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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Raised Planters

Shrubs and flowers in our raised planters, planted by Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens Team, are flourishing in the autumn sun.

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.

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.

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.

   

Green Heart Den Maintenance

We have  finished cutting back the mint and provided ID tags for the various herbs in the raised planters.

Maintenance and Plant Care

Today we have been conducting general maintenance and plant care.
In particular the post and wire fencing has needed to be tightened as it had become loose and started to sag in some areas in and around the Green Heart Den.
The mint in the raised planters has been cut back to promote new growth and bonemeal has been added to the soil where we have planted Rosemary, Hebe and Euonymus.
Holly has also been planted in the remaining section of our raised planters on the Norh plot.

Greengate Junior School Outdoor Science Lesson

Teachers, staff and pupils from Greengate Junior School during a recent outdoor classroom science lesson.



Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens also helped on the day and provided a walking bus to and from the school.

Feedback provided by the pupls can be viewed here.

Junior Wardens John Muir Award Activity

Due to poor weather conditions, the planned John Muir Award activity on the Green Heart Den had to be moved inside.
Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Junior Wardens took the opportunity to learn more about the various wildlife on the Green Heart Den, plan for future activities and complete feedback forms from a previous John Muir Award Activity on the Green Heart Den.

Completed feedback forms can be viewed here.

Additional pictures can be found here.

Regeneration - The voice of tomorrows town

A short film detailing the Youth Re -Action Teams consultation work for the Regeneration of Barrow Project. The video includes a short clip of their return visit to the Green Heart Den.

Additional videos can be found on the Go Furness website here.

Local Area Committee Support

Equipment purchased from Crooklands Garden Centre for an upcoming activity with Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Warden Team.
Funding for the equipment was provided as part of a grant we received from Cumbria County Councils, Local Area Committee for Barrow.

Our Strawberries

Strawberries flourishing in the Green Heart Dens north plot planters. They tasted good too!

Soprano Pipistrelle

One of our soprano pipistrelle bats emerging from a vacant railway arch adjacent to the Green Heart Den.

For information about bats please visit the Bat Conservation Trust here.

Red Admiral Enjoying Our White Chives

Additional pictures of the wildlife on the Green Heart Den can be viewed here.

Raised planters

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens helping to transport and deliver plants for our raised planters.

The plants were provided as part of a grant we recieved earlier in the year from Cumbria County Council, Local Area Committee for Barrow.

Information about Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management can be found here.

Additional pictures can be viewed here.

On site progress meeting

Ed Nelson from Continental Landscapes and our architect Hugh Massey during a meeting to review the construction process.

Pruning Our Buddleja

Pruning off all the dead and faded flowers on our buddleja now that the the main flowering season is over.




This will be of benefit to the plant - not having to produce seeds on the old flowers - and help to encourage new blooms well into the autumn.
Any new blooms willl also be of benefit to late butterflies and bees.
The buddleja will be pruned back harder in early spring next year.

Junior Wardens - John Muir Award Activity

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Junior Wardens Team before planting up our raised beds and sowing wildflowers seeds as part of their work to achieve a John Muir Discovery Level Award.

Similar activities are being organised to take place from now until February 2010.

Additional pictures from the event can be viewed here.

Plants were provided as part of our grant awarded by Cumbria County Council, Local Area Committee for Barrow.

Wildflower seeds were provided from our Our Green Space grant.

Our Green Space is a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project running from Jan 2008 to Dec 2010. The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s 'Your Heritage' grant scheme. Friends of the Lake District manage the project in partnership with Action with Communities in Cumbria, the project is supported by a wealth of organisations including Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Association of Local Councils, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Council for Voluntary Services.

Information about Our Green Space can be found here.

Our Common Toadflax

Our Common Toadflax as found in our "natural wildlife area" along the boundary with the railway line.

Common toadflax is a spreading plant that forms patches of bright yellow spires throughout the summer in rough grassland, road verges, hedge banks and disturbed ground. It has narrow grey-green leaves arranged in whorls alternating up the stem. The stems terminate in dense clusters of yellow spurred flowers similar in appearance to snapdragons. Common toadflax grows well on loose, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. It can be grown in a lawn, meadow or flower border. Care should be taken when planting into a cultivated border as it can become quite invasive. Just as common bird's foot trefoil is sometimes known as 'bacon and eggs', another name for this species is 'butter and eggs'.

Preparation For a Junior Warden Activity

Various plants, tool and supplies purchased in preparation for an activity with Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Junior Wardens Team. The activity is part of their work to achieve a John Muir Discovery Level Award.

