ORCG Update March 2017

A quick update on the progress made so far in securing the garden.

Firstly, a big thank you to the many hands that attended the work party on Saturday, it was good to see so many turn out to help, the next work party will be Saturday 1st April.

Secondly, it was agreed at the Future of the Garden meeting we would approach all key holders and ask for a £5 contribution towards the running of the garden, to this end Norman Pitcher from the ORCG committee will be contacting all members to ask for these funds. We hope, if you can afford to, you feel the garden is worth this small investment, but if you cannot afford the investment please tell us and please stay with the garden. As part of this request for funds if you want to make the contribution via online banking the garden bank details are available via email, please put your surname in the reference space so we can take you off the contact list.

Next steps for the committee is approaching each of the schools, nurseries and pre-school groups that use the garden for a contribution, plus, the committee will be approaching local companies for support/funding/sponsorship, if you or your company can help please let us know.

Finally, we have had a few offers of support for committee roles, the website and fundraising, if you would like to find out how you can help with please contact us.

As ever, any queries please email us.

Ricky Josey

Chair ORCG

Early Summer 2014 Update

A big welcome to all our new members, we've had quite a few people join in the last month or two!

All members are invited to attend the garden this Saturday (June 7th) when some light gardening and tidying will be taking place between 10am and 12 noon.

Our new benches have been ordered and will be here later this month (finally!) and the other garden items will also be here shortly :-)

The GARDEN EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT WORKING so please direct any emails to myself or a committee member. I will confirm when the issue has been resolved.

ORCG is a member of the Reading Neighbourhood Network and as members of RNN all ORCG members can access the training offered on the website for FREE. www.rgneighbours.net is the website. If there is trainging you would like to attend let me know and I'll get you all the relevant details.

There is now an Oxford Road Timebank in place, everyone along the Oxford Road is invited to join it, more details can be found on their website 

www.oxfordroadtimebank.org.uk or you can speak directly to them at the Oxford Road Fun Day on July the 5th. (See below.)

July 5th is the annual Oxford Road Fun Day held in Kensington Park in Kensington Road (for those new to Reading if you head out of town on the Oxford Road you turn left at Mr Cod) and as the website says "The Oxford Road Fun Day is a family day For the local Community, set up by the local Community and run by the local Community." More details on their websitehttp://www.oxfordroadfunday.co.uk/ 

Finally, there is a new Community Organiser covering the Oxford Road area, her name is Freya, Freya can be contacted herehttp://www.cocollaborative.org.uk/users/freya-walker if you have a community project you would like to start or see happen then speak to Freya and see if it can happen!

If you have any queries about the garden or would like more info about the running of the garden please contact me.

Regards,

Ricky Josey

March 2014 Update

Spring appears to have arrived, just like the latest update from the ORCG!

After a winter sleep we're back to keep you informed about the garden, there's lots to tell you so here goes:

Reading Rescue is this week and ORCG will be clearing up the access lane to the garden on Sat 15th starting 10am, please come along and join in, this will be a short task and then we'll move into the garden to start tidying up after a windy spring. See www.readingrescue.org.uk for info on all the events for Spring 2014.

Work parties in the garden will be 10am-12noon on the first Saturday of each month (Apr-Oct) with April 5th being the first, please come along, meet other garden members and help as little or as much as you can. Plot holders and all garden members are reminded that assisting with the garden upkeep is part of the arrangement for holding a plot and being a member of the garden.

The boundary fence adjacent to the rear of Dreams was damaged in the recent winds. Repairs have been completed. If you see any damage in the garden or to the boundaries please let a member of the committee know.

There will be work on the trees adjacent to the veg plots in the neighbouring garden on Monday 17th March from 10:30am, this should only be for the morning. Please take this into account if you are planning to use the garden.

New furniture and equipment is (finally) being ordered for the garden, we will inform you of arrival dates shortly.

If you have an event for the garden or are part of a group that would like to use the garden please drop us the details so we can avoid event clashes.

Finally, we invite all garden members to consider joining the steering committee for the garden, we have 4 members but would like at least a couple more, there's not too much involved, we have a chair, treasurer and secretary in place and a maximum of 4 meeting a year (we've already had 1 of them this year) and the summer BBQ. Please drop me a line for more info.

