The restoration of the pond on the heath went very well. It was made
possible by a grant from the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment and funding
from Grundon Waste Management through the Landfill Communities Fund.
The work was overseen by Adam Bows of OxEcology and conducted by Bertie
Raines at RJR Tree Work & Landscaping. We are also hugely grateful to the
landowner of the woodland north of the heath, who has been very supportive
of project and allowed access to RJR.
The first step was to remove the goat willow which had fallen into the pond
over the last 40 years and rooted. While removing trees is always a
difficult decision, in this case it was really important to open up the pond
to sunlight, increase the water surface and reduce the number of leaves
falling into the pond which then rot, releasing nutrients that disrupt the
freshwater ecosystem. The hardwood trees around the pond were left alone,
but any willow around the edge was coppiced i.e. chopped down fairly low to
the ground. These will resprout next spring and provide good cover for birds
near the water’s edge over time.
The second step was to remove sediment from the bottom of the pond. Years
and years of leaf litter… and a fair number of old milk bottles! The work
was deliberately done in September, at the end of breeding season for both
birds and amphibians; but after the hot dry summer, the pond had also
completely dried out. This made it much easier for the machinery to get into
the pond to remove the sediment back to the original sandy clay bottom. This
is the layer that keeps the water in. Hopefully it will also contain many
seeds and propagules from the plants – some of which were rare and protected
species – that historic records indicate used to grow there. These plant
beginnings can survive for decades, so we are hopeful we will see them
recolonise the pond in time.
The logs, branches and sediment have been used to create habitat piles.
They look pretty messy at the moment, but will soften with plant growth.
Habitat piles provide shelter, breeding, and overwintering sites for small
mammals and amphibians — helping to improve the biodiversity potential of
the site.
Currently the pond is accessible only from the private woodland to the
north because a few fallen trees have made the old path inaccessible. While
we understand you may be curious to go and see the work, please just look
from the gate and don’t access the private land. You can also see through
the hedge at the edge of the road. We will have a work party to open up a
connection to the main heath paths at some point this autumn, so look out
for dates advertised. We’d love your help, as it could be quite a task!
Pond area looking south towards Tackley Heath. More photos will
be available soon on the new parish council website at
tackley-pc.gov.uk.
Following this summer’s drought, the pond remains almost empty; and
vegetation has not yet had a chance to regrow, so it looks quite brutal. But
groundwater is starting to come up, so there is a small puddle in the
middle! This will grow through the winter, and we are taking weekly photos
to record the change.
Once we have an accessible path and the pond is full, we would love to hear
about any animals or insects that you see there and receive any photos you
take. If you have iNaturalist on your phone you can also submit your
sightings there.
We would encourage anyone to visit to observe how the whole site changes
over the coming months and years, especially with children, but please make
sure that children are supervised at all times. While the pond will not be
especially deep, any open water can be dangerous.
We know many people walk their dogs on the heath and may wish to see the
pond while up there too, but please do not allow your dog to enter the pond.
One dog treated for fleas and ticks entering a waterbody can have enough
insecticide on it to kill all the insects there. This has become a huge
problem countrywide as prophylactic treatments are more widely used. As
we’re really hoping to help restore what could be a wonderful – and sadly
increasingly rare – pond ecosystem, increasing the biodiversity of the
heath, it would be such a shame for this to be ruined by just one dog going
for a swim!
Adam has very kindly also done all the work on the seasonal ponds that we
were going to get volunteers to do.
There is some evidence of people having a camp fire in the middle area of
the heath. Fires should not be had on the heath at any time, but
particularly not after such a hot summer. Although we have had some rain
now, the heath is still very dry and there is a risk of starting
wildfires.
Resilient Tackley
Tackley Parish Council believes we really should be considering what we can
do as a village to make us all, and our infrastructure, more prepared for
the changing climate. Some things can only feasibly be done by the
Government, but there are things we can do as a village and as
individuals.
Can we plant more trees in gardens to provide cooling in summer and water
uptake in wetter seasons? Some people may like to learn about rain gardens
and how we can hold back more water in gardens rather than releasing it to
overwhelmed drains.
