FREE grow your own workshop

Courtesy of our friends at Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management.

A very generous donation

We would like to thank CJ Wildbird Foods for their very generous donation of four bird nest boxes. It is very much appreciated and will make a real difference.

"CJ WildBird Foods offer a wide variety of high-quality products to help you attract, feed, identify and care for wild birds, along with a broad selection of other garden wildlife.

The ornithologists and wildlife advisors at CJs carry out research projects along with leading wildlife experts to ensure we are continually producing not only high-quality products, but products designed specifically for the wildlife they are intended for. Within our broad range you'll find everything you need to encourage wildlife to flourish in your garden"

Final measurements for arch F

Gilmour Fabrications Ltd taking final detailed measurements for the new secure gated entrance to arch F.

We are now looking for additional funding which would enable us to provide a secure gated entrance to the last remaining arch facing the Green Heart Den. If successful this would improve the visible appearance of the arch and provide additional, secure space, for activities and storage.

Final measurements for arches E

Tradesmen from Gilmour Fabrications Ltd taking the final, detailed measurements in preparation for the fabrication and installation of new secure gated entrances to the remaining arches facing the Green Heart Den.

Funding to enable this work has been provided by The Sir John Fisher Foundation and Barrow Borough Council

Snowdrops and crocus in the wildlife area

Our first sighting of a Goldfinch.........

Live Life, Love Life event.

We will be sharing a stall with Central and Hindpool Neighbour Management Team at the Live Life event. Hope you can attend, we would love to meet you.

A brief glimpse of our Iris in the sunshine.........

...........pictured in between the wintry showers.

A favourite memory - Rabbit rescue

Still one of our favourite memories during the construction of the Green Heart Den. While taking a delivery we noticed something sticking out of the chippings. When we looked closer we found a young rabbit....then another...and another...........

The young rabbits were taken home, provided with a safe, warm temporary home while awaiting collection from the RSPCA. The young rabbits were eventually released back into the wild locally.

If nothing ever changed..............

"If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies" - Unknown

Crocus in the undergrowth......

Iris beginning to flower

Quote for the week.....

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs

Community grow your own scheme gate stops

Gilmour Fabrications Ltd installing stop brackets to the gate posts on the entrance of the community grow your own scheme. The stop brackets were needed as a planning condition;  ensuring that the gates can not open into the back street.

Our most recent Flickr slideshow

National nest box week

National Nest Box Week (NNBW) is organised each year by the British Trust forOrnithology (BTO), Britain’s leading bird research charity, whose work primarily involves studying the populations of our common and garden birds.

NNBW takes place each year from 14-21 February, and after 10 years it is now an established part of the ornithological calendar.

Each year they publish a FREE Information Pack which includes advice on making and buying nest boxes, siting them, how many to use, reducing the risk from predators, cleaning and maintenance.  

We like our snowdrops

Nest box maintenance

Junior Warden activities - 21.01.2012

During their visit the Junior Wardens; conducted a bug hunt, hung up bird feeders they had made previously and were taught basis video film techniques.

Thank you to all attended. It was a most enjoyable event.

Cumbria's High Sheriff Iona Frost - Pennington visiting the Green Heart Den

Cumbria's High Sheriff Iona Frost - Pennington visiting the Green Heart Den, along with representatives from Barrow Community Trust, and meeting with our valued volunteers and Directors. The visit formed part of their tour to various community projects who have received support from the trust. 

Pictured above are: Volunteer Bryan Aspin, Director Steve Pryer from Furness Building Society, June Chapman Barrow Community Trust, Cumbria High Sheriff Iona Frost - Pennington, Director Joe Wardman, Derek Lyon from Barrow Community Trust, Director Scott Gomersall from SDG Accountants, Lyndsay Aspin from Barrow Community Trust, Rob Cairns Barrow Community Trust, volunteer Karen Moore, Project Coordinator Graham Bromley, volunteer David Hayes and volunteer Lee Pickering. 

Thank you to all who helped to make it a most enjoyable visit.

Support from Barrow Community Trust has enabled us to provide a poly tunnel for the community grow your own scheme.

Barrow Island School visit

A most enjoyable visit from staff and students of Barrow Island School, as arranged by Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood wardens wardens. During the visit the students learnt more about the project as a whole, the railway arches, the wildlife, the community grow your own scheme and took part in an environmental quiz.

Progressing the new gated entrance to the arches

Mark Wallis of Gilmour Fabrications Ltd pictured during an onsite meeting with our Project Coordinator Graham Bromley, taking the final measurements in preparation for the fabrication and installation of new secure gated entrances to the remaining arches facing the Green Heart Den.

Funding to enable this work was provided by The Sir JohnFisher Foundation and Barrow Borough Council.

Network Rail - formal work consents

Excellent news. Following the signed tenancy agreement, Network Rail have now confirmed formal works approval for the installation of a secure, lockable gated entrance to the additional railways arches.

A big thank you to Network Rail Portfolio Surveyor Gemma Luty in arranging for the works approval. It is very much appreciated and will make a real difference.

The fabrication and installation of the secure metal gated entrance will be conducted by Gilmour Fabrications Ltd who previously installed the secure gated entrance to arch D, our arbour and the new gates and railings to the new north plot wall.

Friends of the Lake District funding success

We are pleased to announce that we recently received confirmation of a successful fund application previously submitted to Friends of the Lake District.

Friends of the Lake District works to protect and enhance the special qualities of the distinctive and inspirational landscapes of the Lake District and Cumbria.

Please visit www.fld.org.uk for up to date information about their work, environmental improvement grants, events, membership and volunteering opportunities.

The £2,000.00 grant  award will be used in contribution towards our community grow your own scheme, and enable the purchase of trees, shrubs and plants.

This weeks visits include.......

• Staff and pupils from Barrow Island school. This visit has been arranged by Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Team wardens.
• Cumbria's High Sheriff, Iona Frost-Pennington will be visiting on Friday as part of her tour to some of the community groups that the Barrow Community Trust has supported. 
• Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens who will be conducting various wildlife activities.

Winter colour

Winter sun on the Green Heart Den

A touch of frost

Some welcomed visitors

A long tailed little bird.

                                          A Great little bird.

A female chaffinch

Today's volunteer activities

Valued volunteers Bryan, Lee, David and Karen pruning the buddleia.