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.
 

Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies

Our first siting, this year, of a pair of small tortoiseshell butterflies.

If you would like additional information about butterflies please visit: http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php

and: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/

North Plot Banking

Daffodils, planted by various volunteers, are beginning to flower and add colour to the North plot banking.

North Plot Raised Planters

The raised planters adding a little colour to the North plot. Among those that hepled plant the raised beds last year included; Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements team of Junior Wardens, local volunteers and Members of our Management Committee.

Our Slow Worms

Our slow worms have survided the harsh winter months.

The Slow-worm is a lizard. It looks like a snake in some respects but the fact that it has eyelids, a flat forked tongue and can drop its tail to escape from a predator gives its true identity away. The Slow-worm is probably the most commonly encountered British reptile. It is often found in gardens and is widespread throughout the British Isles. It is naturally absent from Ireland (those found there, in the area of the Burren, are thought to be introduced). It's appearance is always shiny, the males are a greyish brown, the females brown with dark sides and a thin line down the back. Slow-worms give birth to live young in September. The young are very thin, about 4cm long with black bellies and gold or silver backs with a thin black line down the middle.

The Slow-worm can be found in almost any open or semi-open habitat. It likes warmth but instead of basking in the open sun it prefers to hide under a stone, log or piece of discarded rubbish such as a sheet of corrugated iron or plank of wood exposed to the sun. Slow Worms are also keen on compost heaps where they find warmth and plenty of food. They feed on slow moving prey, particularly small slugs.

Reference: The Herpetological Conservation Trust

NOTE:  Slow-worms are protected against killing, injuring and sale under UK legislation:

• Bern Convention 1979: Appendix III
• Wildlife and Countryside Act (as Amended) 1981: Schedule 5
• Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW 2000)

Following an amendment in 1988 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, part of Section 9(1) and all of Section 9(5) apply to the slow-worm’s listing on Schedule 5 of the Act. Consequently, under parts of Section 9(1) slow-worms are protected against intentional killing and injuring, not "taking". Under Section 9(5) it is an offence to offer for sale, transport for sale, advertise for the purpose of trading any live, dead, part, or derivative of, slow-worms. It is an offence to; kill, harm, injure, offer for sale, transport for sale, advertise for the purpose of trading any live, dead, part, or derivative of slow-worm, sell or trade them in any way.

It's Happening

Art work interpretation by Katie Roberts from Barrow 6th Form College.
This work was created as part of the "Involving schools and colleges in Barrow's regeneration" project run by Children's Services funded by Barrow Regeneration.
 

The artwork has received some very positive feedback from various people including:

Project Coordinator Graham Bromley - "I really love this, it is a great piece of artwork. I think we are very fortunate to have so many talented and inspiring young people in Barrow".

Community Division Area Support Manager, Karen Johnson - " This is fantastic and a real credit to our young people. Great work Katie. Looking forward to your next piece.

Community Press Editor, Rosie Hillman - "This is wonderful work, what a great concept."

John Muir Award Presentation

Barrow Mayor, Dorothy Dawes presenting Members of Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens Team with their John Muir Award Certificates at St James School.
The work for the award was conducted on the Green Heart Den. Among the various activities that contributed to the much deserved recognition for the team of Junior Wardens included;

• Litter picks on the Green Heart Den and surrounding area.
• Scattering wildflower seed.
• Leaning about maintaining the garden.
• Outdoor lesson, learning about the history of John Muir
• Making bird feeders from recycled objects.
• Planting up our raised planters.
• Indoor lesson, learning about the wildlife on the Green Heart Den.

Pictures detailing the work of the Junior Wardens are included on our Flickr gallery here 

Funding for the various activities was provided by grants we have recieved from both, Cumbria County Council Local Committee for Barrow and Our Green Space.

Well done all................. Inspiring

If you would like to Be Inspired, please visit Central and Hindpool Inspiring Communities here

Seat Design Progress

Project Coordinator Graham Bromley, Furness College tutor Mike Walsh, Housing Renewal Manager Chris Jones and art and design students for Furness College pictured during an exhibition in the Town Hall.

The exhibition allowed the opportunity to showcase the art and design students excellent work to provide design options for both, a small plot of land for Barrow Borough Council and seating for the Green Heart Den.

This forms part of the students work on the the "Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow's Regeneration" project which is funded by West Lakes Renaissance.

Funding for the seat design and the potential fabrication of the final design is to be provided from the grant we have received from Our Green Space.

Picture provided by Julia Geere from Childrens Services.

..........additional pictures can be viewed on our Flick gallery here.

Daffodils, planted last year by volunteers during our open sessions flourishing and adding colour to the Green Heart Den.

