Here is the first in a monthly round up of our activities to help keep everyone updated about what we have been doing.

We had a lovely start to the year with a visit to Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm in Bidston. It was good to see the animals and the eco building, and the growing spaces looked great. Tam O’Shanter are currently looking for volunteers and need to raise funds to keep the farm running. If you would like to help in any way, please email them at hello@tamoshanterfarm.org.uk

At our Falkland Road centre, our weekly groups returned after the Christmas break:

• WEN Reclaimers. Reusing donated wood to create items (planters, bird-boxes, signs etc), repair outdoor items for reuse and help with ground and building maintenance.
• WEN Crafters. Reusing donated materials to create craft items – draft excluders, deck chairs, reusable bags, decorations, knitted craft etc. Subject to availability of materials, the group works on anything that individuals in the group suggest or on their own pieces.
• Falkland Road Organic Gardeners. Community gardening group. Harvesting the last of the produce, preparing for the year ahead. Gearing up to sow seeds in our polytunnel, tend the raised beds.

These groups are friendly, social, free and operate on specific weekdays on a drop in basis. New members are always welcome. Contact wen@la21.net for more details.

We resumed activities at the Community Green Hub at St James Garden on 12th January. Tasks over the following sessions have included taking cuttings, fruit tree planting, weeding, painting and shed building. Everyone is welcome to come along to help or just enjoy the garden. Send us an email to wen@la21.net if you would like to join in.

Also on 12th January, we were invited to the garden at Holy Apostles & Martyrs Catholic Parish in Wallasey to meet with Minna from Compost Works, a Liverpool City Region social enterprise. Minna explained their community composting programme. Compost stations are placed in public locations, which neighbours with a key can access to add their own vegetable waste collected in the caddy provided. It is a great solution for people with little or no outside space, who can use their kitchen waste to make compost for community use. We learnt what they can offer to community groups and other organisations to help them set up composting schemes. There is just one community compost location in Wirral so far, at Make Hamilton Square.

A Gardening and Horticultural Skills Course started at Falkland Road on 13th January, run by WEN as part of Wirral Lifelong Learning. This 6 week course leads to an Open Awards Qualification. The next Lifelong Learning course running at Falkland Road will be ‘Introduction to Horticulture Volunteering‘, starting on 3rd March. Click here to find out more and book a place.

We were delighted to be able to give some tree whips to Wallasey Tree Planting Group to be included in the hedge they planted on Maitland Road, on the boundary of New Brighton Primary School. Wallasey Tree Planting Group have regular events where everyone is welcome to join them in planting trees. Check out the events page of their Facebook page.

On 19th January we began working with Bee Wirral at their polytunnel and allotment plot in Landsdowne Place, off Arkle Road, in Bidston & St James. The site is a nature hub for men’s groups to integrate, meet new people and learn new skills. They will also be enhancing the asset for the community, including the much loved nature pond. There will be Wednesday workshops with Maria from WEN, Friday drop ins and further days subject to demand. To get involved please contact Tom@beewirral.gov.uk

Our AGM took place over Zoom on the evening of 19th January. The annual report and accounts were accepted. A new trustee joined the team, with three others interested in doing so. We finished the evening by testing our brain cells with an environmental quiz.

The first meeting of the WEN Flower Club took place on 22nd January. Maria will be showcasing environmentally aware floral design and craft each month, on a Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon. This time, she gave a demonstration with the theme ‘The Woodland Carpet’. Those attending had the opportunity to paint a paper mask to create a backdrop for a flower arrangement and were able to get advice and swap tips. For more information and to book a place for the next session in February, please email harpercainflowers@yahoo.com or send a text message to 07708 832418.

At the end of the month, we enjoyed a visit to the community garden in the grounds of Prenton Rugby Club. There are allotment type plots for use by individuals or groups for growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. There is also a wet area, insect hotel, nature trail, places for sitting and enjoying nature and a great circular walk from the club through to the local park. Plans this year include wildflower areas and planting beds and containers in nearby streets. Local residents, groups and schools are welcomed to visit or get involved. Contact Gordon (project lead) on 07980 266 732.