SOW Activities

Bring and Mend (and Sharpen) session

Wednesday 11 November, 7:30pm at Oakington Church Hall

Bring something you’d like to mend – perhaps some clothes to patch, socks to darn or a household item you’ve been meaning to repair – and the tools you need. (A sewing machine will be available.) We’ll share tips and help each other.

Nikki will be there with sharpening tools – so bring kitchen knives and garden tools which you’d like to sharpen and she’ll help you do it.

(For anything too hard to mend yourself – make a diary note that Oakington & Westwick Repair Cafe is 6 February next year!)

Tree Guard Collecting Session, Saturday 21 November, 10 – 11:30

Another chance to rid the Millennium Wood of plastic tree guard litter – worthwhile and satisfying!

All welcome (including supervised children). Meet by middle path – see map. Wear old clothes and gloves and bring an old compost sack or large carrier bag and maybe a kneeler.

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Wednesday 9 December, 7:30pm at Oakington Church Hall

SOW’s final session of the year will be a chance to learn how to create a Christmas wreath, led by our own Ems Jordan.

All ages welcome! Please bring a small donation of £3 to cover materials and hall hire, and if you have ivy or other greenery in your garden, please bring some along!

Oakington & Westwick Green Spaces

Planning pressures now and in the future threaten to surround Oakington & Westwick with development. Northstowe will come right up to the villages, the field at the end of Manor Farm Close succumbed, the Cambridge 25 logistics development may gobble up more of the parish’s countryside. Wouldn’t it be good if we could safeguard some of today’s green space next to the village for the future and for wildlife? Sounds hard, but other communities have achieved this. But it can only happen if we act, and soon… so help is needed. if you could be involved, email sustainableow@gmail.com.

Especially needed at the moment is someone who could do a bit of land ownership research and maybe put together a map. Starter information and research links available. If you could help, email sustainableow@gmail.com.

The Butt Lift : beat the drought with a bargain water-butt

Several local sustainability groups are getting together to place a bulk order of water butts at Oakington Garden Centre. This is a great opportunity to collect the winter rain (now we’re getting loads) to build summer resilience. More details on this form – fill it in to express your interest – it doesn’t commit you to buying one. The deadline to do so is 1st December.

Expression of Interest – Water Butt

Other Local Activities

Histon Swish, Sat 7 November, 12 – 2:15 pm

A clothes swap party with free sewing repairs. At St Andrew’s Centre, School Hill Histon CB24 9JE. 12pm – drop off clothes for sorting, enjoy homemade refreshments. 12:45 swapping starts. Women’s/men’s/children’s clothes and accessories, formal wear, dressing-up clothes and Christmas jumpers. Clean and in good condition. Bring and take as many as you like. More details.

Tree Planting in Northstowe, Sat 14 November

Our friends at Sustainable Northstowe are organising a community tree planting event on 14 November at 10 am, and everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to improve our green spaces and support wildlife.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or not, your help will make a real difference. Families and friends of all ages are welcome. Remember to bring:

• Gardening gloves
• A spade or digging tools
• Warm outdoor clothing and sturdy waterproof shoes.

Please let them know you are coming by registering for free here.

Communities, Climate & Clean Air

An informative community event exploring the connections between air quality, public health, climate change and sustainable living

Tuesday 17 November, 7-9pm, Histon Methodist Church

Hosted by South Cambs. The evening will bring together local experts and guest speakers to share insights and practical advice. Topics will include the impact of air pollution on our health and environment, including emissions from domestic wood burning, and the simple steps we can all take to improve air quality in our homes and communities. Refreshments will be provided. Sign up using the QR code (you can probably also just turn up!)

Thermal Imaging Camera Loan

See where your home leaks heat

Cambridge Carbon Footprint are again offering residents and organisations, across Cambridge and South Cambs, the opportunity to borrow and learn how to use a thermal imaging camera for free. Learn to interpret thermal images, to identify draughts, gaps in insulation, heating problems, etc. All the information to sign up is on the website: Thermal imaging – Cambridge Carbon Footprint

Zero Carbon Communities Newsletter

Read it here – includes news of local projects and funding, SCDC reaching major emission milestone, a new guide for home energy upgrade, and resources for car-free adventures and sharing seasonal surplus.

