A enjoyed lots of Saturday Workshops @ Rod's Secret Garden Autumn '23
Community Quilting.
Add your square in this FREE fun textile session celebrating inclusion and diversity in Northwich with artist Laura Limar
Macrame Plant Holder
Learn to knot and bead your own macrame plant holder to beautifully display your indoor plants with artist Zoe Northeast
Fruit Wine & Gin Workshop
Mike Osborne will show us how to create delicious fruity wines using seasonal fruit and how to flavour delicious gin. Collect 2 bottles after the event to enjoy at home.
Macraweave Wall Hanging
Use recycled textiles and learn macraweave knotting to create a unique wall hanging with artist Zoe Northeast
Community Quilting.
Add your square in this FREE fun textile session celebrating inclusion and diversity in Northwich with artist Laura Limar
Macrame Plant Holder
Learn to knot and bead your own macrame plant holder to beautifully display your indoor plants with artist Zoe Northeast
Fruit Wine & Gin Workshop
Mike Osborne will show us how to create delicious fruity wines using seasonal fruit and how to flavour delicious gin. Collect 2 bottles after the event to enjoy at home.
Macraweave Wall Hanging
Use recycled textiles and learn macraweave knotting to create a unique wall hanging with artist Zoe Northeast
Our volunteers are on TV!
Community Garden volunteers from Sustainable Northwich and Grozone appeared in one of two #ITVTonight programmes looking at healthy ageing.
Journalist Lara Lewington will explore the lifestyle changes that might help us all live better for longer.
How To Age Well: Your Lifestyle is on ITV1, Thursday 13th & 20th at 8:30pm
Amongst those interviewed was Roy Pearce, a longstanding volunteer with both gardens: “After I lost my wife Carol, I felt lost and found it hard to cope. My daughter told me about Grozone. I gave it a go and loved it! I began sleeping again and I found the garden to be a lifeline. I recommend anyone to pop along to their local community garden, no matter their ability or circumstances. There is something for everyone”.
Sustainable Northwich volunteers were awarded the Impact Award at the annual Community ReAwards in 2022. Coordinator Alison Allum explained: “Receiving that award was a wonderful way to recognise everyone’s efforts. We all help in different ways and the feeling of support amongst volunteers is lovely - we run events for children, raise awareness of environmental issues, work with schools and maintain Rod’s Secret Garden and the Dane Valley Community Orchard, for everyone to enjoy”.
Community Garden volunteers from Sustainable Northwich and Grozone appeared in one of two #ITVTonight programmes looking at healthy ageing.
Journalist Lara Lewington will explore the lifestyle changes that might help us all live better for longer.
How To Age Well: Your Lifestyle is on ITV1, Thursday 13th & 20th at 8:30pm
Amongst those interviewed was Roy Pearce, a longstanding volunteer with both gardens: “After I lost my wife Carol, I felt lost and found it hard to cope. My daughter told me about Grozone. I gave it a go and loved it! I began sleeping again and I found the garden to be a lifeline. I recommend anyone to pop along to their local community garden, no matter their ability or circumstances. There is something for everyone”.
Sustainable Northwich volunteers were awarded the Impact Award at the annual Community ReAwards in 2022. Coordinator Alison Allum explained: “Receiving that award was a wonderful way to recognise everyone’s efforts. We all help in different ways and the feeling of support amongst volunteers is lovely - we run events for children, raise awareness of environmental issues, work with schools and maintain Rod’s Secret Garden and the Dane Valley Community Orchard, for everyone to enjoy”.
On Saturday 12th Nov 2023 Transition Northwich and Visual Arts Cheshire hosted a drop in workshop day exploring new ways to reuse materials at the VAC Gallery, Baron's Quay.
Sustainability might seem like the last thing on anyone's minds, but the current cost of living crisis is proving that sometimes the most cost-effective way of living is also the most sustainable one. Choosing pre-loved clothing, sharing or repairing items instead of buying new things are stylish ways to start reducing waste and saves you money.
Hilary Belshaw of @Scrapadoo showed us how to transform an old t-shirt into a cosy scarf or bag with no sewing required. She explains: “This is a great way to use up T-shirts that you no longer wear and save them from landfill”.
Katie Naylor Brown is part of the 'Northwich Toppers' provided crochet, book folding and beading workshops: “Crafting skills are sadly being lost as we start to buy everything" she explained.
