Small Copper

A small copper enjoying our scented mayweed on the north plot banking.

The Small Copper is usually seen in ones and twos, but in some years large numbers may be found at good sites. Males are territorial, often choosing a piece of bare ground or a stone on which to bask and await passing females. They behave aggressively towards any passing insects, returning to the same spot when the chase is over.
Though it remains a common and widespread species, the Small Copper declined throughout its range during the twentieth century.
It occurs in a wide variety of habitats: chalk grassland, moorland, heathland, coastal dunes and undercliffs, woodland clearings, and unimproved grassland. This species may be found also in small patches of land such as set-aside fields, roadside verges, railway embankments, allotments, churchyards, and waste ground, even in cities. Warm, dry situations are especially favoured.

Additional information about butterflies can be found on the Butterfly Conservation website here.

Seed Pods

Evergreen iris seed pods have been scattered along the length of the natral wildlife banking we created along the boundary with the railway line on the north plot. It is hope that the seeds will attract the interest of birds.

Our Primroses

Our painted lady mix primroses basking in the late autumn sun.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars enjoying our winter cabbage in the raised planters on the north plot.

Our Winter Cabbage

Our winter cabbage is flourishing in the raised planters on the north plot.

Junior Wardens Litter Pick

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens conducting a litter pick on the Green Heart Den and in Marsh Street back street as part of their efforts to achieve a John Muir Award. The team also replaced the plants stolen from the raised planters on the north plot before relaxing and having fun on the Green Heart Den. Thank you all, it was very much appreciated.

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

One Of Our Partner Organisations

On of the many organisations that have supported the Green Heart Hen for several years is Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management.

From left to right the team consists of;

Helen Wiggan, High Risk Advocate, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service
Paul Zaccarini, Neighbourhood Warden
Andy High, Senior Neighbourhood Warden
Rebecca Rawlings, Co-ordinator, Barrow Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership
Steve Robson, Neighbourhood Manager
Rebecca Allen, Administrator
Phil Robson, Neighbourhood Warden
Scott Quinn, Neighbourhood Warden
Dan Finalyson, Neighbourhood Warden

Additional information about the team and their efforts in helping to provide a safer, cleaner and stronger neighbourhood can be found can be found here.

Green Estate - Sheffield

Thought this example of regeneration in Sheffield may be of interest.
 
"Green Estate is part of the family of third sector organisations that operate from the Manor and Castle areas in South Sheffield . Our story started in 1998 when our inner city area, like many others, was suffering some of the worst effects of social, economic and environmental poverty. However, although in an appalling state at the time it was clear that this area itself had an exceptional history and heritage plus significant areas of uncared for green spaces. This inspired us up take on the role of stewards to what we called ‘our Green Estate’.
The idea was pretty simple - if the relationship between the land and people were made to work again, just as they would in a country estate, we could bring life back to the green deserts and make the green environment a valued and productive asset"
 
Detailed information can be found here.

Junior Wardens Plants Stolen

Earlier today it was noticed that many of the flowers and shrubs previously planted in the raised beds on the North plot by Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood managements Junior Wardens have been stolen.  These plants will be replaced later today and replanted later in the week, again with the assistance of the Junior Wardens.

Junior Warden John Muir Award Lesson

In spite of horrendous weather Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens took part in another John Muir Award activity on the Green Deart Den. The wardens needed to find answers to questions regarding the history of the John Muir Award that had been placed around the garden. Well done all.

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

Planting Ivy

Earlier this afternoon durning breaks between the heavy showers ivy was planted at intervals along the fencing between the railway line and our wildlife haven. It is hoped that the ivy will eventually soften the look of the fencing.

General Maintenance

As part of our routine garden maintenance tasks, a fine rake is used to loosely break up patches of moss that are growing in some areas on the golden gravel.

Arch D Gate Fabrication Process

Tutor Mike Walsh (far left) and Art and design students from Furness College visiting Gilmour Fabrications Ltd on Park Road to discuss the fabrication process for the gates for arch D with Mark Wallis of Gilmour Fabrications (second right) and our architect Hugh Massey (far right).

