hopeful

Local Greens, our local and ethical community-led veg scheme is still operating, is giving bigger than usual donations to West Norwood Foodbank, and co-ordinating a volunteer delivery operation for those who can't leave their homes. They are well worth supporting for weekly Uk sourced organic veg bags. www.localgreens.org

It's really heartening to see that people do notice the physic garden, and to reassure you Monica and all, herbs are being used by us locals! I'm Natasha, the local gardener who has been working with other Charter East parents, friends and local residents to keep this lovely community asset tended, as the transfer of the site to the school takes place. The information above is correct - we have open sessions once a month on the first Saturday, every month, 10am-12 noon (except when this falls within a school holiday - rearranged dates posted on the noticeboard in the garden). The new NHS Tessa Jowell clinic site next door (almost finished!)is installing new raised beds for the community to have continuous access to a community garden, as the existing physic garden will be within the school site, so cannot allow continuous access to the public. They want to make sure that these new beds will be looked after - so are actively looking for a community group to come forward and commit to this - The Vale Residents association are the most likely group so far. It would be great to be able to transplant some of the lovely herbs and wild flowers to the new beds, once a group has committed to look after them!

Dog Kennel Hill primary School is running a school apple day event on 23rd Feb and I'm trying to source an apple press (and scratter for crushing the fruit if possible) to borrow for the day. If you know of anyone who would lend to the school for the day please get in touch! Donations of local apples are also very welcome - I'm happy to pick them up. Thank you. (The school used to use Jo and Damon's apple press - they were the people who pressed apples outside Franklins, made local cider and have moved to Manchester).

Mother Goose nursery on Greendale is running a summer playscheme in their new wildlife garden space. The cost is ?45 per day and the hours are from 8am-6pm. Telephone 020 7738 7700 or email [email protected]

Mother Goose Nursery Greendale is developing a fantastic new wildlife space on a patch of previously derelict land behind the nursery. The Wildlife Garden already has - a wildlife pond, with a pond dipping platform, - raised beds growing vegetables for lunches, - Mini beast areas, where children can search for small creepy crawlies. - Areas of wildflower meadow & native trees, attracting lots of butterflies & birds - chickens(not exactly native wildlife but good fun!) The garden will be a community space as well as for sessions with the nursery children, and a programme of community events such as Cob Oven building, Lantern making, willow dome making, is being scheduled. There are current opportunities for volunteers who want to learn about environmental education or gardening to help out with gardening and children's sessions. For more information, contact Natasha at [email protected]

Dear Residents of Matham Grove Apologies for not having spoken to all of you before the submission of this application. I did manage to speak to some of the residents who were positive about the idea, and was hoping to have done a more complete survey before the council meeting, but didn't think it would be a problem as it is completely optional to join in or not. I have to say, I've only just found out today that the application was successful. Noone from the council has contacted me and I couldn't make the meeting where they announced the decision. The idea of the project is that anyone on the street who wishes to participate can have a dwarf or semi- dwarf apple tree in a planter in the small area at the front of their house. It would of course be entirely voluntary to opt into the scheme. I am hoping that there can be a community planting day in the winter and that anyone who wishes to can learn about apple tree pruning. Hopefully in years to come, each household wil be able to harvest their own apples. Because the trees will be in front gardens, it will be possible to look after each others trees where necessary. (The main issue will be watering, as the trees will be in planters.) I am a gardener working privately and in local schools and community projects and I also co-manage a commercial orchard in Kent. For those of you who don't already know me, I'm called Natasha, and I live at 3B Matham Grove. Please feel free to ask any further questions, either in person, or on the forum.

Does anyone still have any apples that I could pick up tomorrow morning for the Dog Kennel Hill School apple day? We are going to be pressing apples in the playground after school so we need as many as we can get and stocks are low... I can pick up Friday morning before 12.30pm. Thank you.