LATEST NEWS // Join round two of the Forest Gate Community Garden Organic Gardening Course – starts 22 April 2015

Our first Organic Gardening Course has gone so well, we've gone and organised a second one, running for 10 weeks from 22 April 2015 – this time on Wednesday evenings between 7-9pm. Read on for more details on the course and how to enrol

FGCG Organic Gardening Course tutor Stephen Mason on site (centre) in the Forest Gate Community
Garden following our Members event in September 2014

Only one more week left of the very first Forest Gate Community Garden Organic Gardening Course with tutor Stephen Mason, just in time to get out into the garden for a bit of spring sowing, planting and last minute propagating!

Those of us lucky enough to be on the first course have learnt so much – more than we thought possible in just 2 hours each week – including how to have healthy soil, all about shrubs, flowers, trees, and seeds and great tips on water conservation, organic pest control and keeping your tools shipshape. Can't wait to put all our newfound knowledge into action in our own personal gardens and the forthcoming community garden at 136 Earlham Grove.

Don't worry if you missed the course this time round, as we're running a second 10-week class at the Learning Zone from 22 April – this time it's on a Wednesday evening between 7pm and 10pm. You can enrol from 15 April and it costs just £60 for 10 weeks (concession rates apply).

ABOUT THE COURSE // HOW TO ENROL

Run in partnership with Newham Adult Learning Service and tutored by renowned local organic gardener Stephen Mason of Greenspace Management – who has a distinguished community garden record – it runs for 10 weeks from Wednesday 22 April 2015. Sessions take place between 7-9pm each week and are held at the Forest Gate Learning Zone (1 Woodford Road, London, E7 0DH; 5 minutes walk from Forest Gate Station; opposite Wanstead Park Station).

The full cost of the course is £60 for those in employment but there are concessions for the retired and those on benefits, with evidence (see page 2 of the Newham Adult Learning Lifelong Learning 2014-2015 brochure). In order to qualify you need to enrol at Forest Gate Learning Zone on 15 April (10am-7pm), 16 April (10am-7pm) and 17 April at (10am-4pm).

Read on for a detailed account of our syllabus. It is designed to be flexible to meet participants needs and interests and to be of value to experienced as well as new gardeners. Hope to see you there!

Course Students Learn in the Garden

Trees and shrubs were the topic for Week 8 of the garden course. Wearing our stoutest shoes, 13 of us used the garden site as an outdoor classroom. As usual Stephen, the tutor, was a mine of information about everything we saw. He pointed out key plants, including a small silver birch which we need to conserve, several shrubs which must have survived from the time when it was a cultivated garden, and the lovely elder which we will produce flowers and berries for wine and jam. As we worked, a beautiful healthy fox strolled confidently past us in the sunshine. A great experience.
The next course starts on Wednesday April 22nd at 7pm at the Learning Zone. Enrol in the previous week on April 15th, 16th or 17th.
Now, where's that homework on trees and shrubs.....?

Thanks for the Hearts, Number 8

Thanks to everyone who displayed their hearts in the window of Number 8.
Your generous donations will help us build a beautiful garden in the heart of Forest Gate.

FEATURE // WEEK 1-5 OF THE ORGANIC GARDENING COURSE // A RAMBLING ACCOUNT

It's half term and, as such, the Forest Gate Community Garden Organic Gardening Course is on holiday for a week. Here's a little taster of the course so far and how we might apply our new knowledge to our own garden and the Forest Gate Community Gardenat 136 Earlham Grove. Steering Group Member and 'student' Sonya Patel Ellis reports

Companion planting in the vegetable garden can help keep pets away and makes your plot look beautiful

It's nearly March and Week 6 of the Forest Gate Community Garden Organic Gardening Course is on the horizon. Half term provides a week off in which to contemplate what we have learnt and maybe begin to implement some of the things that we have been taught as the advent of Spring begins to throw up shoots. Here's a little recap of weeks 1-5 – can't believe how much we've learnt already. The power of osmosis...

WE ONLY NEED TWO MORE MEMBERS

Saturday's Winter Event at BB's was a roaring success. After our AGM over 50 people enjoyed great food, plenty to drink and loved the Scumbags. We made a much needed £400 for the garden and we signed up 17 new members, so only need 2 more to reach 200 - fantastic! Thanks to everyone who made it a great evening.

GARDEN COURSE // As promised – the course feedback web link

Fellow Members of the FGCG Organic Gardening Course with Stephen Mason. As promised here is a link to the course feedback website so that we can all say how brilliant the course is.

