GRass ROOTS The RHS Community Update

Issue 13 • Spring 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities

BRITAIN IN BLOOM 2013 The Finalists!

COMMUNITIES DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES INTERVIEW Raymond Blanc SUSTAINABLE GROWING MEDIA 2 Welcome News 3

New affiliated societies Put your skills to the test in an RHS pack available horticultural competition There are several changes to the Affiliated Societies scheme for 2013, including 2/ Welcome & Letters 2013 Competitions: changes to the ‘event finder’ facility and a new system for registering for the speakers’ Rhyl in Bloom 3/ NEWS • 9-10 April, RHS Garden Wisley: The and judges’ registers online. 4/5 RHS BRITAIN IN BLOOM Welcome RHS/ Tim Sandall Daffodil Show, Early Rhododendron To request a 2013 Affiliated Societies Competition, Main Camellia Information Pack, please email Finalists Competition, Spring Ornamental [email protected] quoting your To the spring issue and a new name for the magazine! Plant Competition affiliation number and club/society name 6/7 Edible britain Grass Roots is the update for all RHS “in Bloom” and It’s Your • 20-21 April, RHS Garden Rosemoor: or, for those without internet access, please Main Rhododendron Competition phone 020 7821 3069. 8/9 RHS SCIENCE & ADVICE Neighbourhood participants and RHS Affilated Societies. • 30 April – 1 May, RHS Garden Sustainable growing media Wisley: Late Daffodil Competition There are over 300,000 volunteers taking part spirit and share resources; and we speak to and Tulip Competition Funds for sustainable 10/12 communities in the RHS community campaigns - the true Raymond Blanc, the Michelin-starred chef • 4-5 May, RHS Garden Harlow Carr: growing (England only) doing it for themselves grass roots that make Britain bloom. We’ve who is supporting this year’s Edible Britain Camellias compete in an RHS competition Late Rhododendron Competition changed the name of the magazine to shift launch campaign. • 25-28 July, RHS Flower Show Tatton Defra, in partnership with the RHS, have set 13/ RHS AFFILIATED the focus on to your work. Grass Roots is Please do keep us in touch with your news: The horticultural competitions run by the Park: Summer Fruit and Vegetable up a project to help Bloom and IYN groups dedicated to sharing your stories and ideas, [email protected] / 020 7821 3118 RHS are open to all, including amateur Competition to increase their use of sustainable growing SOCIETIES to inspire and encourage us all, so please do plant growers. They cover a wide range • 8-9 Oct, RHS Harvest Festival, media. £100,000 is available to support Garden Clubs Information Exchange keep in touch with your news. Many thanks, of ornamental plants as well as fruit and Lindley Hall, Westminster: Autumn groups’ use of sustainable growing In this issue we announce the 2013 Britain vegetables, and prestigious trophies are Fruit and Vegetable Competition media in place of peat. To apply for funds 14/ interview in Bloom finalists; we bring you news of awarded to winning entries. RHS membership • 22-23 Oct, RHS Shades of Autumn groups must be either local-authority led groups that are using gardening to build is not necessary and entry is free. Show, Lawrence and Lindley Halls, or working in partnership with the local Raymond Blanc new partnerships, restore lost community Sophie Dawson, Editor For more information or show schedules Westminster: Autumn Ornamental authority. To find out more see page 9. please contact the Horticultural Competitions Plant Competition Applications will close in July 2013. 15/ RHS CAMPAIGN FOR Manager, Georgina Barter (020 7821 3142 / • 1-2 Nov, RHS Garden Wisley: Late SCHOOL GARDENING your letters The struggling bumblebee [email protected]). Fruit and Vegetable Competition. New match funding RHS Young School Gardener 2013 When we think ‘bee’ we often picture a RHS/ Andrew Halstead opportunity 16/ GET INVOLVED Bumblebees (Bombus) are in bumblebee or honeybee and forget that long-term decline in the UK there are hundreds of species of solitary Coming soon…new RHS website The online fundraising platform Spacehive bees and other pollinating insects. Some has announced £100,000 of match funding bumblebee species feed from a wide range Look out for the new RHS website, due to be launched mid- available to projects aiming to revive the of garden and wild flowers and are common April. Not only are we giving the website a brand new look, UK’s town centres and high streets. Projects in gardens. However, those species with more we’re also adding some great new functions, including your setting out to boost visitor appeal to the Cover image: Richmond in Bloom, Ham United specialised habitat and floral requirements own personal area where you can bookmark content, comment UK’s high streets can apply to receive Group; Credit: RHS/ Julian Weigall have been in long-term decline in the UK. match funding from Experian. The drive is Back cover image: King’s Heath in Bloom Bumblebees are ‘super pollinators’ – they on articles and, if you’re an RHS member, you’ll be able to being led by the Association of Town Centre volunteers; credit: RHS/ Julian Weigall work longer hours than honeybees and in and roundabouts helps make up for the loss access exclusive articles, videos and podcasts. Make sure you Management (ATCM) with backing from DCLG. worse weather; their hairy bodies collect and of natural habitat in the wider countryside. visit rhs.org.uk later this month. For more information, visit: www.spacehive.com/initiatives/ Grass Roots is published by distribute more pollen than sleeker insects. The role of pesticides in the fate of RHS Community Horticulture, 80 Vincent By vibrating flowers, they produce a shower bumblebees is not clear. Studies into the towncentres Square, London SW1P 2PE of pollen, making them more effective at impact of insecticides, especially those in the Tel 020 7821 3069 Calling all Midlands-based community gardeners Email [email protected] pollinating many crops. neonicotinoid group, are being undertaken Bumblebees do not forage far (often just and will help inform decisions on pesticide Brighten up your ©2013 The Royal Horticultural Society The search is on for the best community use at the European and UK level. Gardeners a few hundred metres from their nests) so gardeners in The Midlands and BBC community Registered Charity the more pollen- and nectar-rich flowers* should minimise the use of insecticides and no: 222879 / SC038262 Gardeners’ World Live is calling on all avoid spraying plants when in flower. we can plant and join up, the better. communities to vote. The winners will Dulux are offering 60,000 litres of paint Wildflower and urban meadow mixes, receive a greenhouse worth more than for community spaces as part of their Let’s The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s together with red clover and legume crops, Helen Bostock, Colour project. For more information, visit: leading gardening charity, dedicated to £1,000 and £300 worth of seeds, plus are all bumblebee-friendly. Planting these in RHS Senior Horticultural Advisor advancing horticulture and promoting gardening. tickets for them and their family to attend www.letscolour.co.uk *rhs.org.uk/Plants-for-pollinators Our community campaigns support more gardens, parks, community orchards, verges BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC. than 5,000 groups in creating greener and To nominate someone from your Santander Community Plus provides grants more interconnected communities. For more information about RHS Britain in Bloom, RHS Please send your letters to [email protected] or Sophie Dawson, RHS, own group or another near you visit of up to £5,000 to charities benefitting local It’s Your Neighbourhood and RHS Affiliated 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE. Letters on all community gardening topics www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/ disadvantaged people. Funding is available Societies, please visit rhs.org.uk/communities are welcomed, but may be edited for publication. communitygardeners. Volunteers in to cover salaries, equipment or materials. re-plant a flower bed. The closing date is 20 April 2013. www.santanderfoundation.org.uk/

