Public hearing sessions on Oxford City’s Local Plan 2016-2036 begin on December 3rd, at 10am in the King’s Centre, Osney Mead.

These hearings are to determine the soundness of the city’s plans for meeting housing need. Although not directly relevant to Shotover, the outcome of plans for housing in the city could have a knock-on effect on plans for new builds in the county.

It’s been a fantastic year for fungi, thanks to the right combination of sunshine and rain. And Shotover is no exception to this bounty of fungi. Some enthusiasts have been picking the edible field mushroom from the woods; others have restricted their interest to photographing the wonderful variety of fungi that have sprouted up throughout the woods.

The above photographs were taken by SPS member Monika Blackwell. Other photographs – on this and other Shotover-related themes – welcome. Please send them to sps@shotoverpreservation.uk