I think that's plenty from me, I hope to see you in the garden soon.

Ricky Josey

Chair ORCG

October Work Party Invite & ORCG Update

Evening.

It’s amazing how quickly the year moves on, it feels like this year is flying past, with the change in the weather this week we really are feeling the first days of autumn. There are some excellent fungi in the garden, even more than in September, if you can have a look in the garden you are in for a treat, earlier this week there were at least 100 just on the grass and under the trees by the pond. If you see anything special please take a picture and send it to me and we’ll try and get it onto the website www.orcg.org.uk

The bird feeders have been popular and I refilled them this week for the second time since they were put back up, don’t forget to keep an eye out for wintering birds, the RSPB has info on what to look forhttp://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whattoexpect.aspx

The display from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) will stay up for another week or two, there are still some leaflets on the shelves for you to take if you are interested. http://www.fsc-uk.org/about-fsc.2.htm

The Reading Town Meal on Saturday 5^th of October was a very popular event and a big thank you to the garden members who donated to the meal. The Get Reading website reports is here:http://www.getreading.co.uk/lifestyle/food-drink/reading-town-meal-feeds-one-6161508

It’s Reading Rescue 2 this week, events have been going on since Wednesday, ORCG are not involved with this event but we will be active in March 2014, if you would like to see more about Rescue the websitehttp://readingrescue.org.uk/ or search Facebook for Reading Rescue.

All garden members are invited to the Reading Neighbourhood Network (RNN) Neighbourhood Conference on Wednesday 30^th October 2013, it’s a chance to see what RNN has to offer to neighbourhoods across Reading, see 10 minute presentations on RNN, Reading Borough Council’s Climate Strategy and Isolation & Loneliness in the Community, all focussing on what local communities can do in their neighbourhoods. Free to attend, refreshments and a great chance to see what local groups across Reading are doing. http://rgneighbours.net/home

The October work party is this Sat 12^th October 10-12 noon please come along and lend a hand, we will be collecting up composting materials, thinning some trees and putting up a new bird box (weather permitting).

Regards,

Ricky Josey - Chair ORCG

Late Autumn Update 2013

Evening.

As another summer slowly fades into autumn the garden changes again, today there are a large number of mushrooms and toadstools in the garden, nice to see but please be aware of them and ensure children and pets do not eat them!

The bird feeders have been reinstated, cleaned & filled. A reserve of food will be kept in the tool shed, if the feeders are empty please refill them. In recent years we have seen coal tits and great spotted woodpeckers in addition to the usual garden birds. If you see anything unusual please let us know. BBOWT have advice on what to feed the birds on this link: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/wildlife/wildlife-advice/wild-info-garden-birds/feeding-garden-birds

In the cabin there is a display from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) promoting their annual celebration of responsible forestry this year on Fri 27th September. There are some leaflets on the shelves for you to take if you are interested. http://www.fsc-uk.org/about-fsc.2.htm

The Reading Town Meal is on Saturday 5th of October and everyone in Reading is invited. There is a collection point in the garden for all plot holders who have surplus produce and would like to donate towards the meal. I will be collecting all donations on Sunday 29th September around 3pm. http://www.readingtownmeal.org.uk/

The October work party will be on Sat 9th October 10-12 noon please come along and lend a hand, we will be collecting up composting materials, thinning some trees and putting up a new bird box.

Regards,
Ricky Josey - Chair ORCG

Autumn Update

Evening everyone.

I hope you all had a good summer and that we are lucky enough to have a late autumn with sunshine into November…well we can hope!

The grant for the new benches, toys and garden storage has finally been processed. Items should be appearing in the garden soon-ish.

The monthly work parties are still the second sat of the month, the next being Sat 14th Sept 2013 10am-12noon, Beth from the Town Meal project will be dropping in so if you are around why not come along for a bit and say hello, lend a hand in the garden and meet new neighbours. The plans for the winter are to clear up the area around the pond, remove the large tree behind the pond that blocks out all the sunlight, clean out the pond (if anyone knows a pond owner who would like some bull rushes or lilies please let us know), replace the damaged bird boxes with one new one, fill the bird feeders and make compost from grass cuttings and leaves.

