GRass ROOTS The RHS Community Update

Issue 14 • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities EDIBLE BRITAIN Growing success

Wildlife Gardens Week - Sign up! Nottingham’s Neighbourhood solution

CONTROLLING INVASIVEs 2 Welcome News 3

New faces at the RHS Wildlife Gardens Week: 25th - 31st October 2013 We are delighted to welcome two new faces to the communities team at the RHS. Candy Elton joins the team as Senior Events Co-ordinator and will be working on key RHS Britain in Bloom events as well as the Get your group involved in 2/ Welcome & Letters RHS / Claire Campbell regional RHS talks programmes. Candy joins the RHS from Battersea the first ever Wildlife Gardens Dogs & Cats Home where she managed the charity’s fundraising Week. Organise an activity to 3/ NEWS events. Outside work, Candy is a track and road cycling enthusiast and support local wildlife and we 4/7 Edible britain Welcome also enjoys cooking and baking. will promote it to thousands of Andrea Van Sittart joined the RHS 11 months ago as Head of potential volunteers. 8/9 RHS SCIENCE & ADVICE Regional Development. She has been developing pilot Regional And the first 200 registered To the summer issue of Grass Roots, the magazine for all Candy Elton projects in Yorkshire and Scotland to support the Bloom campaign, Controlling invasives groups to add their events RHS “in Bloom” and It’s Your Neighbourhood participants RHS Partner Gardens network and schools advisors. Previous posts will receive free crocus bulbs 10/11 RHS it’s your have included Fundraising and Development Director at national and RHS Affiliated Societies. education charity EDT; Director of Partnerships at environmental to plant during the week. See neighbourhood charity Global Action Plan and eight years at Charities Aid Foundation page 16 for the details of how We hope you will soon be enjoying the fruits As ever, please remember to keep us in heading the corporate team. Andrea lives in Hertfordshire where she to get involved. A Neighbourhood solution for Nottingham of your Edible Britain labours, with lots of touch with your news. We’re always looking is actively involved in her local community and has a large allotment, 12/ RHS CAMPAIGN FOR fresh herbs and vegetables to munch on! for stories to include in the magazine. Send where she indulges her passion for growing food. Hedgehogs need our help In this issue we bring you more inspiring your news to: [email protected] / The other members of the communities department at the RHS SCHOOL GARDENING stories about groups growing their own 020 7821 3118 are Stephanie Eynon, Community Manager and Sophie A new State of Nature report by 25 food, as well as a school that has integrated Dawson, Senior Programme Co-ordinator. To contact any member of conservation groups including the Wildlife 13/14 interview gardening and food growing across its Many thanks, the team please email [email protected] or phone Trusts, the RSPB and the Mammal Society Andrea Van Sittart Chris Etherington curriculum. We also have advice from expert 020 7821 3069. found that most British species are community fundraiser, Chris Etherington struggling and one in three have halved in 15/ affiliated societies and the inside scoop on Nottingham number in the past 50 years. in Bloom’s successful approach to Sophie Dawson, Editor Hedgehogs have disappeared even more The Friends of the City of Swansea neighbourhood gardening. dramatically - by more than 90 percent RHS / Wilf Halliday Botanical Complex It’s a long way off, but we hope as many FUNDING UPDATES which provides grants of £3,000 to £10,000 since the 1950s - as their traditional 16/ WILDLIFe of you as possible will consider how you for communities to mark the Centenary of is lost. The British Hedgehog Preservation can get involved in this October’s Wildlife the First World War. Start-up grants and Society says that gardeners can help GARDENS WEEK Gardens Week (see back page for details). Elspeth Thompson Fund Sharing Heritage grants are also available. to stem the decline by keeping gardens Sign up! As the recent State of Nature report revealed, The National Gardens Scheme and the For the full details of funds available to unpaved, avoiding the use of toxic pellets to most UK species are struggling and one in RHS are inviting amateur gardeners across community groups for projects related to kill slugs, allowing for grass and wild corners three have halved in number in the past England and Wales to apply for funds to local heritage, visit www.hlf.org.uk where hedgehogs can find prey and shelter 50 years. With more intensive farming support their community projects. and by punching five-inch holes into garden Cover image: Shoppers and