GrASS ROOTS • Spring 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 4 rhs BRTIAIN IN BLOOM FINALISTS RHS BRITAIN IN BLOOM FINALISTS 5

Small Town Congratulations RHS Britain Entry Name R/N Ahoghill in Bloom 2013 finalists! Garstang North West This year 78 communities have been nominated to take part in RHS Britain in Bloom, the UK Finals stage Sedgefield Northumbria Coupar Angus Pride of Place Angus Pride Coupar of the campaign. They will be visited by the judges in August and we will let you know how they did in the autumn issue of the magazine. For more information, please visit rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom. Town Small City Urban Community Entry Name R/N Entry Name R/N Entry Name R/N Small Village Blairgowrie & Bath South West Aldridge (Walsall) Heart of England Rattray Entry Name Region / Nation Bracknell Thames & Chilterns Bolnore Village South London Barton in Fabis Bury North West (Haywards Heath)

Cleethorpes in Bloom Freckleton North West Clifton () South West Ulster Colchester Anglia Garforth Yorkshire Northumbria City Ulster Henley on Thames Thames & Chilterns () Village Grimsby East Midlands Morpeth Northumbria London Bridge London Entry Name R/N Heart of England (Southwark) Newquay South West Cartmel Mancroft, The Lanes Anglia Oakham East Midlands Elswick North West () Windermere Cumbria City Filby Anglia Starbeck Yorkshire Entry Name R/N () Luddenden Yorkshire Large Town London Borough of London The Meadows Northumbria Richmond Entry Name R/N (Nottingham) Norwich Anglia Pembridge Heart of England Alton South Uddingston Scotland Stockton-on-Tees Northumbria (Glasgow) St Issey South West Heart of England Woolton (Liverpool) North West Colne North West Yorkshire Large Village Colwyn Bay Entry Name R/N Scotland Large City Barwick-in-Elmet Yorkshire Market Harborough East Midlands Entry Name R/N Caistor East Midlands Ripon Yorkshire Bristol South West Coupar Angus Scotland St Helier Scotland Eynsford South East Tunbridge Wells South East London Borough of London Hillsborough Ulster Anglia Hillingdon

St Pierre du Bois Clockwise from above: children in celebrate their town’s place in the finals; volunteers Coastal up to 12K Usk Wales plant a pollinator-friendly bed in Coupar Angus; Entry Name R/N Watlington Thames & Chilterns floral celebrations in Bristol; a nautical theme for coastal Dartmouth; dazzling displays, North Berwick Aberdour Village Scotland Dartmouth South West

