Roots - Spring 2013

ROOTS Supporter Magazine

Spring-Summer 2013 I Reclaiming green places since 1959

IN THIS ISSUE… Exclusive 2013 pull-out events & activities guide BBC Gardeners’ World TCV Walkabout 2013 Volunteering & wellbeing Green Gyms in the news The Conservation Ball News from our Green Hubs

Join in, feel good this spring

Reclaiming green places since 1959

www.tcv.org.uk

How you can support us The Conservation Volunteers receive no core funding from the government to carry out our work supporting people and places. We rely entirely upon the generous help of our volunteers and supporters. Please help us continue to transform lives, communities and places everywhere.

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Donate – Either as a one-off or a regular donation, your gift will help our volunteers transform lives and places. www.tcv.org.uk/donate

Text giving – To donate £3 by SMS, text TCV to 70444 So simple, see the back page for details and the QR code for smartphones Shop – From seeds, plants and gardening tools to books and outdoor furniture, we have everything you need to transform your green place and it all goes towards improving lives of communities and people. www.tcv.org.uk/shop Recycle – We can help you dispose of your unwanted mobile phones, printer cartridges and even cars! We’ll reclaim the money to help continue our work.

Call us on 01302 388 883 Holidays – We have an inspirational array of conservation holidays, in the UK and worldwide that will broaden your horizons and give you memories to treasure. www.tcv.org.uk/shop Fundraise – Get your local community together and we'll help you every step of the way to get involved, have fun and raise funds for us.

E-mail supportus@tcv.org.uk Volunteer – Give the most valuable gift of all – your time. Join our volunteers and be the difference to your local area, helping others and having a great time! www.tcv.org.uk/volunteer

Find us on

2 Join in, feel good

Inside this issue 2.......... Ways to support us 4.......... The Conservation Volunteers at BBC Gardeners’ World Birmingham 4-5...... Successful partnership with Intu Properties plc 6-8...... Good news stories 9-12..... Events calendar

Green Shoots

13-16... News from your area

As we dig ourselves out from one of the harshest winters in memory, our thoughts turn to our gardens, allotments and green places, which have suffered bitterly in the big freeze. But we should also remember how bleak this winter has been for people and communities and why we need to do even more to support them this year.

17-19... Competitions and more!

In our new extended issue of Roots, we aim to celebrate more of the incredible work our volunteers do at ground level.

I'm repeatedly humbled by the stories of dedication and care embodied in The Conservation Volunteers’ supporters and with lots of exciting new events in store, we're determined to do more to transform more lives, communities and places. I hope you will continue to support us throughout 2013. Have a brilliant spring!

Cover: The willow weavers of Markfield Park, London. See p.14

As a charity, we rely on our supporters. Every gift, no matter how large or small enables us to continue our vital work

Julie Hopes CEO, The Conservation Volunteers

Th a n k

you!

www.tcv.org.uk 3

Join us at BBC Gardeners’ World!

The Conservation Volunteers will present a live purposebuilt show garden at BBC Gardener’s World this June. Our Show Garden, funded by the Mondelēz International Foundation, is part of the Health for Life programme in Birmingham – a partnership which promotes fun activities that engage people in growing food, physical activity, healthy eating and cookery.

The garden will showcase growing opportunities and how gardening promotes health and wellbeing.

As a legacy, the garden will be re-assembled at a new community allotment site in south Birmingham.

This is a fantastic opportunity to see our work first hand and with giveaways, live workshops, The Conservation Volunteers’ shop and activities for all, it’s not to be missed. It’s all very exciting, so come along and support us on 11-16 June!

win free tickets!

Send us a photo of yourself with your copy of Roots – the best entry will win two tickets to the BBC Gardeners’ World featuring RHS Flower Show Birmingham at Birmingham NEC. E-mail greatstories@tcv.org.uk with your name, photo and contact details and we’ll announce the winner (and photo) in the next issue of Roots!

garden design: debra nixon illustration: katie dixon/stiff associates

4 Join in, feel good

A growing partnership: Green Gym Everyone knows that we should try to be healthier and fitter and we are increasingly aware of the importance of our natural resources and environment – a Green Gym ticks all the boxes! The Conservation Volunteers Green Gym® is a scheme which inspires you to improve both your health and the environment at the same time.