blooms in Cartmel’s making the countryside less hospitable to Now in its second year, the Elspeth fences to enable hedgehogs to roam at main square. Credit: Cartmel in Bloom wildlife, many species are increasingly Thompson Bursary has already funded Free for communities night in search of food. relying on our gardens for their food and Watch your Cotoneasters don’t leap the garden more than a dozen community projects The Woodland Trust has 4,000 more britishhedgehogs.org.uk/ shelter. Please think about ways that you fence. Several are invasives monitored by legislation across the country, including helping free packs to give away to school, This magazine is printed on paper using could get involved in the campaign by in the UK and Ireland (including C. horizontalis). vulnerable and socially excluded adults community and youth groups this 75 percent recycled fibre and 25 percent virgin creating an event or activity to encourage Read pages 8 - 9 for RHS more on invasive plants regenerate a communal garden in Cardiff autumn. Apply before 13 September: Chemicals withdrawn and how to deal with them. fibre sourced from certified sustainable forests. wildlife in your neighbourhood. and funding the redevelopment of a woodlandtrust.org.uk/communitytrees Two chemicals used by gardeners will be Please pass it on or recycle it. communal garden in Northumberland. Community groups are also invited to withdrawn from use for two years, as more There is no fixed limit to the size of apply to the Big Tree Plant’s final funding research is carried out into their effects on Grass Roots is published by your letters bursary, and more than one bursary may round by 30th August 2013: bee populations. In April, the European RHS Community Horticulture, Attracting new members be awarded in a particular year. Last year, forestry.gov.uk/england-bigtreeplant Commission announced the restricted use 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE We are a small neighbourhood society in traditional activities in ways that bring in £14,000 was awarded across six projects. of three neonicotinoid pesticides from 30 Tel 020 7821 3069 Email [email protected] Dublin, founded in 1943, with about 150 new members? Applications must be submitted by September 2013. Of these, imidacloprid ©2013 The Royal Horticultural Society members and fully run by volunteers. To help Please send any advice to: 31 December 2013. To apply, email Biffa Flagship Scheme now open and thiamethoxam are active ingredients bring new life into our society we decided to [email protected]. We will of course [email protected] or call The Flagship Scheme supports two themes in products for home gardeners, effective Registered Charity no: 222879 / SC038262 look around and see what activities succeed share our findings with any societies 01483 479719. - Rebuilding and Cultural at controlling several pests on ornamental in attracting new members to other societies. that participate. Facilities - with grants of £150,000 - plants, lawn grubs, greenfly, red spider The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s We would like to ask ‘what works?’ in your £500,000 available. All projects must be mite and thrips. Products withdrawn leading gardening charity, dedicated to society. Which activities are most effective Yours sincerely, New programmes from Heritage based within 25 miles of a Biffa operation include: Westland Plant Rescue Bug Killer advancing horticulture and promoting gardening. at attracting and retaining new members, Conall O’Caoimh Lottery Fund and 10 miles of a licenced landfill. Apply by Ornamental Plants and Bayer Provado Our community campaigns support more and have you adapted some of your Howth and Sutton Horticultural Society The Heritage Lottery Fund has introduced 20th August 2013. Lawn Grub Killer, amongst others. Garden than 5,000 groups in creating greener and more interconnected communities. For more new funds and made changes to existing Biffa Award’s main grants scheme is pesticides can be disposed of at local information about RHS Britain in Bloom, RHS Please send your letters to [email protected] or Sophie Dawson, RHS, programmes as part of its 2013 - 2018 open all year round and funds project with authority household recycling centres. It’s Your Neighbourhood and RHS Affiliated 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE. Letters on all community gardening topics strategic framework. New programmes grants of up to £50,000. For more advice on gardening without Societies, please visit rhs.org.uk/communities are welcomed, but may be edited for publication. include ‘First World War: then and now’, biffa-award.org/flagship-scheme pesticides, please visit: rhs.org.uk/advice

