Radley Lakes Trust Newsletter
Autumn 2026
Here is our Autumn newsletter containing reports on recent and future events plus updates on progress with projects and regular maintenance activities. We are also keeping up to date with local planning matters, so we have provided our latest position on those.
Upcoming Events
Annual Forum
Our annual meeting will take place on the afternoon of Saturday 30 Januaryat the Radley Church room. Further details to follow.
Winter Bird Walk
We have arranged a walk around Thrupp Lake on Saturday 23 January 2027 with a 9.30am meet at the Thrupp Lake hub benches, led once again by the local bird enthusiast Ian Elkins.
Numbers will be limited so if you would like to reserve a place, please email us at info@radleylakestrust.org to book your place.
Annual RLT Quiz
Our annual quiz will be held on Saturday 20 February 2027 at the Northcourt Centre. Doors from 7pm with the quiz starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 per person including food and entry to the popular heads & tails competition. There will be a pay bar available. Teams of up to a maximum of eight.
To book a table please email us with your details.
Recent Events
Abingdon Marathon
The 2026 Abingdon Marathon took place on Sunday 18 October when the weather was good and over 1,000 runners took part in a very successful day. Thank you to all the volunteers who nominated Radley Lakes Trust as their chosen charity. In due course we will receive a donation from the Marathon for each volunteer who nominated us.
The Abingdon Naturalists volunteers provided support at the first drinks station which was sited by the Thrupp Lake parking area.
Projects
Barton Fields Wetlands
This project will create a new large pond and enhance two of the existing ponds.
We recently went out to tender and, following an assessment of the quotations received, have now confirmed a contractor to complete the work. We have applied for funding via the money that is available to us from the Vale of White Horse and we await their decision on awarding us the funds to enable this project to progress.
Footpath improvements
Following the successful completion of the path work on the western side of Thrupp Lake, we will continue to look for opportunities to make walking around the lake both safer and more accessible for all.
Benches
In conjunction with Radley Parish Council, the Earth Trust and H.Tuckwell, three new benches have been installed at Thrupp Lake, two on the western (Avenue) side and one on the northern side. Thank you to the Earth Trust for the excellent installation work.
We have received donations towards the benches from two families in memory of family members who visited the lake over many years and enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of the area. Thank you to the two families for their kind donations.
There are more details at the link below.
Habitat enhancement
A number of potential projects have been identified in the Lakes area that would improve wildlife habitats.
We have recently been awarded funds by the Radley Parish Council to enable us to progress these projects. We will be installing more nesting places for owls, bats and terns around Thrupp Lake and improving the habitats in Thrupp Green. A pilot project to test a live video feed on our website of birds and animals in the Radley Lakes area will also be installed. If successful we will consider installing more cameras.
Planning Matters
Proposed Mineral Extraction (ROMP)
We will attend the next meeting of the Planning & Regulation Committee meeting of Oxfordshire County Council on 30 November.
Tuckwell’s have now received the opinion of Kings Counsel on the validity of their application for planning conditions.The key issue is whether or not an extension to the planning process timetable was agreed between Tuckwell’s and OCC in 2016. Documentary evidence for this agreement has not been found.
Other Items
Barton Fields
The Green Team volunteers continue with their regular Wednesday maintenance work ensuring the area is kept to a high standard.
The unimproved Neutral Grassland was mowed on 26 August and the hay racked and stacked over the next three days by the Green Team and Abingdon Green Gym.
Green Team: 14 sessions, 43.5 hours 26 to 29 August
Abingdon Green Gym: 14 volunteers 45.5 hours on Saturday 29 August.
Thank you to all the volunteers who completed this important annual task.
Scything of meadow beside the lake at Thrupp Green
On Saturday 10 October, the meadow beside the lake at Thrupp Green was scythed.
You can read more about it at the link below.
Volunteer work
The path from the Sounding Bridge alongside the main railway line needed a cut back in some areas so a couple of volunteers spent a morning completing this work to ensure clear access is maintained.
More substantial work has recently been completed along the path which has really opened a significant part of the route. We have not yet established who has completed this work.
A way marker at the Radley end of the same path had fallen over so Trustees have now reinstated it.
Website upgrade
We hope to publish a major upgrade to our website soon.The main aim has been to make it easier to find the information you want but we have taken the opportunity to add substantial new content, for instance on habitats and wildlife, with more to follow later.
Once the new website is up and running please let us know of any issues you come across.
Masterplan review
The Masterplan was published in May 2021 following a process of engagement with stakeholders and landowners. We are currently undertaking a review of our Masterplan to ensure our priorities and ambitions for the next 5 years are accurately reflected in the plan. Key to the review are consultations with the landowners to understand their views and plans. These discussions are ongoing.
On completion of the consultations, we will assess the feedback received and, in conjunction with our agreed ambitions and priorities, will document the updated plan covering 2027 through to 2032.
Dogs on leads
Increasingly concerns are raised with us regarding the number of dogs not on leads around the lake. We realise that providing information on why keeping dogs under control in this special nature area is important. Therefore, we are exploring the option of some information signs to explain the reasons.
The Cuppa Coffee Club
This has been running very successfully since the beginning of August and has proved very popular. We have regular contact with the owners and have received some useful feedback.
‘The Radley Lakes Story’
Copies of the book are still available to buy from our website.
Jill Gant (1938 - 2026)
The Trust was deeply sorry to learn of the death of Jill Gant in tragic circumstances in September. Many readers may have known Jill, as she was active in the local community in many different ways. Jill and her late husband John moved to Abingdon after she retired. After some involvement in the Save Radley Lakes campaign of 2005-2008, Jill joined the Executive Committee of Friends of Radley Lakes (FRL) in 2010. FRL was the predecessor of today's Radley Lakes Trust. Jill served as secretary of FRL until 2020. Roger Thomas, who was chairman of FRL, said: "Jill's wisdom, efficiency and calm approach was a great asset to the group. She will be greatly missed." Jill continued to take an active interest in the Lakes, even at the age of 88, among her many other interests. You can read a full tribute by David Guyoncourt at the link below.
Trustees
The Trust is run by a Trustee Board that meets quarterly to review and progress the Trust’s activities.
We do have vacancies for more Trustees so we are looking for people who are enthusiastic about the Lakes area, have relevant skills and can contribute towards the Trust’s objectives. We are particularly interested in hearing from people who can help our links with schools and clubs develop, or have land management experience.
If you would be interested in becoming a Trustee, then please contact us by email to arrange an initial discussion.