St Brelade Jersey Bristol in Bloom Coastal over 12K Entry Name R/N Champion of Champions Bangor Ulster Entry Name R/N South Halstead Anglia Cleethorpes East Midlands Guernsey Falmouth South West Lytham North West Great Yarmouth Anglia North Berwick Scotland Prestatyn Wales Stanghow Northumbria Dartmouth in Bloom North Berwick in Bloom

Growing Communities • Spring 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 6 EDIBLE BRITAIN 7

Cartmel pupils join Dan Cox, Head Chef of Aulis and L’Enclume and Medieval edibles High-impact edibles Ken Holland, Director of Growing Kim Parish is a Britain in Bloom judge and Co-ordinator of South West at the farm. Volunteers in Stony Stratford are in Bloom. Before setting up her own horticultural business in November keeping the their town’s heritage 2012 she spent 15 years working for local authorities, where she Edible alive with their ‘medieval’ experimented with edible displays. garden, planted in memory of Eleanor of Castile, the queen took on responsibility for Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) mixes well consort of Edward 1. planning and designing the with ornamental Lobelia ‘Fan Scarlet’ Britain “Ithousands of seasonal bedding he garden commemorates the schemes across the middle of in town’s location as one of 12 sites 2000. I had hundreds of species to choose Tthat Queen Eleanor’s funeral from and hundreds of seasonal beds to procession stopped in 1290 on its way show them off in. Apart from colour, shape from Lincoln to London. Close to the spot and form, my choices needed to include where an elaborate stone cross once speed of establishment, size and ease of stood (destroyed in the English Civil War), maintenance and, in Newquay, tolerance volunteers have laid out a thirteenth- to salt-laden winds! After a couple of years century garden. working with traditional bedding plants, I As medieval gardens largely started experimenting with edibles. Initially concentrated on plants with a medicinal I started out mixing in a few edibles or culinary value, the group has planted

to ornamentals. I found that beetroot Jim Bliss a range of edibles including rosemary, worked well as an edger around plants like thyme, fennel, marjoram and wild Rudbeckia, African marigolds or Cosmos. Pupils chefs strawberries. A field surrounding the Salvia (sage) was a fantastic discovery site has been planted with ancient as it stands up to salt winds, lasts several Cartmel local varieties of fruit: Caldecotte pear, seasons and when it starts to look tired, medlar, Blandurel apple, Aylesbury prune, you can replant whatever is still thriving as greengage, mulberry and quince. ground cover. The quick-growing Cynara In Cumbria, Cartmel in Bloom have initiated a partnership between the Medieval gardens expert Mike Brown, ‘Green Globe’ (Globe artichoke) worked 2 Michelin-star L’Enclume restaurant and Cartmel Primary School involving from nearby Prebendal Manor explains wonderfully as a dot plant in summer and pupils learning about growing herbs at L’Enclume’s local farm. that growing edibles was essential for spring displays, with its fountain of luscious survival during the medieval period. grey foliage. seagulls took a fancy to! One worry people “Peas and beans were easy to store as a Having used these plants to great effect have is that the produce will be taken but ast year, 30 pupils visited “Simon Rogan and all of us at L’Enclume that has been developed with support good source of protein for winter, while I became more adventurous, creating having grown it in public spaces for over L’Enclume’s farm, learning about all love using herbs and it will be our pleasure to from both parents and members of the most of the greens ended up in the whole beds entirely of vegetables, with 10 years we found that people respect of the herbs and vegetables grown organise demos and short talks to the pupils local community,” she says. “Our staff and pottage, a vegetable soup,” he says. This herbs and exotics mixed in too. I wanted the planting. They are very happy to help for the restaurant. about the benefits and value of herbs. Who children are very keen to be involved in included the pot marigolds, Calendula to create increased interest not only for our themselves to produce once it is ripe, but This spring they will be helped to knows, one of these youngsters may one day this project which we believe will continue officinalis, although these have a rather residents and visitors but for our gardeners they ask rather than just taking. growL their own herbs so that they can use be working with us!” to motivate our children to grow and eat strong flavour for modern tastes. “Queen too, create something that people would My advice is start small, experiment, them in their cooking classes at school. One 8-year-old pupil who enjoyed his visit their own herbs and even provide them for Eleanor would certainly have recognised talk about. have fun and enjoy the displays!” Dan Cox of L’Enclume says, “We will create recalls, “We were allowed to walk around use in our school kitchen.” many of the plants we have here in Stony’s Generally, it’s been a great success and a special area at the farm where the children the farm on our own and taste the herbs. I garden,” he adds. the displays have been really popular. I To see Kim’s full list of recommended can cultivate their own herbs in trays, each brought home some tiny carrots.” www.cartmelinbloom.co.uk Stony Stratford in Bloom volunteer have had a couple of failures - with basil edibles for high-impact displays, visit labelled with their own name. At the right Sarah Firth, Head teacher of Cartmel Mary Robinson, one of those who and brussel sprouts which the pigeons and www.landscapesofdistinction.co.uk/news time, the herbs will be transferred to the school Primary is delighted with the partnership.“We Stony Stratford’s medieval garden tends , says, “We are garden for the pupils to take full ownership. have a well established school kitchen garden celebrates the town’s position delighted by the response we’ve along the route of Queen Eleanor’s had from local residents. funeral procession in 1290 “We now have an information Fruitful plans in Acocks Green engendered quite a bit of interest. In fact, board which details the town’s I have never seen so many volunteers for a link to Queen Eleanor as well as Bloom volunteers in Acocks Green, are creating an orchard in project before.” the plants in the garden. We want the centre of their neighbourhood. The group is currently in discussion with the our children to know about their neighbouring primary school about creating a town’s history and we’re working ran Lee, Co-ordinator of Acocks Green the site before planting a mixed berry forest school classroom in the new space. with local schools to arrange Village in Bloom, explains, “It is slap ‘jam hedge’, espaliered apples, plum, Local resident Sandra Garbett says, “We visits to the garden to talk about Fbang in the middle of two blocks of damson, pear, cherry and fig trees in are very happy to have this natural resource medieval Stony.”

