Summertime – a sensory walk around Martineau Gardens July 23, 2021



New moth identified July 9, 2021

Andrew Curran, one of our longstanding volunteer wildlife recorders, was elated to report his recent discovery, after the latest moth identification session:

 “The moth was sighted by the lower oak canopy near the earth oven on Thursday 8th July. I thought it was Yellow-legged Clearwing which was recorded here at Martineau Gardnes, several times in the past. To my great delight, this beautiful moth proved to be Orange-tailed Clearwing. A new identification for Martineau Gardens and nationally scarce”

Find out more about how we indentify and record moths, using a moth trap (all moths are released quickly and not harmed)



Our music for the evening June 28, 2021

Huge thanks to Tauny Southwood  who has come on board by bringing bands, ‘Jazz on Tap’ and ‘Tayz & the Drolls’ to the Garden Party.  Read on for more details about the bands.

(more…)


Reducing the plastic in play May 24, 2021

For those of you who have been following the story regarding the renovation of our Shipwreck Play Area, you will remember how we have been focusing on a natural play experience, which will engage children’s imagination. With our commitment to wildlife and the environment we wanted to keep materials as green as possible, creating a green play space that reflects our values was important to us.

We were delighted when local business Envirotoy got in touch with a good deal around their plastic-free toys. They gave us a number of sets and we were so pleased with them that we bought additional sets for busy times.

Stuart Loach (Envirotoy) with the plastic-free toys by the newly created sandpit

Pictured here, Stuart Loach (Director, Envirotoy) personally delivering the plastic-free play sets. The wooden sand play sets are made from ‘planwood’ a type of moulded wood that uses left over sawdust and good for waterplay too.

Prior to the official launch, our volunteers gave the sandpit area a test run and of course, a cermonial sandcastles were made.

Members of the Garden Team give the buckets and spades a test run!

Stay in touch with our plans, by following the story on social media. You can find out more about Envirotoy here.



Good news for birdlovers and bees May 7, 2021

We’re delighted to have completed the repairs to our bird hide thanks to a Magic Little Grant of £500 and the hard work of our volunteers who did all the renovations. The grant also funded the planting of even more bee-friendly plants as part of our work in facilitating natural beekeeping methods.

(more…)


Our CEO, Gill Milburn, is retiring May 6, 2021

Gill at the helm of the recently restored wheelhouse

Our wonderful CEO Gill Milburn is retiring in September after three years of incredible service to Martineau Gardens. We will be writing more about all that Gill has achieved for Martineau Gardens soon, but wanted you to hear as soon as possible. Please give her a virtual three cheers and fist bump for leading us, the organisation, the staff and the volunteers with such diligence, kindness and strength, particularly through the pandemic. We feel very fortunate that Gill was at the helm during this time.

We are seeking an inspirational leader to join our small independent charity. The successful candidate will be someone who shares our vision and values, invites innovation and thrives on making a positive difference to the people and communities we serve.  Click here to access the application pack details.



Jobs: Chief Executive Officer April 27, 2021

Our CEO is retiring and we are seeking an inspirational leader to join our small independent charity. The successful candidate will be someone who shares our vision and values, invites innovation and thrives on making a positive difference to the people and communities we serve.  

Chief Executive Officer
Salary Scale: NJC 29 £32,910
Hours: 37.5
Location: Birmingham

Closing date: 27th May 2021
Interview date: Week commencing 9th June 2021

For more information, please download the application pack here:



We need you! Visitor Welcome Volunteers April 26, 2021

Kim, our Visitor Welcome Team member

· Do you love Martineau Gardens?

· Do you enjoy meeting people?

· Do you have a few hours to spare each week?

If the answer is  ‘Yes’, then join our Visitor Welcome Team.

To find out more you can read a description of the role here or send an email to info@martineau-gardens.org.uk mentioning Visitor Welcome Team in the subject line.

The Visitor Welcome  Team meet, greet and  look after our visitors Mondays to Saturdays*, usually working 10am – 1pm or 1pm – 4pm Some like to do a full day. 

*Martineau Gardens is now open Mondays to Saturdays 10am until 4pm. We extended our hours to include Saturdays on 31 July 21.



Outdoor theatre this summer April 17, 2021

If you’ve missed the theatre, then why not book a ticket to one of the two open air productions at Martineau Gardens this summer. Perfect for younger audiences, who would enjoy an informal, outdoor setting, from the comfort of their picnic rug, Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf takes place on  the Tai Chi Lawn, on Saturday 10 July, 11am with the Shipwreck Play Area open an hour earlier for BYO brunch and a play.  Then on Tuesday 17 August at 7pm, Folksy return with ‘The Tempest’, the Shipwreck deck will appropriately become the stage for the evening. Gather your friends, folding chairs and a picnic.  

Covid-secure: These are open air events, taking place after 21 June* (the time when it is anticipated that covid social restrictions will ease) our website has more details about what to expect. Advance ticket purchase is recommended to avoid disappointment for these popular shows. 

Click on the above links to read more and book!



Go Green for Outdoor Education April 12, 2021

We are delighted to hear that the Department for Education has given the green light for Educational Visits to resume from 12 April 2021.

Juliette Green, Martineau Gardens Environmental Education Officer said:

“Here at Martineau Gardens, we can’t wait to welcome back school children for Educational Visits. When pupils visit, much of their day is spent outside. Children need this outdoor provision more than ever right now – to be able to observe the natural world helps to improve wellbeing and concentration and after having been restricted for so long, we’re delighted to be able to resume our outdoor learning programme.”

She added, “The topics they study are varied, but a typical visit might include exploring the different habitats at Martineau Gardens to learn about food chains, they examine parts of plants and learn about conditions plants need to grow. Or they might take part in a minibeast safari, do some pond dipping and or even go on a ‘pirate adventure’ where they learn how to use maps and compasses and make a boat.   I can’t wait to get started again.”

School visits at Martineau Gardens resume from Tuesday 4 May 2021.

For more information, view our Schools area here  and to make a booking or an enquiry email juliette@martineau-gardens.org.uk