Bells Farm Community Garden Project

Transcription

1 Bells Farm Community Garden Project Why we want the project. The project grew from a family learning activity organised by the local extended schools coordinator and members of the Community Association in June 2008 involving some 60 parents and children. At the event people said how nice it would be if the fenced off area could be used by children and parents for gardening and environmental projects because there was no other facility in the area. Since then the Community Association have been discussing ideas with local people including residents, youth groups, the local schools and family support and council workers. The site needs improving because it is currently derelict, it is part of the garden of a restored Tudor building used as a community centre, much of the area is currently overgrown and has not been accessible to the general public for many years. The project will open out and develop this area of garden for leisure and learning activities for the very young to more senior citizens. The improvements will also include making the area more inclusive by providing a pathway and raised beds for wheelchair user access Project outline: Replace existing metal storage shed with wooden pergola providing shade for potting and growing climbing plants. Improve community access by replacing enclosing fence with arch trellis and tree seater for storytelling area. Build new shed with work benches for equipment storage and covered area for proposed craft and environmental workshops. Build two raised bed planters and layout out new pathway for disability access Landscape garden and develop sensory garden including traditional herbs and dye plants either side of pathway. Build environmental structures including composting facility, willow dens, bug houses etc. Provide one year plant maintenance and develop craft and environmental workshops. Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 1

2 Garden area at start of 2009 The proposed project is at the site of a restored Tudor building used as a Community Centre and will open out and develop a disused area of garden for leisure and learning activities for the very young to more senior citizens. The completed area will include a pathway and raised beds to make the site more acessible for wheelchair users. The site needs improving because it is currently derelict, it is part of the garden of a restored Tudor building used as a community centre, much of the area is currently overgrown and has not been accessible to the general public for many years. A wide range of people from youth groups to people approaching or already in retirement will be able to use the new facility for relaxation or to take part in craft, gardening and environmental workshops. The garden will enhance our drive to improve family learning and serve as a focus for community cohesion. The project will help local people including residents, youth groups, local schools, support groups working at Bells Farm with families, the 50 plus retirement group, victims of domestic abuse, council and health workers. Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 2

3 Artist impression of improved site Wooden structures Shed 3.6m by 7m Including 3 work benches Pergola 3.6m by 5.4m Plus pergola bench 2 planters 3m by 3m Arch trellis & tree seater 2 Compost bins Willow den Landscaping Clear, level and turf area. Layout paved path the planters Willow structures and fencing Planting Layout and plant wide range of plants and shrubs either side of new pathway. Assist where necessary the planting of the raised bed planters Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 3

4 Planting layout Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 4

5 New wooden workshop/shed and equipment for community use. Inside the shed will be a fixed lockable vault. This will be used to lock away any tools and equipment owned by the community centre. There will be three work benches; one will be fixed along the back of the shed equipped with three bench vices, two benches will be mobile, fitted with locking wheels. These will allow us to adapt the working space of the area according to the workshop needs. These multi use benches have storage compartments with accessible doors on each side. This will allow members of the public to safely store their possessions out of working area, lowering health and safety risks. To assist in the planned community involvement in the maintenance of the grounds, supplies of 3 garden spades, 3 garden forks, 10 pairs of secateurs, 10 sets of small garden tools and 20 pairs of gloves in various sizes, will be included. Story Telling Area Surrounded by sensory plants from the medieval period, this area may at times stimulate peoples senses and on other occasions help to create a calm and peaceful state of mind for visitors to the garden. Situated beneath a tree, in the centre of the outdoor space, it will become a focal point that can be used for story telling to children, briefings on workshops, meetings that would normally take place inside the community centre and for forest school use. This will be a small area where people of all ages can sit and admire the environment in which they are in. The area will consist of a willow seat for the story teller or workshop leaders surrounded by chopped logs some covered in mosses for the groups to be seated on. Willow Den Living Willow structures blend delightfully into a garden scheme and provide a truly original focal point that change with the seasons. These dens are a particular delight for children, providing a dynamic, living environment to play, learn and have fun. This structure is very easy to maintain and children can help with this throughout the year. The willow den will provide shade for the children during the summer months and create a place where members of the community can sit and observe the beauty of nature in the garden. Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 5

6 On going maintenance program April-October Half day visit or more if necessary every week, to include - Weed all beds & planters. Prune dead wood / leaves as required. Water as necessary. Replace dead plants as necessary. (Vandalism of plants to be reviewed separately) Apply general feed as required. Leave beds and planters in tidy condition. Maintain willow seat and den. November-March Half day or more if necessary every two weeks, to include - Weed all beds & planters. Water if necessary. Prune dead wood/leaves as required. Hard prune woody species. Replace dead plants as necessary. (Vandalism of plants to be reviewed separately) Leave beds & planters in tidy condition. Maintain willow seat and den. Note Seasonal annual plants to be changed twice per year: - April and May for summer bedding, October and November for winter bedding. Seasonal variations may occur due to extreme weather conditions. Spring and summer gardening club will be held. Bulb planting workshops along with a number of other garden related workshops will be offered at a cost. Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 6

7 Ideas for future workshops. Willow workshop, Small groups can work together to create a sculpture out of woven willow. Animals, swords, fairy wands or individual designs can be crafted. Some designs, if taken home and planted into the ground, will continue to grow, creating a living structure. Fairy Houses Using pre-cut slices of tree trunks and adding twigs, pine cones, mosses and other things found around the garden, children can come and create a fairy house to take home with them. Bird Boxes. Children will be able to assemble pieces of pre-cut timber using a hammer and nails to create their own bird box. This will help the children to understand the importance of taking care of nature within their local environment, as well as encouraging an interest in the birds that visit our gardens. Aimed at older children (7-16 years). Bat Boxes. The Pipistrelle is the smallest & most common bat in the British Isles and is widely found in woodlands, town parks and gardens. In Britain they hibernate in hollow trees and buildings but unfortunately are seen as a pest, therefore not encouraged into our gardens. Bats are wonderful creatures, with their fluttering flight patterns and squeaking noises they can be most fascinating to watch. This workshop will gives a brief understanding of the importance of bats in our environment as well as constructing a bat box to take home to encourage bats back into our gardens. Insect homes Children are often scared of insects and don t understand the importance of them in our gardens. This workshop will explain the different types of common insects, their habitats and the role they play in our environment. There will be a mini beast hunt around the garden after which children will be able to create their own insect homes out of twigs, bamboo, leaves and moss. Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 7

8 Gardening Club This will be a weekly group for parents and children to come and help grow vegetables and herbs. Some people simply do not have the space, knowledge or time to grow vegetables at home. This group will give people the chance to learn how to maintain a vegetable garden and allow children to be resourceful while learning about nature. The experience of growing their own food will help them to make healthier food choices as they get older. Medieval weekends This weekend would be fun for the whole family. Ideas include, sword and shield making, medieval dress making & dressing up, candle making, brass rubbing, spoon carving, medieval storytelling, period baking, music & historical talks. There can be several stalls to wander around, whilst trying some of the period food & drink on offer. The weekend will come to an end with a spit roast pig, mulled wine and a parade around the grounds for anyone who wants to join in, dance and show off the beautiful work created over the weekend. Forest School This will be a weekly group helping children to understand more about nature and the environment they live in. It will cover a range of activities including mini beast talks, nature walks, den building, and habitat studies, making insect homes and bird feeders, and much more. A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning, as well as encouraging and inspiring individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. Summary These are just a small taster of what the centre could offer if they had the opportunity to develop the garden. This in turn would help to keep the community interested in the centre and ultimately in the heart of the community. Bells Farm Gardening Project 2009 page 8