Cathie Welch explains how to distinguish between the types of Cyclamens available
It’s that time of year again when the garden centres are bombarding us with a beautiful array of houseplants for the festive season. Every year it’s the same and I find myself having to clarify to students and clients how to distinguish between the types of Cyclamens available, so here goes…
Cyclamen hederifolium
These little beauties are 100% hardy and tolerate our climate outside. They’re fabulous for colonising shady areas particularly under trees. They grow from corms and ants help to disperse the seeds. Coming in various shades of pink and white and the leaves vary their variegation between plants. This species is fairly vigorous if it likes its location and flowers in late Summer and Autumn. Ivy is Hedera and these Cyclamen have leaves like ivy forming a beautiful green carpet once the flowers have finished.
Cyclamen coum
These are another species of hardy Cyclamen although a little less vigorous than hederifolium. They flower in the Spring followed by little round leaves, also varying slightly between plants. Shades of pink and white too and similar in their cultivation requirements. Grow the two species in separate swathes or you’ll find that the C. hederifoium takes over. You can see both types growing successfully in many public gardens.
Cyclamen persicum
These are the ones that are in the houseplant section. They can be grown outside briefly but aren’t frost hardy and don’t like our wet winters. Very rarely will they survive outside. I’m tempted by the gorgeous array of colours on offer but that can only be grown in cool conditions inside. A porch or protected area outside is perfect but water carefully!
It’s in the name!
I hope this helps to unravel the confusion. The clue is in the name. They are all in the Cyclamen genus, but the species differ.
Points of sale aren’t always specific but if you’re buying something from a greenhouse or polytunnel at this time of year, check before you plant it in the garden. The hardy Cyclamen will be outside with the perennials whatever the weather. They’re all gorgeous but like I say to my students, you need to do your homework! Happy shopping!
Cathie’s Gardening School Services
Pruning is the skill I am asked most about so I will be running pruning courses and master classes throughout the Summer and Autumn next year. Please come and meet me at Ashdene to discuss your gardening requirements and join in the learning, it’s addictive!
Matt Allwright, one of the stars whose recipes are featured in Food & Wellness: The Sobell House Vegetarian Cook Book, shares his thoughts about local life, good causes and consumer rights…
Q. Hi Matt. It’s great that you’ve been involved in the new Sobell House cookbook. What’s your recipe? “It’s the chilli jam I make every year. I grow my own chillis and I never know quite how hot it’s going to be until its done. Last year it was so hot that you just had to show the jar to a piece of cheese, and that was enough, even with the lid on…”
Q. Is there anything you eat or don’t eat? “I eat everything. Not a massive fan of avocado, but I’ll cope. I’m a grateful diner, and I eat with gusto. I had a real problem with beetroot for years, and now it’s one of my favourite things, so it just goes to show nothing’s really off-limits. Christmas is traditional. There is too much at stake to mess with the formula.”
Q. Why is Sobell House a great charity, deserving of support, including yours? “My good friend Tom is the music therapist at Sobell House. They don’t see our last days and weeks as a waiting game. They see it as an opportunity to help find meaning, to tell a story to heal the spirit and calm the mind. I would love to think that when the time comes, we could all have someone to help us write songs, to tend gardens, to do whatever we think is significant, and to give us the chance to share important ideas and feelings with our loved ones. That’s proper work.”
Q. You’re familiar to millions as a defender of consumer rights… Do rogue traders really make your blood boil? “We always start the process by meeting someone who has been affected by the actions of the trader. You can’t ignore that face-to-face experience. From that point the whole team knows it’s their job to confront the rogue to get answers. I don’t’ feel anger, more a sense of duty to hold to account and bring change. I don’t like letting people down, especially when they’ve taken a risk to talk to us. Also: if you are born with the annoying ability to ask questions when running backwards or being jet washed, you’d better use that power for good.”
Q. Do you feel that as a nation we’re bad at fighting for our rights or complaining? “Not everyone feels they can speak out enough when things aren’t right. When someone tries to impose a way of life on us, or harms with their actions, we can be submissive, or worry about the consequences of standing up for ourselves or others. That’s how bullies get their way, and I’ve always grown up hating bullying. Sometimes you need someone to point out what’s wrong, even if they risk being unpopular by doing so. I try to make my point firmly but politely, bearing in mind that my view is not the only one. You’re much better off if you can find middle ground, but with some people that’s just not possible.”
