A recent visitor enjoying some mealworms

Robins back........

And now the hard work begins.......

Over the following months we will be extremely busy as there is a great deal of work to be delivered. In the main, our immediate priorities include:

i) Providing the main pedestrian access route onto the Green Heart Den.
This in itself is a great deal of work and heavily reliant on confirming puchase of 188 Marsh Street. This is would involve:
1. Network Rail who own the property. We understand that this would be of mutual benefit to them as their property has been; vacant for decades, is derelict, in very poor condition and an eyesore to the local community.
2. Barrow Borough Council who have been working hard to secure purchase of 188 Marsh Street.
Among the various actions needed are:

• Purchase of 188 Marsh Street from Network Rail
• Confirming party wall agreements with Network Rail
• Agreeing and circulating tenders for the demolition works
• Appoint contractors
• Conduct demolition works

In turn, we will need to confirm a design for gates and paved surface, secure quotes for the associated works, agree and appoint contractors to conduct the works. This will provide for the main pedestrian access route onto the Green Heart Den. This part of the work to be provided by funding from Our Green Space.

ii) Development of the north plot community grow your own scheme. This work will include, among other tasks:

• Confirm demolition the north plot/back street boundary wall - demolishing the wall, installing new footings, rebuilding the wall and the provision of a secure gated access
• Agree processes and a way of working with Groundwork
• Confirm funding
• Agree tender document specifications and circulate to potential contractors
• Appoint contractors

iii) Securing formal permission from Network Rail to use arches D, E and F
iv) Securing formal work consents from Network Rail allowing us to provide a secure gated access to arches E and F
v) Increasing our volunteer data base and identifying additional volunteers and helpers.

The latter may be the most crucial as without people we may not be able to deliver many of the above activities. Tasks need people to do them.

North plot boundary wall

We remained concerned with the rapidly deteriorating condition of the north plot/back street boundary wall but are hopeful this issues will be resolved, as agreed, over the next few weeks following recent reassurance that the wall is to be demolished.

It is understood that this work will involve; the wall  being demolished, the provision of new footings and the wall rebuilt.

Various visitor feedback received during 2010

For the purpose of learning and development and for accountablity we regulary collect various information that is used help make judgements about the project and help to identify potential changes and improvements. Below are some of the comments we received from various visitors during 2010.

Following activities with Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens we asked:
In your own words, what did you most enjoy about the Green Heart Den?
• "The planting. Really everything is cool and the climbing frame entertains the little children that come to visit the Green Heart Den"
• "It is very peaceful, most enjoyed the plans and seating area"
• The flowers, no litter, it's fun"
• "The flowers and bees"
• "Everything"
• The different plants, flowers and animals"
• "The peacefulness"
• "Green area, nice and quiet"
• Beautiful, fun and educational"
• "Cool"

Furness Youth Council visit:

Members of the Youth Council were kind enough to complete visitor feedback forms. Among their comments about the Green Heart Den and the arches included:

• "It" so peaceful, I love it"
• "Great place, fascinating story, keep up the good work!
• "Quiet and peaceful, It will be a good place to come back with friends"
• "It was well maintained and a great way to use the space"
• "Looked gorgeous, so quiet"
• "Great place, I will be watching with interest"
• "Fantastic resource for the community"
• "Nice and clean. Lovely, what a great place to come to"

Suggestions in regard to the potential development of the arches included:

• "Cafe, health centre and a games room for when it rains. Could hold small events there"
• "Cafe with cake shop and a tea room maybe"
• "A youth cafe"
• "Art gallery and climbing wall"
• "As a sheltered space, so that the garden and area can be used on rainy days"

Feedback from Family Sessions;

• "We had a nice afternoon and are looking forward to next week. Our cuttings are now in the garden"

Karen Y Hull, Furness Inclusion Worker - Short Breaks, Cumbria Children's Services said of the initial session:

"The event reflects the true spirit of community, partnership working and promotes the innovative opportunities being made available through the Aiming High - Transforming short breaks agenda".

We are hopeful that our activities throughout 2011 will attract similar feedback from those visiting and using our facility.

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management: Inspiring Communities News #42

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management: Inspiring Communities News #42: "Find out what's on and what's happening for young people and their parents/carers ... lots of interesting, fun and FREE events and activities..."

