RHS Awards, Acts of Remembrance, and a Record Volunteer Turnout in Didsbury Park
LAST WEEK - RHS AWARDS - HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL VOLUNTEERS
During this last week we have received the results from the RHS judging held earlier in the Summer. We were entered into two RHS competitions: the 'In Your Neighbourhood ' Competition and the "Britain in Bloom Competition - Small Park Category".
I am delighted to report that once again we have received the highest awards possible in both competitions. We were awarded an "Outstanding - Level 5" in the "In Your Neighbourhood" competition and a "Gold" award in the Britain in Bloom category.
I know that when we work in the park every Monday morning our main aim is to maintain and improve our park, as best we can, for our community, BUT sometimes it is also nice to be recognised, by an external respected body like the RHS, for what we do. These are fabulous results of which everyone should be very proud. Well done everyone!
Picture 1 shows the "Britain in Bloom" award. Picture 2 is a photo of the "In Your Neighbourhood" award. We will update our awards board in the volunteer's shelter with both of these awards next week.
LAST WEEK - ACTS OF REMEMBRANCE (SATURDAY & SUNDAY)
Every year, as the Friends of Didsbury Park, we participate in two remembrance events during Remembrance weekend. This year was no exception. On Saturday we held our of 9th consecutive Poppy Path Act of Remembrance on the Poppy Path. It was attended by circa 40 local people.
Our regular bugler Ben, played the Last Post and then we had three short readings by Reverend Patrick Thom, Michael Corlett and a faultless reading by Michael Wade from St Catherine's RC Primary School. We also had a prayer for peace from Reverend Patrick. The new wreath was laid on the Poppy Path by myself and then everyone joined in to sow poppy seeds.
Afterwards we retired to the cafe in the park for a welcome cuppa. Thanks to all who participated and Allan, Sonia and the cafe staff who gave us some great support, for another successful event.
On Sunday, I attended the village Act of Remembrance at the war memorial and laid a wreath on behalf of the Friends of Didsbury Park. I did not realise that we had any paparazzi present until Paul Good sent me the picture attached as picture 3. Thank you Paul.
LAST WEEK - VISIT TO CASTLEFIELD VIADUCT
On Tuesday last week Sonia and Sandra represented FoDP as guests of MCC on an RHS guided tour of the Castlefield Viaduct - the garden in the sky! They said they thoroughly enjoyed it so please do ask them about it!
TODAY
We were very lucky this morning in that we had some lovely sunny weather which lasted all morning. We were also in luck with a bumper turnout of 60 volunteers. Our volunteers included new volunteers, Sarah, Zeno, Evans and Tony.
We also had yet another return visit from 11 of our volunteer friends from NatWest Bank. It was great to see them all again. We were also pleased to welcome our regular team of students from Brentwood High School. They were very enthusiastic to do a litter pick in the park today. They were also joined by young Alexander and Mum Joanna and Andrew and Winnie.
We were also pleased to see Sigad and his job coach Sheeba from Bridge College who helped with the leaf clearing. Everybody was made very welcome.
TODAY - GREAT PROGRESS ON THE NEW BENCH INSTALLATION
The team working on the bench installation made some great progress today.
Picture 4 shows Adrian supervising the laying of the MOT foundation layer as Evans, Kedir and Augustine move the MOT from the 800cwt bag into the footings for the bench. The team then concreted in the edging slabs ready for it to be filled with compact gravel next week. This was amazing work guys. Thank you!
TODAY - MAJOR TIMBER DELIVERY AND VOLUNTEER'S SHELTER REORGANISATION
With the mid-week delivery of a new load of kick fence timber, and temporary storage of it on the wild flower meadow, today was the day it needed to be moved and stored safely in the volunteers shelter. This task was enthusiastically undertaken by the NatWest team.
Firstly though we needed to empty the shelter, which in turn enabled us to 'kill two birds with one stone' and get access to the remaining large bag of ornamental pebbles which were needed by Ilma and Tristan for the new moss garden. Anne and Carl M did an amazing job with Allan to empty and clean out the shelter and a convoy of wheelbarrows including Chris and Gill B then delivered the pebbles to Ilma and Tristan.
Picture 5 shows the team of Ilma, Gill B, Tristan Carl and Anne working on the new moss garden. Great work guys. Thank you.
With the shelter cleared, the team from NatWest were then able to store the new timber safely inside the shelter. Overall this was a hugely impressive piece of work today. Thank you to everybody who helped.
TODAY - TOP UP CYCLAMEN AND VIOLA WINTER BEDDING PLANTS
Following our decision last week to fund the purchase of (and plant) some more winter bedding plants we realised that we needed to purchase some more again this week. Thanks to Allan and Louise we were able to buy some more, although stocks are now running low at the suppliers. Today Christine, Jane, Lesley, Denise and Louise did a great job adding this new burst of colour around the park. Thank you.
TODAY - LEAVES, LEAVES AND MORE LEAVES
It has been very noticeable that the rain over the last few days has made any paths in the park containing leaves, very slippy and dangerous. So our big priority today was to make the park paths safe again. Picture 6 is a particularly beautiful photograph taken by Sarah, and captures the magical autumn colours against a blue sky backdrop. This path by the Sandhurst Road pedestrian gate was particularly slippy and Sarah made sure it was cleared. Well done Sarah.
Picture 7 shows Joyce clearing leaves from the path near the shelter. This is impressive Joyce - thank you. Picture 8 shows Marian and 2 NatWest volunteers along the main path to Sandhurst Road and picture 9 shows some more of the NatWest team further down the same path. Meanwhile Emanuel donned the leaf blower and did a super job clearing the leaves from the path near the bowls hut. Elsewhere in the park Zeno and Joyce had worked on clearing the main path to Wilmslow Road.
The work undertaken clearing the leaves from the paths right across the park was truly amazing today. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in it.
TODAY - ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK
Thank you once again to Brenda for keeping the Gillbrook Road entrance looking so clean and welcoming. Well done Brenda.
The woodland team of Kevin, Roger, Sue and Caroline continued their real estate development for bugs in the woodland today - thank you
Julie and Jude did some great work on creating some stunning looking flower beds near the Wilmslow Road entrance. This area is looking better and better.
It was great to see Lis working with us today dedicated to improving the Flower Walk. This was a fabulous piece of work. Thank you Lis.
PIcture 10 shows Tony who joined us for the first time today and immediately offered to sharpen some of our shears. This picture shows Tony returning with three shears ready to go another round for the volunteers! Thank you Tony and welcome to the team.
REMINDERS
After what has felt like a hectic events programme recently I am really looking forward to the 2 remaining events before the end of the year:
Wednesday 19th November - 7pm at the Sangam - Curry Night. Please contact Sonia to book a place.
Monday 8th December. - 11am Christmas Carols by the children of Didsbury Cof E primary school, mince pies and mulled wine in the garden marquee at the DNC in the park. No need to book - everybody welcome
NEXT WEEK'S SURPRISE!
The spring bulbs will be delivered next Monday!!
We will catch up with an historical item in the update too!
Thank you once again for your amazing support.