Monthly Archives: July 2016

Summer! and the goings on of summer!

July 29, 2016

Hi everyone,

I know I always say this but we’ve had a great couple of weeks in the garden. The Golden Buds toddler group went out in glory with a teddy’s bears picnic, a MASSIVE potato harvest (honestly! such an amazing amount of potatoes off a couple of plants! such tiny green fingers!) and an unnecessarily hot fire on the hottest day of the year. I’m just sorting out booking for next term so get in touch!   And we’d love some more help, the new term starts 6th September and it’s just a couple of joyful hours a week!
 
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The Golden Club finished on a bang on the same scorching hot day with marshmallow fondue, water fights and next level pond dipping – i.e children dipping themselves in the pond.  It’s been a magnificent first couple of terms and we’re full for September but plan to run all year round so get in touch to get on the list! And if that sounds like fun… then why not come and help out?  We’d love more help and it’s only 3 hours and very very fun.  Term starts 6th Sept
 
 
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And now it’s the summer holidays so that means Golden Adventure days for 5 to 12 years oldsand we’ve already been busy making cool stuff, starting fires, munching pizza and commuting on a time travelling turtle – and there’s spaces available on the 16th, 23rd and 30th August.  (and of course we’d love help making these as fun as possible- get in touch to come and volunteer!)
 
We ran our first Inclusive Family Adventure Day yesterday and ….. it was FANTASTIC!   17 children from 9 (mostly) local families sang, toasted snacks on the fire, played parachute games, made pizza, lazed in homemade hammocks and enjoyed the new and absolutely fabulous sensory trail built by our volunteers in the edible forest.  It was a joy or as one participant said “really, really, really amazing”.  We’ve got space next week on the 4th (but we’re full for the 18th) so get in touch if you have a child with additional needs or a disability . It’s just a £5! Bug thanks to the Bristol City Council BCR Well Being fund for giving us the cash to make this possible, and keep an eye out for the SEND a Welcome folks working to make the community accessible for everyone.  Also (you’ve guessed it!) we’d love some more help on these days!  4th and 18th of August – just 4 hours of your time or just the morning or the afternoon to help give these families a cracking time in the garden. Let me know!
 
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The garden is looking great!  The dragonflies are out on the pond, our new butterfly I.D sheets are being put to good use. Our beds are full of veg – purple beans! golden beetroot! black tomatoes! red potatoes! It’s been a great year for our veg.  Except the carrots. Don’t mention the carrots…  
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And we’re got a date for our Harvest Fair Saturday 17th September 1-4.  Please pop it on your diaries.  We always need more help! more music!  more cakes! and more idea to make our events lovely.  If you’d like to help organise it please let me know!  Apologies for the local clashes with other events.
 
AND finally a massive thanks to all the folks that make this possible! the amazing team of volunteers that get so much done, keep the garden looking amazing, and grow so much tasty stuff AND the folks that help out with our kids activities!! You know who you’re great!  And if it’s not clear above …. We’re always looking for more help so if you fancy helping any of the kids’ stuff this summer or with the new terms of the toddler groups or after school club then let me know!  It’s all lovely and many hands make light work!
 
See you in the garden!
 
Lucy

Sunshine News from the Garden

July 4, 2016

Hi everyone!

Okay so we’ve had soggy days and the world may seem a little uncertain but here’s some sunshine news from the garden!
berry hands
Firstly a massive thanks to the lovely people of Bishopston Garden Society who last week dropped off an wonderfully unexpectedly and massively generous cheque for £800 raised at their open garden day!! Thank You!!
 
AND we had great news from the Local Small Grants Wellbeing fund from the council who are funding us to run some new inclusive adventure days for families with a child with special educational needs or a disability and their siblings.  These will be accessible, fun packed, days where you can bring your whole family for sensory trails, silly games, cooking on the fire, singing and music, pizza from the frog, and all sorts of garden loveliness. Just £5 per child!! Bargain!  Thursdays 28th July and 4th August 11pm-3pm and another date to be confirmed (but probably 18th August).  The days are aimed at 5-12 year olds but there are no age restrictions and everyone is welcome but booking is essential.  If you’re interested or you know a family who might like to come along please let them know and get them to give me a ring!  
Send a golden welcome 2016
 
AND it’s summer so our Golden Adventure Days are back!  Running from 26th July- 30th August every Tuesday with a worldwide theme we’ll be building igloos, crossing sand dunes and trying not to be eaten by tigers!  Get in touch as soon as pos as booking is essential and these are going to be great. 10am-4pm ages 5-12  £26 including pizza from the frog!
Summer 2016 golden fun poster
Our first tomato was ready last Weds – whoop!- and at the moment we’re harvesting tasty tayberries, strawberries, chard, beetroot, cabbages, peas, mangetout, potatoes, turnips, blackberries, spring onions, courgettes and loads of delicious stuff, heaps of flowers and all you have to do to get your hands on some delicious bounty is … come and be part of our garden every Weds 10-4 AND the fabulous Diane is opening up on some Saturdays – check out times and dates on our facebook page! 
 
The first tomato 2016
 
And of course the tods of the toddler group keep up their happy toddling and the kids of the afterschool Golden Club carry on making ever more elaborate dens. 
 
Ahhh the Golden Hill Community Garden! – where the sun is always shining…even when it rains! 
 
rainy pond dipping
See you in the garden!
 
Lucy
 
 
Lucy Mitchell
Community Project Worker

07506 905 394
ghcgarden@gmail.com