Common Lizard basking in the sun

A Common Lizard, also know as a Viviparous Lizard, basking in the natural wildlife banking .

The Common Lizard, is a very useful indicator species of the health of habitats.

There are six native species of reptile in the UK and all receive protection under UK law. Smooth snakes and sand lizards have a highly restricted distribution in the UK and receive full and stringent protection under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended).

Slow worms, common lizards, adders and grass snakes are common in the UK and receive partial legal protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act: it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, trade or sell these species.

A bumble bee enjoying plants in our raised planters.

In the past 70 years two species of bumblebee have become nationally extinct, and others are have dramatically declined. In short, bumblebees are in trouble............

"Bumblebees are key factors in our wildlife. If they disappear many of our plants will not bear fruit" - Sir David Attenborough.

If you would like to find our more about bumblebees and discover how you may be able to help them, please visit the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website here.

Tender review meeting

Later today we are meeting with Groundwork, during which would hope to; review the tenders for the north plot grow your own scheme, appoint a contractor, identify a way forward in terms of deadlines and timescales, and confirm with Groundwork how they will be project managing the construction process.

You can download the grow your own scheme user policy here.

You can view and download the planting scheme here.

Water seepage is becoming worse, Greengate Street bridge structure

Inspite of the excellent work of AMCO Amalgamated Construction in conducting minor repairs to areas of brickwork on Greengate Street bridge structure, as commissioned by Network Rail, the water seeping through Greengate Street bridge structure is visible getting worse, as the pictures below will hopefully demonstrate. These were taken about 4-5 brick courses below the parapet on the south side of the bridge structure, facing the Green Heart Den.

As the water seepage is visibly worse during and following rainfall it is understsood that the water, in all likelihood, is coming from the road surface/road drains on Greengate Street above.

FREE Autumn hog roast event

We would like to invite you to a FREE Autumn "hog roast" event to be held on the Green Heart Den between 2pm - 4pm on Saturday 1st October. The event will include live music from Sidewalk and free food. The Spit Hog roast provided by Hartleys of Dalton will include; jacket potatoes, fried onions, gravy, apple sauce and stuffing, bread rolls, seasonal salad, coleslaw, pasta salad and rice salad. More details to follow.

Our oral history group are also providing a stand detailing their work over the past three years (researching the local heritage), and would be happy to speak with any visitors interested with the history of the site and surrounding area.

Funding to enable the event has been provided by Our Green Space, a Cumbria wide three year partnership project supported by Heritage Lottery Funds "Your Heritage" grant scheme.

Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar

We hope to have correctly identified the Poplar Hawkmoth caterpillar? found on one of our raised planters.

new wall and railings

While awaiting to appoint a contractor and begin construction of the grow your own scheme, we have progressed the installation of the new boundary wall and railings.

The work to fabricate and install the new railings is being conducted by Gilmour Fabrications Ltd. This is being project  Managed by Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC and funding by Our Green Space.
The new wall was provided with funding and technical support from Barrow Borough Council and using bricks as previously donated by Thomas Armstrong Construction

Community grow your own scheme, tender review update

We have confirmed a meeting with Groundwork early next week to review the returned tenders and appoint a contractor for the community grow your own scheme.

Groundwork, on behalf of Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC, are responsible for the delivery of the grow your own scheme in their role as:

• The Accountable Body, Groundwork will be responsible for issues such as fund raising, fund management, submitting funding bids, drawing down funding and paying contractors. They have confirmed funding from various sources such as; Marks and Spencer, WREN, BBC Communities for Health, Cumbria Waste Management Environmental Trust and NHS Cumbria.
• Project Managers, working on behalf of the Marah Street Arches and Garden CIC, Groundworks responsibility will include among other issues; the provision of landscape design services, producing contract documentation, organising the tendering process, overseeing and supervising all work onsite, inspecting progress and ensuring quality of workmanship.

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.

You can view and download a copy of our grow your own scheme user policy here

You can view our grow your own scheme photo gallery on Flickr here

Water seepage is getting worse, Greengate Street Bridge structure

Inspite of the excellent work of AMCO Amalgamated Construction in conducting minor repairs to areas of brickwork on Greengate Street bridge structure, as commissioned by Network Rail, the water seeping through Greengate Street bridge structure is visible getting worse, as the pictures below will hopefully demonstrate. These were taken about 4-5 brick courses below the parapet on the south side of the bridge structure, facing the Green Heart Den.

Lawn care maintenance

New volunteers David and Bryan edging our lawn.

Quote for the week.....

"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise." - Anne Scott-James

Natural England - Opening green doors

Natural Englands publication "Opening Green Doors - Doorstep greens and community green space" describes the Doorstep Greens initiative as a catalyst for other community regeneration and the stories from the communities provide an inspiring model for similar community greenspace schemes.

If you would like more information please visit their website here.

Community orchards - How to guide

Communities and Neighbourhoods publication "Community Orchards, How to guide" is designed to help you by making the most of the space in your local area for this purpose.

