Welcome
Welcome on behalf of the Glow Worms and Water Voles of the Trap Grounds. Here you can discover what makes this patch of wilderness in suburban north Oxford so special, and why we campaigned all the way to the House of Lords to register it as a Town Green.
Click on the relevant pages to find a full list of the threatened and protected species that live on the site …the texts of the legal verdicts in the Public Inquiry, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the House of Lords … and details of how you can join The Friends Of The Trap Grounds and help to preserve six acres of reed bed and scrubland for conservation, recreation, and education.
The site lies between the canal and the railway line, immediately south of the Frenchay Road canal bridge (off Woodstock Road) at grid ref. SP 503081 (see map). An information board marks the entrance to the site, at the start of a track called Frog Lane.
Alan Allport’s photograph shows the pond in the Trap Grounds reed bed, created in the year 2000 with funds raised by the Friends of the Trap Grounds.
Filed by Catherine Robinson on February 19th, 2009.
Conservation Work Party, Sunday 19 July 2009
Canadian Golden Rod has invaded the meadow and is suppressing the growth of wildflowers. The good news is that Golden Rod is easy to up-root at this time of the year. Can you spare an hour (or two) to help us on Sunday 19 July, any time between 10 am and 4 pm? We shall stop for half an hour at about 1 pm for a sandwich lunch (please bring your own). Wear gardening gloves and stout shoes. Children welcome, if accompanied by an adult. For anyone seeking a tougher challenge, the never-ending war on brambles will be resumed on the same day. Tools will be provided. Ring 01865 511307 for further information.
Filed by Catherine Robinson on June 6th, 2009.
Woodland Art Display, 8-17 May
Come to the Trap Grounds woodland to see artwork made of wood and willow by environmental artist David Gosling and the children of St Philip and St James Primary School. A giant moth, a unicorn, an owl, and a mysterious egg are among the creatures that await you in the glade. Join us at the launch of the display on Friday 8 May at 3.30 pm, or come and see for yourself at any time after that between 12 and 5 pm during Oxford Arts Week until Sunday 17 May. If you come on the afternoons of Saturday 9th or Saturday 16th, you can try your hand at making your own objects out of natural materials found in the wood, helped by the artist. Follow the signs along Frog Lane from the canal towpath, just south of the Frenchay Road bridge. This project is funded by an award from the Lottery Grants for Local Groups scheme.
Filed by Catherine Robinson on April 28th, 2009.
Community Activity Day, Saturday 25 April
Come along at any time between 11 am and 5 pm to watch the environmental artist David Gosling at work in the Trap Grounds wood. David and other artists will be on hand to help visitors to make their own objects out of willow and other natural materials, inspired by the sights and sounds of Spring in the Trap Grounds. Take your work home - or leave it in the glade for others to enjoy. Children welcome. This event is sponsored by the Lottery Grants for Local Groups scheme. Admission is free of charge. There will be refreshments and an information stall.
Filed by Catherine Robinson on April 15th, 2009.
Bramble Blitz, Saturday 28 February 2009
The war on invasive brambles continues today, 10 am to 12.30 pm. Our efforts last year were rewarded by the re-appearance of Bee Orchids, Pyramidal Orchids, and wild Marjoram - not to mention 20 glow worms. Please help us to extend the wildflower meadow. Meet us on the Frenchay Road canal bridge just before 10 am, or come and find us later on. Wear boots and thick gloves. Some tools provided, but please bring your own garden fork, rake, Dutch hoe, loppers, wheelbarrow, etc. if you can. Children aged 8+ are welcome to help, if supervised by a responsible adult. (Updated Weds 25-Feb-2009)
Filed by Catherine Robinson on February 25th, 2009.
Rubbish Blitz, Saturday 7 March 2009
We need all the help we can get! Please meet us on the Frenchay Road canal bridge just before 10 am, or come and find us later on. Wear boots and protective gloves, and bring a wheelbarrow if you can. (We can provide gloves if necessary.) Children aged 8+ are welcome to take part, if they are supervised by a responsible adult. This task is organised as part of the city-wide OxClean project.
Filed by Catherine Robinson on February 24th, 2009.
AGM, Tuesday 17 March 2009
Annual General Meeting of The Friends Of The Trap Grounds, 7.30 pm at St Margaret’s Institute, Polstead Road. A short business meeting will be followed by refreshments and an illustrated talk by Alan Allport about the wildlife of the Trap Grounds. All welcome. Come and hear about our achievements during the past year and our plans for the next 12 months. Be amazed by Alan’s close-up photographs!