Grass roots • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 6 EDIBLE BRITAIN EDIBLE BRITAIN 5 Roger Allen Rejuvenating people and places Images: Team London B ridge

Gareth Williams meets a Bloom group in central London connecting people and food growing with great results.

ver in a secluded, concrete-encased pleasant for the corner of Bermondsey, the group local community,” Oat Team London Bridge, St Mungo’s explains Shane and Southwark Council have been busy Clarke at Team since 2009 working on a unique way to add London Bridge. It greenery to the area, while simultaneously has proved to be giving the local homeless a helping hand. an outstandingly The project has seen a staggering successful rejuvenation of a once desolate piece venture, with the of waste land just off Melior Street. The area producing tarmac area that lies beneath the high-rise vegetables in the allotment that tower blocks has been transformed into a have subsequently been used by local The Melior Street garden during construction. Edible Raymond Blanc community garden, with all the work being restaurants, such as the Table Café in plants edibles with done by volunteers. The construction of the Southwark, which has been a long-time residents at White’s garden was funded by the Team London supporter of the scheme. This support has Grounds Estate in Bridge Business Improvement District and also helped make the model sustainable Bermondsey Southwark Council and the site now forms and given the local economy a healthy BRITAIN part of St Mungo’s “Putting Down Roots” little boost. campaign, a gardening training program As result of all the good work, the project for the homeless. was the proud recipient of the London Britain in Bloom got off to a flying start this spring when over 1,000 community groups and “The idea is to retrain homeless people in Bloom Capital Growth award for food schools planted edible gardens in public spaces with seeds provided by the RHS. as gardeners by teaching new skills, getting growing in 2011. The teams have not them on-the-job experience and raising rested on their laurels as the result of this self-esteem, while making the area more accolade and the project has continued aymond Blanc OBE helped to launch and enjoy the fruits of their labour children should be able to “get their hands to grow. In theory the Edible Britain campaign by joining together too.” dirty and share in growing vegetables”. This picture and top right: Volunteers work with it is a model that time back to their neighbourhood, making the Table Café and Team London Bridge to Team London Bridge (in Bloom) The scheme launched in April as the The RHS agrees and its Campaign for could be replicated the gardens at Melior Street a lovely space R host Dinner in Our Back Garden in September and local residents to plant edibles in the Minister for , David Heath claimed School Gardening currently supports more 2012, the finale of Urban Food Week 2012. throughout the for the local community to enjoy. White’s Grounds Estate in Bermondsey. that Britain needs to urgently focus on food than 17,000 schools across the UK, giving UK in urban areas “At the same time it can help raise The Michelin-starred chef believes that the security and educate children about the children the chance to grow some of their and an example of people’s self-esteem, improve health public needs to reconnect with the source of origins of food. Mr Heath said in future the own food at school. how gardening and and develop great ‘back to work’ skills. It its food. He expressed his delight at getting public may need to “dig for survival” if the Raymond Blanc followed up his charity work can shows how much can be done at a local behind a campaign that adds so much value UK struggles to import sufficient food. “We involvement in London by visiting his local go hand-in-hand in partnership level.” to communities. “It’s a catalyst for learning need to be able to produce enough to deal Bloom group in May. Raymond helped helping to improve Since its conception, the scheme has not only about growing food, but also the with the requirements in this country,” he Bloom volunteers in Watlington to plant people’s lives. seen a community herb and vegetable nutritional value of fruit and vegetables,” said. “Food security is going to be an issue herbs in one of the town’s public gardens “This really is a garden, a potting shed, reclaimed timber he said. “Once they’ve grown the produce, of increasing relevance.” He also pointed out and discussed the group’s plans for new team project,” says planters and plenty of communal areas I hope communities get together to cook it the need for school gardening, saying that edible growing spaces. gardening trainer spring up out of the concrete. Visitors are Ian Kavanagh, who encouraged to come and enjoy this piece has been involved of tranquil inner-city greenery and have a Students grow their own in the project since look for themselves at the work being done. 2009. “Our clients tudent Eats is a project led by the It’s Your Neighbourhood will be a great way give hours of their teamlondonbridge.co.uk National Union of Students and for us to achieve this.” Sfunded by Big Lottery’s Local Food studenteats.org.uk/ scheme, supporting institutions across the UK in cultivating their own student- Heywood in Bloom helps pupils get planting led growing sites. The 18 participating projects recently joined the RHS It’s Your n Greater Manchester, Heywood in Bloom teamed up with All Soul’s School to help pupils Neighbourhood scheme and took part in sow their edibles for the school garden. The children prepared recyclable seed trays using the Edible Britain campaign. Project Officer Itoilet roll tubes filled with soil. Dr. Marian Corns, Chairman of Heywood in Bloom, says, Ágnes Knoll says, “Aside from promoting “The seed packs that intrigued the children the most were the pot marigold and nasturtiums. Students at Exeter sustainable food patterns and localised However, it did not take them long to realise that they were included in Edible Britain so they University (above) and economics, Student Eats is really eager to Emily M ason must be able to eat them! Greenwich (right) get stuck use these projects to strengthen community “They were anxious to get planting since whatever they grow on their allotment eventually All Soul’s pupils with in to growing their own food their newly-potted seeds bonds and build cross-cultural connections. finds its way onto their plates via the school canteen.”

Grass roots • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 6 EDIBLE BRITAIN edible britain 7

Anne- M arie Parker Avoiding food waste in Wigan eed B ristol

Images: F olborne Allotments near Wigan are partnering with Glocal charity Compassion in Action to donate any surplus produce for redistribution to those in need. Giving out edibles to launch Forest “It’s great for those times in Hill’s Edible High Road campaign the year when we have a glut of fruit and vegetables and not Edible High Road in SE23 enough time to eat it all,” explains Golborne Secretary Marilyn he Forest Hill Society (FHS), an RHS Brooke. “Compassion in Action Affiliated Society and It’s Your gathers food that would otherwise TNeighbourhood group, created an go to waste and redistributes it to Grower Keith Kinard with some of his Edible High Road to celebrate this year’s those in need.” summer crop; below, a colourful harvest Chelsea Fringe Festival. Last year, Golborne was The group potted up fruit trees and awarded Outstanding in the RHS It’s Your of 50 old wheelie bins from Wigan Council herbs for local shops to host outside their Neighbourhood campaign, in recognition placed next to sheds and polytunnels. This premises for the three-week period. Shops of the work done to engage the local has cut the water bill by 95 percent. The paid a small donation to cover the cost community and care for the environment. group has also improved the site so that of the plants, which came adorned with Over the past year, water storage has been more people can join in. signs to help the public identify them. The increased by 75 percent with the addition “Over the past six years we’ve raised more society also created an accompanying trail Edible than £15,000 from grants and plant map featuring family-friendly puzzles. sales,” says Marilyn. “Funds are used Plants and seeds were given away to to improve the site and adapt plots to launch the festival, with garden designer allow less able plot holders to take over Matthew Wilson opening festivities. “A Bristol some of the high, raised beds. We’ve also great time was had by all,” said Quetta added a composting toilet, which is lit Kaye, Chair of the Society’s Environment Above: Feed Bristol’s central growing area, on by solar panels, an innovative design by & Leisure Committee. “Several hundred A community food-growing project is reviving seven acres of farmland just three miles from our chairman!” plants and packets of seeds were given Bristol city centre; below, volunteers with their first harvest in 2012 away to a very surprised public - who Bristol’s historic market gardening quarter. golborne-allotments.co.uk couldn’t quite believe things were free.

