For the fourth year in a row, Cherwell Collective was delighted to take part in the Science Wonder Garden Party at Begbroke Science Park on Saturday, 4 July 2026. The Garden Party celebrates the local research and innovation happening at Begbroke Science Park, the University of Oxford, and throughout Oxfordshire, with loads of interactive activities like workshops, talks, crafts, games, and even science experiments for all ages to enjoy.

Photo: OUD

Having supported this event since its very beginning, it holds a special place in our hearts. Over the years, we have built a fantastic relationship with the Begbroke team and have watched the event grow bigger and better every year. Many of our volunteers attended the very first Garden Party and feel very nostalgic about the growth of the event!

Of all the family events we attend, the Science Wonder Garden Party continues to be one of our favourites. The atmosphere is full of energy, curiosity, and creativity. The children who visit our stall are always eager to learn, ask thoughtful questions, and engage with our activities, making it a genuinely enjoyable event for our volunteers.

The event is also the perfect opportunity to showcase our WISH products, lovingly made by both our younger and older volunteers. This year, we expanded our stall by introducing a selection of plants for the first time, which were well received. Next year, we hope to involve our Harvest@Home participants by encouraging them to grow and donate even more plants for the event.

Our Cherwell Collective community donated over 80 pounds of waste to Begbroke Science Park such as empty boxes, plastic bottles, newspapers. These materials were transformed into a beautiful piece of waste arch, which has since been gifted back to Cherwell Collective. We will continue to develop this project over the summer, using it as part of our children’s holiday activities, and we look forward to seeing it grow into a flourishing community display.

Some of the donated materials were also used to create a children’s maze, while others became part of an interactive Rube Goldberg machine, which proved to be one of the highlights of the event. It was wonderful to see so many children experimenting, problem-solving, and having fun through play.

We were also pleased to support the wider event by lending 22 tables and 16 chairs from our Oxford Party Library. These were used by bands, activity providers, and other stallholders throughout the day. We are incredibly grateful that Begbroke Science Park chose to borrow these items rather than purchase new ones, helping us achieve our shared goal of reducing waste through reuse.

A 6-foot table usually costs between £50-120. Borrowing 22 tables from Oxford Party Library saved at least £1,100 compared to buying new, and at least £220 compared to rental costs.

Our Cherwell Larder marketplace provided hygiene bank items and other essentials to give away to visitors, and our Climatarian Kitchen prepared a fantastic selection of freshly made sandwiches and fruit salads. The food proved so popular that it had all been enjoyed within the first hour of the event opening! In total, we saved around 40 pounds from otherwise being thrown away. Next year, we will aim to collect and prepare even more so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy these delicious refreshments.

Overall, the 2026 Science Wonder Garden Party was another fantastic success. We are proud to have been part of the event since its inception and look forward to continuing our partnership with Begbroke Science Park for many years to come, inspiring curiosity, promoting sustainability, and bringing our community together.