I moved into my house 20 years ago and enthusiastically installed my greenhouse and raised beds. Many solutions to pigeons, squirrels and other crop-raiding critters have been tried with little success. My heart fell when, after much lockdown attention, my red current and gooseberry bushes fell to the same fate, even before ripe this year!…
I’ve been involved with STAA on St Ann’s Allotments for over a decade starting here as a volunteer myself, and in that time I must’ve met hundreds of volunteers. What has been remarkable is how every single volunteer has brought unique skills and enthusiasm, yet there’s something that connects us all in our passion for green issues in…
When I started volunteering, I’d been retired for two years and, having completed a few home projects, I was at a bit of a loss. I wanted to do something that had a purpose and was linked to my interests, namely gardening, wildlife, and history. Thirteen years ago, a friend of my son asked if I’d look after his plot at St…
I first began working at St Ann’s Allotments in 2004 as part of a project within a hostel in Sneinton for homeless people. Long-term unemployed and with nothing to do, the allotments became a favourite past-time and the highlight of my week. A few years down the line in 2014, I was living in a flat and, although not…
Perhaps you’d have thought that 12 months of being unable to physically meet together would’ve significantly disrupted the work of our trustees. Totally the opposite. In the Simpsons, Springfield’s Adult Education Centre promises to “teach old dogs new tricks”, and that’s really what’s happened here too, as some of us technophobes have been mentored and supported to use Zoom and…
Festive volunteering This year is like no other, so we will have to break our tradition of hosting a Christmas gathering for all our lovely volunteers.However, we will be continuing with our volunteer sessions throughout the festive season with limited sessions in Christmas week itself. Obviously we will take every opportunity to light a bonfire…