“There were many subsequent enquiries eed Bristol is a seven-acre community The objective, according to Project Officer The site was previously used as a Images: D amian Jenkinson about growing your own herbs and how to food-growing project on a smallholding Matt Cracknell, is to support well-being, commercial smallholding by the Ingham grow fruit trees and everyone thinks the Fin Stapleton, Bristol, which is managed health, education and access to nature, with family, who had farmed the land for over town centre looks lovely - as a town called by Avon Wildlife Trust. The aim of the an emphasis on therapeutic horticulture. 50 years. Retired farmer Keith Ingham is High hops for London beer ‘Forest’ Hill should.” project, which is part of Bristol in Bloom, is to “This means getting people out to relax pleased that the land is being brought back After the festival, fruit trees were support a diverse in nature in a into productive use. “It is great to see that ondon craft brewer, Meantime that the move will get more of the public donated to local green spaces and schools range of people communal, social times are changing,” he says. “This area, with Brewing, has planted hundreds of interested in London’s brewing heritage, or kept by participating shops. with different setting,” he explains. its prime agricultural soil, once used to feed Lhop plants across London in a bid as well as with the modern industry that is Over the past three years FHS has needs and abilities The site is Bristol but so many of the old smallholdings to engage people with the art of British thriving across the city. helped to establish a number of Friends to grow organic perfectly suited went into decline because local food lost its brewing. The hops will be used to create To make the True Brew of London, the groups for local green spaces and in vegetables in a to its purpose: the value. To see it springing back to life and not the city’s first “crowd-sourced” beer, hops will be dried and added together with 2010 it helped to create a community nature-friendly land is surrounded being turned into houses is a real triumph.” Meantime True Brew of London. other ingredients – malt, yeast and water. orchard. Its participation in RHS It’s way, helping by overgrown Since opening in March 2012 more The brewery has planted the hops in The beer will then be left to mature for a full Your Neighbourhood has seen volunteers them to make a hedgerows than 2,443 people have taken part in day some of London’s most famous locations eight weeks before being kegged and ready assisting with planting in the town centre connection with brimming with activities, contributing over 9,961 volunteer – including St James’ Park and Regent’s to serve. as well as acquiring sponsorship from the land and mature fruit trees; hours; 40 different community groups Park, The Natural History Museum and several local businesses. “We assist nature through there is a large have taken part in the project and 12 local Battersea Power Station - in addition to Writer and gardener Naomi Schillinger Lewisham’s Nature’s Gym with planting food growing. The badger sett onsite, businesses have been involved in corporate inviting residents to grow their own to be has set up an inspirational blog about projects and have also been able to project specifically bats roosting in volunteering. The project has created a hub collected for harvest. her group’s food-growing encourage local schools’ gardening clubs targets marginalised groups who may the old barn and a diverse range of wildlife for education and for connecting the wider The move comes as the city is project. Read more about RHS by supplying plant cuttings, seedlings and normally find it hard to grow their own food, sharing the space. Bristol Food Network. It is now also involved experiencing a dramatic revival of interest It’s Your Neighbourhood group many of the fruit trees and herbs from the including those with learning difficulties, “The project is not just about growing in the Blue Finger Alliance to protect the in brewing – with around 40 breweries Blackstock Triangle Gardeners at: Edible High Road project,” said Quetta. mental health issues and asylum seekers, as organic vegetables in a sustainable way but high-grade agricultural soil north of Bristol. of varying scales now making beer in the well as schools and people who just want to also creating a model to demonstrate how capital. Only five years ago the industry http://outofmyshed.co.uk/btg/ foresthillsociety.com/ learn about ‘growing your own’ and have a horticulture and nature can work for each avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/feedbristol had all but died out with just three share of the produce. other,” says Matt. working breweries left. Meantime hopes

Grass roots • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 8 RHS Science & Advice 9

