‘Tis the season to plant trees in!
According to The Woodland Trust, it’s best to plant trees between November and March when they’re dormant and there’s less risk of causing damage.
There are lots of reasons people plant trees – to replace an old one that had to be felled, to help wildlife, to grow fruit, to soak up carbon, to remember a loved one, just to watch it grow.
But there’s another compelling reason to plant a tree this year. Because it will help us reach our target of 1000 new trees in the 3 villages!
Native species have the dual benefit of capturing carbon and supporting indigenous wildlife so we’ve got a great list of natives for you to choose from – and they’re all under a fiver.
Depending on what space you have available, how about a beautiful flowering tree like a guelder rose or a bird cherry, or if you’ve got a bigger gap, why not a sweet chestnut so you can be roasting your own in a few Christmases from now. For the full range, see the tree-planting section of our website: https://www.hugsustainability.org/trees-1
We’ll also be able to put you in touch with expert local gardeners for advice on where and how to plant.
Owls over Upton
We’re launching an exciting project with Lu Barton of Lu’s Owls in Didcot to monitor owls in our area. Owls are an indicator species, helping us understand what state our local nature is in. We know tawny and little owls are still around, but we think we’ve lost barn owls in recent years.
Using the data we collect together we want to put up more nest boxes (several with web cams) and we’d like to work with landowners to improve habitat for our owls. More info next month!
Village Questionnaire
You’ll be getting a questionnaire from the Parish Council asking what you’d like to see happening in the village in your mail/email soon.
It’s a good opportunity to register your support for activities and expenditure which promote nature, the rural landscape and sustainable lifestyles.
Members of the Parish Council committee aren’t opposed to these things – in fact they’ve been very positive about protecting the environment and biodiversity. But they need to know what your views are, and what you expect them to take into consideration when making decisions.
If you’re concerned about the environment, biodiversity or climate change, please speak up.
Kieron
HUGS Launch a Wildlife Walk
HUGS were at the Hagbourne Produce Show last month (socially distanced in the car park) to ask villagers what sustainable activities they’d be interested in. Popular suggestions included tree planting, a repair cafe, a pop-up refill station and wilding of verges and other areas. We’ll be working on making these happen.
We also attended September’s Upton Parish Council meeting to propose ways to keep the village green and low-carbon.
Village Wildlife Walk
We’re pleased to launch a wildlife walk in celebration of the beautiful landscape we live in. It’s a 2 mile circular route connecting the 3 villages along footpaths and the cycle track. It’s mainly metalled path so will be great for autumnal and wintery walks as well as spring and summer.
A printable map and directions are at www.hugsustainability.org/walk
As locals, you’ve probably enjoyed the scenery and wildlife on parts or all of the route already. There are several hidden gems including the Hagbourne cemetery wildflower meadow (in summer) and Mowbray Fields Nature Reserve. There’s a top 10 wildlife spotting list for kids too.
We’ve walked the route with Steve Gozdz of Goring Gap Wildlife Walks, who’s offering guided tours of the route and has described it as a ‘haven of wildlife to be discovered.’
We’d be delighted to see any pictures you take and to hear about wildlife you find along the way.
The HUGS Team hugsustainability@gmail.com
Blewbury Post Office News
We are still open Monday to Friday mornings 8.30am until 12 noon, there are rumours about us closing, but not to our knowledge. Two potential new members of staff are about to embark on their training, so hopefully we will be able to open in the afternoons and on Saturday mornings very soon. Maggie is working full time in Hagbourne, as Steve has had a nasty accident and is off work until December.
We have beautiful Rupert stamps out now, glorious Bugs in early October, and we are expecting the Christmas stamps in shortly, they will be on sale in early November. The basic rate for Europe is now £1.45 and for the rest of the world £1.70
Anyone with a Post Office card account, will be receiving letters that this service is closing, just fill out the form, and have your pension and allowances paid into a bank account, you can still get your money out at the post office, (and pay in cash or cheques very easily)
Royal Mail have reported an increase of 40% in mail since March, there are still delays to the service, and we ask that ALL mail is processed by 11.30 am every day, we still have people rushing in at closing time, when we are struggling to clean and cash up.
We rely on sales from the shop to support paying for staff, Post Office Ltd do not pay for them, I have to pay them from my allowance, (which is a pittance I can tell you), we have heard from the High Court that POL have once again asked for a delay in court case No 4, (the one that decides if we are actually employed by POL, or still classed as ‘agents’ with no sick pay, no pension or rights) POL have lost the last 3 cases decidedly, and have little hope of winning this one either! They still take tax and national insurance out of my ‘remuneration’ as they call it!
