Signs of summer......

Warming up nicely, a set on Flickr.

Compost toilet installation

We are very pleased to confirm that we are now in a position to progress the purchase and installation of a Natsol compost toilet.

More details to follow..................

A busy afternoon for Croftlands Trust

Wildlife habitat management workshop with Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Valued volunteers Alex and David during today's wildlife management workshop session with Cumbria Wildlife Trust officer Sue Thurley. The workshop session included; planning and preparing for the management of our wildlife banking areas, thinning out trees, removing evasive grasses and re-potting greater knapweed seedlings which will, along with a variety of other wild flowers, shortly be planted into the banking areas.

Hedgehog Awareness Week 5th - 11th May 2013.

Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 5th - 11th May 2013. It is organised by the British HedgehogPreservation Society and takes place every year.  It aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them.

This year efforts are focussed on gardeners – there is so much that gardeners can do to help the hedgehog, very simple things like:

Ensuring there is access into the garden (all that is needed is 5” square gap).

Checking areas before strimming or mowing.

Moving piles of rubbish to a new site before burning it.

Ensuring netting is kept at a safe height.

Checking compost heaps before digging the fork in.

Stopping or reducing the amount of pesticides and poisons used.

Covering drains or deep holes.

Ensuring there is an easy route out of ponds and pools.

Win a wildflower haven for your community

"Have you got a patch of unloved overgrown land in your local area? Want to transform it into a haven for bees, butterflies and your local community?

We're giving seven areas the chance to win a facelift and be planted with pollinator-friendly flowers, to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.*

If you know or are from a school, community centre, friends of a local park, or any other form of community interest group who have a patch of land that is used by the local community and needs some help, why not nominate today!"

You can nominate a piece of land on The co operative Plan Bee campaign website here.

* The competition is being run by The Co-operative’s Plan Bee and Plantlife, the national charity dedicated to saving wild flowers.

FREE gardening workshop - Edible flowers, what you can grow and eat

FREE gardening workshops ... Saturday 18 May, 10-12 noon OR 1-3 pm.

'Edible flowers - what to grow and eat'. 

Places limited, book now at neighbourhoodmgt@barrowbc.gov.uk or ring 01229 876546.

Cadas preparing their raised planter

A most enjoyable visit from Sacred Heart Primary School

A colourful entrance

Pollinating our plants today were.......

Among todays activities with valued volunteers Alex and David

Planting out nasturtiums and instruction on the correct/safe use of our new cordless grass strimmer safely.

Our new grass strimmer

Our new cordless grass strimmer, as provided from a sustainability grant we received from Mark and Spencer and Groundworks Greener Living Spaces.

CADAS - FREE self esteem workshop

Free workshop for anyone who is looking for an opportunity to build their self-esteem for wanting to enter employment or taking small steps to gain confidence within their community. Call CADAS on 01229 811111 to book a place!

Thinning out vegetables in a raised planter

A warm and sunny day on the banking area

FREE gardening and wildlife workshop sessions

FREE “Wildlife gardening” workshop – find out how you can make your garden more wildlife friendly. Thurs 11 July, 10-12 noon

FREE “Food for Free” workshop - how to identify edible wild food plants and try some out for yourself. Thurs 11 July 1.30-3.30 pm.

FREE “Edible flowers” workshop - what to grow and eat. Saturday 18 May, 10-12 noon OR 1-3 pm.

All workshop sessions held at the Green Heart Den.

You can book your place now at neighbourhoodmgt@barrowbc.gov.uk or ring 01229 876546.