The new fence (Part 4 - 23 February 2012)

Well, here we are nearing the end of the fence build. It's amazing what a keen group of volunteers can achieve in a couple of hours a week. Only a few more panels need to be fixed into place.

Numbers where up again this week and Sefton Green Gym welcomed Norma from the "A Better Crosby" community group. In addition to the fence, work continued on the clearing of the previously overgrown patch and on preparing the raised beds for the upcoming planting sessions. And to top it all, it looks like Spring is about to burst into life after a normal Winter considering the past couple of years.

The first daffodil

The ground beneath the previously overgrown section was littered with all sorts of bags of rubbish buried beneath the top soil. An old bike was uncovered!! If all goes to plan a well known bank will come along with its team of volunteers and a rotavator to properly prepare the ground once the rubbish is cleared.

And finally this week, further signs that Spring is closer - a female frog was onsite checking out the pond

More pictures here and see you next week @SeftonGreenGym

The new fence (Part 3 - 16 February 2012)

So here we are again, week 3 of the fence build. 


We arrived to find that an overgrown area down the side of one of the polytunnels had been cleared to reveal a huge space that had previously been unused, apart from as a dumping ground.

The newly uncovered area - a lot of work still to be done!!

This gave everyone a boost and on continued the fence. Fence panels started going up as well as the continuing fence post erection. Right through the middle of the fence run is a water overflow which has effectively turned into a pond. One of the posts had to be put slap bang in the middle. It took some doing to seal the hole to prevent it filling with water but we managed it.

It was half term this week so a few more people came and brought their kids along. As you can imagine, the kids had fun wading through the mud on what was a very damp and drizzly day. 

So with the ground clearing, the fence building and general clearing the site preparation continues ready for the spring.

More pictures- you know what to do

@SeftonGreenGym

The new fence (Part 2 - 9 February 2012)

I don't think I mentioned that as well as adding the new fence, we'll also be adding a new shed. But the fence has to go on first so onward and upward!


The fence will serve a dual purpose. Not only will it separate the allotment from the neighbouring allotment, it will also be used for planting. There will be a host of wildlife friendly planting as well as bug boxes, bird boxes and whatever else we can get on it.


Marion, one of our regulars and also a qualified Landscape Architect, has started measuring the site so that a proper plan can be drawn identifying what will be planted and where.


Today, work on the fence began in earnest. Holes where dug, and the posts were put in. We only managed 3 today but given the state of the work area (muddier than a muddy thing in muddy town) we did quite well.


As before, you can view photographs here, but a couple to whet your appetite.

It's true, the longer you look at something the easier it is to move

Some specialist tools were used to dig the holes - all courtesy of BTCV

Thanks for looking and more to follow - very soon

The new fence (Part 1 - 2 Feb 2012)

There's a couple of weeks catching up to do so bear with me and accept my apologies for posts having the same date.


2 February was a very cold, frosty and icy day and it saw the beginning of the new fence. The old fence had to be taken down. The current fence runs along a very boggy part of the allotment which has a pond in the middle of it. A definite challenge!



Lots more pictures here

As you can imagine by the end of this particular gym, everyone was a bit tired - well I was ;o)

This used to have a fence

The scaffolding is a bit wedged in

The new fence panels and posts arrive ready for erection.  

I can easily carry those posts in one go

So what is Sefton Green Gym?

The Green Gym is an allotment group that offers people a chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables, whilst enjoying  healthy outdoor exercise. 

All the produce is organic and is shared out.

The Green Gym was established through Queensway Allotments volunteers and others and aided by BTCV expertise, the group enables a broad mix of people to improve their health and well-being through nature conservation and organic market gardening. Everyone is able to work at their own level and is supported in their interests. We all meet and work together so that everyone feels included and engaged. 

The group operates as a cooperative in the sharing out of produce. We have installed raised beds and improved pathways on our site for those with disabilities and for general safety. We have repaired two poly tunnels which have proved useful in the process and the variety of growing. Other sustainable improvements are on the way.

Much of the infrastructure has been improved in the past year and we continue to extend areas for further development.

Sefton Green Gym has in the past year worked with young men from Barnardos and from Crosby High School engaging them in outdoor activities such as digging over soil, planting and paving and engaging them in social contact and an understanding of working in a garden. Their support staff also claim to be beneficiaries of the programme although some have been significant contributors as well.

Significant contributions have been from those retired members in recovery from heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, back problems and general wear and tear who have benefited from working on raised planting beds and the general social contact and activity of the Green Gym. At least 8 members could fall into this category. 

Funding has now stopped and so we are raising funds ourselves through events like the Liverpool Santa Dash. 

The future

We will set up a rainwater collection system, more raised beds, a new shed and fruit trees, seeds etc.

Bees: We aim to work in conjunction with John Moran and his bee project so we will plant Manuka bushes in order to help the bee population.  We have cleared a new section 22 metres by 4 metres and have identified the area to plant.

On one side of the Green Gym we have a 25 metre length that is being made from trellis panels that will act as supports for climbing plants such as native species climbing plants ie clematis and honey suckle, in turn these types and species of plants are excellent for supporting the biodiversity of an area as they help to sustain healthy colonies of bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to gardeners. In many areas, bees such as the red tailed bumble bee and carder bee are in decline and need as much help as they can to help to sustain there numbers throughout Britain.

Butterflies such as the red admiral and painted lady are also in decline in the British countryside and could also benefit from this sort of project.