Feb 11, 2020 | ActivGardens
Our first ActivGardens market of the year is combining with Easter-themed fun at the People’s Community Garden on Friday 17th April, 10am to 12.30pm, during school holidays.
There will be an Easter trail, children’s activities and a chance to explore our community garden on Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE.
Meanwhile, at the CRESS Pavilion we will be offering seedlings to plant on your plot, bedding plants to spruce up your garden or windowsills, and freshly picked produce to perk you up after winter.
ActivSheds will be taking orders for bird tables and hedgehog homes to encourage wildlife to your garden or local green space, or perhaps you have a garden bench in need of renovation now it’s getting warm enough to sit outside.
The CRESS Café will be offering homemade cakes with a cuppa – so come along to enjoy the fun and get to know your neighbours.
There is parking in on site car park and in surrounding roads.
Address: CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE. The People’s Community Garden is a short walk away on Maidenhall Allotments.
Future dates for your diary:
- Saturday 23rd May 2020 – Chantry Walled Garden plant fair
- Friday 19th June 2020 – CRESS Community Market
- Saturday 25th July 2020 – Summer Event
Jan 14, 2020 | ActivGardens
ActivGardens are calling on those who love getting close to nature in the great outdoors to join us on a Monday afternoon for environmental conservation volunteering in our Wild Zone.
From April, when the bees start buzzing, you will also be able to get involved in bee-keeping sessions at our community apiary.
We need help with maintaining and developing our wildflower meadow, dead-hedging, wildlife habitat, and other areas.
You can enjoy spotting wildlife and birds from our bird hide and, on special occasions, enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation around the campfire.
- Sessions will run Mondays 1.30 to 3.30pm (a little earlier in winter when the light is fading).
This opportunity if funded by the Postcode Local Trust – a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. It is part of our ‘Bee Amazed’ project which provides opportunities for people living in urban areas to get involved in beekeeping, learning about the environment, and taking part in conservation volunteering in their local area.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact our Project Officer Bev Baker at ActivLives 01473 345350 or email beverly@activlives.org.uk
Jan 13, 2020 | ActivGardens, ActivLives
It’s on Thursday 23 January from 1pm to 3pm at the People’s Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE.
There will be hot drinks and biccies, and a chance to look around the gardens and speak to members of our friendly team.
OPEN DAY Agenda
- 1pm – Tour of Community Garden and facilities – entrance on laneway between Halifax Road and Wherstead Road
- From 1.30pm – refreshments available in CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road
- 2pm – Short presentation of Grow Your Future project in pavilion
- From 2.30pm – a chance to ask questions, network and take another look around the gardens
Please let ActivLives know if you are coming on 01473 345350
- If you are unable to find the site, please call Project Manager Susannah on 07530 407302
If you are looking for a new direction in 2020 – how about taking part in a free outdoor-based learning programme at ActivGardens, part of local charity ActivLives?
‘Grow Your Future’ will enable you to learn new skills and gain confidence on your way to further opportunities and employment.
The 12-week scheme will include garden maintenance, horticulture and environmental conservation, with a chance to get involved in specialist activities such as woodworking or bee-keeping.
Grow Your Future is for anyone aged 16+ who is unemployed or economically inactive, and encourages people who face barriers to work – such as a disability, health condition, or caring responsibilities.
The programme is funded by the European Social Fund and the Education & Skills funding Agency, and administered by LIFT Community Grants ‘Local Investment in Learning Paths to Work’.
- If you would like to find out more, please come along to our open day on Thursday 23 January from 1pm to 3pm at the People’s Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE. There will be hot drinks and food, and a chance to look around the gardens and speak to members of our friendly team.
Please contact Susannah on 07530 407302 or email susannah@activlives.org.uk or ActivLives on 01473 345350 to find out more or to register your interest. The first session will start on Monday 3 February.
Oct 29, 2019 | ActivGardens
A wonderful selection of crafts, plants, seasonal arrangements and produce will be on offer at our festive market, all made or grown at ActivGardens.
- CRESS Community Market and Café is Friday 6th December
- 10am till 12.30pm
- At the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE
Young people from a partner academy will be behind the serving hatch at our community café, with seasonal goodies they have made.
There will be fresh produce to help keep you healthy throughout the winter, all grown at the community garden.
Pansies, viola and wallflower grown at Chantry Walled Garden will be available to brighten up your garden and pots.
ActivSheds’ hedgehog homes, bird boxes and bird feeders will make wonderful gifts to help our wildlife through the winter.
ActivLives community singing group ‘Keep on Rockin’ will be in full voice on this special occasion.
Every pound you spend with us will go into our gardening, construction, beekeeping and nature conservation programmes for the whole community, including long-term unemployed, people with learning disabilities, older people with dementia, members of minority ethnic communities, and young people.
So why not come and join us and pick up some original gifts for a greener Christmas! It’s a great chance to have a chat and cuppa too – accompanied by a delicious homemade cake! For further details, or if you would like to hold a stand at the event, please contact ActivLives on 01473 345350 or Susannah on 07530 407302 or email susannah@activlives.org.uk
Aug 13, 2019 | ActivGardens, ActivLives
Our stalls will be bursting with freshly picked fruit, vegetables and plants grown at our community gardens as part of our produce market on Friday 11th October 2019, at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, from 10am to 12.30pm.
There will also be a delicious selection of cakes and snacks made by young people from one of our partner schools, together with tea, coffee and other refreshments, at the CRESS Café.
ActivSheds will have plenty of items for sale to help wildlife through the winter, including insect hibernacula and hedgehog homes.
Come and share the bounty, meet your neighbours, have a chat, and treat yourself to a cuppa and cake. Feel free to wander round the community garden too!
- SPECIAL EVENT: As part of the Aldeburgh Food Festival Fringe, we are running a Bee Safari to explore our wild area and beekeeping project at 12 noon. Cost: £10 – Booking essential as places are limited.
There is parking on site and in surrounding roads. The CRESS Pavilion is fully accessible with a disabled toilet.
The last CRESS market 2019 is the Christmas special on Friday 6 December.
For more information, or if you would like to hold a stand or get involved, please contact ActivGardens Development Manager Susannah Robirosa on 07530 407302 or email susannah@activlives.org.uk or Danny Thorrington on 07532 794173 or email danny@activlives.org.uk. ActivLives office can be reached on: 01473 345350.
- More information:
ActivGardens are part of Ipswich-based charity ActivLives.
- The People’s Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, has vegetable plots, a heritage orchard, sensory garden, wildlife areas and herb spiral. The project enables people of all ages and abilities to get active, learn skills and contribute to their community. It has a diverse volunteer base and works with schools and young people.
- Historic Chantry Walled Garden, Chantry Park, Hadleigh Road, Ipswich IP2 0BS, has flower borders and vegetable growing areas, extensive glasshouses, and a courtyard garden designed for wheelchair users, enabling older people to carry on gardening. Young people on work placement learn about horticulture here and volunteers from the local community help tend the garden and grow plants.
- We have an additional community project in Sudbury’s parks and green spaces.
- Volunteers and placements are welcome at both sites, by arrangement.
