Sue Roberts thoughtfully signalled her intention to step down as the Chair of Trustees at Martineau Gardens,  at last year’s AGM. We are all sad to see Sue go, as the organisation has benefitted so much under her stewardship.  Sue says of her six years with the Gardens: ”Martineau Gardens is a charity that I truly believe is a jewel in the city’s crown. Receiving the Queen’s Award  for Voluntary Service is a testament to the amazing work of our volunteers, staff and trustees and to the generosity of our supporters. 

I have very much enjoyed working with the trustees and with the Gardens’ fabulous staff team over this time.  We have seen some wonderful changes and the Gardens are looking more beautiful than ever. Our newly refurbished Pavilion has been a huge success, as has the Jo Malone London Courtyard Garden.  Bookings of the Gardens and of the Pavilion have grown significantly.  I am delighted that Tim Bruton, a fellow long-standing Trustee, has agreed to take on the role of Chair.  I know that post Covid-19, the Gardens will continue to go from strength to strength under the stewardship of Tim, Gill our CEO and the Gardens’ dedicated volunteers, staff and trustees.”

Pictured below, scenes from the Martineau Gardens Summer Garden Party, just one of Sue’s contributions to the Gardens. This annual fundraising event wouldn’t have happened without Sue’s tireless energy, dedication and passion for Martineau Gardens for which we appreciate her so much for.

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As we enter our fourth month since lockdown began, the therapeutic horticulture project, which is at the heart of all that we do and how the community at Martineau Gardens interacts, remains a vital service. In the early days of the pandemic, our staff were doing their best to provide telephone support to the more vulnerable of our volunteers, a service that still continues. As lockdown eased, we wanted to facilitate the return of some volunteers, and this has been made possible by the Heart of England Community Foundation and the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Due to their support we have engaged additional staff and the volunteers are now gardening  in socially distanced pairs. It’s through their efforts our two and a half acre site has remained nurtured despite this summer’s extreme weather. The  Gardens are an oasis of tranquillity and we look forward to a time when we can share it with you. Whilst most staff have remained on furlough, a slimmed down core team have been delivering fresh, organically grown garden produce to those volunteers not yet able to return to the Gardens and many volunteers are delighted to be receiving medals, in honour of our recent Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

Saturday 4 July, 11am until 3pm – admission free *

Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston B5 7UG

We love sharing Martineau Gardens and the joy of gardening with our visitors. Until we are able to open our gates again in full, we hope you will enjoy this one-off opportunity to purchase a little bit of Martineau Gardens. Something to take home for your windowsill, front step or garden and to remind you of us.

At the Plant Sale, you’ll be able to purchase plants and compost (limited supplies) but, with regret, there will be no access to the gardens, toilets or picnic/play areas. There will be no refreshments. *Social distancing measures will be observed (full details below).

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What’s for sale?

The plants available include a variety of perennials and annuals grown by the Martineau Gardens volunteers including herbs, scented geraniums, irises, strawberry plants, and so much more.

Multi-purpose peat-free compost is available, though limited to two bags per household. Pay at sales point in exchange for a voucher, and a volunteer will be on hand to exchange the voucher for the compost.

What to expect:

We strongly advise you to read the following before visiting the Plant Sale

In order to keep you, our visitors, and our staff and volunteers safe during the Plant Sale now that government guidelines relating to Covid-19 are relaxing, please read the following:

Arrival at the Plant Sale:

On arrival in the car park, if there is a queue, pedestrians should please join the queue at the head of the access lane, observing the 2m social distancing guidance. If arriving by car, please park and join the queue/ remain in your car if there is a queue.

If the car park is full the gate will be closed. Please try again later. Parking is only available within the Martineau Gardens car park.

There will be a one way pedestrian system in and out of the Plant Sale (entrance via the track and Tai Chi Lawn, exit via the Welcome Shelter).  Two people per household only beyond the Welcome Shelter with max of four people (two households) in the Plant Sales are at any time.

During your time at the Plant Sale, please observe social distancing of 2m with staff and other customers and observe the directional signage for the one way system. If the additional person with you is a child, please keep them close to you and supervised.

Please only pick up plants you will be purchasing.

Please bring your own bags or boxes to put your purchases in.

We anticipate 20 – 30 minutes for each visit

Please note there will be no toilet facility available.

If you, or anyone in your household is displaying Covid-19 like symptoms, please do not visit the Plant Sale.

Advice for those with limited mobility:

Parts of the one way route may be challenging for wheelchairs since the route passes over grass (the Tai Chi Lawn) and gravel (the track). If this poses a concern for you, please contact the office on 0121 440 7430.

Payments:

We prefer card sales, but can accept cash.

Donations:

If you would like to add a donation to your purchase we will be most thankful.

Please remember that the toilets, picnic and play areas, buildings and wider areas of the gardens remain closed during the Plant Sale.

Martineau Gardens during Lockdown

Your purchases will help to support the Gardens during this difficult time. If you’d like to know what’s been going at Martineau Gardens during Lockdown, please keep an eye on our website, follow us on social media or sign-up to receive our email bulletins here.

Martineau Gardens remains closed to the public, the plant sale is a one-off fundraising activity.

For the latest information, please view our Covid-19 statement here

How to find us

27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 7UG

Located opposite the Priory Hospital, and 5 minutes from the Midlands Arts Centre (the MAC) and Warwickshire County Cricket Ground

We need your support more than ever during these difficult times. Please help us to carry on so that we can still be the hope in many people’s lives. As a small organisation we’re facing all the challenges that temporary closure (due to Government advice around Covid-19) brings.  With public visits, venue hire and events postponed, and the corresponding income streams removed, we are doing our best to weather the storm.

Donations now will ensure our running costs are met meaning we can continue to be the place where people, plants and wildlife meet.

We are trying to look after the Gardens as long as we can, within the current guidelines. We look to the future where we can be a safe and welcoming space for all to connect with nature and improve wellbeing. Many of us will need this more than ever.

Our Gardens still need to be tended, during this temporary closure, and we are hugely appreciative of those who are in a position to be able to get to Martineau Gardens and keep on top of the gardening.

Local Giving – our chosen on-line giving platform for collecting donations (including gift-aid), have reduced their fees. Find out more here

 

The shipwreck play area in by-gone days

At time of writing, playparks across the country have been closed. Hard times for children.

You’re never too young to benefit from time spent outside – the play area at Martineau Gardens has been a well-used, much loved area providing opportunity for children to engage their imagination and improve their wellbeing at the same time. Using the natural landscape and features of the Gardens in play, whether it’s hide and seek, sandpit constructions, picnics or pirate fun – families can connect with nature and each other. Martineau Gardens is a safe and an inclusive space offering play without cost, within an area of extreme economic disparity. School children on educational visits also play here during their lunch breaks.

Due to a big increase in footfall recently, in the winter months we plan to update and repair the Pirate Shipwreck area- it will be in keeping with our commitment to consider the environment and wildlife in all we do.

You can help us by:

*Contributing to our planning stage by filling out our questionnaire (either on-line here) 

* Note whether your local shop is Co op since there are five stores nearby that are supporting Martineau Gardens with this year’s Local Community Fund. Read more:http://bit.ly/2IAdEGO