shops, next to a primary school. One young boy March, along with herbs and other plants to placed within our urban environment and RHS/ Julian Weigall asked if we were digging for buried treasure. encourage biodiversity. take satisfaction that everyone in our www.stonystratford.gov.uk I think he was a little disappointed when we “The orchard will be open 24/7 and local community will be able to benefit from it.” www.prebendal-manor.co.uk/ Volunteers prepare the ground told him what we were actually doing!” people will be able to help themselves to for Acocks Green’s new orchard The group spent several months preparing any fruit produced,” explains Fran. “It has www.acocks-green-neighbourhood-forum.org

GrASS ROOTS • Spring 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 8 RHS Science & Advice 9

RHS ADVICE Sustainable growing media Defra funding opportunity (England only) RHS/Tim Sandall

Help for your community with regular news and tips from RHS scientists and advisors. To suggest a Defra, in partnership with the RHS, have set up a project to help Bloom and It’s Your topic for this section of the magazine, contact [email protected] / 020 7821 3118 Neighbourhood groups to increase their use of sustainable growing media. £100,000 is available over two years to support groups’ use of sustainable growing

RHS/ Rachel Tanner media in place of peat. Funding is available to cover the additional costs of using Dr Paul Alexander (RHS Principal Scientist – plants grown in sustainable growing media. Projects can be large or small, whatever is Horticulture) leads the RHS’s work with the appropriate to local activities. horticultural industry and Defra on the issue To apply for funds groups must be either local-authority led or working in partnership of sustainable growing media. with the local authority. There are no restrictions on the size, location (within England) or type of horticultural project. Application for funding will close in July 2013.

Why should we be using less For further information and to apply for funding, please visit: peat in our gardening? rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom

The impacts of peat extraction are often debated and cases can be made to support Adding perlite can help to and contradict most of the issues. However, improve drainage in fine What to do if plants fail to textured mixes there is no doubt that pristine peatlands thrive and seeds germinate are increasingly rare habitats supporting fantastic floral and faunal biodiversity and Check back and see if the instructions were acting as an important carbon store. followed. Seeds are easily killed if the media In 2011 the Government announced its is too rich in dissolved salts – manufacturers aim of voluntarily eliminating peat use in RHS/Tim Sandall often recommend flushing nutrients out of horticulture by 2020 for home gardeners and the media before sowing by heavy watering by 2030 for professionals. It is now working until water runs from the bottom of with the industry in order to deliver these the container. targets. By taking steps to reduce the peat If plants fail to thrive check the roots – a content in our growing media, or removing Common alternatives to peat include coir stunted root system with reddened areas it completely we can adapt our growing (made from coconut husks), wood fibre, suggests excess nutrients; pale foliage and green compost and composted bark. techniques and keep ahead of future changes. thin roots suggest a nutrient deficiency. If Peat-based media have been a huge Many peat-reduced roots are concentrated at the bottom of success, and some experience and Choosing your plants mixes favour frequent the pot it suggests water drains too freely; adaptability is needed to get the best from Ten easy plants for novice Plant growth will vary according light waterings if concentrated at the top it suggests water peat-free media. The RHS suggests that this users of peat-free media: to many factors including the doesn’t drain freely enough and the bottom RHS/Tim Sandall is an effort well worth making in view of growing media (e.g. the available mixes but some peat-free and peat-reduced of the pot is becoming waterlogged and Pumpkins (above), cosmos and sunflowers (below the benefits of using renewable resources • Coriander water, nutrition and physical structure), the mixes can be quite coarse. Sieving growing unsuitable for healthy plant growth. left) are reliable plants to try in a peat-free mix. compared to depleting peat and damaging • Cosmos environment the plant is in (e.g. temperature, media helps to remove the coarser particles. the environment in doing so. With a bit of • French and runner beans humidity) and the physiological demands of extra care and attention growing peat-free • Fuchsia the specific plant. Water requirements should not affect plant quality. Gardeners • Parsley Some plants will be more challenging to Many peat-free and peat-reduced mixes Free RHS advice can play an important role in supporting • Petunia grow in peat-free and peat-reduced mixes, favour more frequent watering but with much for communities manufacturers, expanding the market and • Pumpkins, squash and courgettes while others will thrive with relatively simple lower volumes of water at any one time. encouraging the development of more • Sunflowers adjustments to the watering and feeding Check moisture levels throughout the growing All “in Bloom” and It’s Your consistent products. • Sweet corn routine. In some cases, the physical structure depth, not just on the surface, as mixes may Neighbourhood groups, as well as • Tomatoes of the base media mix can be tweaked, appear dry on the surface when there is RHS Affiliated Societies, can contact for example by adding perlite to improve plenty of water available deeper down. the RHS Advisory Service for free Alternatives to peat drainage in fine-textured mixes. gardening advice relating to their Most bagged growing media are blends For the best advice, discuss the needs of Nutrient needs group’s work. In the UK, the main alternatives to peat of two or more of these materials, each one your proposed plant requirements with the Some peat-free and peat-reduced mixes, To contact the team visit the online include materials such as coir, wood fibre, included for the properties they bring to nurseries and growers you work with. Most especially those containing green compost, hub, selecting the ‘Support for all green compost and composted bark. Coir is a the mix (e.g. green compost can be used to growers will have tried peat-reduced and can provide a valuable source of nutrients groups’ advice sheet. To access the by-product of coir-fibre production (the dust), improve nutrient levels). peat-free mixes - learn from their experiences enabling growers to save money on fertilisers online hub please visit: originating from coconut husks. Wood fibre and get them to help compile your plant that they don’t have to apply as early as with rhs.org.uk/bloomIYN is produced by pressure treating wood chips lists. If possible, talk to the supplier of their other mixes. to expand and separate the fibres. Green Growing with less peat growing media, they should be able to offer However, for seed sowing this can make RHS/Carol Sheppard compost is the composted green residues specific advice too. some mixes a little rich, and many tender often collected from local authority civic When switching to use growing media If you are looking to sow seeds, give plants or seeds can grow very slowly in such To search for advice online visit: amenity sites and composted bark is simply containing zero or reduced amounts of peat consideration to the physical structure and circumstances. It is recommended that for rhs.org.uk/advice bark that has been composted. there are a few points worth considering: texture of your mix. Seeds need finer textured seed sowing specific seed mixes are bought.

Grass roots • Spring 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES 11

Flotsam to flowers Transforming other people’s rubbish into flowers is what drives 62-year-old Michael Welsh.