Invasive aquatics RHS ADVICE Controlling invasives Did you know.... are considered invasive. Aquatic weeds (for example water fern, • The cost of clearing the • Approximately 60 percent Australian swamp stonecrop, floating of invasive plants come Help for your community with regular news and tips from RHS scientists and advisors. To suggest a pennywort, Canadian pond weed and Olympic site of Japanese from horticulture. topic for this section of the magazine, contact [email protected] / 020 7821 3118 parrots feather) are usually a problem only knotweed has been during the warmer months of the year when estimated at £70 million. • It is a criminal offence to water temperatures rise above 6°C (43°F). • There are 1,892 non-native plant a non-native invasive Many plants grow rapidly in the warmer plants in the UK, but only 66 species in the wild. temperatures and can quickly take over ponds Our gardens have been greatly enriched by the introduction of plants from abroad but a small number have proved highly invasive in the UK, and lakes, smothering other plants. threatening natural and native species. The control of these species is difficult and costly, yet many are widely available with little indication of the damage they can do if they are allowed to escape from gardens or are disposed of carelessly. After habitat destruction, How to deal with them: Use a rake to thin invasive non-native species are the most serious threat to global biodiversity. Here are some of the UK’s most problematic: out or remove invasive aquatics from ponds or lakes. For large areas specialist contractors The unusual suspects

can be employed. It is very important RHS Herbarium As our climate continues to change a few that the weeds removed are composted, of our most common garden plants are buried or burnt. On no account should now being watched as potential invasives they be transferred to rivers, other ponds of the future. A recent Natural England or lakes. Several introduced pond weeds, report identified 599 non-native plants widely available from garden centres, cause that could be potentially invasive, of which enormous problems where they escape or are 33 aquatic and 59 terrestrial species were introduced into the wild. thought critical. Garden plants that have Many aquatic weeds are intolerant of the potential to grow where they are shade. This can be created by bankside not wanted include many Cotoneaster planting of taller marginals, trees or shrubs on species, Buddleja, three-cornered garlic, the south side, or, in larger, still waters, black several tree species, exotic honeysuckles

Gerard M / nl.wikipedia polythene sheet weighted at the corners. and some broad-leaved bamboos. All RHS / B arry Phillips RHS / B arry Phillips gardeners should ensure that they don’t plant garden plants in any uncultivated Troublemakers of the future? Clockwise from above: land, and be aware of potential escapees, exotic honeysuckle, Buddleja, Cotoneaster and especially if they live in the country. three-cornered garlic (Allium triquetrum) RHS / Carol Sheppard Himalayan balsalm Japanese knotweed Giant hogweed

Himalayan balsalm (Impatiens glandulifera) Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Giant hogweed (Heracleum

was introduced to the UK in 1839. It is was introduced from Japan in 1825 as mantegazzianum) is a native of the Caucasus RHS / B arry Phillips a relative of the busy Lizzie, but reaches an ornamental plant. The plant is not and was introduced to Britain in 1893 as an Parrots feather clogs waterways (left) while 2 – 3m in height and is a major weed unattractive but its rapid annual growth and ornamental plant. It escaped from gardens Rhododendron present problems in woodlands. problem, especially on riverbanks and waste relentless spread allows it to easily overwhelm and now colonises many areas of waste land land. It grows rapidly and spreads quickly, other plants. Although it does not produce and riverbanks. Mature plants reach 5m in Rhododendron tolerating low light levels and smothering seeds, it can sprout from very small sections height and form dense colonies that suppress other vegetation as it goes. It is sometimes of rhizomes. Much of its spread is probably the growth of native plants and grasses, Rhododendron ponticum is another plant

seen in gardens, either uninvited or grown via topsoil movement or construction traffic. leaving the banks bare of vegetation in winter introduced to Britain by the Victorians. B loem M eneerke deliberately, but care must be taken to ensure and increasing the risk of erosion. It hopped the garden and estate wall to that it does not escape into the wild. How to deal with it: Digging out is become a significant problem across swaths possible, but due to the depth that the How to deal with it: First, consider whether of British countryside. Millions of pounds has How to deal with it: The main method of rhizomes can penetrate, regrowth usually this can be done using non-chemical means been spent on trying to eradicate them from non-chemical control, and usually the most occurs. This method also creates problems such as digging out or suppressing with national parks and forests. Rhododendron appropriate, is pulling out or cutting the plants over disposal as Japanese knotweed is mulch. Where these methods are not feasible, invades areas both vegetatively and via seed, before they flower and set seed. It may take a classed as ‘controlled waste’ under the chemical controls may need to be used. smothering native plants. couple of seasons to bring it under control, as Environmental Protection Act 1990. This Never let hogweed set seed, but allow additional weed seedlings germinate after the requires disposal at licensed landfill sites. the flower spike to form and then remove it How to deal with it: Usually parent plants are killed off. Alternatively, it can be destroyed on site before the flowers fade. Rhododendrons are removed mechanically For further information about To carry out chemical control alongside by allowing it to dry out before burning. On Caution! Contact with the hairs on the as herbicides do not translocate well through gardening without harmful, waterways it is necessary to contact the no account should it be included with normal plant’s leaves and stem causes painful the plant and their use also jeopardises invasive plants visit: Environment Agency. It can advise on household waste. Chemical control is often a blistering and severe skin irritation. Protective surrounding trees and plants. Rural gardeners rhs.org.uk/advice suitably qualified contractors, as can the more effective solution. clothing must be worn because the hairs can would be well advised to avoid Rhododendron environment-agency.gov.uk National Association of Agricultural and penetrate light fabrics. ponticum; however, they are not a great plant plantlife.org.uk Amenity Contractors. for gardens and gardeners would usually

