Spring Open Afternoon @Boundary Brook Nature Reserve

Spring Open Afternoon @Boundary Brook Nature Reserve: 2 to 4pm, 21st March

Oxford Urban Wildlife Group are delighted to invite you to the OUWG Spring Open Afternoon, 2-4pm, Saturday 21st March 2026, and hope you will come and enjoy this incredibly beautiful oasis of nature on the doorstep of East Oxford and become immersed in wildlife in the heart of the city. There will be nature focused activities and walks for people of all ages and for all the family.

Contact us on info@ouwg.org.uk for more information and to book. You can join OUWG via our website with the family rate of £8 a year, or £5 a year for individuals, and visit whenever you like.

Safety for Humans and Wildlife on Boundary Brook Reserve

OUWG would really like to remind everyone that it is important for safety that children under 15 are accompanied by an adult at all times when visiting the reserve. There is deep water on site, and although safety measures are in place, it is important that all young people under 15 are always under the supervision of an adult. Please keep to the designated paths at all times.

Please do not move, disturb, or remove anything from the nature reserve, as the ecology is carefully managed as a mosaic of ecosystems. The reserve is for the benefit of wildlife and this is their home. Please take anything you bring to the reserve with you and do not leave any litter. Only guide and support dogs are welcome: for those visitors who need them, please do keep them on a lead at all times.

Spring is here in the nature reserve. What a beautiful couple of weeks we have had. From the wonderful appearance of spring butterflies coming out of hibernation, Brimstone and Peacock butterflies, the blossoming of the blackthorn, the sightings of a range of spring moths to the abundance of frogs and frogspawn in the ponds. Its a sight to behold on the Boundary Brook Nature Reserve.

Photo by Hugh Warwick

Site security

There have been a number of recent thefts on the allotment, including: a wheelbarrow, two recently-planted trees, and a shed. The committee have decided to install some mobile cameras, and please do help by keeping a lookout for anyone you don’t recognise on your neighbouring plots.

It does seem like one would need gate access to remove such large items, so if you hold the gate for someone you don’t know, do ask to see their key if you feel comfortable.

As always, please keep the gates locked at all times.

If you have other suggestions, or if you have had something stolen in the last 18 months, do get in touch (if the latter, include when, what, plot number). The best way of contacting the committee is via the contact form.

Shop reopening & seed potatoes

The EWAA shop reopens on Sunday 22nd February, 10:00-12:00. Fresh stock, including: seed potatoes, seeds, compost, and muck ‘n’ mulch will be available. If you have any questions, contact the shop here.

Potato stock for 2026:

  • First earlies: Caledonian Pearl, Casablanca, Duke of York, Red Duke of York.
  • Second earlies: Charlotte, Marfona.
  • Main crop: Desirée, Marvel.

The shop opens on Sunday mornings as follows:

  • mid-Feb-March: 10:00-12:00
  • April-July: 11:00-12:00
  • Sept-Nov: 11:00-12:00
  • August, December & January: Closed

Allotment shop seeks new officer

We are looking for a new shop officer from 1 April.

Duties include:

  • organising the Sunday volunteer rota
  • ordering and managing deliveries of new produce (seeds, potatoes, netting etc.)
  • updating the shop payment system

The role would suit someone who would be comfortable using the shop laptop, and lives close to the allotment site. The shop officer role could be shared between 2-3 people. Training will be provided.

For more information, or to put yourself forward for the role, please contact us via the contact form.

Plot inspection

Happy New Year! The first plot inspection of 2026 will be on Saturday 17th January. 

In advance:

  • Please make sure your plots are in line with the cultivation guidelines here (a three-minute read)
  • Please make sure your plot is clearly labelled with its number. This is one of the cultivation guidelines and there are the odd one or two currently missing… If you need inspiration, there are some great ones around the allotment.

With many thanks,

EWAA Committee

EWAA AGM 2025 minutes now available

The minutes of the EWAA Annual General Meeting, held on 12th October 2025, are now available to read. At this meeting:

  • Officers and Committee members were elected;
  • The proposal to raise the rent by £5 per plot was voted on and passed;
  • Reports were given by the Treasurer and Membership Secretary;
  • An update on the new lease with Oxford City Council was given;
  • and an update on incorporation was given.

You can read the minutes of all committee meetings, AGMs, and EGMs here.

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