It's a short and sweetly article about 'Food Waste'...but none the less a good opportunity to get the sustainability message out there folks.
http://nowthenmanchester.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-waste.html
Monday, 17 May 2010
Check us out in the online 'Now Then' Magazine
http://nowthenmanchester.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-waste.html
Sunday 17th May: Themed Workday - Community Area & Fruit Cage
Well we had an amazingly productive day at the plot yesterday. The weather turned out to be really sunny and made for a good day working on several areas of the allotment that needed immediate attention.
The community area is developing slowly into a space that can be used for workshops and events. The ground was levelled, carpeted and then wood chip was put down. This will make a nice surface for the benches that will be made for the area and is a great entrance to the pond area, which is also looking good. Next week we'll be extending the community area so the surrounding paths are also wood chipped.
Digging and Levelling Carpeting Wood Chipping
The pond area taking shape with a new gate and path being laid,
The walk-in Blackcurrant cage was made from scraps of metal and netting and is really sturdy and looks great. The area was also weeded and is starting to take shape ready for summer.
The compost heap had some love and attention and was carefully prepared in sandwich fashion to try, once again, to make hot compost. It was also watered to the consistency of a rung out sponge! We'll see if were doing things right when Rachel and I head down to Valerie's Veggies in Hertfordshire next weekend to do a soil fertility course.
So thanks to all the folks who came down on Sunday, especially our two new volunteers, Matt and Jessica, who were amazing. They got stuck in straight away and can't be faulted for their commitment to getting stuff done...it was a back breaking task. We hope they come back.
The community area is developing slowly into a space that can be used for workshops and events. The ground was levelled, carpeted and then wood chip was put down. This will make a nice surface for the benches that will be made for the area and is a great entrance to the pond area, which is also looking good. Next week we'll be extending the community area so the surrounding paths are also wood chipped.
Digging and Levelling Carpeting Wood Chipping
the ground being levelled and seating being made
The walk-in Blackcurrant cage was made from scraps of metal and netting and is really sturdy and looks great. The area was also weeded and is starting to take shape ready for summer.
The fruit cage being worked on by Nick & Josh
The compost heap had some love and attention and was carefully prepared in sandwich fashion to try, once again, to make hot compost. It was also watered to the consistency of a rung out sponge! We'll see if were doing things right when Rachel and I head down to Valerie's Veggies in Hertfordshire next weekend to do a soil fertility course.
So thanks to all the folks who came down on Sunday, especially our two new volunteers, Matt and Jessica, who were amazing. They got stuck in straight away and can't be faulted for their commitment to getting stuff done...it was a back breaking task. We hope they come back.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Workshops @ The Lost Plot
We are funded by the Manchester Carbon Innovation Fund to work directly with Nell Lane Estate. Primarily workshops are directed at this community group and so a large number of places are reserved. However we always have a small number of places for interested parties who live in the Manchester area so get in touch.
Here are the workshops coming up in the next few months.
May 18th ~ 5:30-8pm ~ Nell Lane Wild Food Hunt with Jesper Launder
Enjoy a relaxed walk and get to know the many wild foods you can eat locally. Taste samples of the delights we find. See poster below.
May 25th ~ 5:30-7pm ~ Grow your Own Group 'An Introduction to Grow your Own'
Join our local Grow your Own Group for the first session in growing at home. This is a simple introduction to growing crops, covering soil type, compost, watering and feeding for example. It will also cover some more advanced aspects of organic gardening such as companion planting. You will be given a starter pack, which you will use in the session to produce a mini allotment. You will be able to take this away with you, along with a bit more confidence and knowledge to do more at home. Those who join the group will be mentored for three months and will be invited for a follow-up discussion session in June and July. See poster below.
June TBD ~ Building Benches from Sustainable Materials
Discussion around sustainable materials and sourcing local materials then a practical workshop in making some benches for our, soon to be, new and improved community social area. Take those practical skills home and make your own. Keep an eye out for more information on this event coming up.
June 27th ~ 1-5pm ~ Summer Party to Celebrate the Year of Biodiversity
Come along to the plot and join us for our summer party. We will be making use of the Cob Oven to cook some food and there will be a few workshops thrown in. Generally this is a good time to celebrate the summer and the abundance of food growing at the allotment...we hope! Keep an eye out for more information on this event coming up.
Here are the workshops coming up in the next few months.
May 18th ~ 5:30-8pm ~ Nell Lane Wild Food Hunt with Jesper Launder
Enjoy a relaxed walk and get to know the many wild foods you can eat locally. Taste samples of the delights we find. See poster below.
May 25th ~ 5:30-7pm ~ Grow your Own Group 'An Introduction to Grow your Own'
Join our local Grow your Own Group for the first session in growing at home. This is a simple introduction to growing crops, covering soil type, compost, watering and feeding for example. It will also cover some more advanced aspects of organic gardening such as companion planting. You will be given a starter pack, which you will use in the session to produce a mini allotment. You will be able to take this away with you, along with a bit more confidence and knowledge to do more at home. Those who join the group will be mentored for three months and will be invited for a follow-up discussion session in June and July. See poster below.
June TBD ~ Building Benches from Sustainable Materials
Discussion around sustainable materials and sourcing local materials then a practical workshop in making some benches for our, soon to be, new and improved community social area. Take those practical skills home and make your own. Keep an eye out for more information on this event coming up.
June 27th ~ 1-5pm ~ Summer Party to Celebrate the Year of Biodiversity
Come along to the plot and join us for our summer party. We will be making use of the Cob Oven to cook some food and there will be a few workshops thrown in. Generally this is a good time to celebrate the summer and the abundance of food growing at the allotment...we hope! Keep an eye out for more information on this event coming up.
Monday, 10 May 2010
Hello All from The Community Engagement Coordinator
Hi Everybody...I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Beth, the Community Engagement Coordinator for The Lost Plot. Just to let you know a bit about what I do...I work and volunteer with The Lost Plot in Chorlton. I am employed to engage with the local estate and people in the Chorlton and surrounding areas. I want to encourage people to grow their own, help empower them to apply for their own allotments and gain knowledge and confidance to have a postive impact on their environement. The Lost Plot will be running workshops, work experience days, 'grow your own' mentoring schemes and community events over the next year so please come and get involved.
As a volunteer on Sundays from 1-5pm I am able to take a hands on approach to growing and improving the allotment space so it is it's own self-sustaining ecosystem. At the moment I am working on improving biodiveristy by encouring the growth of flowers and wildlife encouraging plants. I am developing an edible pond and medicinal and edible herb areas. I am always looking to improve our soil and will be undertaking some training in May so I can then work with the local community to build a better compost system. I am also doing an introductory course in herbal medicine.
I also work for Young People's Support Foundation 2 1/2 days a week. The Young People’s Support Foundation (YPSF) is a Manchester based charity working with young people aged between 16 – 25 who need support with their personal growth and development towards adulthood and independent living. Primarily we support young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and those who are socially isolated and are at risk. Funded by Target Wellbeing, I work on projects that improve physical and mental wellbeing as well as encouraging healthy eating through cooking projects. I have also worked as a Youth Worker, Family Support Worker and Arst Development Worker and try to bring my skills from these jobs into my work at The Lost Plot.
Please keep an eye out for information about what's on at The Lost Plot. Coming soon.
In the mean time you can contact me in person (see below) or on the usual email.
Beth Morgan
Community Coordinator for The Lost Plot
c/o Action for Sustainable Living
Web http://www.afsl.org.uk | Tel 0161 227 0377 | 07771202702
Email beth.morgan@afsl.org.uk
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