Counting down the days to spring

    

It is early March, but it's still cold and rainy at times. Today is a lovely sunny day and there are bulbs and crocuses among the grass, days are longer and birds are more active. In February we did an RSPB bird count but our volunteers only spotted two wood pigeons. It would be very different now.

John and Charlotte found an old pot-bellied stove and in this photo it is being tested before fitting.

Now it is fitted; the hut is cozy on cold days and we can boil up our tea on it. We will put some pretty tiles behind it and an outer chimney to protect our whiteboard, but it is really very close to being completely done.

Next job is to fit a gas ring properly. We have applied for a grant, so fingers crossed.

We planted six mashua last spring, a herbaceous perennial climber related to the nasturtium. Below you can see about two thirds of the harvest.They are a great groundcover too. They taste peppery when raw, but are much milder when cooked.Charlotte likes them best when roasted.

Is spring coming soon?

 

On Saturday 3 February, our blogger Simone led a walk to the Empty Common Garden with members of the University of the Third Age Cambridge. The garden looks very tidy thanks to the efforts of our volunteers. The polytunnel is in order, awaiting to kickstart the growth cycle as soon as the weather permits.

We are having a few warmer days and there are early blossoms on trees and snowdrops here and there.

Our Heads, Hearts and Hands meeting hut has been busy in 2023 with various groups using it for workshops and get-togethers.

Contact Charlotte for bookings - csynge@googlemail.com - tel. 07752 143683.

A writing workshop in the meeting hut

Festive greeting and a new crowfunding campaign

 

We have not seen any snow this winter, so here is a photo from the archive (winter 2017). 

Our meeting hut is getting booked for all sort of events and we would like to be able to offer it all year round to local groups. 

We want to add a wood stove and a gas burner for hot drinks so we can run meetings and workshops all year round. This hut is for meetings, events, tea and an environmental hub for groups working towards a sustainable future.

Below is the link, if you want to contribute to this worthy cause.

Crowdfunding to Fit a wood stove and gas burner in our HEADS, HEARTS AND HANDS HUT so it can be used all year round. on JustGiving

Volunteers from AstraZeneca visit ECCG

 

AstraZeneca volunteers came back to help in the garden.

They did much needed work to keep the garden looking its best, including repairing our raised beds and put up two name boards, which still need to be carved. 

 A lot of weeding went on, too. We are very grateful for their help and continued support.

Storytelling & walks - 1 October - 11am-4pm

Picture from Water Sensitive's Eventbrite page

ECCG is celebrating Permaculture day with a storytelling event organised by Water Sensitive Cambridge. Dear Rivers: Stories, Soup and Thanks will run from 11am-4pm on 1st October. 

Click here to book your place or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/708473552467.

 Do Reserve your spot. Event is free, please donate toward to support the event.

Guided walk, stories and vegan lunch. Add this event to your diary.

Summer is not over yet - a writing workshop

 

The hut is getting busy with a variety of bookings. On 16 and 23 September there are two writing workshops... find out more by scanning the QR code.

Art and watering at ECCG

Cambridge artist and garden volunteer Rebecca led a watering and painting party in the garden last Sunday. Colleagues from art gallery Kettle's Yard joined Rebecca to see the space and enjoy its summer feel. Rebecca chose flowers for Ede's cottages at Kettle's Yard: marigolds, achilleas and chamomile.

Our strong black shed got repainted and the sign got a makeover too. The garden had art exhibitions in the past through Pivotal and we hope it keeps inspiring us and you for a very long time.