Lindengate springs into action
Lindengate springs into action
As we soak up the joys of another spring and all that it heralds for the year ahead, Lindengate is very excited to be fully operational with an ever expanding and successful community of “Gardeners” and volunteers.
We have been greatly encouraged by all the amazing work that everyone involved with Lindengate has put into seeing us through our first winter and as the site starts to turn from brown to green we can really feel that we are reaping the benefits of such commitment.
Sian Chattle and Charlie Powell, Lindengate’s Co-Founders, both say, “We still have a long way to go before we are sustainable, but we have been amazed by the local support that we have received that has enabled us to get this far with this much needed resource. We can do so much to help people with mental health needs in our area.”
Our growing programme for the year includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and bedding plants and we have a number of plans to start work on a few of the many types of garden designs and habitats that we hope to include on the site.
Of particular interest are the 11 varieties of potato that we are trialling in partnership with Wyevale Garden Centre. We will be looking at each ones yield and quality of tuber and then we will be doing a taste and texture trial involving the public in the garden centre and at Lindengate’s site.
One of the habitats that we will be developing this year is under the guidance of the Upper Thames Branch for Butterfly Conservation to encourage the nationally scarce Striped Lychnis Moth to join us. Dark Mullein is their caterpillar’s food plant and it has become increasingly rare in recent years. Lindengate is growing Dark Mullein from seed to introduce to the site and send to other sites.
We are also working hard to encourage our feathered friends on to the site and have helped support the local Wendover Mars Cubs achieve one of their badges. They worked hard making an amazing array of bird feeders and boxes from recycled wood. They then spent a rather rainy and windy Saturday morning in February with some of our volunteers and their leaders on site putting some of them up.
If you would like to follow the progress of our potatoes and Dark Mullein and all the other exciting activities that we shall be doing, then please go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/lindengategardening
Lindengate Spring Fair for all the family
Saturday 18th April from 2pm – 5pm at Lindengate, The Old Allotment Site, next to Wyevale Garden Centre
We offer you a chance to find out what we are doing. How we are helping people. How we are already engaging with other community projects and if you like what you see, how you can get involved.
What is really going on behind that very long fence must be a question many of you have asked yourselves. Lindengate’s Trustees, staff and many volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. We hope that many of you from the surrounding community will join us and we look forward to welcoming you amongst the community of Lindengate.
There will be lots to see and do including vintage tractor ploughing, steam engine displays, a working forge, a number of the local conservation groups with bats and butterflies and Shankydd and Joey are coming along with their friends from Road Farm Countryways.
Refreshments will be available including tea and homemade cake and a hotdog stall supported by Loaf and Larder, with our very own Lindengate Sausage!
Lindengate talks and workshops starting in April
Our new and exciting programme of talks and workshops are starting this spring. They will be on a variety of horticultural topics, such as garden design, gardening techniques and tips on getting the most out of your garden.
All on Wednesday evenings from April through to September, excluding August. Starting at 7pm and running for about 1 hour. There will also be some additional special Christmas themed workshops in November and December.
15 April: ‘Mud Matters – The Importance of Soil Preparation (presented by Julia Ayrey, Horticultural Expert from Wyevale Garden Centre
29 April: ‘Japanese Gardens and their philosophy’ (Julia Ayrey)
13 May: ‘Love Your Lawn’ (Nigel Gamble from LawnKeeper – professional lawn care)
We would ask attendees to offer a recommended donation of £5 on the night.
Booking is essential as numbers are limited, so if you would like to attend please let us know at least a week before the date of the event. (jane.gellatly@lindengate.org.uk 0208 1444 291).
Look out for our June-July schedule of talks in the next edition of The Wendover News.
Lindengate Sausage Launched at Loaf and Larder
By Annie Shutt for Loaf and Larder
When Charlie Powell first came to introduce herself to me at our Loaf & Larder Farm Shop at Wyevale Garden Centre, I sensed her quiet strength and commitment from our first handshake. I liked her. She gave me a brief history of Lindengate’s humble beginnings and how she and Sian Chattle had decided to realise a mutual dream. How they had gathered around them an ever growing team of exceptional volunteers to realise its birth, negotiated its hurdles, and benefit from its countless blessings as part of Wendover’s strong community spirit infused by residents and businesses alike.
Having a love for the outdoors myself and knowing how uplifting working with nature can be alongside the added desire for Loaf & Larder to become an active part of Wendover’s community, I immediately saw a fantastic opportunity for each of us to help one another out.
We would help them with their much needed fundraising, and in return, they could supply us with fresh herbs and veg for the production of Loaf & Larder’s increasing deli range as well as introduce the local community to our friendly and enthusiastic staff.
Working alongside one of Loaf & Larders esteemed butchers, the volunteers of Lindengate have put their taste buds to the test and the new Lindengate Sausage has been created. We are very excited to announce that proceeds from every sale will be going directly into our Lindengate fund. The delicious sausage was launched on 14th of March and we hope to serve hundreds of Lindengate sausages to hungry customers so do come along and try them!
Thank you!!
Lindengate would like to say a huge thank you to all the community groups, individuals and businesses that have supported us and helped us over the past few months. We would not be where we are now without you all!
Lindengate, The Old Allotment Site, Wyevale (Worlds End) Garden Centre, Aylesbury Road, Wendover, HP22 6BD.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lindengategardening
Twitter: @lindengate
Email: info@lindengate.org.uk
Telephone: 0208 144 4291