As we move towards autumn, it’s time to look back on the summer and celebrate our achievements and the fruits of the season. Here's a look at what's been going on at Enstone Eco this quarter!
Wins of the Season
Enstone Primary School Garden Clear-Up
A huge thank you to the volunteers who joined us and parents for the garden clear-up at Enstone Primary School. Your hard work has transformed the space, making it a welcoming environment for the children to enjoy and learn about nature. The school is already planning to use the cleared area for new planting projects next spring and there was lots of enthusiasm for new ideas in the next school year!
Lichens Walk at St Kenelm’s Church
We had a fantastic turnout for the Lichens Walk led by our local expert, Nicholas Carter, from Christchurch, University of Oxford. Attendees were fascinated to learn about the variety of lichens thriving in the churchyard, an important indicator of air quality and ecosystem health. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the ecosystem of our parish. You can get the excellent FSC identification guides at this link.
Heythrop Hotel Fundraising Walk
Our fundraising walk at Heythrop Park Hotel was a great success, raising funds for Enstone Eco so that we can facilitate future projects in the village. The scenic route and perfect weather made for an enjoyable day, and we’re grateful to everyone who participated and donated, particularly the amazing staff at Heythrop Park Hotel who gave us a guided tour and put on some amazing cake and coffee to recharge us afterwards!
Wildflower Plan Update
We’re thrilled to report that our plan to create a wildflower meadow at the Bicester Road/Great Tew Road crossroads is moving forward! OCC Highways support the project and suggested an arc design for the site. They will check no underground utilities are affected and arrange for the area to be cut once a year, similar to a Road Verge Nature Reserve. Stay tuned for further details and announcements!
Big Butterfly Count
Several residents of Enstone took part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count, contributing to a nationwide effort to monitor the health of our environment. By spending just 15 minutes counting butterflies, they helped provide valuable data that will aid in the conservation of these vital pollinators. You can read more about the project here. Thank you to everyone who joined in!
Stop Press!!! A rare Dark Green Fritillary butterfly was spotted in St Kenelm's Churchyard in August. Ecologist Craig Blackwell said it was the first fritillary he had seen for years!
Out and about in Enstone!
Members of the community have shared their experiences from recent walks around the village, including some interesting finds like a half-open wasp's nest near the allotments. Take a look at some of the recent photos sent in. Feel free to share your nature snaps to enstoneeco@gmail.com
If you are looking to take advantage of the upcoming harvest season and go blackberry picking, have a look at this Blueberry and Blackberry Cobbler recipe by Lucie Wilson, a supporter of the Women's Institute (WI). This recipe is perfect for using up the wild berries that are in season and can be foraged around the village!
Safe Foraging Tips from the Food Standards Agency:
Identify Plants Correctly: Ensure you are confident about the identity of the plants or fruits you collect, as some can be toxic.
Wash Thoroughly: Clean your harvest well to remove any contaminants.
Cook Safely: If you’re eating foraged foods in a hot dish, make sure to cook them until steaming to reduce the risk of pathogens.
Supervise Children: Don’t let children pick or eat wild food unsupervised.
Avoid Damaged Plants: Steer clear of bruised or mouldy plants or fruits.
Mind the Location: Don’t collect from areas that may be contaminated by pesticides, old industrial sites, or where animals may have contaminated the plants.
Start Small: If it’s your first time trying a foraged food, consume a small amount to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction.
Keep a Sample: Save a piece of what you’ve foraged in case you need to identify it later if you become unwell.
Forage Responsibly: Only take what you need to ensure plants can continue to thrive and reproduce.
Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Ian!
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Ian, one of our dedicated volunteers of Enstone Eco. We sat down with him to answer 10 eco questions. Ian has been instrumental in many of our projects, and we’re grateful for his passion and commitment to Enstone Eco!
What inspired you to get involved with Enstone Eco? I heard about Enstone Eco through a mutual friend in the village, Margaret Sawyer. I thought it would be a great opportunity to make a difference to our local nature while being sociable at the same time.
What’s your favorite local spot to connect with nature? Sitting on the new bench in St. Kenelm’s old churchyard, surrounded by butterflies, bees, and wildflowers. It’s incredibly peaceful.
Which environmental issue are you most passionate about? I’m most passionate about reversing the disappearance of flying insects. We’ve already lost 80% over recent decades, and the numbers continue to decline each year. This is crucial because insects are the bedrock of the food chain that all other wildlife depends on. It will take significant changes to give them a chance to recover.
What small change do you believe everyone can make to help the environment? Plant a patch of wildflowers in your garden or flower box to provide food for butterflies and other insects. While it’s not always easy to get wildflowers to grow, there’s a free talk by Ecologist Craig Blackwell on how to do this at 7 PM on Monday, October 21, in the Parish Hall. You’ll even get some free wildflower seeds.
Can you share a recent eco-friendly habit you’ve adopted? I recently downloaded the free iNaturalist app and started using it to identify wild plants, flowers, and insects. It’s fascinating to learn the names of the things I’m seeing locally.
What’s one book or documentary on the environment that you’d recommend? I’d recommend Across a Waking Land by Roger Morgan-Grenville (2023). It’s an easy read, full of humor, and describes his 1,000-mile walk from the south of England to the north of Scotland, following the spring as the British countryside blossoms into life. His background as a former soldier who now owns his own business gives him a unique perspective.
How do you like to spend time outdoors in Enstone? I enjoy exploring the local area with friends or family and learning about the precious habitats we have in our parish.
If you could implement one environmental policy in Enstone, what would it be? I’m pleased to share that following the parish survey, the Parish Council has adopted a “No Mow May” policy for grass verges and is expected to agree on a Biodiversity Policy at their meeting in September.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get more involved in environmental conservation? Get involved with a local ecological group like Enstone Eco and tell your friends about it! Even if it’s just subscribing to our blogs and occasionally attending events, it’s a great way to meet other local people and make a difference.
Events to Look Out For
Wildflower Talk by Craig Blackwell - Free entry
Date: 21 October 2024
Time: 19:00 – 21:00
Location: Lichfield Room, Enstone Parish Hall, The Paddocks, Chipping Norton OX7 4AZ
Join us for an illustrated talk by ecologist and Oxfordshire wildflower expert, Craig Blackwell. Learn how to establish wildflowers in your garden with practical tips and insights.
This event is organised in conjunction with the Enstone Garden Club, and attendees will receive free wildflower seeds, perfect for autumn sowing. We hope to see you there!
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our activities this quarter. If you’d like to get involved or learn more about our upcoming projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at enstoneeco@gmail.com or through our website.
Photo: A Peacock butterfly which Dawn spotted on some Scabious at the junction of the Great Tew and Bicester crossroads!
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