Earlier in the year we had met tutor Mike Walsh and the art and design students from Furness College, Julia Geere of the Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership and Nicola Foster from West Lakes Renaissance. They had visited the project as part of their work on the “involving schools and colleges in Barrow's regeneration project", a local project supported by West Lakes Renaissance, North West Development Agency and Barrow Excellence Cluster Partnership.

Following this initial meeting we have worked closely and in partnership with Mike and the art and design students from Furness College, providing a "real life" design brief, asking if they could produce realistic and feasible design options for enhancement to the basic gates.
Once our committee had agreed on the final design by student Heather Stephenson, and following a successful funding application from the Sir John Fisher Foundation we were able to commission Gilmour’s to fabricate and install the gates.

Mike and the art and design students have also been invited back to see the completed gates being installed onsite.

We would like continue working with Mike and the students and among ideas discussed for their future involvement have included; sculptures, artistic features for the garden and visual displays, possibly in one of the railway arches.

Additional pictures of the complete process can be viewed here.

Arbour Update

Our architect, Hugh Massey, meeting contractors on site to discuss the groundworks and the steel manufacture process in preparation for the installation of the arbour feature.

Children and Young Peoples Plan 2010 - 2013

Cumbria Children’s Trust is currently in the process of developing the next 3 year Children and Young People’s Plan and as part of their consultation  have developed an online questionnaire for completion by parents and carers, which can be accessed here.
Additionally they have developed an online questionnaire for completion by young people, aged 11 onwards, which can be accessed here.
Deadline for responses is 30 October 2009.

Share a Smile - Love Barrow

How does the saying go, ‘smile and the world smiles with you’? Well some agencies working in Barrow would like your help to put this to the test.

For further details please visit here.

Wildlife on Barrows Doorstep

If you would like a guide to nature reserves in and around Barrow please vist the Barrow Borough Council website here.

Alternatively, the guide can also be downloaded here.

Enjoying The Sun

A Red Admiral enjoying the sun and the dianthus in our North plot planters. This strong-flying migratory species may be seen throughout Britain and Ireland and in almost any habitat, from sea-shore to town centres and the tops of mountains.

It is a frequent visitor to gardens throughout the British Isles and is one of the most well-known butterflies as a result. This butterfly is unmistakable, with striking red bands contrasting with the velvety-black wings.

In spring, each newly arrived male defends its chosen territory vigorously. These territories are situated initially close to the south coast, then further inland and typically on bushy hillsides, in corners of sheltered gardens, or in sunny clearings in woodland or parkland, and may be held for a week or more if conditions are suitable for flight. Females are usually seen near nettle beds except when nectaring.
Later in the season, any flower-rich habitat is likely to attract the butterfly, including gardens where buddleias, stonecrops, and Michaelmas-daisies are all popular with Red Admirals. They also favour orchards where fruit is rotting on the ground.

Raised Planters

Shrubs and flowers in our raised planters, planted by Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens Team, are flourishing in the autumn sun.

New Dolphin Bin

Our new dolphin bin recently sited near the play area on the Green Heart Den appears happy to be there.

Thank you to the Streetcare team for providing all of our litter bins.

Our bird boxes, made and donated by pupils at Greengate Junior School are beginning to attract the interest of the local bird population, especially the smaller birds such as blue tits..

Arbour Planting Boxes

Continental Landscapes Ltd delivering the planting boxes they have constructed for the arbour feature. The planters will eventually be positioned at the foot of each of the six columns that will make up the arbour and be planted with climbers, possibly hops and vines.

Community Press Central Issue

The Community Press and North West Evening Mail have followed the progress of the Green Heart Den for several years. Their most recent article, which also details the work of Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Wardens, can be found in the Central Issue Community Newspaper on the North West Evening Mail website here. Thank you to Martin and Ian for an excellent story.

