nature to nurture
Our weekly nurture club returned to the garden this term. Originally called the 'nature group' the children have decided to rename it the 'nurture group' to describe exactly how they feel about the sessions - a place where they feel safe, are looked after and cared for. A place where they learn to look after the world, each other and themselves.
The children are able to follow their own interests and as such have developed so many new skills. They have been getting muddy making mud playdoh, whittling sticks and using a palm drill to make holes in conkers for craft projects. They have learnt how to light a fire and enjoyed cooking snacks. Trees have been climbed, dens built and games played.
The group have got a new group mascot, which the children have named Conker, or Mr Conker Mushroom to be precise! The group nominate someone to take Conker home each week. He even has his own scrap book to record his adventures, that was started independently by one of the children.
garden teamwork
In the garden the team made good use of the sunny days (in-between the rainy ones!) installing an irrigation system for the veg beds, planting up seedlings, laying down bark on the paths, and clearing out the greenhouse, preparing for seasons ahead. Even making fresh apple juice with the new apple press to enjoy at the end of the session!
Garden lead, Susie and some of our volunteers undertook a scything course with meadow expert Rachel Remnant. With new equipment in hand, the scything of the little meadow outside the Talking Shed started last week. We're excited to watch this space develop.
mud, glorious mud!
The mud kitchen has certainly been full of mud this term during the space2play sessions. Many a delicious meal has been created and the children are now adding those extra special touches with herbs from their new kitchen garden.
Food is always a theme at space2play and the children and adults have enjoyed picking the fruit in the garden. The greenhouse has become a popular place to visit to check on the tomatoes. We love sharing food together and with the cold wet weather toast and crumpets on the fire are a popular activity. When they successfully butter their own crumpet and sit to enjoy it as part of our community around the fire circle everyone feels a sense of peace and well-being.
community support & awards
A busy month of support and awards for the project. We were invited by Squires Badshot Lea as their nominated charity of the year to host a plantathon. Making planters alongside staff, volunteers and customers, all proceeds were donated to space2grow. Thank you to all those who popped down, especially the young mini gardeners from the space2play sessions.
We recently had the joy of attending the South & South East in Bloom awards at RHS Wisley. As well as receiving the 'It's your neighbourhood' award we also received the silver-gilt 'Our Community' award. We enjoyed seeing how many incredible local projects there are and how much work and imagination goes into creating beautiful natural spaces.
It was great to be able to share what we do at space2play with the wider community at the Farnham Malting's Family Festival. Hundreds of children came to visit our stand and were able to take part in a variety of free craft activities. While they were happily engaged we were able to chat to their parents and grandparents about the ethos of the charity and the wide range of opportunities we offer to connect with nature.
The Men in Shed's team continued to provide support to local groups, seen here handing over the keys to a brand new notice board for the St Andrew's School PTA! :) They also rebuilt a wooden cart for the garden team as well as renovating benches for Farnham Town Council.
Huge THANK YOU to the Farnham Lion's who are kindly supporting the 'nurture group' this term and took the time to come to the garden and see the range of activities we offer. The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Brodie Mauluka also presented us with a cheque from Farnham Town Council to help fund the Talking Teens courses we are running this year. The current course is underway and a new course is due to start after the October Half Term. Email info@theparentingspace.space for more information.
THANK YOU!
reflections from the acre...
This September was an important milestone as space2play saw its first anniversary. This in turn meant that some of the children who were attending the sessions have moved on to start at the local schools. Catherine Floyd, the space2play lead, reflects on this transition;
'September was a time for new beginnings at space2play. Most of our four year olds have moved onto school now. We hope that we have helped to make this move easier for them and that they and their families have happy memories of their time with us. We certainly had fun and will miss them. It has been a real privilege to be able to pop in to see those that have moved to Potters Gate School and St. Andrew's School to see how they are. Of course those that go to St. Andrew's continue to visit the garden every week and it is lovely to see how those that attended space2play show their peers around the garden with confidence and pride.
Alongside the goodbyes there have been many new families to greet as well as welcoming back those that have been with us last term. We have lots of beautiful babies that come along with their older siblings. space2grow works its magic, as it does with everyone that visits, and they appear to be calm and content. Our youngest visitor has been four weeks old! '