The committee is currently 1 person short so if any of you feel inspired into help organise the garden please let us know. Although the grounds are owned by RBC all work and events in the garden is arranged by the committee, RBC do not help in any way, this means we need people to help organise work parties, introduce new members to the garden, arrange corporate visits, apply for funding, update the website, etc. Currently we meet once a month Feb-Nov for with all discussions completed via email, in addition we have a veg plot review in Feb and May, Rescue in March and the annual BBQ in July – weather permitting!

As ever I hope you enjoy the garden, please make the most of it as we go through autumn, it is very underused at times. If you have any suggestions for the garden please feel free to forward them to us.

Regards,
Ricky Josey

Chair ORCG

Early August update from the ORCG

Afternoon everyone.

It was good to see some of you at the annual BBQ on Saturday, there are photos to go onto the website soon, I hope. We managed to finish packing up just as the rain started which made it an even better day!

The August work party (Aug 10^th) is cancelled as much of the hard work was done in preparation for the BBQ, we hope to see some of you at the September work party (Sept 14^th).

Remember if you are holding a large gathering in the garden or want to hold an event in the garden then put it in the diary (on the cabin wall) and drop us an email at oxfordroadgarden@yahoo.co.uk so we can avoid clashes of events.

I hope the garden gets lots of use during the summer holidays and I’ll look forward to meeting some of you in and around the garden in the next few weeks.

One final comment. We are looking to hold a series of small and free events in the garden for members and their families on wildlife themes such as bird watching, seed planting, moth night, etc. if you have a particular subject you would like included or if you or a group you know would be interested in leading an event please let us know on the oxfordroadgarden@yahoo.co.uk email.

Regards,

Ricky Josey

Chair ORCG

March Update

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 13^th 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 21-24^th March 2013 (www.readingrescue.org.uk) , ORCG is holding our event on Sat 23^rd 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 31^st March 2013, we lose an hour but gain brighter mornings!

Regards,

Ricky Josey

Chair ORCG

November Update

Garden Members,

November is here, how did that happen?! I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Halloween and bonfire night.

The final work party of the year is Saturday 10th November from 10am to 12 noon (this Saturday!), we will be putting the garden to bed for the winter, please come along and lend a hand, even if only for a few minutes, there are lots of little jobs that need completing. If we do not see you at the work party I hope you continue to use the garden through the winter, the bird feeders are popular with over wintering birds and will be back up shortly.

 There will be (weather permitting) a corporate volunteer group in the garden on December 11th working on the pond corner to open it up, clear out the pond, thin out the trees, cut back the undergrowth and re-establish the path around it, please keep this in mind if you are planning to use the garden in December.

 There will shortly be new bins in the garden, these will be located beside the cabin facing the tool shed, there will be a bin for recycling materials (plastic drink bottles, drink cans and paper only), a general waste bin and any organic non-cooked food items (fruit skins, etc.) can be added to the compost pile adjacent, the bins will be labelled and the compost pile will be indicated, please use these sensibly. If you find the bin(s) are full please let me know to arrange emptying.

 If we do not see you at the work party I hope you continue to use the garden through the winter, the bird feeders are popular with over wintering birds and will be back up shortly.

 Finally, if you have any ideas for the garden (we are open to all sorts of ideas) then please drop me some outline details and a contact number or email so we can discuss them.

Regards, Ricky Josey

Chair ORCG

June News

As the wettest drought for years continues Plot holders are reminded there is still a hosepipe ban. The standpipe in the garden was turned off Saturday as it was leaking very badly, we hope to have this fixed by today (Wednesday 6^th June). There is a watering can in the tool shed but can I ask plot holders to bring their own watering can to use while the drought restrictions are in place. If anyone has a spare watering can they can give to the garden it would be much appreciated.

The monthly work party is on Sat 9^th June 10am to 12 noon, I really hope we see some of you during the morning, the garden needs lots of care at this time of year, many hands make light work!

