fun for Hackney children
We were so happy to welcome back two groups from London Fields Primary School in Hackney for a campover at space2grow. Our acre was buzzing with noise and excitement as the children played, explored and took part in a great range of activities.........
The garden, tended by our wonderful volunteers, looked fabulous and provided a safe and stimulating environment for the children to explore and enjoy.
The children loved using wildflowers to make hapazome prints in the secret garden where they also enjoyed marshmallows and hot chocolate around a campfire as the sun went down.
Making scarecrows was a big hit with the children getting very creative!
Exploring the neighbouring Bishop's Meadow and paddling in the River Way
Getting hands on making pizzas from scratch with Coral's Cookery School, watching them cook in our pizza oven made by Farnham Men in Sheds and sitting by the wildlife pond to enjoy their delicious pizzas!
Meeting and petting an array of farm animals provided by Mill Cottage Farm Animals and farms2ewe mobile farm was a highlight!
The children loved their rustic medals, made by Farnham Men in Sheds, our collaboration with Farnham Maltings. They decorated them with highlights from their trip and proudly wore them home.
After a fish and chip supper from The Traditional Plaice in Downing Street the children were treated to a performance of Cinderella by The Chanticleer Players, a wonderful local amateur dramatic group. We'd like to say a big thank you to Rachel from our local Girl Guides group for lending us some great tents for the children to experience a night under canvas.
pond dipping fun
Earlier in the week we were very happy to welcome back children from St Andrew's School for some wildlife adventures in and around the pond. Snails, bugs and stickleback fish were some of their exciting finds. We are looking forward to seeing the children again in September.
panto fun!
As well as performing Cinderella for the children from Hackney The Chanticleer Players also used space2grow as a COVID safe, outdoor venue for their summer pantomime Rapunzel. With singing, dancing, goodies and baddies this was a fantastic show. Thank you to the Truemark Trust for their kind donation to enable us to offer free tickets to our space2grow community.
Interval music was supplied by local band The Colour Blind Monks and young audience member Ben was very happy to meet Rapunzel after the show and was stunned by how fast she could complete a Rubik's cube!
weekly wishlist
At space2grow we love to recycle and reuse and save money. Our various groups have created a wishlist of items that would make a real difference on the acre. If you can help by donating any of these items please email us:
files and rasps suitable for use with wood
water butts or suitable containers
workbench
seeds and plants
opening hours update
A reminder of our opening hours which are now from 9am to 5pm. We have also taken the decision to lock the entrance door when there is no official session in progress and at night as there have been security issues with neighbouring gates being damaged. This shouldn't affect the majority of our volunteers who attend regular, organised sessions.
Don't forget space2grow is available to book at weekends during the summer for relaxing and enjoying a picnic or barbecue. Just email info@space2grow.space to book!
reflections from the acre
Children from London Fields Primary School and Assistant Head Teacher Max share their reflections of their time at space2grow........
Milo - “The mobile farm was a lot of fun! I loved seeing so many animals and getting to stroke Token.”
Aras - “My favourite part of the day was playing in the river with my friends. It was great and so refreshing!”
David - “I loved going on the trampoline for the first time. The panto after dinner was so funny!”
Iga - “I enjoyed everything, especially creating all of the colours in the leaf bashing activity!”
Max (teacher) - “What struck me most about our time at space2grow was how happy and content the children were in the surroundings. From the beautiful wildflower meadows to the stream and the cooking shed, the environment that has been created on the acre is one of peacefulness, pleasure and happiness! You could see the children indulge in this feeling of serenity during their time on the site.
We spent our time experiencing nature first hand with a wonderful array of activities laid on by the fantastic team at space2grow including: petting animals from the mobile farm, paddling in the stream that runs along the edge of the site, baking homemade pizzas in the woodfired oven, making and decorating scarecrows, Japanese leaf printing on canvas, trampolining and even exploring the WWII pillbox on site. On top of all this, there was a hilariously entertaining panto production in the evening, with teachers even getting special mentions! All of our needs were catered for, including accommodation for the overnight stay, dinner and breakfast in the morning.
Without doubt, this was another transformational trip for the children at our school, and it was also a lot of fun too! We can't wait to come back and visit again. Thank you space2grow!”
If you would like to share what the acre means to you please email info@space2grow.space - we love hearing everyones reflections.
As always, we are working hard 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!