plant other species and cultivars. RHS / Wilf Halliday

Grass roots • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 10 rhs its your neighbourhood 11

n Nottingham, we have put the RHS It’s with up to 100 people taking part. Digging for Victory Your Neighbourhood initiative firmly Some really inspirational projects Iat the heart of our Bloom campaign. unfolded, and thanks to support from Volunteers at Nottingham City Museums and Galleries are When the city won the title of Britain in East Midlands in Bloom and the RHS we entering It’s Your Neighbourhood with their project to create a Bloom ‘Champion of Champions’ in 2008 were able to make a ten-minute DVD. Victorian-style fern grotto and ‘Dig for Victory’ beds. the celebrations were barely over when plans (to watch it search for ‘Nottingham in The grotto has taken shape at the foot of the sandstone caves were made to take a break from the regional Bloom’ on youtube.com). at the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard, and the and national competitions and refocus on food beds have been stocked thanks to the free ‘Edible Britain’ engaging more neighbourhoods. Sustaining enthusiasm vegetable and herb seeds from the RHS. We already had strong community For the past couple of years we haven’t Volunteer co-ordinator Karen Lushey says, “The gardening involvement in some areas of the city, so been able to offer a starter kit due to group has worked really enthusiastically on this project, which is a that was a good start. And so we decided to financial constraints, and numbers have brilliant way to bring history to life.” invite the current Bloom enthusiasts to help settled to a more realistic 40 groups us drum up support in those neighbourhoods entering IYN, but many others continue that traditionally had not seen themselves as in their own way and are still doing part of Nottingham in Bloom. great things. We continue to support The idea was to build on our grassroots groups in other ways, for example support through the RHS It’s Your hosting workshops on subjects chosen Neighbourhood (IYN) campaign, by the neighbourhood groups, including encouraging people to transform their own propagation, , composting and areas through environmental and planting growing in small spaces. initiatives, creating cleaner and greener And since 2011, when the city surroundings for a healthier community, returned to the East Midlands in building pride and community spirit and Bloom competition, some of these instilling a sense of ownership. neighbourhoods have been the backbone of our tour route, to the delight both How did we go about it? of the Bloom judges and of local Nottingham City Museums and Galleries We wrote to community groups and garden people who are proud to show their volunteers with their ‘Dig for Victory’ competition entrants asking if they would achievements. It’s Your Neighbourhood project. like to work together to improve their For the council, IYN has proved to be neighbourhood with a view to entering a perfect fit for Nottingham’s priorities the IYN campaign. Thirty of them came of ‘Safe, Clean, Ambitious and Proud’ Support for budding horticulturists along to listen to inspirational people and a great way to help deliver the from thriving Bloom groups in the aim of ‘Transforming Nottingham’s Horticulture students from Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Meadows area of Nottingham talking Neighbourhoods.’ It has also helped Brackenhurst campus have signed up to join Nottingham’s team about their experiences of improving their establish and improve working of It’s Your Neighbourhood assessors this summer. neighbourhood through Bloom. relationships between local people and The Chair of the Nottingham in Bloom Working Group, We additionally offered £100 starter kits the council – as well as creating a strong Councillor Malcolm Wood, says, “The students will be paired with for any group that decided to get involved. network of people who are actively current assessors to give them a first-hand view of community The groups could pick and mix to suit their improving their own area. horticulture, great work experience and something really valuable needs – choosing from a menu of compost, to put on their CV. We think it’s an excellent way of helping those bedding plants, wildlife-friendly plants, facebook.com/nottinghaminbloom coming into the industry.” hanging-basket kits, fruit trees, salad plants, Caroline Wright, Senior Lecturer in Horticulture at NTU, says, herbs plants and containers to create a “The horticultural industry is a very varied one and experiences bespoke kit. such as these can help the students decide which career path they A Neighbourhood Nottingham City Council would like to take, as well as giving them an edge in the First year results estimates a cost saving of jobs market.” That first year we attracted 80 groups – £69,400 each year due to the in- everything from churches, children’s centres kind work that Bloom volunteers and libraries to streets, sheltered housing solution for undertake across the city. complexes and tenants’ and residents’ As a result of participation in It’s associations. About 6,000 people were Your Neighbourhood, a feedback involved – far surpassing our expectations. Nottingham survey conducted by Nottingham We needed more pairs of hands - so we City Council found: organised a hanging basket workshop to • 71 percent reported an train council officers and others who wanted Nottingham in Bloom Partnership improved environment to be ambassadors for the campaign and • 64 percent reported an who would then run similar sessions with Manager, Julie Walker explains how the The St Ann’s It’s improved community spirit groups across the city. It was a great way 2008 Bloom Champion has gone on to Your Neighbourhood • 25 percent reported reduced to get neighbours working together on group celebrates anti-social behaviour. its first birthday in improving their streets and communal areas. diversify and grow through the Brackenhurst students ready for their visits to It’s March 2013 Your Neighbourhood projects across Nottingham