We are proud to be partnered with Intu Properties plc, owners of prime shopping centres throughout the UK. Their ongoing support and commitment to working in the community has ensured that our partnership continues to grow from strength to strength.

Our partnership began in 2008 with Intu supporting the Renfrewshire Green Gym in Scotland. This was expanded in 2010 through the establishment of a Green Gym in Watford and again in 2011 with the development of the Penge Green Gym. This year we are launching two new Green Gyms in Manchester and Bromley. In each location the proximity of one of Intu’s shopping centres allows a mutually beneficial working relationship with local shopping centre staff now regularly involved in Green Gym activity.

Winsford Gardens Green Gym flies the nest!

Three years ago, Winsford Gardens in Penge, London was a neglected green place rife with antisocial behaviour. But in May 2011, The Conservation Volunteers Green Gym in partnership with intu Bromley and the London Borough of Bromley set about regenerating it for the community.

Over 4650 hours and 131 volunteers have been involved in successfully turning the space into a vibrant community and wildlife garden with growing spaces, hedgerows, an orchard, wildflower meadows and a children’s adventure area. Now, in a fantastic development, Winsford Gardens is being reconstituted as an independent community group.

This means their amazing work can continue well into the future.

To celebrate this achievement and proudly hand over management, The Conservation Volunteers will be holding a launch event on Wednesday 1 May 2013. Attendees will join in with wildlife gardening tasks, before refreshments, and a tour of the gardens with volunteers.

Bromley Green Gym goes live!

Following the outstanding success of Penge Green Gym, The Conservation Volunteers in partnership with intu Bromley and the London Borough of Bromley are developing Bromley Green Gym. Launching on Friday 28 June and running weekly Friday sessions from 11am to 2pm thereafter, it will involve local volunteers in restoring College Green & Slip’s medieval heritage as a nursery and country path.

The Green Gym will involve volunteers regenerating this historic local place, whilst learning new skills, getting active and having a great time. Why not join them!

Join in, feel good – get involved!

Find a Green Gym near you at www.tcv.org.uk/greengym

www.tcv.org.uk 5

Netley Green Team takes Green Gyms further!

When The Conservation Volunteer's Southampton Green Gym ceased in January, the volunteers were determined to continue their work. Supported by The Conservation Volunteers, they formed the Netley Green Team. With initial funding from The Chestnut Fund, the group, based at Netley Common, Southampton, are running weekly conservation sessions which include litter picking, fencing, laurel removal and heathland restoration.

Group members have also been on leadership training courses and are looking forward to learning more about conservation and habitat management whilst having a fun and enjoyable time improving their health and local places.

Over the summer months the group will be tackling Himalayan Balsam removal from the catchment of a brook that runs through Eastleigh and Southampton.

Find a Green Gym near you at tcv.org.uk/greengym

6窶カoin in, feel good

Biscuits, camaraderie & volunteering – Mary Hogan’s story When Mary volunteered with The Conservation Volunteers many years ago, she knew almost nothing about conservation, but wanted to care for the small piece of woodland on her London street which had sprouted from a WW2 bomb site.

Alongside the leader, Graham and a number of other volunteers, she cleared bramble, put down woodchip and chatted amidst the bird song. Unsure of her conservation abilities, Mary found Graham and the crew to be helpful and supportive and after tea and biscuits, she was hooked. Mary said:

“Many years on, I’m Trusts & Foundations Manager for The Conservation Volunteers, based at Railway Fields Nature Reserve in London.”

And to think it all started with a cup of tea...

Find a volunteer group near you – join in, and transform your life, community and local places visit www.tcv.org. uk/volunteering

Top 3 reasons to volunteer: 1. Volunteering will change your life 2. Volunteering is inspirational 3. Volunteering gives back to your community

Volunteering – it's what we do!

Our volunteers go to the very heart of everything we do at The Conservation Volunteers. Rain or shine, they are out there on the ground not just making a difference, but being the difference for people and communities all over the UK. Through their hard work, skills and enthusiasm, communities everywhere are inspired to join in and change lives.

We want to pay tribute to the magnificent work they do every day and say a massive heartfelt

thank you to all our volunteers.

Volunteering with The Conservation Volunteers is not only incredibly rewarding, tremendous fun and enormously beneficial to people, communities and places, it has been demonstrated to help alleviate mental distress, so there’s never been a better time to join in. According to the New Economics Foundation, volunteering can increase your life expectancy by 7.5 years!

