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Come and visit us at the Edgbaston Village Artisans’ Market on Sat 12 November 10am – 6.30pm https://edgbastonvillage.co.uk/artisanmarket/
All proceeds help to support the work of Martineau Gardens, so be sure to pop along for jams, honey, plants and our Made at Martineau craft gifts.
Big thanks to all our volunteers for doing a terrific job on repotting these succulents, alpines and cacti, getting them ready for sale at our next stall.
If you visit the Gardens during the winter months, you’re likely to hear a ‘plink’, ‘plink’ sound. This is the sound of wood being chopped, by hand, by the Garden Volunteer Team. Wood is donated to the Gardens by Tree Surgeons, and then gets chopped up by the volunteers and sold to customers as logs for wood-burning stoves or open fires. Not only is this an important source of income for the Gardens, but it provides plenty of physical exercise for our volunteers!
Due to changes in legislation requiring that logs sold for fires must be below 20% moisture content, we have been galvanised into action over the last year, and thanks to a lot of hard work from volunteers, we now have the capacity to store bags of dry logs for sale to visitors. Our volunteers work hard storing, chopping, testing and bagging up the logs – it’s quite a ‘cottage industry’. The price now is £10 a sac. If you’re making a first purchase, you’ll need to purchase a reusable hessian sacks (£3) – an ideal way way to transport your logs home. The sacks weigh 10kg.
We are very grateful to our log chopping team who continue to keep the supplies up and running and to you, our customers, who choose to support our cause by buying logs from Martineau Gardens.
If you’re making a special trip to purchase logs, we suggest you ring us first to check supplies.
Supporting a good cause: all profits from the sale of logs are ploughed back into the running costs of Martineau Gardens
Martineau Gardens is closed on Monday 24 October for a team training day – sorry for any disappointment, but be sure to come back and visit us Monday to Saturday, 10am until 4pm – entry is free!
Gates of Welcome – Stage 1 is unveiled today.
Birmingham 2022 Festival presents Martineau Gardens Gates of Welcome – a Creative City Project generously funded by Birmingham City Council
Today we had the pleasure of celebrating the first stage of our Gates of Welcome being completed. Two tall, steel gates, festooned with hand-crafted sculptures of plants and wildlife were officially unveiled today by MP Preet Kaur Gill, Teacher Paige Jackson and pupil Taihrese from Selly Oak Trust School, in the company of volunteers, staff and supporters of Martineau Gardens. First to walk through the gates, were the volunteers of Martineau Gardens, accompanied by pupils of Heath Mount School and Selly Oak Trust School and artist Tim Tolkien. A garland of foliage gathered from Martineau Gardens (including radishes and cranberries), was snipped as part of the opening ceremony, speeches were held and dragonfly cakes were enjoyed.
The community-led art installation, which has been a year in the making, was created by award-winning, sculptor Tim Tolkien, with design contributions from workshops held with our volunteers and local schools. Working with Tim, participants explored plants that have origins in the commonwealth, the links of Birmingham and the gardens with past social history, from the manufacturing of the hardware of colonialism to the part played by abolitionist Harriet Martineau. The workshops reflected too on the importance of Martineau Gardens’ in the lives of its volunteers.
Jenni Fryer, CEO for Martineau Gardens said:
“It’s been an absolute joy to work on this project with Tim Tolkien. Tim has engaged our volunteers and schoolchildren to create the most beautiful set of gates – this art installation is inspired by the warm welcome that Martineau Gardens offers to all its visitors and draws on the rich diversity of the plants of the Commonwealth and of the gardens themselves.”
Once the project is completed over the next few months – the details will include depictions of plants from across the commonwealth, including bamboo, tea, lemon, banana, orange and potato; representations of the wildlife of Martineau Gardens, with robins, dragonflies and spiders tucked about. Life at Martineau is portrayed through wheelbarrows, plant pots and of course teapots (a nod to the importance of teabreak, conversation and friendship at this centre for therapeutic horticulture).
Our thanks to civil engineers Fitzgerald who were a huge support in helping us get the finishing touches to the car park complete carrying out groundworks and resurfacing of the new entranceway with a team of friendly staff volunteering their skills and time.
The installation of these remaining design elements, including an interpretation panel where visitors will be able to watch a film telling the story of the gates continues into Autumn. Follow the developments on social media, #GatesofWelcome, sign-up to receive our news and events updates here . We look forward to welcoming visitors old and new to explore the story with us.
About the Birmingham 2022 Festival
The Birmingham 2022 Festival unites people from around the Commonwealth through a celebration of creativity, in a six-month long programme, shining a spotlight on the West Midland’s culture sector.
Running from March to beyond the conclusion of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the festival aims to entertain and engage over 2.5 million people in person and online.