Growing up
Q. How was your experience of growing up in Berkshire? “Berkshire was always good to me. I was lucky to have a comfortable home in a fun town full of music and friends supported by parents who loved me. I met my wife on the streets of Reading when we were both at school. That’s the most important thing that’s ever happened to me, so thank you, Berkshire.”
Q. What are your favourite aspects of life in Berkshire, and where are your favourite haunts? “I’m lucky that I meet a lot of volunteers through the Pride of Reading Awards and the other organisations I work with. There are so many people who help others because it’s right – not seeking recognition or advancement. These people see the instinctively try to fill the gaps left by society, and they far outweigh the rogues and bullies. Haunts? I love the river. The slipway at Aston near Henley on a spring morning is hard to beat.”
Q. Your dog Ozzy looks cute! Is he? What’s been the most rewarding, and most frustrating, aspect of being a dog owner? “Ozzy is my first dog, and I could never have imagined how wonderful he’d be. He’s transformed family life. Dogs are the greatest gift, like someone decided to parcel up the best bits of humans: loyalty, playfulness and enthusiasm, and then cover them in fur. He barks far too much, eats anything and smells dreadful.”
Q. We’re also supporting Launchpad Reading this month. Why do local heroes working to prevent homelessness also deserve our support, especially at this time of year? “I’ve been a patron of Launchpad for years. The work they do, to help people find homes, and then support them in those homes, is incredible. All charities, particularly local ones, are struggling right now, due to the cost of living crisis. Anything we can do to help Launchpad and others continue and extend their work, will have a huge effect on someone, somewhere, who doesn’t live that far away, and has had some bad luck. So please, donate, volunteer and spread the word.”
Q. Who is your favourite author? “George Orwell. Most people think of the darkness and dystopia of 1984. They don’t always see the humour or the love of nature in his writing which stems from his childhood in Henley and Shiplake. Everywhere tries to lay claim to Orwell, but from clues in his writing it seems to me that Berkshire was where he was happiest, fishing in the river, walking alone through the woods and fields, identifying birds and plants.”
Q. Can you tell us a bit about your love for Bracknell Bees? “The day the ice rink closed was terrible for the community. We loved watching the team play, and being part of the wonderful world of hockey. The players were rough and tough on the ice, but patient and thoughtful with the kids who were learning the game. I imagine they’ll build flats on the site at some point, but the families that live in them won’t have anything as great as the rink to keep them happy.”
Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be? “Just tolerance, really. Understanding that just because someone doesn’t think, sound or look like you, or come from where you do, it doesn’t make them some sort of threat. We might have lost a bit of that.”
The Sobell House Vegetarian Cook Book is out on 8th November. To buy a copy of this 128-page paperback for £17.50 visitSobell House or buy from Waterstones and Amazon.
A fabulous mix of music from DJ Huey Morgan and The Amazons headline beside some straight talking from former Reading FC manager Brian McDermott in Reading this month
Local independent street food specialist Blue Collar, are bringing big names to Blue Collar Corner for their extensive November events schedule.
What’s on
On Saturday 19th November, Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman and Radio 6 Music DJ Huey Morgan brings his NYC Block Party to Blue Collar Corner. Running from midday until midnight and with free entry throughout, Huey Morgan’s NYC Block Party will be a riotous celebration of the Good Times feature the sound of funk, soul, disco and hip hop jams. Huey will be playing a special early evening set, ensuring younger fans also get to enjoy his set, under 18s are welcome until 8pm.
Former Reading FC manager, Brian McDermott, who famously lead the Royals to promotion into the Premier League in 2012, hosts a presentation entitled Winning, Losing, Mental Health & Finding Balance followed by an audience Q&A. Brian will share his story of dealing with the highs and lows of football including feelings of not being ‘good enough’ and having to cope with anxiety, depression and an alcohol addiction. Two sessions of the presentation, on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th are sold out. The third and final evening with Brian is on Wednesday 23rd and tickets are available now from www.linktr.ee/blue.collar.
