"the best day ever"
The acre was buzzing with activity earlier this month when 90 children from Potter's Gate Primary School visited space2grow to enjoy the garden and learn how to weave willow bird feeders.
The children thoroughly enjoyed their time on the acre saying, “This is the best day ever. I am really proud of myself for making this. I think my mummy will be proud too!”
Others commented, “I really enjoyed being outside in nature. They made so much effort to make us feel happy and helped us a lot.”
“We got to see different birds and flowers there as well as making the bird feeder to take home. It made me feel calm and relaxed.”
The children's workshop was delivered by Artscape and funded through our grant from Waverley Borough Council's Thriving Communities Fund.
Everyone worked really hard on their feeders, which were quite tricky at times!
All the children had great fun and were delighted to take home their bird feeders at the end of their session. You can read more of what they had to say about the workshop in this issue's reflections below.
Natural feeders are a great way to encourage more birds into the garden. Did you know we harvest our sunflower seeds at the end of the summer and use them in our feeders?
We love watching all the birds that visit the acre, including a number of very friendly robins! A recent study led by King's College London found that seeing or hearing birds helps improve wellbeing and lifts our mood. Another good reason to preserve bird habitats in suburban and rural areas.
half term fun on the acre
No rest for these half term helpers but plenty of fresh air and fun! The children had a great time last week planting strawberries and artichokes and turning over the compost.
We're already looking forward to the summer when afternoons on the acre will return for local families and friends to enjoy.
new term for talking teens
We have a new Talking Teens parenting course starting next week and there are still a couple of spaces available if anyone is interested?
The Family Links programme helps parents understand the changes taking place during the teen years and looks at ways to improve communications within the family. It's set in a relaxed and friendly environment with parents sharing experiences with each other.
The five week course starts on Thursday 2 March from 7.00pm - 9.00pm in the talking shed. To find out more or to book a place please email info@theparentingspace.space.
thank you to our supporters
A big thank you to St Andrew's Freemasons Lodge, Farnham for their recent donation to space2grow. The funds will help support ongoing day-to-day operational costs on the acre.
save the date - 13 March
Nicola, one of our trustees, has been invited to give this year's annual Beryl Mackay lecture on 13 March, organised by the Friends of the Victoria Garden. Just off South Street in Farnham, this beautiful walled garden is located on the site of the former Victorian open-air swimming baths and is cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers.
Nicola will be talking about the history of space2grow, how it has developed since it was founded in 2016 and the work it has been doing to help connect local people in nature.
Tickets cost £10 (this is a fundraising event in support of space2grow and Victoria Garden) and include light refreshments. There’s also a raffle.
Venue: The Main Hall, St Joan's Centre, Tilford Road, Farnham
7.30pm for 8.00pm - approx. 10.00pm
For tickets and further information, contact Alison Gordon on 01252 793026.
We love spreading the word with local residents about all the activities at the acre so we are very grateful to the Friends of the Victoria Garden for inviting us to speak.
in the news
Thank you to the Farnham Herald for featuring our fantastic new greenhouse in last week's printed edition.
in our garden
There's been more willow weaving in the garden, with volunteers harvesting and using the willow to protect the wild flower meadow.
The willow is a great improvement on the plastic orange fencing we've had to use in the past.
In the new greenhouse, there's evidence that children from our school groups have been busy planting.
Our team have braved the elements to tidy up around the garden entrance and the talking shed, and undertake some clearing duties.
And we've planted the plaque to mark our very special Queen's Green Canopy hazel.
As always, we like to make time for tea and biscuits!
There's colour breaking through everywhere, from the fresh snowdrops dappling the grass to some beautiful sunsets across the garden.
reflections from the acre ...
The reflections this week come from some of the pupils and teachers from Potter's Gate Primary School who visited space2grow in February to make willow bird feeders. Three classes and their teachers came through the wooden gates across the day, making it one of our busiest ever sessions!
“It was really fun because we were able to experiment with a different material and we got to be outside.”
“Even though it was quite tricky to make, I really enjoyed listening to the birds as I tried.”
“I really enjoyed it because I couldn’t do the weaving before. It was great to experiment with natural resources.”
“I really liked it because even when I got angry, I didn’t give up. I really liked weaving as I listened to the birds.”
“It was really fun experimenting with different things that we don’t usually get the chance to do in the classroom.”
“It was lovely to have the opportunity to take the class out into our local nature. All the ladies that ran the workshop were incredibly kind, positive and patient. The class were all engaged with the activity and very proud of their creations. We look forward to coming back again!”
If you would like to share what the acre means to you please email info@space2grow.space - we love hearing everyone's reflections.