   

Green Heart Den Maintenance

We have  finished cutting back the mint and provided ID tags for the various herbs in the raised planters.

Maintenance and Plant Care

Today we have been conducting general maintenance and plant care.
In particular the post and wire fencing has needed to be tightened as it had become loose and started to sag in some areas in and around the Green Heart Den.
The mint in the raised planters has been cut back to promote new growth and bonemeal has been added to the soil where we have planted Rosemary, Hebe and Euonymus.
Holly has also been planted in the remaining section of our raised planters on the Norh plot.

Greengate Junior School Outdoor Science Lesson

Teachers, staff and pupils from Greengate Junior School during a recent outdoor classroom science lesson.



Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens also helped on the day and provided a walking bus to and from the school.

Feedback provided by the pupls can be viewed here.

Junior Wardens John Muir Award Activity

Due to poor weather conditions, the planned John Muir Award activity on the Green Heart Den had to be moved inside.
Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Junior Wardens took the opportunity to learn more about the various wildlife on the Green Heart Den, plan for future activities and complete feedback forms from a previous John Muir Award Activity on the Green Heart Den.

Completed feedback forms can be viewed here.

Additional pictures can be found here.

Regeneration - The voice of tomorrows town

A short film detailing the Youth Re -Action Teams consultation work for the Regeneration of Barrow Project. The video includes a short clip of their return visit to the Green Heart Den.

Additional videos can be found on the Go Furness website here.

Local Area Committee Support

Equipment purchased from Crooklands Garden Centre for an upcoming activity with Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Managements Junior Warden Team.
Funding for the equipment was provided as part of a grant we received from Cumbria County Councils, Local Area Committee for Barrow.

Our Strawberries

Strawberries flourishing in the Green Heart Dens north plot planters. They tasted good too!

Soprano Pipistrelle

One of our soprano pipistrelle bats emerging from a vacant railway arch adjacent to the Green Heart Den.

For information about bats please visit the Bat Conservation Trust here.

Red Admiral Enjoying Our White Chives

Additional pictures of the wildlife on the Green Heart Den can be viewed here.

Raised planters

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens helping to transport and deliver plants for our raised planters.

The plants were provided as part of a grant we recieved earlier in the year from Cumbria County Council, Local Area Committee for Barrow.

Information about Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management can be found here.

Additional pictures can be viewed here.

On site progress meeting

Ed Nelson from Continental Landscapes and our architect Hugh Massey during a meeting to review the construction process.

Pruning Our Buddleja

Pruning off all the dead and faded flowers on our buddleja now that the the main flowering season is over.




This will be of benefit to the plant - not having to produce seeds on the old flowers - and help to encourage new blooms well into the autumn.
Any new blooms willl also be of benefit to late butterflies and bees.
The buddleja will be pruned back harder in early spring next year.

Junior Wardens - John Muir Award Activity

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Junior Wardens Team before planting up our raised beds and sowing wildflowers seeds as part of their work to achieve a John Muir Discovery Level Award.

Similar activities are being organised to take place from now until February 2010.

Additional pictures from the event can be viewed here.

Plants were provided as part of our grant awarded by Cumbria County Council, Local Area Committee for Barrow.

Wildflower seeds were provided from our Our Green Space grant.

Our Green Space is 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. Friends of the Lake District manage the project in partnership with Action with Communities in Cumbria, the project is supported by a wealth of organisations including Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Association of Local Councils, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Council for Voluntary Services.

Information about Our Green Space can be found here.

Our Common Toadflax

Our Common Toadflax as found in our "natural wildlife area" along the boundary with the railway line.

Common toadflax is a spreading plant that forms patches of bright yellow spires throughout the summer in rough grassland, road verges, hedge banks and disturbed ground. It has narrow grey-green leaves arranged in whorls alternating up the stem. The stems terminate in dense clusters of yellow spurred flowers similar in appearance to snapdragons. Common toadflax grows well on loose, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. It can be grown in a lawn, meadow or flower border. Care should be taken when planting into a cultivated border as it can become quite invasive. Just as common bird's foot trefoil is sometimes known as 'bacon and eggs', another name for this species is 'butter and eggs'.

