Peter Runs again 2015 September 10, 2015

Peter’s online giving page:

https://localgiving.com/fundraising/peterrunsagain2015

21st October – Update: He did it! Thanks to all your financial encouragement, Peter has pounded the streets of Birmingham for Martineau Gardens – he completed the run in just under two hours, coming in at 1 hour 56 minutes. If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time, please help all his efforts go further. If you donate via Peter’s online page (at Local Giving, via the big link above), the first £10 of your donation will be match funded and (if eligible) gift-aid added – but, don’t delay, the match pot fund will only last a short while!

(Please also give three massive cheers for Mike Ponton who ran for Martineau Gardens for the first time this year, please click here, to find out more!)

Peter Arnold, Trustee is running for Martineau Gardens in the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday 18 October, 2015. This is the fifth time that Peter has donned his running shoes for us – no mean feat, Peter is 66, works full time as a barrister and … has an allotment to maintain (and we all know how demanding that can be). There is a huge commitment of time, effort and mental determination for anyone who decides to participate in a long-distance run, such as the Great Run.

Pictured here, Peter explains why he is doing this for Martineau Gardens:

” So why am I doing this? Martineau Gardens is a vital resource for our community – I live nearby. It’s close to the city and yet it provides a place where you can go to get a breath of fresh air and forget about the hussle and bustle of life’s demands.

When I’ve had a busy day, I like to unwind at my allotment, dig up a potato or two or pick an apple but for many of the volunteers who take part in the Therapautic Horticulture project at Martineau Gardens, gardening is much more than a hobby, in fact gardening at Martineau Gardens gives them a reason not to give up, when the going gets tough. The Gardens are a place where vulnerable people feel valued. So please dig deep, and give generously.”

How You Can Sponsor Peter:

1) By donating online through LocalGiving which is totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Martineau Gardens and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. To donate on-line, please go to my fundraising page: https://localgiving.com/fundraising/peterrunsagain2015

2) By posting a cheque to Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UG

(Please make cheques payable to ‘Martineau Gardens’)

Martineau Gardens is participating in ‘Grow Your Tenner’ with LocalGiving, which launches on 13 October at 10am. This is a brilliant opportunity for Peter’s efforts to raise even more money for Martineau Gardens, for every donation that is made on-line after 10am on Tuesday 13 October, LocalGiving will mtach fund this, up to £10. To find out more about how your on-line donations can be match funded, click here.

If you would like to know more about how Martineau Gardens helps vulnerable people and others, watch our film: https://www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/about-us/what-is-a-community-garden/

Your support would make such a difference

Honey Show 5 & 6 Sept September 3, 2015

Final preparations for the Birmingham Honey Show are underway: the marquees are going up and bee keepers are putting the finishing touches to their show entries.

The Honey Show is returning to Martineau Gardens for its 5th year this weekend (Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, 10am until 4pm). For more details on this wonderful family-friendly event, click here.

Entry to the event is FREE

Mollie Martineau 1-9-26 to 15-8-15 September 3, 2015

Our Patron, Mollie Martineau, has died peacefully.

She has been a great supporter of Martineau Gardens, since the beginning of our existence as a Community Garden. She loved how the Gardens reminded her of childhood nature walks. She visited whenever she was able, supporting our events and our fundraising. We benefited a lot from the affection and respect that Birmingham people felt for her. She kept up the connection with us, even after leaving Birmingham, sending warm messages to us through our Trustee, Glenys Thomas.

We owe the name of the Gardens to Mollie Martineau’s family. It was Mollie’s father-in-law Wilfred Martineau, who, as Chairman of the Education Committee, established a Teachers’ Centre on Bristol Road after the war.

He had recognized that Birmingham was facing a problem in attracting and retaining good quality teachers, and he wanted somewhere where the teachers could “put up their feet and let their hair down”. Mollie had lived near the Gardens for over fifty years. She had seen the grounds as a Teachers’ Centre, an Environmental Studies Centre and, through to its present existence as a Community Garden. She and her late husband Denis intervened when the site was at risk of being redeveloped. In an interview for one of our recent newsletters, she explained why her commitment remained strong: “Martineau Gardens is so close to the City Centre, yet whenever I visit, I am reminded of my childhood and the nature walks I used to enjoy so much. This is a very special Garden. As a community garden, it’s here for everyone. It’s wonderful to see a place where children can run and play freely.”

