Green spaces make us fit and healthy (official)

December/January's "Ecologist" magazine reports on work by a series of researchers at the University Glasgow that found that in areas with the greenest environments the health gap between rich and poor was half as much as in the least green areas.

The study by lead author Dr Richard Mitchell said access to green spaces encouraged people to take part in activities that reduced stress and blood pressure. He added "we encourage the Government to consider carefully what its policy on green space is, and to bear in mind when planning urban areas for the future."

Green spaces may also have a significant effect on mental health. Researchers writing in the journal of Attention Disorders found that children with ADHD were better able to concentrate after a 20 minute walk in a natural setting. The team found these benefits were as or more significant than a significant dose of medication.

Mark Luntley - Chair of Sendra added. The message for Oxpens town green is clear, this open space is an important resource, it supports the health of the city and should be protected by town green status.

Birdlife in Oxpens

Several local residents are keen nature observers. Professor Nancy Brown has been systematically recording birds since she came to the area in 1986. Over that time she has recorded 51 different kinds of bird from her house. She explains that the field is a flight path for birds moving between North and South Hinksey, Grandpont and Port Meadow. 

In January flocks of siskins (from Scandinavia) mixed with goldfinch come to eat the seeds of alders on the stream bank - whilst mallards, coots and moorhens nest in the reed beds. 

Andrew Smith MP pledges full support

On 25th November Sendra's local MP, the Rt Hon Andrew Smith MP to Colin Bridger offering his full support for our town green application. He added he has taken up the matter with Oxfordshire County Council. 

Autumn rains

The last few days have had plenty of rain, and ground water levels have risen. The waters from Castle Mill Stream are running considerably higher than even a few days ago.

Its this time of year when local residents can be really pleased that the green is open space. The water can overspill onto the field, reducing the flow downstream in the river.  That's good news for a lot of residents in Oxford and beyond. 

Oxfordshire respond to application

Oxfordshire County Council have written to SENDRA confirming receipt of our application for a town green. In their letter of 3rd November the County Council confirmed they had received our application on the 29th September and the matter has now been referred to the council's legal department.

The letter explains the County Council will be referring the application to a barrister to check if it has been "duly made". This process should take some weeks.

If the application passes this hurdle then the County Council will publicise the application for a further six weeks, asking if anyone objects to the application. The County Council will also write to the landowner - who in this case are the city council. 

So progress, albeit a bit slower than we hoped, and its not quite clear what has happened over the last few weeks, but we have a timetable for the next steps.

Allotments at Oxpens

Looking at Oxpens meadow you'd not see any evidence of any crops being grown, but in the early 20th century the area included at least three allotments.  At that time Oxpens meadow covered a larger area than at present, and two of the allotment gardens are where Oxford and Cherwell college are now located.  

The third allotment was to the west of the current meadow, south of the bus park and running up to the railway track. This last site was still shown as allotment gardens in 1957 but is now fenced off and overgrown.

Oxpens bathing place

The ordinance map of 1900 shows 16 acres of Oxpens as a series of open fields. The only developed feature at that time was the St Ebbe's bathing place, which dates from around 1878. It was used seasonally and was restricted to children.  

The area south of the bathing place was known as Ballow Ham and was leased by the city council as long ago as 1900 which, in an echo of current city council policies, contained a children's playground.

The bathing place closed at the end of the 1937 season and, in 1951, the site was filled in. 

Its very hard to see where the old bathing place was located, but you can find the old walls and some of the concrete marking the walls, almost covered by grass. This photo shows all that remains.  

Wildlife on Oxpens green

One of the pleasures of spending time at Oxpens meadow is seeing the variety of wildlife in the city centre. Sunday 26th November was a clear evening and in the last light of the day a flock of geese waddled out of the Thames and across the green. Several of the birds ate the grass, which was still growing in the late autumn. 

Residents cheer town green bid

Sendra residents and friends got together on Oxpens meadow in the afternoon to celebrate having put in the application for registration.  The photo shows the trucks from the Russian State Circus - who were stopped on the green. 

Oxfordshire County Council will consider the registration application in the coming months. 

Flood risks

The recent wet summer shows the importance of ensuring that Oxpens meadow remains a green space. The green has flooded twice in the last 12 months, the land soaks up water which might otherwise run into the Isis.   

Russian circus

Hundreds of families had the chance to see acrobats and clowns in the Russian State Circus, which pitched up at Oxpens Meadow for a weekend in October. The big top and lorries filled the space which was only just big enough to fit everyone in. 

Visitors were able to get to the circus without using cars, as the meadow is close the railway station and public transport.

Birmingham and London to Oxford bike ride

In July this year hundreds of tired bike riders arrived at Oxpens meadow having cycled from Birmingham and London to Oxford in aid of charity.  The event covered the whole of the meadow, with tents set up to feed the recovering cyclists.

About Oxpens meadow

Oxpens meadow is one of the last remaining vestiges of open green space in Oxford's West End area. Its a well maintained field next to the ice rink and is used by walkers, residents and sportspeople. The green hosts events ranging from hot air ballooning to informal games.

We are fighting to ensure the space is kept as a green as a green space that current future generations can enjoy. A beautiful space in both summer and winter it is a green oasis in the heart of the city.

12 years of ballooning on Oxpens

You may have seen balloons floating over Oxford, chances are they took off from Oxpens meadow.  These sorts of events have been popular for a number of years. This photo dates from September 1996. 

Balloonists typically use most of the field when setting up and taking off, its hard to see how this activity could take place if the field were half  built on.