Suggested new way of working

Our project Coordinator Graham Bromley is hoping that the Management Committee will agree to a suggested new way of working. The suggestion being that we form a working/advisory/critical friends type sub group in which we could invite key stakeholders, partner organisations etc to join us, offering additional advice and guideance in helping to progress our core aims and objective and helping us to deliver our core activities - working together and in partnership towards a common goal.

This group could meet during the normal working day on a monthly basis and/or as needed, reporting to the Management Committee say bi monthly. By working in such a way it could also help to:

• increase our capacity
• increase participation and involvement
• build confidence
• generate a greater sense of ownership
• build on our excellent relationship with partner organisations
• prompt fresh thinking
• help each other 

At the same time it could be of mutual benefit as it would offer an opportunity to learn more about what others are doing in the community, raise awareness and help each other by sharing; experiences, resources and best practice.

This approach works particularly well when organisations are busy and have a lot of activities to deliver. We did used to work in a similar until about three years ago and it did prove to be very successful indeed. The main reason we stopped working like this was due to a lull in actvities, a quiet spell, while we were awating funding to begin the project and while we were forming the CIC.

Based on possibly his unique position in being hands on involved with every aspect of the project from its onset; and on a daily basis, it is understood that, if agreed, and we return to this way of working it could offer a realistically way of helping the project achieve its core aims and objectives and deliver its core activities.

North plot community grow your own scheme

Following recent confirmation of a long term lease and additional funding from Barrow Borough Council we will are actively progressing the development of the north plot “community grow your own scheme”; working closely with new partners such as - Groundwork,  Local Health Improvement Team and Mark and Spencer who have also provided funding towards delivery of the scheme.

We believe that, among the main health benefits of such as scheme would include; increased opportunities for physical activity, improved mental health and well being and the increased availability of fresh food. We also hope that by working in partnership with health organisation involved in both the mental health and disability sectors it will help to reduce the stigmatisation and isolation that both those suffering with mental health conditions and those with disabilities can feel.

Dependant on final costs and confirmation of funding streams, it may be that the completed project will need to be delivered as a phased development and in stages.

Below is the initial north plot community grow your own scheme design as produced by Groundwork landscape architect John Nuttall in consultation with our Management Committee.

We would like to thank all of our key stakeholders -  friends, neighbours, partners and funders -  for the quality of their continued support. We could not do this without you.

Central and Hindpool Inspiring Communities: URGENT MESSAGE FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IN FURNESS!!

Central and Hindpool Inspiring Communities: URGENT MESSAGE FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IN FURNESS!!: "Do you think you could make a difference to your local area? Do you believe in the power of Youth Voice? Do you think you can communicate ..."

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management: Neighbourhood News #93

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management: Neighbourhood News #93: "For the latest news about what's on and what's happening please click on the link here.

Meeting members of staff from Croftlands Trust

Following previous discussions our Our Project Coordinator Graham Bromley arranged to meet members of staff from Croftland Trust who were interested to learn more about the north plot community grow your own scheme, the project as a whole and any potential opportunities for the involvement of the Trust and its clients. The Trust supports people who may be suffering from mental health conditions and people who may possibly have learing difficulties, helping them to become more empowered -  by encouraging them to say, become involved in community based activities.

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

They were very intersted in all the various elements of our project as a whole, particularly the north plot community grow your own scheme, and the range and variety of opportunities our project could provide for their involvement.

Our Project Coordinator believes that this initial meeting could lead to a very meaningful relationship with the Trust.

Opportunities within the project - Volunteer Coordinator

In an effort to increase participation and build on the capacity of our organisation we are continually looking to offer opportunities, should you wish, to become a valued volunteer within our project and help to make a real difference in your community. You can choose how you want to become involved and it need not take up too much of your time.

Currently we are looking to appoint a Volunteer Coordinator. If you would like to learn more about this oportunity, a copy of the role description can be viewed and/or downloaded here.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Lisa Millard at Cumbria CVS in Barrow. Lisa can be contact by:
Email at: lisam@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Tel: 01229 825630

By post to:
Cumbria CVS in Barrow
Lesser Kings Hall
57-59 Hartington Street
Barrow-in-Furness

Favourite picture memories - part 8

Margaret Burrow (Barrow and District Disability Association) and members of the local Soroptiist group help with planting some of the various flowers and shrubs they very kindly donated.

Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens relax and enjoy our facilities after completing their John Muir Award activities.

