We've got a lot of things growing away at the Community Garden, and we will be going in regularly to keep the weeds down and to keep on eye on things. However, for various personal reasons, we can't commit to more of our regular pre-planned Saturday workdays just at the moment. The last regular workday will be going ahead on 23 June 11am-1pm as advertised. However, If you would like to join us to help out in the garden after that, or just want a chat, please get in touch and we can sort out a mutually agreeable date. We are hoping to hold some sort of Autumn event in the garden, so watch this space!
Annie and Nyrees

We had a very productive session in the Library Community Garden today, getting lots of clearing and planting done. We have chard, parsnips, land cress, tomatoes, beans, potatoes and spring onions all on the go. We also potted up some pansies into the planter generously donated by AL's PLANTERS.  The Forget-Me-Nots are too pretty to clear, and the bees love them!
We are always grateful for help in the Garden, so if you are local, come on down.
Our next dates are - 26 May, 9 June, and 23 June. 11am till 1pm.

Annie

The gardens are a beautiful mix of cultivated and wild plants. We currently have an abundance of Garlic mustard aka Jack in the hedge in the gardens so if you are a keen forager please pop down a pick a bunch. They can be eaten like braised green, raw in salads and it also makes a beautiful pesto. You could also add other Spring greens, recipe below:

Two big handfuls of a wild garlic, Garlic Mustard

• A big handful of nettle leaves


•  Olive oil - 50-100ml (depending on how oily you like your pesto)


• Nuts approx. 100g - a mixture of cashews and pine nuts are a good mix


• Grated hard cheese -Parmesan or a hard goats cheese. This pesto can also be made vegan buy omitting the cheese and adding a pinch more salt along with some brewers yeast or vegan cheese.
• Salt and pepper.

Toast the nuts in a dry frying pan or oven for 5 minutes, being careful not to burn. Remove from heat and allow to cool a little.
Crush the nettles up well in a pestle and mortar or blender- this will eliminate the stings. Chop the rest of the herbs roughly and throw them in the blender along with the cheese, salt and pepper and half the nuts. Add about half of the oil and pulse until roughly blended.

Add the remaining nuts but only pulse a few more times to leave the pesto with some crunch. If the pesto looks dry, add more oil. Spoon into sterilised glass jars and cover with a layer of oil. Every time you use some of the pesto cover with another layer of oil to keep the air out. Store in the fridge and it should last a couple of weeks.

NEXT WORKDAY

SATURDAY 28TH APRIL
11am till 1pm

Refreshments provided

The community garden is open during library opening hours for anyone to enjoy - it may be possible for us to meet you there at other times please contact us and we will organise this if possible.

Both August and September have been pretty rainy, which has made work at our community garden a challenge, especially as the greenery has thrived and is taking over where we would prefer it not to!
Last weekend, we had a stall at the Harvest Open Day held at our old stomping ground, Salop Drive Market Garden.  Fortunately, the rain actually held off for this one! The Market Garden is looking simply splendid, thanks to the amazing work done by Tim and co. I, (Annie), had a lovely time chatting to visitors about permaculture and nettles.
We are holding our own Autumn event at the Bleakhouse Library garden next month, details to follow. In the meantime, here are a few photos from last Saturday.

We have 4 raised beds on site in need of some TLC, we would like to invite individuals or groups to adopt one for free in return for the regular care of the bed. They are waist height and fully accessable , they are a manageable size for people who would like to grow their own without taking on a pressure full allotment. The permaculture group can provide help, advice and support, Seeds/plants and equipment where needed.

A massive thank you to everyone who has lent a hand in the garden so far. We are now  looking to build a small team of volunteers to meet with us every other Saturday to maintain, develop the garden, chat permaculture and eat cake! We also we want to promote the space as a social community space for individuals, families and groups to get together.

 If you are interested in getting involved please pop down for a chat on one of the work/social days or message us through the contacts page on the website.

Here's a little video and a few photos from last weekend. The weather was somewhat challenging this year, but we still had a great time. Blog post to follow.

This is a little video of what went on at the launch open day for the community garden at Bleakhouse Library in Sandwell. The garden has been developed as a community kitchen garden by Countershade, as part of the Sow We Grow Project. Going forward, our Network will be looking after the garden, with the support of the Library. We have lots of exciting plans, so watch this space!

