Bea Foster from Bicester Green Gym explains how the group is getting busy this autumn.

AS we embrace autumn, Green Gym is getting busy doing jobs amongst hedgerows and trees.

Now the animals and birds are less active and the plants have stopped growing or have died back.

Being a green group, we all bundle into just a couple of cars and travel to Bucks, Berks, Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) land just off the A41 to Aylesbury, cutting back old and thick hedgerows of blackthorn to encourage new growth which will attract the rare brown hairstreak butterfly.

Also in wetland fields, we have cut back perching sites of predator birds, so ground nesters are more likely to be able to protect their eggs when the spring comes.

The work is done sensitively to allow a greater diversity of wildlife and encourage a balance.

It is always great to work with such knowledgeable and friendly people who teach us these things and demonstrate correct use of tools.

Safety whilst working is always paramount, and there is a first aider on site and a risk assessment done.

We are pleased to say no-one has suffered more than the odd cut, sting or splinter.

Another lovely place to work is the Community Orchard just off the path that runs between the level crossing and Langford Village school.

In the 20 or so years I have been in Bicester this seemed to be private land, occasionally occupied by sheep.

It wasn’t until some years later that it seemed some deliberate planting had been done and the area was open to the public.

A plan was found that showed varieties of specimen trees, fruit trees and bushes had been planted all along the path and in the field.

These had since been choked by invading brambles and other weeds.

Like the Lost Gardens of Heligan the area is being restored and enhanced by the Orchard support group, run by Pam Roberts, to be a haven for wildlife with plantings of wild flowers and new trees.

Fruit is available to pick for anyone passing by, as it becomes available.

Green Gym ventures into the main Langford Village park on occasion to do a 'pick and prune' walkabout, especially around the ponds.

This is another area of Bicester with a Blue Line 5K route to encourage people to explore and get active.

On the lovely crisp autumn days it seems to be working as the area is full of walkers and joggers, on Saturdays they have a ParkRun, and we would encourage anyone to try these routes or come to a Green Gym session on a Tuesday morning.