RBWM Innovation Fund Project

Project Updates

• Share Oaken Grove Park - Orchard Maintenance on Facebook Share Oaken Grove Park - Orchard Maintenance on X (formerly Twitter) Share Oaken Grove Park - Orchard Maintenance on Linkedin Email Oaken Grove Park - Orchard Maintenance link

  Oaken Grove Park - Orchard Maintenance

  by Dave Duncan, 11 months ago
  Now Autumn is nearly upon us we are doing some maintenance in the Park to get ready for the Winter. This week we (Friends of Oaken Grove Park) have weeded around each of the 10 Apple Trees we have in the Thatchers Community Orchard and replenished the wood chip so all the trees look good!

  Now Autumn is nearly upon us we are doing some maintenance in the Park to get ready for the Winter. This week we (Friends of Oaken Grove Park) have weeded around each of the 10 Apple Trees we have in the Thatchers Community Orchard and replenished the wood chip so all the trees look good!
• Share Oaken Grove Park - New Sir Nicholas Winton Explainer Board on Facebook Share Oaken Grove Park - New Sir Nicholas Winton Explainer Board on X (formerly Twitter) Share Oaken Grove Park - New Sir Nicholas Winton Explainer Board on Linkedin Email Oaken Grove Park - New Sir Nicholas Winton Explainer Board link

  Oaken Grove Park - New Sir Nicholas Winton Explainer Board

  by Dave Duncan, 11 months ago
  

  We (Friends of Oaken Grove Park) were asked by RBWM if we could do anything about remounting one of the Explainer Boards in the Sir Nicholas Winton Garden whose wooden frame had rotted. The Explainer Board had been tossed in the pond! We recovered the Explainer Board and working with a local light engineering company we remounted the board in a solid metal frame, repainted it and re-installed it. It should last for years now! Since re-installing it we have seen people stopping and reading about Sir Nicholas and his Teams good work! :-) Please see the photo attached of... Continue reading

  We (Friends of Oaken Grove Park) were asked by RBWM if we could do anything about remounting one of the Explainer Boards in the Sir Nicholas Winton Garden whose wooden frame had rotted. The Explainer Board had been tossed in the pond! We recovered the Explainer Board and working with a local light engineering company we remounted the board in a solid metal frame, repainted it and re-installed it. It should last for years now! Since re-installing it we have seen people stopping and reading about Sir Nicholas and his Teams good work! :-) Please see the photo attached of the new board and please visit!
• Share Oaken Grove Park - Wassailing The New Community Orchard! on Facebook Share Oaken Grove Park - Wassailing The New Community Orchard! on X (formerly Twitter) Share Oaken Grove Park - Wassailing The New Community Orchard! on Linkedin Email Oaken Grove Park - Wassailing The New Community Orchard! link

  Oaken Grove Park - Wassailing The New Community Orchard!

  by Dave Duncan, over 1 year ago

  On Sunday 2nd March about 70 people including Wild Maidenhead, Friends of Oaken Grove Park and local residents gathered in Oaken Grove Park near the new Thatchers Community Orchard to watch the Ellington Morris Dancers Wassailing the apple trees! It was a lovely day and we hope that the Wassailing will ensure a bumper crop in future years!

  Of the 10 apple trees we planted last year 9 have successfully made it though the winter abnd if you visit the park now you will see that all are stariung to bud and many have a lovely blossom already! One of... Continue reading

  On Sunday 2nd March about 70 people including Wild Maidenhead, Friends of Oaken Grove Park and local residents gathered in Oaken Grove Park near the new Thatchers Community Orchard to watch the Ellington Morris Dancers Wassailing the apple trees! It was a lovely day and we hope that the Wassailing will ensure a bumper crop in future years!

  Of the 10 apple trees we planted last year 9 have successfully made it though the winter abnd if you visit the park now you will see that all are stariung to bud and many have a lovely blossom already! One of the Bramley's sadly died - however a quick e-mail to Thatchers and they very kindly donated and delivered another one! So we are back up to a full complement! Thank you Thatchers!!
• Share Oaken Grove Park - Bird and Bat Boxes Installed! on Facebook Share Oaken Grove Park - Bird and Bat Boxes Installed! on X (formerly Twitter) Share Oaken Grove Park - Bird and Bat Boxes Installed! on Linkedin Email Oaken Grove Park - Bird and Bat Boxes Installed! link

  Oaken Grove Park - Bird and Bat Boxes Installed!

  by Dave Duncan, over 1 year ago

  Oaken Grove Park - Now ready for Springwatch 2025! We had a Bird survey and also a Bat Survey of the park done in 2024. This identified a number of suitable locations for bird/bat boxes and also what capacity the park could take and of what types. We've now installed 12 bird boxes and 4 bat boxes ready for this spring. These are 4 Blue Tit boxes, 5 Great Tit boxes, 1 Robin box, 1 Sparrow Terrace and 1 Starling box. The 4 bat boxes are 3 roosting boxes and one maternity box. In order to not damage the trees... Continue reading

