CCTV Progress

The CCTV cameras have now been installed on the Green Heart Den.

New Liners For Our Large Planting Boxes

Big thank you to Chris Isherwood who volunteered some of his time to help install the linings to our large planting boxes. Cheers Chris, much appreciated.

Bat Event

Pictured below is Rich Flight from the Westmorland and Furness Bat Group who provided an interesting presentation all about bats for members of Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens at Greengate Junior School.

Following the presentation we all visited the Green Heart Den to look for and identify the species of bats that inhabit the area. During the event Rich helped to identify common pipistrelle bats.

Whats next? -  We are aiming to hold similar events during the year and to make and install bat boxes which will hopefully encourage other bats to visit and roost in the immediate area.

Big thank you to Rich, Greengate Junior School, Jan, Helen, Andy and the Junior Wardens for making it such a successful and enjoyable event.

 Funding for the bat event was provided from a grant we received from Our Green Space.

Nest Box Success

Our nest boxes continue to attract attention from the local bird population, particularly blue tits. Their favourite boxes appear to be those made, donated and sited by pupils from Greengate Junior School.

If you would like more information about UK birds and wildlife please visit the RSPB website here.

Bat Night

Is currently organising a "Bat Night" event for members of Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens. The event, will take place between 7.30pm - 9pm, Thursday 29th April. It will consist of an indoor session at Greengate Junior School followed by a visit to the Green Heart Den. 

This event will be facilitated by a representative of The Cumbria Bat Group, which consists of the Cumberland Bat Group operating in North Cumbria and the Westmorland and Furness Bat Group operating in South Cumbria , both are affiliated with the Bat Conservation Trust and are run by volunteers drawn from a wide range of backgrounds.

For more details about the group, please visit their website here.

Funding for the event is provided from the grant we received from Our Green Space.

Snowy Mespilus Flourishng

Our Snowy Mespilus (Genus, Amelanchier - Species, Lamarckii) is a small tree that is attractive in all seasons, even in winter when its spreading crown of fine shoots makes a satisfying, dense, shrubby shape. In March the branches erupt with a froth of star-shaped flowers in lax conical heads, just as the coppery pink young leaves unfold - in summer these are yellowish green, but later turn scarlet and crimson. In July the tree is studded with dark red berries which become purple-black as they ripen. Cuttings can be taken from May - July.

CCTV Installation Progress

We continue to progress the installation of our four camera CCTV system. The system will be controlled by The Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC, with images recorded for the purpose of crime detection and public safety.

The system funded by, Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management, Cumbria Constabulary, Accent NW and Accent Tenants Association, is being installed by family run local Company Trelore Alarms and Electircal Servics Ltd. 

Well Watered And Well Fed

The Green Heart Den receives some much needed tender loving care and is now well watered and well fed.

Potential Volunteering Opportunities

In an effort to increase participation and build on the capacity of our organisation we would like to offer the opportunity should you wish, to become involved with our project. You can choose how you want to become involved and it need not take up too much of your time.

If you would like to learn more about potential volunteering opportunities within our project please feel free to contact our temporary volunteer coordinator, Graham Robinson. Graham is currently working to attract potential volunteers and developing a volunteer data base and would be interested in hearing from anyone wishing to become a valued volunteer on our project and help to make a real difference in their community. Training can be provided.

Temporary volunteer coordinator Graham Robinson can be contact by;

Email at : grahamrobinson508@btinternet.com
Tel: 01229 889694
Mob: 07749 656 127 and/or: 07545 523 694

By post at:
C/O CHNM Office
242/244 Dalton Road
Barrow in Furness
Cumbria  LA14 1PN

Growing Well Training Opportunity

Pictured on the Green Heart Hen are Growing Well Training Coordinator Hazel Sharples, and Project Coordinator Graham Bromley who met to discuss the potential of Hazel providing garden and horticulture related training opportunities for local people on the Green Heart Den. This could involve young people such as the Junior Wardens, local residents and various local groups.

Among the various garden topics and activities could include, planting hanging baskets and garden tubs, garden and plant maintenance, how to grow vegatables, soil testing etc.
Hazel also highlighted opportunities for visiting Growing Well, a social enterprise based at Low Sizergh Farm.

Funding for the potential training opportunities is to be provided from Our Green Space
Garden maintenance supplies and materials for potential training events can be provided from the grant we received from Cumbria County Councils Local Committee for Barrow.

Extended Services Access Fund For Young People

Youngsters can apply for funding to help them have fun out of school. The Cumbria County Council Extended Services Access Fund (CCCESAF) offers grants to children and young people to help them pay for activities on evenings, at the weekends and during the school holidays.

 

Additional information at the Inspiring Communities blog page here.

Big Lottery Fund: Peoples Millions 2010

The 2010 People's Millions competition will give communities throughout the UK the opportunity to win local public support and share in £3.8 million of Lottery funding. Grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 will be provided for projects that transform local environments and offer opportunities or facilities for people to take part and enjoy their local area. This will include initiatives focusing on buildings, amenities, public and green spaces and natural habitats. Voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, local authorities, schools and health organisations are invited to apply.

Head-to-head competitions will take place in the local ITV regions in November, when the public will be able to cast their vote for the projects they want to win. There will be a total of 75 winning projects this year; four awards and one bonus award for the runner-up in each of the 15 ITV regions.