SOW Activities

Bring and Mend (and Sharpen) session

Wednesday 11 November, 7:30pm at Oakington Church Hall

Bring something you’d like to mend – perhaps some clothes to patch, socks to darn or a household item you’ve been meaning to repair – and the tools you need. (A sewing machine will be available.) We’ll share tips and help each other.

Nikki will be there with sharpening tools – so bring kitchen knives and garden tools which you’d like to sharpen and she’ll help you do it.

(For anything too hard to mend yourself – make a diary note that Oakington & Westwick Repair Cafe is 6 February next year!)

Tree Guard Collecting Session, weekend in November TBC

Another chance to rid the Millennium Wood of plastic tree guard litter – worthwhile and satisfying! Details to follow.

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Wednesday 9 December, 7:30pm at Oakington Church Hall

SOW’s final session of the year will be a chance to learn how to create a Christmas wreath, led by our own Ems Jordan.

All ages welcome! Please bring a small donation of £3 to cover materials and hall hire, and if you have ivy or other greenery in your garden, please bring some along!

Oakington & Westwick Green Spaces

Planning pressures now and in the future threaten to surround Oakington & Westwick with development. Northstowe will come right up to the villages, the field at the end of Manor Farm Close succumbed, the Cambridge 25 logistics development may gobble up more of the parish’s countryside. Wouldn’t it be good if we could safeguard some of today’s green space next to the village for the future and for wildlife? Sounds hard, but other communities have achieved this. But it can only happen if we act, and soon… so help is needed. if you could be involved, email sustainableow@gmail.com.

The Butt Lift : beat the drought with a bargain water-butt

Several local sustainability groups are getting together to place a bulk order of water butts at Oakington Garden Centre. This is a great opportunity to collect the winter rain (now we’re getting loads) to build summer resilience. More details on this form – fill it in to express your interest – it doesn’t commit you to buying one. The deadline to do so is 1st December.

Expression of Interest – Water Butt

Other Local Activities

Zero Carbon Communities Newsletter

Read it here – includes news of local projects and funding, SCDC reaching major emission milestone, a new guide for home energy upgrade, and resources for car-free adventures and sharing seasonal surplus.

Another chance to see the People’s Emergency Briefing Film

Wednesday 4 November, St Andrew’s Centre, Histon.  Doors open 7pm, screening begins 7.30pm.

St Andrew’s Histon Eco Church invite you to join them as they host this important film about the impacts of climate change.

“It’s not about telling people what to think but creating space for informed discussion.”

The film features footage from last November’s National Emergency Briefing to Parliament, bringing together leading UK experts in climate science, food security, health, economics, national security and nature. It presents a calm, evidence-based overview of how the climate and nature crisis is affecting everyday life in Britain – and what the science says about risks and responses.

Following the 50-minute film, they will host a discussion about what this means for the community – an important moment for thoughtful, compassionate local dialogue. Book here – https://standrewshiston.org/event-list/

Local Climate Action Conference 2026

Friday 6 November, 11am to 5pm, Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington

If anyone can make this day, it would be great to have Oakington & Westwick represented. It’s informative and inspirational, sharing ideas and hearing about activities from other communities in South Cambs.

The conference will bring together parish councils, community groups, charities, local organisations and residents from across the district for an afternoon of inspiration, discussion and networking. Attendees will hear about successful local projects, discover new opportunities to get involved, and explore ways to build more resilient, sustainable communities.

A plant-based Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP via this link: SCDC Local Climate Action Conference 2026 6th Nov 2026 11-5pm – Fill in form – and let us know if you are going.

Communities, Climate & Clean Air

An informative community event exploring the connections between air quality, public health, climate change and sustainable living

Tuesday 17 November, 7-9pm, Histon Methodist Church

Hosted by South Cambs. The evening will bring together local experts and guest speakers to share insights and practical advice. Topics will include the impact of air pollution on our health and environment, including emissions from domestic wood burning, and the simple steps we can all take to improve air quality in our homes and communities. Refreshments will be provided. Sign up using the QR code (you can probably also just turn up!)

Thank you to Leo who ran this workshop at SOW on 14th October 2026.

