Working through the monsoon.......

Setting up a composting toilet. Can you help???

Can you help? We are looking into options for providing basic toilet facilities at the Green Heart Den by potentially purchasing and installing a composting toilet but have to admit we do not know a great deal about setting up one and maintaining it.

Could I please ask if you could let us know at any time if you come across one that has been installed locally that we could possibly visit or, if you know of anyone who may be able to offer some free advice. Thank you.

Quote for the week........

“To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others.  Kindness can change lives” -  Aung San Suu Kyi

Raised planter allocations

As we approach completion of our new community grow your own scheme we are please to confirm that all 28 raised planters have now been allocated. Among those allocated a planter include; local residents, local Junior Schools and local organisations such as Mind in Furness, CADAS, Croftlands Trust, People First Cumbria, Furness Youth Work Consortium, Jubilee House Opportunities Day Unit,  Age Concern Barrow, Barrow Dads Group and Leonard Cheshire.

Preparing the top surface

Continental Landscapes begin spreading the slate dust. This will eventually be compacted and rolled to provide the final top surface.

Helping to make a difference.......

Back in the undergrowth......

Completing our new raised planters

Continental Landscapes completing the raised planters on our new community grow your own scheme.

Collecting a little pollen

Junior Wardens - Moth Event

During the Junior Wardens Moth event, facilitated by Cumbria Wildlife Trust “Barrows Wildside” Officer Sue Thurley, a moth trap was put out the previous evening in the hope of attracting and collecting moths. The following day the trap was checked to see what, if any, moths were collected. The Junior Wardens also learnt more about the life cycle of moths including, species identification, habitat and nectar rich food sources.

Sacred Heart Junior School presentation

Pupils from Sacred Heart Junior School being presented with a certificate from Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood warden Andy High and garden tools from our project coordinator Graham Bromley. The pupils were presented with the prize after winning the "garden in a container" competition which took part during Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Spring Festival. Picture courtesy of Steve Hillman.

Preparing to plant the fruit trees

Preparing to plant the fruit trees (2 apple, 2 cherry and 2 pear)

Our ox eye dasies

Life in the undergrowth

Filling the raised planters

Steve Reed from Continental Landscapes adding geo - textile membrane to the raised planters before adding new top soil.

Adding slate chippings

Ed Nelson from Continental Landscapes Ltd begins clearing rubble and back filling the area behind the kerb edging with slate chippings.

Apple trees beginning to bear fruit

Community grow your own scheme progress

Continental Landscapes adding top soil to the new banking area, preparing to dig the tree pits for our fruit trees and constructing our new planters.

Plants in the wildlife boundary area enjoying the sun

All on its own......

Looking south.........

View looking south, towards Greengate Street bridge and the arches. Once the tree pits have been dug, the soil in the foreground is to be planted with fruit trees and layed with turf.

National Trust "Your Space" photography competition

The National Trust have launched a new amateur photography competition called Your Space, which focuses on celebrating green spaces and the life of Octavia Hill.

The competition runs from May through to August and entrants are asked to capture what green spaces mean to them. The overall prize for the winner includes a one-to-one day workshop with award winning landscape photographer Charlie Waite.

For more information please visit their website here.

Buglife - Top tips for wildlife gardening

Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust have produced a "top tips" guide for wildlife gardening, including simple practical advice on how to help invertebrates in your garden! Find out out how to get more bees, or how to reduce the impact of slugs on your favourite plants.

For more information, please visit their website here.

Setting out the raised planters

Our strawberries

Strawberries flourishing in our large planting boxes under the arbour.

Today's maintenance activities

David edging the lawn.

Our new turf gets its first cut.

Raking the lawn area

Quote for the week.........

“Never forget that you are one of a kind.  Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place.  And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world.  In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about.  So be that one person." - R.B.Fuller

Isn't nature grand.......

Constructing our new raised planters

After marking out their position on site, Steve Reed from Continental Landscapes begins constructing the new raised planters on our soon to be completed community grow your own scheme.