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BOXING CLEVER ……..Our vegetable
box scheme
The GLOSCAT students at the Butterfly Garden have spent three years
developing their vegetable plot and now they want to turn it into
a business. In 2006 we hope that it will be fully productive.
Over recent months they have been running a vegetable box scheme,(with
the support of a local wholesaler) offering an uncomplicated, weekly
pack of fresh vegetables at a fixed (and fair) price.
Our pilot boxes are offered at just £3.00
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The students have weighed and counted to achieve a standard
valuation. Each pack generally contains Potatoes, Carrots,
Onions, Apples and one green vegetable. The orders are assembled
on Thursdays and are available for collection from the Centre
in the afternoon.
Our hope is that given time slightly more complex orders will
be handled and that our own produce will feature prominently.
Early response to the service has been terrific.
If you are interested in supporting this scheme, then please
register your order online or on 01452-713124. You will be
impressed !
Orders by Wednesday teatime please !
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Rockin' and rollin'
In previous newsletters we have reported on the massive amount of
work involved in reclaiming the derelict spaces at the northern
edge of the site. Weeks were spent dismantling the 30 year old bonfire.
The scrap man made several visits, each time filling his truck to
remove twisted metal, wire, pipes and bits of old vehicles and the
compost heap just grew and grew. In the background, for weeks students
took on the Herculean task of moving concrete rubble. A continuous
column of wheelbarrows crossed the site, filling 200 metres of soak
away in support of the drainage that has made our new ground workable.
Truly an amazing feat.
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BRANCHING OUT…….and totally barking.
The Willow plantation has taken a hold and we have just
had our first harvest. That sounds grander than it was, but
we still cut some. Last year we reported on the planting of
our cuttings. Two hundred of them, set out along the western
edge of the site. It was a tough summer, but they've come
through.
They'll have an easier time of it this year too. We have just
had four lorry loads of bark donated and the Willows look
wonderful through their new mulch.
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NEWS OF 'OUR CABIN' CREW.......
We are continuing to explore the idea of building a cabin on the
plot. To add diversity to our provision, to serve as a workshop/classroom
space with a flexible option to offer summer weekend camps for students.
We now have the plans and hope shortly to make a planning application.
If you want to know more about our work or feel like offering some
help then email us
or telephone 01452-713068.
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BIG CONGRATS...To the GLOSCAT Young.Enterprise team, who picked
up two prizes at the prestigious County Enterprise Competition in
February. The group, who come to the garden each week, (through
GLOSCAT in Gloucester) have been running a retail enterprise based
on seasonal celebration. They impressed judges at the event held
at Cheltenham racecourse and came away winners. They where truly
a credit to us all.
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WHO IS THAT GUY ANYWAY ?
Visitors to the garden will have noted the scattered pieces
of sculpture around the place. They add interest and amusement
and much more. Fans of the work will be delighted to hear
that we have unveiled another. We've called him 'Scarecrow
Joe' . He's been erected at the front of the garden in recognition
of the services of the man who brought him and all of our
other pieces to life. Mr Joe Tustin, a good friend, neighbour
and clearly talented artistic engineer has been hugely supportive
of the garden. His help has been greatly appreciated and his
work greatly admired.
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STOP PRESS…………The
Eden Project work experience looks like getting the green light,
Social enterprise talks continue. ……More details soon.......
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A LOAD OF KNITTERS.
Over the last months we have been joined in the garden by several new
groups and all seem to have settled well. There is one success story though
really that shines through (at least for me) and that's the knitters.
I love them.
They are a mixed group who come together on the fourth Saturday of each
month in the classroom. They gather for a cuppa and a chat and they knit.
It's quite magical and if I wasn't so ham fisted I'd probably join.
If you are looking for a real escape then give Claire Elliott a ring on
01242-704686 and she'll tell you more.
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A REAL CARVE UP.
With the weather not at its kindest some of the Churchdown
work related studies group decided to turn their hands to
creating some garden statuary. It is amazing what you can
achieve with a screwdriver and a thermalite block.
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Interact at The Butterfly Garden
Thanks to the generosity and support of the Butterfly Garden, Interact
have been able to continue their educational training program in
Gloucestershire. This is based around the areas of relationships
and sexuality aimed at people with learning disabilities.
Interact are currently training in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and
are soon to be offering a service in North Somerset. The cost of
the training is heavily subsidised and we rely on the cooperation
of groups like this one, who have given us a classroom to train
in without charge, which is very much appreciated. This not only
allows us to train in a safe and secure environment, but enables
our participants to interact with, and experience the diversity
and therapeutic enigma that is the Butterfly garden.
Each course lasts for an academic year and is broken down into
three parts; the first part being an opportunity for the group to
establish itself and to create an atmosphere of trust and support.
Towards the end of part-one, we start to look at our anatomy in
greater detail especially body development, age differences and
recognition and the reproductive system. The second part explores
relationships of all types and works on issues surrounding the complexities
of them. It will cover appropriate behaviour, boundaries and how
to deal with the emotional trauma of a relationship breakdown.
Part-three looks at 'our sexuality' in greater detail and will cover
such topics as; sex and the law, sexual orientation, abuse, contraception,
STI's and pregnancy.
It is our goal to make our service as accessible to as many people
with learning disabilities as possible in as many areas of the country
as we can. With the help of partnerships like the Butterfly Garden,
we will be able to continue to provide an essential service for
vulnerable groups around the country.
For further information on Interact ring 01452-410101
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OPEN SESA…WE.
It is now almost two years since we staged our first garden open
day. So much has happened in that time. It really is quite difficult
to grasp just how far we've come. In celebration, this year will
be holding two open days. The proposed dates are Friday the 16th
and Saturday 17th June. The site will be open to all and a programme
will be released soon.
If you or your group would like to come and visit then feel free
to register your interest and we will keep you directly informed.
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The roll of honour....... Thank you Joe Tustin, Dave Taylor and family,
Rich Thomas, The Severn Sound Money Mountain, Barbara and Judy (the bric
a brac gals), Mark Cummings, the local Parish magazines, Brenda Parker,
All at G.S.L GLOSCAT, Stu (the phone), Colin (the muck and mulch man) the
Pheasant Inn, Maureen (cake maker extraordinaire) and the Gloucestershire
Foundation together with the dozens of people who have been so supportive
this year.
A special thank you to those who have donated wellies and coats to keep
the gang dry and warm through a very testing winter..keep them coming please
!
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