Pedestrain access route......188 Marsh Street

As it has been a long standing, unresolved issue, we are hopeful that Network Rail will complete the transfer of 188 Marsh Street to Barrow Borough Council as a matter of urgency.

Until this matter is concluded we remain in a position whereby we could potentially lose tens of thousands of pound in funding. Funding which we secured from Our Green Space in 2008 and would, among other elements, provide for the works to construct the main pedestrian access route onto the Green Heart Den. 

Our Green Space project is a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project running from Jan 2008 to Dec 2010 and has now been extended until December 2011. The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s 'Your Heritage' grant scheme.

RSPB big garden bird watch

Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free, really easy, and only takes an hour. You can do your birdwatch wherever you like - at home, in your local park, or do it as part of a group at one of our events near you.

For more informtion please visit the RSPB website here.

Feeding our feathered visitors

A guide to feeding birds can be found on the BBC Nature webpage here

Our lawn area appears to be surviving the winter weather

Previous treatments to the lawn in preperation for the winter period look to have worked asthe lawn appears to be in very good condition considering the recent extreme weather conditions.

General maintenance

General maintenance and repairs to the post and wire fencing.

Policy and procedure update

Since forming the Marsh Street Arches and Garden Community Interest Company we have used resources such as Volunteering England and worked in partnership with Cumbria CVS in Barrow,developing various policies and procedures. To view various adopted 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

Performance Management Guide

External Risk Assessment + Guide

As with our strategic, management and business plans the above documents are reviewed and amended where appropriate on an annual basis.

North Plot wall concerns....Thank you

We would like to thank all at the Town Hall for their quick response in regard to our most recent concerns in regard to the visibly deteriorating condition of the North Plot/Marsh Street back street boundary wall. In particular we would like to thank Val, Brian and Kevan -  your action was very much appreciated.

Our agreed targets for 2011.........

We would like to wish all our friends, neighbours, partners and funders a very happy and healthy New Year. Thank you for your support throughout 2010, you have helped to make it a fantastic year for us. We are looking forward to working together and in partnership with you all again next year in what we believe will be a very busy, interesting, exciting and fun 2011.

Following details in our recently adopted Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015 our Management Committee have agreed that, among others, our main targets for 2011 include:

• Securing permission from Network Rail to use arches D, E and F
• Confirming work consents from Network Rail, allowing us to provide a secure gated access to arches E and F
• Providing the main pedestrian access route onto the Green Heart Den (heavily reliant on the purchase of 188 Marsh Street - by Barrow Borough Council from Network Rail)
• Increasing the capacity of our Management Committee
• Working to increase our volunteer data base
• Employment of a Project Manager
• Developing income streams
• Development of the north plot community grow your own scheme

Below is the initial north plot community grow your own scheme design as produced by Groundwork landscape architect John Nuttall in consultation with our Management Committee.

Now the hard work begins......................

North Plot boundary wall concerns......

The visibly deteriorting condition of the bondary wall between the north and Marsh Street back street. This wall has been rapidly deteriorating for several years and we continue to be concerned for the structural integrity of the wall and potential risks to public safety. 

Green Heart Den attendances - 2010

We have collated the final total of attendances for 2010. 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: 71
Aged 8-11: 580
Aged 11-16: 90
Aged 16-18: 276
Adult/resident: 650
Agency/Organisation: 235
Total attendances for 2010.......... 1830

A complete breakdown of these totals can be downloaded here.

One of our robins.....

Please visit our recently updated Flickr photosets here.

A little bit of sun....

Feeding our visitors.......

For information about feeding birds in winter, please visit the RSPB website here. 

Happy Christmas.......

We would like to wish all of our friends, neighbours, partners and funders all the very best for Christmas.

Thank you for your consistant support throughout the year, we look forward to working with you all again in the New Year.

Our Green Space - Local educational case study

Recently Our Green Space (OGS) commissioned Amanda McCleary to gather information and capture the educational aspects of the Our Green Space Project, documenting the best case examples from each of the five communities that contribute to the Our Green Space project:

• Asby

• Barrow in Furness (Green Heart Den)

• Burgh by-Sands

• Newbeggin

• Wasdale

For the educational case study for the Green Heart Den Amanda was impressed with, and chose to include details of our work with - Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens, Furness College and our use of multi media.