Delivering over 200 projects across the region including art, photography, dance, theatre, digital art and more the festival will embrace local culture and generate lasting change and a creative legacy beyond the games with funding to community led projects from Birmingham City Council’s Creative City Grants scheme.
Major support has been dedicated by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Birmingham City Council and Spirit of 2012. The Birmingham 2022 Festival is grateful for further support from British Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, the High Commission of Canada in the UK, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Create Central, Creative New Zealand, UK/Australia Season 2021/2022, and Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee.
To learn more visit: www.birmingham2022.com/festival
This Monday 10 October 2022 is #WorldMentalHealthDay – an opportunity for us all to check in on our own mental health. Here at Martineau Gardens we see the value of spending time outdoors, connecting with nature to help us feel relaxed. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us for our regular outdoor Tai Chi session – what could be a a better start to Monday morning?
Arrive at 10.15am for a 10.30am start to allow time to register with Kim Knowles, session leader, in the Courtyard Garden. Wrap up warm, since the entire session will run outdoors, usually in the Shipwreck PlayArea. Admission is free, but your donations are always welcomed. You can find out more about what to expect here.
BREAKING NEWS: Due to installation works of our Gates of Welcome on Monday, access to our car park is limited on this day. If you’re travelling by car, please continue to the Priory Tennis Club and park there (thanks to kind permission from the club.)
At Martineau Gardens we support people with mental health issues through therapeutic horticulture. We garden together, whatever the weather and feel all the better for it.
For people with existing mental health conditions, seasonal change can contribute to greater dips in wellbeing, the tranquillity and calm of Martineau Gardens brings stability for many of our regular volunteers on the Therapeutic Horticulture programme. The culture created here can go a long way in navigating unsettling times, volunteering providing a fixed point in times of turmoil.
If you’re in need of some space, some peace and tranquility, Martineau Gardens will be open as usual, on Monday 19 September, offering a warm welcome, for reflection and coming together.
Open 10am until 4pm, Monday to Saturday.
Calling all Eco Makers and Creators! Do you care about the environment? Produce sustainable merchandise? Perhaps your products are organically produced, or have a connection to gardening, upcycling, the natural world – if all or any of this chimes with your stall then get in touch! We are on the look out for stalls to join our Makers and Creators Market at the Martineau Gardens Birthday Event.
In our anniversary year, we’re celebrating 25 years of bringing people, plants and wildlife together at this family-friendly green fete taking place on SATURDAY 24 September, from 11am until 3pm.
Apply by email, to sarah@martineau-gardens.org.uk , including your answers on the following:
Details for publicity
Details for office use:
YOU WILL NEED TO PAY £20 per stall in advance to secure your place. You can pay by card (call 0121 440n 7430) or by BACS: Martineau Gardens, Account No: 50117516 Sort code: 08-92-50 Ref: Stall/[insert your surname] Our bank address is: The Co-operative Bank plc, PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
We will get back to you to confirm the details – in the event that we are oversubscribed with applications, we’ll set up a waiting list.
You’ll need to bring your own gazebo (optional), table and chairs. Stall holders need to arrive and be set up by 10.30am, with any vehicles moved to alternative parking across the road, at the rear of Priory Hospital.
With the Hundred Series, Test Match Cricket and Commonwealth Games Cricket happening on our doorstep at Edgbaston Stadium, cricket fans can pay a fee to park their car at Martineau Gardens on selected dates. Each cricket season we usually run a ‘cricket car park’, as a fundraising activity for the Gardens. Find out more below.
Tickets are only available on the day, first come, first served (we are unable to reserve in advance)
**** Update: 5 August 2022: Martineau Gardens will be running a cricket car park for the Hundred Series *****
Wed 10 Aug cricket car park opens 5pm, match starts 6.30pm Brum Phoenix v Southern Brave
Mon 15 Aug cricket car park opens 5pm, match starts 6.30pm Brum Phoenix v Trent Rockets
Fri 19 Aug cricket car park opens 5.30pm match starts 7pm Brum Phoenix v N Superchargers
Sun 28 Aug cricket car park opens 5.30pm, match starts 7pm Brum Phoenix v Manch Origin
Match details: edgbaston.com/fixtures/
We have space for 20 cars max. Unless otherwise marked, the cricket carpark will open 1.5 hours before the published match start time.
Your car is parked at your own risk. The gates will be closed (but not locked), and staff will be on site throughout the match. If you wish to collect your car early (ie, before the end of the match, and out of our opening hours) please phone 0121 440 7430 when you are outside the Gardens and we will open the gates.
At the end of play, the gates will be open for half an hour. Our staff will need to go home, so if you arrive later than this, you risk your car being locked in until 9.30am on the following morning, or an additional £15 charge will be charged.
Areas of Edgbaston are likely to have road restrictions in place.
(The Commonwealth Games end 8 August – get all the information you need to ‘get set’ including road closures, parking restrictions and travel advice here: Birmingham2022.com/getset )
Enjoy the cricket!
