Sunday 27 December 2009

Seating Design Options

We are currently finalising a seating design brief which we will be submitting to Furness College tutor Mike Walsh early in the New year. This follows our previous partnership work with Mike and the art and design stduents from the College which culminated in the successful installation of the new gates to arch D.
Funding for the seating design, fabrication and installation is to be provided from a grant we received from Our Green Space,  a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project running from Jan 2008 to Dec 2010 supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s 'Your Heritage' grant scheme.

Information about the Our Green Space project can be found on their website here.

Saturday 26 December 2009

Thrive - Carry On Gardening

Thrive is a small national charity, founded in 1978, that uses gardening to change the lives of disabled people.
Their activities are varied but focus on championing the benefits of gardening to individuals and organizations, as well as teaching techniques and practical applications so that anyone with a disability can take part and enjoy gardening.  For more information, please visit their website here.

Carry on Gardening presents Thrive's experience and expertise in gardening with a disability, which has been gathered over 30 years of helping disabled people to start or continue gardening. For additional information please have a look through their website here.

Potential Railway Arch Development

We continue to consult with Spacia in the hope of securing a long term lease for potential development of the six adjacent railway arches.
Since 2004 we have conducted and commissioned various consultations in the local area regarding options for the potential uses of the railway arches. The management committee hope that they can be developed as a social enterprise - in such a way that they would be of benefit to the community and provide additional resources for the local area.
Options identified during consultations conducted between 2004 - 2009 have been assessed in terms of; feasibility, sustainability, their ability to satisfy the needs and aspirations of the community, and the economic, social and environmental impact any potential development would have on the local community.

A summary of our various consultation reports can be downloaded here.

Among the themes identified include:

• Facilities for young people
• Sports and recreation centre
• Health/healthy living resource
• Training and educational resource
• Routes to employment
• Environmental activities
• Arts and media

It could also be beneficial to use one arch as our office/base of operations and include; a shared communal space, toilet, washroom, and kitchen facilities. This could be utilised as a show case arch.

Thursday 24 December 2009

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Merry Christmas

The Green Heart Den would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.




We would also like to thank all of our friends, neighbours, partners and funders for their continued support throughout 2009, we look forward to working with you all again in 2010.

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Arch D - Before and After

Arch D gates - before and after - as viewed from the Green Heart Den. Big thank you to tutor Mike Walsh and the art and design students from Furness College, Gilmour Fabrications Ltd, Spacia and the Sir John Fisher Foundation who generously provided  funding for the work.

Arch D Gates Update


Present for the installation of our new gates are -  from left to right;  Furness College tutor Mike Walsh, art and design student Heather Stephenson and our project coordinator Graham Bromley.
This follows our partnership work with Mike and the art and the design students in which we provided a "real life" design brief, asking if the students could produce realistic and feasible design options for enhancements to the basic gates. Heathers design for enhancing the gates was chosen by our committee and following a successful funding application from the Sir John Fisher Foundation we were able to commission local Company Gilmour Fabrications Ltd to manufacture and install the gates.

An article about the gates and the excellent work of the Furness College students can be viewed on the North West Evening Mail website here.

Tuesday 15 December 2009

Bird Box Update

















Our bird boxes - constructed, donated and sited by pupils from Greengate Junior School - continue to attract interest from of the local bird population.

Sunday 13 December 2009

Green Heart Den Attendances 2009

We have collated the final total of attendances for 2009.  Each individual visit is based on those consiting of a group of 4 or more people who have used or visited the Green Heart Den. Details include:
  • Number of individual visits: 143
  • Aged 8-11: 886
  • Aged 11-16: 207
  • Aged 16-18: 325
  • Adult/resident: 688
  • Agency/Organisation: 364
  • Total attendances for 2009.......... 2470 
A complete breakdown of these totals can be downloaded here.

Saturday 12 December 2009

Christmas Event


Approximately 300 visitors attended the Green Heart Den for our FREE Christmas event.  Vistors were treated to mince pies, selection boxes, hot and cold drinks and live music from a brass band. Young and old alike also got the opportunity to help us decorate our Christmas tree.



Additional pictures from the event can be viewed on our Flickr photo gallery here.

Thank you to all our friends, neighbours, partners and funders who joined us on what was an absolutely fantastic day.

