Radley Lakes Trust Newsletter
June 2026
Here is our June 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.
Future Events
Lakes & Cakes
Unfortunately, due to clashes with other local events and the availability of key people, we have not been able to find a suitable date to hold our popular summer event at Thrupp Lake. So, very reluctantly, we have decided not to hold one this year, but we will be back in the summer of 2027!
Radley School Fete
We intended to have a pond-dipping stall at the fete but, unfortunately, the weather will be too hot for the pond-life.
Abingdon Marathon
The event this year takes place on Sunday 18th October, and we will again be looking for volunteer marshals to support and nominate Radley Lakes Trust as their charity. So please save the date. There will be more information in the next newsletter.
Winter Bird Walk
We plan to organise a mid-winter bird walk which will again be led by Ian Elkins. More information in the next newsletter.
For all our events please refer to our website for the latest up to date information.
Recent Events
Radley Village Annual Meeting
On 2 June we attended the annual meeting in the Village Hall and received some useful feedback from members of the community on our current and potential future work in the Lakes area. This feedback will help us shape the revised Masterplan for the Lakes which we hope to complete this year.
Spring Bird Walk
Ian Elkins led an excellent walk around Thrupp Lake on a beautiful morning at the end of April. We saw and heard many birds including Shovelers, Mallards, Mute Swans, Long Tailed Tits, Cormorants (nesting on one of the islands), Terns on the rafts, Herring Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Canada Geese, Greylag Goose with Goslings, Garden Warbler, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Song Thrush and Oyster Catcher.
Thank you again to Ian and his son for leading the walk and providing expertise and thank you to all who attended, contributing to a very enjoyable morning.
Quiz
In February, our annual quiz at the Northcourt Centre was another successful social event and raised funds for the Trust’s annual running costs. Thank you to the quiz-masters, led by Martin Dix, for another entertaining and well-run quiz and for all the team members who made it such an enjoyable evening.
Projects
Thrupp Lake Footpath Improvements
Following feedback from visitors to the lake, and working with the Earth Trust and H.Tuckwells & Sons, we have improved the area on the western side of Thrupp Lake where the protruding tree roots were a particular concern.
We have extended the improved path surface by another 125 metres to provide a more accessible surface, particularly for wheelchairs and push chairs, and strengthened the surface of the path by the footbridge. Oxford Direct Services completed the work a few days later than the planned completion date of 9 June. This was mainly due to the heavy rainfall making working conditions difficult. There is some minor finishing work still to be completed by our contractor. Any feedback on the work is appreciated.
Barton Fields Wetlands
This project will create a new large pond and enhance two of the existing ponds. We are shortly going out to tender for completion of the work and are aiming for completion in September.
Thrupp Lake Benches
In conjunction with the Earth Trust and H.Tuckwells and Sons, we have agreed sites for three more benches around Thrupp Lake. The plan is to have two installed along the western side of the lake and one on the northern side. We are awaiting delivery of the benches which should be installed by the end of July.
Habitat Enhancements
One of our key priorities is to improve the habitats in the area and a number of potential projects have been identified. We are currently discussing these with landowners.
Planning Matters
Proposed Mineral Extraction (ROMP)
In February, the Planning & Regulation Committee at Oxfordshire County Council considered the ROMP application for gravel extraction south of the old railway line (now the cycle track) from H.Tuckwell. The application relates to the setting of new planning conditions only as the site has an extant approval for gravel extraction.
The Application for Conditions was submitted in 2023 but there have been several updates to it. The OCC report on the application and the proposed recommendations for the Committee can be found using the button below.
Radley Lakes Trust made a 2-minute presentation on the application alongside other groups including the Parish Council. The focus of RLT remains to alter some of the proposed planning conditions to improve protection of the local ecology (notably Orchard Lake) and recreational access.
The County Council committee decided to refer the matter to the Secretary of State as there were several issues they considered to be of potential national significance. The Secretary of State did not agree with this view and the matter has been returned to OCC for decision.
It is possible the matter will be heard on 20 July. RLT will be present and seek to express our views.
Other Items
Barton Fields
We have worked with the Vale of White Horse on a legal agreement covering the ongoing management of Barton Fields and have now signed this agreement alongside an approved management plan for the area. The Abingdon Naturalists team led by David Guyoncourt will continue to be responsible for day-to-day management of the area.
Thrupp Green
Recently David Guyoncourt undertook a survey in Thrupp Green, walking the glades and particularly looking for orchids.
Early Marsh Orchids (35) and Common Spotted Orchids (11) were found mainly in glades in the NE part of the site and bordering the lake. There are potentially many more in the area that are not yet in flower.
This was not a comprehensive survey of the area, but a selection of other plants identified were as follows: White Clover, Common Vetch, Hemp Agrimony, False Fox Sedge, Glaucous Sedge, Water Mint, Silverweed, Ribbed Melilot, a Dock, Fleabane, Common Reed, Gipsywort, Cuckoo Flower, Marsh Pennywort, New Zealand Pigmy Weed, Ribbed Melilot, Pampas Grass, Hemp Agrimony, Gipsywort and Wood Small Reed.
Early Marsh Orchid
Southern Marsh Orchid
Southern Woodland
This is an area between Thrupp Green and the Thames. The Abingdon Naturalists did a recent survey in the area which we believe may be a first. They surveyed and mapped ponds, ditches, paths and notable trees and plants.
There is a mosaic of habitats in this area dominated by different tree species: Crack and White Willow, Ash (a few mature trees have been affected by Ash Dieback, a small number of the remaining trees seem unaffected and may be resistant to the fungus), Alder and Hawthorn. Some of the plants found included Loddon Lily, Water Violet and Wood Sedge.
There is also an extensive reed bed in the north-east part of the site, estimated to be about half a hectare in area and surrounded by trees.
Volunteer Work at Thrupp Lake
There has been no recent activity for our volunteers but coming up soon is some cutting back along the permissive path from the Sounding Bridge towards Lower Radley.
Website Upgrade
The Trust’s website has been up and running for five years so we are now reviewing both the content and structure, taking into account feedback received from the Friends and the wider community. Thank you to everyone who contributed. There were many helpful comments and ideas which we hope to incorporate into the website and/or adopt in our working practices. We are aiming to launch the upgrade in the autumn.
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.
We are starting a consultation phase, initially by engaging with key stakeholders and Friends of the Trust, also taking in the views from members of the community who have an interest in the Lakes area.
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
The number of dogs off leads around Thrupp Lake has been brought to our attention and also that they are entering the water. Throughout the summer, toxic Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) forms in the lakes which is harmful to humans and can be fatal for dogs. Therefore, we encourage people to abide by the guidelines and keep dogs under close control and out of the water.
There are several good ecological reasons for encouraging the use of leads too. Dogs can disturb nesting birds and some modern “flea spots” can be toxic to aquatic insects, for instance. You can read more details in a short article using the button below.
‘The Radley Lakes Story’
Copies of our book are still available to order via this website.