Preparation For a Junior Warden Activity

Various plants, tool and supplies purchased in preparation for an activity with Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Junior Wardens Team. The activity is part of their work to achieve a John Muir Discovery Level Award.

The supplies were provided from a grant we were awarded earlier in the year by Cumbria County Council, Local Area Commiitee for Barrow.

Neighbourhood Wardens Assistance

Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens helping prepare an arch for a visit from teachers, helpers and pupils from Sandside Lodge Special School Ulverston.

Greengate Junior School "Outdoor Classroom"

Greengate Junior School teacher, Miss Faragher helping pupils during their recent outdoor classroom maths lesson on the Green Heart Den.

At the end of the lesson the pupils took time to explore the Green Heart Den, draw pictures and learn a little about the various wildlife on the garden. Thank you to all at Greengate Junior School.

Additional pictures from the outdoor maths lesson can be viewed here.

Thank you also, to Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management wardens who helped by providing a "walking bus" to and from Greengate Junior School.
Information about Central and Hindpool Management Management can be found here.

Hover Fly - Enjoying Our Clover

Although these brightly-coloured insects look like bees or wasps, they are in fact true flies and do not sting.






Hoverflies are excellent examples of Batesian mimicry. They generally mimic bees and wasps – insects that sting and also taste unpleasant, so are avoided by predators. Drone-flies mimic honey bees, Volucella bombylans has several different forms mimicking bumblebees, while others species are very convincing wasp mimics.

There are about 250 different hoverfly species in Britain. You can generally see plenty of adults on flowers throughout spring, summer and autumn. Hoverfly larvae are varied too – some even resemble small slugs. They all have different feeding habits. For example they may eat plants, feed on rotting wood and fungi, attack bulbs or parasitise other insects.

North Plot Banking - Scented Mayweed

A native annual or biennial weed that is locally abundant on sandy or loamy arable soils and waste places throughout England and Wales.

Scented mayweed prefers nitrogenous soils that are poor in lime and will tolerate saline conditions. It is considered to be an indicator of loam. It is a common weed of cereals and other arable crops where it benefits from the control of more competitive weeds.
Scented mayweed is highly attractive to ladybirds that feed on aphids. Its presence also increases the incidence of other beneficial insects. Scented mayweed was brought into cultivation as early as the Neolithic period. The species exhibits a high degree of variability and selected forms are grown commercially. Internationally it is cultivated as a medicinal and industrial crop. A deep blue oil is steam distilled from the flowerheads and used as a substitute for true chamomile. Extracts have been used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries, and for the control of pests.

 For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here

Visit from a Comma

The buddleja on the North plot is attracting various butterflies and bees, including a Comma.

Looking like a tatty Small Tortoiseshell, the Comma is a familar sight through most of England and Wales. This is one of the few species that is bucking the trend by expanding its range considerably. Once confined to the Welsh border counties, especially Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, this species is now found throughout England and Wales and has recently reached Scotland. The butterfly gets its name from the only white marking on its underside, resembling a comma.

When its wings are closed, this butterfly has a most remarkable camouflage that is perfect when it rests on a tree trunk or when it is hibernating. The colouring of the underside, in combination with the jagged outline of the wings, makes the butterfly look as inconspicuous as any withered leaves in the vicinity.

Railway Arch D Gates

Staff from local engineering Company, Gilmour Fabrications Ltd taking final measurements in preparation for the manufacture and installation of the gates on arch D. The enhancements for the gates were designed earlier in the year by Furness College art and design student Heather Stephenson.

North Plot Banking

Nature was given a helping hand while mixing soil improver to some of the barren areas on the banking. Natural wildflowers that were growing in and around our stock of soil improver were transplanted into the banking with the aim of helping to create a diverse natural habitat.