So please help us by buying a few cards or something, when you are next in! Christmas stock is on its way! Trying hard to stock up with more recyclable goods, with less glitter and plastic!
Karen and Maggie
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2020
Owing to the ongoing Covid 19 Pandemic, there will not be any house to house collections this year. However, from the 22nd October there will be a collection box and poppies available at the George and Dragon here in the village, in Blewbury at Savages, the Garage, the Post Office, the Blueberry, the Red Lion and also at the Horse and Harrow in West Hagbourne.
I am also trying to arrange to set up a table somewhere in the village so that villagers can purchase a Poppy from myself or one of the other collectors, this will depend on current restrictions and also the weather. I will provide further details nearer the time.
Helen Weston
Wine Club back in Business
September saw the start of a new season for the UWC. With the first ever virtual UWC quiz finishing off the last season in June, this was the first “real” meeting since February this year! It was great to see everyone together, albeit with the new social distance rules that apply to the village hall.
The rules and guidelines for the village hall relating to COVID-19 are constantly being reviewed to ensure we are fully up to date and compliant. Whilst we have had to make some changes for everyone’s protection, it has been brilliant to have the opportunity to bring back a little bit of normality for everyone who enjoys the wine club.
September allowed the club to start the new season with the delayed March meeting, which was wines from Brian and Giulia’s Strictly Wine business, presented by Ros and Andy, the distributors that have helped Strictly Wine build their business from the start!
One of the great things about wine is the varying tastes experienced from the same grape, which you get from the differing regions and methods of wine making. Great for the variety but not always easy to make a selection. Ros and Andy helped out here by comparing various wines for different countries and regions for everyone to compare and contrast.
To start we tried the Zorzal, Sauvignon Blanc “Eggo Blanc de Cal” from Mendoza with the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 1 from Marlborough. Whilst the New Zealand Marlborough is perhaps better known for SB, there was an even split on preference. Try the Zorzal for something different!
Next we tried the Tahbilk Viognier, Nagambie Lakes from Victoria and the Swartland Winery ‘Limited Release’ Carignan. Really interesting to try a white against a red. There was a clear winner here, with one member ordering several cases of the Carignan….Christmas come early (if it lasts that long!) 100% Carignan, with some great complexity and a combination of dark red fruits and chocolate – Yum!
We had two very contrasting Pinot Noir’s to taste next. Lake Chalice ‘The Nest’ Pinot Noir from Marlborough and Ernst Gouws Pinot Noir, Western Cape. Two great wines, which changed people’s view as the wine opened up. The Nest, produced some very aromatic flavours mixed with light raspberries, whilst the Ernst Gouws was a much deeper red with again, more chocolate notes with red berries. Both great and worth trying with some Pate for a lazy Sunday supper!
Out last wine comparison was the Argentine Piattelli Premium Malbec Premium, Cafayate and the Berton Vineyard Gundagai Shiraz from New South Wales, Australia. Both brilliant wines to finish on, with the Australian Shiraz becoming the overall favourite, with some beautiful deep red berry flavours. Just right for a beef casserole!
If you fancy trying any of the wines above then please look up strictlywine.com (or just see Brian). For anyone wanting to know more about the wine club or who wants to come along and see what it’s all about please go to our website (www.uptonwineclub.com) or mail ian.langley@yahoo.co.uk.
Looking forward to October’s meeting, where the committee will be talking about some of their favourite wines from the Summer!
Ian
(Chairman)
Ride and Stride in Aid of Your Local Church
The Ride and Stride event will go ahead on Saturday 12th September, under Government guidelines. Individuals are invited to get sponsorship for cycling, walking, or horse riding around as many churches as possible. Half of the monies collected go to a church of your choice and half to the OHCT which provides grants for the upkeep of church buildings. St Mary’s church will be open all day.
For further information and to download a sponsor form please go to rideandstride@ohct.org.uk. or contact Clare Lightfoot 01235 850486.
HUGS – Creating a cleaner, greener, healthier future
We’d like to tell you about a new sustainability group called HUGS, the Hagbournes and Upton Group for Sustainability.
We formed in lockdown having had the time to appreciate nature more as well as to think about the future.
We also took part in the Climate Coalition’s ‘The Time is Now’ campaign to ask MPs for a greener recovery from Covid-19. This is an economic recovery that works to tackle both the climate crisis and the dramatic decline in our UK wildlife.