By Nyrees

We are still early in the season and have had some challenging weather in gardening terms but the Nettle is never deterred...I have been checking out some of our local patches and already some juicy fresh growth can be observed, picking early makes for a delicious soup with a slightly sweeter edge than usual. I have been out picking firstly to dry for tea to make some blends with the fresh Spring growth as part of my social enterprise The WildWood Emporium, this will be available to buy in the next couple of weeks- as soon as it is dry along with the new product of Nettle pasta. The second reason for me picking so early was to infuse it into Olive oil which I have now done and it is awaiting processing into soap ready for #Nettlefest

We are very pleased to announce that we have received funding for Nettlefest from http://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/

We have plenty organised for the day already including a Nettle walk, talk and pick, craft area where we will have Nettle fibre spinning demonstration, Hula Hooping, face painting, speakers corner, workshops and of course Annies famous Nettle beer. We will send out an official line up over the next few weeks and update as we get attendance confirmed.

Another way we are raising funds is by way of TeeChip, I like this idea as opposed to usual crowd funding as you can by a Nettlefest T-shirt or mug for your money, TeeChip take a charge and then produce and ship the items. This is all done on the basis that they are made and shipped once ordered so we have no initial outlay. If you would like to check out colours and prices please follow the link below.

https://teechip.com/nettlefest#id=0&c=584130&sid=fruit-of-the-loom-cotton-t&s=front

More exciting news! We have joined forces with Countershade  - To collaborate on their So We Grow Together Project. Countershade is an Environmental Arts Education community interest company based in Sandwell/Birmingham West midlands who teach environmental awareness through a process of Art Education.

The Sow We Grow Together Project  has turned the somewhat neglected garden at Bleakhouse Library in Oldbury into a welcoming green space where local people can take part in workshops and events or simply relax in natural surroundings, you can read more about the project here http://countershade.org/blog/

The Sandwell and Birmingham Permaculture group will be looking after the garden and using Bleakhouse library as a base. We also have lots of ideas about how we would like to develop the space we will be basing our community Seedbank there, holding social community events as well as implementing a permaculture plan for the space, we will be holding regular workdays and are organising a small monthly farmers market.

This space is available to be used by every one in the community individuals and groups, schools and other organisations for recreation and social purposes as well as education and holistic therapy.

We are launching this phase of the project on 8th April 11am till 3pm
The Location is Bleakhouse Library,  Bleakhouse Rd, Oldbury B68 9DS

On the day we will be holding a Seed/Plant swop, there will be kids activities, music, food and refreshments and local stalls. There will also be a chance for you to do some light gardening if you would like to get your hands dirty, Both Stephen Whitehead of Countershade and Annie and myself of the permaculture group will be there on the day to chat about our respective work and the past, present and future plans for the garden. Please come along weather its to find out more if you are interested to get involved or just to enjoy the space, atmosphere and community vibe.

More Info and promotion to follow soon....

Quick update on our on going Nettle fibre project - we have very kindly been donated 2 looms by a friend of the group and so our capabilities for experimentation have increased! If you would like to get involved with this project in any way please do get in touch.

Finally please enjoy my latest poetical offering, along with the artwork to go with it, I made the quill from a goose feather collected locally along with ink made from raspberries and I cant tell you how much satisfaction I gained from drawing a goose feather with a goose feather!

GOOSE
And now to this
the spaces in between
a dizzying ascent up the beanstalk
traversing through the vault of heaven
hurtling in perpetual spin to the schism
there I raised a storm
and sat in its (I)eye
 
Now I travel new dimensions
carried on the wings of a gander
mental calm crashes through new boundaries
brings intuitive foresight and inspiration
New quill, New will
Knew ways to think
berries of red became my ink
sparks of creativity open new portals
 
Divided we stand and united we fall...
Miocene wisdom of the ages
teaches synchronicity in flight
connection of Mind, Body and Motion
the more we flock together
the higher we fly
understand the power of community
together we travel long journeys on thermal winds
to gain strength and endurance.
 
  Now, strong in my husk amid the chaos
I attempt to explain the unexplainable
greed looses all by striving to gain
but nothing is lost
All is changed
some things slot together and others remain
some energies repel- matter ripped asunder
I keep focused on my journey
to wander through wonder.
 
So here I am...I feel
shit just got real
in the sacred circle
on this earth
place of birth
bringer of new beginnings
not asking to be thanked
or ranked
vocal about my boundaries
I occupy my own territory
and I ween that there are more fools
that pass through this place
than remain in it
choose providence
like the three wise men of Gotham.
 
A treasure hunt to seek the golden egg
The Arc(t/k) of the covenant
by the power (in)vested in me
by the power that I know myself to be
once upon a time
darkness was my clock, my rock
now I embody dusk and watch
comme un conte de la mere oye
my candle illuminates
an idiom of the flock
spread with good intent
exist in happiness
give respect
joy and love enter next
as we gather and spiral higher
I acknowledge that
We do not follow for comfort, we follow for survival.
 