To assist this process further we have also ordered natural wildflower seeds from Landlife Wildflowers who are part of the environmental charity Landlife.

Please visit the Landlife Wildflowers website here.

Information about the Landlife Charity can be found here.

Bird Boxes

The bird boxes, made and donated by Greengate Junior School have been moved a little higher in the hope that this will attract nesting birds.

North Plot Banking

The banking we created on the North plot is rapidly becoming a natural wildlife haven.

For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Greengate Junior School Feedback

Teachers, staff and pupils from Greengate Junior School have offered fantastic support to the project for several years. Recently we received excellent quality feedback from pupils following a classroom visit to the Green Heart Den for an outdoor science lesson.

For additional pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Cumbria in Bloom update

Alan Postlethwaite, Hugh Massey, Graham Bromley and Graham Robinson pictured shortly after the project won two awards during the Cumbria Bloom Awards Ceremony which took place earlier today, at the Graythwaite Manor Hotel in Grange. The awards were:
A Neighbourhood Award - Certificate of Outstanding Achievement and,
The District Special Trophy (Barrow in Furness Trophy) - Award for Achievement in the Borough
Thank you to all who have been invoved with the project and contributed to its continued success, it is very much appreciated. We could not have achieved this without you all.

Thank you also to Cumbria in Bloom for providing what was a most enjoyable event.

For additinal pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here.

Volunteer Coordinator

During our recent Management Committee meeting we identified a temporary Volunteer Coordinator, Graham Robinson.

If you would like information regarding volunteering opportunites within the project Graham can be contacted on:
Tel: 01229 889694
Mob: 07749 656 127
Email: g.robinson@ktdinternet.com

Our new "Gate keeper"

Widespread and common throughout England and Wales, and along the south coast of Ireland. Orange and brown, with black eyespot on forewing tip. Eyespots have two white pupils, not one, as in the Meadow Brown. Gatekeeper is also smaller and more orange with row of tiny white dots on hind underwings.

Arbour update

Continental Landscapes taking final measurements before digging the footings in preparation for the installation of the arbour feature.

Our new visitor

A Speckled Wood. Found throughout Britain and Ireland, it is dark brown with creamy white patches on wings. It prefers habitats such as woodland, gardens and hedgerows.
The Speckled Wood breeds only in woodland habitats, but elsewhere it also uses lanes and tracks between tall hedgerows, parks, gardens, and scrub. It seems to prefer slightly damp areas where there is tall grass and some shade.

Wildlife enjoying the sun

For more pictures please visit our Flickr photo gallery here

Visitor feedback

Following a recent visit by the Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Junior Wardens we asked - what did you most enjoy about the Green Heart Den? Below are some of the comments we received:

"It is interesting, colourful and fun"
"I like the way it has changed and the play area"
"The plants, the wildlife and nature"
"There are different flowers and bushes there"
"It is full of plants"
"The water feature and the nature. But I really like all of it"

After visiting the Green Heart Den with a small group of SERIS children, Sacred Heart Junior School also provided comments in regard to what they most enjoyed about their visit, as detailed below:

"The children were able to walk around, touch the herbs, and play on the equipment"
"You would never know that you were just below busy Greengate Street, it was so quiet"
"The fact that the children are encouraged to look around by themselves in this beautiful environment"
"This was a wonderful time which all of the children loved"
"This was special to us, to be able to take the children just a short distance and have a wonderful time"

Cumbria in Bloom Award Ceremony

Following the recent visit from Cumbria in Bloom representative David Haigh we have received an invitation to the Cumbria in Bloom Awards Ceremony in which we have been nominated in the Neghbourhood Award category.
The event will take place between 12 noon and 4.30pm on Thursday, 3rd September 2009 at The Graythwaite Manor Hotel in Grange.

Information about the Cumbria in Bloom Awards can be found here

Butterflies and bees

Butterflies and bees are flourishing on the Green Heart Den’s buddleja and mint.



Additional pictures can be viewed here

Additional information on UK buterflies can be found here