East Ward Allotment Association

Andy Howard of the Heritage Fruit Tree Company will be making a return visit to EWAA on Saturday 21st March between 10-12pm. Andy’s talk on pruning was much appreciated last year and he has agreed to offer this again when he brings along fruit trees and bushes for sale.

A stock list will be made available in due course so that members are able to pre-order for delivery on the day.

Training Course 1– Winter Pruning- Saturday 11th January from 10.30am to 4pm in Twyford, Adderbury.

Join experienced Fruit tree and Orchard Pruner and the Owner of the Heritage Fruit Tree Company- Andy Howard for a day’s training course, to learn the theory and practice of Winter Pruning for Apple and Pear Trees, learn the different methods to shape trees, to control their size, influence their productivity & when to apply techniques. Learn the difference between summer & winter pruning. Gain confidence to apply to your own orchard, garden or community orchard.

Price: £50 per person for MSOG members & £60 for non-members Please pay by bank transfer to reserve a place or call to pay by card: Please email to johoward@metronet.co.uk for details

You will need to bring a packed lunch, tea & coffee will be provided on the day.

Training Course 2- GRAFTING Saturday 25th January 2020, from 11am to 3pm(including lunch break) at Twyford, Adderbury.

Learn the theory & practice of grafting & take home 2 x fruit trees that you will make yourself from a choice of rootstocks and heritage variety Scion-wood. You will be learning from Hands on Grafter and owner of Heritage Fruit Tree Company Andy Howard. Price £50 per person for MSOG members & £60 for non-members, payment & booking details above.

You will need to bring a packed lunch and tea & coffee provided on the day

Training Course 3- Winter Pruning Course 2 -Sunday 2nd February 2020 10.30am to 4pm at Felden Forest Farm, Frankton, Rugby, Warks, CV23 9PD

Join experienced Fruit Tree and Orchard Pruner Andy Howard for a day’s training course in George Brownings orchard with a variety of younger & older trees in varying states of pruning needs, you will see different pruning strategies used on site and much more. Please bring a packed lunch, tea & coffee supplied on the day.

Price per person £50 for MSOG members & £60 for non-members. Payment details as above. For all 3 courses book early to avoid disappointment, as it is a first come first serve basis. All courses are subject to a minimum number of places being booked.

The Heritage Fruit Tree Company Tel 01295 810516 Mob 07950006813 www.heritagefruittrees.co.uk

How to help hedgehogs with Hugh!

Would you like to learn more about the nation’s favourite mammal and how you can help them this autumn?

Come along for an evening of hedgehog fun with the fantastic Hugh Warwick, aka ‘Hedgehog Hugh’!
Hugh is an ecologist, writer and local Oxford celeb, with a particular passion for hedgehog conservation.

The talk will run for approximately 45 minutes, and there will be a chance to ask Hugh questions too.
Please reserve your free tickets on Eventbrite https://naturehoodhedgehogsflopark.eventbrite.co.uk

Family-friendly. This venue is wheelchair accessible.

Naturehood is a wildlife project which aims to bring communities together to act for wildlife in their local area.
To learn more visit https://naturehood.uk

Tree Felling By Hand (Beginners) Courses

This winter we will be offering two tree felling courses at Boundary Brook Nature Park.  The courses aim to provide a practical introduction to safe and efficient tree felling using hand tools.  There are 8 places available on each course.

Tree Felling By Hand (Beginners)

Saturday 30^th November, 10am to 3pm, FREE 

Tree Felling By Hand (Beginners)

Sunday 1^st December, 10am to 3pm, FREE

Nearly 30 years ago, many birch trees were planted at Boundary Brook with the intention they would ‘nurse’ dense scrub.  Many were never intended to become high-canopy trees shading out the adjacent allotments.  These are ear-marked for cutting down this winter.  Many of these cut trees will grow again and this regrowth will be thickened with new shrub and additional hard-wood planting.  Most of the birch to be felled are clean, straight and provide ideal models for the basic principles of safe and efficient tree felling, using simple hand tools. 

On the course you will learn about beaks and brashing, hinges and hitches and something about birch as a timber, firewood and source of ambrosial wine!

Please note the course is for felling with simple hand tools NOT chainsaws.

Courses are aimed at adults 18+

Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring your own food for lunch & snacks.

Please dress sensibly for the weather as we will be outside all day.

To book your place follow one of the links below:

Tree felling by hand (beginners) 30^th Nov

Tree felling by hand (beginners) 1^st Dec

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Hedgelaying Courses & Volunteer Taster Day

This winter BBOWT will be running two hedgelaying courses at Boundary Brook Nature Park.  These courses will be offered to members of Oxford Urban Wildlife Group and East Ward Allotment Association free of charge on a first come first served basis.  The courses are £30 for non-members.  There are 12 places available on each course.

Hedge Laying (Beginners)

Saturday 7^th December, 10am to 4pm, FREE with promo code ‘HEDGE’ 

Hedge Laying (Intermediate)

Saturday 25^th January, 10am to 4pm, FREE with promo code ‘HEDGE’ 

·         With each of these full day courses, you will cover the basics of hedge laying and learn all the necessary skills & techniques that are required for successful hedge laying.

·         You will learn why hedgelaying is so beneficial to wildlife, creating the ideal conditions for many plants, animals, insects & birds to thrive.

·         The beginners course is aimed at those who have little or no experience of hedgelaying.  The intermediate course is for those who have some hedgelayingexperience but want to practice and improve, and will involve laying a more challenging section of the allotment boundary hedge.

Courses are aimed at adults 18+

Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring your own food for lunch & snacks.

Please dress sensibly for the weather as we will be outside all day.

To book your place follow one of the links below and enter Promo code ‘HEDGE’ to book your free place:

Hedgelaying (beginners) 7^th Dec

Hedgelaying (Intermediate) 25^th Jan

Together with BBOWT we are also offering a Volunteer Taster Day where we’ll be offering a day of practical hands-on tasks to give potential volunteers a taste of volunteering at Boundary Brook Nature Park.  If you or your family or friends would like to come along and help the please register via this link: Volunteer Taster day 16^thNov  The event is completely free but we need to have an idea of how many people are attending.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us or Ed at BBOWT edmunday@bbowt.org.uk

Hello, a gentle reminder that there is a work party this Sunday between 11am and 1pm.

If you are planning to come this Sunday or the following (10th), please email Chris Clifford (EWAA Chair) at ewaa-oxford@hotmail.co.uk

All help is much appreciated & hot refreshments will be available

Hi All, please come & join us for a work party this weekend, email Chris Clifford (Chair) :ewaa-oxford@hotmail.co.uk

Hello, a gentle reminder that there is a work party this Sunday 11-1pm.

If you are planning to come this Sunday or the following (10th), please email Chris Clifford (EWAA Chair) to ewaa-oxford@hotmail.co.uk

All help is much appreciated & hot refreshments will be available