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Marston

The Cherwell meadows near Marston were one of the earliest acquisitions made by the Trust acquisitions in 1927. Further acquisitions of the fields by the northern bypass followed in 1930 and 1937, and the Trust acquired the ‘Vicky Arms’ ( now managed by Wadsworth) in 1959.

Unusually for the Trust, some of our land at Marston is arable, with the rest being used for grazing or amenity purposes.  We are pleased to have an example of 'ridge & furrow' ploughing visible in the Recreation Ground off Mill Lane.

Trees

It is interesting, in view of current developments, to read that the Trust was very active in planning and planting trees in and around Oxford in the post war peiod, and in patricular in new housing developments.

One of the first and most successful examples of planting on new housing estates was at New Marston. The planting at New Marston began with the ‘adopt-a-tree’ scheme in 1950, with the people of New Marston labelling new trees in memory of relatives lost in war service. The first four trees were planted at the junction of Copse Lane and road to Old Marston, at an opening ceremony held on Armistice Day that was attended by 200 people from New Marston. A further 61 trees were planted as part of this scheme by the following year. Tree planting at New Marston continued throughout the active years of the Trees Committee at various different sites, and involved many members of the community. New Marston was not the only site involved in community tree-planting however – sites at Littlemore, Rose Hill, Cutteslowe and Halliday Hill were some areas among the many communities that were supported in tree-planting by the Trees Committee.

Latest acquisitions

In 2010/11 we successfully acquired a further 47 acres of meadow and river frontage at Old Marston, helping to keep the Cherwell Valley green forever. Over the next year we shall be working with our Land Agents and environmental consultants to draw up a long term management plan for the area. Initial surveys of the new fields have identified many species of sedges - several rare in Oxford - and wonderful old hedgerows. We have even had the delight of seeing roe deer within Oxford's ring road.

Acquiring and managing land costs money, and is only possible with the help of our supporters. Do please consider making a donation. You may give online at charitychoice.co.uk or by post to Oxford Preservation Trust, 10 Turn Again Lane, Oxford OX1 1QL. If giving by post please remember that Gift Aid can increase the value of your donation by up to 28% so do consider completing a Gift Aid declaration. If you would like to consider a regular standing payment or a larger gift please contact the office.

Thank you for your support.

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