I'll also be posting some feedback on the course this site soon, so please do drop me an email if you are able to give me a couple of words on that too: 136earlhamgrove@gmail.com.

Herewith the link: https://surveys.ipsosinteractive.com/mrWeb/mrlWeb.dll?!.Project=S2000172

However it doesn't seem to work at the moment. I'll keep trying and then relink it so you can click on it direct.

Thank you, Sonya x

LATEST NEWS // Plans are coming together

It's the eve of our AGM and Winter Event and plans are shaping up nicely for the Forest Gate Community Garden. As well as food, drink, music and dancing we'll also kick off the evening with a presentation of what's going on with the garden, next steps and plans for the future. 

Here's a sneak preview of some of the drawings and model made by Steering Group Member and garden designer Lisa Eller for landscaping and buildings on the site.

These plans will be presented at the AGM / Winter Event by Lisa alongside the launch of the front fence mural design competition, which will be presented by Jane McCarthy. So exciting to see ideas actually beginning to take shape.

We hope to see you tomorrow night (14 February 7-11pm) and look forward to seeing you in the garden very soon for a spot of good old-fashioned toil!

LATEST NEWS // Only 3 days to go to display your Valentine message

Have you displayed your heart to Forest Gate yet? Only £2 to write a message to whoever, or whatever, you love. Half the profits go to the Garden. Thanks to Number 8.

MEMBER NEWS // AGM and Winter Event // BB's Social Club // Sat 14 Feb 2015

Members of the Forest Gate Community Garden – join us on Saturday 14 February for our Winter Event and Annual General Meeting (AGM). It's a great opportunity to find out what's happening with the garden, meet fellow residents, and generally make merry and share the love!

The night will kick off with a brief AGM and Financial Report (these docs will also be circulated to Members by email). There will then be a presentation of our future plans by Lisa Eller, the launch of our competition to design an artwork for the external fence presented by Jane McCarthy, and a Q&A to give Members the opportunity to get involved, feedback and learn more.

Then it's time for the celebration of all we've achieved so far – all our hard work and meetings finally paying off – with food, drink, music and dancing. All refreshments are on a donation-only basis, with all proceeds raised going towards the further implementation and creation of the Forest Gate Community Garden.

There's even an open mic, so if you feel like taking to the stage, please do!

Hope to see you there. Please share this post with anyone you think might like to come.

MEMBER NEWS // Save the Date // Valentine's Day evening event

Wondering what to actually do on Valentine's Day? We're hoping to have a little local evening event planned for you, the Forest Gate Community Garden Members with food, drink, music and dancing. We're also hoping to celebrate the signing of our lease – so very nearly there – and hold a quick AGM at the beginning to fill you in on what's going on and what our next steps are. Watch this space for more information but for now, save that date!

LATEST NEWS // Congratulations to Tylney Road Play Street

Congratulations to Tylney Road Play Street, organised by local mum Kelly Drake, neighbouring residents of Forest Gate and supported by London Play and Newham London. Could this be something we could do outside the garden on Earlham Grove too?

A brilliant afternoon was had by all, as Tylney Road between Capel Road (Wanstead Flats) and Godwin Road (Forest Gate Hotel) was closed between the hours of 1pm and 3.30pm on Sunday 25 January 2015.

Loads of kids (of all ages) came down and played in the street, just like we used to do when we were kids. They were out on their bikes, roller skates and scooters, writing in the road with chalk, running around with balloons from BoBo the Balloon Man, spinning hoops and enjoying the bucket loads of hot chocolate and tray bakes.

This is such a great idea, and you can help make it happen again by showing your support on the Tylney Road Play Street Facebook page here >

We're also inspired to organise one ourselves outside the garden on Earlham Grove, possibly to tie in with painting the front wall (more on this soon) so let us know if this is something you would be interested in / helping at. Email us at info@forestgate-community-garden.org.uk.

FIND OUT MORE

Tylney Road Play Street
London Play

LATEST NEWS // LYN BROWN MP signs up for Membership of Forest Gate Community Garden

Lyn Brown MP (centre) with local
Councillors Rachel Tripp (left) and Seyi Akiwowo (right)

Super pleased to announce that Lyn Brown MP (our elected MP for West Ham including West Ham, Forest Gate, Plaistow, Stratford, Upton Park, Canning Town and Maryland) has become a Member of the Forest Gate Community Garden. 

Lyn signed up at the Tylney Road Play Street on Sunday, Forest Gate's, indeed Newham's very first Play Street, and gave us £5 towards her Membership.

Welcome to the garden, Lyn. We look forward to sharing our news with you and even getting stuck into some gardening!

