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Riding for the Disabled, Southmoor - Saturday, 31st January 2026

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Blog by Eleanor, photos by Sally and Julio It was almost a year since our last session at Riding for the Disabled and that had been on a terribly wet day, so this time we were luckier with the weather. We would be working in two separate areas. One task was to clear one of the ditches. This would enable more water to drain away and prevent the paddock from flooding. The other task was to plant bulbs along the footpath leading to the woodland area behind the buildings. The riding centre was planning to develop this path so eventually horses could be led along it with their riders. Sue, of the riding centre gave us our tasks. Briefing in the yard The riding centre seen from the new footpath The ditch clearers set off to begin their task. The ditch before We had brought waders, but fortunately the ditch could mostly be cleared from the bank.   Jim and Rhian set to work Kevin clearing the ditch with a crome (rake with curvy tines) Rhian taking cleared stuff to the heap Meanwhile, the b...
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Lincombe Lane Field, Boars Hill - Saturday, 24th January 2026

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Blog by Sally.  Photos by Henry, Julio, Michele and Sally On Saturday, 24 January, we went to a new site for us at Lincombe Lane, Boars Hill, which was bought by Oxford Preservation Trust in three lots between 1937 and 1940 from Abingdon Rural District Council and comprises a field of unimproved grassland, heath and wet flush which slopes to a wooded valley fen - a local wildlife site.  On a clear day, it offers views of Didcot and the Berkshire Downs to the south and of Princes Risborough and the Chilterns to the east, so quite a lovely spot to find ourselves on an unexpectedly fine winter's day, as the forecast earlier in the week had promised rain. The field is grazed by horses, and these had been fenced in so we could work safely.  18 volunteers turned out, including Matt, one of the OPT volunteers and we worked under the direction of Rod d'Ayala, the consultant ecologist to OPT.  We had car shared where possible and once we had all assembled, we made our way dow...
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Dry Sandford Pit - Saturday 17th January 2026

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  Blog by Eleanor, photos by Kevin and Michele A good number of Green Gymmers turned out for this session, led by Adrian. There had been heavy rain the previous night, but it had pretty much stopped by the time we met, and the sun was trying to put in an appearance. The tasks we had been given were to cut back willow in the fen, to carry on clearing vegetation from the front of the cliffs and to clear brambles encroaching on the green open space between the cliffs and the fen. Adrian gives a briefing Simon, Kevin, Barbara, Dieuwke and Eleanor decided to venture into the fen. We had to be very careful where we trod, making sure the water didn't come over the tops of our wellies. Workers in the fen Dieuwke in the fen In the background you can see the barrier made of cut willow trunks and branches separating the fen from the rest of the site, which is open to the public. Soon Simon and Kevin were dragging cut willow towards the barrier, where Simon expertly stacked them. Cut willow on...
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Annual General Meeting - Saturday, 10th January 2026

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Blog and Photo by Sally On Saturday, 10 January, our Annual General Meeting was held in the Perry Room, Methodist Hall in Appleford Drive, chaired by Eleanor.  It was well attended, with 14 Green Gymmers present.  Unfortunately, our secretary, Ursula, was unwell so Dieuwke kindly stepped in to take the minutes.  We all wished Ursula a speedy recovery.  Eleanor read out the reports from Adrian, our Programme Co-ordinator, and Barbara, who is responsible for purchasing tools, equipment and our uniforms, as neither could be present for the meeting. After our business was conducted over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit, we put the chairs away and went to Kevin and Carolyn's, as they kindly hosted our lunch, which 12 of us attended.  Carolyn had kindly co-ordinated who was bringing what and it was beautifully laid out on their dining table.  Roger had made some very tasty bread, Dieuwke a scrummy Waldorf salad and Susan an exotic salad made with chickpeas an...
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Two Pines Fen, Frilford Heath Golf Course - Tuesday, 6th January 2026

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Blog and photos by Sally On a very wintry Tuesday, 8 volunteers (5 from Abingdon Green Gym) turned out for a midweek session at Two Pines Fen on Frilford Heath Golf Course to cut the tall vegetation and rake it.  We can only work safely on this Fen when one of the courses is closed for maintenance and today was the day for the Red Course to be closed.  The morning had started with a flurry of snow and temperatures were forecast to rise to 2 degrees.  Thank goodness for thermals!  It was in marked contrast to the glorious sunshine of the previous Saturday, when Green Gym were working on the adjoining Boundary House Fen. 4 people arrived at the start of the session - we were all trained scythers, including Mike from the Barton Fields Green Team, David and Jim and we made our way to the Red 16th tee where we we able to set up our base camp under the Men's tee, ensuring that we had our scythes, the first aid kit and the all-important Green Gym biscuits.   Two P...
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