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Withymead looks beautiful whatever the weather. Wh

Withymead looks beautiful whatever the weather. When we are closed in winter, there is still a lot to do behind the scenes, even in frosty times. The reedbeds are cut on an annual cycle. Here, the last bit of old wooden boardwalk snakes through the beds. Although it gives access, it's very narrow which makes access difficult for working, as well as when we are open to the public. We're fundraising to replace this section, so that it joins with the new, safer and wider section we replaced last year. Head over to www.withymead.org for more info to find out how you can help everyone to #StepIntoNature.
#Frosty #ConservationInAction #NatureConservation #ConservationVolunteers

News update | Love Withymead? We are looking for

News update | Love Withymead?
We are looking for a 🌿new trustee 🌿
If you have a passion for nurturing and sharing special places, and the time to get involved behind the scenes and during our open season – this could be for you. It is an exciting opportunity to get involved in a decision making and advisory role for our small, local charity that seeks to protect, promote and preserve the flora and fauna found in and around Withymead and Goring-on-Thames, share its history as a Victorian boat-building yard, and to utilise the reserve for the general education and benefit of the public with regard to nature. Interested and would like to know more? Head over to www.withymead.org and get in touch via the contact us form, addressing your email to Jenny, our Chair of trustees. Image credits:
Springfield Workshop, 1900, Janet Hurst
A Withymead Path in early Spring, 2024, Imogen Smart

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we cel

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by trustees for their charities and recognise the difference they make. It’s day five of introducing some of ours. Meet Phil; our Vice-Chair. He joined us in early summer 2024: “Having discovered Withymead as a photographer – trying to capture images of kingfishers - I saw that the Trust was looking for new Trustees, I applied and was delighted to join an excellent team. Being a Trustee at Withymead is rewarding – it’s an opportunity to give something back to the community by helping to preserve what has been described as a “green jewel”. Aside from meeting and collaborating with some wonderful people, the work is incredibly varied – serving cream teas, arranging building repairs and organising fundraising are just some of the activities. There’s never a dull day!” Thank you, Phil, for all the work you do 🌿

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we cel

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by trustees for their charities and recognise the difference they make. It’s day four of introducing some of ours. Meet Jenny; our current Chair and our longest-serving trustee: “I discovered Withymead Nature Reserve as a visitor in the early days and just loved its tranquility and sense of peace. It’s a place for reflection, a place where the natural world is allowed to thrive and where time stands still. I was drawn in by the industrial history of the site and by reminiscences of the inspirational Anne Carpmael who founded the charitable trust in her name. I feel privileged to have been involved for just over 10 years working with a team of trustees and wardens, all of whom are passionate about preserving this special place. Every day is different, yet fascinating. I love the variety, the new learning and the wonderful people. All part of the rich ‘tapestry of life’.” Thank you, Jenny, for all the work you do 🌿

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we cel

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by trustees for their charities and recognise the difference they make. It’s day three of introducing some of ours. Meet Rob; he joined us in late spring last year: “Being a Trustee at Withymead is a joy. As an ecologist, I love connecting with the species that call this special reserve home – from nesting Great Spotted Woodpeckers to Yellow Loosestrife Bees, and the Ruby-tailed Wasps. Since joining in May 2024, I’ve enjoyed discovering new moths, winning grants to improve habitats, and sharing the site’s peace with family and visitors. It’s rewarding to work with a diverse, passionate Trustee team, making a real difference for biodiversity. Withymead is a small but mighty haven, and I’m proud to help protect and celebrate it!” Thank you, Rob, for all the work you do 🌿🐝🦉

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we cel

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by trustees for their charities and recognise the difference they make. It’s day two of introducing some of ours. Meet Sheila, who joined us in autumn 2023: “I became a trustee 2 years ago after retiring and it has been so enjoyable and rewarding. I am very proud to be supporting a wonderful small reserve that is the home to so much nature. Helping at fundraising events is so much fun, meeting new visitors and returners, serving teas or just talking about the reserve. But what is key is the really friendly people I get to work alongside, the wardens, the other trustees and other volunteers.” Thank you, Sheila, for all the work you do 🌿

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we cel

It’s #TrusteesWeek! The time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by trustees for their charities and recognise the difference they make. We thought you'd like to meet some of ours! First up is Steve, who joined us in spring of last year: “I love being a trustee of our local nature reserve because it lets me play a part in protecting a place that really matters to our community. Conservation isn’t just about wildlife – it’s about keeping our green spaces alive and healthy for everyone to enjoy. I get to work with an amazing group of volunteers who share that passion, whether we’re pruning, clearing paths, or recording wildlife. Every small job adds up to something bigger. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our efforts help the reserve thrive and knowing we’re making a difference for both people and nature.” Thank you Steve, for all the work you do 🌿

Do you tick the box? Today is Gift Aid Awareness D

Do you tick the box? Today is Gift Aid Awareness Day and we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all our donors who #TickTheBox. This annual event, created by the Charity Finance Group, helps raise awareness around the importance of Gift Aid: what it is, which donors qualify, and how charities benefit, so many of us can #TickTheBox with confidence.
#ThinkLocalGiveLocal #GiftAidAwarenessDay #StepIntoNature #Community #Oxfordshire #NatureRecovery

This time last year @kingfisherdecking were knee -

This time last year @kingfisherdecking were knee - no thigh! - deep in water, replacing a long section of our old boardwalk with a new, wider and more accessible boardwalk. Made possible with support from @mendthegap2024 and match funding from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) ‘Access for all’ project, it 's been a joy to see how much easier it has been for visitors to enjoy the reserve. It's a stark contrast between old and new. Watch this space for how you can support us in making Phase 2 complete the route!
@chilternsnl @northwessexdowns
#StepIntoNature #MakingADifference #GoringAndStreatley

OPEN TODAY: we are open for an extra day today, Su

OPEN TODAY: we are open for an extra day today, Sunday, 7 September 2025, Stop by between 10am - 5pm today to reconnect with nature and discover the small wonders that make life extraordinary. (Although we are able to open for this additional day, regretfully we are not able to offer refreshments.) Accessibility: a male and female mallard duck hurry along a path; 'extra date added' within a circle is overlaid like a sticker on an image of the new wider boardwalk weaving through the reedbed; a pink and brown elephant hawk moth rests on tree bark. Image credit: Ducks, Julia Hiltsher, CC By 2.0 #StepIntoNature #Wildlife #Oxfordshire #GoringAndStreatley #ConservationMatters

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Withymead Nature Reserve Bridle Way, Goring-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG8 0HS

Withymead Nature Reserve, Little Meadow and two thirds of Tara’s Piece are owned and managed by The Anne Carpmael Trust.

© 2024 The Anne Carpmael Trust CIO Charity No. 1199071

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