  Oaken Grove Park - Now ready for Springwatch 2025! We had a Bird survey and also a Bat Survey of the park done in 2024. This identified a number of suitable locations for bird/bat boxes and also what capacity the park could take and of what types. We've now installed 12 bird boxes and 4 bat boxes ready for this spring. These are 4 Blue Tit boxes, 5 Great Tit boxes, 1 Robin box, 1 Sparrow Terrace and 1 Starling box. The 4 bat boxes are 3 roosting boxes and one maternity box. In order to not damage the trees we have decided not to use aluminum nails and instead have experimented with new ways of attaching the boxes using velcro strips for the bat boxes and stainless steel wire for the bird boxes. The boxes will be monitored and cleaned out each autumn.
• Share CAP Debt Coach for WIndsor on Facebook Share CAP Debt Coach for WIndsor on X (formerly Twitter) Share CAP Debt Coach for WIndsor on Linkedin Email CAP Debt Coach for WIndsor link

  CAP Debt Coach for WIndsor

  by Kerith Windsor, over 1 year ago
  

  Windsor CAP Debt Coach - LAUNCHED!

  Update - Monday 24th February 2025

  I am delighted to confirm that yesterday we launched the CAP Debt Centre for Windsor and the role of the CAP Debt coach, Kendra Antle. The launch at Kerith Community Church in Windsor was attended by The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (Councillor Simon Bond) and Councillor Wisdom da Costa.

  
  

  The CAP Debt coach provides 121 counselling for those struggling with the burden of debt in SL6 (Windsor) and SL5 (Ascot) postcodes. Kendra is supported by a team of volunteer befrienders and... Continue reading

  Windsor CAP Debt Coach - LAUNCHED!

  Update - Monday 24th February 2025

  I am delighted to confirm that yesterday we launched the CAP Debt Centre for Windsor and the role of the CAP Debt coach, Kendra Antle. The launch at Kerith Community Church in Windsor was attended by The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (Councillor Simon Bond) and Councillor Wisdom da Costa.

  
  

  The CAP Debt coach provides 121 counselling for those struggling with the burden of debt in SL6 (Windsor) and SL5 (Ascot) postcodes. Kendra is supported by a team of volunteer befrienders and the team of financial advisors at CAP headquarters who prepare detailed personalised debt recovery plans for clients. She saw her first client today!!
  
  The launch was supported by regional leaders from the national debt charity CAP (Christians Against Poverty) and there was news coverage today in BBC Radio Berkshire & the BBC News website - links below.
  
  Radio interview: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_berkshire
  News article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdelk65dpdko
  
  Thank you to RBWM Innovation Fund for making this possible. We are excited to provide practical support to those struggling with debt in our community.
• Share Homes for Bats on Ray Mill Island on Facebook Share Homes for Bats on Ray Mill Island on X (formerly Twitter) Share Homes for Bats on Ray Mill Island on Linkedin Email Homes for Bats on Ray Mill Island link

  Homes for Bats on Ray Mill Island

  by FoRMI, over 1 year ago
  

  We now have 14 bat boxes installed on the island and they are being monitored by Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Bats group. To keep in touch with the progress you can follow us on on our instagram and facebook page Ray Mill Island . It was a great afternoon and very educational

  
  

  We now have 14 bat boxes installed on the island and they are being monitored by Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Bats group. To keep in touch with the progress you can follow us on on our instagram and facebook page Ray Mill Island . It was a great afternoon and very educational

  
  
• Share Friends of Ray Mill Island Island T.L.C on Facebook Share Friends of Ray Mill Island Island T.L.C on X (formerly Twitter) Share Friends of Ray Mill Island Island T.L.C on Linkedin Email Friends of Ray Mill Island Island T.L.C link

  Friends of Ray Mill Island Island T.L.C

  by FoRMI, over 1 year ago
  

  Since we last updated we have managed to meet every Saturday for 2 hours on the island for some clearing of flower beds and trimming back of some out of control shrubs. As well as creating a nature trail. Usually around 8 to 10 of us come together and decide on a plan on how best to spread some TLC tender loving care on the island. Surprisingly even though we started to meet in December we have had a steady team every week but xmas time. That is pretty good going and we are loving that small incremental changes.

  Since we last updated we have managed to meet every Saturday for 2 hours on the island for some clearing of flower beds and trimming back of some out of control shrubs. As well as creating a nature trail. Usually around 8 to 10 of us come together and decide on a plan on how best to spread some TLC tender loving care on the island. Surprisingly even though we started to meet in December we have had a steady team every week but xmas time. That is pretty good going and we are loving that small incremental changes.
• Share Maidenhead.directory on Facebook Share Maidenhead.directory on X (formerly Twitter) Share Maidenhead.directory on Linkedin Email Maidenhead.directory link

  Maidenhead.directory

  by JonDavey, over 1 year ago
  

  We launched the Maidenhead.directory at our Winter Solstice Community Champions celebration at Pug Yard, Windsor Castle on 20th December 2024. The 87 page directory lists many of the community groups and charities in Maidenhead. If you know of community groups and charities who help Maidenhead residents and should be listed, please share with them the web address above. Thank you.

