🌿 2025: The Year of Nature Recovery in Charlbury! 🌿
We are thrilled to announce that 2025 is The Year of Nature Recovery in Charlbury! This ambitious initiative kicked off with a fantastic Launch Party on Saturday, 11th January.
The event welcomed everyone—from dedicated environmentalists to curious neighbours—to come together, share ideas, and discover what this year-long focus on nature recovery is all about. The highlight of the day was a talk by Catriona Bass from Eynsham’s Long Mead project, who shared insights into their inspiring nature recovery journey. Attendees also had the opportunity to share their own ideas, reasons for attending, and how they’d like to contribute.
To capture the energy and ideas from the day, visual minutes were created, showcasing the conversations and creativity of the event. You can see these below.
What’s Happening Next?
As a result of this successful launch, we now have a growing database of over 70 enthusiastic participants who are receiving monthly updates on:
- Local nature recovery projects and networks being developed
- Upcoming events and working parties
- Volunteer opportunities
- Monthly newsletters (see first newsletter at the bottom of this page).
We’re also setting up a WhatsApp announcement group for those who prefer direct notifications about upcoming volunteer sessions and requests for support. Please note that this group will be for announcements only, not a discussion forum.
Want to Get Involved?
If you’d like to join us in this exciting journey toward nature recovery, we’d love to keep you informed! By signing up, you’ll receive updates about:
- Local nature recovery activities
- Events and workshops
- Opportunities to volunteer
To sign up, we need your consent. Please fill out the form below to confirm your participation. If you are 13 years old or under, a parent or guardian will need to provide their consent.
If you’d like to receive WhatsApp notifications, please provide your mobile number in the form.
Let’s make 2025 a year to remember for nature in Charlbury, Finstock, and Fawler! 🌱
For current work happening in Charlbury, please have a look at the Land and Nature Team page.
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Your email address will not be shared and will only be used for this purpose. To unsubscribe from these newsletters, please email unsubscribe to
You can find out more about how we use your data from our Privacy Notice which is available from our website at charlbury-tc.gov.uk or a hard copy on request from the Town Clerk.
Welcome to the February edition of our Nature Recovery Newsletter!
There’s plenty happening this month, with exciting projects, volunteering opportunities, and community events. Read on to find out how you can get involved!
Charlbury Primary School Wild Garden Redevelopment
The redevelopment of the wild/sensory garden at Charlbury Primary School is well underway! This phased project aims to restore the space into a welcoming area for children to explore, learn, and enjoy nature. The garden will feature a variety of plants, seating areas, and paths, while remaining low-maintenance for easy upkeep.
How’s it going so far?
Little Wild Things (LWT) has kickstarted the project by clearing the site, repairing fences, and planning the next stages. Parent volunteers have been instrumental in helping with this transformation, but there’s still lots to do!
How can you help?
We need volunteers for the next phase: 📅 Thursday 20 February (Half Term Work Party) – Join us any time between 9am and 4pm to help with digging, clearing, fence repairs, defining paths, and laying cardboard and woodchip. Even an hour of your time would be valuable! Tools will be provided, but please bring your own gloves if possible. 📅 End of March/Early April (Planting & Furniture Building Day) – Help plant a variety of herbs and flowers, build pallet tables, and move log seats to create a fantastic learning space for the children.
Ongoing Help Needed
To ensure the garden remains a usable space, we’re looking for someone who can dedicate a couple of afternoons a month to oversee, organise and take part in the garden’s long-term maintenance. Could this be you?
🌱 We’re also looking for:
- Volunteers for the half-term work party
- Local plant enthusiasts to assist with the planting day
- Donations of plants, logs, or wood for tables
- A dedicated person to oversee or organise the garden’s long-term maintenance
If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Chris at .
Coffee Catch-Up – Join the Conversation!
On Saturday 1 February, we held our first monthly coffee catch-up at Charlbury Community Centre. Discussions ranged from potential hedgerow planting projects to ideas for a community orchard. We also touched on research into the environmental impact of certain flea treatments for pets.
Next Coffee Catch-Up:
📅 Saturday 1 March
📍 Charlbury Community Centre
⏰ 11am
Everyone is welcome—come along for a friendly chat over a cuppa!
Get Hands-On – Upcoming Volunteering Opportunities
🌿 Saturday 8 February, 10.30am – 12.00pm
Help prepare the ground and plant wildflowers on the verges at Slade/Sturt Road (top of Dancers Hill). Bring gloves and a spade or fork if you can!
🌿 Thursday 20 February, 9am – 4pm
Join the Charlbury Primary School Wild Garden Work Party (details above). Email Chris at to let her know if you’re coming.
🌿 Saturday 22 February, 10.30am – 12.00pm
Another verge work party—details coming soon!
Gardening for Nature Recovery – A Special Event
📅 Thursday 27 February, 7.30 – 9pm
📍 Memorial Hall
The Charlbury Garden Society and Charlbury Wildlife Society invite you to an evening of Gardening for Nature Recovery. Share your favourite wildlife gardening tips and books, learn from others, and get advice on making your garden more wildlife-friendly. Topics include:
- Creating ponds, planting, and nesting boxes
- Making friends with molluscs!
- An update on Charlbury’s hedgehogs
- A Wildlife Gallery showcasing residents’ wildlife photos
The event is free and open to all. If you’d like to contribute a photo for the gallery, please send it to by 14 February.
Share Your News!
Have any exciting nature-related news, projects, or ideas? Let us know, and we’ll feature them in the next newsletter!
Thank you for your continued support in making Charlbury a greener, more wildlife-friendly place! 🌿🐝🌼