January 2026 News

 

Our main event in December was our Annual General Meeting on 8th December, held for the first time in the comfortable setting of the Millstream Centre, Benson.  Apart from the usual formalities required for these events, the meeting was a celebration of a busy and successful year, with a greater focus on community events and volunteering than in the past. This is in no small way due to the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of our Volunteering Co-ordinator, Tracey Comber who summarised these activities with a superb slideshow that includes the following highlights and that can be viewed here.

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• Berrick pond

• Benson school nature garden

• Big Green Week

• Benson library garden

• Consultation events in Berrick as well as Cuckoo Pen and Hopefield Grange in Benson

• Tree planting on the sports field for Benson school

 

Our initial thoughts for our exciting programme for 2026 were also presented. These include a showing of the film “A River Sings” (see “Confirmed Events” below), a tour of Hale Farm looking at regenerative farming, a night-time safari in April, a dawn chorus walk (at 4am!) in May, and apple pressing in the autumn. There is more of course, with details to follow.

The meeting finished with a fun nature quiz, thanks to Tom and Helen Stevenson, together with some seasonal drinks and nibbles. The full minutes of the meeting can be viewed on the BANG website under “About” (see here) .

 

WILDLIFE GARDENING – MAKE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

 

January sees the final contribution to our Wildlife Gardening campaign. We hope you enjoyed it and will plan more wildlife-friendly features in your allotments and gardens in 2026. The full 12-month series can be viewed on the BANG website, under Get Involved.

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VOLUNTEERING

 

Spot The Mud - Protect Our Stream

 

Chalk streams are a globally rare habitat, and we’re lucky to have one right on our doorstep — Ewelme and Benson Brook.

 

Chalk streams support a rich range of wildlife, including threatened species such as water voles and brown trout, and have a fascinating local history. In Ewelme, the stream once supported a thriving watercress trade.

 

Because our local chalk steam is so special, a dedicated partnership project has been created to help protect and restore it. We’re working with The Chilterns Chalk Stream Project to explore ways to improve habitat quality, access and enjoyment along Benson Brook and Ewelme Brook.

 

Could you help as a volunteer?

 

We’re looking for volunteers to take part in MudSpotting along Benson Brook, working alongside volunteers in Ewelme who are monitoring the stream upstream. MudSpotting is a simple but powerful way to help monitor water quality by identifying muddy runoff entering the brook, particularly after heavy rainfall. The data collected helps pinpoint problem areas and supports targeted restoration work.

 

We can provide training, and we’re hoping to get people involved as soon as possible. If you’re happy to keep an eye on a short stretch of the brook during or after heavy rain, please email us, we’d love to hear from you!

 

In early spring, we’ll also be looking for volunteers to help monitor nutrient levels in the brook, as well as offering training for those interested in geological surveys, known as Morphological (Morphing) surveys.

 

CONFIRMED EVENTS:

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7.30pm 29th January – Film: A River Sings, Roke and Berrick Parish Hall, OX10 6JJ.

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Showing of the film “A River Sings”. This film is about the Evenlode catchment and fits in with our stream restoration project in Benson/Ewelme and the issues of surface water, flood and wetland management in Berrick. It is an uplifting film telling the inspiring story of landowners, charities and communities pulling together to solve flooding problems whilst making space for nature at the same time.  We will be joined by the film maker as well as key people from the Evenlode Partnership. It promises to be interesting and interactive evening.  

 

Details of our events and volunteering activities are posted regularly to social media and this website. Please e-mail bensonareanature@yahoo.com to let us know if you wish to get involved.

 

With best wishes for 2026 to our many BANG supporters and volunteers. We look forward to another year of contributing to nature’s recovery in our local area.