Martineau Gardens will be opening (and closing) a little later than usual on Sat 23 July:
Opens: 11am Closes: 5pm
It’s the JAZZ EVENT! FREE ENTRY! Parking at Priory Hospital (by kind permission, please park at the rear; the gardens car park is reserved for Musicians and Disabled)
Sat 23 July
1pm until 5pm, with music starting from 2pm.
Free admission.
Come and join us for a fantastic afternoon of live music, we’re delighted to be a venue for the Birmingham, Sandwell and Westside Jazz Festival – Europe’s biggest and best free jazz festival: returning for its 38th year at venues across the region. 10 jazz-soaked days from July 15 to 24. Strictly Jitterbug, Second City Sound, You’re Never alone with a Uke, Darren Mather Harmonica Session and the New Street Authors. More details at www.birminghamjazzfestival.com
There will be refreshments to buy, tea and coffee served, plus plants, homemade jams and seasonal produce for sale. Crete Pots will be at the gardens, with a fantastic array of large terracotta pots, direct from Crete, with sales of olive oil. Pick up a treat for the garden. and enjoy a a beautiful afternoon in your local community garden.
In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of Birmingham having fun:
Announcing the 2022 Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival – YouTube
There is a small car park at the Gardens, reserved for disabled parking and musicians. Public parking for the event will be at the Priory Hospital (opposite) by kind permission. Please park at the rear of the hospital, in the large car park.
Martineau Gardens is well served by buses. The nearest bus routes are Priory Road: 1; Bristol Road: 61, 63; Pershore Road: 45, 47 . To plan your journey by public transport, visit www.traveline.info and use the Martineau Gardens’ postcode, B5 7UG.
A Creative City Project generously funded by Birmingham City Council
We’re delighted to announce that we are benefitting from a set of beautiful new gates, as a wonderful legacy of the Commonwealth Games.
As part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival’s Creative City programme, we are one of 107 projects – funded by Birmingham City Council – that will see community groups playing their part in the citywide Commonwealth Games celebrations.
Our CEO Jenni Fryer said the gardens has long been a place of heart-felt welcome to all, but has been hidden behind gates that deter rather than encourage visitors to explore the space.
“We are incredibly proud of the warm welcome the gardens provide to all our of visitors, whether that’s school children visiting for education, members of the public or our volunteers who keep the garden so beautiful,” she said.
“Unfortunately our current gates just don’t match up so we are absolutely delighted that thanks to generous funding from Birmingham City Council the gardens will be the home of a community-led public art installation designed by award winning sculptor Tim Tolkien.
“We are delighted to be working with Tim and hope that the new gates he creates working with our community will reflect the beautiful spaces in the gardens as well as being a standalone piece of art which welcomes people into Martineau Gardens.”
A series of engagement workshops have been held with pupils from local schools in which they explored and experienced first-hand the diversity of the flora and fauna of the gardens and talked about plants that we see today but originated from commonwealth countries.
Working with Tim, the gardens’ volunteers explored the links of Birmingham and the gardens with past social history, from manufacturing of the hardware of colonialism to the part played by abolitionist Harriet Martineau. The workshops also reflected on the importance of Martineau Gardens’ in the lives of its volunteers.
Tim said he had been inspired by the project from the point he first walked into the gardens.
“Martineau Gardens really is a positive, beautiful, creative space but remains a little hidden from the world because of its lack of a real entrance,” he said.
“It’s been brilliant to work with young people, volunteers and staff to capture their thoughts, ideas and feelings about the gardens which will be reflected in the final design of the gates.”
The legacy of the project will be a set of visually exciting gates inspired by the community, which celebrates Martineau Gardens; welcomes everyone; acknowledges the past; reflects on links with the present and rejoices in its diversity and shared hopes.
The gates will be officially opened in September, when students and the Martineau Community will be able to see their designs come to life as part of the gates.
About the Birmingham 2022 Festival
The Birmingham 2022 Festival unites people from around the Commonwealth through a celebration of creativity, in a six-month long programme, shining a spotlight on the West Midland’s culture sector.
Running from March to beyond the conclusion of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in September, the festival aims to entertain and engage over 2.5 million people in person and online.
Delivering over 200 projects across the region including art, photography, dance, theatre, digital art and more the festival will embrace local culture and generate lasting change and a creative legacy beyond the games with funding to community led projects from Birmingham City Council’s Creative City Grants scheme.
Major support has been dedicated by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Birmingham City Council and Spirit of 2012. The Birmingham 2022 Festival is grateful for further support from British Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, the High Commission of Canada in the UK, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Create Central, Creative New Zealand, UK/Australia Season 2021/2022, and Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee.
To learn more, view the full programme of events or get involved visit: www.birmingham2022.com/festival
