Make a Collage Workshop

Dig In volunteers demonstrated their artistic skills by creating collages in the first of Joyce Killowe's art and craft workshops at Dig In.

The Dig In polytunnel doubled as an indoor art studio and we all sampled some of Mary's tasty homemade Rhubarb cake during the break. A wonderful time was had by all.

A Busy Week at Dig In!

Spring has really sprung for local children visiting Dig In last week. Stapleford and Draycott childminder groups, and Albany Infant and Nursery School got stuck into gardening, enjoyed pond-dipping, gardening crafts and a Spring Treasure Hunt in lovely spring sunshine.

Later in the week Albany Junior School’s School Parliament sent a deputation to taste rhubarb and rocket and to make flatbreads. Rhubarb got a thumbs-up though rocket did cause a few pulled faces... but they did give it a try!

Thanks to all for such a fun week! 

Karen

Art & Craft Workshops 2014

Dig In will be running several art & craft workshops led by Nottingham artist Joyce Killowe. The sessions will take place at the community allotment on Saturdays and run from 10am until 1pm.

The dates and topics are as follows, but due to anticipated demand, pre-booking is required.

5th April -   Make a Collage full of Spring’s textures and colours.

26th April - Willow & Fabric Weaving – creating flowers or insects.

24th May -  Mosaics – decorate a container or make a mirror frame.

5th July -    Lantern Making with recycled tin cans.

26th July -  Floral & Herb Scented Arrangement - seasonal.

Join artist Joyce Killowe to learn new crafts in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Venue: Dig In Community Allotment, Stapleford, Notts. 
Dig In is located on Pasture Road, between the Man of Iron pub and Excel Vehicle Hire, NG9 8HZ
The site has toilet facilities.

Cost per workshop: £5 waged, £3 children and unwaged (includes light refreshments).
•  All materials and equipment are provided.

Please note that due to the materials and process used in the mosaics workshop, there is a minimum age restriction (8 years) for children and parental guidance is required.

Contact Mary Venning to book a place:

Email: bookings@diginstapleford.org.uk

Download Workshops flyer.

Gardening Workshops 2014

This year, Dig In will be running several gardening workshops led by qualified and experienced horticulturalist, Karen Fry. The sessions will take place at the community allotment on Saturdays and run from 10am until 12 noon.

The dates and topics are as follows, but due to anticipated demand, pre-booking is required.

22 March        Soils – not just ‘dirt’!

12 April           Recycled Container Gardens – turn almost anything into a plant container.

10 May            Compost – what to put in, how to look after it.

7 June              Good Companions – companion planting and space-saving.

28 June           Green Manures – growing plants to feed your garden.

2 Aug               Wildlife in the Garden – our ‘Friends and Foes’.

16 Aug              Growing through the Winter – beat the weather.

Brush up on your skills and learn through practical activities in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Venue: Dig In Community Allotment, Stapleford, Notts.
Dig In is located on Pasture Road, between the Man of Iron pub and Excel Vehicle Hire, NG9 8HZ

•  The site has toilet facilities.

Cost per workshop: £5 waged, £3 unwaged (includes light refreshments).
•  Dig In volunteers free of charge.

Contact Karen Fry to book a place:

Tel:     07943 700302

Email: enquiries@diginstapleford.org.uk

Download Workshops flyer

School Visits - Spring and Summer 2014

We are pleased to announce that Dig In Community Allotment in Stapleford has funding to run free sessions for schools local to the Stapleford area during Spring and Summer term 2014. 

The sessions are coordinated by an experienced environmental educator and can be tailored to all age groups.

Sessions available include:

• Pond-dipping

• Mini-beast hunting

• Garden explorations, sensory walks  and treasure hunts

• Gardening

• Harvesting and tasting

The site includes a fenced pond with dipping platform, wildlife gardens, productive gardens, orchard, polytunnel and accessible compost toilet. 

Dig In is located on Pasture Road, between the Man of Iron pub and Excel Vehicle Hire, NG9 8HZ

Contact Karen Fry to find out more:

Tel:     07943 700302

Email: enquiries@diginstapleford.org.uk

Download School Visits flyer

Alex's Marathon Cheque Presentation

Dig In volunteer, Roy (on the right in the photo) handed over a cheque for £1000, which had been raised and donated by his nephew, Alex Oldershaw. The presentation event took place in the Dig In polytunnel on March 12th, accompanied by some of Helen's homemade pumpkin soup and Mary's homemade fruit cake.

Alex raised the money through sponsorship of his participation in the Chicago Marathon in 2013. We are bowled over by his generosity!

The purchase of a park bench for the Dig In site will be first on the list, with the remainder being put to good use for repairs, equipment and materials for Dig In. On behalf of the Dig In management committee and volunteers, thank you again Alex, for your wonderful donation and support.

Pre-Christmas Fuddle 2013

Well, another year nearly over and to celebrate, last Wednesday we held a pre-Christmas fuddle in the polytunnel. There were about a dozen of us volunteers in total. Thanks to all those who brought delicious food and drink for us all to enjoy. A thank you also goes to Helen for capturing the event on camera and for her brilliant 'Christmas tree' wigwam design.

Overall, we have had a good year at Dig In. The weather was certainly an improvement on 2012 and our programme of structural improvements on the allotment continues with the replacement of edging timbers around the beds, a new storage shed and a porch canopy for the eco-loo entrance. A special thanks to Alan Withington (RCAN) and the hard working volunteers from DISO.

Sadly, Lauren, our session worker left this year to do more work with schools, but Dig In is now pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Fry as Lauren's replacement. Through secured funding, Karen will be continuing Lauren's good work in leading most of the Wednesday volunteer sessions next year as well as numerous Saturday sessions. Local outreach will schools and other groups will also continue, again under Karen's leadership.

With a background in art and design, Dig In are also pleased to announce that Joyce Killowe will also be joining us to lead several Saturday workshops in 2014 and also to act as stand in for Karen. On behalf of the management committee, we are looking forward to making 2014 our best year yet and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

If you fancy losing a few pounds in the new year after the Christmas excesses, why not come along to help out on the allotment? We're open every Weds & Sat 10-12, just press the doorbell at the site gate to be let in, or drop us an email to let us know you're coming if you prefer. Newcomers always welcome, no experience necessary. First session of the new year is Sat 4th Jan.