cheerful in all

weathers, flexible in response to daily changing demands and be a keen

ambassador for the Trust. An ideal candidate would have at least 2 years

experience of applied nature conservation management; a demonstrable

knowledge of ecological principles, habitat management and assessment and

identification skills; knowledge of relevant health and safety practice;

livestock handling and administration experience; good interpersonal skills

and initiative; a willingness to work some evenings and weekends and a

current UK-valid driving licence.

For full details on how to apply for the positions, please download an

application pack from our website www.bbowt.org.uk, phone 01865 775476 ore-mail jobs@bbowt.org.uk. CVs will not be accepted. Please note that only

successful applicants will be notified.

The closing date for applications is 9.00am on Monday, 17 March. Interviews

will be held in our Oxford offices on Friday, 4 April.

48. WILD TROUT TRUST CONSERVATION OFFICERS X 3

Company: The Wild Trout Trust (WTT)

Location: Home-based

Salary: £25,000 - £30,000 FTE (see below)

Sector: Conservation

Application URL :

www.wildtrout.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=302&Itemid=208

Up to 3 full- and part-time positions available.

Salary £25,000 - £30,000 FTE (depending on post and experience) plus pension

contribution and mileage/office expenses. Holiday entitlement of 5

weeks/year FTE.

The Wild Trout Trust (WTT) was established in 1997 and is the leading

charity dedicated to the conservation of wild trout in Britain and Ireland

through protection and restoration of habitat.

WTT works in both in rural and urban catchments with a variety of

stakeholder groups including fishing clubs, riparian owners, community

groups, Wildlife and Rivers Trusts, the Environment Agency, Natural England,

the Loughs Agency and the National Trust.

As a result of the very successful advisory and practical support that we

offer, the demand for our work has increased dramatically in recent years.

We are therefore looking to fill up to three posts, initially for two years

but with the chance of extension subject to funding and performance, with

individuals who will take principal responsibility for the delivery of our

exciting conservation programme.

We are looking for self-starting individuals with significant conservation

and fisheries management experience, excellent communication skills and

proven ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders. You will be part

of a team each working from home, reporting to the Director and supported by

the WTTs paid and voluntary executive and our trustees.

One of the roles is a full time equivalent appointment to manage the Trout

in the Town Programme of urban river habitat improvement projects, funded by

the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. The role would particularly suit someone

with a background in community conservation projects. This is a national

project, and the postholder can expect to travel to sites across the UK,

involving overnight stays. The salary for this post is £25,000 per annum.

The other two posts are to provide technical and practical support and

advice to fishery managers across England and Wales and to lead the Trusts

major conservation programmes. Depending on experience the salary for these

posts will be in the range of £25,000-£30,000 per annum FTE. At least one of

these posts will be available on a part time (4 day per week) basis, and we

welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working patterns.

In addition to the delivery of conservation programmes, postholders will

also be expected to provide support at certain key events (including our own

Open Days, Demonstration Days and at WTTs stands at events such as the CLA

Game Fair).

Application forms (including equal opportunities policy and questionnaire)

for these roles are available by emailing us.

Applicants should send a signed and completed application form, a copy of

the Equal Opportunities Questionnaire and a short (one page) covering letter

to WTT, PO Box 120, Waterlooville, PO8 0WZ, or by email to

office@wildtrout.org. Please mark envelopes or the subject line to your

email with 'Job Application' and indicate whether you are applying for a

particular post or would like to be considered for all three posts.

Applications should reach us by 5pm on 10 March. Interviews will be held on

18 March in London. Deadline: 10 March 2008

Contact: office@wildtrout.org (EnvironmentJobs.co.uk)

REGULAR WORK PARTIES

ASTON ROWANT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE VOLUNTEER GROUP

Aston Rowant NNR is one of the country's most important reserves. Renowned

for its Red Kites and rare wild flowers the reserve is primarily

species-rich chalk grassland and beech woodland, and needs a lot of regular

maintenance. We have a good network of pathways and 270 sheep on the reserve

which need checking daily.

Site management tasks are led by our experienced site managers and may

include scrub clearance, path maintenance, fencing, species protection,

interpretation and even livestock husbandry. We also need helpers for public

events!

