Sunningwell Village - Saturday, 31st October 2026

Blog by Sally.  Photos by Eleanor, Margaret and Sally

We returned to the lovely village of Sunningwell on 31st October and it lived up to its name as it was another fine autumn day.  There were 16 Green Gymmers and a number of villagers joined us as well.  After parking in the village hall car park, local resident, Bob Evans, led us to his back garden so that we could leave our tools there and he explained the tasks he wanted us to do, which were to clear some vegetation from the village pond, cutting back overgrowing branches from the Green, clearing some vegetation from along the stream, scything vegetation from a small mound in the Green to allow some wildflower plants to be planted and also to scythe around some recently planted trees.

The briefing

Local residents take to the pond

Simon posing for the "before" photograph

The overgrown stream before work commenced to clear away some of the vegetation.  The road is prone to flooding in winter.

It's all hands on deck!  James saws one of the branches, which will be used to build up the dead hedge - a useful habitat for small mammals, birds and invertebrates.

A convoy of wheelbarrows to take away the weed and vegetation.  The pond is spring fed - the well that gives the village its name.

Eleanor returning to the pond having emptied the wheelbarrow

Anthea, Lesley, Ursula and Roger start work on clearing vegetation from near the stream

It wasn't too long before layers were peeled off as it soon warmed up in the sun.  Adrian is working on the treeline adjacent to the Green.

Teamwork!  Dieuwke and Lesley drag a heavy branch for "processing" - ie the smaller branches will be lopped or sawed off and then it will all be used to weave into the dead hedge.

Jim scything around the newly planted trees - wild service trees - as Graham rakes up the cut vegetation.  It was tricky scything as the ground is uneven and there were lots of low growing brambles and cleavers.

Rosie and Sally scythed the mound, avoiding the tall teasles as the seedheads are a valuable source of food for goldfinches in particular and they give the plant its name.  Then Vicky and our youngest volunteer from the village set about planting it with wild flowers.

In digging for planting out, our young volunteer came across lots of earthworms including this one that she named, "Daddy"!

It did not seem long until break time was called and we enjoyed refreshments, hot sausage rolls and cake.  A very convivial time was had by all!

After break, we returned to work to get the job done!

Carolyn and Adrian working on the stream near the entrance to the Green to clear away overgrowing vegetation.

Kevin, our leader for the session, dragging vegetation from the pond to the dead hedge area.

It was soon time for us to pack up our tools and say our farewells.  

The dead hedge and the scythed area around the newly planted trees after our efforts.

The cleared stream.  We made sure that some vegetation was left as cover and food for water voles.

Water running freely in the culvert

The cleared islands in the pond

The overgrowing branches having been cut from the trees, revealing the fence line and improving site lines, as well as allowing light for other plants

The planted up mound with teasles a-plenty

The Village Green notice board

A last hurrah of autumn - the golden flowers of a dandelion providing this little fly much needed pollen

The Village Green - with the thriving hedge that Abingdon Green Gym planted some years ago

We always enjoy our visits to Sunningwell as we are so well looked after and the villagers are appreciative of our efforts.  It's a lovely collaboration!  We thanked Bob and his wife for their kind hospitality and wished the village well with their preparations for their Bonfire Night celebrations the following week.