Maryon Park Community Garden February 2021

Maryon Park Community Garden February 2021

Special report for ‘Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Parks’ AGM

Gardening and Growing

Since March 2020, the Community Garden has been closed to the general public during the three lock-down periods but has remained open for plot holders. The Community Garden grew 47 Kg of produce during the 2000/2021 seasons the equivalent of 586 meals.

Forest School

Windrush Primary School has used the Forest School space when government guidelines have allowed. Our qualified ‘Forest School Leader’ Chevonne has been running Forest School sessions for young children with their child-minders.

Members and Volunteers

We have welcomed several new members and a new plot holder Yan. The lockdown has prevented corporate and group volunteers from helping with the gardening and maintenance tasks. A few plot holders have been working, socially distanced, to maintain the Community Garden including Forest School – special thanks to Dinah and Dan.

The Green Room

Simon, our outdoor art therapist, has run a reduced number of sessions this year using the Green Room to mentor art therapy graduates. The Green Room will be available for hire, when regulations allow, for meetings, teaching, therapy and counseling sessions at £5 an hour.

Fundraising

The Community Garden has received membership fees; Forest School and Green Room hire income as well as funding from selling plants, crafts and jam.

Open Days

Capital Growth’s ‘Good to Grow Day’ in April was cancelled. During the summer the 2020 ‘Big Lunch’ and the ‘Party in the Park’ events were cancelled, but an organic tomato plant sale on 1^st July was very popular. For the ‘Urban Harvest’ open day, in September, the Community Garden ran a successful socially distanced plant and damson jam sale. Instead of the Santa event for young children and families in December we held a socially distanced handmade craft and winter plant sale.

Finance

The Community Garden finances have been surprisingly healthy, with funds from the socially distance events helping towards growing materials, garden maintenance, heating and lighting costs.

2021

As last year, the March AGM will be a remote Zoom meeting.

There will be a socially distanced plant sale and damson jam sale at the Community Gate on Saturday 24^th April marking Capital Growth’s ‘Good to Grow Day’.

The Community Garden, adapting to Covid-19 guidelines, will continue to provide flexible opportunities for local people to help them with the mental and physical health benefits of gardening.

Maryon Park Community Garden is a ‘not-for-profit’ voluntary community project.

Tim and Edna

Chair: MPCG Coordinator: MPCG