Could we increase the number of water butts, and coordinate slow release of
water in winter dry spells so more can be held back during storms?
Could a group of DIYers help those without the skills to install blackout
blinds on south-facing windows to provide shade in summer — or even shutters
on the outside of houses?
Cllr Lines has already recruited people to a flood warden list, so there is
a group of people to help move sandbags to where they are needed.
A quick call-out on social media showed there is support for this, so we
are planning a meeting in the village hall. Once we have secured a date, we
would love to see you there with practical ideas and inspiration!
There has been plenty happening at Tackley Village Memorial Hall over the
last few months, and once again we have been blown away by the support of
our village and wider community. From successful fundraising events and our
brilliant Young Entrepreneurs to grant applications and an increasingly busy
calendar of events, we have lots to celebrate — and more to look forward
to!
Bike Night
A huge thank-you to everyone who came along to our bike night in August. It
raised just under £3,000 for the village hall — an incredible result! It was
brilliant to see so many people turn out and enjoy the evening, and
following its success we are already looking at bike nights next year.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered, helped behind the scenes, provided
refreshments, brought their bikes along or simply came down and supported
us. Events like this simply wouldn’t be possible without you.
Young Entrepreneurs
Earlier this year, we launched a brand new fundraising idea for some of the
youngest members of our community: The Young Entrepreneurs £10
Challenge.
The idea was simple. Children aged 14 and under were given £10 seed money
from the village hall, and one challenge: make that money grow!
From there, it was over to them. They could create a product, offer a
service, organise an activity or come up with something completely
different. Ideas ranged from baking and handmade crafts to car washing,
gardening, games and face painting. Parents could help with supervision and
safety, but we wanted the children themselves to lead the ideas and put them
into action.
And they certainly rose to the challenge! Together, our young entrepreneurs
raised an incredible £1,430 towards the village hall extension, with nine
participants raising more than £100 each.
The challenge wasn’t simply about who could raise the most money. It was an
opportunity for children to take an idea from beginning to end — thinking
creatively, solving problems, speaking to people, handling money and
discovering what they could achieve with just £10 and a little initiative.
Most importantly, they did it while helping to build something that will
serve their community for years to come.
We’d like to say a huge thank-you and well done to every young person who
took part, as well as the parents, carers and members of the community who
supported their ideas.
We are also extremely grateful to Laughton Loos, Recare and Breckon &
Breckon whose sponsorship helped make the project possible.
Following its success, we’re hoping this won’t be the last time Tackley’s
young entrepreneurs are put to the test!
Grant Success
Alongside our fundraising events, a great deal of work continues behind the
scenes to secure funding for the village hall and its future. We have been
submitting applications to a number of grant providers, and are delighted
that some are already proving successful.
We have also submitted the first stage of an application to the National
Lottery. There is still a long process ahead, and no guarantee of funding,
but reaching out to organisations like these is an important part of our
efforts to make the hall extension a reality. Every successful grant,
donation and fundraising event takes us another step closer. If you would
like to make a donation, you can do so via JustGiving: visit
tackley.link/halldonate. Thank
you to all who have donated so far!
Keeping Busy
It isn’t just our own events keeping TVMH busy. Our regular hirers and
community groups continue to make great use of the hall, and we are pleased
to welcome the Oxford School of Drama back from the end of September through
to Christmas.
Behind the scenes, work continues to look after and improve the building
too. The entrance foyer ceiling has now been repaired and refurbished
following a leak, and plans are in place to replace the front door.
Unfortunately we need to remind people that the bins in the village hall
car park are not for public use. They don’t get emptied as often,
so we need all the space we can have as there’s a lot of cans and bottles
after a Friday night! They’re also quite expensive, costing the hall more
than £80 a month. So, please use the public bins around the playing field
and park.
