Dear reader,
Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week, and we thought we’d celebrate all of our upcoming events for children and families. Research shows that children gain educational, personal and social benefits from connecting with nature. Rachel from the Orchard was recently interviewed for Notts TV about the benefits of our weekly toddler sessions, New Shoots. You can watch the clip here.
A huge thank you to mother and daughter team Lauren and Sue, who donated a mud kitchen to the New Shoots project! 🌟
Details of our regular events for families, plus half-term activities and the return of the After School sessions can be found below.
Best wishes,
Holly
PS. If you’d like to receive news like this in your inbox each month, join our mailing list here.
On the Orchard
During half-term we’re running two events on Thursday 17 February:
Family Session for all ages, 11:00-12:30
Adventure Play for children only, aged 8-12, 13:30-15:00
And our regular Orchard events continue with:
Community Open Day, Saturday 26 February, 12:00-15:00
New Shoots for ages 0-4, every Tuesday 09:30-11:00 in term time
After School for age 8-12, every Wednesday starting 23rd Feb, 15:45-17:00
Foraging workshop
This workshop will be a relaxing and practical morning gathering food for free. The workshop will be led by Paul Paine, a local forager.
Depending on the arrival of Spring, we’ll be gathering wild garlic, nettles, jack by the hedge, hairy bittercress, fat hen and hawthorn leaves.
Saturday 26 March, 10:00-12:00. Tickets £25, concession £20.
To find out more and to book, visit Eventbrite.
Volunteering
Although we love the sight of a volunteer pushing a wheelbarrow, it’s not all about manual labour! We also encourage tea breaks, and it’s nice to see our new fire pit being put to good use ☕
Anyone is welcome to join our volunteer sessions:
Tuesdays at the Nursery, 10:00-14:00
Wednesdays at Oliver’s, 10:00-14:00
Winter woodland management, Sat 12 Feb & Sat 26 Feb, 10:00-14:00
Inductions for new volunteers take place on:
Tuesday 15 Feb, 10:00-12:00
Wednesday 23 Feb, 12:00-14:00
Saturday 26 Feb, 13:00-15:00
If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Lucy at volunteering@staa-allotments.org.uk
On the blog
Last month on the blog, Paul wrote about the enjoyment of manure(!), with an article carried by the Nottinghamshire Guardian in 1871, and resident chef Stuart tries with mixed results to cook with loofah.
Read all about it: https://staa-allotments.org.uk/news
If you’d like to write a blog, get in touch at info@staa-allotments.org.uk
Children’s activities at home
If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy nature and the outdoors with your child this winter, there are lots of activities to try here:
https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/activities
Like making bird feeders, bug hotels, DIY binoculars from toilet rolls, wildlife ID and colouring pages 🐦
