Latest from Zen
ZEN is doing well, considering the weather we had lots of tomatoes, the chillies are starting, cucumbers and courgettes did well, some squashes and pumpkins also survived (they did go in a bit late), and though a lot less then last year, the apple trees are doing well, and one of the pear trees have several pears, though the wildlife is quite keen to feed on these too.
We had amazing helpers through the summer (thank you to all!) - watering was our biggest chore, and after using the 5000 litres of rainwater we had, from July till September we had to use tapwater too, as on the 2 days we watered during the week, we gave the plants 600-800 litres altogether. This wasn’t quite enough for all, as we had the make the decision which plants got watered. I am amazed at the raspberries - not had much fruit during the heat, but stayed green and survived without any extra watering (it did have mulch during the autumn-winter period).
We have more groups lined up to come and help, and still going to do the houseplants in Lutteworth once or twice a month.
We also took part in the Food Union’s Harvest Festival, and met lots of lovely people, shared for donation and free lots of plants and produce. Could not have done it without the help of Lucy, Mia and Jarem especially! So lovely to meet some regular goodie-goodie people - and even better, when people come up and talk about the plants they got from us in the spring - the hundreds of tomato plants given out must have produced at least 50-100kgs of tomatoes, and helped to feed people locally, plus some people had chillies too.
We did at least 7 donations in August and September to Langar Aid, Cafe tots, the Pod Cafe (fallen apples during the Festival), and put out lots of fallen apples to the shop, plus our lovely volunteers took a bit - always a joy to hear, and especially when cakes or other food is brought in to share - thank you!
ZEN is doing well, considering the weather we had lots of tomatoes, the chillies are starting, cucumbers and courgettes did well, some squashes and pumpkins also survived (they did go in a bit late), and though a lot less then last year, the apple trees are doing well, and one of the pear trees have several pears, though the wildlife is quite keen to feed on these too.
We had amazing helpers through the summer (thank you to all!) - watering was our biggest chore, and after using the 5000 litres of rainwater we had, from July till September we had to use tapwater too, as on the 2 days we watered during the week, we gave the plants 600-800 litres altogether. This wasn’t quite enough for all, as we had the make the decision which plants got watered. I am amazed at the raspberries - not had much fruit during the heat, but stayed green and survived without any extra watering (it did have mulch during the autumn-winter period).
We have more groups lined up to come and help, and still going to do the houseplants in Lutteworth once or twice a month.
We also took part in the Food Union’s Harvest Festival, and met lots of lovely people, shared for donation and free lots of plants and produce. Could not have done it without the help of Lucy, Mia and Jarem especially! So lovely to meet some regular goodie-goodie people - and even better, when people come up and talk about the plants they got from us in the spring - the hundreds of tomato plants given out must have produced at least 50-100kgs of tomatoes, and helped to feed people locally, plus some people had chillies too.
We did at least 7 donations in August and September to Langar Aid, Cafe tots, the Pod Cafe (fallen apples during the Festival), and put out lots of fallen apples to the shop, plus our lovely volunteers took a bit - always a joy to hear, and especially when cakes or other food is brought in to share - thank you!
Harvest Festival at the Cathedral
The harvest festival event at the cathedral ruins was a success as usual. A big thank you to those who came and helped with the stall. There was chance to talk to regular supporters, introduce Team Springboard to some new people and sell plants and produce.
The event was organised by Coventry Food Union who run the Pod Cafe.
The harvest festival event at the cathedral ruins was a success as usual. A big thank you to those who came and helped with the stall. There was chance to talk to regular supporters, introduce Team Springboard to some new people and sell plants and produce.
The event was organised by Coventry Food Union who run the Pod Cafe.
Harvest at Zen
Thanks to all the hard work the harvest is underway at Zen. Some of the produce is being donated to the Coventry branch of Langar Aid. Their staff and volunteers prepare meals and food packages for people in need.
New director
Team Springboard has a new director bringing the number to four. The new director is Viktoria Dimitrova who brings her experience working for a large insurance company and her passion for gardens and nature.
Funders
A big thank you to the funders who are helping keep us up and running. The latest ones are the Blakemore Foundation (runs convenience stores), the Merrell Foundation (makes hiking boots, running shoes and other outdoor gear) and Coventry based good cause funder the Heart of England Community Foundation.
Thanks to all the hard work the harvest is underway at Zen. Some of the produce is being donated to the Coventry branch of Langar Aid. Their staff and volunteers prepare meals and food packages for people in need.
New director
Team Springboard has a new director bringing the number to four. The new director is Viktoria Dimitrova who brings her experience working for a large insurance company and her passion for gardens and nature.
Funders
A big thank you to the funders who are helping keep us up and running. The latest ones are the Blakemore Foundation (runs convenience stores), the Merrell Foundation (makes hiking boots, running shoes and other outdoor gear) and Coventry based good cause funder the Heart of England Community Foundation.
Surveys
There are two surveys coming up in the next few weeks - general feedback and our impact survey. Please fill them in if you can.
Does anybody get up in the morning and think: “oh good I’ve got a survey to fill in today and I’m really looking forward to it”? Not really. But collecting opinions from surveys is one of the ways Team Springboard stays on track. Surveys matter to the organisations which fund the opening gardening sessions, such as the National Lottery. And surveys matter to the Office of the Community Interest Company Regulator (we’re a Community Interest Company) which oversees us. So please help if you can - they will be available on paper and online.
There are two surveys coming up in the next few weeks - general feedback and our impact survey. Please fill them in if you can.
Does anybody get up in the morning and think: “oh good I’ve got a survey to fill in today and I’m really looking forward to it”? Not really. But collecting opinions from surveys is one of the ways Team Springboard stays on track. Surveys matter to the organisations which fund the opening gardening sessions, such as the National Lottery. And surveys matter to the Office of the Community Interest Company Regulator (we’re a Community Interest Company) which oversees us. So please help if you can - they will be available on paper and online.
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