Friday 11 December 2009

Junior Wardens John Muir Award Activity Update


Pictured left to right above are: Helen Wiggan from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, John Muir Trust inclusion coordinator Miranda Morgan, Senior Neighbourhood Warden Andy High, Junior Warden Lucy Bromley, John Muir Trust regional manager Graham Watson and Green Heart Den volunteer Graham Bromley.

Following the recent meeting with representatives of the John Muir Trust -  who were visiting the garden to learn more about the project as a whole and to discuss the work of Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens and their efforts to achieve a John Muir Discovery Level Award -  Community Press Editor, Rosie Hillman has included a story about the scheme in the Hindpool Buzz Edition of the Communty Press.
 
Copies of the Hindpool Buzz can be obtained for FREE at Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Office, 242/244 Dalton Road, Barrow.
 
...............a copy of the article can be downloaded here.

Article and picture courtesy of Community Press Editor, Rosie Hillman.

Information about the work of the John Muir Trust can be found on their website here.

Thursday 10 December 2009

Green Heart Den Xmas Event

The Green Heart Den would like to invite you to join us at our Xmas event which will take place between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday 12th December. For details please see the poster below.



Alternatively this poster can also be downloaded here.

Tuesday 8 December 2009

Barrow 6th Form College Visit


Art and design tutor, James Lakes (far right) and students from Barrow 6th Form College visiting the Green Heart Den during their tour of various regeneration projects in Barrow. The college became involved with this and other local projects through Julia Geere, the Enterprise Learning Advisor at Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership's ‘Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow's regeneration" programme, which is funded by West Lakes Renaissance.

Saturday 5 December 2009

Independent Strategic Review

As part of our ongoing and continuous monitoring and evaluation process, we recently commissioned local consulatant Mike Brockbank of VCF Solutions to conduct a frank and meaningful evaluation of our Company. This was funded through the grant we recevied from  Our Green Space.

A copy of the Strategic Review can be downloaded here.

We would like to thank Mike for his efforts and take this opportunity and thank all those who kindly contributed to the final report. It was very much appreciated.

Update - Arch D Gates

The gates for arch D cannot now be installed on Monday 7th December.

The gates will now be installed, week beginning Monday 14th December.

Friday 4 December 2009

Barrow 6th Form College Visit


Colin Aldred, Head of Art Facility - Barrow Sixth Form College and students from the college visiting the Green Heart Den along with Julia Geere - Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership. As part of their involvement in the Regeneration of Barrow Project they are visiting local regeneration projects and attended the Green Heart Den to discuss how our project has developed, how we have worked in partnership with others and to learn a little more about our plans for the future.

Thursday 3 December 2009

Update - Arch D Gates

Work to complete the installation of the new gates for arch D will begin on Monday 7th December. This follows our partnership work with Mike Walsh and the art and design students from Furness College in which we provided a "real life" design brief, asking if the students could produce realistic and feasible design options for enhancements to the basic gates.
Once our committee had agreed on the final design by student Heather Stephenson, and following a successful funding application from the Sir John Fisher Foundation we were able to commission local Company Gilmour Fabrications Ltd to manufacture and install the gates.

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Barrow 6th Form College Year 11 Student Visit


Year 11 Society, Health and Development students from Barrow 6th Form College visiting the Green Heart Den and discussing the project with Project Coordinator Graham Bromley. The visit was arranged with Genevieve Fair, Kathryn Metcalfe (Tutor of Health and Social Care – Barrow Sixth Form College) who thought it could be of benefit to the students coursework in which they needed to learn how agencies, organisations and groups have worked together for a particular local community project. Comments received during the recent visits from the College and its students included:
  • "Very good, and helpful for the community"
  • "Amazing"
  • "Well done"
  • "Looks good, but needs a toilet :-)"
  • "I enjoyed my time at the garden project"
  • "I enjoyed the flowers, the water feature and the plans for the future"
  • "Your plans for the future sound very good"
  • "Good, I had fun"
We would like to thank the College and its students for their interest in our project and look foward to other visits and developing potential options for their continued involvement.

Junior Wardens John Muir Award Update

Following the visit from John Muir Trust inclusion coordinator Miranda Morgan and John Muir Trust regional manager Graham Watson, the Trust has prepared a short case study based on the work of Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements team of Junior Wardens and their efforts to achieve a John Muir, Discovery Level Award.



