Dear friend,
We have a lot to celebrate, as this week is Trustees Week and we’d like to offer a huge thank you to the unsung heroes of our small charity. There is a message of appreciation for all the hard work and dedication our trustees do for us here.National Tree Week is the UK’s largest celebration of trees, running from 26th November to 5th December this year. Lucy shares a special blog post to celebrate the native trees we have across our gardens.We’re also thrilled to be able to now offer gift cards for our workshops. So you can share our horticultural, floristry and seasonal crafts experiences with friends and family.The Community Orchard has been nominated to win £500 from the Asda Foundation green tokens scheme. Please cast your vote for us online here. All you need to do is click ‘Vote’ under the Orchard and confirm your vote with your email address. We’re currently in second place but with your help we know we can reach the target!
Best wishes,Holly
P.S. If you’d like to receive news like this in your inbox each month, join our mailing list here.
Autumn workshops
Propagation: Create your own soft fruit gardenSaturday 12th November, 10:00-12:00, £25Take away cuttings, divisions and rooted plants to establish a fruit garden in pots, in a garden or an allotment. We will be looking at currants, rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries and more.Introduction to honey bees and beekeepingSaturday 12th November, 13:30-15:30, £30Join us for an indoor session, with our enthusiastic resident Beekeeper. We’ll look at a ‘virtual hive’ to give an insight into the fascinating world inside a hive, and what that means for a beekeeper.Learn how to build compost bins from wooden palletsSaturday 26th November, 10:00-12:00, £30Everything you need to know to build your own wooden pallet compost bin at home, demonstrating carpentry techniques and design possibilities, as well as the principles of good composting.Christmas wreath makingSaturday 26th November 13:00-16:00, £35Join us for a relaxing and creative session using natural materials to make your own Christmas wreath using fresh and dried foliage gathered from the gardens and hedgerows of St Ann’s Allotments.Make your own festive willow decorationsSaturday 10th December 10:00-13:00, £35Create unique decorations like trees, stars or reindeer using traditional Scandinavian designs that can be strung together to great effect, making Christmas ornaments that will last for years.
On the Orchard
The Community Orchard runs free events for all ages every month.
New Shoots, every Tuesday 09:30-11:00Community Open Day, Saturday 26th November, 12:00-15:00
Volunteering
Volunteering continues as usual, with so much to help with at this busy time of year!Tuesdays at the Nursery, 10:00-14:00Digging, sowing, pruning, clearing, building, watering, harvesting! All things food and flower focused for a productive garden.Wednesdays at Oliver’s, 10:00-14:00Help maintain a beautiful display garden for visitors to enjoy, and promote its heritage features.Volunteer inductions, 10:00-12:00 on:Wednesday 9th NovemberTuesday 22nd NovemberSaturday 10th DecemberThis is an introductory session for anyone interested in volunteering at STAA. Receive a tour of our projects to find out what you might be interested in, and an opportunity to meet people and ask questions.Ponds, Plants and Pruning at Urban Nature, 10:00-14:00Saturday 12th November & Saturday 26th NovemberWe have our Autumn tasks to continue – managing the ponds, planting wildflower bulbs, starting our woodland tasks, and clearing for access – whilst also continuing our construction of the wildlife noticeboard, pond platform and more!Suitable for all abilities and levels of experience, tools provided. Just dress for the weather! 🌦️If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Lucy at volunteering@staa-allotments.org.uk or visit our website.
Guided tour of St Ann’s Allotments
This guided walk begins at the Visitor’s Centre and takes you on a 90-minute tour around the site, stopping at features of importance and interest during its 700-year history. We’ll share the story of how the allotments started, their use as Victorian pleasure gardens, and how the site is used today.
St Ann’s Allotments are Grade 2* Listed by Historic England, and designated an Area of Importance for Nature Conservation.
The tour includes a visit to two plots – the Heritage Display Garden and The Nursery.The next tour runs on Wednesday 30th November, 13:30-15:00.
On the blog
This month on the blog we’re celebrating Lucy Kennedy’s new role at STAA, National Tree Week, nature connectedness and 11 things to do outside in November. Read all about it: https://staa-allotments.org.uk/news/