Send us stories of your first volunteering experience.

Your best day with The Conservation Volunteers – or your worst!

We’d love to hear them!

E: greatstories@tcv.org.uk www.tcv.org.uk 7

Training and Enterprise

Up from the depths

Janice came to TCV Employment & Training Services to access information and advice via our National Careers Service contract. Here’s her inspirational story: Like many, Janice had reached a crossroads in her life. “I was a little nervous when approaching The Conservation Volunteers. I wasn’t sure if they would be able to help someone in my situation.

I am deemed a ‘professional person’ – I have qualifications. However, I had lost my way a little and was stuck in a rut”. TCV arranged a CV workshop for her.

Janice found the TCV advisor friendly, professional and approachable as she explained what she had done and her uncertainty on what to do with her future. The TCV advisor pinpointed Janice’s passion for diving and natural heritage as a possible direction. But for Janice; “it was a dream that someone else achieved”. Nevertheless, TCV provided guidance on the course, options available and more importantly to her as a mature student, funding options. Buoyed up by the support she received, Janice applied to University of Southampton to undertake a full time Masters in Maritime Archaeology, amongst the best of its kind in the world.

“I am to start in September, the start of a new life and new career, one that builds on my knowledge and expertise in the heritage world, but with my passion for diving and the foreshore”.

8 Join in, feel good

Daniel grows on work programme When Daniel came to The Conservation Volunteers’ work programme in May 2012 he was a very shy 21 year old, seeking to develop the skills which would enable him to come across better in interviews and ultimately find a job. His work advisor helped Daniel develop his CV and refereed him for the Feel Good Project ‘Mind’ where he built new relationships with people and customers. Through this scheme he has found his independence, made new friends and has grown in confidence. Daniel’s goals are now to become financially independent and work hard towards a brighter future, and TCV Employment & Training Services will continue to support him in his journey.

2013 Pull-out events calendar Register online at www.tcv.org uk/events or call us: T 01302 388 845 E supportus@tcv.org.uk

for The Conservation Volunteers!

On Saturday 6 July 2013 we will be holding a sponsored walk event in various locations around the UK. The aim of the event is to raise vital funds for The Conservation Volunteers. Bring family and friends, get out in the open and undertake walks between 1km – 11km walk through beautiful green places, and have fun while helping raise money for our projects. Entry is £10 per person and we ask all participants to raise a minimum of £50. All funds raised will help us continue to transform lives, communities and green places across the UK. So join in, feel good and have a fantastic day going Walkabout this July!

Registration is open online from Friday 3 May. Once you receive your fundraising pack simply set up your online giving page and get started!

Invite your friends and family to join you

Take the challenge of a lifetime – register for the The Conservation Volunteers Challenge today! This is The Conservation Volunteers’ most extreme and challenging set of fundraising events, to be held across several locations in the UK this summer.

Ever wanted to skydive out of a plane from 15,000 feet? Well, we’re giving you the chance – on Saturday 22 June 2013 and Sunday 15 September* – and, if you can raise enough sponsorship it’s free too!

Registration: £50 per person, each entrant is expected the raise a minimum of £350. *Flexible dates also available at drop-sites across the UK

On Saturday 7 September, join us for The Wolf Run – Wild Running – a unique combination of three kinds of off-road running: mud runs, trail runs and obstacle runs. The only Wild Run in the UK, it’s a hardcore 10k across raw natural terrain, including open ground, woodland, lakes & thick mud. Registration is £39 per person.

Each entrant is expected the raise a minimum of £225.

Congratulations… …to Sophie Phillips, Duncan Eeles and Dominic Cooper who have raised almost £1,400 so far for by taking part in the Brighton Marathon on Saturday 13 April 2013. It is not to late to help them reach their target of £1500 …donate on their Justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/tcvcheltenham www.tcv.org.uk 9

Pull out and keep

April 2013

May

National Gardening Week, so get those green fingers out! Organise a plant swap with neighbours.

1............

Feeling particularly energetic?

Why not run a marathon!

25........

30........

KEY TO EVENTS Event run by The Conservation Volunteers Organise your own event

July 2013

Aug

6........... Walkabout sponsored walk

Show off your horticultural skills and hold an Open Garden Day.