Fresh from reaching number five in the UK Official Albums Chart with their third album How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me, local indie rockers The Amazons head to Blue Collar Corner for a special hometown DJ set on Thursday 17th Noember. The band will be celebrating the end of their current album tour which has taken them across Europe and the UK, including a packed-out show at Roundhouse, London. The Amazons’ DJ set will be part of the Indie Thursdays night, Blue Collar Corner’s weekly free entry night of indie anthems and alternative favourites.
“We could not be more excited about this month at Blue Collar Corner”, says Blue Collar’s Glen Dinning. “Brian McDermott is my hero and having him agree to tell his story at Blue Collar Corner is very special to me. I’ve also always loved watching England’s World Cup games with friends so I can’t wait for the moment when we kick off our first game and cheer on the lads.”
He continues: “October’s guest and resident DJ sets at Blue Collar Corner were a big hit, so we’re really happy to have a strong mixture of both again in November, keeping up the great vibes into the evening to fit with our later opening hours. The Amazons’ latest album is probably my favourite of the year so I’m really looking forward to hearing what they play when they join us for their DJ set on Thursday 17th.”
Blue Collar Event manager Pete Wheeler adds: “We’re also thrilled to have a rare free entry DJ set from Huey Morgan when he plays an early evening set for us on Saturday 19th. His Saturday lunchtime shows on BBC 6 Music are always full of great funk, soul, disco and hip hop selections so we’re definitely in for a treat when he brings his NYC Block Party to Reading.”
Also at Blue Collar Corner this month, Reading’s Indie Market bring their popular local art, craft and produce stalls to the venue on Sunday 6th. Music lovers get to dig the crates for bargains and rarities at Blue Collar Record Fair & Social on Sunday 20th. On the same date (20th November), the venue begins its screenings of selected World Cup 2022 football games, showing the opening ceremony and opening game. England kick off their campaign the following day (Monday 21st) against Iran at 1pm, tables can be reserved now for this and England’s other group games at www.linktr.ee/blue.collar.
Then on Saturday 26th November, Blue Collar Corner present their first R’n’B Brunch. Cheekily entitled Pop Ya Collar, expect three hours of nothing but solid gold 90s & 00s R’n’B jams. Pop ya collar while they pop the cork on your bottle of Prosecco or serve you up a gin n’ juice. No diggity, no doubt.
K White Coaching helps mums connect and explore what they want next from life
As a stay-at-home mum or a working mum, balancing the demands of life is a constant challenge. Understanding what’s most important to you through self-discovery exercises and coaching can help you make choices around your life and career that are right for you.
K White Coaching has been helping local mums to explore their current situation and what they want from their next chapter of life, on an interactive ‘Self-Discovery Workshop for Mums’ hosted by Kathryn, certified coach and mum of two small children.
The event was held at the Good Life Hub Co-Working Space in Hampstead Norreys. An inspiring place to work, connect and collaborate with others.
The workshop was a great place for the participants to meet and connect with other mums, share their stories and aspirations, and feel supported in their self-discovery. After a session which helped participants understand and reflect on their personal values, the workshop included a life and career audit, group exercises around strengths and skills, and tools and exercises to help participants set goals and start acting towards these.
Jennie R, has already started taking action and is feeling excited about her future following the workshop: “Kathryn’s self-discovery workshop was absolutely fantastic! It gave a safe and welcoming space to really focus on what’s important to me. And how my values have changed since becoming a mum. She guided us all through a process that was actually much more personal and profound than I was expecting. The environment Kathryn created was warm, supportive and productive. She has extensive knowledge of techniques and strategies that helped each of us find clarity. I found her to be empathetic, wise and exceptionally good at helping me reach the next step in terms of moving forward. After the workshop I finally took action and have just begun studying for a higher national diploma, working towards a career that makes me feel genuinely excited about the future.”
The group enjoyed the workshop so much that they’ve decided to meet regularly to check-in and to help keep each other accountable on their next steps.
Dr Seema Warner, skin expert & founder of Oxford’s YourSkinStory, explains why a holistic approach will add that vital glow to your skin
Your skin….
It is your barrier to the outside world. Standing up to attack from UV rays, pollution, bacteria, pathogens, dirt and grime and environmental toxins. It’s a powerhouse of immunity making hormones that are important for defence and physically keeping our internal environment of blood, tissues and cells protected. It has the power to change how we feel about ourselves. We wear it every day and if we don’t care for it, it won’t be able to care for us. The power of healthy, beautiful skin goes beyond just a great selfie – although that’s always a bonus!
