January 2025
In January we hit the ground running with plenty of new events and initiatives, including planting an orchard in the Meadows! We also got busy putting all the pieces in place for what's shaping up to be an amazing few months.
Keep reading to find out more.
LOVE THE MEADOWS Action Day - Planting an Orchard!
Our recent LOVE THE MEADOWS Action Days have seen us plant raspberry and thornless blackberry bushes in the Meadows, as well as an orchard, creating more local spaces with free fruit and veg!
The community put in a great effort and we’re excited to see the growth in spring and summer!
Check out the photos below:
Photos taken by Peter Dowse - Commmunity composting champion!
Action days take place on the first Saturday of every month, meeting at 10am in the Bridgeway Centre and with a break for tea, coffee and cake. Everybody is welcome so come along & join in!
In the next few months we’ll be litter picking, scattering wildflower seeds and installing planters at the Bridgeway Centre for fruit, veg and herbs! If you have any other ideas, let us know by emailing engage@greenmeadows.uk or call 0115 718 2028.
Let’s Make the Meadows into a Sponge City!
You might be wondering, what is a sponge city? Sponge cities use blue-green infrastructure (permeable pavements, green roofs, urban wetlands, and more!) so that urban areas can absorb more rain water - just like a sponge. They help make areas more resilient to flooding and save water from running off into the drainage systems.
Green Meadows and FROMTHEGROUNDUP are running a series of FREE workshops where you'll learn how to build water-retaining planters.
All planters will be made by and gifted to the community - installed on streets and available for personal use around The Meadows. We will plant them up with fruit trees and greenery and use compost from the Green Meadows Community. Let’s work together to bring some colour and wildlife to the Meadows.
Check out some demo planters made with CP Riverside students below!
What, When & Where?
Build a Barrel Street Planter
DATE: Sunday March 2nd
TIME: Morning Session 10am – 12pm and Afternoon Session: 1-3pm
LOCATION: NEP Climate Hub, 32 Turney Street, NG2 2LG
Build a Crate Planter Workshop - 3 sessions
DATE: April 26th, May 24th and June 14th
TIME: All Afternoon Sessions: 1-4pm
LOCATION: NEP Climate Hub, 32 Turney Street, NG2 2LG
Free and all Meadows residents welcome!
Workshop Attendees got hands-on with Insulating the Community Retrofit House!
January saw the first practical DIY Insulating Internal Walls Workshop held at the Community Retrofit House.
The group worked together to install wood fibre boards on the inside walls of the house, following the instruction of retrofit expert, Nick Parsons.
The workshop gave attendees the chance to give insulation a go, using the proper tools, techniques and materials. It also helped further develop the Community Retrofit House’s journey!
Why not join us at a future session? There are more opportunities to give insulation a go, with sessions on Feb 7th & 8th and April 11th! Spaces fill up fast, so sign up today or join the waiting list. Check out all events here.
The Meadows Foodbank is interested in starting a community fridge with the Green Meadows Ideas Fund.
What is a community fridge? These fridges are typically stocked with surplus food, like fruits and vegetables, donated by individuals or local businesses. The idea is to make this food available to anyone who needs it, ensuring that good food doesn't go to waste.
There is a network of these initiatives across the UK: Community Fridge Network - Hubbub
Please take just a few mins to complete the survey below to let us know your thoughts!
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