Hinksey Heights Nature Reserve - Saturday 20th January 2024

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Blog by Eleanor, photos by Sally and Kevin

We met in the car park of Hinksey Heights golf course, which has a large nature reserve and a public footpath nature trail running through it. We were joined by new member Jane, who joined us for the first time on a Saturday. The temperature had risen slightly since the previous days' frosts, but this was replaced by a cold wind.

John Brimble, the landowner, welcomed us and led us across the golf course, to the area where we were going to be working.  First, Kevin needed to cut a path through the hedge, then John cut through some barbed wire so we could descend a precipitous slope to the brambly and somewhat boggy area just above the two lakes.  We had worked on the other side of the lakes near the public footpath before, but never on this side.  John told us that the water for irrigating the golf course all came from these lakes.

Our task was to cut back bramble and elder to make a clear way through to the lakes.  There was a lot to do, so we set to work at once with loppers, saws and scythes.  John showed us an area where we could pile the cut material so, having cleared a path through, some of us began to rake it up and pitchfork it down there.  It was hard work dragging and pitchforking it down the slope, but at least we were more sheltered from the wind.  A robin kept us company, waiting for an opportunity to dive down and snatch some food.

By tea break time we could see a clear view through to the lakes and the nature trail on the other side. There was plenty more to do, however, and we had to make sure that all the cut material was cleared up. Then it was time to collect up our tools and make our way back up the slope and to the car park. Some people stayed for a welcome free hot drink at the cafe.  We will be back again in a few weeks' time to continue the work. 

Kevin cuts  a way through.


Starting work


Bramble cutting

Constructing the heap.

Graham raking. Joan chatting.

Barbara in front of the lake

End of the session

A clear way through to the lake

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