Community planting days were a big success, RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme. Whitefoot Tracey

Grass roots • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 12 rhs CAMPAIGN FOR SCHOOL GARDENING interview 13

A productive school In the 1990s, Stakesby Community Primary School in Whitby began to create garden areas to introduce children to growing their own produce. Images: Stakesby Community Primary School s the gardens developed, staff saw Clockwise: Children prepare growing areas for the potential for teaching a range of late-summer sowing; parents pitch in on a Whitby curriculum topics, as well as learning in Bloom parent-pupil working party; Ash Class A pupils with bulbs from Whitby In Bloom about sustainability and developing projects with the local community. Today the garden includes a vegetable growing area, bee-friendly flower beds, an orchard, woodland garden and wildlife area. Each class has its own food-growing plot and the impressive harvests are shared amongst the whole school for tastings, cooking and sending home to families. The active eco-team (made up of 30 pupils Chris Etherington (in and staff) maintains the gardens and also Funding white jacket) with Market keeps the environment top of mind at school, Harborough Cricket Club with regular campaigns to raise awareness members after their Andrew Carpenter about issues such as recycling, Fair Trade and successful funding bid to develop the cricket pavilion. reducing energy use. success To help foster closer relations with the community the school enters Whitby in Bloom and in 2012 they achieved Gold and Best in Category for the Young People’s Award at Yorkshire in Bloom. Chris Etherington is an independent consultant specialising in funding opportunities The links with Whitby in Bloom have for voluntary and community organisations. She spent 23 years at Harborough District enabled Stakesby to work with Scarborough Council, Whitby parks staff, other schools and Council’s Community Development Team, helping groups to apply for grants, and today sits the local community. Projects have included on the committee of 2013 Britain in Bloom finalist, Market Harborough. bulb plantings, shared working parties - at the important, she adds. “Planning and leading school and in the neighbouring area - and a gardening activities in school means that you How the school uses its garden ‘Big Tidy Up’ event. are often too busy to celebrate achievements • Science: experiments in the Wendy Holliday, Environmental Co- and good work being carried out, or to reflect vegetable-growing area, looking ordinator at Stakesby is appreciative of the on the wider impact of the garden. Whitby in at what plants need to grow RHS: What advice would you give to groups RHS: What are the most important things produce a phased action plan. Do not support offered by Whitby in Bloom. “Regular Bloom gives us a goal to work towards and • History: World War II Dig for looking for funding? to consider when putting together a start any work on your project before your meetings are held at different Whitby ensures we take time to celebrate and show Victory campaign, which led to funding bid? grant has been confirmed; funders will not schools where ideas and advice are shared, everyone our fantastic work.” the creation of a fruit orchard CE: It is notoriously difficult to get funding make grants retrospectively. Select your by adults and pupils,” she says. The chance • Maths: sunflower growing, for general work, things such as plants, CE: There is no magic formula for putting potential funders carefully; there are many to celebrate the work being done is also stakesbyschool.net/ measuring and comparing; maintenance and watering. So apply for a together a funding bid. Funders are likely on the internet; make sure your project fits data collection with mini-beast specific project rather than running costs. to want to know how long your group has their objectives. Applying to more than one counts and bird species tally Develop that project around what you operated and its membership; the size of potential funder increases your chances charts for the older children want to achieve. Definite start and finish the community that is likely to benefit. of receiving the full amount needed. It is • Imaginative play: in the dates help funding bodies assess your Include other local agencies or groups you important to demonstrate that your project woodland garden, where they project’s outcomes and chances of success. work alongside. cannot proceed without assistance. also tell stories Groups stand a better chance of obtaining Groups must illustrate why their project • Biodiversity: at the pond and grants if they can evidence that they have is needed. It is vitally important that your RHS: What are some of the key pitfalls that bird feeding station, studying raised some funds themselves, however small. application demonstrates a clear and people encounter? natural diversity and life cycles. You must be clear about your project’s precise understanding of the project - and • Community events: Summer outcomes - the changes or differences its purpose - as well as meeting the funding CE: Good applications secure funding, Fair, Jubilee parties, a Garden your project will make, not the activities or criteria. Funders want to know there is a but many fail due to lack of realism, Party for elderly local residents services that your project actually provides. need for the project and how it will fulfill that poor explanations, wrong emphasis and • Fresh air: lessons are taken We all know what we want to achieve, need, so show how it will benefit the wider misunderstanding of expectations. A few outdoors as much as possible but it’s sometimes difficult to translate it community. Many applications are rejected of the key mistakes include: the project when the weather is nice. to outcomes. because this is not demonstrated effectively. being poorly planned; an inaccurate budget; Show you are professional – you are failure to demonstrate the project will solve properly set up – adopt a constitution, a particular problem or is what people want;

