Hortulani

We're very happy to be collaborating with Spectra on this project. Please take a look if you this interests you too 💚

We're seeking Builders/Landscapers to work with us on The Commons - a community co-designed space within the Community Garden at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital 🪵

More information and the application form can be found here: https://wearespectra.co.uk/2024/09/26/builder/

Terms: Freelance contract, 22 Oct – 19 Nov 2024 (dates to be agreed)

Fee: £185 per day inclusive of travel, expenses and VAT

Location: Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Grove Lane, Smethwick, B66 2QT

DEADLINE: 9am on Monday 7 October 2024

Please contact [email protected] with any questions or if we can help make this opportunity more accessible to you.

Photo credit: Kyle Simms

This time last year we were a bundle of nerves awaiting the judges for our Beautiful Border exhibit at BBC Gardeners' World Live. Wishing all those taking part this year a fabulous show. We know how much love, energy and care is taken to create these borders, and of course all the show gardens and indoor exhibits, for the public to enjoy throughout the week. All the plants from our border 'A shared chrysalis' now live in various community and private gardens and still look amazing.

Some memories from last year 💚🌱💚

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Helen and I wish you a happy and healthy Christmas and 2024.

We have dedicated an oak tree which will be planted in the National Forest, thank you for your support this year 💚

We're holding a plant swap! 🪴

Monday 4th September, drop-in between 11:30am and 1pm at Buzz Stop outside Sandwell General Hospital.

Swap your plant or cuttings and give your garden or plant collection a fresh, new look🌱

We will also be giving away our wonderful indoor plants that have been a part of the Buzz Stop indoor installation! 🦋

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[Image description: a photograph of green indoor plants, with spikey, shiny and patterned foliage. Text: Plant Swap 4th September 11:30am - 1pm]

Why insects are so crucial to life on Earth - BBC Ideas Watch the "Why insects are so crucial to life on Earth" video at BBC Ideas. Explore other related content via our curated "Nature and us" playlist.

We're looking forward to being on site on Tuesday 1 August, 10.30 am till 3 pm 🦋🦋💚

New green playgrounds help mitigate flood risk | Trees for Cities We've been working with Leicester schools to revamp their playgrounds with new gardens and trees as part of a natural approach to managing localised flood risk.

💚 We're creating a garden with Spectra at Sandwell General Hospital, do you have any time to help us break up pallets? 💚

💚VOLUNTEERS NEEDED💚

Hi everyone, we are looking for vols to help out at the below event at the end of the month. Whatever you can do on the day would be amazing!
Please let us know either via dm or email [email protected]

It's a wonderful community event to promote sustainability for all the family with music, food & free workshops and activities💚

Would you be able to help? Thank you 😊💚

Love this bee recharging on a Scabious 🌸🐝💚

We're sooooo excited to be collaborating as the artist growers for Buzz Stop 💚🦋🐛

Introducing Buzz Stop! 🦋🐛
Directly outside Sandwell General Hospital, Buzz Stop will be a beautiful and biodiverse garden opening mid-July! 🌿🌱

Find out more about our plans for Buzz Stop and our recent grant from Community Green Grants on our blog! Link in bio 🔗

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[Image description: the background is a photograph of a collage with cut out butterflies in pinks, oranges and blues; tissue paper; and flowers. Over this are the words 'introducing Buzz Stop' in a large white font with a butterfly graphic resting on the letter P. In the bottom corners are sponsor logos of Arts Council England, UK Government. In the top right is a flowing white shape with the logos for Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals, West Midlands Combined Authority, Heart of England Community Foundation, Your Trust Charity and Spectra ]

So happy with our Gold award for our Beautiful Border 'A Shared Chrysalis' BBC Gardeners World Live 2023.

It was feautred in Episode 13 of Gardeners World last Friday 💕. Incorrectly credited to another designer.... but Arit and Joe liked it v much and had some lovely things to say about our design.

Big thank you's to our sponsors Stourbridge , .harriet stained glass artist, &thing55 and our husbands who worked incredibly hard to help us achieve this ❤️

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Work with us! We are recruiting a talented graphic designer to create an animated illustration and poster.

Do you have an enthusiasm for embedding creativity, accessibility, and inclusivity within your artistic practice? Follow the link in our bio and apply before 23 June!

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[Alt Text: a child with long brown hair in a plait wearing a red t-shirt with white stripes and a black polka dot skirt concentrating on drawing a cartoon person on a white sheet of paper]

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In and around Brierley Hill there are some fantastic free activities on offer during the week long Growing up Green Festival - 11 to 18 June.

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The countdown to BBC Gardeners' World Live at Birmingham NEC is on.
Calm down Thalictrum Black stockings you're needed for show time!!!! 💚

We're exhibiting our design, A Shared Chrysalis, with the Beautiful Borders and can't wait, the weather is looking 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞

We can offer our followers discounted tickets, see details below.

Rachel and Helen 😊

The ultimate gardening day out awaits you!

Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from 15-18 June, this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live will be packed full of talks, demos and appearances from Monty Don, Carol Klein, Frances Tophill, Adam Frost plus Alan Titchmarsh.

All this plus a Show-load of garden inspiration with plenty of take-home ideas for all garden sizes, tip-top shopping, expert advice, live entertainment, and included entry to the BBC Good Food Show Summer!

Book your ticket today! Quote BORD15 for 15% off Thursday, Friday and Sunday tickets.* Hurry! Offer ends 10 June

https://gardenersworldlive.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options?src=garden-borderdesigners-gwl23

Please help support Camphill Village Trust to create a new greenhouse, at Ashfield Gardens, using recycled 2l plastic bottles 💚

**Appeal**

Our friends at Camphill Village Trust in Stourbridge are after empty 2L pop bottles to make a greenhouse!
With or without lids but PLEASE rinse them out & remove the labels. That's all they need, no other sizes, just 2L.

Please drop them into us.....don't just drop & run, why not have a browse & a chat. We're friendly folk & don't bite 🙄😆.

Discoveries down on the Amblecote community allotment today...

Comfrey
Marjoram
Lemon balm
Chives

Potatoes earthed up 🥔 ✅
Lots of flowers on the strawberries 🍓🌸

We also fashioned lots of recycled corks into plastic free cane toppers to prevent any eye injuries!

Pop along for this wonderful free events launch on Saturday 10 June, Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge 💚

https://www.facebook.com/groups/gugdudley/permalink/628793852478137/

Beautiful and peaceful at the community allotment in Amblecote today.

Lots of wildlife spotted including orange tip butterflies 🦋 and the resident frog 🐸

The potatoes are growing nicely and over 40 strawberry plants went into a new bed, they were all salvaged from the original plot. Thankful for the torrential rain shortly afterwards 🌧️🌧️🌧️

Please share x

Want to help us thrive? Is fundraising your bag? Then have a look at our Development Lead role. This three year, part-time, super flexible role focuses on resourcing our ambitious programme of activity.

There will be collaborative working with a deep sense of purpose; lots of hard work and lots of laughter.

Check out https://wearespectra.co.uk/2023/04/28/jobs-jobs-jobs/ for more info.

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[Alt text: a young man pours from a heavy silver watering can as he intently tends to plants on a rack made from wooden pallets. He is outdoors and surrounded by cylindrical blue planters with lush greenery.]