You can download a copy of the case study here.

Miranda and John passed details of the Green Heart Den blog to other members of the John Muir Award team and these were some of the comments received:
  • “Good stuff!”
  • “Wow - that is amazing - I am inspired now and I didn't even go and see it! “
  • “It looks like an amazing place”
  • “Nice one!”
Details of the John Muir Award can be found on the Trusts website here.

Big thank you to Senior Warden Andy High for all of his hard work in coordinating the efforts of the Junior Wardens.

Tuesday 1 December 2009

Green Heart Den Xmas Event

The Green Heart Den would like to invite you to join us at our Xmas event which will take place between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday 12th December. For details please see the poster below.



Alternatively this poster can also be downloaded here.


Guardian Newspaper Article

Green Heart Den as featured in a Guardian Newspaper suppliment.


A copy of the article can be downloaded here.

Monday 30 November 2009

Visit from Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Barrow and Furness




Earlier today the Green Heart Den welcomed a visit from Mr John Woodcock, prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Barrow and Furness.

Pictured from left to right; Scott Gomersall – Project Accountant, Scott Quinn – Neighbourhood Warden, Mr John Woodcock,  Mark Roach - Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Andy High – Senior Neighbourhood Warden, Graham Bromley – Project Coordinator,  Daniel Finlayson – Neighbourhood Warden and Rosie Hillman – Community Press Editor.
Of the visit John commented:
  • “What a fantastic place you have created here. So much effort and pride from the community, and what a result. Best wishes for the future – very keen to help in any way that I can with your ambitious plans for the future” 
Quotes from others also attending included:
  • “Wonderful gardens and a fab sunny day”
  • “A diamond in the rough”
  • “This place just keeps getting better”
  • “Excellent gardens”
  • “An excellent achievement by all concerned”
Picture courtesy of Steve Hillman. For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.
Big thank you to all who attended and showed their support, much appreciated

Saturday 28 November 2009

Junior Wardens Wldlife Workshop


Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood warden Scott Quinn becomes a tree for the Junior Wardens wildlife workshop conducted by Cumbria Wildlife Trust representative Andrea Meanwell.

View additional pictures from this event and other Junior Warden activities on our Flickr photogallery here.

Junior Warden Bird Feeders

















Cumbria Wildlife Trust Officer Andrea Meanwell (far left), wardens from Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management and members of the Junior Wardens Team visiting the Greeen Heart Den to place bird feeders in the trees in the wildlife boundary. Earlier in the day Andrea had conducted a wildlife workshop in Central and Hindool Neighbourhood Management Office where she taught the Junior Wardens how to make the feeders.

View additional pictures on our Flickr photo gallery here.

Funding for this activity was provided as part of a grant we received from Our Green Space,  a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s 'Your Heritage' grant scheme. More infomation can be found on their website here. 

Stockport Council Community Development Team Visit



















Val Holden - Local Authourity Principal Officer, Graham Bromley - Project Coordinator and Phoebe Spence Phoebe - Stockport Council Community Development Team visiting the Green Heart Den. Also attending, but not in the picture was Graham Robinson. Phoebe is conducting research on green community initiatives for Neighbourhoods NorthWest see http://www.neighbourhoods-nw.co.uk/ . They would like written case studies, then presenations/showcases at conferences for community workers, policy makers/agencies with environmental interests to share good practice, lessons to be learned, etc.

Friday 27 November 2009

Railway Arches update

We continue to consult with Spacia in the hope of securing a long term lease for potential development of the six adjacent railway arches.
Since 2004 we have conducted and commissioned various consultations in the local area regarding options for the potential uses of the railway arches. The management committee hope that they can be developed as a social enterprise - in such a way that they would be of benefit to the community and provide additional resources for the local area.
Options identified during consultation have been assessed in terms of feasibility, sustainability, its ability to satisfy the needs and aspirations of the community and the economic, social and environmental impact any potential development would have on the local community.

Among the themes identified include:

• Facilities for young people
• Sports and recreation centre
• Health/healthy living resource
• Training and educational resource
• Routes to employment
• Environmental activities

It could also be beneficial to use one arch as our office/base of operations and include; a shared communal space, toilet, washroom, and kitchen facilities. This could be utilised as a show case arch.

