In November, the classes of year 3 and 4 pupils from Egremont Primary School took turns to visit WEN over the month. They enjoyed exploring our community garden, took part in a fruit and veg treasure hunt and sowed some cress to take home.

Egremont Primary School visit WEN. Photo: Egremont Primary School

Cress seeds planted in pots to take home. Photo: Egremont Primary School

On 8th November, we were delighted to welcome Lottie, Al, Katie and Sophie to WEN, a group of students from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. They came to find out about environmental activities taking place on the Wirral and talk about their ideas for community performances with an environmental focus. They will be returning to WEN in December to perform a climate-themed panto!

LIPA students visiting WEN

We held a Basic Digital Skills course over 4 weeks in November, aimed at helping our volunteers and the wider community to improve their knowledge and increase confidence when using tablets and laptops.

There will be another chance to take part in this Wirral Lifelong Learning course on 17th January. If you would like to book a place, please email lifelonglearning@wirral.gov.uk or phone 0151 666 3330.

Download Digital Skills course leaflet

Basic Digital Skills course starting in January. Click to view poster at larger size.

The Lifelong Learning course, ‘Gardening in a Changing Climate‘ also started in November, providing an introduction to the environmental and climate issues that are happening in Wirral. Topics covered in the 5 week course include composting, climate change, local initiatives and the Big Green List, Wirral’s Tree Strategy, recycling, and volunteering.

On 22nd November, we delivered an Eco Floristry workshop at Make It Happen – Birkenhead. Participants were asked to bring along any items they wished to give a new lease of life to and incorporated Christmas decorations, ribbon and greenery into some beautiful flower arrangements.

Eco floristry in action. Photo: Make It Happen – Birkenhead

A finished floral design. Photo: Make It Happen – Birkenhead

WEN’s AGM and Networking Event was held on 23rd November. We were glad to be able to hold the event at Falkland Road again after two years where covid restrictions prevented us from getting together, although we also provided a video link via Zoom for those who couldn’t attend in person.

We thanked Trustees Judith Anton, Nick Drew, Brian Parry and Pete Stephens, who are all stepping down from their positions. The voters at the meeting approved two Trustees for election to new positions: Dave Jones for Chair and Dave Brown for Treasurer. Three new Trustees were approved and will be joining the WEN team. We welcome Anne Litherland, Ben Shoebridge and Dominic Griffiths.

After the AGM, members were invited to give a 5 minute talk about their work with a local group or on a environmental issue that concerned them. Organisations represented by the speakers were the Mersey Green Network Map, Energy Projects Plus, Joint Rotary Environment Group, Liverpool Friends of the Earth, Wallasey Tree Planting Group, Wirral Council and Birkenhead CND.

The WEN Christmas Fair took place on 26th November. There were some delicious homemade cakes and homemade produce from the Green Hub at St James Garden. It was also a chance to stock up on gifts for friends and family with handmade items from the WEN Crafters, upcycled furniture by Katrina Chapman, bird feeders and more.

We raised fabulous £868.07 for WEN through the Christmas Fair. Thank you to all the volunteers who made such an immense contribution by helping at the event and making items to sell.

We had a Christmas themed willow weaving session at Falkland Road. There were some wonderful decorations made, including trees, wreaths and hearts.

Turning willow branches into a Christmas decoration

Wreath made at the willow weaving workshop

Tree shaped willow weaving decoration taken home

There will be another willow workshop on Friday 20th January, making plant supports, but this is now fully booked. If there is any willow left we will run another session (date to be confirmed). If you would like to be added to a waiting list so that you are first to receive details of the next workshop, please email Carol at carol.seery1@btinternet.com or phone 07932 455742.

Make a willow structure to support plants at a workshop at WEN

We were very grateful to the volunteers from RSA Group who visited on 28th November and helped prune, clear and sort out our outside space, prepare willow for future workshops and paint our mindfulness wall.

Volunteers from RSA, with Carol, WEN’s Horticulture Specialist (right)

Giving the garden a tidy up

Painting the mindfulness wall