LATEST NEWS // Sun-drenched day on site clearing rubbish and moving in materials from the Olympics

Thanks to everyone who turned out on Friday 23 January for the second Forest Gate Community Garden site clear and to help move Freeusable materials from the Olympics 2012 onto our site at 136 Earlham Grove. The sun really is shining on us!

Getting stuck into the site clear led by
Steering Group Member Hugh Barnard

Teams of FGCG Members joined forces with London Groundwork and community officers from the local police and Newham Council to help get the task down, brilliantly managed by Steering Group Members Lisa Eller and Hugh Barnard.

With everyone's help, we managed to clear most of the rubbish into a skip (thanks to Ian Martin at Newham Council for organising that) and move donated goods including paving slabs and stones into the site. Truly amazed by the range of ingenious ways our volunteers came up with to move the rubbish and transport the donated goods on site.

Another brilliant way to transport the rubbish off site

A packed lunch was prepared by Myanah and Kath from the Steering Group to keep the volunteers energised. Plus we had a most generous spontaneous delivery of homemade ginger biscuits and tea from the Bruderhof community on Clova Road – best ginger biscuits we've ever tasted.

The sun shone all day, albeit with a frosty start, proving once again what an amazing sun trap the site of the garden is. Everyone agrees, there's something quite magical about this spot and with some  of the buddleia and debris cleared, the site looks even bigger and more inviting.

Councillor Rohima Rahman with Steering Group Members
Lloyd Jeans and Isobel Matheson – plus our youngest volunteer
Iggy Ellis helping mum and Steering Group Member
Sonya Patel Ellis with photography!

We also had a visit from Councillor Rohima Rahman of Green Street East ward and Community Leader for Forest Gate, who supports several community gardens in the borough. Thanks Councillor Rohima for coming to observe our efforts. We hope to see you in the garden again soon.

The last two volunteer days have been such a success and such fun too, we just can't wait for the next opportunity to get on site, hopefully to celebrate signing the lease!

Brilliant invention! The intelligence of mankind

Another ingenious way to cart away the rubbish

Ginger biscuit delivery

The morning team at Forest Gate Community Garden site, clearing rubbish and unloading donations – supported by  Councillor Rohima Rahman and Ian Martin from Newham Council

Must stop people rummaging through our rubbish ;-)

Thanks Ian Martin at Newham Council for organising the wheelbarrow!

Some of the 'rubbish' on site that we're keeping and reusing

A frosty but sunny start

Wave goodbye to the rubbish!

Donated goods from the Olympics 2012 on the lorry ready for transportation - there's that lovely bench!

The team at the end of the day

Great support from London Groundwork 

Great support from London Groundwork 

LATEST NEWS // Share the love with a love heart at Number 8 Forest Gate

Wondering how to mark the occasion this Valentine's Day? Stick a love note – for a partner, family member, friend, secret crush or even a local organisation you admire – in the window of Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium. 

Hearts cost just £2 (£1 for kids), plus a percentage of money raised goes to the Forest Gate Community Garden so you can share the love with us too.

Andie from Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium has loads of red hearts already cut out to stick in the window so beat the crowds and get your message up now. It's a great way to love your local too and say thanks to any local organisation or person that makes your day.

Valentine's Day also falls on a Saturday this year so it's easy to lure the recipient of your message to the window of Number 8 by organising a quick trip to Woodgrange Market (1-4pm each Saturday) or CoffeE7.

You can also buy some great heart and love-themed gifts in Number 8 Forest Gate including local honey and cards from local artists. Can't wait for the day when we start making local honey in the garden too!

FIND OUT MORE

Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium
8 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London E7 0NQ
020 8534 3424
www.facebook.com/Number8ForestGate
Open 9am to 6pm every day

LATEST NEWS // We did it!

Four truck loads of ex-Olympic material for use in the garden made their way from Canning Town to Forest Gate today. Thanks to all the volunteers, especially the Groundwork lads who came to help load and unload. All the rubbish left on the site was also cleared by the Forest Gate team, so now the site is ready for us to get started. Great work.

LATEST NEWS // We are growing!

At Kick - Start 2015 on Saturday we signed up 11 new members. Our total is now 185. We also talked to lots of people about our plans and got a recipe for delicious roasted carrot and garlic hummus!

LATEST NEWS // Support our Planning Application // Deadline 31 January 2015

Show your firm support for the Forest Gate Community Garden by leaving a message of support on our application for Planning Permission via the Newham Planning Portal. It all helps to make our garden grow! Deadline is 31 January 2015, public consultation 4 February. Let's see how many comments we can get.