Thursday 26 November 2009

Barrow 6th Form College Student Visit

















Year 10 Society, Health and Development students from Barrow 6th Form College visiting the Green Heart Den and discussing the project with Project Coordinator Graham Bromley. The visit was arranged with Genevieve Fair, Kathryn Metcalfe (Tutor of Health and Social Care – Barrow Sixth Form College) who thought it could be of benefit to the students coursework in which they needed to learn how agencies, organisations and groups have worked together for a particular local community project.

We would like to thank the College and its students for their interest in our project and look foward to other visits and developing potential options for their continued involvement.

Thursday 19 November 2009

Green Heart Den Attendance 08 -09

The Green Heart Den has collated the attendance for 2008. Each individual visit is based on those consisting of a group of 4 or more people who have used or visited the Green Heart Den.
  • Number of individual visits: 50
  • Aged 8-11: 769
  • Aged 11-16: 24
  • Aged 16-18: 50
  • Adult/resident: 245
  • Agency/Organisation: 390
  • Total attendance for 2008: 1478
We are also collating the attendance for 2009. As before each individual visit is based on those consiting of a group of 4 or more people who have used or visited the Green Heart Den. Currently this stands at:
  • Number of individual visits: 140
  • Aged 8-11: 754
  • Aged 11-16: 137
  • Aged 16-18: 265
  • Adult/resident: 574
  • Agency/Organisation: 326
  • Current total attendance for 2009: 2056
A breakdown of these totals can be downloaded here.

Tuesday 17 November 2009

Junior Wardens John Muir Award Update

















As part of their efforts to achieve a John Muir Award the Junior Wardens are planning to learn how to maintain and care for the garden by sowing plants from seed in propagators. The equipments for his learning opportunity was provided from a grant we received from Cumbria County Councils Local Area Committee for Barrow.

Thank you to Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Senior Warden, Andy High for helping to deliver the supplies required for this activity.

Thursday 12 November 2009

Architecture Student Visit


















Newcastle University lecturers and students visiting the Green Heart Den.
Armelle Tardiveau and Daniel Mallo, architects teaching part-time at Newcastle University are conducting a project in Barrow with their architecture students. The objective of their project in Barrow is to learn to take into consideration the community needs and wishes in their design proposals. Their project includes visits to both community driven grass routes regeneration projects and local authority regeneration projects. Among various organisations and individuals they are consulting with are, Barrow Borough Council Regeneration Officers, local residents, and community driven regeneration projects.

Thank you to Armelle, Daniel, all of the students and to Maddi Nicholson, Founder Member of Art Gene for taking the picture.

Monday 9 November 2009

John Muir Trust Visit


















Earlier today the Green Heart Den played host to a meeting with representatives from the John Muir Trust who were visiting the garden to learn more about the project as a whole and to discuss the work of Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens and their efforts to achieve a John Muir Discovery Level Award.
Pictures left to right are: Helen Wiggan from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, John Muir Trust inclusion coordinator Miranda Morgan, Senior Neighbourhood Warden Andy High, Junior Warden Lucy Bromley, John Muir Trust regional manager Graham Watson and Green Heart Den volunteer Graham Bromley.
The John Muir Trust is a leading wild land conservation charity. The award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places which encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.

Additional information about the work of the Trust can be found on their website here.

Picture courtesy of Community Press Editor, Rosie Hillman.

Friday 6 November 2009

Indoor Bowling Mats

The Green Heart Den has taken delivery of two large indoor bowling mats. These were provided for FREE by Chris Athersmith of Barrow Sports Council and are now safely stored in one of the adjacent railway arches.
Big thank you to all who helped transport the mats, it was very much appreciated.

Thursday 5 November 2009

Guardian Newspaper Photographer


















Earlier today John Baxter a Cumbrian photographer working for the Guardian visited the Green Heart Den to take pictures for an article being written about the project. It is hoped that the article will shortly appear in a Guardian Neswpaper suppliment.

Thank you to PC John Irving of Cumbria Police / Streetsafe and  Neighbourhood Manager Steve Robson from Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management for attending the and showing their support for our project. Very much appreciated.

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Post and Wire Fencing


















General maintenance to the post and wire fencing along the length of the wildlife banking on the north plot.
Some of the wire had snapped and was replaced while other sections only needed to be retightened.

Could you sponsor a Neighbourhood Warden

An appeal has been launched to save Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management and the vital, effective service they offer to the local community. Local businesses are being asked if they could sponsor their team of neighbourhood wardens.