Pictured here, Mollie Martineau opening our Nature Trail (31 March 2011) – Mollie equipped with secateurs snipped through an evergreen, ‘living’ ribbon made from foliage of the Gardens.

Mollie Martineau Launching the Nature Trail

29 and 31 Aug News August 27, 2015

Martineau Gardens is open every day except Sundays and Bank Holidays. We are closed on Monday 31 August 2015.

If you’re planning to visit Martineau Gardens on Saturday 29 August, the Gardens are open but the car park is being used for the cricket and the car park will be full – we’d love you to come and visit but please leave the car at home, (or arrange to be dropped off) and use public transport. Martineau Gardens is well served by buses. The nearest bus routes are 1, 45, 47, 61, 63, X64. To plan your journey by public transport, visit www.traveline.info and use the postcode search – Martineau Gardens postcode is B5 7UG. Alternatively, arrive by bike and bring your bike down to our bike rack, close to the Pavilion.

When you arrive, the gates will be locked, please phone the office on 0121 440 7430 and we will unlock the gates for you.

If you’re a cricket fan, you can find out more about parking here: www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/2015/08/parking-for-cricket-fans/

Sustainable Gardens News August 5, 2015

Martineau Gardens’ buildings – location for the ‘Sustainable Gardens’ networking event

Last month Martineau Gardens was delighted to host the latest ‘Fit for the Future’ Network event. Head gardeners and garden managers from different member organisations got together and shared case studies and solutions for making gardens more sustainable. The event was chaired by Caroline Hutton, Director of Martineau Gardens, and organised by Fit for the Future. Round the table were people from the National Trust, Powis Castle, the Eden Project and Kew Gardens. Topics discussed included off grid gardens – looking at renewable energy and sustainable water systems, improving energy efficiency in garden buildings and sheds used as offices and developing environmental standards for parks and gardens. All themes that are close to our hearts here at the Gardens.

'Fit for the Future' organisaions touring Martineau Gardens

‘Fit for the Future’ organisations touring Martineau Gardens

You can find out more about the progress we are making with rainwater harvesting here: www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/visitor-information/the-gardens/water-harvesting/

Photocredit: National Trust Photographer

Dragonflies August 5, 2015

Southern Hawker Dragonfly photocredit: B Perry

Dragonfly larva emerging photo credit: B Perry

It’s this time of year that dragonflies emerge from our wildlife pool. Here are some fantastic photographs, taken by our volunteer wildlife recorder, Brian Perry.

One shows a female Southern Hawker dragonfly perched at the edge of the pool – this is the only photo we have of an adult dragonfly at Martineau Gardens. Congratulations to Brian! The other photograph shows the dragonfly larva – it’s clinging to a stem before the adult dragonfly begins to emerge. If you look carefully you’ll notice a white line behind its head, which shows that its skin is starting to split ready for the adult to come out.

Garden Party Success August 3, 2015

Record Amounts Raised

THE MARTINEAU GARDENS SUMMER GARDEN PARTY 2015

A record amount of funds was raised for Martineau Gardens at our recent Summer Garden Party Fundraiser on Saturday 11 July. The event, co-ordinated by supporters and volunteers of the charity, raised over £7,077 for Martineau Gardens, doubling that which was raised last year. The sounds of Chet Baker, Miles Davies, Herbie Hancock and more, performed by award-winning jazz musicians The Bryan Corbett Quartet were the perfect backdrop to a beautiful evening. The weather was warm, the roses were in full bloom and guests enjoyed music, cheese and wine and took part in a charity auction.