  More about the event...

  The Maidenhead Directory came about after the success of our Windsor Directory. We recently put out a call to the community to add their listing to Windsor's 2nd Edition and it has grown from 97... Continue reading

  We launched the Maidenhead.directory at our Winter Solstice Community Champions celebration at Pug Yard, Windsor Castle on 20th December 2024. The 87 page directory lists many of the community groups and charities in Maidenhead. If you know of community groups and charities who help Maidenhead residents and should be listed, please share with them the web address above. Thank you.

  More about the event...

  The Maidenhead Directory came about after the success of our Windsor Directory. We recently put out a call to the community to add their listing to Windsor's 2nd Edition and it has grown from 97 pages to over 120!

  We have both digital and hard copy editions. We can update the digital versions in real time but the hard copies need sponsoring and we prefer to just have a single sponsor for each new edition.

  Please contact us if you'd like to know more or are considering a community directory for your town.

  Thank you.

  Jon Davey

  Community Champion

  07717 820823
• Share Sow, Grow Eat...Repeat on Facebook Share Sow, Grow Eat...Repeat on X (formerly Twitter) Share Sow, Grow Eat...Repeat on Linkedin Email Sow, Grow Eat...Repeat link

  Sow, Grow Eat...Repeat

  by Nature's Haven, over 1 year ago
  

  We are thrilled to announce that we launched our Sow, Grow, Eat . . . Repeat educational workshops in 2024.

  
  

  This is a 4 consecutive week programme consisting of 4 x one hour sessions. It is a beginners’ workshop and no previous experience is necessary.

  The workshops are fun, informal and social sessions that build confidence as well as life skills. These sessions are free of charge and cater for 10 people at a time.

  In 2024, our participants ranged in age from 4 to 90 years, with some people having no experience before and some wanting to brush... Continue reading

  We are thrilled to announce that we launched our Sow, Grow, Eat . . . Repeat educational workshops in 2024.

  
  

  This is a 4 consecutive week programme consisting of 4 x one hour sessions. It is a beginners’ workshop and no previous experience is necessary.

  The workshops are fun, informal and social sessions that build confidence as well as life skills. These sessions are free of charge and cater for 10 people at a time.

  In 2024, our participants ranged in age from 4 to 90 years, with some people having no experience before and some wanting to brush up on skills and get advice - all are welcome.

  The series of workshops aims to help individuals increase their knowledge of growing their own food regardless of whether they have a windowsill, balcony or garden – where there’s a will there’s a way.

  What to expect -

  • Participants will learn how to grow vegetables/fruit throughout the year, including winter vegetable gardening. There’s a vast range of vegetable /fruit varieties available, so we’ll help guide you through the maze of choice to ensure your plot is well stocked throughout the year, with high-cropping, long-lasting vegetables that are worth growing vs. what you can buy economically in the supermarket.

  • Explore different growing media and the importance of heat, light, oxygen, nutrients and water.

  • Discover how to look after and boost your soil to keep your crops healthy and guarantee the very best results.

  • Gain an understanding of the nutritional benefits of growing your own and eating seasonally.

  • Acquire knowledge about the healing power of fruit and vegetables.

  • Learn how to manage pests and disease and keep vegetables and plants healthy.

  • Learn how to time and manage your harvests.

  • Prepare & cook some of the fruit and veg you have grown.

  • Plus so much more . . .

  Each one hour session is on a Saturday 10-11 am commencing. This year we will be running the sessions from

  26th April - 17th May

  7th June - 5th July

  16th August - 6th September

  If you want to join us please email us on info@natureshaven.net or visit our website

  www.natureshaven.net

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
• Share Knowl Hill CAMEO group Xmas Lunch on Facebook Share Knowl Hill CAMEO group Xmas Lunch on X (formerly Twitter) Share Knowl Hill CAMEO group Xmas Lunch on Linkedin Email Knowl Hill CAMEO group Xmas Lunch link

  Knowl Hill CAMEO group Xmas Lunch

  by sglover1, over 1 year ago
  

  In December we provided a Christmas Lunch for 25 elderly residents of Knowl Hill as part of our CAMEO get together. This was held in the Village Hall and the food brought in. The event was rounded off with the singing of carols accompanied on keyboards. It was a fun event and an opportunity for everyone to have a last catch-up before Christmas.

  In December we provided a Christmas Lunch for 25 elderly residents of Knowl Hill as part of our CAMEO get together. This was held in the Village Hall and the food brought in. The event was rounded off with the singing of carols accompanied on keyboards. It was a fun event and an opportunity for everyone to have a last catch-up before Christmas.