October 2026 News
Volunteers Manage Warwick Spinney and Millbrook Mead using Traditional Techniques
BANG volunteers have been busy managing two of Benson’s nature-rich green spaces, using traditional scything and good old-fashioned teamwork to prepare them for next spring.
Over three weekends in September, teams gathered at Warwick Spinney and Millbrook Mead to cut back long grass before raking up the cuttings and wheeling them to a compost heap.
The work provides a satisfying workout while helping to maintain valuable habitats for wildlife. At Warwick Spinney, some long vegetation was deliberately left around the edges to provide shelter for insects over winter.
There are already encouraging signs of success from previous efforts to improve habitat by encouraging wildflowers. Devil’s-bit Scabious, grown and planted by Tom Stevenson at Warwick Spinney entrance, was covered in Common Carder Bees. Yellow Rattle is also thriving, suppressing vigorous grasses and allowing other wildflowers to flourish.
A big thankyou to all the volunteers whose efforts have prepared these precious green spaces for a flower-rich spring.
Future Events
A lot of planning is taking place behind the scenes to provide our communities with interesting talks, events and volunteering opportunities in 2027.
Talk: Otmoor – A Personal View
7.30pm Tuesday 13th October. Mill Stream Centre, Benson, OX10 6RL
Discover the fascinating world of Otmoor, Oxfordshire’s very own wetland wilderness, in an illustrated talk by Gordon Hurst, passionate naturalist, birder and RSPB volunteer.
Situated between Oxford and Bicester, Otmoor’s distinctive landscape of marshes, reed beds and ditches has been transformed by the RSPB over the past 28 years into a thriving haven for wildlife.
Drawing on his first-hand experience, Gordon will take us on a virtual walk around the reserve, revealing its rich history, fascinating geography and the work involved in maintaining and improving this special place.
Discover the birds and other wildlife that inhabit Otmoor, where and when to spot them, and some of the surprises that make every visit rewarding. Gordon will also explore the reserve’s current status and what the future may hold.
Whether you know Otmoor well or have yet to visit, this is an opportunity to see a familiar local landscape through fresh eyes and share Gordon’s enthusiasm for one of Oxfordshire’s most remarkable wildlife havens.
We hope you can join us for this free event. Donations always welcome.
Also in the pipeline, with more to follow:
November (date tbc) Hedge planting Cuckoo Pen
1st December, 7.30pm BANG AGM Millstream Day Centre
17th January (afternoon) *Derek vs Derek New Community Hall
*A humorous documentary film exploring the tension and balance between traditional, intensive farming and modern rewilding.