A copy of the OGS Local Educational Case Studies as produced by Amanda can be downloaded here.

A very generous donation from Thomas Armstrong Construction Ltd

Our Project Coordinator Graham Bromley accepting the extremely generous donation of several pallets of new bricks from Thomas Armstrong Construction Ltd site manager Paul Dixon.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul and all at Thomas Armstrong Construction Ltd. The donation will make a real difference and contribute towards works assocaited with providing a new boundary wall.

Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015

After considering the Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015 as developed and produced in partnership with Mike Brockbank of VCF Solutions our Management Committee have now agreed and adopted the plan.

The strategy is based on:

• Recommendations identified in a previous strategic review
• Contributions from our Management Committee membership during previous strategic plannning workshops facilitated by Mike Brockbank
• Previously identified action plans agreed by our Management Committee
• Recommendations included in a Development Trust Association health check
• Existing policies, procedures and plans
• Our aims and objectives

We would like to thank Mike Brockbank of VCF Solutions for his excellent work, in partnership with our Project Coordinator, in helping to develop and produce the final draft strategic plan for consideration. 

We would also like to thank Our Green Space who prided the funding to enable our work with VCF Solutions.

Marks&Spencer - Green Living Spaces grant success

Marks Spencer today marks the start of the third year of its successful partnership with the environmental charity Groundwork by supporting and confirming a substantial grant towards the development of our north plot community grow you own scheme.

The Greener Living Spaces initiative is funded by the profit from the 5p* M&S charges for food carrier bags. Marks & Spencer has been charging 5p* for food carrier bags in all of its UK stores since May 2008 with the aim of encouraging customers to reduce the number of bags they use. Since then the initiative has:
• reduced M&S food carrier bag usage by 81% from 464 million in 2006/07 to 89 million in 2009/10
• raised £3.6m for Groundwork, which has:
o funded 79 ‘Greener Living Spaces’ projects – excluding the 20 new projects announced today.
o engaged over 10,000 people in local project activity, and a further 1,115 M&S employees.
o improved 562,826 m² of redundant or under used land across the UK, and maintained a further 201,808 m², equivalent to 139 and 50 football pitches respectively.

We would like to thank our project partners, including NHS Cumbria, Furness Locality Healh Improvement Team and Groundwork for all of their support, working in partnership to help secure this successful grant for the development of the north plot community grow your own scheme. It is very much appreciated.

We believe that, among the main health benefits of such as scheme would include; increased opportunities for physical activity, improved mental health and well being and the increased availability of fresh food. We also hope that by working in partnership with health organisation involved in both the mental health and disability sectors it will help to reduce the stigmatisation and isolation that both those suffering with mental health conditions and those with disabilities can feel.

It would also provide an additinal resource for the local community and enhance our other adjacent development - the Green Heart Den.

Julian Smith of Groundwork North East said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC and local residents in their ongoing efforts to make productive use of the derelict land on their doorstep. The development of the North Plot as a community food growing initiative is a tremendous opportunity and the ‘Greener Living Spaces’ grant has been the catalyst for the project. We are building on the tremendous success of the adjacent Green Heart Den project, which created an urban oasis in the heart of residential Barrow. This was a model project demonstrating how a local community can bring together and mobilise local partners to take collective action to improve the quality of their lives. We expect this second phase of activity to be just as successful and the opportunity to develop the site to incorporate opportunities for local food production adds a further exciting dimension to the project.”

If you would like more information about the "Greener Living Spaces" intitiative, please visit the Marks and Spencer website here.

You can find out more about Groundwork by visiting their website here

A wintry scene......

Additional pictures can be viewed on our Flickr photo gallery here

Interview for Building Community website

Barrow Borough Council regeneration officer Val Holden is interviewed by Carl Thompson, editor and camera operator for Hub TV.

Carl had returned to discuss our progress, since he last visited and to take some additional footage of the Green Heart Den for the Building Community website.

Building Community, are following our progress over the next 12 months in regard to the asset transfer of the north plot. Their website is an online showcase featuring real-time practice from partnerships comprising councils and communities that are in the process of transferring land or buildings into community asset ownership. The films are made in conjunction with the Asset Transfer Unit which is led and managed by the Development Trust Association.