The supplies were provided from a grant we were awarded earlier in the year by Cumbria County Council, Local Area Commiitee for Barrow.

Neighbourhood Wardens Assistance

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens helping prepare an arch for a visit from teachers, helpers and pupils from Sandside Lodge Special School Ulverston.

Greengate Junior School "Outdoor Classroom"

Greengate Junior School teacher, Miss Faragher helping pupils during their recent outdoor classroom maths lesson on the Green Heart Den.

At the end of the lesson the pupils took time to explore the Green Heart Den, draw pictures and learn a little about the various wildlife on the garden. Thank you to all at Greengate Junior School.

Additional pictures from the outdoor maths lesson can be viewed here.

Thank you also, to Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens who helped by providing a "walking bus" to and from Greengate Junior School.
Information about Central and Hindpool Management Management can be found here.

Hover Fly - Enjoying Our Clover

Although these brightly-coloured insects look like bees or wasps, they are in fact true flies and do not sting.






Hoverflies are excellent examples of Batesian mimicry. They generally mimic bees and wasps – insects that sting and also taste unpleasant, so are avoided by predators. Drone-flies mimic honey bees, Volucella bombylans has several different forms mimicking bumblebees, while others species are very convincing wasp mimics.

There are about 250 different hoverfly species in Britain. You can generally see plenty of adults on flowers throughout spring, summer and autumn. Hoverfly larvae are varied too – some even resemble small slugs. They all have different feeding habits. For example they may eat plants, feed on rotting wood and fungi, attack bulbs or parasitise other insects.

North Plot Banking - Scented Mayweed

A native annual or biennial weed that is locally abundant on sandy or loamy arable soils and waste places throughout England and Wales.

Scented mayweed prefers nitrogenous soils that are poor in lime and will tolerate saline conditions. It is considered to be an indicator of loam. It is a common weed of cereals and other arable crops where it benefits from the control of more competitive weeds.
Scented mayweed is highly attractive to ladybirds that feed on aphids. Its presence also increases the incidence of other beneficial insects. Scented mayweed was brought into cultivation as early as the Neolithic period. The species exhibits a high degree of variability and selected forms are grown commercially. Internationally it is cultivated as a medicinal and industrial crop. A deep blue oil is steam distilled from the flowerheads and used as a substitute for true chamomile. Extracts have been used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries, and for the control of pests.

 For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here

Visit from a Comma

The buddleja on the North plot is attracting various butterflies and bees, including a Comma.

Looking like a tatty Small Tortoiseshell, the Comma is a familar sight through most of England and Wales. This is one of the few species that is bucking the trend by expanding its range considerably. Once confined to the Welsh border counties, especially Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, this species is now found throughout England and Wales and has recently reached Scotland. The butterfly gets its name from the only white marking on its underside, resembling a comma.

When its wings are closed, this butterfly has a most remarkable camouflage that is perfect when it rests on a tree trunk or when it is hibernating. The colouring of the underside, in combination with the jagged outline of the wings, makes the butterfly look as inconspicuous as any withered leaves in the vicinity.

Railway Arch D Gates

Staff from local engineering Company, Gilmour Fabrications Ltd taking final measurements in preparation for the manufacture and installation of the gates on arch D. The enhancements for the gates were designed earlier in the year by Furness College art and design student Heather Stephenson.

North Plot Banking

Nature was given a helping hand while mixing soil improver to some of the barren areas on the banking. Natural wildflowers that were growing in and around our stock of soil improver were transplanted into the banking with the aim of helping to create a diverse natural habitat.

To assist this process further we have also ordered natural wildflower seeds from Landlife Wildflowers who are part of the environmental charity Landlife.

Please visit the Landlife Wildflowers website here.

Information about the Landlife Charity can be found here.

Bird Boxes

The bird boxes, made and donated by Greengate Junior School have been moved a little higher in the hope that this will attract nesting birds.

North Plot Banking

The banking we created on the North plot is rapidly becoming a natural wildlife haven.

For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Greengate Junior School Feedback

Teachers, staff and pupils from Greengate Junior School have offered fantastic support to the project for several years. Recently we received excellent quality feedback from pupils following a classroom visit to the Green Heart Den for an outdoor science lesson.

For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Cumbria in Bloom update

Alan Postlethwaite, Hugh Massey, Graham Bromley and Graham Robinson pictured shortly after the project won two awards during the Cumbria Bloom Awards Ceremony which took place earlier today, at the Graythwaite Manor Hotel in Grange. The awards were:
A Neighbourhood Award - Certificate of Outstanding Achievement and,
The District Special Trophy (Barrow in Furness Trophy) - Award for Achievement in the Borough
Thank you to all who have been invoved with the project and contributed to its continued success, it is very much appreciated. We could not have achieved this without you all.

