Ecoworks

Are you interested in taking part in a pilot City and Guilds level 2 Organic Gardening certificate being delivered at Ecoworks on St Anns Allotments? The course will be delivered by Sally Smith (former head of Information and Training at Garden Organic (HDRA), who also wrote it, and which has been accredited by City and Guilds. We are one of two pilot centres for the course; the other being Pershore College (which specialises in Horticulture courses).

There are 9 units that are specifically relevant to organic vegetable growing and people need to undertake the principles of Organic gardening and at least 1 other to get a certificate. The course is being offered as day long modules and can either be run on a Friday or Saturday dependent on interest. The course is initially planned to start on the 23rd or 24th January.

We are looking to initially run Organic Gardening Principles, Planning The Organic Vegetable Plot, and Vegetable Plant Raising, Production Methods and Harvesting. Other modules will be added further down the line on Growing Healthy Plants, Managing Pests and Diseases, Habitat Creation and Biodiversity, Managing Your Soil and Weeds.

The Organic Gardening Principles & 1 other module costs £50 for registration and certification with City and Guilds and subsequent modules are £18. We have not as yet secured any funding to run this course and so the cost of delivering each module will depend on numbers. We anticipate that the Certificate (Organic Gardening Principles and 1 other module) will cost £120 for tuition and £80 for each subsequent module if no funding is secured.Please do get in touch even if you would be unable to pay the fees as we aim to make all our courses accessible to all people regardless of their income and this may help us in our bid to secure funds to run this course in the future.

If you are interested please let us know by 15th January

Ecoworks Community Gardens are now open on Saturdays on a regular basis. We are renovating an old greenhouse and are aiming to get it rebuilt in time for the spring sowing season. If you want to come up and help out it would be great to see you. We are aiming to build the greenhouse in a simple way so that it can easily be repaired in the future.

We are also offering other activities on these Saturdays.

On Saturday the 6^th December Tim will be making a set of “New Zealand” style compost bins.

We’re not sure yet what Saturdays we will be open the Christmas period so please give Paul a call on the number below before coming.

If you want any more information then please ring Paul on 07973 116291

We look forward to seeing you!

All are invited to our Annual General Meeting which will be held on Tuesday 25th November at 7pm in Room 4, YMCA International Community Centre, 61b Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FN.

Please come along if you are interested in the work that Ecoworks does, especially if you would like to become more involved with the organization through contributing ideas, volunteering or becoming a member of our Management Committee (see below).
The agenda for the AGM includes:
 - Apologies
 - Annual Report
 - Election of Management Committee
 - Discussion relating to credit crunch, peak oil and local food
 - Q&A Session
 - Any Other Business

If you would like to attend the meeting please RSVP on 0115 962 2200
or by e-mailing info@ecoworks.org.uk.

Join Ecoworks Management Committee

We are seeking individuals who share our environmental and social ethos to join a committed and proactive Management Committee team. You will support the development of Ecoworks and contribute to setting strategic direction and ensuring compliance with regulations that govern our organisation. You may wish to take on specific responsibilities, such as Business Planning, PR and Marketing, HR, Fundraising, Legal or Volunteer co-ordination.
The new Management Committee will be elected at the AGM. If you would like to help by being involved, please let Ecoworks know as soon as possible.

On Sunday 14^th September 2008 the famous Grade 2* listed site of St Anns Allotments will open its gates to celebrate its unique heritage to help celebrate Heritage Open Day. The 70 acre site, includes some 600 allotments used mostly individual gardeners, but also several community groups.

STAA Heritage Officer, Mo Cooper, says “Walking onto St Anns allotments is like walking back in time, it’s a precious place that captures so much of Nottingham’s history, an oasis in a hectic city. We are very pleased to take part in Heritage Open Day and promote this hidden treasure”.

During the day visitors can

• Explore our Community Orchard
• Visit the award winning Ecoworks and their strawbale building
• Come on a guided tours of the site and private gardens
• Learn more about St Anns Allotments and our heritage project
• Participate in activities: environmental arts, willow work, apple juicing
• Harvest café selling home grown, home cooked food.
• Exhibitions

Entrance to the Open Day will be through the Community Orchard gate which is situated along Ransom Road. Look for signs and balloons!
Parking available along Ransom Road.
Limited on-site disabled parking

Bus service No 42 to Ransom Road

Are you 16-18?

Got 16 hours free a week and not currently in Education, Training or Employment?

Would you like to work outside learning about growing plants and vegetables? We can offer a Level 1 Qualification and £30 EMA with Boots and tools provided along with transport to our beautiful and productive Community Market Garden on a 75 Acre heritage listed site in the city.

Contact Claire at ECOWORKS on 07815296071 or 0115 962 2200 for an informal chat.