There are three ways you can take cuttings:

• Softwood – at the beginning of summer, the soft young growth of shrubs/trees/climbers, can also do tomatoes. Put a bag over and keep moist
• Semi-ripe – late summer into autumn. Eg. Lavender, rosemary. Generally smaller than hardwood cuttings.
• Hardwood – September/October. Anything quick-growing will work. Willow is easy, so is blackcurrant, cranothus, flowering currant, mulberry.

How to take a hardwood cutting

Ideally use “long tom” big deep pots – or you can just put in a trench in the garden, don’t have to worry so much about watering.

• Mix 50/50 (potting) compost and sharp sand (ie with grit in it, not fine sand) – for better drainage and air. If in a trench, jumble sand around with soil to make a nice loose soil easy for roots to grow in.
• Cut to 6-12″. Take several as they won’t all work!
• Willow you can just cut sticks. For ceanothus, currant or similar, pull down this year’s growth off last year’s stem, ripping a bit of bark off – called the heel – nip off the endpoint. That will root more easily.
• Nip out leaves, can leave a couple on top but not necessary this time of year.
• Dip cut end in water then hormone rooting powder – probably helps.
• Bury 2/3 below soil. Put them round the sides of the pot, not in the middle, so roots not all tangled together. Really firm them in, to stop them drying out.

Have to be patient. Leave at least 1-2 months. Either they’ll have worked or died! Some can take much longer (a year or more) and can be tricky to know if they have worked – can grow leaves without roots! Roots growing through the bottom of the pot is a sure sign.

Semi-ripe cuttings

Celled trays are ideal, or do 3-4 in a small pot. Half will die. Cover with a clear plastic bag if it’s hot so they don’t dry out. Cut holes as want it to breathe, not rot because of condensation.

Community Apple Pressing, Saturday 10 October

12 – 4pm, 54 High Street (help pick apples 10-11am in the orchard on Arcadia Gardens)

Blue Barrel Cider invite villagers and visitors to the old stables at 54 High Street 12–4pm Saturday 10 October. (Please note there will be just the one session this year due to availability.)

Everyone is invited to join in washing, crushing and pressing locally-grown apples. There will be free refreshments at this family-friendly event, along with the chance to buy delicious local cider.

If you want to get involved in the full experience, you’re welcome to come to the Jordans’ orchard on Arcadia Gardens to pick the apples in the morning, 10–11am.

Community Bulb Planting, Sunday 11 October

3 – 4:30pm, meet at the Crossroads.

Come and help plant spring bulbs in the left-long-for-wildlife verge patches round the village.

Bring a trowel and hand fork, or bulb planter! Families with supervised children welcome. High-viz recommended

Hardwood Cutting Workshop

Wednesday 14 October, 7:30pm at Oakington Church Hall

Leo will show us how to make more of the shrubs you love! Cut some long leafy twigs/sticks and bring them along – wrap the ends in wet tissue. They can be deciduous trees or shrubs, hedge plants, or fruit bushes such as currants. Bring a few from each plant type because they won’t all take. Plus £2 contribution towards the growing medium and room hire, and some clear plastic bags to go over the pots.

We’ll also hear back from Lucy and others who are attending the “Supercharging Local Climate Action” conference in October, and see if there are ideas we can use to grow our activities and impact as a group.

Also coming up…

People’s Emergency Briefing film, Bar Hill, Thursday 1 October, 6.30-9pm – more details here

Open Eco-Homes tours and talks 22nd September through to 18th October – for more info and to book, see https://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/what-we-do/open-eco-homes/.

And a date for your diaries for November…

Bring and Mend (and Sharpen) session

Wednesday 11 November, 7:30pm at Oakington Church Hall

Bring something you’d like to mend – perhaps some clothes to patch, socks to darn or a household item you’ve been meaning to repair – and the tools you need. (A sewing machine will be available.) We’ll share tips and help each other.

Nikki will be there with sharpening tools – so bring kitchen knives and garden tools which you’d like to sharpen and she’ll help you do it.

At 7pm (NOTE earlier time) at the Church Hall. All very welcome!

We look forward to a relaxed evening together with a chance to chat about sustainability and other things as well!

