Wow! I've now raised £300 for @GreenGymPenge Please could YOU help me reach my target http://t.co/o0bvoZf9UX #DaveWalk
— David Fergusson (@fergussonfamily) April 28, 2014

Penge Green Gym Newsletter April 2014

See what's happening in Penge this week....

Penge Green Gym Newsletter      Dear Penge Green Gym Supporters         Happy Easter From Winsford Gardens!     There were no easter eggs growing on our tress but with spring in full swing and with all wet then mild weather, the tree blossom and spring flowers have been particularly spectacular this year.        We were also very happy to find a Slow- worm in our leaf litter.  Apparently neither a worm nor a snake, it is a limbless lizard who loves compost heaps.  Hopfully he wasn't too disturbed by our activities and will go back to hunting insects in the leaf mulch. Support Dave's big walk to raise funds for Winsford Gardens     Dave, a long time volunteer at Winsford  Gardens (on the right) will be walking the  Pennine Way from 24th June to help raise  funds for our many future projects (and to  get fit too!). If you would like to sponsor him  follow this  link  www.gogetfunding.com/project/daveswalk where you can also follow his progress as he prepares for his big trip.  Pass on to all your friends too. He is also an avid Tweeter and you can follow him @fergussonfamily.        Other ways to help Winsford Gardens You can also help raise funds by doing your online shopping via easyfunding.  Sign up to easyfunding and when you shop at places like Amazon or John Lewis online, easyfunding will donate and small percentage to the Penge Green Gym.  To sign up follow this link  - www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pengegreengym. Capitol Clean-up Grant   Thanks to Keith's hard work and with the help of Lizzie we have been awarded a grant from the Capitol Clean-up.  This means that we can now move forward with our bog garden and hopefully get it ready for our open day on 14th June.  Well done all involved.   A bit more bad news...   Sadly, over the last couple of weeks the vandalism has become worse.  What was left of the willow dome has now been completely destroyed.  We also suffered a break in to the greenhouse and our lawnmower was taken.  And finally the dead hedge next to the compost bins was burnt to the ground one night. This kind of destruction is very demoralising but we will continue to improve the gardens for the local community.

Penge Green Gym Newsletter Late March 2014

Penge Green Gym Newsletter

 

  

Dear Penge Green Gym Supporters

 

 

 

This week -

a volunteer success story,
a tale of renewal and destruction
and lots of spring flowers!


 Brenda and Dave spoke about the success of Penge Green Gym at the TCV's Volunteering Impacts conference on 27 March 2014 held at Waterlow Park, North London ...and two of our volunteers, Gavin and Lewis took part in practical gardening sessions in the park itself. TCV's report on volunteering impacts, highlighting recent work undertaken by TCV to better understand the full impact of volunteering was presented at the conference - our own Penge Green Gym gets special mention in the report. During the conference, Brenda was delighted to receive a 'Volunteering Impacts Award' on behalf of Penge Green Gym for our contribution to the local community (along with Jeremy from Watford Green Gym)..so well done everyone! For more information about the report you can go to www.tcv.org.uk/volunteeringimpacts ...
 

   

 

Sadly, more bad news about the living willow area

After the destruction of the willow dome and arch we decided that we wouldn't be cowed by the vandals and this week we replaced the dome with a low living willow hedge.  Unfortunately having checked the garden this weekend we have found that the hedge has also been destroyed the the remaining willow arch is now completely gone.  



We need your eyes and ears!

Anyone who lives locally and regularly goes through the garden, if you see any vandalism going on or hear of anything please let us know, we will not stop trying to improve the gardens but this kind of destruction is very demoralising.

On a brighter note



The construction of the new raised bed in the growing area is nearly complete, it just needs to be sunk into the ground.  (Thanks to our new volunteer Chris for helping out).



The plants in the greenhouse are going great guns, we're actually running out of space and with the warmer weather watering them regularly is becoming a priority.  The rose cuttings have nearly all taken and will hopefully be great sellers at our Open Day 14th June.

Events happening over Easter

Stephen Tinker has sent us details of some events taking place at High Elms over the easter holidays.

#DavesWalk

#DavesWalk

Fundraising Walk

A fundraising walk is a popular way to support your favourite cause. Between 23^rd June and 14^th July 2014, one of our volunteers and leaders will be supporting Penge Green Gym by hiking along the backbone of England.

“I
thought that walking the Pennine Way would be a fantastic way to
fundraise for my local community group whilst also getting active in the
outdoors!” said David Fergusson. “It will certainly be a challenge;
I’ll need to build up my endurance, my mental strength and my stamina too.”

Dave is currently taking a career break and he said, “It
is a classic walk and an unforgettable experience. My life is my
message to the world. I wanted to do something inspiring; I wanted a
real physical challenge; I wanted to be able to say, ‘Yes, I did that!’

The Pennine Way

The Pennine Way

“The Pennine Way is the most well-known National Trail,” explained David. “It is 270 miles long and I’ll be high above the nearest villages, with just the weather and wildlife. From
Edale I’ll walk in open moorlands through the Peak District and the
Bronte country.  Then I’ll cross the Yorkshire Dales and Three Peaks
country.  After Swaledale, and some tough climbs, I’ll see High Force
waterfall and High Cup Nick, before walking Hadrian’s Wall. Finally I’ll
cross the Cheviot Hills to reach Kirk Yetholm in Scotland.”