Members of the group can do tasks according to their ability and will gain

valuable skills for career development or personal achievement as well as

enjoying the social side of volunteering!

When: Regular group meets every Monday but volunteers welcome Mon-Thur. From

9.00am - however long you want to stay, usually up until around 4.30pm

Where: Meet at Aston Rowant NNR Natural England Office. J5 M40 - follow

signs to A40 towards Stokenchurch. After turning onto the A40 take the first

right where you see a sign to "English Nature Office" and follow the track

up to the office on the left. If you reach signs to the reserve and

Christmas Common you have gone too far!

Please Bring: Drink and packed lunch. Hot drinks provided. Also bring warm,

wet weather clothing and sturdy footwear. Gloves and safety equipment

provided.

Experience: No experience necessary as training for all tasks is provided on

the day. The group ranges in experience, all you need is lots of enthusiasm!

Application: You will need to complete an application form when you start

volunteering, please contact us if you wish to join.

Expenses: Travel costs are covered.

Insurance: All volunteers over 15 years of age are covered by Natural

England insurance.

Contact: Jenny Crook / Anne Barr / Mick Venters on 01844 351833

Email: jenny.crook@naturalengland.org.uk

BARTON FIELDS:

There will be a Barton Fields work party on Friday at 1:30 pm,

meeting in Barton Lane, Abingdon (off Audlett Drive) opposite Sophos.

Our tasks will be removing tree guards.

Refreshments will be provided. Wellies advised.

If you are a new member and would like to join us please phone David

Guyoncourt on 01235 529151.

BBOWT WORK PARTIES :

FRIENDS OF CHIMNEY MEADOWS, NR BAMPTON

Feb: Thurs 14, 28; Sun 3, 24

Mar: Thurs 13, 27; Sun 2, 23

April: Thurs 10, 24; Sun 6, 20

10am - 4pm

Practical conservation and access work. The more the merrier and the faster

the progress! BOOKING ESSENTIAL, the group will now meet on Thursdays &

Sundays only. Meet: The BBOWT barn, within the hamlet of Chimney. The barn

is clearly signposted and is the first barn on your right as you drive into

the hamlet. Park beside the barn. SP 358 009 Contact: Kerry Lock 01367 870

904

CHINNOR HILL, Nr CHINNOR

Second Sunday of every month 10:30am

Come and join our friendly team and help out with a variety of practical

conservation tasks on this magnificent reserve. Enjoy spectacular views over

the Vale of Aylesbury as red kites pass overhead. Newcomers and Children

very welcome. Meet: 1 mile east of Chinnor. On Chinnor - Radnage road, take

first left to Bledlow Ridge. After 500m turn left into Hill Top Lane and

park in carpark. SP 766 002. Contact: Mike Turton 01844 351 443 or 07734 361

695

FRIENDS OF CS LEWIS, NR HEADINGTON

First Sunday of every month 9:30am - 4pm

The friends of CS Lewis Nature Reserve are working hard to create a

well-maintained, welcoming nature reserve. Join us to help create paths,

bridges, boardwalks and to keep the nature reserve litter free. Meet:

Reserve entrance on Lewis Close, Risinghurst. SP 560 065. Contact: David

Fordham 01865 400 676

DRY SANDFORD PIT, NR ABINGDON

First Sunday of every month 10am - 1pm

Varied conservation tasks in one of Oxfordshire's finest and most intriguing

reserves. Children Welcome Meet: Reserve car park in Cothill village, 100m

west of Honeybottom Lane/ Church Lane junction. SU 467 997. Contact:

Stephen Grigson 01865 390 540

HARTSLOCK, NR GORING-ON-THAMES

Second Sunday of every month 10am - 1pm

10 Feb, 9 Mar, 13 April

Join the team for a variety of light to moderate physical tasks, from orchid

monitoring to scrub clearance. All welcome, but please call ahead to book if

you are new. Meet: By the main gate of Hartslock Nature Reserve. SU 616 796.