There are a huge number of tasks involved with securing land for a venture such as the Forest Gate Community Garden. These include securing a lease from the landowner (in this case Newham Council) and submitting a proposal for Planning Permission, which is up for public consultation on 4 February 2015.

Please support our cause by signing up to the Newham Planning Portal and leaving your comments on our application before the deadline of 31 January 2015. It all helps to confirm the demand we know exists for the Forest Gate Community Garden.

First visit the Newham Planning Portal and then search for 136 Earlham Grove. You can find our Planning Permission application here>

The proposal asks for: Temporary change of use from derelict site to a community garden with raised beds, paths, social open space, seating and potentially storage/covered area. | Hostel 136 Earlham Grove Forest Gate London E7 9AS

You need to register with the portal to be able to leave your comments. You can then leave a message of your support which will be filed under the proposal and emailed to you.

Have your say and be proud of the contribution you are making to a new and desirable green space in the heart of Forest Gate.

Thanks also to Jane McCarthy of the Forest Gate Community Garden Steering Group for all her hard work on the application.

MEMBER NEWS // Last urgent call for strong volunteers to help move materials into garden // Friday 23 Jan

We've secured some amazing donated items from the Olympics 2012 – via Groundwork London / Freeusables (free usable items from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park given to viable community groups) – but we need some strong and willing volunteers to help move them. Can you help? 

This Friday 23 January, from 8.45am in Canning Town (to collect and load up materials) or 9.45am in Forest Gate (to unload and store on site). We had a great turn out last Friday 11 January to clear the site, with over 30 people enjoying their hour of New Year toil in the sunshine and marking a key moment for the garden and its Members. Help on Friday and you can say you were there from the beginning too...

Below is a list of people – Members and otherwise – who have already agreed to donate their time.
If you haven't volunteered yet (we know Friday can be tricky for workers) but can help, or your name is not on the list below, please let us know ASAP to info@forestgate-community-garden.org.uk. There's a free packed lunch in there for all willing volunteers!

We have set up two groups. One with Hugh Barnard at the Forest Gate Community Garden site at 136 Earlham Grove (opposite the Royal Mail Sorting Office) and the other with Lisa Eller at Canning Town. If you have transport, and the energy, you can follow the lorry and offer your help at both sites.

VOLUNTEERS SO FAR

Forest Gate
Hugh Barnard
Sally Day
Gillian Lewis
Don Lewis
Darren Farr
Susan Fulbrook
Tom Ellis
Peter Chauncy
Erika Robinson
Jo Tyson

Canning Town
Lisa Eller
Bill Bremner
Matthew Saunders
Les Rice
David Mow
Ruslan Zotovas

LOGISTICS

If you're with Lisa at Canning Town, please meet her outside the tube station at 8:45am.  For those of you who don't know Lisa, she has short red hair, will be wearing dungarees and has a green bicycle.  If you're held up, please ring Lisa on 07952 220103 for directions.

If you at the Forest Gate end please meet Hugh outside the Garden at 9.45am. His number is 07472 744450.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

You will need to read the FGCG Health and Safety Guidance for Volunteers and sign the Volunteer Registration Form to say you have read it (both are available on our website Key Documents page). If you worked on the site last Sunday 11 January you have already signed this form and don't need to do it again. You can email it back to info@forestgate-community-garden.org.uk or bring it with you on the day.

Please wear suitable layers of work clothes, strong footwear and tough work gloves if you have them. We can provide them if necessary. We are also hoping for press coverage so don your best smile!

There is an element of risk attached to moving these materials as some are quite large and heavy.We shall have an health and safety briefing before we start, and as long as you follow that guidance you are covered by our insurance in the very unlikely event of an accident.

OUTLINE OF WORK

The materials we expect to collect are:

1) The remnants of a plastic bottle greenhouse (partial frame and bottles)
2) Timber
3) Lengths of trellis
4) Pallet of paving slabs
5) A tonne bag of large river stones and a tonne bag of washed pebbles (if possible)
6) Sheets of corrugated plastic
7) Wooden decking squares
8) Two wave shaped benches
9) Artificial turf and underlay
10) Anything else I can think of  if we have time

PRESS / MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

If you would like to cover this story in your magazine, newspaper or blog and need more details please contact Myanah Saunders, Forest Gate Community Garden Steering Group – Acting Co-ordinator on myanah@gmail.com / info@forestgate-community-garden.org.uk
or call 07811 346722.

IMAGES OF DONATED GOODS