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Spring is springing all around! The daffodils are out in full force, the catkins are dancing in the wind and the birds are busily carrying materials to build their cosy nests.
We had a busy start to the year, and the first few months have whistled past us. We've been busy with our four Outdoors Active and Well adult groups at Hyde Park Allotment, Cross Green, Armley Mills and Bedford Fields Community Forest Garden. We've been transforming the outdoor areas of a number of Primary Schools - Iveson, Blenheim, Richmond Hill and running kids sessions on the Rosebank Millenium Green and the Killingbeck estate.
You can see full details of what we got up to in 2016 in our Annual Review
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Like us on Facebook to receive weekly posts about what we're up to and where we've been. |
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We need YOUR VOTE to win £32,000:
Cross Green - Growing Together is going to be on the telly!
Tuesday 21st March 6pm on ITV Calender News.
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We need your help! Please vote for us and encourage others to vote for us too! You can vote for the project here and get involved with our social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter
We also got some amazing news last week that we have been successful with a funding bid to Veolia Trust to help us put a building on site! We will be converting an old shipping container into a kitchen and WC and then doing a 'self build' timber frame multi purpose community room on the side of it. Exciting times!
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Walter Lewis, one of our amazing volunteers at the Cross Green project has just published an incredible book documenting people across the UK returning to the land. There is an exhibition of his beautiful photos at Dean Clough Mills in Halifax until 23rd April, or you can buy a copy of this inspiring book.
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Training:
We've been running some training for teachers in partnership with the Yorkshire Agricultural Centre in Harrogate, get in touch if you'd like to know more about training events.
How to plan, install and use a Mud Kitchen at your site The objectives of the day will be to introduce the concept of Mud Kitchens, the theories behind their use and to provide ideas for how they can be used.
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Volunteer with us!
We have opportunities to gain experience working with a range of people through our community projects, learn skills such as mosaic, joinery, gardening and community consultation. Improve your confidence, meet new people and help your local community.
Currently we're looking for:
- Management Committee members
- Use your skills to help the strategic side of HPS, behind the scenes
- Team meet 2nd Tue every other month 5:30-7pm
- Looking for individuals ideally with experience of accounts and finances, charity and 3rd sector law, or HR (recruitment, policy, supervision) however get in touch if you are keen to join even if you do not have these skills!
- Adult support Volunteers
- Gain experience and skills supporting adults with additional needs in our community groups.
- Many of our volunteers are new to volunteering, have fears about failing, social anxieties or not fitting in; we're looking for people who are caring, calm and encouraging to help support these individuals during the weekly sessions.
Contact Behla our volunteer coordinator to find out more.
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One of our project workers Luke Tilley has recently produced an amazing publication through funding from NHS North Leeds CCG and with help from Growing Health- Sustain all about 'Preserving the Harvest'.
It covers a series of sessions over the past 12 months with a community group based in Killingbeck. The publication covers the project from head to toe, as an evaluation and guide to others planning community-based preserving workshops.
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Staff Profile: Julia Say
Julia is our newest Project Worker, running the Rosebank Rangers and kids sessions at Killingbeck (after previously volunteering on them).
She has worked for environmental law not-for-profit organisations in both the UK and Canada - and recently worked for a local community venue. Having been inspired by Vancouver's community gardens, Julia hopes to bring a sprinkle of joy through the magic connections made when gardening, and simply being outdoors.
As well as having a young family, she is a keen stitcher and mender, volunteering for Stitch Up, grows stuff on her allotment and with her local school gardening club, loves the odd live gig and runs whenever possible, especially in the hills!
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Spring Activities
Spring is the perfect time to swap your seeds, Leeds Permaculture Network Socials are hosting one on the 5th April 6:30-9pm at the Quaker Meeting House.
So have a root around in your shed/draw/box and come to swap your unwanted seeds!
Find out more here
Get growing!
If you're unsure what to grow when, the RHS have a handy Veg Planner that you can print off and stick to your wall.
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Featured Friend:
LEDA
Leeds Environmental Design Associates
'A team of designers dedicated to creating great sustainable buildings that respect the environment and are a joy to use.'
LEDA have a range of architectural services and work closely with our building service engineering colleagues. LEDA work on projects from small to large, extensions and refurbishments, residential, community and commercial.
They've created spaces such as Skelton Grange, Burmantofs Community Nursery and Norton College.
They are working with one of our groups at Cross Green to retrofit a container into a multipurpose room, kitchen and accessible toilet. We've just secured the funding so watch our for Cross Green's Community Cafe in the coming months!
Check out their website to find out more.
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