If you could help or would like more information please visit their blog page here.

See also the recent Evening Mail article here.

Monday 2 November 2009

Junior Warden Plants Stolen Again


Once again the flowers and shrubs planted in the raised bed on the north plot by Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens have been stolen. It is so disappointing after all of their hard work, especially as they had to endure some extreme weather while replacing the plants.

Saturday 31 October 2009

Small Copper

A small copper enjoying our scented mayweed on the north plot banking.








The Small Copper is usually seen in ones and twos, but in some years large numbers may be found at good sites. Males are territorial, often choosing a piece of bare ground or a stone on which to bask and await passing females. They behave aggressively towards any passing insects, returning to the same spot when the chase is over.
Though it remains a common and widespread species, the Small Copper declined throughout its range during the twentieth century.
It occurs in a wide variety of habitats: chalk grassland, moorland, heathland, coastal dunes and undercliffs, woodland clearings, and unimproved grassland. This species may be found also in small patches of land such as set-aside fields, roadside verges, railway embankments, allotments, churchyards, and waste ground, even in cities. Warm, dry situations are especially favoured.

Additional information about butterflies can be found on the Butterfly Conservation website here.

Seed Pods

















Evergreen iris seed pods have been scattered along the length of the natral wildlife banking we created along the boundary with the railway line on the north plot. It is hope that the seeds will attract the interest of birds.

Wednesday 28 October 2009

Our Primroses

Our painted lady mix primroses basking in the late autumn sun.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars enjoying our winter cabbage in the raised planters on the north plot.

Our Winter Cabbage

Our winter cabbage is flourishing in the raised planters on the north plot.

Junior Wardens Litter Pick


Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens conducting a litter pick on the Green Heart Den and in Marsh Street back street as part of their efforts to achieve a John Muir Award. The team also replaced the plants stolen from the raised planters on the north plot before relaxing and having fun on the Green Heart Den. Thank you all, it was very much appreciated.

Additional pictures can be viewed on our Flickr photo gallery here.

One Of Our Partner Organisations


On of the many organisations that have supported the Green Heart Hen for several years is Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management.
From left to right the team consists of;

Helen Wiggan, High Risk Advocate, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service
Paul Zaccarini, Neighbourhood Warden
Andy High, Senior Neighbourhood Warden
Rebecca Rawlings, Co-ordinator, Barrow Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership
Steve Robson, Neighbourhood Manager
Rebecca Allen, Administrator
Phil Robson, Neighbourhood Warden
Scott Quinn, Neighbourhood Warden
Dan Finalyson, Neighbourhood Warden

Additional information about the team and their efforts in helping to provide a safer, cleaner and stronger neighbourhood can be found can be found here.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Green Estate - Sheffield

Thought this example of regeneration in Sheffield may be of interest.
 
"Green Estate is part of the family of third sector organisations that operate from the Manor and Castle areas in South Sheffield . Our story started in 1998 when our inner city area, like many others, was suffering some of the worst effects of social, economic and environmental poverty. However, although in an appalling state at the time it was clear that this area itself had an exceptional history and heritage plus significant areas of uncared for green spaces. This inspired us up take on the role of stewards to what we called ‘our Green Estate’.
The idea was pretty simple - if the relationship between the land and people were made to work again, just as they would in a country estate, we could bring life back to the green deserts and make the green environment a valued and productive asset"
 
Detailed information can be found here.

Monday 26 October 2009

Junior Wardens Plants Stolen


Earlier today it was noticed that many of the flowers and shrubs previously planted in the raised beds on the North plot by Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood managements Junior Wardens have been stolen.  These plants will be replaced later today and replanted later in the week, again with the assistance of the Junior Wardens.

Saturday 24 October 2009

Junior Warden John Muir Award Lesson

















In spite of horrendous weather Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens took part in another John Muir Award activity on the Green Deart Den. The wardens needed to find answers to questions regarding the history of the John Muir Award that had been placed around the garden. Well done all.

Additional pictures can be viewd on our Flickr photo gallery here.

Planting Ivy



Earlier this afternoon durning breaks between the heavy showers ivy was planted at intervals along the fencing between the railway line and our wildlife haven. It is hoped that the ivy will eventually soften the look of the fencing.