By Nyrees

               One Map....One Bike...One Plan....End Unknown
                                                    #Plantaseedalongtheway

It’s about simple steps that can be taken by anyone...it can take a lifetime to make the steps alone, some people have in the that hope others would not have to....
In the summer of 2017 Paul Haydon is undertaking a mammoth journey from Alicante Spain and travelling across Europe to the UK on his Harley Davidson Roadster 883. You can see a map with his planned stop off points here....

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVs8GJNxJz9xfeDqUXQjP6sF9ig

Paul arrived in Spain 4 years ago from the UK as a medical refugee in order to be able to legally produce Cannabis Oil as medicine for both himself and
Others. Working together in Spain with just medical users they took what had been left by others and set to work. They were not lead by anything but pushed to find another way to live, some did not make it - they died. It’s not nice but that's the way it is in the world of mainstream medicine, others will die before he sets off.
Many have spoken out on this issue and taken the moral approach over legal responsibility. Medicine should not be bought into the political arena. We are left in a situation where the healthcare of millions is being cast around by political groups and organisations, whilst the health benefits of Cannabis oil are laid to waste. This issue is one example of many problems we face today living in the shadow of corporate greed and corruption, destroying the planet and seeking to control others...it is time to take back self- responsibility for our own well-being, put forward solutions and share open source information.

                                           Refugee - The Ride to Return
In this world we all ride together, it is time to put differences aside. The ride to return highlights what can be achieved when people can stand together in compassion and work together with honour, respect and dignity.
All are invited to join Paul and ride with him at any point along the journey whatever you ride be it motorbike, pushbike or mobility machine. If you would like to offer a stop off point on his journey for a meal, a nights’ sleep or a cup of tea and a chat please get in touch.
Along the way we will be tracking the journey online and through social media and asking for your help with this by filming and taking photographs also. We would like to chat and document your stories, those who have been affected by the laws surrounding Medical Cannabis.....
One thing is for sure Paul will set of heading for patient number 8 one of many that now have a life to live, thanks to YOU that's right YOU all of YOU.... every one that spoken out over the last 50 years. Or even longer... from your grandfather and mother to your children around you now... together we are showing the world we can and do make change and it’s for the better...  Bob rides to honour the ones that are no longer with us.... what he calls his fallen brother and sisters, his army of the dead or Angels..... They are no longer with us....but they sure live on in everything we do...................Please share far and wide..............

I am sitting at the computer wrapped in a blanket and feeling very sorry for myself. Yes, it's that time of year when I get my annual seasonal lurgy.  :(    However, this year, I have an arsenal of herbal potions to ease the misery. More on that later.

Since my last post, I've actually done quite a lot of herbal stuff, starting with an event Nyrees and I did back in October. We were asked to do a presentation stall at an event in Coventry run by the Heart of England Community Foundation. They were the people who arranged our Red Nose Day funding for Nettlefest this year. It was a terrific event, with stalls from a number of very different organisations HECF had funded. 

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I especially liked the electronic graffiti wall. (You can see our stall in the foreground of the photo below.)

Also in October, I went to two workshops for my Herbal Apprenticeship. The first was at Springfield Sanctuary. We had a lovely day working with the wonderful trees on the site. It is a joy to be in Sarah Head's company, she is incredibly knowledgeable and so generous with her wisdom. 

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I spent a lot of time with one of the venerable oaks on the site, and brought back some of it's fallen leaves to press. 

I've also been to two of Sarah's workshops in Solihull, and the last one could not have been timed better. I came away with a bottle of elderberry cordial, which, together with the elecampane honey I made at the previous workshop, has saved me from the worst symptoms of this vicious cold bug. I shall be stocking up on the elderberries next year, and I have an elecampane root from the Sanctuary which I have planted in the garden. If this doesn't take, (as many of my plants don't!), I shall be begging Sarah for some more. The honey is fantastic for preventing coughs from taking hold. 


I've also been on a lovely course which Nyrees ran at Centre of the Earth in Birmingham. The course was, you've guessed it, all about Nettles! I won't say too much about this, as she will be talking about it herself on here, but there will be another one next Spring which I am really looking forward to. Also, a quick heads-up that next year's Nettlefest will be on Saturday 21st May.

I am off to Cornwall on Friday, and will be in Penzance for the Solstice celebration of Montol. This is a fantastic tradition, and I have my mask and my 'lady's hand me downs' all ready. For any-one else celebrating the Solstice, here's a bit of Jethro Tull to get us in the spirit. 

Season's Greetings to one and all!  Annie 

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