Unique Opportunity For Local Architects

The Green Heart Den are looking to progress the fabrication and installation of lockable metal gates associated with the provision of the main pedestrian access route onto the garden. The first step will be to produce architectural drawing which could then be sent to local fabrication companies during a tender process. We would be interesting in hearing from any local architect who would like to work with us in producing appropriate drawings and offering advice and guidance. Ideally, but not necassarily exclusively, on a voluntary basis (say 4 or 5 hours per month).
A potential added benefit to any architect or Company could be that; as our project is well recognised and regularly promoted locally and in various ways such as our blog page, partner e-bulletins and newsletters and the local media we could possibly help to promote their work and raise awareness of their business.
If you, or anyone that you may know of, are interested in this unique opportunity to help our project and make a difference in the local community please call Project Coordinator, Graham Bromley on 07919 991 989. Thank you.

Litter Bin Keys

..................Would like to thank Glasdon UK for very kindly providing replacement litter bins keys FREE of charge. It was very much appreciated.

Seat Design Progress

Furness College tutor Mike Walsh, art and design student Tom Crooks and Project Coordinator Graham Bromley reviewing the progress of the art and design students work on their options for seating designs. The students had previously been provided with a brief to develop design options for seating which will be manufactured and sited on the Green Heart Den. Also in attendance was Community Press editor Rosie Hillman who is hoping to include and article about our continued partnership work with the College and its students in the next Central Issue community newspaper.

This work part of the students work on the the "Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow's Regeneration" project which is funded by West Lakes Renaissance.

Funding for the seat design and the potential fabrication of the final design is to be provided from the grant we have received from Our Green Space.

For additional pictures please visit our Flickr gallery here.

Our Bird Boxes

Our bid boxes; constructed, donated and sited by pupils from Greengate Junior School with the help of Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Wardens last year, continue to attract the interest of the local bird population. Including blue tits.

Our Water Feature

Although it may not feel like it...........perhaps the sun is getting a little stronger as our solar powered water feature is slowly beginning to work again.

Crocus Flourishing

Some of our crocus, planted last year by members of Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements team of Junior Wardens as part of their work to achieve a John Muir Discovery Level Award.

Inspiring Communities

Inspiring Communities is about creating a community where we all work together to create the best opportunities for our young people.

For more details about Inspring Communities locally please vist their blog page here.

You can also find details of inspiring Communities locally on our blog below of by clicking here.

For more about Inspiring Communities nationally please see http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/neighbourhoodrenewal/inspiringcommunities/

Our Iris

Our Iris, previously planted by volunteers and committee members have survived the winter frosts and are flourishing in the Spring sun.

..........Fantastic.

Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow’s Regeneration

Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow’s Regeneration - Site Visit

Pictured during a recent visit to the Green Heart Den are, left to right: Terry Briody from Furness Academy, Lesley Skelton from St Bernards and Julia Geere from Childrens Services. They had visted the garden to meet with Project Coordinator Graham Bromley and discuss the project as a whole and highlight the potential of teachers, staff and pupils from the schools becoming actively involved with the Involving Schools and Colleges in Regeneration of Barrow Project.

February Snow

..................you can view additional pictures here.

Our Mint

Our mint, beginning to show through in the raised planters.

Our First Ladybird

The first sighting this year of a ladybird on the Green Heart Den. Fanastic.

Crocus Beginning To Flower

One of the crocus, planted last year by members of Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements team of Junior Wardens.

B and Q Bulb Donation Success

Although the free garden bulbs kindly donated by B and Q have now all be been distributed locally, they have proved to be a great success.  Among those that have benefited from the garden bulbs include; local residents Greengate Junior School, Ramsden Infants School, St Georges Primary School, Barrow and District Disability Association, Mill Lane Centre, Ramsey Park, Abbotsvale Community Centre, Four Groves Community Allotment, St Marys School Dalton, Accent residents Association and Vickerstown School.

We would like to thank Martin Roberts and all at B and Q for the very thoughtful and very generous donation and thank Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management, Cumbria CVS in Barrow and the North West Evening Mail for helping to raise awareness of this opportunity for free garden bulbs. It was very much appreciated by all.

Strategic Workshops

Members of our Management Committee pictured during our first Strategic Workshop.

The aims of the workshops, facilitated by Mike Brockbank of VCF Solutions, are to develop and produce an objective based strategic plan.

Funding for the workshops has been provided from the training budget associated with the grant we received from Our Green Space.

Railtrack Restoration

The rail track (above) unearthed during the construction phase of the project has now been cleaned, cut into smaller sections and primed. Thank you to all at Gilmour Fabrications Ltd. 

Funding for the restoration work was provided from Our Green Space, 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.

Green Heart Den Bulb Success

Various bulbs planted last year are beginning to bloom on the Green Heart Den. Among those who helped to plant the bulbs included, local volunteers, pupils from Greengate Junior School and members of Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements team of Junior Wardens.