Coming Up
Apparently, we don’t believe in having a quiet end to the year! Alongside
the auction of promises and our autumn talks, plans are underway for:
Halloween – Friday, 30 October
50th Anniversary Party – sold out
Christmas Eve karaoke
Christmas concert – 18 December TBC
New Year’s Eve decades party – tickets from the Pop-Up Pub
More information about each will be released as plans are finalised, so
watch this space and keep an eye on our Facebook page. Please note the
Pop-Up Pub is only open for these events after Friday, 2 October. It
will not be open on the regular Fridays until next season.
There is a huge amount happening at Tackley Village Memorial Hall, but none
of it happens without the people who attend, volunteer, donate, organise,
share our posts and support our fundraising.
Tackley Parish Council has received a letter from West Oxfordshire District
Council informing us that they’ve had notice from the owner of the pub’s
function room that they intend to sell it. We, as a community, have an
option to make an offer for it.
The pub and the function room, as a whole, was nominated by the parish
council to be an Asset of Community Value (ACV). This means that when the
owner wants to sell it, they must allow any interested community group the
opportunity to make an offer for the asset. The law in England does not
require them to accept the offer, even if it is the highest offer.
The ownership of the pub and the function room was separated a few years
ago. When that happened, the community was not provided the opportunity to
make an offer under the ACV rules because of a technicality that means the
owner is not required to provide that opportunity if the property is
occupied.
The parish council and any other interested community group – however they
are established – are now being presented with the option of submitting a
bid for the function room and car park (i.e. not including the main pub
building).
Should a group elect to bid, they would have until 10 March 2027 to
complete any purchase. This would require them, within that time, to agree a
price, raise funds, instruct a solicitor/conveyancer, etc. This seems like a
tight timeframe, and the owner would not be obliged to accept any offer
made. Interested groups have until the 21 October to decide whether
they want to retain the option to bid. If no group does, the owner is free
to sell the property to whoever they choose.
The parish council will make a decision at its next meeting on Monday,
12 October as to whether the parish council wishes to retain the right
to bid for the function room. I am happy to receive any thoughts you may
have on this matter, either verbally should you see me around the village,
or via email, and I will include them in the council’s deliberations. And of
course, as ever, you are welcome to attend the parish council meeting.
There has been a lot of discussion in the village about the skittle alley
being put up for sale, so I would like to clarify my position. As you will
appreciate, there is a process for the owner to follow because the property
is an Asset of Community Value.
Since taking on the Gardiner Arms, I have been in communication with the
owner of the skittle alley. My main concern has always been the potential
loss of half of the pub’s car park.
My interest in potentially purchasing the skittle alley is primarily to
protect this car parking provision. Knowing the pub and its finances as I
do, I believe that losing half the car park would have a significant impact
on the pub’s trade and could put its long-term viability at risk —
especially since we now attract customers from well beyond the village.
If I were to be successful, and if the village wanted to support me in that
venture, my intention would be to bring the building back up to a good
standard and explore ways of giving it a sustainable commercial use
alongside the pub. The aim would be for both buildings to contribute to the
business and help secure the future of the pub.
At this stage, I cannot say exactly what the building would be used for.
However, rest assured it would not be turned into a house. Any future plans
would be considered with both the pub and village in mind. The long-term
viability of the Gardiner Arms is extremely important to me.
I will be attending the next parish council meeting, and have asked the
parish council to include this matter on the agenda.
School has started well, and it has been lovely to see the children
settling back into their routines. This kind of calm, positive beginning
helps set the tone for learning, behaviour and wellbeing, giving everyone a
strong foundation for the term ahead. It is also very special to welcome new
children to the school community, and we are delighted to have them with
us.
The first school trip for Years 1 to 6 is to Hill End Outdoor Education
Centre, a much-loved Tackley tradition. Shared experiences like this help
build memories, strengthen friendships, and give children the chance to
learn beyond the classroom. Forest school is also underway and continues to
be an important part of school life, offering valuable opportunities for
outdoor learning and discovery.
We are very grateful to the PTA, who are working hard planning activities
to support the school. Their time and care make a real difference to our
community. If you have a skill we could use in school, please contact us —
we would be delighted to hear from you.
Have you had a good summer? That’s been a regular question over the last
month, as schools return and we get back into the swing of things. But what
actually makes for a good summer?
