Dear reader,
A big welcome to all the volunteers who’ve joined our projects since the end of the Summer, we’re so happy to work with you and know that you’ll make a real difference to our work. We’re running regular activities throughout Autumn and Winter, with plenty of hands-on activities to keep you warm!
Best wishes, Holly
PS. If you’d like to receive news like this in your inbox each month, join our mailing list here.
Wreath making workshop
Join us for a relaxing and creative morning using winter foliage to make your own christmas wreath in the beautiful setting of our Strawbale Building on the Community Orchard. This workshop will be led by Helen Jones and Lucy Coombes, both experienced local gardeners.
Tickets £25, or £20 concession. Spaces are limited, book now.
On the Orchard
Thank you to everyone who came along to Apple Day! We hope you enjoyed it, and we run Community Open Days every month so we look forward to seeing you again soon.
You can book onto upcoming free events at the Community Orchard here:
Community Open Day, Saturday 27 November, 12-3pm
New Shoots for ages 0-4, Every Tuesday morning 9:30-11am
Volunteering
Our volunteer sessions will continue through Autumn and Winter, with sessions set to run every Tuesday, and every Wednesday, as well as the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, all 10am to 2pm.
New volunteers are invited to join an induction, or come and join any session to ‘have a go’ – we would just ask that you join an induction by the time you have attended 3 volunteer sessions. It helps us to have an application form as soon as possible as well, which you can complete on our website.
Saturday 27 November
Into the Woods of Urban Nature, 10:00-13:00
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 looks at support for insects in the garden over the last 100 years, and Holly shares her tips on birds to look out for this season. Read all about it: https://staa-allotments.org.uk/news
If you’d like to write a blog, get in touch at holly@staa-allotments.org.uk
A special visit to Oliver’s
Recently we were lucky to have a visit from Ethel Anderson, the niece of Tom Oliver, who was the last tenant of our Heritage Display Garden and the reason why we affectionately call the garden “Oliver’s”.
One of our volunteers said “What a real joy it was to spend time with Ethel, who shared her memories of visiting Uncle Tom on his garden, his love of growing chrysanthemums, as well as callaloo, red beans and other vegetables. His love of gardening was clearly shared with Ethel. She shared her thoughts with me on how the garden could be more engaging for future generations”.
Ethel sent a special message of thanks to our volunteers for welcoming her with open arms, “I was overcome by emotion but coming up there has brought back so many memories of my Uncle, the times I and other family members spent up there. After looking around the garden it has also taken me back to my childhood in Jamaica. Fond memories.”
Thanks for visiting, Ethel!