ichael co-ordinates lives. By planting flowers we’re hoping to SEED PODS in Easington inspire people to get involved, to rebuild Colliery, , community spirit.” a community-run initiative Michael conceived the idea for SEED PODS to fill the former mining on retiring, realising a life-long ambition to Mtown full of colourful blooms. SEED PODS grow plants in the old cliff-top allotments. (which stands for ‘Sow Everywhere in East “We describe our garden as having the best Durham’ and ‘Plant On Disused Sites’) uses view from any community garden in all donated seeds and plants, old pots, reclaimed of East Durham,” he says, describing the timber and compost to grow seedlings and seascapes that change with the weather. propagate perennials at a cliff-top garden “The first thing I did was buy a chair so I site. Plants are then added to communal could take it all in!” areas and waste land around the town in Starting out with a £500 grant from the partnership with the local “in Bloom” group. Wakeham Trust the group purchased spades, Now in its second year the project is forks and several second-hand wheelbarrows. gaining momentum. “Easington has suffered A further £500 was donated by the local Communities greatly from unemployment and has its share shopping centre towards the cost of a of drug and alcohol abuse,” says Michael. polytunnel, which Michael is hoping to install “There’s less community spirit since the mine this year. Pretty much everything else is “You just closed and you can see that in the outward recycled, begged, borrowed or donated, “you doing it for appearance of the streets and houses. Our just have to be an opportunist,” he says. have to be an aim is to put a bit of colour into people’s Beyond the aesthetic benefit to the town, the project provides a Clockwise from top left: The cliff-top SEED POD positive environment for those opportunist” community gardens; volunteers prepare to plant that are long-term unemployed. Rudbeckia in town; some of the many plants themselves Michael Welsh, being grown on at the garden; the site before “Volunteers work in the garden work started, a magnet for dumped rubbish. and hopefully find it relaxing SEED PODS and beneficial, mentally and physically,” says Michael. “We welcome anyone who wants to make Easington more colourful.” Last year, SEED PODS’ Local campaign saves ’s Bloom efforts were recognised with an ‘Outstanding’ award in the RHS Council reinstates Bloom funding following campaign by residents and MPs. It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) campaign. Visiting IYN assessor Liz wo years ago, Brighton & Hove City Council announced its exercise and is in the process of setting up a website. “With a fresh Lazenby says, “They have planted plans to cut the entire £30,000 budget used to fund the local start we hope to attract new sponsors and increase the numbers stuff all over that little town – TBloom campaign. Volunteer Paul Skelly was one of those taking part,” says Paul. “In future we’ll be trying to secure new bulbs, flowers. It’s just wonderful.” disappointed at the severity of the cut. “The council wanted us to sources of funding from events and sponsorship, so that we’re not This year they hope to plant set up Bloom as an independent charity,” he explains, “but without relying on the council.” recycled Begonia and Polyanthus any funds it would have been impossible to start that process.” A council spokesperson says, “Like all councils around the country, from the parish council, as well as Paul joined other volunteers and local MPs in lobbying for the Brighton and Hove City Council has had to make substantial budget create new perennial beds on the reinstatement of funding to support the development of a new savings and unfortunately this has resulted in the annual funding main street. group to run Bloom. “We felt the decision was short-sighted as for the local Bloom group being withdrawn.” For Micheal, who grew up in Bloom is about so much more than putting up a few hanging She continues, “The council does recognise how important the Easington in more prosperous baskets. It’s about getting the community involved to improve Bloom programme is for enhancing the city and making it an times, he hopes that the flowers the environment,” he says. attractive place to live and work in and for visitors to enjoy. It will encourage more residents to Following a successful campaign in the local press funding therefore made a one off grant award payment of £25,000 to participate in the project. “If all was reinstated and the new organising group co-ordinated its help volunteers take over the responsibility of running the city’s goes well, Easington will be full of first ‘Bloom’ in 2012, judging more than 100 entries across 14 Bloom campaign. The Bloom community group put on a wonderful colour and wildlife, all done by the categories. The new team has also undergone a re-branding competition last year and officers continue to offer their support.” community for the community

Photos: SEED PODS and at very little cost.”

Grass roots • Spring 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 12 DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES rhs affiliated societies 13

HMP Norwich Joined-up In Norwich, 91-year-old volunteer Bill Webster is a bit of a hero. Thanks to his initiative, HMP Norwich now runs a successful horticultural nursery, supplying bedding for thinking city-centre displays and training prisoners in horticulture. Just 10 years ago the prison’s gardens were largely derelict. Gardening clubs in the North East forge links to share information, ideas and programme tips. heard they’d got some greenhouses they treat the plants like babies, literally, they standing empty so I arranged a visit,” are so proud of them,” he says. “I’m really “Iexplains Bill. “There were four there impressed with what they do.” he Garden Clubs Information Exchange (GCIE) is a network that were pretty much derelict so we got in One young inmate who had never worked of 21 garden clubs and specialist societies spread over touch about getting them back into use.” in a greenhouse before, arrived on site and TNorth Yorkshire and County Durham. Its aim is to share In his role as Ambassador for The Friends of began swatting the bees, recalls Ray. “I information between clubs to benefit the programmes offered by Norwich in Bloom, Bill established links with explained to him the problem with bees, how each. It enables groups to keep their speaker lists up-to-date and to the prison which enabled the Bloom group they’re struggling, and in the six months incorporate new but tried and tested formats or garden visits into to supply compost, seeds and pots to a team he worked there he looked after them and their programme of events. The prisoners’ flowers bring extra of inmates working under the supervision of started telling everyone else about them. Sue Sinclair, Secretary of Hutton Rudby Garden Club & colour to the heart of Norwich, a horticulturist Ray Curcher. In exchange, the It was brilliant. ” 2013 RHS Britain in Bloom finalist Co-ordinator of GCIE says the exchange has been a welcome source prisoners grow plants for flower beds around In addition to growing plants for the city, of Norwich in Bloom Friends of information and has even helped to support the formation of the city. Last year they produced over 60,000. the inmates also maintain the prison gardens several new clubs. “It’s quite overwhelming when you start out,” she Funding comes from local businesses, which and use scrap wood to make garden furniture Cove Bay’s new says. “I suddenly found myself Secretary when our club was set up in are acknowledged alongside the displays like bird tables and planters. To become a Community greens community growing space 2001 and you think ‘help!’ I’ve got to write a programme and I have that they sponsor. part of the gardening team inmates have On the outskirts of the and (inset) as work started. absolutely no clue as to what’s out there and how to start. According to Ray, the scheme provides to pass through an application process, and community in Cove Bay has come together “I now have a very thick folder full of information and ideas and great personal satisfaction for the prisoners. once accepted they take part in horticulture to transform an unattractive council it’s great to be able to help others starting out.” “I think they come over here with the work five days a week. amenity space into a vibrant communal Members use the exchange to send out messages when looking attitude, ‘it would be nice to work outside in As inmates near their release they growing area. for speakers or to publicise and share anything from club events, to the sun,’ and then they get involved in what are offered an 8-week work experience In 2010, with funding from the Scottish charity open gardens or allotments becoming available. Clubs have we do, and they become more involved, and programme in Chapelfield Shopping Centre, government’s Climate Challenge Fund and also joined together for summer visits. There’s no charge to take part, tending the grounds or working in retail. a five-year lease from the council, work all that’s required is an email address and the commitment to share General Manager Davina Tanner is supportive started to lay out plots for a 0.28 hectare club programmes with the group.

