Capital One Volunteer Work Party

Thursday saw Dig In turned into a hive of industry as 10 willing volunteers from Capital One came along to help us sort out the sensory beds by the polytunnel. Those of you who've helped us weed those beds will know that they had lots of couch grass and bindweed, along with plenty of other noxious weeds, and that these weeds had got in amongst the shrubs in the bed.

The volunteers took to the task with good humour despite the frequent bouts of rain. The solution was to dig everything up, dig out the roots and basically keep forking the soil over until no more new roots appeared. The team then helped us to plant up with a lovely range of new plants to add to those already in the beds, which they donated as part of their support. Some of the group also helped to weed the paths, so everything is looking wonderfully tidy now.

I'm sure you'll agree that the beds now look great. If you see anything that looks like a weed poking through in the next few months, please feel free to take it out!

The team with a new recruit.

Making a start - one of the beds seemed to have turned into another raspberry patch!

Ready for the third digging over...

A job well done. Thanks again to the Capital One team.

DIG IN's got talent

The Well Dressing created at Arkwright Meadows community
garden Village show 2009

DIG IN celebration cake made by local artist and committee member Helen Domleo

show case of local talent

Mural created by POW and Kasia Stozstak- Walker.

DIG IN committee meetings

Just a reminder- the next DIG IN meeting will be on wednesday 21st July 10 am AT THE DIG IN SITE.This is a change from the usual venue of Montrose court. We thought that 2 weeks on the trot away from site activities caused too much disruption to weekly work ( and there will be a cook session on site the following week) so we will have short meeting to discuss essentials.As usual its open to all volunteers or those wanting to be involved, to come along.
The next few meeting for your diary are -
sept 22nd 10-12
nov 24th 10-12
Venue for these meetings is Montrose court, Melbourne rd Stapleford.

Dig In Scarecrow Festival 2010

On Thursday, we had our 3rd Scarecrow Festival at the Dig In allotment. This time the theme was "Space", and we were lucky enough to get a whole host of scarecrows from local schools and uniformed groups, as well as one from our work team.

Pupils from local schools came to put up their scarecrows and then enjoyed a look around the allotment and  tasting food made with produce from the allotment, including Kathy's famous courghette and chocolate cake.

Thank you to all our contributors - Bramcote Park, Foxwood and St. John's Schools, Bramcote Park Guides, Stapleford Cubs and Stapleford Beavers. Thanks also to all the volunteers who helped on the day.

The scarecrows will be on the allotment for the next few weeks, after which we can lend them out to local allotment holders.

Bramcote Park's Spaceman Scarecrow that took 3rd Place in the competition.

Foxwood's winning alien scarecrow, with the 2nd prize winner, St. John's School's first tattiebogle in space behind.

One of the many wonderful aliens supplied by Bramcote Guides.

An alien from the Cubs

Another alien from the Cubs

Kathy risks standing under a flying saucer...

Stapleford Beavers supplied a 2 headed alien

Getting into the spirit with space-themed head-gear!

More bees in action

Taken by Mike who attended the workshop on saturday the 10th July.Thanks to everyone who came along either to learn or to help- it was a really enjoyable day.Big thanks to Lee and Dean.We will be arranging another workshop on 18th September 2010 10-12 at DIG IN. Please call me to book 0115 8752095- Kathy

Beekeeping workshop

Another hot and sunny day saw our first ever beekeeping workshop. It was run by Lee and Dean who keep two hives on the plot, and attended by enthusiastic visitors, all keen to find out about the art and science of beekeeping.

Dean gave a talk and answered questions using a well-prepared display of visual materials, which included a dummy hive and a few preserved (late) bees. Lee helped everyone to take turns in donning the protective clothing and veils then looking into an open hive and handling the frames of workers.

Genuine Stapleford honey was available to purchase, and plenty of honey cakes and other goodies had been made by our skillful cooks for people to sample and enjoy.

Everyone had a great time, and found it very informative. Lee and Dean are already planning a repeat performance later this summer.

COOK IN 3

Yesterday 30th July, in glorious sunny weather, Dig in volunteers working with the community nurtionist team held the third 'come cook on the allotment' session. Cooking dahl, sagoo aloo,biriyani, riata and salad volunteers,members of the public, Staplefords deputy mayor helped to cook and learn key tips and ideas on staying healthy.Jackie and Mia looked at the Eatwell plate with the group, in probably the most beautiful place they have ever put it , next to the DIG IN pond.Volunteers dug up carrots, potatoes and chard and used strawberries and raspberries and mint in the recipes.

Thanks to Jas for bringing his spices , ideas and expertise,Mary and Gill for their years of experience and joy of cooking ( and time) and the Mia and Jackie for their knowledge, resources and sense of adventure in tackling the sometimes testing nature of cooking on a working allotment. A fantastic collaboration, showing the best way of getting the enjoyment and pleasure out of cooking healthy food.Big thanks to everyone who came along, all our regulars and new people and especially Evelyn, Marys mum who stuck it out in the heat!

Next cook 4life session is on July 28th 10-12.30 at the site.