HUGS has 3 main aims:
- To work with other groups in the area to ensure plans and policies for our communities are compatible with achieving a healthy, nature-rich, low-carbon future
- To help nature by supporting existing conservation work around our 3 villages, and also starting new projects that promote greater biodiversity
- To share information about how we can all live more sustainably – whether in our homes, our gardens or our lifestyles. And to develop projects that help us live more sustainably together (e.g. a local pop-up refill station to reduce plastic use).
To find out more read our first blog at http://www.hugsustainability.org
If you’d like information about our events and meetings, send us an email at hugsustainability@gmail.com
Kieron and the HUGS team!
Village Tea Party
Saturday, 5th September was to have been the date of the Village Fete but current circumstances mean we can’t hold this in its traditional format. However, the government’s restrictions do allow certain events to take place and many people long for something to look forward to in a summer when so much has been cancelled. So instead of the fete, we are planning a grand village tea party on 5th September, open to Upton residents and their invited guests.
Reserved tables will be set up outside the village hall, one per family or group, and delicious sandwiches, cakes and tea will be served up to all. There will be a small number of stalls (preserves, raffle, tombola etc) and, with music playing the scene will be set for a jolly afternoon. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will erect the village marquee to provide shelter.
We are likely to be restricted to 30 people at a time so if there’s enough interest we will arrange a couple of sittings. Pre-booking will be essential so we can cater for the right numbers. We are of course very aware of social distancing and other safety measures which will be carefully observed.
The cost will be £10 per head, with children at half price. Tickets must be booked through Jessie (851206), Frankie (851404), Gloria (850683) or Paul (851251). Don’t forget that they must be booked in advance and that numbers are limited!
Paul Batho
Blewbury Post Office Re-opens
Blewbury Post Office is back open again on Monday to Friday mornings, 8.30am until 12noon, closed on August Bank Holiday Monday. The days post is collected between 11.00am and 12noon, so urgent mail needs to be in by then. Pretty stamps are available to buy but stick on at home.
We are still working on the ‘one in, one waiting in the corner, everyone else outside’ system, face coverings are appreciated, but not really needed, as we are behind our glass screen and everyone can keep more than 2m apart. We are taking a short break at around 10.30am, so don’t worry if no one is there at that time.
Planned Improvements for Local Cycling
Residents of all ages can look forward to a step-change in cycling infrastructure aimed at making this green form of transport safer and more attractive for a range of journeys across Oxfordshire.
A series of bold plans by Oxfordshire County Council, combined with a £2.9m two-stage Government grant, will transform residents’ experience of cycling as part of a move to support active and healthy travel combined with a firm commitment to cutting carbon emissions and air pollution.
The popularity of cycling has soared since lockdown began in March. The council is determined to build on this trend and to ensure that the related reduction in air pollution (which is down by as much as 64% in some parts of the county) is sustained in the future.
The active travel fund will allow Oxfordshire to address some of the key factors that deter people from cycling and encourage more journeys by bike. Current measures include prioritising road space for bikes to improve road safety; improving signage and road markings for cycle lanes; and creating more cycle parking in all market towns and Oxford. The next stage of the funding will include more 20mph zones to improve road safety where residents want them.
The first phase of the funding is being concentrated over an eight-week period. The steps taken include:
More purpose-built cycle parking areas, particularly in market town squares, close to rural bus stops, and at park and rides
More priority given to cycles, from changes to traffic light timings to prioritise people travelling by bike to adapting the road network to allow more space for bikes
An upgraded maintenance scheme for cycle paths and cycle routes, with improved signage and route markings
The County Council is also working on an exciting programme of structural improvements to support cycling and walking well beyond the active travel fund. As part of the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, the county is working with the district and city councils on a series of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). Didcot, Bicester and Oxford will be the first locations in the county to benefit from them.
The LCWIPs will mean a cycle network for each town, with numbered cycle routes, including links to villages and towns within easy cycling distance. They will also include measures to improve pedestrian access to the main shopping centres.
Work on the Icknield Greenway, the cycle route linking Wantage to Harwell business park, started on 26 May and is due to be completed on 16 October. The route is one of six key corridors linking Harwell Campus, Milton Park and Culham Science Centre with Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage, and is part of the Science Vale Cycle Network Project. This major scheme is designed to provide improved facilities for journeys by bike and on foot and to encourage sustainable travel across the area.