“The power of healthy, beautiful skin goes beyond just a great selfie – although that’s always a bonus!”
Your skin is unique to you. Holding within it cells responsible for oil production, pigment, cell repair and turnover, as well as its own population of bacteria and microbiota known as your skin microbiome. No one else has skin like yours or receives the same sensory input, external stimuli or nutrition as you do. Which is why it’s so important to treat it individually with a personalised approach that fits into your life and addresses your unique make up. It is yours and yours alone.
We need to stop seeing skin as detached from the rest of our body. It’s very much part of our whole body. Blood flow, lymphatics and nerve cells ensure that there’s a constant connection between our internal environment and that of our skin. If skin care is not integrated, we are not treating our skin fully or adequately. We need to step back and see the whole picture. If you’ve seen the difference a really good night’s sleep can make to your skin, then you’ve already seen the power of integrating skin health care!
Get in touch
If you’ve tried many skin products with no luck or simply don’t know where to start. I’d love to help you find the ideal routine for your skin. Or if you’ve struggled with a skin issue that will not respond to other treatments or are interested in healing from the inside and out, please do get in touch. I run online skin programmes to help you virtually through product, nutrition and lifestyle advice, as well as treatment programmes from my Oxford clinic. I make my advice as practical as possible and personalised to your skin, body and lifestyle so you can put things into practice in a way that makes sense to you. Skin treatments focus on skin health as well as results and emotional well-being to give you whole body results.
New scientific research is emerging every day, with the realisation that we can control our health more than we initially thought. That although we’re born with a specific set of genes, it’s our environment and lifestyle that modify and switch these on or off. And that we’re connected throughout our body with an incredibly sophisticated system that relies on each aspect supporting the other. Each day will bring new elements for your body to manage and so your skin will change to accommodate this. It will tell the story of you and your life. It is your skin story.
Get ahead and prepare for the festive season with 15 per cent off
Squire’s invites shoppers to get ahead and prepare for the festive season with an exclusive early Christmas Shopping Evening taking place in November. While taking advantage of 15% off (see conditions) *.
Guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco or a soft drink; live music as well as a curry meal** and lots more. Along with a very warm welcome from the team at Squire’s Garden Centres.
Shop at Long Ditton and Frensham on Tuesday, 1st November. And at Badshot Lea, Crawley, Hersham, Reigate, West Horsley, Shepperton, Stanmore, Twickenham, Woking, Milford, Wokingham on Thursday, 3rd November.
It’s the perfect setting to choose a Christmas tree, quality decorations and seasonal lights for both indoors and out. There’s gift inspiration in abundance for family and friends – browse the extensive and carefully created ranges including homeware and tableware, candles and fragrances, gifts for gardeners, cards, wrap and stationary, calendars and diaries through to toys, games and puzzles. There’s certainly something for everyone. With an extensive range available, Squire’s is the local destination for families to ‘complete your Christmas’.
Squire’s is pleased to offer customers the chance to enjoy a delicious special curry meal on the night in their welcoming Café Bars available from 5-7pm. With a choice of Chicken Mangalor (GFA) or Penang Curry (VG, GFA) accompanied by basmati rice, onion bhaji (VG) and naan bread (VG). Priced at £12 adults / £8 children.
Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, said: “We are very much looking forward to giving Christmas shoppers a very warm welcome at our exclusive early Shopping Evenings. This is the lead-up to a wonderful time for families. I’m delighted to be able to share with guests our special Squire’s Christmas. Our garden centres are looking magical, I hope it excites everyone and gets them in the spirit of Christmas.”
*15% discount. NOTE: excludes stamps, gift card, gas, concessions and Café Bar
**Curry meal is available in Squire’s Café Bars exclusively for the Shopping Evening priced at £12 for adults / £8 for children.
There are plenty of displays to choose from, big and small, to make your fireworks night go with a bang.
Saturday, 29th October
Twyford & District Round Table charity bonfire & fireworks night is celebrating 80’s & Disney movies at King George V Recreation ground Twyford. This year there is a Facebook poll to pick a Disney villain effigy to be lit atop the bonfire so get voting! Sponsored by Grapevine Estate Agents, you will not want to miss this fantastic mid-winter community festival complete with BBQ, a contactless and cash bar stocked with real local ales, traditional mulled wines, plus hot chocolate and coffee. Our stalls, and fairground rides for the young and young at heart, will blur the night sky and bring the night to life. Buy discounted tickets online in advance and save.