This summer the weather here has been glorious, with lots of sunny days –
sometimes rather too hot – and very little rain. This has created the
opportunity to spend time outside: trips to the seaside or stately homes,
long walks, or simply sitting in the shade enjoying a long cool drink.
Personally I had a lovely summer, with a wonderful cycling holiday in
France.
But what about others? Have farmers had a good summer? Because of the
weather last year, crop yields were down; as dramatically shown on
Clarkson’s Farm with the rye being only a small heap in a large
barn. I understand that this year the yield has been bigger but of lower
quality. So, probably not a good summer, for the second year running.
When Jesus was asked which was the most important commandment, he replied
with the Summary of the Law: love the Lord your God with all your heart,
mind, soul and strength; and love your neighbour as yourself.
Jesus was then asked, “and who is my neighbour?”, to which he responded
with the parable of the Good Samaritan. We usually think of our neighbour as
the person next door. Events around the world can stretch us to think of our
global neighbours, like the people in Nepal suffering massive loss due to
the landslides.
Over the summer I was reminded to think about creation as our neighbour.
Our weather is changing as a result of our activities. For years we have
treated creation as something we own, often abusing it. The Great Pacific
Garbage Patch is an area of debris three times the size of France floating
in the ocean. At times we behave with the attitude ‘out of sight, out of
mind’ which becomes ‘not my problem’.
I am wondering: has creation had a good summer? What would happen if we
actually saw creation as our neighbour, with the same rights as humans,
including to exist and flourish?
Back in Genesis, at the beginning, God made us in his image to reflect his
nature — so we can be responsible for the fish, the birds, the cattle and,
yes, the Earth itself (Genesis 1:27–28 MSG). He is a loving God, so we are
made to love. Being responsible for something involves caring for it;
looking after it.
This month, as autumn truly arrives with the nights closing in, I invite us
all to think about how we can help creation to have a good summer next year.
What individual actions can we take to help creation?
Our programme of musical events in St Nicholas’ Church continues this
autumn, and all are welcome. Most of these involve our wonderful new organ,
which is due shortly to be upgraded with some new stops and aids to make the
instrument easier to play, thanks to some generous recent fundraising.
The first event on Saturday, 3 October at 7:30 pm is a concert by
the folk music group Jarisel, who bring a lively mix of songs from Ukraine,
Greece, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Ireland among others. Tickets are
£12 and available on the door.
On Saturday, 28 November at 12 noon (to be confirmed) we welcome
Robert Macey-Dare to give a free lunchtime organ recital, with retiring
collection. Robert is a gifted young organist from Oxford who has just
finished his A-levels and is about to start a course in music at the
University of Birmingham. He is also currently organ scholar at Pershore
Abbey; and his programme will include music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Langlais,
Franck and others.
Later that weekend on Sunday, 29 November at 5:30 pm Fr Robin
Gibbons will lead a meditation service for Advent with organ music, provided
by resident organist Peter Read. This is a quiet, reflective service to
which everyone – of any faith or none – is welcome, accompanied by some
beautiful music appropriate for the season.
The Christmas Carol Service will take place this year on Sunday,
20 December and we are hoping to gather a choir to lead the singing and
perform some choral carols. More details will be available later, but new
singers are always welcome to join us. If you are interested in singing with
us, please get in touch.
Features has had a summer break and we are looking forward to returning
this autumn with a variety of films planned for the months ahead. Some are
new, and some are old films that definitely deserve to be revisited.
Before our break we showed a film written and directed by that great
collaboration Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner. It fulfilled our requirement
that the films we show are well written and all tell a good story.
Our screenings are free, but we have a donations box. We are very grateful
to all who attend Features and have given so generously to the various
charities we have supported. We alternate between giving to external
charities and giving to our Methodist Church. We are pleased to support
smaller, local charities as well as those that are better known. Recent
donations have been made to Age UK, British Red Cross, Mind and SeeSaw
(grief support) among others.