We have a corporate volunteer team attending the garden from the Hilton Hotel (Reading), date to be confirmed, but they will be coating the fence by the gate/entry path, the cabin and the static benches, time dependant hopefully they will also be repairing the picnic benches and tool shed, busy people!

The annual ORCG BBQ will be on Sat 14^th of July 12:30-3pm, Owen’s Animals will be there to entertain the children (free), a reminder if you are attending to bring your own meat/veg option with you. Salad, rolls, condiments, cutlery and children’s soft drinks will be provided by the garden. There will be a work party 10-12noon in the garden prior to the BBQ, we will need as many people as possible to assist in the preparation so if you can spare 30 minutes, or can come along early on the day please do.

The garden diary is on the outside of the cabin, please record your use of the garden in this as we have to submit an annual review to RBC. If you are planning a large event in the garden please email the committee on  oxfordroadgarden (at) yahoo (dot) com as well as putting it in the diary, this is purely to ensure there are no clashes of dates with maintenance work or external volunteers in the garden that could ruin your event. If you have photos of the garden that you are willing to go on the website then please email them to me with a caption or event title.

Any queries on any of these points or suggestions for funding sources please contact me.

Regards,

Ricky Josey

Chair Oxford Road Community Garden

April's Newletter

Dear members,

The monthly work party is on Sat 14^th April 10am to 12 noon, I hope you can make it.

The boundary fence behind the pond adjoining Western Elms Avenue has been replaced, this is a long needed repair and does make this section of the garden look much better. Our thanks to Dr Howlett for replacing his adjacent section of fencing along the passageway at the same time. This now all ties in with the section replaced in 2010 from the entry gate making the whole boundary both safer and smarter looking.

Plot holders, there is a hosepipe ban in place. The standpipe in the garden can be used to water the plots but only using watering cans, there is a watering can in the tool shed but can plot holders bring their own watering can to use while the drought restrictions are in place. If anyone has a spare watering can they can give to the garden it would be much appreciated.

The annual ORCG BBQ will be on Sat 14^th of July 12:30-3pm, Owen’s Animals will be there to entertain the children (free), a reminder if you are attending to bring your own meat/veg option with you. Salad, rolls, condiments, cutlery and children’s soft drinks will be provided by the garden.

The garden diary is on the outside of the cabin, please record your use of the garden in this as we have to submit an annual review to RBC. If you are planning a large event in the garden please email the committee on oxfordroadgarden (at) yahoo (dot) com as well as putting it in the diary, this is purely to ensure there are no clashes of dates with maintenance work or external volunteers in the garden that could ruin your event.

Any queries on any of these point please contact me.

Regards,

Ricky Josey

Chair Oxford Road Community Garden

Garden Update March 2012

Dear members,

A quick update for all the garden members, we have a number of events coming up in the garden:

Rescue 2012 March 10th 10-12 noon

Please come along tomorrow morning from 10-12 noon and help us clean up the access lane to the garden, tidy up in the garden and meet other members.

Plot holders

If you currently have a vegetable plot can you confirm you are intending to keep it for 2012, if not please let us know ASAP.

As a reminder all plot holders are expected to contribute towards 3 work parties each year.
There is currently .5 of a plot that was Ron’s plot that a couple of people were going to take over, if this has happened or is about to happen can you confirm to us.
There is a full plot available immediately, if people are interested please email us and we will arrange to get you keys for the tool shed. This plot can be split into halves if requested.

Work parties

These take place from March-October on the second Saturday from 10-12 noon. Feel free to come along even if just for a few minutes.
As a reminder all plot holders are expected to contribute towards 3 work parties each year.

Committee

The committee is in need of new members, if you feel you would like to know more about the committee then drop us an email and we will explain what we do, it’s not too involved.

Can you make all replies to the oxfordroadgarden (at) yahoo (dot) com

Regards,
Ricky Josey
Chair, ORCG

Neighbourhood Watch Barbecue July 18th!

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

BBQ

OXFORD ROAD COMMUNITY GARDEN
YOU ARE INVITED TO A BBQ IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN
ON
SATURDAY JULY 18th. 12 – 3
Soft drinks and salads and potatoes will be supplied.
Please bring your own food to go on the BBQ’s

A reminder to you that there is a
BBQ
On Saturday between 12 and 3
In the Community Garden

Open Day 2008

On the 26th of July 2008, the ORCG had a glorious open day.

