GEML Ladywood

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Flyer for Little Leagues

Flyer for Highgate Dance

Stanhope Hall Women’s Group are in their second year of planting, extending  the grow site to six plots, one of which will be for  children. The children  are  growing potatoes, Marrows and pumpkins(with the support of the group)  these tend to be big plants , encouraging the children to keep up the good work.

 The women’s group  are growing potatoes, lettuces(both white and red), red and white onions, spinach, pumpkins, marrows, courgettes, cabbages, cauliflowers, peas, rhubarb, gooseberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants.  In pots and grow bags there is tomatoes, rocket, mustard leaves, peppers, lettuces, onions, potatoes and there is  an array of herbs in pots all round the garden.  Sweet peas have been planted by  the fence to attract the bees and provide a pleasant aroma for passers-by and for the tower block that overlooks the garden.

In the future , the group are hoping to raise the vegetable beds (to reduce weeds) and purchase some fruit trees.

There is at present a hard core of seven women involved with the garden, but now other women can see the benefits which is generating new interest in the group.  It may be that the group will have to further extend the site to accommodate new comers and for growing enough vegetables for all those interested.

Monica Lee

Community Worker.

Raised beds for local schools

The last 10 days has seen a real buzz of activity on the former garages site on Coplow Street – this is the first stand alone GEML site to be developed under this exciting programme.

Future Job Trainees hard at work

Lee Herrington, Mentor for the Future     Jobs Fund Trainees in Ladywood, has worked with a team of ten to prepare the site for local residents to begin growing vegetables and plants.  The transformation of the site has been at a rapid pace.  Following the general clear up of the site, the trainees have moved 20 tonnes of top soil, recycled old pallets (kindly donated by Frank Dudley Ltd) to build bases for large grow bags and raised beds  for planting out and arranged for the delivery of wood chip to cover concrete floor. 

 Lee has also secured two compost container and a water butt. Lee told GEML “I can’t believe the pace at which this project is now happening.  There is genuine commitment from all the partners to make this first stand alone GEML site a very big success. The trainees have enjoyed their involvement to date and will continue to provide support where they can to deliver results.    

 A local resident has kindly offered to run a hose from their property to top up the water butts.  

Katie Banks (Head of Education & Community Town Hall & Symphony Hall, Birmingham) recently completed a Skydive and raised  funds  for GEML to  purchase seeds and plants.      

Katie Bank's Skydive

Changes are also happening off site.  Andrea Holmes, the Street Champion Co-ordinator, recently presented the Street Champions initiative at a local Coplow Street Sub group, resulting  in residents from the North Summerfield Residents Association signing up to basic planting session, funded by Street Champions. The training sessions will be funded via Street Champions ,and delivered by Andrew Simons with the aim is to get a dozen residents up and active on site before the end of this month.  Before long, GEML also hopes to boast Junior Street Champions along with children from two local schools (Barford and  St Patrick’s) who will work on the project and take an interest in wider environmental issues in the North Summerfield area of Ladywood. 

Debbie Jones, The GEML co-ordinator said, “  This is an exciting project, to see land handed over on a temporary basis to the local community and to watch an unproductive land space become productive is fantastic. I hope this is the first of many ‘Pop up grow sites’ ”

Residents along with officers from Birmingham City Council are planning an exciting new beginning for the garage site off Coplow Street in Summerfield.

Coplow Street community meeting

Following several meetings of the Coplow Street group, an initial site visit took place on Thursday 22 April 2010 enabling local people to present their ideas on how the disused site can be developed growing plants and vegetables over the coming 12 – 18 months. Thanks to the work of Debbie Jones, the GEML Co-ordinator and the support of Housing in allowing the project to use the land, the site which has suffered from anti social activities, will now be transformed into an oasis of plants, vegetables and shrubs. Chris Bean, Chair of Summerfield and Central Ladywood Environment Task Group and local resident said, ” We can’t wait to get started on this project”.

Community Group develop an Action Plan

Besides working with local residents, Barford and St Patrick’s school have expressed a desire to get involved and grow something of their own. We intend to start the project off with grow bags and develop a couple of raised beds during the summer months. Our intention is to share our experiences with partners and residents through regular updates via the GEML website and features in community and local publications.’ If local residents are interested in getting involved in the Coplow Street site they should contact Debbie Jones on 0121 464 9464 or Chis Bean, local resident on 0121 454 0675

Birchfield  Library is developing two growing plots, together with Kings after school club.  Parents and carers will be looking after the site.