We look forward to seeing you at the Methodist Church for a cuppa and a
film at 7 pm on Thursdays 24 September, 22 October,
12 November and 17 December.
Keep a lookout for email notifications via Tackley Notices and the posters
we place on the noticeboards in the week before each film. Our licence means
we’re unable to externally advertise the names of the films, hence the
rather cryptic posters. You can, however, have access to the programme of
films by emailing us.
On Thursday, 5 November Graham Twemlow will talk about the golden age
of posters in Britain during the 1920s and 1930s. This was a thriving
industry enabled and enlightened by clients such as Shell-Mex, the London
Underground and the four railways. 2:15 for a 2:30 pm speaker. Visitors
are welcome for £3, which includes tea or coffee and biscuits.
The theatre group went to see Ruby Wax being interviewed by Clive Tulloh at
The Playhouse. This was an unscripted evening sharing behind-the-scenes
stories and viewing some of the classical clips from Ruby Wax
Meets and Full Wax.
The needlework group continues to knit blankets for the Hamblin Fistula
Charity. This charity treats women who due to lack of maternity health care
in Ethiopia are suffering from appalling childbirth injuries. Each woman is
given a homemade blanket upon arrival in hospital. These become a treasured
source of comfort to the women.
Our monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at St
Hugh’s Centre, Hensington Road in Woodstock at 2:15 pm for a
2:30 pm speaker. Our U3A branch is centred in Woodstock but welcomes
people from the surrounding areas. Are you recently retired and looking for
local social activities around interests you have? Our interest groups
develop when someone is willing to run them — maybe you have something that
you can offer. If so, please make contact with us. We would be delighted to
hear from you.
Tackley Walking Group is a friendly way to get to know our local
countryside and surrounding areas.
We have continued to enjoy some beautiful countryside walks in glorious
weather throughout the summer. In the last couple of months we have enjoyed
walks around the Old Boars Hill area, a lovely shady walk through Wytham
Woods, and a walk taking in the undulating countryside around Stanton St
John and Beckley.
The group arranges two walks each month; see dates below. Walks on second
Saturdays meet at 9:30 am and are approximately 5–8 miles, while
those on fourth Wednesdays meet at 2 pm and are approximately
3–5 miles.
We meet at the village hall before each walk to arrange car sharing, bus or
train to the start of the walk. Most walks are in North Oxfordshire, but we
sometimes venture a bit further afield. Some walks conclude with an optional
lunch or refreshment at a local pub or cafe. Routes are often suitable for
dogs kept under close control.
We warmly welcome regular and new members to join us, as well as any
suggestions for routes.
Our programme to the end of December is below and can also be found on the
village website. Further details of each route will be sent out via Tackley
Notices.
Saturday 10 October at 9:30 am: From Adderbury out towards
Bodicote, Bloxham Grove and returning through West Adderbury, led by
Alison Matthews. This is a change from the route advertised on the
website.
Wednesday 28 October at 2 pm: Flora Thompson countryside:
Cottisford and Juniper Hill, led by Sue Kavanagh.
Saturday 14 November at 9:30 am: Starting in Eynsham, this
walk follows good footpaths and quiet lanes out to South Leigh and back,
led by Annabelle Smith.
Wednesday 25 November at 2 pm: this walk explores the
beautiful and unusual architecture around Jericho and Park Town, led by
Sue Lygo.
Saturday 12 December at 9:30 am: Farmoor Reservoir and nature
reserve, led by Alison Matthews.
Please note that walks may be subject to change, and that walkers take
responsibility for their own safety.
We had a good turnout for our September meeting at which Chris Day gave us
a practical demonstration on planting tubs and containers for year-round
colour. As knowledgeable as ever, he suggested bulbs and plants for all
conditions.
At our meeting on Tuesday, 20 October we will welcome Roger Umpleby to
tell us all about garden bugs.
That brings us to November and the end of our year, already! Our own Sue
Ashton is going to share some photographs of her recent visit to Skomer
Island off the coast of Pembrokeshire, which is home to thousands of puffins
from March to July each year. Not flowers — but they are delightful birds,
and very cute.
We do not meet in December or January, but news of our February AGM will be
in the next newsletter.