Other events of interest

Hold your own event Get your Big Green Fundraising Pack

October 2013

Nove

12......... The Conservation Ball, Manchester

19......... The Conservation Ball, London 4-13..... The Conservation Voluneers’ Annual Celebration 2013

TODAY!

For more information on any of the events in the calendar or to register as an event volunteer, contact T 01302 388 845 E supportus@tcv.org.uk W www.tcv.org.uk/events

10 Join in, feel good

January 2014

Febr

Happy New Year!

14.........

1............ Register for our 2014 Challenges

Clear out old stuff or flog unwanted Christmas presents for charity

y 2013

June 2013

. Winsford Gardens Green Gym hand over event, Penge

11-16.... BBC Gardeners’ World featuring RHS Flower Show Birmingham

. Wedding Fayre, Sheffield Shop

22........ Sky Dive Challenge

. Partington Green Gym launches in Manchester near the Trafford Centre

28........ Green Gym launch event, Bromley

Celebrate the arrival of summer by holding a ‘May Queen’ event.

gust 2013 Feeling adventurous? Download our pack and organise an adventure from a nature trail in the local park to walking from Land’s End to John O’ Groats – there is an adventure for everyone!

vember 2013 It’s National Tree Week, so maybe hold a tree treasure hunt in your area?

Hold a themed bonfire night party and take part in our Wild About Britain Quiz whilst keeping warm by the fire

September 2013 7..........Wolf Run Challenge 15......... Sky Dive Challenge

Autumn edition of Roots arrives

Back to school! Hold a ‘Wild Warrior For A Day’ dress down day at school – kids can dress in anything that inspires them in the wild!

December 2013 Shop for presents at www.tcv.org/goodstuff!

Set up an online giving site and get friends and family to donate to us instead of presents.

Send e-cards and ask for donations.

25........ Merry Christmas!

ruary 2014

March 2014

. Show your love for The Conservation Volunteers with a Feel Good gift at www.tcv.org.uk/goodstuff

1............ Still time to register for a Challenge!

Have a Wear-youR -wellies-to-work day and raise money.

21......... Spring’s here! Get ready for the new gardening year at www.tcv.org.uk/shop

www.tcv.org.uk 11

The Conservation Ball is our newest and most high-profile fundraising event. The Manchester Ball will take place on Saturday 12 October at The Monastery, while the London event takes place on Saturday 19 October at The Brewery. In addition to magnificent settings, both glittering nights will feature top live entertainment, a champagne draw, a casino and many other wonderful surprises, so it’s absolutely not to be missed! Book a table now for what will be the most dazzling nights of the year.

We need your help! We urgently need high value auction items for The Conservation Ball.

We are looking for something rare, something unique something unobtainable even? If you have a case of vintage wine, tickets to a prestigious event or concert or indeed a spare Picasso lying about, please donate it to help us make this year’s Conservation Ball a massive success!

To book tickets, get further information or to donate for the auction, please contact Events & Fundraising Manager – Anna Sheppard a.sheppard@tcv.org.uk Tel: 07764 655709

In 2012 the Big Green Weekend was a fantastic success, showcasing The Conservation Volunteers ground breaking work with activities allowing everyone to join in and feel good.

We held over 60 events across the UK and Europe.

There was fun activities for young and old alike aimed at inspiring a new generation of wildlife enthusiasts and conservation volunteers.

Coming Soon!

October 2013 This year we are planning on making our annual celebration bigger and greener than ever. We will also have an awards ceremony like we did last year to celebrate the work of our volunteers. The Annual Celebration will present a whole cavalcade of ways to join in and feel good.

Venue sponsors:

Join us, have a ball!

12 Join in, feel good

Keep an eye ou t for updates, this year’s events are not to be missed.

Pull out and keep section

Northern Ireland news

Getting crafty with the ladies of Ballybeen The Conservation Volunteers have been holding a series of weekly workshop classes at Ballybeen Women’s Centre. The women have taken part in projects ranging from making Christmas wreaths from recycled materials, sowing sweet peas and lavender and creating woollen landscape pictures as gifts. The ladies also constructed two large window boxes (see photo) and filled them with daffodil bulbs which they generously donated to the local preschool. Beryl, a regular group member said; “I really enjoyed the class. I have just got an allotment and everything we have learned will be very useful.”

