Help invited in transforming a young orchard into a sustainable forest garden.

We are building an "eco-building" at ECOWORKS, a community garden project on the Hungerhill allotments in St. Ann's. Volunteers have been working on this exciting project since October, and it's time to put the walls up now!

Straw bales are a low-impact, highly insulating and user-friendly building material. The construction process is highly inclusive, satisfying and fun.

The walls will go up this weekend! All are very welcome - everyone can help with a straw bale project, regardless of experience. All tools etc. will be provided. This is a great opportunity to learn this fascinating building technique and help to create an innovative building for Ecoworks!

Ecoworks is in St.Ann's, accessed from either Ransom Road or Hungerhills Road. Transport can be arranged from the town centre.

For more details phone 07973 116291


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Background & Project Description
Ecoworks is a not for profit company that provides gardening and craft activities for members of the community. We have ten allotments on the Hungerhill site and grow a wide range of fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers and unusual perennials. We use permaculture principles and grow organically. The site is also used by our craft worker who leads sessions in environmentally friendly woodcraft

Why we are on this site
Ecoworks chose the St Anns allotment site because at the time there were a large number of derelict plots near to a deprived inner city area of Nottingham. We felt that the rural nature of the site made it an ideal space for people to escape the stresses of the city, to enjoy the peace and quiet and have space to realise projects.

Aims
Ecoworks exists to promote the interests and personal development of people who are socially disadvantaged by providing activities connected to the conservation, restoration or enhancement of the environment. Our aim is to connect people care with environmental care. We provide places for people to get involved in the community to improve their environment and quality of life.

How we use the Allotment Gardens
We use the allotments as a horticultural and recreational space allowing disadvantaged people to engage in a wide variety of activities including art activities, small build, and alternative technology. We also host festivals and courses on the site. We also work with other organisations on the site such as the community orchard, STAA, Nottm Womens Training Scheme etc. The site allows people to meet in a relaxed, non judgemental atmosphere.

Volunteering
By ringing the office on the above number for more details and opening/pickup times

&

on the Refugee Forum site, they say:

 http://www.nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk/artsaccess.htm

Ecoworks Hunger Hill, Allotments, St Anns Nottingham. Ecoworks is a community project, with a large garden in St Anns. Garden & Craft activities, such as willow weaving, fence/path building etc, take place at the gardens on most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between 10.30 a.m. & 3.p.m. Asylum seekers are welcome to come and join in, demonstrate their own craft skills and use the gardens as a place for picnics or playing music. For details, contact Adrian on 0796 8484796 .


Contacts:

EcoWorks Allotments
Hungerhill , St Annes , Nottingham
Ph: 0115 978 0180

Office: Adrian Horsley
International Community Centre
Mansfield Road
Nottingham
NG1 3FN
email:  Ecoworks@gn.apc.org
phone: 0115 911 2522


also check out: St Anns Allotments Network  http://www.staan.co.uk


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Earlier post on Indymedia at:

Straw Bale building in Nottingham!

 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/08/320718.html


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ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email:  tash@gn.apc.org
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Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
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