bottle recycling project gets underway
A warm welcome to pupils from Farnham Heath End School who visited the acre for the first time last week. They will be working on a special eco-project to build a recycled plastic bottle greenhouse for the space2grow garden.
After an introductory tour of the site, which included sampling the runner beans and raspberries, the group chatted about their plans and resources for building the greenhouse.
We're really excited to see this new weekly project get going and will be keeping you updated on its progress.
greenhouse funding news
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at The Hedgehogs, Farnham Lions and the Farnham Round Table, we're delighted to report that we now have funding for a new, larger greenhouse.
The new structure will replace the two old buildings, which have been kindly donated over the years by local people who no longer wanted them. They have now sadly seen better days and are too small for winter group gardening activities. The new greenhouse will provide more usable space for potting seedlings and growing plants year round, as well as hosting small gardening crafts groups in the colder weather.
We are very grateful to our donors for funding this project - how lucky we are to be part of such a supportive community in Farnham.
farnham in bloom
At last week's Farnham in Bloom, organised by Farnham Town Council, space2grow won a Bronze Madge Green Community Award and received a Certificate of Excellence from the South & South East in Bloom judges.
We'd like to thank all our volunteers and supporters for their continuing hard work and enthusiasm. Check out the certificates on the wall of the shed next time you visit.
diary date - 4 Nov
We've had exciting news that space2grow has been chosen to receive a tree from The Queen's Green Canopy "Tree of Trees" sculpture that stood outside Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, will join us to lead the official tree planting ceremony on Friday 4 November. Look out for the official invitations to the event, when we hope space2grow volunteers and supporters will help us celebrate this special occasion. Please remember to RSVP so we know who's coming. And if you can help us by baking or donating a cake for the refreshments, do let us know via info@space2grow.space.
support our local lions
Thinking about Christmas yet? Why not help Farnham Lions this year by buying their 2022 Charity Advent Calendar.
You're not only supporting the community with your purchase, but you'll also be in with a chance to win any of the 80 plus great prizes donated by local businesses and supporters. It's £5 per calendar and all proceeds go to local good causes. Click here to find out how and where to buy your calendar.
in our garden
With the tree planting ceremony only a few weeks away, our volunteers have been busy tidying up around the acre, mowing, raking and 'decluttering' around the greenhouses and sheds.
Our gardening groups have been tidying the veg beds, harvesting the runner beans, cutting and raking the wildflower meadow (remembering to collect the seeds for replanting) and potting the strawberry plants.
Even the rain couldn't dampen efforts to clear paths and move logs to cover the edge of the pond liner.
Rain or shine, there's always time for a quick cuppa and a chance to look at the abandoned field mouse nest Libby spotted in the garden. It's lovely to find evidence of the wildlife all around us.
A big thank you also goes to Farnham men in sheds (a collaboration with Farnham Maltings) for adding two sleepers to widen the bridge so we can get the mower across - a great example of teamwork across the acre.
The natural colours all around us are changing and the garden is a seasonal show of golds, reds and yellows. Perfect for stopping, taking a breath and enjoying the autumn sun.
reflections from the acre ...
This week, we take a look at some of the judge's comments from the recent South & South East in Bloom awards, in which space2grow achieved Outstanding in the It's Your Neighbourhood category. Here are some of their reflections on the acre ...
"The gate in the wall leads you into a land locked garden, originally part of the vicarage next door. This one acre garden has some lovely wooden buildings including a meeting room, sheds and a large tool store."
"space2grow has been busy hosting many activities and groups over the last year including a mother and baby chat group, also a 'coping with teenagers' group. A group of children were due to come down from Hackney for a camping sleepover after my visit, using the vicarage garden to pitch their tents."
"On the day of my visit, there was a group enjoying a cup of tea in the sunshine; they clearly enjoyed coming. The men in sheds were busy making bug houses and bird boxes, the pond needs finishing off around its edges, one side has wildflower turf around it."
"The Creative Response Art Group have made some wonderful sculptures in the garden from recycled materials, especially bicycle wheels."