BDDA - BDDA Christmas Grotto 2010

BDDA- What's on: BDDA Christmas Grotto 2010: "If you’re in need of a good dose of festive cheer, why not visit our annual Christmas Grotto, held at the Centre in School Street, Barrow. 11am to 3pm, Saturday 4th December & Sunday 5th December 2010 ..."

Signal Films, additional filming

Signal Films Project Manager May Davies taking some additional film footage as a follow up to our previous work with the art and design students from Furness College. In particular their work in providing the design for gates to arch D which formed part of the "Involving Schools and Colleges in Barrow Urban Regeneration" project.

Junior Wardens Film

Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens Film, as premiered during the Award ceremony at Forum 28.


The film was produced by Morph Films.

Funding to enable production of the video was provided by Our Green Space - a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project running until December 2011. The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s 'Your Heritage' grant scheme.

Junior Wardens Presentation

Congratulations to Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens on receiving their John Muir Award and ASDAN accreditation during the Film Premiere and Awards Ceremony at Forum 28. Fantastic.

Inspiring......

Greengate Street bridge parapet......

Although the picture may not demonstrate the lean angle fully, our Project Coordinator is growing increasingly concerned with the deteriorating condition of the parapet on Greegate Street bridge. Although the bridge structure between Marsh Street and the railway line is in poor conditiongenerally, the parapet above the railway line appears to be leaning outwards.

"Can you see me"..........

Our snow.........awaking the inner child

To view additional pictures please visit our Flickr galleries here

Community - led spaces....

Community - led spaces is a new publication produced by CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), in collaboration with the ATU (Asset Transfer Unit).

Community-led spaces: a guide for local authorities and community groups is an introduction to the issues involved in transferring ownership and management of public space from local authorities to community groups, based on the learning from a range of case studies across England.

Download and/or order a free copy on the CABE website here

You can visit the Asset Transfer Unit website here

Greengate Bridge - minor works progress

AMCO Rail contractors have been steadily progressing minor works associated with Greengate Street bridge structure.

Central and Hindpool Inspiring Communities: Volunteering works ...

Central and Hindpool Inspiring Communities: Volunteering works ...: "Cumbria CVS (Barrow) latest volunteering workshop takes place on 14 December 2010. Click on the image to enlarge for more information."

AMCO Rail begin minor works

Contractors from AMCO Rail begin minor works associated with the Greengate Street bridge structure.

Minor works to Greengate bridge structure

Tom Clark and contractors from AMCO Rail preparing to conduct the minor works assocaited with previously highlighted concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of the Greengate Street bridge structure. In particular water seepage, condition of the brickwork and vegetation growing in the structure.

Favourite picture memories - part 7

One of our slow worms.

                       .............and "Hiccup" the hedgehog

Policy and procedure update and review

Recently we have been conduction the annual review of current policies and producing additional policies and procedures as needed and as recommended by the Development Trust Association. The final draft policies will be reviewed by Cumbria CVS in Barrow before they are circulated, for consideration, to the Management Committee for adoption during the 8th December meeting.

These policies and procedures include:

• Review and update of our current Environmental Policy - to include a system to manage and monitor our activities. In consideration of and taking into account both EMAS the Eco-management and audit scheme and ISO 14001 the International Organisation for Standardisation scheme Disciplinary Procedure - based on the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) model
• Support worker policy - as developed in collaboration with Cumbria CVS in Barrow
• Performance Management -  with reference to National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Personnel, Employment Advice and Conciliation Service

Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015

Would like to thank Mike Brockbank of VCF Solutions for his hard with our Project Coordinator in helping to develop and produce a final draft strategic plan.

The strategy, with contribution in part from Development Trust Assocaition Officer Jackie McQueen, is based on:

• Recommendations identified in a previous strategic review
• Contributions from our Management Committee membership during previous strategic plannning workshops
• Previously identified action plans agreed by our Management Committee
• Recommendations included in a Development Trust Association health check
• Existing, adopted policies, procedures and plans
• Our aims and objectives 

The final draft strategic plan 2011 - 2015 was circulated to our Management Committee on 15th November to allow time for the Committee to consider the document before it is presented as an agenda item for adoption at our 8th December meeting.
 
Funding to enable our work with VCF Solutions was provided from Our Green Space.
 

Some of our Holly berries.......

A little autumn colour......

One of our little blue birds.....

..............enjoying the coconut bird feeder.

Favourite picture memories - part 6

Various wildlife pictures can be viewed on our Flickr gallery here.