The enchanted classroom The Coleraine Conservation Action Team has created a wonderful outdoor learning space for the pupils of Carhill Controlled Integrated Primary School near Garvagh in Northern Ireland. It proved to be a real learning experience for the Steps to Work team who joined the regular volunteers and picked up some new wood-working skills as well as enjoying this team challenge. In addition to a path network through woodland adjacent to the school grounds, they’ve created bespoke woodland furniture including science tables, a free standing blackboard/whiteboard and a special wooden teachers’ throne. Now the pupils are just waiting for the weather to improve so that they can plant up the pond and get out there and enjoy it!

Union Locks rise again

For over 200 years, The Lagan Canal was a 27 mile, 27 lock network between Belfast and central Ulster and is the only flight of four rise canal locks in Ireland.

Having previously fallen into disrepair, the Union Locks near Sprucefield had almost disappeared under mud and alder trees. This spring however, The Conservation Volunteers undertook an initial clearance of the Union Locks to remove mud and debris and cut back trees growing in the stonework. Over the next two years the stonework will be restored and the wooden gates will eventually be replaced. It is now planned to restore the whole length of the Lagan Canal over the coming years.

www.tcv.org.uk 13

wales news

england news

Green Dragon at Forest Farm

Willow weavers wow Markfield Park

In recognition of The Conservation Volunteers continued efforts to minimise our environmental impact, The Conservation Volunteers Cymru’s Forest Farm centre has been awarded the ‘Green Dragon’ environmental standard – Level 3. This achievement demonstrates that Forest Farm has achieved a recognised UKAS accredited Environmental Management System (EMS), and are monitoring their activities to ensure they are protecting the environment.

EMS helps the Forest Farm staff understand their true environmental impact and provides a means to reduce it by focusing on areas such as waste production, mileage and electricity usage. One example of The Conservation Volunteers making changes within the workplace this year has been a behavioural change project funded by the Environment Wales Supporting Sustainable Living scheme, which has enabled the Environmental Office Champion to run competitions and challenges amongst the staff and volunteers, focusing on electrical lighting usage.

Director for Wales, Ioan Jenkins said: “Using EMS means that we continually improve our environmental performance, finding new and interesting ways to reduce our carbon footprint”.

14 Join in, feel good

The Conservation Volunteers in Tottenham, London have created a living willow sculpture in Markfield Park and hope it will become a focal point of this popular green place which has been prone to flooding. Volunteers planted live willow rods into the ground, which act like straws to suck up excess water. The local volunteers then used their creative skills to mould and weave the stems into decorative sculptures. Circular shapes were incorporated into the design to represent the moving water of the river and the shape of the pump flywheel, inside the historic Beam Engine sewage works in the park.

Project Manager Angela Baker says; “the volunteers were really enthusiastic to be involved and it’s a really optimistic start to the project.” If you want to join in or find out how else you can support our volunteers visit www.tcv.org.uk/haringey or contact Michael Bury on 020 8348 6005.

Getting a hedge in Trowbridge Conservation Volunteers from Trowbridge, Westbury and Melksham have been working since Christmas to lay over 200 metres of hedge next to the Kennet & Avon Canal at Limpley Stoke near the historic Dundas aqueduct.

The volunteers have been learning this traditional skill from Ben Rawlings, Senior Project Officer for The Conservation Volunteers in Trowbridge.

Locals are delighted that the new hedge has restored views across the valley. Volunteer, Nick Self said,

“It’s been a great opportunity to learn a new skill, I thoroughly enjoyed it” You can join in with The Conservation Volunteers in Trowbridge or find out how else you can support us by visiting www.tcv.org.uk OR contact Ben Rawlings on 07764626884 Twitter @TcvTrowbridge

Chuffed about choughs...

Green Gym Volunteers at Chypraze Farm, Cornwall have been clearing gorse from the cliff-tops to secure a habitat for the chough (pronounced chuff), a native crow species which had been lost to the area for decades. But lately a breeding pair have settled at Lizard point and have raised 32 young. In 2008 the first chicks were born nearby – the first for 150 years!

As part of this project, The Conservation Volunteers are working with locals restoring grasslands around the coastal fringe to create a habitat where the choughs can forage. Volunteers have been preparing the area alongside other conservation organisations to provide the best chance of this fledgling colony surviving.

Jadie Baker, Green Gym leader said

“ This is my favourite work site, the view to Pendeen lighthouse is stunning and the thought of a pasty from the farmer keeps us going!”

