It is great to see so many of you now face to face as well as online still.
We have had some very successful socials so far and we now invite you to join us for a Coffee Morning on Wednesday 14th September at 11am at Holders Woods.
September - BOSF Coffee Morning on Wednesday 14th September at 11am
Hosted by the Holders WoodsConservation group
How to find us: What3words location: fruit.winks.photo
From Holders Woods car park, follow the main path, past the long pond on your right, on past where the pavilion used to be, and the pond behind it. Stay on the same path until you reach a clearing, just passed a wooden bridge and small pond on your left.
From bottom of Moor Green Lane, coming in at the Doctor’s entrance: follow the main path straight through, keep going straight, pass the entrance to the Fields on the left, then you will reach a clearing on the left, before the bridge by the small pond
October - BOSF Conference at The Exchange, Centenary Squary
In partnership with the University of Birmingham Saturday 8th October
You can now start booking your place at our BOSF Conference by contacting Sarah oninfo@bosf.org.uk
Please confirm if you have any dietary requirements or special needs
The Conference Programme will be sent out as soon as it has been finalised.
November - BOSF Coffee Morning on Tuesday 8th November at 11am
Hosted by the Friends of Ley Hill Park at Holloway Hall
December - BOSF Christmas Lecture at The Exchange, Centenary Square
In partnership with the University of Birmingham
Wednesday 7th December, evening
We look forward to seeing you soon!
BOSF Team
BOSF Seed Corn Fund
To all BOSF Member Groups.
We hope you all know about our Seed Corn Fund and we would like to remind you that the free help and support is still there for you to use!
Just to remind you, a seed corn fund is when a little bit of money is invested to generate more money.
BOSF, with generous support from Birmingham City Council, want to help out Friends Groups by investing a little bit of money to generate more money for our parks and open spaces volunteers.
We can therefore offer you FREE help to work with Get Grants to help bring in the funding you need.
Last year, with the help of Get Grants, we turned £10K in to over £100K.
This year we have already helped groups to bring in the total of £39,797, which has gone towards:
new picnic benches
playground equipment
new tools
and a variety of park activities!
Friends of Ley Hill Park were one of the successful groups this year:
“It was so easy. I sent get grants a brief outline of the project and approx. costs. Get Grants responded with some helpful clarifications, sent me a completed draft application to amend and away we went. Three months later I had confirmation for £7,700 from Awards for All community fund. I had tried Awards for All myself 2 years ago, it took forever and I failed. Don't hesitate contact Get Grants today for your project.”
So, if you are a BOSF Member and your group needs to bring in funding, we can help out.
It is very easy, so start by clicking here and give us some information about your group and what you need funding for
Then Katie at Get Grants will be in touch to give you all the assist you need!
I you have any questions or need help, then please let us know by contacting Sarah at info@bosf.org.uk
BOSF Team
Online Training with Birmingham Tree People
Join the Birmingham Tree People for online training on How to Survey Trees and report problems to the council.
Since April 2020 the People and Nature Survey (PANS) has been collecting data on the impact of coronavirus restrictions on people's enjoyment, access, and attitude towards nature.
In their latest blog, Dr Tom Marshall, Senior Responsible Officer for the People and Nature Survey, shares what new data can tell us about how our relationship with nature has changed since the pandemic began.
The vote for UK's Favourite Park 2022 is now open! Thank you for nominating in your hundreds and sharing stories of the local parks close to your hearts. A total of 364 parks and green spaces have been nominated right across the UK, from large country parks to small community spaces – all loved by those who use them regularly.
All nominated parks now go head-to-head in a public vote to find the UK's favourites. Explore the list of nominations and cast your vote by noon on Thursday 18th August!
Every year the International Tree Foundation supports community groups to achieve their tree-planting ambitions. During the summer they issue a ‘call for proposals’, inviting you to send your ideas and proposals. This could be something small, such as community woodland or orchard. Or it could be a large-scale project like landscape restoration or rewilding.
They are now open to all sorts of project types so please get in touch byclicking here!
Urban Welands Could Improve Wellbeing
A new report from the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) says more ponds and streams can tackle health inequalities and foster community, saving NHS money.
It collates evidence that access to wetlands improves health and sense of community, as well as cooling cities, reducing flooding and curbing air pollution. WWT are proposing new wetlands ranging from large-scale parks supporting whole communities, to restoring streams flowing through neighbourhoods, to street-side rain gardens and back-yard mini-ponds fed by drainpipes.
The Incredible Edible Network are leading a campaign to give more rights for food growing in public spaces. They have drawn up plans to oblige local authorities to keep a register of public land suitable for vegetable and fruit growing which local groups could apply to access.
A Birmingham charity which has been a hidden gem for 25 years is set to benefit from a set of beautiful new gates, as a wonderful legacy of the Commonwealth Games.
Martineau Gardens, a community garden in Priory Road in Edgbaston, is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival’s Creative City programme and is one of 107 projects - funded by Birmingham City Council - that will see community groups playing their part in the citywide Commonwealth Games celebrations.
The legacy of the project will be a set of visually exciting gates inspired by the community, which celebrates Martineau Gardens; welcomes everyone; acknowledges the past; reflects on links with the present and rejoices in its diversity and shared hopes.
The gates will be officially opened in September when students and the Martineau Community will be able to see their designs come to life as part of the gates.
