Help needed in Leeds!

[jackyspratty]

It was all a bit of a rush Judy. There was the launch of Feed Leeds on Thursday. A big conference in the morning and then our group did an orchard plant in Potternewton Park in the afternoon. There was then a tour of community gardens in Chapletown and our group kicked it off. We sort of did it on the tailcoat of the launch really, plus the availabilty of group members etc.
Lucky with the weather tho! Phew! Numbers wise we had 22 turn up on Saturday and about 13 today. Pretty good really, we were pleased. We went from an overgrown sapling ridden area, to discovering a hidden garden....pathways and circular beds in situe already. Wonderful! It was so overgrown and covered over you couldn't see anything there! Totally transformed in two days. We now have a template to work with!
I have to say a special thanks to Big Mal. Came for both days...full days too! Created a compost bay for us, uncovered paths, dug, scraped and was full of good cheer always. Thank you so much! Whether you want to be or not you are now an official memeber of New Shoots! I dont think the children, parents or staff will recognise the area in the morning. They will however recognise the parenst that were involved as we will not be able to walk! All done for free too, thanskyou to everyone who came and got stuck in

We will need to have another couple of days soon ish I think. Probably a cover and mulch day. The area is not accessible to cars etc so it all needs to be wheeled down a 3 toer playground...hard work! We will need manure, compost and wood chippings too. It will be bring a barrow day! ill let you know!

[Hans Mum]

Sent you a PM Donna, but chippings we can help with,,,,,,as much as you can handle we're turning it away at the moment....let me know & i'll give our man a ring.

Glad you got so much done

[Bigmallly]

You're too kind Donna , I really enjoyed it. My hands & back didn't but I did.

[Bigmallly]

chippings we can help with,,,,,,as much as you can handle we're turning it away at the moment....let me know & i'll give our man a ring.

Glad you mentioned that HM as I suggested Donna gets in touch with you regarding chippings,

[Hans Mum]

Glad you mentioned that HM as I suggested Donna gets in touch with you regarding chippings,

great minds

[Bigmallly]

If & when Donna wants manure, I'm gonna call on a favour from Matty..........

[Bigmallly]

A perfect solution for our circular find.........

[Hans Mum]

If & when Donna wants manure, I'm gonna call on a favour from Matty..........

absolutely. he also got a truck full of pallets us from somewhere on coal road if theyre any use to Donna while your calling in favours

[jackyspratty]

Chippings and manure would be great! I have a contact re pallets who works on the motorways and can get them easily. We ran out really quickly! I naively thought 10 would be enough!!!
I know the place on coal road as well!! The allotmenteers network

BUt yes, I will try and arrange another shift a load of manure day....dont think it will be as popular!!
Thanks guys, really appreciate the support. Im meant to be digging another commmunity garden today....so glad iits raining!!

[Feral007]

Wow that's a lot of work done at the school, and all the other things you're doing too Donna!

It is hard to get the parents involved. When the local school started the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Scheme we went down to help, not many parents, and usually the same ones who help with other things.

[jackyspratty]

I think we had about 14 parents Ali, not too bad really. Some are already involved in garden group and PTa etc, some not. We also had a few older ex students which was great too. We are really trying to be a proper community group and open up to peopel outside the parent pool. I think it helps to get a mix of ages and experiences and keeps the group fresh. It can also help make the group more sustinable in the long term, if you have people who have an overall commitment to growing as opposed to just a commitment to the school. Some parents involved had had no growing experience prior to the group, so by hopefully atracting a wider group of people it can help take the pressure off of the few of us that do grow seperately. Overall it was great.
The caretaker was a little snearing today really, as a boggy area had obviously flooded. He laughed saying yyou will never grow anything down there! Nice to be encouraged eh!