Local artist, Cathrene Rowell, offered children the chance to explore collage. Cathrene creates items for sale as @ZeroWasteLlama, from upcycled fabrics and other materials: “Reusing scraps ensures each creation is unique.”
Courageous women are at the forefront of social and environmental movements round the world. At the workshop on Saturday, the Northwich Soroptimists created portraits of some of our most inspiring female icons.
Sustainability might seem like the last thing on anyone's minds, but the current cost of living crisis is proving that sometimes the most cost-effective way of living is also the most sustainable one. Choosing pre-loved clothing, sharing or repairing items instead of buying new things are stylish ways to start reducing waste and saves you money.
Hilary Belshaw of @Scrapadoo showed us how to transform an old t-shirt into a cosy scarf or bag with no sewing required. She explains: “This is a great way to use up T-shirts that you no longer wear and save them from landfill”.
Katie Naylor Brown is part of the 'Northwich Toppers' provided crochet, book folding and beading workshops: “Crafting skills are sadly being lost as we start to buy everything" she explained.
Local artist, Cathrene Rowell, offered children the chance to explore collage. Cathrene creates items for sale as @ZeroWasteLlama, from upcycled fabrics and other materials: “Reusing scraps ensures each creation is unique.”
Courageous women are at the forefront of social and environmental movements round the world. At the workshop on Saturday, the Northwich Soroptimists created portraits of some of our most inspiring female icons.
How will we heat our homes in the future?
In October, we hosted the first of our 'talks' evening at Witton Albion FC bar. At this well attended event we heard from two guest speakers: Chris Copeman from Kingsley on Passivhaus technology and insulation; and Graham Pike of TSEPC in Tarporly talking about thermal heat pumps and other renewable technology installations. The options for upgrading our homes with wall as well as roof insulation, choice of triple glazed windows and real attention to detail re heat loss across 'thermal bridges' was fascinating. The options of bore hole as well as flat surface ground source pumps and the new Gov grants for installation of ASP's is moving, albeit it slowly, in the right direction. We hope this to be the first of a regular series of talks, alongside our weekly Climate Cafes held at 2.30-3.30pm on Saturday afternoons at Bruschetta Cafe. |
Annual Apple Pressing - Saturday 9th October
It's October and it's not raining, so it's apple pressing day again! Thank you to everyone who cut, chatted and squeezed!
It's October and it's not raining, so it's apple pressing day again! Thank you to everyone who cut, chatted and squeezed!
25th September was our very first 'Great Big Green Day'
Across the country there were art installations, concerts, community stalls and everything in between; hosted by teachers, bus drivers, sport clubs, artists, community groups, places of worship, builders and anyone who cares about climate change!
Here in Northwich we held a busy Great Big Green Day event outside Northwich Library on Saturday 25th September 11-3pm with Lego - who are moving towards more sustainable practise of plant based plastic innovation and investment in wind energy. We gave out lots of information, with our colleagues at Groundwork and had interesting conversations, offered free art & craftivism activities, a climate cafe, and a Letters to the Earth performance. Local singer songwriter Sam Lyon sang from her new album Kirsty at Weigh of the World reminded us how easy it is to reuse and recycle. We will be funding art workshops inspired by COP26 this autumn.
Across the country there were art installations, concerts, community stalls and everything in between; hosted by teachers, bus drivers, sport clubs, artists, community groups, places of worship, builders and anyone who cares about climate change!
Here in Northwich we held a busy Great Big Green Day event outside Northwich Library on Saturday 25th September 11-3pm with Lego - who are moving towards more sustainable practise of plant based plastic innovation and investment in wind energy. We gave out lots of information, with our colleagues at Groundwork and had interesting conversations, offered free art & craftivism activities, a climate cafe, and a Letters to the Earth performance. Local singer songwriter Sam Lyon sang from her new album Kirsty at Weigh of the World reminded us how easy it is to reuse and recycle. We will be funding art workshops inspired by COP26 this autumn.
RHS visit to Rod's Secret Garden and the Dane Valley Community Orchard
Everyone wants to impress the judges, and our volunteers did an amazing job of preparing the garden and orchard. The day before we received a wonderful selection of plants from the RHS Tatton Flower Show and were able to plant these along the path leading to the garden. The judging coincided with what would have been Rod's birthday; the 30th July. Our judge Bernard Sheridan enjoyed his visit
and tucked into some homemade scones, even though it was beginning to rain rather hard!