The deadline for entries is Friday 14 May 2010. Visit: http://www2.biglotteryfund.org.uk/ and http://www.peoplesmillions.org.uk/

Development Trust Association Meeting

Earlier today Project Coordinator Graham Bromley met with and escorted Hugh Rolo, DTA (Development Trust Association) Head of Assets and Investments and Jackie McQueen, DTA Cumbria Development Officer around the Green Heart Den.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss various options of support for the development of our project as a new Development Trust Association and to explore potential support for the proposed development of the railway arches and the north plot, in particular the Advancing Assets for Communities programme.

For information about the Development Trust Assocaition. please visit their website here.

Arbour Groundworks

AJC Groundworks completing the footings for the arbour feature.

Advancing Assets For Communities

Advancing Assets for Communities supports local authority-community sector partnerships to develop joint plans for asset transfer with a view to them being implemented. It is funded by Communities and Local Government and coordinated by the DTA in a delivery partnership which includes ACRE, Community Matters and the Local Government Association. The programme was launched in 2007 and will continue until 2011 – involving, on average, thirty additional partnerships each year. Additional information can be found at:

• The Developement Trust Association website here.
• Community Matters website here.

Urban Green Nation

Cabe research draws together over 70 different sources of information to find out what it can tell us about the state of England’s publicly owned urban green spaces.

"Urban green nation: building the evidence base" -  looks at the state of England’s urban green space and its impact on people’s health and well-being. The report shows the strong link between satisfaction with local parks and open spaces and satisfaction with neighbourhood, which is key to perceptions of council performance.

The analysis in Urban green nation: building the evidence base shows that people use and value green spaces, but that not everyone is benefitting equally.

For more information please visit the Cabe website here.
.......A copy of the report can be downloaded here.
...........20 facts about green urban space can be viewed here.
.................Key findings of the report can be viewed here.

B - B - Q Update

Final fitting of the grills for the B-B-Q

Arbour Update

AJC Groundworks are preparing the footings in readiness for the large arbour feature which will be sited along the promenade area. funding for the groundworkas has been provided from a grant we received from Cumbria Waste Management  Environmental Trust  which included a third party contribution from Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management.

Once the footings are complete final measurements can be taken and the arbour columns can then be fabricated by Gilmour Fabrications Ltd. Following the installation of the arbour the brick sets, taken up for the footings,  will be reinstated and large planting boxes will be positioned at the foot of each column. Funding for the fabrication and installation of the arbour has been provided by Our Green Space.

CCTV Installation

Family run local Company Trelore Alarms and Electrical Services Ltd preparing for the installation of our four camera CCTV system.

John Muir Leadership Training Event

Graham Bromley (Green Heart Den, Project Coordinator), Phil Robson (Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Warden), Helen Wiggan (Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service), Paul Zaccarini (Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Warden), and Andy High (Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Warden) pictured at the John Muir Award Leadership Training event at the Hawes End Centre, Portinscale, near Keswick. Funding to allow for Graham and Helen to attend the training was provided from the grant we received from Our Green Space.

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

For more information about the John Muir Award please visit the trusts website here.

Our hostas and mint, flourishing in the warm weather

Green Heart Den Lawn Care

Edging the lawn on the Green Heart Den following our first grass cut of the season.

Many of the tools and supplies needed to maintain the Green Heart Den have been provided from a grant we received from Cumbria County Councils Local Committee for Barrow.

Introduction of CCTV

The Green Heart Den is preparing for the installation of our four camera CCTV system. The system will be controlled by The Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC, images will be recorded for the purpose of crime detection and public safety.

The CCTV system, jointly funded by Cumbria Constabulary, Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management, Accent NW and Accent Tenants Assocaition, is to be installed by local company Trelore Alarms.

Planting Box Preparation

At the moment we are preparing the large raised planting boxes provided by Continental Landscapes Ltd. These will eventually be positioned at the foot of the columns that make up the arbour feature which will be installed along the promenade area, adjacent to the vacant railway arches. Among the plants being considered for these planting boxes include; honeysuckle, grape vines, wisteria, solanum, passion flower, clematis and jasmine. Plants and compost material are to be provided from the grant we received from Our Green Space.

Green Heart Den Maintenance

Aerating the lawn the hard way.........it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Information about lawn care and garden maintenance can be found on websites such as Gardeners World website here, the BBC gardening website here, the Lawn Expert here and the Garden Advice website here.

Progress Update

The Green Heart Den has a busy month ahead while progressing the installation of both the CCTV system and the large arbour feature.

The CCTV system, which has been jointly funded by Cumbria Constabulary, Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management, Accent NW and Accent Tenants Assocaition, is to be installed by local company Trelore Alarms.

The arbour feature and associated works, jointly funded by Our Green Space and Cumbria Waste Management Environmental Trust, is to be fabricated and installed by Gilmour Fabrications Ltd with the assocaited groundoworks provided by AJC Groundworks.

Overhead Photography

The following link on the Barrow Borough Council website (online mapping) details an overhead photograph of the Green Heart Den; http://webgis1.barrowbc.gov.uk/webgis/bingis.html?easting=320512&northing=469300&zoom=10

When you click the link; if requested agree to the online mapping terms, click base maps on the right hand column, then click the button for 2009 aerial photography.

Inspiring Communities Lauch Event

Inspiring Communities Launch Event

Saturday 17th April 2010 at Greengate Junior School, Barrow - 11am-3pm.

Admission is FREE and there will be lots of activities and stalls for young people and their families.

All Welcome ... be inspired - be who you want to be!
 
For more information please visit Inspiring Communites blog here.