For more informtion please visit their webpage here

Community Orchards - Case studies

Community and Neighbourhoods publication "Community orchard, case studies" illustrates the great work that is going on in communities to create and manage community orchards for the benefit of local people.

For more information please visit their webpage here

Potential funding for community green spaces

The Communities and Neighbourhoods publication "potential funding for community green space" sets out sets out the potential funding available to community and voluntary organisations for community green space initiatives. It identifies the different grant schemes open to local groups, green spaces, allotment organisations or trusts, and also where to go to get help when looking for funding. 

For more information please visit their webpage here         

Quote for the week....

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order" - John Burroughs

Cancer research fundraiser

Extended species habitat survey

Ecologist Penny Ward conducting the extended, phase one habitat survey on the north plot.

Bumblebee enjoying the Vipers Bugloss

Bumblebee enjoying the Vipers Bugloss on the north plot banking.

Community grow your own planting scheme

Among the plants on the north plot grow your own planting scheme will include:
Euonymus emerald gold

Syringa Vulgaris Sensation -  Lilac

Viburnum Tinus

You can download details of the planting scheme here

Poplar Hawkmoth caterpillar, we think

A Popular hawkmoth caterpillar among the purple sage in one of our raised planters.

Old Bakery Gardens, open afternoon

Old Bakery Gardens - wildflower banking

The brilliant wildflower banking at the newly developed Old Bakery Gardens site on Buccleuch Street. A partnership between Barrow Borough Council and local residents group TASC.

The slow worms around the Green Heart Den appear to be healthy

Slow-Worms are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to:

• Intentionally kill or injure a Slow-Worm.
• Transport for sale or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange a live of dead Slow-Worm.

The maximum fine on conviction of offences is currently £5000.

Quote for the week....

"You're giving a part of yourself when you grow a plant and give it to somebody else." - Art Scarpa

Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Barrows Wildside Project stories

Cumbria Wildlife Trust as part of Barrow Wildside Project is producing several stories for children about our local wildlife. Below is a story they have produced about the Green Heart Den.

You can view the story by clicking the link to the Cumbria Wildife Trust website here

You can follow Benjamins other excellent adventures on their website here

Grow your own scheme planters

Currently we have a limited number of raised planters available for allocation on the, soon to be developed, north plot grow your own scheme.

For reference, you can view and download the grow your own scheme user policy here.

Although availability is limited,  you can still express your interest in the potential use of a raised planter in writing, by post to:

Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC
c/o CHNMT Office
242/244 Dalton Road
Barrow in Furness
LA14 1PN

or by email to: greenheartden@aol.com

Brathay Trust visit

Members of staff and young people from Brathay Trust vist the Green Heart Den.

The visit formed part of their work on the National Citizens Service

New railings for the north plot wall

The work to fabricate and install the new railings is being conducted by Gilmour Fabrications Ltd. This phase of the grow your own scheme is being Project Managed by Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC and funding by Our Green Space

Growing Well horticulture training opportunity

Installing the new railings

Local Company Gilmour Fabrications Ltd begin installing the new fence panels on the north plot wall.

The work is being Project Managed by Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC and funded by Our Green Space; a Cumbria wide partnership project supported by The hertitage Lottery Funds "Your heritage" grant.

The second Bramleys apple harvest this year

Preparing for the new railings and gates

Local Company Gilmour Fabrications Ltd begin core drilling the new north plot wall in preparation for the installation of our new railings and gates.

This work is being Project Managed by Marsh Street Arches and garden CIC and funded by Our Green Space; a Cumbria wide partnership project supported by The hertitage Lottery Funds "Your heritage" grant.
Funding for the new wall was provided by Barrow Borough Council.

New climbing wires for the arbour

We would like to thank Our Green Space for approving the works associated with the installation of stainless steel overhead wires to the arbour feature.

Local Company Gilmour Fabrications Ltd have been commissioned to conduct the works.

First apple harvest this year

The first apples harvested from our Bramleys seedling this year.

You can find various recipes on the Bramley Apples website here and on  the BBC Food webpages here

National Citizens Service student visit

Furness College tutor Mike walsh and students visiting the Green Heart Den as part of their work on the National Citizens Service.  You can learn more about the National Citizens Service in Cumbria by visiting the Connexions Cumbria website.

Natural England - Wildlife gardening booklets

Natural England have produced various wildlife gardening booklets which can be downloaded from their website here

Growing Well FREE horticulture training course

Please find details of a horticulture training course from Growing Well. The course will be running from early September 2011 and is FREE to those receiving Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.

For course bookings please contact Hazel Sharples or the Growing Well Training Coordinator on 015395 61777

First TransPennine Express and Forestry Commission’s Green Grants

First Transpennine Express and the Forestry Commission have a limited number of grants of up to £2,000 for improvements of woodlands, or creating woodlands.
You need to be near one of their railway stations in Yorkshire, Humber, Cumbria, North East andaround Manchester.

Please click here for more information and for the application form.

Woodland Trust, FREE tree packs

The Woodland Trust has a range of FREE tree packs available to schools, youth groups and communities.

If you would like to learn more please visit their website here

Quote for the week

"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand" - Chinese Proverb