"Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your natural beauty. Keep growing."
Joanne Raptis - Artist.
Coronavirus Update
In light of the recent Government announcements on further restrictions introduced on Thursday 5th November, we want to let our volunteers and all those involved in the acre know that we are still open and are able to offer support.
space2grow is a volunteer organisation and a provider of support and therapeutic services, both of which are 'specific except activities' under the new restrictions. We will of course continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
We have made some small changes to the calendar to spread activities across the acre. The mornings open to volunteers are now Mon, Thur & Fri. We do ask that you always email info@space2grow.space prior to coming to a session to allow us to keep track of who is on the acre. This will help us keep the project a safe space for everyone.
We hope that the project will continue to be a place of solace and comfort during the weeks ahead.
Remember, remember...
We arranged an impromptu, covid safe gathering, which was attended by a few volunteers to mark bonfire night - but we did it in true space2grow style! The fire was built during the day and torches were made from willow branches, straw, an old duvet and a healthy dousing of paraffin! It was a spectacular walk between the torches to the fire which burned intensely into the evening, shooting orange sparks into the cold night air. Hopefully we can do the same again next year but will be able to invite more people to enjoy the event.
Cookery Classes underway
It was wonderful to welcome some new cooks from Transform Housing and Support to our well ventilated kitchen this week! With excellent tuition from Coral they were soon preparing spaghetti bolognese together with cheese scones and the feedback from the attendees was very positive. Great care has been taken to ensure that our Talking Shed is covid secure and this involved a lot of extra food preparation prior to the class, additional cleaning and strict adherence to social distancing. It was a great success and we look forward to additional groups starting next week including the return of the Potters Gate school children who are in for a well deserved treat! A big thank you to everyone involved for their hard work in getting this important activity up and running and working so efficiently in challenging circumstances.
Garden Update
Heavy rain has hampered some of our gardening days but good progress has been made getting bulbs dug in... but we could do with lots of help next week! There are three days to choose from and you can book your day at info@space2grow.space. A new leaf mulching enclosure has been made by the Friday gardeners, and there is plenty of material to fill it, so book a day and grab a rake! Keen observers might have noticed an additional certificate has slipped in amongst the collection - our "Outstanding" award from South and South East in Bloom and I have also received a certificate via email from the RHS which I will print and frame and bring over next week. Happy gardening!
Natures answers...Nature provides the answers to many of the issues that face us on a daily basis but sometimes we can over complicate things and can't see the wood for the trees! In just a few grabbed minutes immersed in the beauty of a garden or a wood, on a common or by a lake, can infuse a feeling of well-being more powerful than any man made pill or tonic. Watching a robin searching for worms close to where you are digging, or discovering a newt hunkered down in autumn leaves, can bring a great sense of peace and will leave you feeling connected and grounded in your surroundings. We are all part of nature and not a separate entity, so take time to plug yourself back into the network from time to time as nature won't send you a bill for it's restorative services!
I'd like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone involved in the space2grow project for creating some great memories over the last three years. It has been a wonderful journey and we have achieved so much through teamwork, shared goals and friendship. Wherever I land up, part of me will be forever woven into the space2grow acre and I wish continued success and wellbeing to everyone involved.
Take care and be kind to yourselves! - Corin.
Updates for your diary - Walks, Yoga, Sculpture Project
The 'Walks & Talks' walk hosted by Libby planned for Monday 9th November has been postponed due to restrictions on group walks but as soon as we are able You are still able to register your interest in joining the walk please email info@space2grow.space
Unfortunately we have had to suspend our yoga groups during this latest lockdown. Yoga is a wonderful aid to wellbeing and Isobel will be releasing some content during lockdown via various channels so visit her website for further information (www.roots-yoga.co.uk). We'll continue to monitor the government advice and will resume both classes as soon as it is practicable.
The start of the Outdoor Sculpture Project has been delayed by a week, so if you would like to be involved in this from the beginning please come along next Friday 13th November at 2.30pm. All ideas welcome! Please contact info@space2grow.space if you would like to pop along and join in.
And as always, we are trying to ensure that space2grow remains a Covid safe site so please email info@space2grow.space prior to your visits, bring your own food and drink, take any rubbish home and please adhere to social distancing.
Thank you and see you soon!