If you can, please fill in the RSVP form to let us know how many are coming and very roughly what you might bring (just so we can do something about it if everyone plans to bring dessert!) Don’t feel you have to produce something amazing and home-made, Just no meat or fish please.

There’ll be plates and cutlery for everyone but there isn’t a cooker in the servery so hot dishes will need to be brought while still warm.

People’s Emergency Briefing film, Bar Hill, Thursday 1 October, 6.30-9pm

You may have heard about this film on the climate and nature crisis which is being screened around the country. Now there’s an opportunity to see it very locally, at Bar Hill church on 1st October. After the film, which is narrated by Chris Packham, there will be a discussion – which in many places has proved as stimulating as the film itself. Thanks to Maggie Annat and her group for putting the film on.

You can book your free ticket using this link or just turn up on the night. For 16+ years old.

Many of those attending previous screenings commented that although the facts are alarming, they felt a sense of optimism about confronting the challenge together and seeing a pathway to a better future. “This was the kind of messaging I’ve been hoping to see for a long time. It’s authoritative, digestible, psychologically realistic, savvy, and caring. Even funny in places, if you’ll believe me.” “I’ll be honest — I’m sceptical of climate doom-mongering… But this film is different. Really different…. Stark facts, yes. But also a genuine sense of agency and even optimism… If you get the chance to attend a screening, I’d strongly encourage it.”

Thanks to the Tree-Guard Collectors!

We collected another three and a half big bags on Saturday 15 August! They were taken to be recycled. We’ll arrange another bash at it later in the year.

Open Eco-Homes

Open Eco-Homes tours and talks are now open for booking – see https://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/what-we-do/open-eco-homes/. Spaces are limited on the tours so book up now.

Ten homeowners across Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire will open their doors between 22nd September and 18th October for this year’s Open Eco Homes season, run by local charity Cambridge Carbon Footprint (CCF).

Open House Tours

The tours, offered in person and online, come the region recovers from heatwaves and energy prices climb again, adding pressure on households to keep homes comfortable without paying more.

Visitors will get a rare look at real-world retrofits: from heat pumps, insulation and heat recovery systems to solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and rainwater harvesting.

Rather than sales pitches, these are homeowners describing their own experience, what worked, what it cost, and whether the results lived up to the manufacturers’ claims. As one visitor to last year’s tours put it: “Very helpful comparing component costs and benefits.”

Visitors will be able to ask questions directly, comparing notes on lessons learned and getting a clearer sense of what similar upgrades might mean for their own homes.

With energy bills continuing to climb and temperature extremes becoming more common, organisers say the tours offer a practical, unfiltered way to see which home improvements are delivering — and which might be worth skipping.

On-line talks

These tours will be complemented by four online talks from subject matter experts on battery storage, funding and grants, air-tightness, and retrofit solutions for different budgets.

The activities are part of Cambridge Carbon Footprint’s (CCF) Open Eco Homes 2026 season. CCF is a local charity supporting people to move towards low-carbon living. Tours and talks are free however donations to CCF are welcomed and can be made on the CCF website.

To book – see “Events” on the webpage.

Following a successful evening forage in June, we are planning another session of picking up the old, brittle plastic tree guards which are littering Centenary (also called Millennium) Wood. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in.

Saturday 15 August, 10–11.30am. Meet by the entrance to Centenary Wood (just after the little cut-through from the field).  Wear old clothes and gloves (the task can include crouching/crawling under trees) and bring a carrier bag and maybe a kneeler. 

The tree guards will be recycled. This mission was suggested by a seven-year-old SOW member, and accompanied, supervised children are welcome.

We’ll be going ahead even if the weather is a bit damp (we wish…). Bring a water bottle if you need it.

Upcoming SOW meetings

There is no SOW meeting in August. Check back here for details of the September meeting, on Wednesday 9th September, 7:30pm in Oakington church hall.

Bulk-ordering wholefoods

Since the Daily Bread closed it’s become harder to buy wholefoods which are ethically sourced and reasonably priced. A group in Willingham has started up which buys wholefoods in bulk monthly from the SUMA co-operative. Several people have said they would like to be part of a similar group here, but we still need someone would be willing to organise. The organiser would need a bit of space, eg in a garage, and a little time for the admin, but individual buyers place their own orders – the savings come from having it all delivered to one place. More details here. Email sustainableow@gmail.com to find out more.