Thanks to Shakespeare Martineau (courtesy of whom we enjoyed the fabulous food and wine), Jeremy Thornton from Biddle and Webb (our pro bono auctioneer), to Hayley from Majestic Wine who stayed for free to serve wine to our guests, and most importantly, to the generosity of our supporters who donated lots for the auction and bid enthusiastically, the event raised a record amount. Our thanks to the Garden Party Committee for all their efforts for this memorable evening.

Sue Roberts, Chair of Trustees for Martineau Gardens and organiser of the Summer Garden Party said:

“Our charity receives no funding from the government – we’re overwhelmed by the support of local residents who have contributed to the success of this event, in money and in kind.”

She added: “Martineau Gardens provides much needed volunteering opportunities for vulnerable adults and a beautiful green space for all to enjoy.”

what a lovely Garden Party pics

Hamlet 6 & 7 August July 30, 2015

It’s just a week today until Folksy Theatre returns to Martineau Gardens with Hamlet on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 August – previous productions from Folksy have been fantastic. Taming of the Shrew (2014) and last month they entertained us with the cooling riverside tale, Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, on one of the hottest evenings of the year – so we’re delighted that they’re returning to the Gardens with Hamlet, and we hope you’ll come along armed with your picnic rugs, folding chairs and picncic, for an evening with the Prince of Denmark!

You can find out more about the event and how to book tickets, by visiting this page:

Green Flag Award for Martineau Gardens July 23, 2015

Summer at Martineau Gardens J Fletcher

Nartineau Gardens - an oasis for wildlife J Fltecher

Martineau Gardens – an oasis for wildlife J Fletcher

Celebrations! Volunteers and Staff on Green Flag Day, 2015 at Martineau Gardens

Martineau Gardens, Edgbaston named as one of the best in Britain

Our Therapeutic Community Garden is one of the very best in the UK – and that’s official! We’re amongst 115 parks and green spaces within the West Midlands to be receiving the prestigious Green Flag Award today (Thursday 23 July). To celebrate the good news, please join us and drop in for a cuppa on Thursday 23 July at 12.30noon* to watch the official flag unfurled beside the Pirate Shipwreck Play Area.

The award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards.

Our Community Garden though only two miles from Birmingham city centre, is an oasis for wildlife. The Gardens are looked after by volunteers, many of whom have mental health issues and learning disabilities. Hundreds of school children visit the Gardens to learn about science and environmental issues. Martineau Gardens is also visited by the general public; every year Birmingham people visit the gardens to explore its woodland, glass houses, formal garden, orchard, demonstration food growing areas, wildflower meadow, pond, wildlife area with SLINC status and ‘Shipwreck’ children’s play area. The Gardens also run an annual events programme and sell plants, produce and jams.

Caroline Hutton, Director, Martineau Gardens said on receiving the award for a sixth year running:

“Martineau Gardens are a community-run garden that’s open for free to the public. This award is a tribute to the dedication of our volunteers who work hard to keep the gardens a beautiful and tranquil spot for Birmingham people to come and relax in.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Martineau Gardens is open for visits and plant sales, Monday to Saturday (except bank holidays), 10am until 4pm, entry is free. www.martineau-gardens.org.uk 0121 440 7430 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UG

Wind in the Willows Wed 1 July June 30, 2015

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE GATE!

The mini heatwave is reaching Birmingham just in time for Wind in the Willows. Folksy theatre’s open air production will be on at Martineau Gardens on Wednesday 1 July. The family-friendly production starts at 6pm, so bring your picnic, folding chairs and picnic rugs and join us for this classic summery story, in the leafy surrounds of our beautiful community garden.

Tickets are available in advance (on-line until Tuesday 30 June ; and to callers in person to Martineau Gardens, [cash or cheque only] Wed 1 July 12noon). Find out more about the production here: www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/events/windinthewillows/

Wind in the Willows tonight at 6pm and tickets ARE available on the gate! Come rain or shine the marquee is ready (this is where you can sit if you would like) and Folksy Theatre will perform for you upon our Pirate Ship deck … stage! https://www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/events/windinthewillows/.

www.folksytheatre.co.uk/Upcoming_Productions.html