Northamptonshire
At Nene Wetlands, Supporter Engagement & Communities Officer Viktoria Marta has successfully established links with a whole range of groups and businesses to augment the now thriving community garden at the Visitor Centre.
Viktoria explains: “Our first year of the project has proved very successful, with lots of community engagement, family visits, children’s activities and networking with local businesses, raising awareness of our work as a Trust. September and October were full of tasks, events and activities. We've had busy open days at the garden, with families enjoying craft activities and sowing seeds to ensure continuous crops, returning to check runner beans planted in early summer holidays, and community art pieces have been installed – the kids are excited to see their work displayed.
"Forest School children decorated tyre planters donated by local farmers, now planted up by community groups: rhubarb is growing in the bee planter, raspberry bushes in the ladybird planter, and two frog planters will have winter potatoes ready for next year. Disabled access has been installed at the garden area: we were granted a community fund by North Northants Council for this, making the space more accessible and enjoyable. At an Open Garden Day children learnt about spring bulbs planting tulips, daffodils, muscari and crocuses, and as part of a Grow, Cook, Eat project ran pumpkin carving and soup making with Groundwork Northampton, with 16 pumpkins kindly donated by Tesco Wellingborough.
"Lago Lounge, based at Rushden Lakes, offer a regular supply of used coffee grounds for the wormery at the garden for composting - small packs available at the visitor centre, with some coffee grounds + info booklet about composting, and how to use them. A new community group via Spring, a social prescribing charity, started a series of sessions in the Education Area and at the community garden from late September; in October fruit trees and buddleia bushes were donated by a member of the public, planted by community groups. Cando Care sewed some winter vegetable seeds: cauliflower, broad beans, onions, garlic and shallots. Spring cabbage plants and rainbow chard will come back next spring, so we'll a nice start to the next year.
"As winter approaches we have many plans for the colder months: donated cherry trees and buddleias are being planted and winter potatoes are going to be put in two of the planters. A real Xmas tree will be planted to grow in the garden area for years to come. A festive open day is planned with workshops to create natural tree decorations and bird feeders, plus vegan marshmallow making and toasting sessions - here's to a busy and productive winter time!”
Meanwhile at Summer Leys nature reserve two excellent new additions were created by local wood artist Tony Langston, who crafted a shiny new pond dipping platform, plus a shelter for the Education Area, both of which bring the opportunity of offering a wider variety of activities. The team's new Forest School group will be grateful for the shelter over the winter months and look forward to using them both. Seven charitable trusts contributed to the funding, with grateful thanks to the following: William Haddon Charitable Trust, Eric Stanton Charitable Trust, Christopher HR Reeves Charitable Trust, Maud Elkington Charitable Trust, DS Smith Charitable Foundation, Frederick and Phyllis Cann Trust and Kirby Laing Foundation.