The UK’s largest low noise firework display choreographed to music more than makes up for the drama in visual impression at the Halloween Spooktacular Bonfire and Fireworks at Henley Showground. Without the huge explosions more families will be able to enjoy the dazzling displays without upsetting the children (or four-legged friends) in the local community. https://henleyspooktacular.eventbrite.co.uk
Friday, 4th November
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort – November 4th -6th: Enjoy an awesome day with all your favourite rides, live shows and attractions followed by some of the best fireworks in the country! Plus, you can transform our incredible fireworks display into exploding LEGO® bricks with our magic Brick glasses* that put the ‘spec’ into spectacular. * Paid for separately. www.legoland.co.uk/explore/special-events/fireworks-spectacular
Reading Lions Fireworks Spectacular, Scours Lane is the setting for Reading Lions Fireworks Spectacular where there’s also a small fairground with children’s rides, hot food and drink stalls and a licensed bar, more fun with face painting and other activities and children dressed in the best Halloween outfits will win prizes! Book tickets at https://www.readinglionsfireworks.org.uk/#tickets
Saturday, 5th November
Witches and Wizards Fireworks, Windsor Racecourse, SL4 5JJ: It’s a wicked night of Wizards and Witches at the racecourse. Grab your broomsticks, dust off your pointy hat and cloak and see the Grand Hall, Platform 9¾ and special Wizard’s Show at this fabulous spooky night for all the family. With a huge bonfire, yummy treats – food and drink outlets will be card only – and a funfair (please bring cash for this) with the highlight the spectacular display to music featuring the 15-minute firework fiesta with a dazzling display of rockets, Catherine wheels, fountains and more. www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk/whats-on/fireworks-saturday-5th-november
Cantley Field Fireworks, Wokingham RG41 1BQ: A funfair with many rides for young children, as well as scary rides for the older ones kicks off proceedings at 5.30pm with a torchlit procession from 6pm in Market Place led by St Sebastian’s band and local dignitaries. The fireworks start at 7.30pm on Cantley Field and the display will be bigger and better than ever complete with drinks and snacks from vendors. All proceeds to local charities. www.wokingham-fireworks.co.uk/fireworks.html
Newbury Lions Club are presenting their spectacular charity fireworks extravaganza at Newbury Racecourse. Gates open at 5pm when you can enjoy music and children’s entertainment alongside food and drink outlets before the display to music starts at 7.30pm. Pre bought tickets only, there will not be any available on the gate. Buy yours from various outlets in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford and online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/newbury-lions-fabulous-fireworks-2022-tickets-412396257307?aff=eand
The Friends of Pangbourne Primary School are holding a thrilling 20-minute display at the school in Kennedy Drive, complete with bonfire, hot food and drinks, a bar with beer and mulled wine, coffee and cakes, tombola, glow toys and amusement stalls. Get your tickets at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/foppsfireworkfiesta/771019#
Cookham Scouts Bonfire and Fireworks will be lighting up the night skies opposite the Village Hall on the Old Cricket Common from 5-8pm where you can enjoy a bonfire and fabulous fireworks display with warming food and drinks. A lantern procession will herald the start of the evening’s proceedings. Donations on the night will be welcome.
Well done to all the wildlife lovers who took part in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) competition who snapped some beautiful sights at local nature reserves and green spaces and showed how nature can help our mental health
Winning entries include this stunning shot of a buzzard in flight, this pin-sharp picture of a tiny shield bug emerging from a garden flower and a portrait of a pensive kingfisher.
The winner of this year’s children’s category was eight-year-old Roly Lewis from Oxford. The North Hinksey Primary School pupil took his fantastic photo of a shield bug, poking its head out of a flower in his own front garden.
Roly said: “I wanted to enter the competition, so I took lots of wildlife pictures all spring and summer. I thought this photo was my best one because the blossom was a nice background, and the shield bug had an amazing colour and pattern. This made me look closely at shield bugs which are really amazing. My mum told me I had won when I came out of school, and I was so excited I jumped up and down. I really wanted to win but I thought there would be so many good photos that I wouldn’t.”