The end of September brings the first of our new series of evening
meetings, presenting talks on a wide variety of topics but always with a
local emphasis. If you’re curious about the past, come along to meet
likeminded people at these well-researched and well-illustrated
presentations.
Monday 26 October: Deborah Kilroy on Members Behaving Badly:
A History of Britain in 52 Parliamentary Rogues (local author
Deborah introduces her new book)
Monday 23 November: Mike Heaney on The Ancient English Morris
Dance (highlighting local traditions)
Monday 25 January: Robin Gibbons on Tackley’s Parsons,
Priests and Pastors: Some Colourful Characters Through the
Centuries (continuing the talk from last year)
Monday 22 February: Tim Healey on Drovers’ Roads in
Oxfordshire and Beyond
Monday 22 March: Mark Davies on Historic Waterways: The
Oxford Canal
Monday 26 April: David Meara on 50 Gems of Oxfordshire: The
History and Heritage of the Most Iconic Places
Meetings are held in the village hall at 7:30 pm on the fourth Monday
of the month. Become a member and come to all of them for £15, which is good
value if you attend more than three. Pick up one of our leaflets in the
shop, email us, or find out more by visiting our website.
Tackley WI has continued to enjoy an interesting and varied programme.
In August we had a crafting evening, making felted sheep with Denise and
Amanda. It was a popular event, with crafters delighted with their results.
We have further crafting activities planned, which will be advertised in due
course.
In September Alex Harrison, community first responder from the South
Central Ambulance Charity, gave a talk and demonstration on the effect of
timely bystander intervention in the treatment of cardiac arrests. This
links with the national WI campaign Bystanders Can Be
Lifesavers. The meeting was well attended and well received, and we
were pleased to welcome several visitors.
At our next meeting on Tuesday, 6 October, Mary McIntyre FRAS will be
giving a presentation on her astrophotographic highlights. We are looking
forward to an informative evening with stunning imagery.
This will be an open meeting: all men and women are warmly invited to
attend. We meet at 7:30 for 7:45 pm in the village hall. Please do come
along and enjoy a wonderful evening! Visitors pay £5, which includes
refreshments.
On Tuesday, 3 November we will be welcoming Lucy Gasson, an official
Oxford tour guide, who will be giving a presentation on Curious
Objects From the Pitt Rivers Museum — which promise to be
fascinating, unusual and sometimes bizarre. All women are cordially
invited.
Tackley WI has a friendly and welcoming membership, which meets on the
first Tuesday of the month (excluding January) at 7:30 for 7:45 pm at
Tackley Village Memorial Hall. We have a wide age range and varied
interests. If you would like to find out more about our meetings, please
don’t hesitate to email us.
In May we started a wellness garden in the Steeple Aston allotments. This
is for the whole benefice of North Aston, Steeple Aston and Tackley.
A small team of people came together to achieve this, assisted by
volunteers who are equally committed to the project. We are partnered with
the church in Steeple Aston – the rector is a member of our team – and are
helped and supported by being members of the allotment society.
This means that although we are an independent body, the church offers us
necessary administration: accounting, safeguarding etc. Renting our plot
from the allotment society ensures health and safety are covered, and they
provide a lot of friendship and advice. We participated successfully in the
allotment open day in August.
So, what do we do? We garden for health. It’s as simple as that. We offer
gardening to anyone who feels in need of the uplift it can bring. So if you
are lonely, feeling low, or perhaps recovering from illness – or if you just
feel the uplift of gardening with a friendly group would help you – please
get in touch. You don’t need to do this through your doctor; it’s not a
medical therapy. We are a friendly supportive group. Please just ask!
We’re not going to ask you to dig a huge garden. The work is gentle and
will be adapted to suit your needs. We have a wonderful professional lead
gardener, who is sympathetic and empathetic, and at each session there are
very friendly volunteers with whom you can work. There’s a lot of laughter
and fun.
We are deeply grateful to so many people and trusts who have helped us
through funding so we can employ our gardener and indeed buy necessary
things like our brand new shed.
If you’d like to get in touch, please use either our website or email. Or
ask at the Steeple Aston village shop or church, who have some
brochures.
