HOOKY IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

A year with Bumblebees My love of Bumblebees started when I was 4! I distinctly remember a beautiful purple flower in my parents’ garden absolutely covered with beautiful bees. I also remember them not being entirely happy being put into a jam jar by an enthusiastic 4 year old girl and shaken!  I discovered to my cost that they do sting! It takes a lot and probably a lot of irritation. Over the years I have lived in various parts of the UK and have always been fascinated by t

Photo credit: Abby Eaton & Swift Conservation In November 2025 we held a social media campaign to raise awareness of the need for more Swift nest-boxes in Hook Norton, and I am pleased to report that 17 households volunteered to have a nest box fitted onto their house. Chris Mason from Cherwell Swifts and Catherine from Hooky in Harmony visited each house to check it was suitable. It is important that the box can be situated a good height from the ground, otherwise when the c

November volunteers for Chastleton Church Teas The National Trust's Chastleton House Church allows charities and community groups to host afternoon teas in the church to raise funds. We were very lucky in 2025 to have an afternoon in August and also in November to serve teas, proceeds from which have gone towards the group's running costs and also to our Barnie Needs a Box campaign - raising money to purchase Barn Owl nest boxes to be put up in the countryside surrounding Hoo