July 2026 update

Save the Swifts Project

We are launching a ‘Save the Swifts’ project, suggested by Conor MacKenzie, a new Blewbury resident. He says: "Swifts need our help! Most people will probably have heard something about the rapid decline of Swifts across the UK. This is for a myriad of reasons, although one of the major ones is a lack of breeding

spaces. My idea is to build and install as many Swift boxes as possible in the village to provide breeding spaces. This, of course, needs willing volunteers to install the boxes on their houses, in suitable places. It would also be great to understand how many pairs are in the village and where they are nesting, prior to any installation. For everyone who wants to be involved,

there will be a shared access spreadsheet where participants can input their sightings and observations from around the village over the summer. If spreadsheets aren’t your

thing, you can also email sightings to me.” If you would like to get involved in this project

or would like any further information, email conormackenzie91@gmail.com . The

project is in its initial phases where we are trying to find out how many Swifts are in

the village this summer. There will be more information later about installing a Swift box. BlewShed have kindly agreed to make the boxes from recycled wood.

(Photo by kind permission of Gareth Casburn)

Connor Mackenzie

Apple juicing, July to October at Blewbury Manor

We offer facilities to juice apples so that your fallen apples can be put to good use. Our sessions will be at the Manor, Berry Lane, on 26 July, 9 and 23 August, 13 and 27 September, 11 and 25 October from 2 to 4 pm.

Bring washed apples (bad bits removed but not cores) and your own clean bottles or containers. Arrive by 3 pm if you want to pasteurise your juice (which will need glass screw-top bottles). Costs: £1.80 to press a large bucket or basket of apples plus 40p

per bottle to pasteurize. You can also freeze unpasteurised juice

(in plastic containers). Cash preferred. If you have a large quantity of apples, you can hire our equipment for £17.50 per day if you live in the village or Upton, £22.50 if you live elsewhere. For further information or to book the equipment to hire, email Andy: andy3210123@gmail.com

Andy Evason

Nature reserve volunteering, 8 Aug, 12 Sept, 10 Oct 2026

We will meet at the Nature Reserve from 0930 to 1130 to do whatever maintenance tasks are needed. Tasks range from weeding around the existing hedging plants and mulching them, strimming the paths, and scything and raking specific areas. It’s a good way to meet other people from the village and to enjoy this quiet and peaceful spot. There are jobs for every level of fitness, and everyone is welcome to come for a taster.

Bring your own protective gloves and a drink. Email the secretary to join our volunteers mailing list if you aren’t on it already.

Jane Kinniburgh

Community Orchard at Ticker’s Folly

We haven’t mown the grass under the trees this year to extend the wildflower strip which has been looking glorious. Despite the heat waves, we expect there to be good crops of fruit at the Orchard later in the summer, although the fruits may be small. Please help yourself but leave some for other people and try not to damage the trees. Enjoy the fruits of this long-term project.

Sean Morris

Repair café, Sun 6 Sept, 2 to 4 pm, Melland Room and BlewShed

We are pleased to announce that Flavia Leslie is now taking over the running of the Repair Cafes. Flavia has volunteered at most of the cafes in the past by helping with the refreshments, while her partner, John Wells, has been handy making repairs of all sorts. Flavia has already made an impact by finding another repairer to come along. Ian Richardson came to the June event and fixed watches and clocks. Altogether, over 20 items were repaired in June and many more scones eaten, made by John!

We have moved our Repair Cafes to the Melland Room. BlewShed have kindly made their facilities available, which helps the repairers, and the Melland Room is cosier for refreshments. If it is too hard for you to get to this venue, let the secretary know, who will organise a lift for you. Why not bring your bike for a check-over? Or some clothes you’ve been putting off mending? We will try to mend your household items including electrical and gardening articles, clocks and watches, sharpen tools, and fix bikes for free. Come on 6 September and see what we do. Refreshments available. Cash donations welcome to cover costs. Thanks to all our volunteers who come to do the repairs.

Jane Kinniburgh and Flavia Leslie

People’s Emergency Briefing Film to be shown in the Autumn

The People’s Emergency Briefing – an eye-opening film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence on what’s happening with climate and nature and why it matters, covering areas including:

• Extreme weather

• Food security

• Health

• Cost of living

The film is based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster (featured by ITV, Channel 4 and The Times) with appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, and a range of voices from across the UK. Offering an exploration of how the climate and nature crisis is affecting everyday life in Britain, and what the evidence says about the risks and responses, this film is offered as a launchpad for informed discussion, and to ensure that Parliament and the public share a common understanding of the scale and urgency of the challenge ahead. We will confirm the date of our showing and discussion to be held in Blewbury in the early Autumn.

Anne Millman

New Trustee Appointed: James Kieft

We are pleased to announce that James Kieft volunteered to be a Trustee of Sustainable Blewbury and was duly appointed on 8 June. James has been maintaining and improving our website for a while and has been a regular volunteer at Quaker Wood and the Nature Reserve. James is a keen walker and horticulturist and has an allotment. He works in Further Education as a Learning and Development manager, where he oversees the development of teachers. He is chair of the Blewbury Table Tennis club. He has an educational technology blog and YouTube channel. It’s great to have a Trustee on board with these skills and with his enthusiasm.