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

Furness College - Seat Design Update

Project Coordinator Graham Bromley revisiting Furness College art and design department to review the students intitial ideas for seating designs. The students had previously been provided with a brief to develop design options for seating which will be manufactured and sited on the Green Heart Den. This forms part of the students work on the the "Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow's Regeneration" project which is funded by West Lakes Renaissance. Also in attendance were tutor Mike Walsh, Community Press editor Rosie Hillman and Julia Geere.

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

Furness College - Initial Seat Design Ideas

Project Coordinator Graham Bromley reviewing Furness College art and design students intitial ideas for seating designs.  The students had previously been provided with a brief to develop design options for seating which will be manufactured and sited on the Green Heart Den.  This forms part of the students work on the the "Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow's Regeneration" project which is funded by West Lakes Renaissance..

Funding for the seat design is provided from a grant we received from Our Green Space, 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. 
 
For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Inspiring Communities

Young people from fifteen disadvantaged neighbourhoods have started working on local community projects designed to help them raise their ambitions, broaden their horizons, and unlock their talents, Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton announced today.

The projects are part of a £10million Government programme set up to raise the aspirations of 11-14 year olds and their parents across England.

All the Inspiring Communities projects are being led by local communities - schools, colleges, businesses, and third sector - who working together support and help youngsters on the road to success by giving them work and educational experiences. In Barrow the Central and Hindpool project activities aim to:

- increase opportunities for young people’s participation in sport and arts activities

- provide coaching and mentoring training for adults working with young people

- increase opportunities for parents and young people to influence services in the area

- provide away day activities such as trips and outward bound experiences

- develop the existing Junior Warden scheme and improve opportunities for taking part in environmental activity and much more

For more information please visit Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements blog page here.

Green Up

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) has launched “Green Up! Five ways of working with your council on sustainability: a practical guide for community and voluntary groups.” Here is some information from CDF about what you can expect from the guide:

Green Up! is a key resource for community groups who want to work with their council on issues such as sustainability, climate change and the environment, but don’t know where to start. It can also be used for more advanced groups who want to have a clearer idea of what their council is meant to do in terms of sustainability.

It sets out what frameworks councils are currently using, such as Local Area Agreements and Sustainable Community Strategies, and how local groups can link to those, and most importantly, get their own work supported in a financial and non-financial way. The guide also explains all the words and vocabulary commonly used by councils, so local groups can clearly understand ‘council speak’.

Green Up! contains several hands-on examples from groups such as local Transition Towns, civic societies and faith groups. It also has tips from community group members who are successfully working with their council on issues relating to sustainability, climate change, the environment and energy.

Please use this link to find out more and download a free copy of the document from the CDF website.

Green Deart Den Footprint

Probably the result of the way in which ice and snow is melting.......or maybe we have identified that we have a "beast of" the Green Heart Den.

B&Q Garden Bulb Donation

Pictured below are: Martin Roberts from  B & Q providing Project Coordinator Graham Bromley with thousands of garden bulbs very kindly donated by B & Q.

B & Q have donated the various varieties of garden bulbs and would like them to be used for the benefit of the local community. Some we will use on the Green Heart Den and others we will be distributing, for example to, local schools, community groups, similar local projects and residents.

Among the varieties donated include; tulip, crocus, iris, hyacinth, anemone, allium and blue bell.

If you would like more information and/or would like to arrange to collect any of the FREE garen bulbs (not for resale) please contact Project Coordinator Graham Bromley on: 07919 991 989.

Huge thank you to Martin and all at B&G for their very generous donation it was greatly appreciated.

Thank you also to Recycling Officer Peter Buckley who kindly helped to collect and deliver the bulbs to the Green Heart Den.

Winter On The Green Heart Den

Some Of Our Icicles

Feeding Our Wildlife in Winter

The Green Heart Den has spent a most enjoyable but cold afternoon providing food for our local bird population while conducting routine maintenance. We hope our feathered visitors enjoy the meal worms and high protein mixed seeds they were provided with.

If you would like information and advice about feeding birds and other wildlife during the winter months please visit the RSPB website here.

Furness College Seating Design Visit

Furness College tutor Mike Walsh and art and design students form the college visiting the Green Heart Den along with Julia Geere, Enterprise Learning Advisor at Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership. Their return visit forms part of their work on the ‘Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow's Regeneration" programme, which is funded by West Lakes Renaissance.
During the visit the students had the opportunity to discuss the project with Project Coordinator Graham Bromley who also presented the students with a brief to develop options for seating designs. Once agreed the final design will ultimately be fabricated locally and installed on the Green Heart Den. Funding for this work is to be provided by the grant we received from Our Green Space, a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s 'Your Heritage' grant scheme.

Happy New year

The Green Heart Den would like to wish you all of our friends, neighbours, partners and funders a very successful and prosperous New Year. We are looking forward to working in partnership with you all again throughout 2010.

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.

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.

Our First Snow

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

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.

Arch D Gates Before and After - North

Our new gates on arch D, as viewed from the North plot.