Thank you also to Cumbria in Bloom for providing what was a most enjoyable event.

For additinal pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Volunteer Coordinator

During our recent Management Committee meeting we identified a temporary Volunteer Coordinator, Graham Robinson.

If you would like information regarding volunteering opportunites within the project Graham can be contacted on:
Tel: 01229 889694
Mob: 07749 656 127
Email: g.robinson@ktdinternet.com

Our new "Gate keeper"

Widespread and common throughout England and Wales, and along the south coast of Ireland. Orange and brown, with black eyespot on forewing tip. Eyespots have two white pupils, not one, as in the Meadow Brown. Gatekeeper is also smaller and more orange with row of tiny white dots on hind underwings.

Arbour update

Continental Landscapes taking final measurements before digging the footings in preparation for the installation of the arbour feature.

Our new visitor

A Speckled Wood. Found throughout Britain and Ireland, it is dark brown with creamy white patches on wings. It prefers habitats such as woodland, gardens and hedgerows.
The Speckled Wood breeds only in woodland habitats, but elsewhere it also uses lanes and tracks between tall hedgerows, parks, gardens, and scrub. It seems to prefer slightly damp areas where there is tall grass and some shade.

Wildlife enjoying the sun

For more pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here

Visitor feedback

Following a recent visit by the Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Junior Wardens we asked - what did you most enjoy about the Green Heart Den? Below are some of the comments we received:

"It is interesting, colourful and fun"
"I like the way it has changed and the play area"
"The plants, the wildlife and nature"
"There are different flowers and bushes there"
"It is full of plants"
"The water feature and the nature. But I really like all of it"

After visiting the Green Heart Den with a small group of SERIS children, Sacred Heart Junior School also provided comments in regard to what they most enjoyed about their visit, as detailed below:

"The children were able to walk around, touch the herbs, and play on the equipment"
"You would never know that you were just below busy Greengate Street, it was so quiet"
"The fact that the children are encouraged to look around by themselves in this beautiful environment"
"This was a wonderful time which all of the children loved"
"This was special to us, to be able to take the children just a short distance and have a wonderful time"

Cumbria in Bloom Award Ceremony

Following the recent visit from Cumbria in Bloom representative David Haigh we have received an invitation to the Cumbria in Bloom Awards Ceremony in which we have been nominated in the Neghbourhood Award category.
The event will take place between 12 noon and 4.30pm on Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at The Graythwaite Manor Hotel in Grange.

Information about the Cumbria in Bloom Awards can be found here

Butterflies and bees

Butterflies and bees are flourishing on the Green Heart Den’s buddleja and mint.



Additional pictures can be viewed here

Additional information on UK buterflies can be found here

Inspiring Communities Scheme

Congratulations to Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management who have, after working in partnership with The Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership (BECP), primary and secondary schools and the Furness Local Planning Group, secured funding from the Inspiring Communities Scheme.

The new Inspiring Communities scheme means that young people living in the Central and Hindpool wards in Barrow will reap the benefits of up to £450,000 of new funding over the next two years aimed at raising their aspirations and achievements.

Additional information can be found here

John Muir Award

Between September 2009 and February 2010 Junior Wardens from Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Team will be taking part in a range of activities on the Green Heart Den as part of their work to achieve a John Muir, Discovery Level Award.
These activities will be both theory based and practical and include; a study of plants and wildlife, learning about maintaining the garden, drawing and photographing the garden, and preparing a photographic presentation of their experiences.

The award proposals can be viewed here.

Pictured below are the Junior Wardens during previous activities on the Green Heart Den.

Open sessions

On behalf of the Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC could I take this opportunity and highlight the temporary open sessions on the Green Heart Den. These open sessions are taking place between noon and 4pm, every Wednesday throughout the school summer holidays, from the 22nd July until the 26th August.

Temporary access to the Green Heart Den for the open sessions is from Ramsden Street into the back street behind Marsh Street walking towards Greengate Street bridge. To view a map detailing the access point into the back street please click here

We recognise that access via the back street is not ideal which is why the sessions are temporary, during the summer holidays . The provision of the open sessions follows a delay in the removal of 188 Marsh Street which will ultimately provide for the pedestrian access route into the Green Heart Den, direct from Marsh Street.

The aims of the open sessions are to:

Raise awareness of the Green Heart Den.
Allow people the opportunity to visit the garden and enjoy the surroundings.
Offer the opportunity for people to speak to members of our committee.
Help identify potential volunteers.