Children Winner – Roly Lewis (8) (Sheildbug)Children Runner Up – Hayden Denham (7) (Hummingbird Hawkmoth)
The Wildlife Trust restarted its popular photo competition this summer after a three-year break because of the pandemic. The charity, which manages more than 80 nature reserves across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, challenged everyone aged six and over to take fantastic photos of plants, animals and fungi at its sites, or to capture action for wildlife in their local area.
Roy McDonald took first place with his crystal-clear shot of a buzzard in mid-air at the Trust’s College Lake reserve near Tring. The 45-year-old former courier driver from Berkhamstead revealed after winning the contest that he has struggled with his mental health for some years, and that wildlife photography had helped. He said: “Nature helps me so much, it’s honest and calming and it doesn’t judge you, and just sometimes, if you are calm and patient, it will allow you to get up close into their world. I always take great pleasure when a creature trusts you enough to not scurry or fly away. But you don’t have to take photos: just being in nature and observing it can give you something to focus on.
“I had my encounter with a majestic buzzard on a cold and beautiful winter day. I had seconds to react once I spotted it, and just as my focus locked on, it spotted me and flew directly across my path. So close to me. I chose the first image of the sequence because it had the most amount of action and sense of place. It is by far and away the best shot of a buzzard I have ever managed. They have eluded me for years. I’m quite stunned and delighted to have won.”
Flora and fauna Winner (and overall winner) – Ray McDonald (buzzard in flight) taken at College LakeFlora and fauna Runner Up – Adrianna Bielobradek (Poppy seedhead) taken at Buckleberry Common)
As overall winner, Mr McDonald won a top-of-the-range Panasonic Lumix digital camera and a wildlife photography masterclass. As well as receiving a printed canvas of his picture and having it appear in BBOWT’s 2023 calendar.
This year’s contest had six new categories: flora and fauna; nature reserve landscapes; people in nature; children’s category (ages 6-12), teenagers (ages 13-19) and Team Wilder, for shots of action for nature in the community. Helen Touchard-Paxton, a mum who lives Buckinghamshire, won the Team Wilder category with a snap of a frog in a garden pond that she and her family dug during the coronavirus lockdown.
She said: “I believe this photo shows that you don’t need acres of land to create a successful wildlife area: if you are interested – no matter how small your space – just have a go and see what works. I don’t have high-end expensive equipment, and I have no idea how to use photo editing software – the photo is very much ‘as taken’. I was absolutely amazed to have won the Team Wilder category.”
Team Wilder Winner – Helen Touchard-Paxton (frog)Team Wilder Runner Up – Peter Massam (bug hotel)
The Trust received hundreds of entries, creating an extremely difficult job for this year’s judges. BBOWT communications officer Kate Titford, Trust magazine editor Ben Vanheems and professional photographer Steve Gozdz, who runs local nature safaris in Berkshire through his business GG Wildlife Experiences.
Teenagers Winner – Zachary Osbourne (14) Kingfisher Teenagers Runner Up – Lucy Colston (17) (marbled white on scabious)
Mr Vanheems said: “It’s been a really laborious process with lots of debate going on because we want to get it right, but the competition entrants haven’t exactly made it easy for us.”
People in Nature Winner – Petra Mohr (girl on decking) taken at Weston Turville ReserviorPeople in Nature Runner Up – Lorraine Clarke (man in hide) taken at College Lake
Mr Gozdz added: “What I was looking for was composition, good use of light – an action shot would have been fantastic. What we’ve found is something quite stunning. A real in-the-moment shot with perfect angles and perfect light, and actually something I would have been very happy to have taken myself. In fact, when I first saw it I was quite jealous.”
Landscape Winner – Charlotte Day (sunrise landscape) taken at Cholsey MarshLandscape Runner Up – John Kearns (Warburg trees) taken at Warburg
The trust is grateful to GG Wildlife Experiences, Panasonic and Chroma for sponsoring this year’s competition.
The winner of a competition to design a logo to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the opening of Westgate Oxford has been unveiled – 10-year-old Tamsin Taylor from Oxford beat entrants from across the region.
Ahead of its 5th birthday celebration on Monday 24th October, Westgate Oxford supported by Experience Oxfordshire, invited local children in the region to design an emblem which will be used online, across social media and on a specially-made birthday cake.