He suggested we keep a diary to track how the garden changes and expand our wildlife habitats as much as we can.
Everyone wants to impress the judges, and our volunteers did an amazing job of preparing the garden and orchard. The day before we received a wonderful selection of plants from the RHS Tatton Flower Show and were able to plant these along the path leading to the garden. The judging coincided with what would have been Rod's birthday; the 30th July. Our judge Bernard Sheridan enjoyed his visit
and tucked into some homemade scones, even though it was beginning to rain rather hard!
He suggested we keep a diary to track how the garden changes and expand our wildlife habitats as much as we can.
Sunflower Streets returns to Northwich
After the success of this last year, we were delighted to partner with Northwich BiD this year to support the 'Hidden Disabilities' campaign. Shops in Northwich received training to help them support all visitors - look out for the sunflower logo and lanyards. https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/ |
Sunday 4th July was THANK YOU DAY!
We were delighted to be recipients of the Virgin Media O2 Together fund. We were able to buy sound kit to record the stories of local people - learning more about our community and the amazing people and changes in our town in the last 100 years.
Our volunteers have done an amazing job of caring for our new community garden this year and we want to say a huge THANK YOU to them and the local residents who have made us feel so welcome!
The Virgin Media O2 Together Fund is a nationwide initiative forming part of the company’s support for the Together Coalition. Virgin Media O2 is providing £1,000 grants for environmental and community projects which champion and celebrate community spirit, belonging and togetherness. Four hundred community based charities will receive funding which will be distributed by Neighbourly ahead of ‘Thank You Day’ on Sunday 4 July. #VMO2TogetherFund #ThankYouDay @VMO2News
We were delighted to be recipients of the Virgin Media O2 Together fund. We were able to buy sound kit to record the stories of local people - learning more about our community and the amazing people and changes in our town in the last 100 years.
Our volunteers have done an amazing job of caring for our new community garden this year and we want to say a huge THANK YOU to them and the local residents who have made us feel so welcome!
The Virgin Media O2 Together Fund is a nationwide initiative forming part of the company’s support for the Together Coalition. Virgin Media O2 is providing £1,000 grants for environmental and community projects which champion and celebrate community spirit, belonging and togetherness. Four hundred community based charities will receive funding which will be distributed by Neighbourly ahead of ‘Thank You Day’ on Sunday 4 July. #VMO2TogetherFund #ThankYouDay @VMO2News
Keep calm and.... Tai-Chi in Northwich
In May, Transition Northwich sponsored FREE tai-chi taster sessions to promote well-being. These proved really popular and we often enjoyed a sociable coffee afterwards. The Riverside Park was the perfect venue as we looked out over the trees and enjoyed watching the flow of the river... The classes were made possible with funding from the 'Magic Little Grants'. |
Helping other groups to grow....
In April, Transition Northwich volunteers installed a poly tunnel at Anderton Place, with the help of Pete Attwood from Grozone Community Team and Groundwork. The new space will be used by their gardening club and was an amazing learning opportunity for everyone involved. |
Rod's gets a make-over!
The volunteers and Seed Team at Rod's Secret Garden have been working hard to get the garden ready to welcome visitors and community groups back. This month we launched a new crafting club (every other Saturday morning) and chatted together as we repaired our new-to-us gazebo cover. A big thanks goes to Hilary at Scrapadoo for braving her studio in a snow storm to repair the cover with her machine. |
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RESTORING THE ORCHARD
We were delighted to be invited to support the restoration of a local orchard and work started this year. Getting outside is brilliant for our well-being in everyway and our volunteers have been working their magic at Dane Valley Community Orchard, in Rudheath. Each month, Pete Attwood is now running training sessions about pruning, compost, heritage tree planting and we do regular maintenance sessions too, clearing the invasive brambles and grass! |
ROD'S SECRET GARDEN OPENS
When Rod Inwood passed away in February his son's kindly asked us to care for his garen and invite people in Northwich to enjoy it. We were delighted to host a small event to thank Jason Inwood, cut a ribbon to open the garden and raise a glass to Rod. Since then, volunteers have been maintaining the garden and growing autumn/winter food crops. The garden has proven to be a wildlife haven and there are garden birds, a hedgehog and an owl for company! Other community groups have also been using the space while their indoor venues remain close, so it's become a very valuable safe place to meet outdoors. |
Q&A SESSON
In his column in The Northwich Guardian, in June, Mike Amesbury MP outlined his vision for a 'Green' Northwich of the future. As shadow minister for Housing and Planning, Mike appreciates the impact that green technologies can have on future homes both in reducing wasted energy and in creating cohesive and happy communities. Mike and Cllr Andrew Cooper, both members of Transition Northwich, joined us for a positive Q&A session. |
ONLINE TAI CHI and ART DURING LOCK DOWN
During Lock-Down 1, Transition Northwich funded local specialists to offer creative and well-being sessions online.
Artist, Beth Barlow, taught knitting, painting, plastic bottle sculptures and upcycling to create NHS laundry bags.
Guest artists demonstrated how to make art from household objects and artist and florist, Mary Hill, encouraged people to buy fewer imported flowers and instead make hand tied bouquets from garden flowers.
Donna Burston who usually runs classes at Biro joined Transition to support well-being and fitness during lock-down.
Her classes helped participants to stretch and reduce anxiety while building connection with others, all from the safety of home!
To find out more search for: The Working Title Artists Collective (WTAC) on Patreon or contact Beth Barlow on facebook
and contact Donna via her email: [email protected]
During Lock-Down 1, Transition Northwich funded local specialists to offer creative and well-being sessions online.
Artist, Beth Barlow, taught knitting, painting, plastic bottle sculptures and upcycling to create NHS laundry bags.
Guest artists demonstrated how to make art from household objects and artist and florist, Mary Hill, encouraged people to buy fewer imported flowers and instead make hand tied bouquets from garden flowers.
Donna Burston who usually runs classes at Biro joined Transition to support well-being and fitness during lock-down.
Her classes helped participants to stretch and reduce anxiety while building connection with others, all from the safety of home!
To find out more search for: The Working Title Artists Collective (WTAC) on Patreon or contact Beth Barlow on facebook
and contact Donna via her email: [email protected]
ReadSUNFLOWER STREETS
Neighbours around Northwich have been getting to know each other and have been helping each other to get through the Covid pandemic. The sense of community we've created doesn't have to fade away - in fact it can grow as we safely re-emerge.
To celebrate these growing communities we invited roads in Northwich to PLANT a SUNFLOWER STREET together.
A big thank you to Tom and Becky who have donated 1000 sunflower seeds – the packs of seeds would have been given to their wedding guests. We were delighted that they able to reschedule their wedding, with slightly fewer guests sadly.
Read about the project HERE
Neighbours around Northwich have been getting to know each other and have been helping each other to get through the Covid pandemic. The sense of community we've created doesn't have to fade away - in fact it can grow as we safely re-emerge.
To celebrate these growing communities we invited roads in Northwich to PLANT a SUNFLOWER STREET together.
A big thank you to Tom and Becky who have donated 1000 sunflower seeds – the packs of seeds would have been given to their wedding guests. We were delighted that they able to reschedule their wedding, with slightly fewer guests sadly.
Read about the project HERE
WARM ZONE
As our first project we helped promote the CWAC initiative Warmzone. This project offered free boilers and heating to those with worn out heating.
Local resident Anthony Powell will soon be the proud owner of a new boiler thanks to the scheme. If you have benefited please let us know as we would love to share your story. Stories of boiler happy endings may help inspire people if there is another round of funds in the future.
Simon Kennedy worked on a poster to jazz up the opportunity which featured on local facebook. portals
As our first project we helped promote the CWAC initiative Warmzone. This project offered free boilers and heating to those with worn out heating.
Local resident Anthony Powell will soon be the proud owner of a new boiler thanks to the scheme. If you have benefited please let us know as we would love to share your story. Stories of boiler happy endings may help inspire people if there is another round of funds in the future.
Simon Kennedy worked on a poster to jazz up the opportunity which featured on local facebook. portals
FREE FOOD AROUND NORTHWICH
We hosted this on our ideas page and it got the most votes from the general public. Using the little pockets of unloved land around town and beyond we plant edible plants. Once ripe the plants can be taken away by anybody who has a use for them. The group currently have spaces which they are growing and looking after on Chester Road and the library garden, along with Transition Streets. More details on our Growing Talk blog.
APPLE PRESSING
We now have an apple press (many thanks, Brew to Bottle) that we can take to community events to turn surplus fruit in the shape of apples and pears, including windfalls, into delicious juice. Dahlia tubers are also said to make a tasty drink. It's also available for hire for juicers and cider makers, and free for community events.
We've taken the press to town, taking part in events where anyone can bring apples and there's usually enough juice for samples and take-away bottles. We've turned up at the odd school and church too.
At schools we can talk about food waste, different apples, rots and maggots, physics and levers, fermentation etc. We also have available some grafted apples in pots, so we can talk about propagation.
We now have an apple press (many thanks, Brew to Bottle) that we can take to community events to turn surplus fruit in the shape of apples and pears, including windfalls, into delicious juice. Dahlia tubers are also said to make a tasty drink. It's also available for hire for juicers and cider makers, and free for community events.
We've taken the press to town, taking part in events where anyone can bring apples and there's usually enough juice for samples and take-away bottles. We've turned up at the odd school and church too.
At schools we can talk about food waste, different apples, rots and maggots, physics and levers, fermentation etc. We also have available some grafted apples in pots, so we can talk about propagation.
COMMUNITY GIFTING.
The idea is simple. People, of Northwich donate good stuff they no longer need and those who need it take it away for free. Helping to grow a circular economy.
The effects are wide reaching. We can divert perfectly usable waste from landfill and free up space. Those who need stuff get what they need. Objects get a new owner to love them. We sit and wonder how we can reuse parts of worn out objects. We start to wonder about all the resources used to make new things and get them to us. We begin to question if old might be better than new sometimes.We get together on a common mission, meet new people make new friends and discover our communities. We gain new skills and build the joint strength we need for our future.
We might find a new complementary way to run part of a local economy “Economics as if people Matter” E. F. Schumacher.
The project has grown from 5 gifting events around town to a regular event at our community hub in CAREUK. We have made a dresses from T shirts for refugees and turned socks into activities for kids. The future brings guerilla gardening , weaving from rags, orphaned cable jewellery and getting ready for winter with crafts.
The idea is simple. People, of Northwich donate good stuff they no longer need and those who need it take it away for free. Helping to grow a circular economy.
The effects are wide reaching. We can divert perfectly usable waste from landfill and free up space. Those who need stuff get what they need. Objects get a new owner to love them. We sit and wonder how we can reuse parts of worn out objects. We start to wonder about all the resources used to make new things and get them to us. We begin to question if old might be better than new sometimes.We get together on a common mission, meet new people make new friends and discover our communities. We gain new skills and build the joint strength we need for our future.
We might find a new complementary way to run part of a local economy “Economics as if people Matter” E. F. Schumacher.
The project has grown from 5 gifting events around town to a regular event at our community hub in CAREUK. We have made a dresses from T shirts for refugees and turned socks into activities for kids. The future brings guerilla gardening , weaving from rags, orphaned cable jewellery and getting ready for winter with crafts.
ANTI-FRACKING CAMPAIGNING
Supporting Frack Free Northwich as residents consider the best power solutions for Northwich. It's a busy time for Frack Free Northwich as the licenses for fracking in Northwich are being granted. Frack Free Northwich currently meeting with interested local people to create a plan of action.
As Transition Northwich we supported the community meetings by dropping leaflets to residents, researching the alternatives and being part of the audience. More info here.
Supporting Frack Free Northwich as residents consider the best power solutions for Northwich. It's a busy time for Frack Free Northwich as the licenses for fracking in Northwich are being granted. Frack Free Northwich currently meeting with interested local people to create a plan of action.
As Transition Northwich we supported the community meetings by dropping leaflets to residents, researching the alternatives and being part of the audience. More info here.
FREE FRUIT FOR CHILDREN
Transition Northwich founder Paul Mathias worked hard asking local supermarkets to give fruit to kids. One of our local supermarkets agreed to donate fruit with a short shelf life. A number of supermarkets now do so.
Transition Northwich founder Paul Mathias worked hard asking local supermarkets to give fruit to kids. One of our local supermarkets agreed to donate fruit with a short shelf life. A number of supermarkets now do so.
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RUBBER STAMPING
As a small band of committed individuals we know that we can't change the world on our own. We also know that lots of people are already doing great things in Northwich. Rubber Stamp aims to support initiatives we think will help cut down on CO2, save some oil and build communities. We aim to share info about these projects and generally help where we can. Projects we have Rubber Stamped so far: Witton Albion Community Initiative's Care UK |