If you would like further details of the open sessions please contact Graham Robinson on Tel: 01229 889694 and/or mob: 07749 656 127.
Thank you, we look forward to meeting you there.

Bulb planting

Committee members and volunteers planting daffodil bulds during one of our open sessions.



For more pictures, please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Company structure and membership

Meeting Chairperson - Alan Postlethwaite.

Company Director - Architiect, Hugh Massey.
Company Director - Accountant, Scott Gomersall.
Company Director - Furness Building Society Genreal Manager,Ian Bell.
Company Director - Local Resident/Newsagent, Joe Wardman.

Member of Company / Company Secretary - Local resident, Graham Bromley.
Member of Company / Meeting Chairperson - Local Railway Historian, Alan Postlethwaite.
Member of Company - Graham Robinson.

Project Co-ordinator - Graham Bromley.

Member of Management Committee - Local Authority Principal Officer, Val Holden.
Member of Management Committee - Project Manager, Nicola Foster.
Member of Management Committee - District Councillor, David Pidduck.

Oral History Group - Joe Wardman, Graham Robinson, Alan Postlethwaite.

Will Taylor Commendation

Congratulations to Will Taylor after he recently received a certificate of merit from Cumbria Constabulary's Acting Superintendent Ali Dufty. Well done Will, thouroughly deserved.

For more information please visit here

Nature reclaims the North plot banking

The North plot banking shortly after it was constructed.



The North plot banking as it is now. Nature has reclaimed the banking, transforming the area into an excellent wildlife haven.



Isn"t nature wonderful.

For additional pictures, please visit our Flikr photo gallery here

North plot environmental improvements

The North plot is owned by Barrow Borough Council who recently granted us a lease and permission to make environmental improvements to a section of it. This is the land between Marsh Street and the railway line, to the North of Greengate Street Bridge. On our behalf Barrow Borough Council applied to West Lakes Renaissance for the funding to provide for the environmental improvement work.

We have removed a large amount of rubbish and debris cause by fly tipping and have introduced a hard surface which will open up the opportunities for the potential development of the railway arches. At the same time we have instaled several large raised planters and created a banking along the boundary with the ralway line. The banking has been planted with small trees and shrubs such as Ash, Silver Birch, Hazel, Willow and Hawthorn. Although we have not been granted a lease to develop the section of land in the centre we have been allowed to tidy this up. We will be scattering appropriate wild flower seeds in this space, creating a natural wild meadow type area.

John Downie Flourishing

Considered by many to be the best fruiting crab, John Downie is a small deciduous native tree that produces clusters of white/pink flowers in April and May - it is an excellent pollinator for most cooking and eating apples, followed by edible bright red - sometimes with just a touch of orange crab apples suitable for jam/jelly making. For a crab, John Downie apples are rather large - everything is relative and somewhat elongated. The foliage turns shades of red and gold in autumn.

John Downie is upright when young, widening at the base as it ages. Although it grows quite quickly, Malus John Downie never becomes a large tree and its flowers, fruit, autumn foliage and reasonable size combine to make it an excellent specimen or ornamental tree for the smaller garden.

Like most crab apples, John Downie grows to between 6 and 8m and tolerates any reasonably drained soil but it flowers and fruits best in a sunny position.

188 Marsh Street update

Notice, under Section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, has been given for the stopping up of a 4.5 metre section of highway behind 188 Marsh Street.
The stopping up order will enable the development of the main pedestrian access route onto the Green Heart Den, in accordance with the planning permission given to the Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC by Barrow Borough Council on 8 April 2009, under reference B18/2009/0177/BJ/TP.11

Once the order has been granted we will be able to provide for the removal of 188 Marsh Street and associated works. This includes; making good the gable, closing off a section of the back lane to the rear of 188 Marsh Street with fencing/gates, and the formation of a new gated pedestrian entrance to the Green Heart Den from Marsh Street. As detailed below.

Policies and procedures

Since forming the Marsh Street Arches and Garden Community Interest Company we have worked in partnership with Cumbria CVS in developing and adopting various policies and procedures. To view some of our policies, please click on the appropriate links below.