Archant of the horticulture scheme. “Anything which community allotment. Today 31 members “It’s helped me to produce an interesting and varied programme,” provides a positive work culture is beneficial,” tend plots on the site and communal says Sue, who is constantly on the lookout for new ideas to keep the she says. “Lots of people in prison haven’t areas are made available to schools. schedule exciting. “Every club secretary is glad of the back-up of had those work experiences in their lives, Last year the group, Nether Loirston the information exchange when it comes to writing the so anything that can help them to find Growers Association (NLGA), received an next programme.” employment on their release is a good thing.” ‘Outstanding’ award in the RHS It’s Your The exchange meets once a year, hosted by a different club each The reoffending rate after Chapelfield is Neighbourhood campaign. time, to discuss shared challenges such as declining membership low - 5 percent, against a national average “It’s made a significant difference to and the pitfalls of organising coach trips. “We have addressed the of 47 percent - and two inmates have gone the area,” says NLGA Secretary Michele nightmare scenario of a ‘no show’ speaker and have devised quiz on to find employment in horticulture, one McPartlin. “With everyone involved it’s questions for such an occasion,” says Sue. “Instant DIY Gardeners’ setting up his own business and the other enhanced what was previously a pretty Question Times can also be a life-saver!” working as a landscaper. derelict part of our community. Chairman of The Friends of Norwich in “We’re all local residents and we hold Should you have any queries about the information exchange Sue Bloom, Norwich City Council’s Horticultural regular social events. It’s a nice mix of can be contacted on: [email protected] Officer Terry Bane is delighted with the people and there’s always someone around scheme. “Without the support of HM Prison to chat to and always something to learn!” Norwich and Ray, Norwich would have no Sandy Scott from Aberdeen City Need a speaker or judge for your show? bedding displays in the city,” he says. “The Council says, “The new allotment site has council has shifted its focus to perennials revitalised the neighbourhood. The council The 2013 Speakers and Judges registers, produced by the RHS for so this is a wonderful addition that the is delighted to be able to support such a Affiliated Societies, are now available on the RHS website. community is able to make. It is through community-driven enterprise and this The lists contain speakers/ judges’ contact details, along with the generosity of all our sponsors that the has helped forge strong links with their specialist topics and their fee. Prisoners in the horticulture initiative is funded and we’re enormously the community.” team tend the grounds of HMP grateful for their support.” To view the registers, please visit: rhs.org.uk/affiliatedsocieties Norwich in addition to growing www.nlga.info/ (selecting ‘resources for groups’) flowers for the city centre www.norwichinbloom.co.uk Michele McPartlin

Grass roots • Spring 2013 rhs.org.uk/communities 14 DESIGNINTERVIEW FOR SHOWS rhs CAMPAIGN FOR SCHOOL GARDENING 15

RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2013 S a vo u r The RHS Campaign for School Gardening is on the hunt for the exceptional young gardening talent of 2013. RHS Learning Development Manager, Claire Custance met one of last year’s finalists.

