The Longworth Environmental Network (LEN) has been set up to promote a positive response to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions and reducing waste. The group is looking at ways for people in Longworth, Hinton and nearby communities to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and make the best use of local facilities. Individuals can make a difference, and working together is better still!
The picture shows children from Longworth school at LEN's ECO Day March 2009 teaching adults in the village what to put in (green) recycling boxes, in "other plastics" boxes, in (brown) garden refuse boxes for composting, and in the rubbish bin for landfill. It followed a showing of Al Gore's film "An inconvenient Truth".
Christmas tree shredding event
The shredding of Christmas trees at Longworth School early January 2010 was a great success. For Christmas 2010, VoWHDC advised all residents that Christmas trees would be collected if they are placed next to the garden rubbish Brown Bins (which have to be paid for annually). The shreddings from last year are composting down nicely for use on the allotments.
Film Show
The film "Home", shown in January 2010, displayed in glorious photography many of the ravages being committed on our planetary resources - forests, fish, minerals, soil, oil, climate and land (accommodating rubbish). It also contrasted how many of these actions increase the load that goes on the poor against the wealth that is given to the rich. Fortunately it ended with examples where some (often the poorest) nations are putting some resource matters to rights. If you missed and still wish to view this film, the full version can be watched on You Tube: "HOME"
Recycling
The VoWHDC's new (October 2010) service collects a lot more than it used to. To get a brown bin at £34.50 per year for garden waste collected alternate Wednesdays, telephone 01235 520202. Two of LEN's members (Robert and Yvonne Longstaff) are master composters. To find out more contact the group.
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In addition, a new (December 2010) Refilling-&-Recycling station has been provided as a joint enterprise by LEN and Longworth School's Eco Council. The schools eco-warriors are keen to achieve their Green Flag, and this new project can only be good for all. Refilling is into your own containers with eco-friendly cleaning fluids. LEN looks after ordering and payments (thanks to a CAG start-up grant), and the eco warriors look after serving the public at the school on Tuesday afternoons, at 3:10 to 4 pm during school term.
The Longworth Big Lunch
For the second year, many of us came together in the High Street in June 2011 for The Longworth Big Lunch, and this time we advertised it as a CAG event, with some advertising of what CAGs are, and of what LEN is and does. We all had a great time! Nearly everybody brought their own tables and chairs as well as food and drink, as requested. One group also had two barbecues, but gazebos and sun umbrellas were not needed. A few spots of rain were ignored and soon passed off. Several organisations had displays to say what they do and how to join!
There seemed to be agreement that the event should be held again next year, though there is a need to think what to do as the national event will be on 3rd June, when the Queen will be participating as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. No doubt the monarchists and republicans of Longworth can come together for another happy occasion.
Transport
Make use of the Local Bus Service to Oxford, route 63, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. White's Coaches: telephone 01865 340515.
Shopping
Use local markets to reduce "food miles"
Longworth - The Oxford Garden Project (www.theogp.org 01865 820206) is up and running, offering courses, talks and demonstrations on growing, cooking, preserving and composting food. They will again be supplying vegetable, herb and some flower plants in the spring, and fresh vegetables in season. They are also seeking support for a small market/community shop to be run in Longworth to compliment the market in Appleton.
Hinton Waldrist's last market gardener (Paul Gibbens) has an honesty box in their sheds on the High Street with all sorts of fresh produce giving travel in yards not miles.
Appleton - am 1st Saturday and 2nd Sunday of the month.
Abingdon - am every Monday and Farmer's Market 3rd Monday of the month
Faringdon am 1st Tuesday of the month
Organic Box Scheme: veggies, eggs, fruit delivered to Longworth from Coleshill Organics, (01793 861070)
Longworth Tree Planting
Late in 2008, 25 volunteers gathered on a one-third of a hectare site offered by the landowner of Longworth Manor, for LEN to create a new copse of largely local and native trees, for the enjoyment of local people and of course to benefit biodiversity and offset some carbon. Villagers sponsored a tree for £2.50 including stake and guard, enabling us to plant 800 trees to a detailed plan drawn up by our project coordinator Bob Plumptre.. Insurance for the day was arranged through our membership as a CAG with Oxfordshire CC Waste Management Group. 
Twice a year since then, helpers have cut back grass and brambles from the trees, nearly all of which we are delighted to see remain in very good health.
Litter Picking 
At the annual Spring Litter Pick 2009 some twenty LEN volunteers collected 30 bags full of refuse and some additional larger items from hedgerows in Longworth - about a ton in total. The red bags (now updated to new bags) are collected by VoWHDC and sorted for recycling, rather than going into landfill. We then finished with much needed refreshments!
At the Autumn Litter Pick 2009 there were more people (28) taking part, as we were working with staff, parents and children from Longworth School. This time there was somewhat less litter to collect, presumably due to our productiveness the previous spring. In spring 2010 LEN worked alone due to not finding a suitable date for the school. In November 2010 we again noticed that there was less litter to pick, though we collected our traditional car tyre and a bag of solid cement! Fortunately, we were able to work with the school again, having eco-warriors collecting with their parents, and having tea at the school.