A guest article by Paul Kershaw, Oakington retrofit expert and member of Cambridge Retrofit Hub. An abridged version will appear in the August/September Oakington & Westwick Journal.

Shading

Have you noticed anyone putting up shading over their windows in the village? I don’t mean the white flags with the red cross, although they inadvertently serve the purpose well but people draping old sheets, towels and even one expertly designed set of shades made from Space Blankets. With our third heatwave under our belts already this year, it’s time to stop moaning about the heat and do some simple DIY. Anything you can do externally to stop the sun from reaching your window glass and your brick walls will have much more of an effect than closing your curtains. If there are young, elderly or infirm in your household, the difference it makes can be life saving. The number of degrees indoor temperature change can vary per house, even between a pair of semi-detached houses, but even a couple of degrees is not to be sniffed at. The difference in external temperature between a bare brick wall and one painted white can be more than 10ºC.

At Cambridge Retrofit Hub we’re running a series of Summer Shading and Cooling Workshops in and around Cambridge. After the one in Histon during the last heatwave, we received numerous photos the following day of actions that people had taken to create shading; although no-one had taken up my suggestion of painting your windows with Greek Yoghurt, no…on the outside; it cooks straight away so doesn’t go mouldy and can just be washed off.

photo: Laura, parent, Histon – you only need your bedsheets at night, give them a good airing during the day

photo: Peter, Cambridge – turn your house inside out

Other tips to stay cool

• Dark material will stop more heat than white.
• Open your windows or doors early morning and evening when the temperature outside is lower than inside. To increase ventilation place a fan pointing outwards about 1m/3’ from an open window.
• Keep your windows, doors and curtains or blinds closed during the day.
• Hang out a damp towel or two in the room you’re occupying to benefit from the evaporative cooling effect.
• Fans don’t cool air, they just push it around. They have a cooling effect when they are directed at you but none when you have left the room.
• To cool down quickly, place a cold wet towel around your neck, behind your knees or at your wrists.
• Heat pumps can provide cooling as well as heating (needs to be specified/requested).
• Older people are less likely to notice they are becoming dehydrated, and less likely to hear or act on Weather Warnings, so…
• The most important thing to do during a heatwave is to check on your elderly friends or relatives.

See www.cambridgeretrofithub.org for details of future Shading Talks

Don’t miss the next SOW meeting – we’ll be outside again!

IMPORTANT NOTE: the meeting place has changed to Longstanton Road!

NATURE ON THE OLD AIRFIELD ROAD
Outdoor SOW meeting
Including pollinator counting
BE(e) PART OF THE MISSION TO PREVENT POLLINATOR DECLINE!
on Wednesday, 8 July, 7:30pm
at the northern most point of the Longstanton Road before it ceases to be a highway (the gate being the where cars are prevented from accessing, but bikes etc can pass).

• https://maps.app.goo.gl/RyQsAAJRoqjXJCkz6
• TL 40678 64801
• ///ruins.narrating.dots

Thank you!

To all who helped on the stalls at the Pollination Festival and the Village Day – and a big thanks to John, Vicky and Lucy for planning and putting together the displays and activities. Visitors to the garden centre Pollination Festival from around the area did a “Spot the Pollinator” quiz and went home with information on how to encourage pollinators in their gardens. This was a joint event with the Environment Action Group, and we did it again on Village Day in Oakington, along with a bee hotel building workshop, and the chance to make bees out of fir cones!

On 10th June about 20 of us including lots of younger people turned out to collect plastic spiral ‘tree’ guards from hedge plants and shrubs in Centenary (aka Millennium) Wood. These have got very old and brittle and are just breaking up and littering the woodland.

The task involved crouching and crawling beneath the trees! We collected three builders’ bags; they have been taken off for recycling. We also collected some of the canes for reuse too.

There are still lots left in the wood. Opinion was divided about whether to come back on a summer Saturday, or in the winter when they would be easier to spot but the ground would be muddier!