Want to do something equally amazing?

Go to www.tcv.org.uk/greengym/find-green-gym and join in! Follow the Choughwatch blog at www.cornishchough.org or join Jadie’s team: T 01209 610610 E cornwall@tcv.org.uk www.tcv.org.uk 15

Scotland news

Celebrating our champions

All our volunteers are heroes but every hub has its champions – people who come out rain or shine, like 23 year old Tony Hughes.

Since volunteering, Tony has been learning conservation skills he never imagined having, working in places he never knew existed, in and around Glasgow. As a result, his confidence, fitness and overall health has been transformed and he’s relishing the challenge of working with people from different backgrounds. Tony said;

“I love learning about new cultures and languages …it makes you feel better and it’s good for your CV …it’s just brilliant!”

Trainees engage

The latest crop of trainees on our highly successful Natural Communities programme are well into their new roles – bringing conservation and communities together. Each paid work placement with our partner organisations allows young people gain valuable environmental qualifications, while reaching out to local communities. Our trainees are working in some wonderful Scottish locations with their host organisations and this exciting project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Follow them at www.tcv.org.uk/naturalcommunities Trainees from two innovative Scottish work programmes celebrated recently, having successfully completed courses aimed at improving prospects and employability.

My Journey and Get Some Credit unearths the latent conservation talents of youth volunteers, boosting skills and confidence while gaining them practical and theoretical qualifications. These inspirational courses prepare trainees for leadership roles within The Conservation Volunteers and positions in the wider environmental sector. The young people will now receive a further year of advice and support to help them achieve their career goals, and of the twenty who completed Get Some Credit, nine have already secured employment – a fantastic result!

Well done and good luck from everyone at The Conservation Volunteers!

16 Join in, feel good

Join in, feel good What are you growing?

ns Tell us about your pla rden ga t, en tm for your allo s thi e ac sp ng wi or gro spring and share your gardening tips!

Comedy veg!

Take a photograph of your amusing fruit/vegetables and send them to us – the best photo gets featured in the next issue of Roots.

(Please, nothing rude!)

Spread the word!

Bee a-mazed! See if you can find a way to help the bees get to their hive

Did you know?

Ladybirds are the most commonly used form of biological pest control because one adult ladybug can eat as many as 50 aphids (tiny soft bodied bugs that eat garden plants) a day!

ks! home coo Calling all summer

nd ur spring a to share yo roduce. p n w ro We’d love ng home-g si u s e y ip a c d and re u recipes to Send us yo featured in have them Roots! g issues of forthcomin

Have a conservation project of your own on the go? Let us know and we’ll feature you in Roots.

E greatstories @tcv.org.uk www.tcv.org.uk 17

lawrence martin

Like us on facebook.com/ theconservationvolunteers, follow our projects and tell everyone about us! Follow us on twitter @tcvtweets – get tweeting this spring!

Springwords Find and mark all the words hidden inside the box. They may be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Test your springtime knowledge and skill. Find the missing word – send us your answer by Friday 28 June to win the Potting Shed Collection as featured on the back page of this issue.

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BEES CHICK EGGS LAMB RAINBOW SUNSHINE

BLOOM DAFFODIL GREEN LIFE CYCLE SEASON TADPOLE

BUD DAISY GRASS PARK SNOWDROP TULIP

BULBS EASTER HATCH RABBIT SPRING

Taking Root(s) Take Roots with you wherever you go this summer! Send us a picture of yourself with a copy of Roots in your favourite green places – we’ll give a prize for the best picture!

18 Join in, feel good

Guess who we bumped into?

We ran into Roots reader and reality TV star Liz Bohler, 27 from Manchester.

Liz is a Project Manager for New Charter Housing Association who recently featured in ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show. Naturally, we took the opportunity to probe Liz about her recent conservation projects.

What have you been up to?

In 2012 I redesigned our staff garden as it was under used and very open to the street.

Using a focus group I used staff ideas to plan for more seclusion, seating and raised beds for vegetables.

What is in store for you next?

New Charter housing association now has a gardening club who meet over spring and summer. We grow herbs, potatoes, onions and garlic which we give to staff to use.

Watch this space!

I may have a few more high profile green fingered secrets up my sleeve which I will tell you about later in the year.