flavour Images: Linda Sidebottom ast year, the RHS received more than were collected by Alan and brought to school 100 nominations from schools across on his bike. How you can support your Lthe UK, telling us about young people Whilst studying for four ‘A’ Levels, Alan local school this spring who had made an exceptional contribution still manages to spend five or six hours a to their school and local community week volunteering and doing odd gardening Spring is a busy time of year for school through gardening. jobs for local residents. The pocket money he gardening – trying to keep on top of To find out what makes these young has earned from his paid work has already sowings, watering and maintenance as gardeners so special, I met up with Alan helped him to fund a four-week spell on a well as the curriculum! Here are a few Monk, whose dedication to community tree conservation project in Borneo. He is ways that your group might be able to Raymond uses fresh ingredients from the volunteering earned him a place in the list now saving for his next school trip to Ecuador, help your local school: garden to create his of finalists for last where students • Help out with the weeding – award-winning food. year’s award. will work with the the warmer weather and rain At 16, Alan Ecuadorian community will mean that the weeds grow already has nine to help them develop faster than the crops, so a quick years’ gardening an understanding of hoe around emerging plants will behind him, and is sustainable forestry. really help them establish. Raymond Blanc OBE is the owner and chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, a two Michelin mostly self-taught. So what did Alan • Water in dry spells – if we are His interest in think about being lucky enough to get any! Or star restaurant and hotel in . He is supporting the Edible Britain campaign and gardening began judged a finalist in maybe help schools set up water will be helping to plant up edible gardens at Bermondsey’s Tyers and Whites Estates in April. at the age of RHS Young School harvesting from shed gutters, seven with an old, Gardener of the Year? where butts can overflow to battered copy of Above all he was other butts (can be cheaper RHS: Why are you supporting the Edible were playing football. Then the veg would be I would have canes to grow French climbing ‘The House Plant surprised to have been plastic barrels) by attaching Britain campaign? picked, topped and tailed and cooked by my beans and peas – delicious to pick and eat Expert’ found singled out from so piping between them. mother and often bottled for the winter. straight from the garden. on his mother’s many entries. On being • Donate surplus veg and flower RB: When I was a child I helped my mother From the age of seven I was also a hunter- coffee table. It told that he was highly seedlings – schools will usually with her garden, and watched her grow, gatherer across the woods of Franche-Comté RHS: What is your favourite use of an herb was about to be commended for the be happy to try new crops. harvest and cook most of the wonderful where there are fields growing numerous in the kitchen? thrown away, but time he gave up for • Help build all-weather paths things we ate – juicy, fragrant tomatoes; types of wonderful produce – mushrooms, Alan asked if he his local community around raised beds by laying crisp, refreshing salads; tiny, gem-like broad chanterelles, wild asparagus, wild berries and RB: There are so many. For example basil could keep it. Soon and environment he old offcuts of carpet and then beans; deliciously waxy potatoes; and flowers. All that we picked would be handed in pistou soup – a hearty peasant soup, after, he persuaded replied, “I don’t see covering with bark chippings, beautiful, sweet orange pumpkins. I knew to my mum to create a simple creative act of combining lots of fresh vegetables in a his mother to buy it as giving up my if available. This will mean exactly where our food came from; I knew cooking and the rest sold on the side of the flavoursome broth – is truly delicious. him some African time. I just love being teachers and children alike will the feel and smell of the earth in which street. This gave me a good understanding of Blanching the basil leaves for a few seconds violet plants during outdoors!” be more inclined to use growing it grew. So even as a child I valued and the cycles – and also made me a rich young and dipping them in cold water to stop the a trip to the local Fiona Secrett areas if they don’t have to walk cherished every bite, every mouthful; for I man by the age of 10! cooking will fix the chlorophyll, preventing supermarket. He In November Alan spent a morning through mud, and it stops grass was connected to the land via the food I ate. Food was very much at the heart of our discolouration, thereby ensuring the vivid started to nurture a working in RHS Garden Wisley’s from getting untidy. Children nowadays lack this connection house. But so was the gift of food – food was green colour is retained. You will lose some small collection in model gardens with Lucie Ponsford, • Help plant a wildflower meadow with the place in which they grow up – so the an act of love which was to be shared with of the perfumes of the basil, but as there his room. an RHS gardener studying for the to encourage bees and give the Master of Horticulture qualification. best thing we can do for them is to encourage the people you love, your family. All of those is so much of it you will still have a As time went on, Alan noticed that the school more biodiversity. them to grow some of their own food, to values have permeated my own approach to wonderful flavour. communal gardens he could see from experience the exhilaration of reconnecting cooking and preparing food. his window were in need of an uplift. with the soil, for the joy of eating and cooking RHS: What one thing could we all do to Working alongside his mother and a few Make your nominations! is preceded by the joy of growing. enjoy the taste of our food more? local residents, he began to plant colourful RHS: You grow over 90 types of vegetable perennials to improve the area. 2013 RHS Young School Gardener of

RHS: How did you get started with food? and 70 varieties of herb in your kitchen RB: Grow the varieties you love. The journey Meanwhile, back at Oaklands College the Year is now open for nominations of Primary Street Gwladys garden at Le Manoir – which favourites of planting, nurturing and harvesting is in Havant where he is a student, Alan’s children and young people aged 5-16. RB: My childhood was probably a cliché of would you choose for a small space, just a incredibly rewarding and will certainly add to developing knowledge was a great asset The deadline for this year’s entries is French rural life. At the age of seven, my few metres large? the enjoyment of eating it! to his teacher Jane Osborne, who was 18th May 2013. father took me to the garden, made me take redesigning the school garden to make way a handful of earth, look at it, smell it, taste RB: I would have early crops of radish, crisp www.manoir.com for a new BTEC course in horticulture. Alan For more information, visit A small wildflower area will bring more biodiversity it! And of course, I was very much involved in lettuce (I grew as a child in France ‘Reine des showed great initiative by organising a ‘tool rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening all the toiling in the garden, whilst my friends glaces’, one of my favourite varieties). amnesty’ among local church-goers. Old tools

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