Work has begun on replacing the gas boilers at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon. The contractor has taken over the centre’s overflow car park.

The new heating will be Air Source Heat Pumps, powered by 600 new solar panels on the roof. The project is funded by the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Community Infrastructure Levy (developer funding), and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

There should not be much disruption to users as most of the work is outside or on the roof. Similar work will be carried out at the Wantage Leisure Centre. It is expected to be completed by March 2026, and the council estimates it will reduce overall carbon usage by over 25%.

Christ Church, Northcourt, Abingdon, has received a £144,000 grant for its decarbonisation project. Work began on January 27th and is expected to be completed by the end of February.

The project includes the installation of air source heat pumps, solar panels and batteries, new insulation and lighting, suspended ceilings, and new double-glazed windows for improved energy efficiency.

During the project, approximately 40 groups and hirers have been temporarily relocated or have paused their meetings. Scaffolding has been erected, and the lounge, upper room, hall, and vestry have been inaccessible. Groups will return to warmer and more comfortable rooms. The project will also reduce the site’s carbon footprint by 25%. It also addresses the long-standing challenge of heating the hall during colder months.

This morning (Saturday 19th October), a group of volunteers, organised by Lynn of Abibinit, gathered at the Drayton Road end of the Ock Valley Walk for a litter pick. The team dispersed in various directions along the Ock Valley Walk and towards Tesco and returned with about twelve bags full.

The litter, primarily consisting of discarded alcohol cans and bottles. Particular favourites with  litterers appear to be Tesco Apple Cider (only £2.50* for 4 cans) and Ashfield British Lager (only £2.25* for 4 cans).

Lynn is planning the next litter pick before Christmas and is already thinking about next year’s program.

* Prices could be higher in Wales and Scotland due to minimum unit pricing rules.

20 cyclists left Abingdon this morning to visit a nature reserve near Sutton Courtenay and celebrate World Car-Free Day. (Car-Free Day will be on  Sunday, 22nd September 2024. So this was getting in early with being car-free.)

The 19 acre nature reserve, near Milton Park, has woodland, meadow and ponds and an Environmental Education Centre with two classrooms. The land is owned by Didcot Power Station. 55 years ago it was given to the local council as an environmental education centre to mitigate some of the damage done by building the power station. Some of the group remembered going there as children or bringing their children there for their first night away from home. That was when it had some scout-style huts on land now sold for an Asda warehouse

It is now managed by BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wild Life Trust) and the new education centre was built in 2004.

The centre has a mix of rare and common species. The reserve has rare great crested newts. There are too many grey squirrels, which are killing trees by eating their bark. The reserve monitors for mink that eat rare water vole babies. We saw a Red Kite’s nest, and a buzzard flying. It was an enjoyable visit thanks to Clive who organised the event, and the Senior Learning Officer at the centre.

For more information or to see events at the centre, visit https://www.bbowt.org.uk/explore/discover-and-learn/sutton-courtenay-oxon.