Next Event
Cuckoo Pen Hedge
Sun 15 Nov at 10:30
At Cuckoo Pen, Benson, between the St Helen's allotments and the brook
The hedge saplings have arrived and we're getting ready to plant a new hedge alongside the brook.
This lovely spot, where the Cuckoo Pen nursery once stood, is set to become a new community orchard and green space for everyone to enjoy.
Why not come along, lend a hand planting? It's a great opportunity to get outdoors, meet others and create something special for the village. Everyone is welcome – no experience needed.
📅 Programme 2026
Sun 15 Nov - Hedge planting
10:30 at Cuckoo Pen, Benson
Come and help plant the new hedge alongside the brook at Cuckoo Pen. Everyone is welcome.
Tue 1 Dec - AGM and social
Note, the new date
7:30 at Millstream Centre, Benson
The meeting will be brief, giving plenty of time for a short nature quiz, festive nibbles and a glass of wine – a lovely opportunity to catch up.
We welcome new ideas and fresh faces to our friendly committee. If you’d like to help shape BANG’s future, please get in touch at
January - Film "Derek vs Derek"
Cancelled
Past Events 2026
Thu 29 Jan "A River Sings" film
A film on the Evenlode catchment and the issues of surface water flood and wetland management.
Tue 24 Feb - Otter talk
Otter talk from Gavin McLauchlan in Benson.
Sat 7 Mar - Warborough Freshers Fair
The Freshers Fair hosts a stall introducing BANG.
Sun 22 Mar - "Six Inches of Soil" Film
A film on regenerative farming from three young famers, followed by a panel discussion.
Fri 23 Apr - Night-time Safari - postponed.
Sat 2 May - Dawn Chorus Walk
Our dawn chorus walk in Ewelme, with breakfast at the Cress Beds centre.
Sat 9 May - Family Nature Event
This included kick sampling in the stream, owl pellet dissection, identifying moths and so on.
Sat 16 May - Benson Community Celebration
As part of the nation-wide "Million Acts of Hope", BANG and other local groups show-cased their activities.
Sat 13 Jun - Great Big Green Week
An ECO Fair, with family activities and nature surveys, displays on sustainable living and local food producers.
Sat 13 Jun - Tour Broad Arboretum
A walk and talk around Broad Arboretum at the Earth Trust with John Brannan.
Mon 15 Jun – People’s Emergency Briefing
A 45 minute film on climate and biodiversity, showing the impact that science is predicting on our economy, health, food security, national security and so on. Then discussion of the actions we can take.
Sat 20 Jun - Moths and Farm Walk
Moth discovery and tour at Hale Farm with the farmer Rupert Belcher to see regenerative farming.
Tue 30 Jun - Butterfly Introduction
Butterfly ID training with Richard Soulsby.
Sun 5 Jul - Butterfly Field Session
With Richard and Tom Stevenson at Warwick Spinney.
Sun 19 Jul - Wildlife Open Gardens
Watlington Wildlife Open Gardens
Thu 13 Aug – Social with the committee
Pub get together to share ideas.
Tue 1 Sep – Otters - postponed
A talk from Gavin McLauchlan.
Fri 4 Sep - Bird-watching walk - postponed
Led by Steve Ash.
September - Riverfly Training
Ewelme Cress Beds
Sep and Oct - Scything Meadows
Scythe and rake Millbrook Mead and Warwick Spinney
Tue 13 Oct - Otmoor RSPB Reserve
Talk from Gordon Hurst, keen birder at Otmoor.
⏰Regular Activities
Bird Watching Walks
1st Friday of the month, usually
From Warborough, led by Steve Ash
Ewelme Watercress Beds Conservation work
1st Sat and 3rd Weds each month
9:30-12:30
Mid-week Conservation
In Benson or Ewelme, together with the Green Gym
2nd Tuesday each month
10:00-1:00
Sunday Conservation
Somewhere in our villages
1st Sunday each month
10:00-12:00
Path mowing
Warwick Spinney, Millbrook Mead
May to October
Interested in joining in?
Contact us at:
📊 Citizen Science
Water quality monitoring
Water vole surveys
Riverfly monitoring
Butterfly surveys
Bird surveys along a set of 11 routes around our parishes
Mud spotting - Identifying locations along Benson Brook where excess water enters from roads, paths, or gardens after heavy rainfall.
Want to know more?
Contact us at: