March update:
I hope you are all well and have had an opportunity or two to visit the garden and see all the work that’s been completed, more details below. I am waiting for an update on the security gates and I will forward this as soon as I have more to tell you. A reminder the summer BBQ will be Sat 13th July 12:30-3pm, Owen’s Animals will be providing a free show for the children at 1pm so make sure you are there in time for it! If you have anything happening in the garden you would like to tell us about please email us the details. The grant for a new bench with access for mobility vehicles and/or pushchairs, plus, the new children’s toys is due to come to us in early April, we’ll be spending it ASAP!
Committee led work parties:
We’ve had lots of work completed by the committee and work parties so far this year, large trees have been pruned and the willow round the pond has been cleared back. We hope the increased light brings life back to the pond, a good sign was that when I arrived at the garden yesterday (19-3-13) there were a pair of mallards on the pond. Work parties are held 10am-12noon the second Sat of the month Feb to Nov (except Mar – see below), please come along and lend a hand.
Corporate visit by Microsoft:
Microsoft came to the ORCG via Connect Reading (www.connectreading.org.uk) (19-03-13) and completed lots of work including the removal of the large grasses by the pond, a tree in one of the flower beds and two large trees behind the veg plots. The pictures below show the garden boundary before the Microsoft visit and the Microsoft soft team proudly showing off the cleared area after some serious hard work.
Corporate group visits are an essential source of help in the garden, if you work for a company that would like to volunteer to complete a practical task then please contact us, we have many tasks to complete.
Vegetable Plots:
It is pleasing to see nearly all the veg plots have been started, some of the plot holders have made a good start despite the weather, I hope all the plots will be in use soon, weather permitting, and that the hard work to increase light in this section of the garden pays off with bumper crops!
Reading Rescue 2013:
Reading Rescue is 21-24th March 2013 (www.readingrescue.org.uk) , ORCG is holding our event on Sat 23rd 10am-12noon, I hope to see many of you there to help with this annual clean-up event. Can I remind plot holders that part of the agreement to provide free plots is that you contribute towards the garden either in an administrative role or a practical role at work parties or complete regular tasks in the garden. We have a range of tasks to complete, from litter picking to tree pruning to bramble removal, I hope to see some of you there.
Finally a reminder that the clocks change 31st March 2013, we lose an hour but gain brighter mornings!
Regards,
Ricky Josey
Chair ORCG