Dave is now in training by walking the Capital Ring and the North Downs Way. Follow his progress at #DavesWalk.

Penge Green Gym Newsletter: Early March 2014

Hello again, Green Gym Supporters

I wandered lonely as a cloud,

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

‘Daffodils’ by William Wordsworth

Spring is finally here

The improved weather during the last two weeks has meant that we have been able to achieve much more. And the Daffodils, Crocuses, Primroses, and now the Hazel and Willow tree blossoms continue to impress. The lawns remain waterlogged, so we are trying to avoid walking on them as much as possible.

In the greenhouse cuttings are being hardened off in the cold frames and seeds are being planted. In the growing area a new raised bed has been measured up and the turf dug. The insect chalets have been covered in chick wire to prevent the contents falling out. Another dead hedge has been started off at the Garden Road entrance and we have been sorting through wood donated by the new owner of Winsford House.

He also donated a Gunnera Manicata (Giant Rhubarb Plant.)  We have planted this in one of the small ponds as it likes plenty of water. It grows to a height of 2.5 metres with a spread of 3 to 4 metres so everyone is watching it with interest. This is how it might look:

http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2004/04/26/KMAC/87099d.jpg

In the coming weeks we will continue with all these tasks, and also reseed the meadows with wild flowers as well as beginning work in the pond area. We will also build one more seat when the lawn dries out sufficiently to allow the work.

The Bad News

We heard that we were unsuccessful in our funding bid for our Bog Garden from GrowwildUK. Undeterred we will develop it in the pond area anyway using existing funds and are still looking into other funding. We only need a damaged Butyl liner for the pond as we would have poked holes through a new one in any case. We can buy, swap and take free cuttings of plants and get given donations such as the Gunnera.

The other bad news is that the living willow structures have been damaged even further to the point at which they are now totally ruined. Willow is remarkably resilient and pieces can go through a shredder and still grow, but the structures cannot survive this kind of daily punishment. People wouldn’t torture an animal in this way. Why do that to our living trees and saplings?

So, unfortunately we have been forced to cut down the willow dome that gained us such accolades and compliments; was painted by artists and sought after to feature by magazine editors. We are still looking into finding some living willow to re-build it, but an alternative might be to make one of our woven willow withy fences instead.

Large TCV Volunteering Impacts Event

You will be aware from our last newsletter that on Thursday, 27th of March, TCV are hosting a conference and publishing a report on Volunteering Impacts at the Waterlow Park Centre (Dartmouth Park Hill, London, N19 5JF) at which Brenda and Dave will be speaking.

At the same time there will be a large volunteering event in Waterlow Park itself from 10:45am to 2pm pulling together all London Green Gyms. Everyone is invited to join in. This will be a great opportunity to meet volunteers from other Green Gyms around London, exchange ideas and share your experiences. There will also be a range of activities to join in around the park. TCV will be providing a full lunch (not just a banana) and your travel expenses will be reimbursed if you retain your travel receipts.

Lizzy Kaimakamis c/o Bromley Green Gym would like to know the approximate numbers going, so let her know if you intend to go. The closest underground station is Archway. Those of you who also attend Bromley Green Gym are meeting and catching the train together from Bromley. Anyone living in Penge might want to meet at Anerley and catch the train to London Bridge and then it is a simple trip on the Northern line. Alternatively, take the Overground to Highbury and Islington and a bus up to Highgate.

We hope to see you all next week and the weather forecast remains good.

Voluntary job, one day per week:

A voluntary position has become available to work with Penge Green Gym (www.pengegreengym.org.uk). As a voluntary project leader you will be helping our regular volunteers to engage with and improve their environment and enjoy healthier lifestyles.

You will play an integral part in the smooth running of Penge Green Gym through the following tasks:

Practical wildlife gardening and leadership: leading and assisting small groups of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds on project days (Wednesdays) to complete conservation tasks such as creating wildlife habitats, sowing wildflower meadows.

Administration and marketing: supporting the day-to-day running of the Penge Green Gym including database management and assisting with promotion.

Benefits to you: We can offer training (through The Conservation Volunteers, and the London Borough of Bromley) including leadership training and emergency first aid.  This voluntary opportunity is ideal for anyone wishing to gain the hands-on experience vital to secure a paid position working in the environment or community sector.

What you need: An enthusiasm for the environment and working with people from a variety of backgrounds. If you have an interest in gaining practical skills, as well as project development and planning, and community consultation experience, this is for you. 
 Contact us: http://www.pengegreengym.org.uk/contact/

Surprise!!

Once you read this you must share five random facts about yourself then pass this on to your 10 favorite followers :)

1. I was originally the formal gardens of Winsford House built by Mr Stephen G Gee, a property developer.

2. I once had a water feature with three ponds and a fountain.

3. My Rose garden follows a tradition that began with Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais.

4. I now have two Stag Beetle Loggeries - Adult Stag Beetles emerge June to August, mate & lay eggs & die after mating, often within a month.

5. I have slow worms (Anguis fragilis) that are often mistaken for snakes but are actually legless lizards.