Shop News March 2020

The first delivery of Potatoes was a big success, and we sold the last bag on the weekend of 23rd Feb.  The shop volunteers pointed out that I hadn’t communicated the reason for the new plan for potato sales this year, so apologies for that:  Last year we bought about 250kg of Potatoes and had to throw away 30kgs unsold.  So this year we decided to buy less, and buy in 2kg bags (and sell only in whole kilo’s), so we’d have less wastage.  This seems to have worked well so far.  

The second delivery of potatoes arrived this week, so we now have Duke of York (1st Early), Charlotte (Salad & 2nd Early), Nadine (2nd Early), Cara, Desiree and Orla (all Maincrop) varieties in the shop, ready for the weekend of 1st March.

As March is upon us, the shop opening times are a changing.  As always, during March and April, the shop will be open from 10am until 12 noon.  

Shop News – Feb 2020

With spring rapidly approaching we’ve exciting new things in the shop .

Bags of steam sterilised, composted Manure, at £5.50 each,

3.6m x 150mm x 22mm planks, at £6 each (perfect for paths or for quick borders on raised beds), and 2.4m x 125mm feather edge boards, at £2 per plank (for repairing shed walls/doors). We’ve already sold out of the thicker 6″ x 2″ planks, for making raised beds. Let the shop know if you’d like us to buy more.

Also, with Valentines day nearly upon us, it’s time for Potatoes. We’re expecting our delivery this week, to go on sale this Sunday 16th Feb. This year we will be stocking Duke of York, Charlotte, Nadine, Cara, Desiree and Orla varieties at £1.10 per kilo. Potatos will be in 2kg bags, sold as a whole or half bag.

Shop opening times are 11am until Noon on Sundays, until March, when they will open from 10am until Noon, until the end of April.

Update:

Sadly the Duke of York and Orla varieties weren’t available yet, so will be delivered in a week or so. Until then it’s just Charlotte (Salad), Nadine (2nd Early), Cara and Desiree (Main Crop) in the shop.

Fruit Sale & Pruning Talk

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 Courses for Pruning & Grafting with Andy Howard for January/February

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

Hedgehog Talk by Hugh Warwick on 12th November

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

Hedgehog event Flo Park.pdf

Boundary Brook Reserve – Tree Felling Courses this winter

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 30th November, 10am to 3pm, FREE 

Tree Felling By Hand (Beginners)

Sunday 1st 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) 30th Nov

Tree felling by hand (beginners) 1st Dec

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

BBNP A3 poster - winter programme.pdf

Boundary Brook Hedgelaying Courses this winter

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

Hedge Laying (Intermediate)

Saturday 25th 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) 7th Dec

Hedgelaying (Intermediate) 25th 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 16thNov  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

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