The winning design, which features a shopper celebrating with a cake and balloons, will be seen at a birthday party event attended by the Lord Mayor of Oxford James Fry this Monday.
Tamsin Taylor, the winner of Westgate Oxford’s logo competition, said: “I am amazed and really excited to have won the competition. I love drawing and design and worked really hard on the logo. I can’t believe it!”
Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating five fantastic years since the launch of the redeveloped Westgate Oxford, and we are proud to mark the occasion by unveiling this incredible artwork.
“We have some amazing artistic talent in the region leading to a very tough judging session. But, I think we can agree that our birthday emblem is a worthy winner – well done to Tamsin and thank you to everyone who sent in entries.”
Birthday celebrations will take place at 11am on Monday, 24th October.
A ground-breaking project created by BBOWT, (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) to create a new channel of the River Thames and restore long-lost wildlife habitat, has been completed.
The 450-metre watercourse at Chimney Meadows nature reserve near Bampton, bypasses a manmade weir and will enable fish to swim along a 30km stretch of the Thames, and spawn for the first time in more than a century.
Created by BBOWT in a £2 million project at its flagship nature reserve. The channel is already populated with native fish, birds and mammals.
Working with the Environment Agency, the trust also created shallow temporary pools called scrapes near the channel. The project has re-established a naturally functioning floodplain habitat. Which was once common across the UK, but was destroyed as rivers were straightened, land was drained and connection with floodplain was lost.
This wetland is now able to store floodwater for longer, helping to protect homes and land from flooding. Predicted to worsen as a result of climate change. The trust is also working in partnership with Bangor University and the EA. Who are undertaking research to demonstrate that active floodplains can store carbon and be part of the solution to the climate crisis.
Estelle Bailey, BBOWT’s chief executive, said: “This project is an amazing achievement for restoring vital habitats for wildlife, to move freely while tackling climate change. Our mission as a trust is to put nature into recovery. We want to see 30% of land in our three counties properly managed for wildlife by 2030. This is a golden piece of that wild jigsaw puzzle. We know we cannot tackle climate change without restoring nature. This project is a shining example to the whole world of how we can achieve that by working together to bring wildlife back.”
‘This is a golden piece of that wild jigsaw puzzle‘
The two-year project was funded by a £2 million Water Environment Grant. From the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The project was managed by environmental consultancy JCTR, designed by environmental engineering consultancy Atkins, and main contractor on site was Hampshire-based FiveRivers. Which delivered all the environmental, wetland and improvement works.
One of the central aims of the work was to create a channel that would bypass Shifford Weir. A structure has existed at this site since the 1890s. When a new ‘short cut’ channel was dug to connect two parts of the Thames and enable easier transportation of wool from the Cotswolds to London. Shifford Weir is owned and operated by the EA and helps with the navigability and flood risk management of the Thames. But blocks the movement of fish. This is one of the reasons that, in recent years, the river environments in the area have been classified as having poor ecological status.
The new channel, in combination with a new rock pool fish pass at Duxford Ford, will allow fish to pass some of the last remaining barriers on the Upper Thames. Fish will now be able to freely swim around the Duxford Loop of the river. Even during low water levels, to access some 30km of Thames between Eynsham and Radcot, including 2.1km of potentially good spawning habitat. Crucially, this helps populations of native species including barbel, chub and dace to be far more resilient to environmental change such as hotter, drier summers, and to pollution events.
The new scrapes around the channel will help the nature reserve’s curlew. An iconic wading bird with a distinctive downward-curved beak that is in national decline. The curlew is an indicator of the wider health of the wetland. But they need wet pools to feed on aquatic insects and longer grass, in which to nest and hide from predators. Both have now been restored.
The project has also attached ‘baffles’ to Great Brook Ford which will further help fish to swim upstream, and planted new, native wet woodland around Duxford Ford. With hundreds of willow, alder, birch and hawthorn trees.
The entire project was overseen by BBOWT Living Landscape Manager for the Upper Thames, Lisa Lane. Despite the fact that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the middle of the work. Lisa said: “It was really challenging to make this project happen for many reasons. It came close to failing a few times. Lizzie Rhymes at the Environment Agency has been a great support in particular, since we first discussed helping fish over or around the various barriers in the river back in 2010! I can’t wait to show people what we have achieved.”