Data Protection Policy
Child Protection Policy
Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy
Health and Safety Policy
Environmental Policy

Volunteer Policy
Volunteer Agreement
Volunteer Application Form
Volunteer Assessment
Volunteer Exit Procedure
Template Volunteer Role Description
Draft Volunteer Expenses Claim Form
Problem Solving Procedure
Disciplinary Procedure
Confidentiality Declaration
Volunteer Induction Checklist
Volunteer Induction Checklist Reference
Template Volunteer Role Description

Performance Management Guide

Risk Assessment + Guide

In spite of a less than perfect weather forecast the open sessions continue to prove to be successful, with visitors enjoying the opportunity to spend time on the Green Heart Den and meet members of our committee. The latest session may have also helped to identify a potential volunteer from the local community. Comments received from visitors earlier today include:

"I found it a pleasant surprise amid the brick and concrete environment"
"I would recommend a visit to friends and family"
"It is an inspirantional idea and is begining to change things for the better in the area"
"It is a flagship for Barrow"
"Enjoyed learning about the history"
"Brilliant, inspiring"

The next open session will take place between noon and 4pm, Wednesday 5 August.

Open session - visitor feedback

During our first open session visitors were kind enough to take a little time and complete a short feedback form and sign our visitors book.
Below are some of the comments we received.
"The garden, plants, play area are all fantastic. I would love to come back for a picnic"
"I think it is a wonderful place, will come back as much as possible. Love the sound of the future plans. A peaceful, enjoyable place for all ages"
"The herbs and plants are beautifully presented. Fantastic!"
"Lets have more of these places"
"Nice people. Its a wonderful place"
"Lovely, wonderful for Barrow, very impressed"
"Brilliant place to spend an afternoon"
"Fantastic - Kids love it"
"An amazing transformation of waste land to an excellent community facility"

An added befefit of the open session has been that we were able to help some visitors after they had highlighted concerns they have in their community. Although the concerns were not directly related to the Green Heart Den we could offer advice, supply contact details and signpost them to the apporopriate agencies such as Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood management wardens and/or PCSO"s from our Local Policing Team.

Our first open sesson

Committee volunteer Alan Postlethwaite meeting visitors on the Green Heart Den during our first open session. The next open session will be between noon and 4pm on Wednesday 29 July.

188 Marsh Street Clean Up

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Team Wardens cleaning the back yard of 188 Marsh Street and making a real difference.
This property has remained vacant for decades and has been used regularly for fly tipping.
It is to be removed in the near future to provide for the pedestrian access route onto the Green Heart Den, direct from Marsh Street.
Big thank you to all at the Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Team.
Please visit their blog page here.

Panoramic and Overhead Gallery

Cumbria in Bloom Visit

Volunteer Graham Bromley meeting Cumbria in Bloom judge David Haigh on the Green Heart Den.
David visited the Green Heart Den to learn more about the garden and to assess first hand if it met the criteria for any potential Cumbria in Bloom Award.
If you would like additional information about the Cumbria in Bloom Awards, please visit their website here.

Green Heart Den - Open Sessions

On behalf of the Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC could I take this opportunity and highlight temporary open sessions on the Green Heart Den. These open sessions are planned to take place between noon and 4pm, every Wednesday throughout the school summer holidays, from the 22nd July until the 26th August.

Temporary access to the Green Heart Den for the duration of these sessions is from Ramsden Street into the back street behind Marsh Street walking towards Greengate Street bridge. To view a map detailing the access point into the back street please click here

We recognise that access via the back street is not ideal which is why the sessions are temporary, during the summer holidays. The provision of the open sessions follows a delay in the removal of 188 Marsh Street which will ultimately provide for the pedestrian access route into the Green Heart Den, direct from Marsh Street.

The open sessions are being organised and facilitated by Graham Robinson with assistance from Committee Member Alan Postlethwaite.

The aims of the open sessions are to:

Raise awareness of the Green Heart Den
Allow people the opportunity to visit the garden and enjoy the surroundings.
Offer the opportunity for people to speak to members of our committee.
Help identify potential volunteers.

If you would like further details of the open sessions please contact Graham Robinson on 01229 889694.

Green Heart Den July 2009

Visitors and Helpers

Management Committee Update

Following our AGM, in which we attracted a new Director and new Members to the Marsh Street Arches and Garden Community Interest Company, our Management Committee now consists of:

Company Director - Architiect, Hugh Massey.
Company Director - Accountant, Scott Gomersall.
Company Director - Furness Building Society Genreal Manager, Ian Bell.
Company Director - Local Resident/Newsagent, Joe Wardman.

Member of Company - Local Authority Principal Officer, Val Holden.
Member of Company - Project Manager, Nicola Foster.
Member of Company - District Councillor, David Pidduck.
Member of Company - Local Railway Historian, Alan Postlethwaite.
Member of Company - Volunteer, Graham Robinson.

Company Secretary - Local Resident Volunteer, Graham Bromley.

Green Heart Den Flora And Fauna