This Month in the Gardens June & July

This month’s interview is with Gina, but first, here’s the latest from the gardens.

This issue covers our news from June and July.

Work continues on weeding and planting the beds, with splashes of colour appearing throughout the gardens. The combination of hot weather and rain in June certainly helped everything flourish!

We also tidied the rockery in front of the houses in preparation for a visit from the Green Flag judges, and we’re delighted to announce that we have been awarded a Green Flag! These awards recognise the best-managed parks and green spaces across the country and are an international benchmark for quality, safety, sustainability and community value. Congratulations, and a huge thank-you to everyone for the fantastic work you do throughout the year.

Some of our volunteers attended the Green Guardians Picnic at Woodthorpe Park on Thursday 4 June. Organised by the City Council, the event was a thank-you for all the wonderful work that volunteers do in Nottingham’s open spaces.

We held our Summer Picnic on Monday, and it’s fair to say that everyone had a wonderful time. We sat in the shade beneath the trees and enjoyed a delicious spread from Woody’s in the Bridgeway Centre, which, I’m told, is a great café.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a relaxing art class It proved so popular that we may well run another one in the future.

Many cakes have also been enjoyed during our Monday coffee breaks! Next month, we’ll be sharing pictures of them, so if you’d like your cake to appear on the blog, get baking. And remember: no soggy bottoms, as Mary Berry would say!

This month, our interview is with Gina.

What got you involved in the gardening group?

When we moved to Nottingham, about 38 years ago, the children used to play under a huge

willow tree, and the gardens became a family space, it was a lovely place to come to. We left

Nottingham, but when we returned a few years later, we found the gardens neglected and

forlorn. With some of the neighbours, including Liz, we started some informal projects which

soon grew. There had been previous work done by a group, but it had petered out. Our

group built up to 6 to 8 regular volunteers. We used to meet up every two weeks, but when

COVID arrived, people wanted to meet weekly. Currently, volunteers come weekly, every

Monday. Our involvement in the gardens has increased from a hobby to a regular social

event.

How long have you been volunteering in the gardens?

About 10 years.

Do you have a favourite part of the gardens?

My favourite part is the old rockery, which our early work focused on, clearing brambles and

uncovering its features. There are also the quadrant beds that are striking in all seasons,

including winter.

What one gardening skill do you think you have learned?

I have learned to be more considered about planting, with Influence from Matt, the team

leader from the council, who has helped put the right plant in the right place. Planning where plants go together rather than potluck.

What do you enjoy most about taking part in the community gardens?

The social aspect is highly valued, with people relaxing, chatting, being happy in the gardens and improving the environment.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Taking responsibility and doing something for the community, it is really important to be

proactive.