If you are around this afternoon, then there is an opportunity to join your neighbours in planning up the large bed at the top of Malpass Drive. The new plants have arrived and need to get in the ground. Meet at 2pm by the flower beds and Peter will give further instructions.
There was a meeting of the Hanham Hall Residents Group (HHRG) on 18th March where a group of residents talked about what events and activities could be held within our community. There are already a few things on offer, with some more ideas to come.
The Air Ambulance is offering a short course later in the sprint on how to use our defibrillator and perform CPR. Details will be on our Residents Facebook group or contact the group email.
This Sunday (21st) there is an opportunity to meet neighbours and tend to our wonderful green spaces. This is one of the regular environment group sessions where residents help tend the 6 acres of wildflower meadow around our site. They also organise the monitoring of the wildlife.
The next Quiz Night is on 26th April in Ivy’s Cafe – get a team of up to 4 people together and pit your wits against your neighbours. The Book Group is still running and has its own Facebook group if you are interested in joining.
There are a few other ideas in the pipeline so keep an eye out for more details on
Details will be posted on this site, or our Facebook page or via the new WhatsApp group or ask via the group email.
If you have ideas for other activities, do come along to the next HHRG meeting on May 20th, 7pm in Ivy’s Cafe
We’ve some more trees to plant on the Formal Lawn. They’ll be out next to the benches to provide some shade when they are mature.
They suggested times are either Wednesday 13th March at 11am, or Thursday 14th March at 9am. Meet on the Formal Lawn.
If you can help please contact Peter or the HHRG email. Though I’m sure there will be no objections to just turning up and helping on the day and seeing who is around.
You might be interested to know that Hanham Repair Cafe will be held at Ivy’s Cafe and Bar on Saturday 24th February, 10am – 12pm. Drop by and get your things fixed for free!
There are a couple of jobs to do around the open spaces before Christmas, so if you are free to join a small group on Sunday 10th December this would be much appreciated.
There are a few trees to transplant and a couple of patches of brambles to clear (which might carry over to the new year depending on numbers). Tools and gloves can be provided but if you have your own feel free to bring them.
Meet by the allotments at 10am
And no, this has nothing to do with sunflowers, but we all need a bit of brightness on the grey mornings!
Some of you may be aware that students from UWE have been conducting projects in our meadows over the summer. They are now writing these up and have agreed to present their findings to us on September 28th at 7.00pm in Ivy’s Cafe.
All are welcome to attend and if you can inform Peter direct or via the group email then we can cater for you. Sandwiches, cakes, tea or coffee will be available as part of the evening.
The evening will comprise a short talk from Peter on how we manage the meadows then talks from each of the three students on how the management has affected the flowers, beetles and pollinators.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The goats return to the meadows on 4th July and a band of volunteers will be checking in on them each day to ensure they are safe and have sufficient bedding. They’ll be with us for as long as it takes them to eat through the brambles and scrub. So remember they don’t need any other food.
You may also see four students from the University of the West of England working in our meadows over the summer on their final year projects. They will be looking at the effect that hay cutting and goat grazing has on the diversity of wild flowers and visiting pollinating insects. So if you spot some one crouching in the grass staring at the floweres it is just the students conducting their counts. If you would like to know more just ask them, they are a very friendly bunch. Look out for more info on what they discovered later in the year.
And finally the environment group finished the bug hotel on Sunday, so hopefully we’ll have a whole load more bugs taking up residence in our meadows!
The next session of the Environment Group meets on Sunday 25th June at 10.30am. They will finish the rebuilding of the bug hotel in the meadow, and tackle some of the brambles.
Meet by the allotments and bring gloves if you have them, though some can be provided.
Save the date!
The next Quiz night will be Friday 23rd June, held in Ivy’s Cafe.
There will be an informal picnic on Sunday 7th May, 2pm on the formal lawn for anyone who wants to come along.
Bring your own picnic, drinks, chairs or blanket. And let’s hope for good weather!