Work in progress
• We have planted a small mixed orchard, including some old Eynsham apple varieties, in the northeast corner and aim to grow a few vegetables if we can overcome the problem of the Muntjac deer, which are very destructive. • Along the north/south boundary fence we have planted a native mixed hedgerow to encourage birds, hedgehogs and the like. • Around the field edges we have planted more trees to increase woodland habitats. • Elsewhere we are encouraging wildflowers and nettle patches for bees & butterflies and grasses for hay, with paths mown through for access. • At some point we hope to put up a small field shelter/barn. We found the Holewelle, in a dip in the middle of the field, in a sorry state. The spring feeds fresh water to the Fishponds and was first used as such by monks in the early 13th century. Old maps show a stream and a second pond at the bottom of the field but these have been filled in. We had hoped to find a clear natural pool at the spring site. Instead it was an overgrown bog area, with the spring water confined in two crumbling concrete tanks. A great deal of farm & building rubbish has been dumped around it. We have been gradually clearing the mud and rubbish and finding more concrete and underground pipes. We have cleaned the area and cleared pipes leading down to the Fishponds. We have made a temporary retaining bank and seeded it with wildflowers to protect the fresh water from further silting up. We need to clear more silt and rubbish and investigate where and how the water rises. We are very keen not to destroy any possible archaeology so are working slowly and carefully. Have Eynsham residents any knowledge of the spring before it was put into the concrete tanks, or the lower pond and stream that have disappeared? We’d be very interested in any information about the field or the farm in general – please email parrinderp@yahoo.com
Posy Parrinder reports from the Holewelle – with Steve Parrinder & David Rivalin We live at Abbey Farm overlooking the Fishponds in one of the barn conversions. We also were lucky enough to be able to buy part of the field to the south. It includes the Holewelle – a natural spring or “well” that has formed a hollow in the hillside. The rest of the field between Abbey Farm and Station Road is not ours. Our motivation in acquiring the land was to protect it from any further development and preserve its landscape value. The fields and old farm buildings make a very attractive view from the Fishponds walks. People are naturally curious and somewhat concerned about what we are doing with the land so we wanted to take this opportunity to explain what we have done so far and our future plans. The field will remain as agricultural land with an emphasis on helping wildlife and encouraging biodiversity.
Open gardens
Marie Mills reports on Saturday & Sunday 28–29 June Almost 20 gardens opened for this occasion, providing a lovely afternoon for all who live in the village and for visitors from further afield. We raised £1526 from programme sales and have handed £500 to each of our chosen charities – Bartholomew Educational Foundation, GreenTEA and John Radcliffe Breastfeeding Support Service. Many thanks to everyone who took part and the folk musicians who added so much to the conviviality of the weekend. We now look forward to summer 2016.
The main A40 Eynsham Mon-Sat 8.30 – 5.30 Sun 10.00 – 4.30 Home grown bedding. Selection of pots & containers. Plus a well-stocked pet care section & many other items Telephone: 01865 883394 11