There was a BBQ, lots of families and children using the garden as it was meant to be used.

A resource for the local community to enjoy.

Compost toilet is finished.

from Adrian Windisch: "At last the Compost toilet at the Oxford Road Community Garden (www.orcg.co.uk) is finished. I think it's the only one in Reading, probably the first in Berkshire. I've seen and used them at LILI in Buckingham (www.lowimpact.org), and at Sunseed Desert Technology in Spain (www.sunseed.org.uk). I downloaded the instructions from www.humanurehandbook.com. It's a great way to turn what others regard as a waste product into a source of nutrients to enrich the soil. I hope it spreads the message, and it's the first of many."

Work Day at the Garden sees the start of the new Compost Toilet

With help from volunteers from Yell and St Lawrence's Church the 31st July saw the garden transformed. Volunteers dug up beds and an allotment that can now be used and cleared up paths that were barely visible. For the compost toilet the area behind the shelter had to be cleared, the donated shed given a coat of timber preserver, the ground levelled and cleared, blocks laid as a foundation and finally the shed was assembled. The toilet itself will be finished at a later date.

The volunteers did a magnificent job in the hot weather, some areas have been transformed. They, and other groups or individuals, are welcome to help our community garden in the future. Please see our website at www.orcg.co.uk for information on what is happening and for contact details. We're in this week's Reading Chronicle, where I discuss the green benefits or using what others consider a waste product to give nutrients to the soil. Also it will be more convenient for gardeners than going to the fast food outlet next door.

Forbury Fever

June Events

The next ORCG meeting is Tuesday 12th June 7:30pm

ORCG will have a stand at Forbury Fever on 2nd June. 11-4pm. Please come down and say hello if you can!!

OXFORD ROAD COMMUNITY FUN DAY on Saturday 16th June

This year the event will take place from 12 noon to 4pm at Kensington Park (on Kensington Road, off Oxford Road). This years event has the theme of 'Children and Young People'. There are a number of activities and attractions planned on the day by a whole range of local groups including:

• Children's entertainment including a bouncy castle, facepainting and soft play
• Activities for all the family including arts and crafts, sports demonstrations and taster sessions
• Music from local people - steel pans, a school choir, song and dance acts, DJ workshops
• 'Community Marquees' featuring display stands and information from local groups
• A Safer Communities roadshow with representatives from Thames Valley Police, Street Wardens and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue.
• Prizes, games and much more...

School visits Garden

We had a visit from Wilson Road School today, the children were very interested in the vegetable plots, and the ducks.

Notice for Mums in West Reading

Reading Mums! MAKE A DIFFERENCE! HELP OTHER MUMS TO GIVE THEIR BABIES THE BEST START
We are looking for Mums to become volunteer peer supporters in the Oxford Road area. If you have breastfed one or more babies and can help, we’d love to hear from you.

YOU WILL RECEIVE: After training, we’d expect you to offer at least 2 hours of your time per week for a year to support new mothers at the Battle Library Breastfeeding Centre, in clinics, or in the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

We want to recruit a wide range of peer supporters and are particularly keen to hear from mothers aged under 25 and those who speak Urdu or Polish.

For further information, call Supporterline 0870 900 8787, text 0783 796860 or email training@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

Course starts May 2007
Reading Peer Support Project
The Breastfeeding Network,
PO Box 11126,
Paisley
PA2 8YB

The Breastfeeding Network Trust (The Breastfeeding Network) is a recognised Scottish Charity No SC027007

Did you breastfeed your baby? Want to help other mums?

* Free training with crèche facility
* Open College Network accredited qualification
* Work experience and references to apply for a job in the future
* Travel costs and childcare expenses paid

Pride of Reading Awards 2006

And the winner of the Pride of Reading Awards Environmental Project was:

The Oxford Road Community Garden

See more pics of the awards ceremony at www.getreading.co.uk/news/2005/2005043/picture_special_pride_of_reading_awards_2006