Contact: Chris Raper 07775 673 467

SUTTON COURTENAY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE

Fourth Sunday of every month + every other Friday 10am - 3.30pm

Help us as we undertake a variety of practical tasks, including habitat

management and wildlife gardening. No experience is necessary but enthusiasm

is essential! Bring packed lunch if staying for whole session. Tea and

coffee will be provided. Meet: SCEEC car park, Sutton Courtenay Road,

Sutton Courtenay. SU 501 918. For Friday work party. Contact: Linda Knight

01235 862 024. For Sunday work party. Contact: Rod d'Ayala 01235 511 861

SUTTON COURTENAY ENV EDUC CENTRE WILDLIFE GARDENING

Every other Monday 10am - 2.30pm

A gardening group has been set up at SCEEC. The practical management will

help the conservation of wildflower meadows, and ponds and borders in a

garden situation. Tasks will include basic horticultural techniques,

composting and water conservation. Tea and coffee provided. Bring a packed

lunch if you are staying for the whole session. Contact: Linda Knight 01235

862 024

WHITECROSS GREEN WOOD, MURCOTT

Various Sundays 10am - 4pm

Calling all willing helpers and nature lovers! Join our friendly team to

help look after this beautiful ancient woodland. Meet: Whitecross Green Wood

car park, or find us throughout the day along the rides. SP 600 150.

Contact: Becky Woodell 08454 589 237

BTCV GREEN GYMS

Are based at Abingdon, Bicester, Chipping Norton, Sonning Common and

Wallingford.

BTCV Green Gym is a unique scheme to help people become physically and

mentally healthier by taking part in nature conservation activities to

improve their local environment. For more information, see the website

www.btcv.org/greengym. For all tasks wear sturdy boots and old clothes,bring waterproofs if wet.

ABINGDON GREEN GYM

9.30 am starts

Contact: Eleanor Dangerfield, Mob: 07931 363465 Home: 01235 531 857

eledanger@hotmail.com or, Margaret Notley, Mob: 07764 253674

m.notley@rl.ac.uk

Under 16s accompanied by an adult are welcome. We provide : All tools and

tea and coffee for a mid morning break.

BICESTER GREEN GYM

Contact: please ring BTCV on 01296 330033 before a project to let us know

you're coming.

Tuesday 26th Feb 9.30am - 12.30pm

Entrance to Bure Park on Primrose Drive (end of Betony Way)

Reed pulling

Continuing to clear reeds from the large balancing pond. Smelly, wet task.

Wellies needed!

CHIPPING NORTON GREEN GYM

Contact: please ring the BTCV office on 01296 330033 to let us know you're

coming.

WE PROVIDE All tools, training and refreshments.

MOBILE NO. ON DAY: 07740 899 729

Wednesday 5th March 10 am - 1 pm

Woodstock Library, Hensington Road

Woodstock Memorial. Garden Spring tidy

Removal of brambles, small trees and general tidy up of small wildlife area.

We will also construct a compost bin.

Toilets in town centre.

SONNING COMMON GREEN GYM

Full information and map references on www.greengym.org/sonningcommon

Saturday 8 March 9.30 - 12.30

HEDGELAYING AND HEDGE MANAGEMENT recreating 16th century layout at Oak Farm,

Harpsden Bottom. Leaders: Robin Howles and Mike Macleod 0118 972 3528

Thursday 13 March 9.30 - 12.30

FOOTPATH CLEARANCE (Peppard 1 and 2) in preparation for Sue Ryder charity

walk. Park 1/4 mile off Stoke Row Road via turning by former Grouse and

Claret PH. Leaders: Julia Booker and Robin Howles 0118 972 3528

WALLINGFORD GREEN GYM

Contact: Jennifer Brooker, Wallingford Green Gym co-ordinator

Tel: 01491 826157. Email: jembrooker@freenet.co.uk

Saturday 8th March 10 am - 1 pm

Gate at end of Mowbray Road, Didcot. SU523888

Mowbray Fields. Coppicing

HENLEY WILDLIFE GROUP WORK PARTIES:

(1) Mill Meadows

Wednesdays 5 Sept. 9.30 a.m. to 12.30

For more information please contact Sally Rankin on 01491 578633 e-mail:

s.rankin@btinternet.com

Meet in the Mill Lane car park.