The Conservation Volunteers up and down the country are a true inspiration!

Send all your stories, quiz answers and photos to greatstories@tcv.org.uk or post them to “Roots” at the Sedum House address on the back cover

Come shopping with The Conservation Volunteers

With over 50 years’ conservation work behind us, we have a wealth of experience and knowledge.

So, if you have a specific need, call our customer service team and we will do our very best to help.

Looking to improve your gardening or craft skills?

Check out the range of books we publish, honed

over many years to capture the knowledge and practical skills of our staff and volunteers.

If you're keen to try out those new found skills, learn more and help one of our conservation projects, we have an inspirational range of working holidays – your chance to change the world! From Iceland to Italy, or somewhere

closer to home, we have a conservation holiday perfect for you.

Best of all, everything you purchase – from seeds to holidays – goes towards supporting The Conservation Volunteers and our vital work transforming lives, communities and reclaiming green places everywhere.

C a ll o ur sh o p o n op 01 3 0 k/sh 2 38 u . g r o v.

8 883 or buy online at www.tc

Competition 50 packets of Heritage seed giveaway Five lucky winners will each receive 10 varieties from our new Heritage Seed range. With over 25 different to choose from we have something for everyone – no matter what your taste, we can cover your “5-a-day”!

These quality varieties are some of the oldest in the UK and should provide something a little different both in taste and look. Don’t delay, enter now!

Just send your name, address and phone number to: Heritage Seeds Competition, The Conservation Volunteers, Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB or e-mail your details to supportus@tcv.org.uk

Entries need to be with us by 19 June 2013 to be in with a chance!

CARROT Mr James’ Scarlet In 1824 John Loudon wrote that this variety “..had originated with a gardener named James, of Lambeth Marsh. The scarlet root is about 6ins long & 2-3ins. thick, conical & sharp pointed. The top is green & flat. Grows well in almost any soil & stands bad weather well.”

CULTIVATION: Deep, well-pulverised soil must be selected for this crop, & if it is a fine, sandy fertile loam, handsome roots may be expected. Sow in April in lines 1ft. apart, the seeds being covered with a mere coating of soil. Thin to 6 ins. apart in the first instance, & as soon as the roots are large enough to draw for table, thin to 1 ft. apart.

By this method the table will be supplied with delicate young carrots during summer, and the roots left for winter www.thomasetty.co.uk 01460 298249 EEC Rules & Standards: Standard Seed Packed Year Ending January 2014 will be of the finest quality.

No Average seed count – 1000 seeds Registered Seed Packer: FERA Ref 2807 Average Duration of Germination Power: 4 years

TOMATO

Harbinger

“Very early and

a valuable for grow prolific bearer will be found extremely ing in the open smooth, solid and air. bright red. Alth The fruits are round, ripen early.” ough small they begin to CULTIVATI ON: Sow in pans January (greenho in gentle heat from use) to March prick out into small pots and (for outdoor planting), high. Harden grow on till 3 of of 4 inches do not set out if they are to be planted outs unti greenhouse prod l all danger of frost is past ide and . For uction plant dire border allow ctly into gree ing nhouse in 10 inch pots 15 inches between plants, or grow on . Aver age Content – 20 seeds

www.thomasetty.co. uk: 01460 Registered Seed 298249 EEC Rules & Packer: FERA Standards: Standa Ref No 2807 Average Duratird Seed Packed Year Endin on of Germination g Augus Power 5 years t 2013

www.tcv.org.uk 19

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Tool-up for Spring!

Our potting shed collection is proving really popular with our gardening customers. It contains everything you need to get those seeds sprouting – each piece is made from solid oak so you can be sure this gardening investment will last a lifetime… the perfect gift for anyone – even yourself!

The Conservation Volunteers’ shop sells the tools, plants and seeds we use every day. Our staff and army of volunteers put them to the ultimate test so you know they'll stand up to anything!

Get tooled-up at www.tcv.org.uk/shop or contact our customer service team on 01302 388 883

Find us on

The Conservation Volunteers Sedum House Mallard Way Doncaster DN4 8DB E information@tcv.org.uk T 01302 388 883 www.tcv.org.uk

Thank you for your continued support, we hope you will support us throughout 2013!

Registered Charity in England (261009) and Scotland (SC039302) Registered in England as a limited company No. 976410 Printed on 100% recycled paper