Friday 23 October 2009

General Maintenance



As part of our routine garden maintenance tasks, a fine rake is used to loosely break up patches of moss that are growing in some areas on the golden gravel.

Thursday 22 October 2009

Arch D Gate Fabrication Process


















Tutor Mike Walsh (far left) and Art and design students from Furness College visiting Gilmour Fabrications Ltd on Park Road to discuss the fabrication process for the gates for arch D with Mark Wallis of Gilmour Fabrications (second right) and our architect Hugh Massey (far right).

Earlier in the year we had met tutor Mike Walsh and the art and design students from Furness College, Julia Geere of the Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership and Nicola Foster from West Lakes Renaissance. They had visited the project as part of their work on the “involving schools and colleges in Barrow's regeneration project", a local project supported by West Lakes Renaissance, North West Development Agency and Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership.

Following this initial meeting we have worked closely and in partnership with Mike and the art and design students from Furness College, providing a "real life" design brief, asking if they could produce realistic and feasible design options for enhancement to the basic gates.
Once our committee had agreed on the final design by student Heather Stephenson, and following a successful funding application from the Sir John Fisher Foundation we were able to commission Gilmour’s to fabricate and install the gates.

Mike and the art and design students have also been invited back to see the completed gates being installed onsite.

We would like continue working with Mike and the students and among ideas discussed for their future involvement have included; sculptures, artistic features for the garden and visual displays, possibly in one of the railway arches.

Additional pictures of the complete process can be viewed here.

Arbour Update



Our architect, Hugh Massey, meeting contractors on site to discuss the groundworks and the steel manufacture process in preparation for the installation of the arbour feature.

Children and Young Peoples Plan 2010 - 2013

Cumbria Children’s Trust is currently in the process of developing the next 3 year Children and Young People’s Plan and as part of their consultation  have developed an online questionnaire for completion by parents and carers, which can be accessed here.
Additionally they have developed an online questionnaire for completion by young people, aged 11 onwards, which can be accessed here.
Deadline for responses is 30 October 2009.

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Share a Smile - Love Barrow



How does the saying go, ‘smile and the world smiles with you’? Well some agencies working in Barrow would like your help to put this to the test.


For further details please visit here.

Monday 19 October 2009

Wildlife on Barrows Doorstep

If you would like a guide to nature reserves in and around Barrow please vist the Barrow Borough Council website here.

Alternatively, the guide can also be downloaded here.

Saturday 17 October 2009

Enjoying The Sun


A Red Admiral enjoying the sun and the dianthus in our North plot planters. This strong-flying migratory species may be seen throughout Britain and Ireland and in almost any habitat, from sea-shore to town centres and the tops of mountains.
It is a frequent visitor to gardens throughout the British Isles and is one of the most well-known butterflies as a result. This butterfly is unmistakable, with striking red bands contrasting with the velvety-black wings.
In spring, each newly arrived male defends its chosen territory vigorously. These territories are situated initially close to the south coast, then further inland and typically on bushy hillsides, in corners of sheltered gardens, or in sunny clearings in woodland or parkland, and may be held for a week or more if conditions are suitable for flight. Females are usually seen near nettle beds except when nectaring.
Later in the season, any flower-rich habitat is likely to attract the butterfly, including gardens where buddleias, stonecrops, and Michaelmas-daisies are all popular with Red Admirals. They also favour orchards where fruit is rotting on the ground.

Friday 16 October 2009

Wednesday 14 October 2009

New Dolphin Bin

Our new dolphin bin recently sited near the play area on the Green Heart Den appears happy to be there.
Thank you to the Streetcare team for providing all of our litter bins.


Wednesday 7 October 2009


Our bird boxes, made and donated by pupils at Greengate Junior School are beginning to attract the interest of the local bird population, especially the smaller birds such as blue tits..

Arbour Planting Boxes


Continental Landscapes Ltd delivering the planting boxes they have constructed for the arbour feature. The planters will eventually be positioned at the foot of each of the six columns that will make up the arbour and be planted with climbers, possibly hops and vines.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Community Press Central Issue

The Community Press and North West Evening Mail have followed the progress of the Green Heart Den for several years. Their most recent article, which also details the work of Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens, can be found in the Central Issue Community Newspaper on the North West Evening Mail website here. Thank you to Martin and Ian for an excellent story.