(2) Chalk Bank Work Parties

For information please contact David Parry on 01491 572668 e-mail:

thedavidparry@yahoo.co.uk

Work parties are generally pleasant and sociable occasions. We hope you will

join us - all are welcome. Our work parties are conducted according to BTCV

guidelines.

NORTHMOOR TRUST FRIDAY WORK PARTY

This new group meets every Friday at 9.00am at Hill Farm, Little Wittenham.

Everyone is welcome to come and help out. Work is to be done on the nature

reserve at Little Wittenham and on Northmoor Trust managed sites in

Wallingford and Didcot.

Bring a drink and packed lunch and wear suitable outdoor clothing including

stout shoes/boots and bring waterproofs. All tools provided and training

given.

Please contact Alison Lee on 07982 059645 or alison.lee@northmoortrust.co.uk

for more info.

OXFORD CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS TASKS

See our website for details about the tasks, the group & links to info about

the sites: www.ocv.org.uk

DATE: Sunday 9 March

TASK: Scrub clearance

LOCATION: Aston Rowant, S.Oxon

We will be working for Natural England at this National Nature Reserve,

removing scrub to maintain the chalk grassland SSSI

OXFORD URBAN WILDLIFE GROUP

OUWG holds fortnightly Sunday work parties at Boundary Brook Nature Park.

Come and help Oxford Urban Wildlife Group to manage this thriving nature

park, which now has SLINC status. You can choose your task from a variety of

jobs. A warm welcome guaranteed. Please ring Alan for details on 07979 608

013.Access to the reserve is on the cycle track near Larkrise School,

Boundary Brook Road (off Iffley Road opposite Donnington Bridge Road

junction), Oxford.

Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm from April onwards.

If you would like to work on other Sundays or on a weekday, please contact

Alan.

Old clothes and stout footwear are advisable. Some gloves available but

bring your own if you wish. Stop a bit longer for a hot drink at the end of

the workparty.

www.ouwg.org.uk

OXFORD VOLUNTEER RANGERS

We meet at Brasenose Farm off the Eastern Bypass (call for directions) for

09:10 to allow loading of tools and equipment and travel time to the work

site. If you wish to travel straight to the site please be there by 09.30.

Please call the Volunteer Coordinator if you require further details on

07801625245 or the office on 01865 715 830

Thursday 20 March 9.30 - 15.00 hrs

Shotover Hill Mary Sadlers Field

Come and scrub bash!! We will be clearing some invasive scrub to allow

better access to our egg

rolling hill. This will be in preparation for the Easter Egg Rolling day the

following day

CONSERVATION WORK DAYS at SHOTOVER

2nd Sunday of each month.

We meet at 10am at Shotover Car Park, Old Road, Headington, Oxford

The work day finishes at 3pm but you don't have to stay till the end

Tools and gloves provided

Bring a drink and lunch

Everyone welcome (no dogs)

Contact: Ivan Wright 01865 874423 ivan@shotover-wildlife.fsnet.co.uk

www.shotover-wildlife.org.uk

SOUTH CHILTERN VOLUNTEER TASKS

First Saturday and third Wednesday each month Ewelme Watercress Beds. Near

Wallingford. SU641916. Bring Wellies. Details of tasks from Beryl Hunt

01491-872795 or Robert Watson 0118-9722737 (early evenings only).

Ss MARY & JOHN CHURCHYARD RESTORATION PROJECT

With our Breathing Places Award we hope to transform a desolate corner into

an area attractive to butterflies, moths and insects. So there is new work

to be done during our volunteer sessions: constructing and planting,

surveying and monitoring. We meet on Saturday afternoons 2-4pm. Some

associated training sessions will be arranged in the spring.

Contact: Ruth Conway 01865 723085

WENDLEBURY WOODLAND PROJECT

At Bowler's Copse, near Bicester.

Come and join us on Saturdays: January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16.

We work from 10.00 using hand tools in a regenerating hazel copse.

Please bring your own gloves. Contact Mike Pearce on 01869 243967 for

details.

WITNEY WOODLAND VOLUNTEERS

We meet every Monday at 10 a.m. under the clock by Waitrose in Witney to do

a range of interesting and rewarding conservation projects in the Witney

area, finishing at midday when we go for a friendly lunch together.

If you'd like to come and join us please phone Juliet Curry on 01993 702202.

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