Peace Oak Association

The Peace Oak Association is a UK-registered charity (Charity number 1172221) established in 2017. It is dedicated to the preservation and cultivation of a community orchard, allotments, and wildlife areas located on a two-acre field off Cassington Road near Eynsham, Oxfordshire. The site features mature trees, an orchard of apples and other fruits, wildflower meadows, a pond, a small vineyard, and willow art installations.

History and Name

The association takes its name from the Peace Oak, a notable oak tree planted in November 1919 to commemorate the first anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. This historic tree symbolizes peace and community spirit and serves as the focal point of the site.

Activities and Conservation

The Peace Oak Association owns and manages the land with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and community engagement. It participates in habitat conservation by encouraging wildlife-friendly practices, such as selective mowing and leaving woodland areas undisturbed to support birds, insects, and mammals. The association has partnered with the Nature Recovery Network to advance its vision, working together to create bird boxes, sow wildflower meadows, conduct reptile surveys, and establish a pond surrounded by a woven willow hedge.

Members pay an annual subscription (£10 for individuals, £15 for families) and contribute to maintaining and developing the site. Many members cultivate small vegetable plots and participate in propagation and care of fruit and vegetables.

Community and Education

The association fosters a strong community spirit, offering a welcoming space for relaxation, socializing, and learning. It runs regular activities such as a Craft Club that meets weekly during the summer, focusing on green woodworking, willow weaving, natural printing, lantern making, and other creative projects using natural materials.

Educational goals include raising awareness about local apple varieties and promoting sustainable gardening practices. The site serves as a living classroom for community members to learn and collaborate on environmental conservation and horticulture.

Charitable Purposes

The Peace Oak Association’s work encompasses education and training, environment conservation and heritage preservation, community development, and recreation. Its mission supports local biodiversity, encourages sustainable agriculture, and promotes social inclusion through communal activities and events.

This association exemplifies community-driven conservation, blending historical legacy with environmental stewardship to enrich local heritage and natural habitats in Oxfordshire.

[1] https://eynsham.org.uk/org.aspx?n=Peace-Oak-Association [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5094959/charity-overview [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5094959/what-who-how-where [4] https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/cy/org/public-profile/78396 [5] https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Peace%20Oak%2016pp%20A5%20booklet%20v6.pdf