Thank you to William and Rachel for inspiring and organising this.

COMING UP…

Sat 20 June – Pollination Festival

At the Garden Centre, 9am-4pm

Jointly with the Environment Action Group, we’ll be running a stall about APollOW and pollinator conservation and counting. We still need a few more people to stand on the stall. If you can help, even for an hour, please get in touch. It’s a nice event and a great opportunity to spread the word about protecting pollinators – and SOW and the EAG – but we need help!

Sat 27 June – Village Day

Oakington Recreation Ground, 12:30 – about 4pm (event goes on until 10pm)

SOW will be running a stall at this event too, building bee hotels. We need some help with this too! If you’d like to be involved please get in touch.

Wed 8 July – Outdoor Nature Session including APollOW training

7:30pm – meet in the Community Orchard next to the Rec (NOT in the Church Hall!)

James Heywood will be demonstrating how to do a pollinator count – a brilliant opportunity to see it in practice and have a go yourself.

Are you ready for the next heatwave?

‘Get Ready for Heatwaves’ is a free live online talk on Tues 30th June at 7:30-8:30pm by Cambridge Carbon Footprint, a local charity taking positive action to tackle the causes of climate change.

You will hear advice on exterior shading, ventilation, personal cooling and the importance of insulation. We’re all aware of the measures we can take to reduce our contribution to climate change, but we also need to take action to protect ourselves from its consequences.

This talk will equip you with the information you need to take practical action before the next heatwave hits. Book using this link.

Wed 10 June – Collecting Tree Guards in Centenary Wood

7:30pm – meet by Centenary Wood (NOT in the Church Hall!)

Rendezvous 7:30pm by the northernmost entrance to Centenary Wood (just after the little bridge) to help collect up (and hopefully recycle) the plastic tree-guards which are no longer needed and are littering up the wood. This was suggested by a seven-year-old SOW member, and everyone is welcome to come along and help, including accompanied children. Bring gloves!

We’ll be going ahead even if the weather is a bit damp. Bring a water bottle if you need it.

Sat 20 June – Pollination Festival

At the Garden Centre, 9am-4pm

Jointly with the Environment Action Group, we’ll be running a stall about APollOW and pollinator conservation and counting. We need some people to stand on the stall. If you can help, even for an hour, please get in touch. It’s a nice event and a great opportunity to spread the word about protecting pollinators – and SOW and the EAG – but we need help!

Sat 27 June – Village Day

Oakington Recreation Ground, 12:30 – about 4pm (event goes on until 10pm)

SOW will be running a stall at this event too, about the APollOW project, building bee hotels and (possibly) about reducing the impact of our “stuff” (Reduce/Reuse/Repair etc.) If you’d like to be involved please get in touch.

Wed 8 July – Outdoor Nature Session including APollOW training

7:30pm – meet in the Community Orchard next to the Rec (NOT in the Church Hall!)

James Heywood will be demonstrating how to do a pollinator count – a brilliant opportunity to see it in practice and have a go yourself.

Climate Change Gardening

If you missed this very good and very popular talk, notes are now on our website.

Other Notices

Plant Swap (9 & 10 May)

Organised by SOW and by Oakington & Westwick Neighbours. Thank you to all who came and swapped plants, and donated to the village Hardship Fund – £68.86 was raised.

The Hedge & the Hog: Helping Wildlife One Verge at a Time (online, Weds 17^th June, 7 – 8pm)

What do wild verges have to do with hedgehogs? How do you make your garden more wildlife friendly? How can you use less pesticides and increase biodiversity on the land you manage? Find out the answer to these questions in this interactive webinar with On the Verge Cambridge, Pesticide-Free Cambridge, Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital and Histon and Impington (HI) Hedgehog Champions and HI Green Spaces.

Learn about the knock-on effects of pesticide and herbicide use, how it impacts local wildlife, and what alternative things you can do to help wildlife thrive. HI Hedgehog Champions and Green Spaces will share their experience and practical tips on how to implement changes in your neighbourhood – meet Eric, and other hedgehogs that have been released back into the wild.

This workshop is open to everyone who is interested, and free of charge. SIGN UP HERE: Hedgehogs and Verges Webinar – Fill in form