Work off the festive fat on Sunday 11th January by helping the Nature Recovery Network plant a magnificent new hedge in the ancient Swinford meadow. Like Long Mead Wildlife Site (which is just across the river). Swinford Meadow is one of only a handful of ancient meadows left in the country. It belongs to the Oxford Preservation Trust and they have leased it to us to enable us all to restore it.
Swinford meadow is the first meadow that you are able to walk into upstream of Eynsham Lock. The Thames Path goes through it.
It is 15 minutes walk from Long Mead where we will meet, if you take the Wharf Stream Way, across the B4044 from Long Mead. Walk through the meadow to Eynsham Lock, cross over the lock and follow the towpath up under Swinford Toll Bridge. Swinford Meadows is through the first gate, beyond the houses and glamping site on your left.
We will leave from Long Mead at 10am but if you come later, follow the white dots on the map below. (The QR code by Swinford Meadows takes you to Google Maps and should direct you there.)
There is likely to be standing water in some parts of the meadow. If it is very wet we will start at the main road end of the top meadow. It is possible to access the meadows from the main Farmoor road but you will have to walk on the grass verge after Swinford. If you intend to come by bike, the B4044 is the only route. There is no car access.
After the success of December's first round of planting we want to build on that to progress our ambitious Hedge in Time project - restoring hedgerows and creating wildlife corridors in our local environment.
We hope to see those of you that can make it from 10am - 3pm.
MEET: Long Mead Local Wildlife Site - 10am
FOOD: Please bring your own hot drinks and picnic. Cake will likely be available!
ATTIRE: Wellies and warm working clothes
EQUIPMENT: Gardening gloves, spades and secateurs if you have them
ABILITY: This event is for all ages and abilities, if you are unable to dig we also have gentler activities available, such as pruning!
It is always helpful if you can arrive at the beginning so that we can brief everyone together. But if you can’t make it then, we’d love to see you anyway - see map and walking route below. RSVP here.