Grass roots • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 14 interview affiliated societies 15

failure to demonstrate the group is well The Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Complex managed, capable of successfully running, A helping (FCSBC) have been raising funds for three of Swansea’s monitoring and evaluating the project. Bear in mind that your application parks since the group’s formation in 1994.

should clearly demonstrate how your Images: Raffaella Sirtoli project activities are different from what CSBC generates almost £10,000 your group already does – if this is not hand for a year by selling plants surplus obvious, your application may not be Ffrom the parks as well as those successful. grown from seed or propagated by volunteers. Funds are invested RHS: How much time does it take? Swansea’s in improving the three council-run parks making up the ‘complex’: the CE: Simply – a lot! Demonstrating, Botanical Gardens at Singleton Park, for example through surveys and Clyne Gardens and Plantasia. questionnaires, the need for your proposal “The standing joke in the park is and that you have local support. Strong parks that if the council vacates a building evidence of the need and benefits we take it over before it’s gone cold,” increases the chance of success. says Secretary Pamela Morgan, If you are applying to more than one describing the group’s ever-growing funder (the ideal), write the most detailed workspace in Singleton Park. Two application first and you will find you polytunnels, provided free of charge have gathered most of the information by the council, form the central FCSBC required for the others. hub, and volunteers work year round to prepare plants for sale in the on-site RHS: What does the funding landscape shop. The shop is open twice weekly look like in 2013? Are there still for 10 months of the year, manned by opportunities for community groups? volunteers. In 2012, they contributed more than 6,000 hours work. New CE: There is still funding available. Search volunteers are always welcome, says the internet to find the most suitable Pamela, and little or no knowledge is available grants. For example, Awards for required, “just a pair of gloves and a All gives groups a quick and easy way to sense of humour.” get small lottery grants of between £300 Last year, this RHS Affiliated Society & £10,000; or Grimple’s Green Grants entered the It’s Your Neighbourhood seek to support environmentally friendly campaign for the first time, achieving projects with grants of up to £1,000. a ‘Thriving’ Level 4 award. “The thing that of the parks’ botanical displays. “Through If you are in doubt, submit your stopped us getting the top award was mainly our fundraising there is now a community application. You have nothing to lose and to do with talking to the community,” explains building in the Botanical Gardens, used you might be successful! Pamela. As a result the group is actively for meetings and courses, and we have seeking more opportunities for making people contributed to new bridges crossing the chrisetherington.com/ aware of its work, including establishing a stream in Clyne Gardens,” says Pamela. Other new website and sponsoring a category in the initiatives include a bench made from a annual Swansea in Bloom contest. fallen tree and a Rainforest Hut in Plantasia, FCSBC, which became a registered charity and new seating, signage and interpretation One-stop funding portal in 1996, sets out to fund enhancements boards for Clyne Gardens. which will improve the visitor experience, Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council’s GRANTnet is a free-to-use service increase footfall, generate interest for Cabinet Member for Regeneration says that for small businesses, charitable and children and create a better understanding the group makes a significant contribution community groups to find suitable that is much appreciated. “Their voluntary funding. The programme enables work has helped raise a great deal of funds you to identify and select only for Singleton’s Botanic Gardens, Clyne funding schemes and awards that Gardens and Plantasia,” he says. “This means are appropriate for your project. The their dedication and passion has directly information on GRANTnet includes in benefitted the many thousands of visitors excess of 5,000 funding schemes that who come along to enjoy these attractions are available in the UK from European every year. and national sources, directed at the “We look forward to continuing to work with public, private, charitable, voluntary Clockwise: The volunteer-run shop in the Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical and community sectors. Swansea’s Singleton Park opens twice Complex in future. They’re a trusted partner weekly, 10 months a year; volunteers whose support is greatly valued.” grantnet.com man the check-outs and also provide gardening advice to visitors botanicsswansea.co.uk/

Grass roots • Summer 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities Wildlife Gardens Week 25th - 31st October 2013

Make a difference to Free crocus the wildlife in your area bulbs for first 200 groups* Build a bug hotel or bat box; Plant nectar-rich spring bulbs; to add Create a ‘dead ’; events! Plant fruit trees or plants with autumn berries; Set up a bird feeding station; Dig a pond; Create a log pile.

Wildlife needs our help and this October, the RHS is urging community groups across the UK to join together to make a difference to their local biodiversity. To get involved, all you need to do is organise a volunteering event to support local wildlife during the week and add it to the website.

To find out more and add your event, visit: rhs.org.uk/wildlifegardensweek

*To receive free bulbs your group must be either a UK-based RHS Affiliated Society or a registered Bloom or RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood group.