Welcome to the first Newquay Orchard e-journal! It’s a hive of activity here at Newquay Orchard and we share a lot on our social media channels however our new monthly e-journal is a slower paced way of reflecting and recapping on the past month. Discover what’s been harvested, what we’ve learnt and what’s coming up here at Newquay Orchard. So sit down, settle in with a cup of tea and find out what we’ve been up to in October.
Autumn has arrived and as the evenings draw in and the clocks change we are still filling our days with horticulture, environmental consciousness and community connection…
In Our Nature
Caring for the environment and Newquay’s community is in our nature. Throughout the winter we’ll be promoting the physical and mental health benefits of social connection outside in the natural environment.
As a partner of Cornwall Council’s new project Injection of Nature we hosted 60 visitors form the Cornwall Social Prescribers network in our function space earlier in October. The aim of the day was to showcase to local primary care networks how social prescribing in an outdoor setting can benefit people’s mental health, improve our environment and take pressure off of the NHS. The Eden Project, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Battling On, CHAOS Farm, Nature Connects and Volunteer Cornwall are all partners on the initiative and conducted engaging workshops during the day.
Growing food for Canteen customers and community
Our landscape has been providing our volunteers and visitors with organic vegetables and Hetty proudly shared some exciting figures in October from the Market Garden CSA pilot with our friends Canteen at the Orchard.
Between June and September this year over 1 tonne of organic produce was grown and harvested by Newquay Orchard staff, students and volunteers from the no-dig market garden at Newquay Orchard. This fresh veg was delivered to Canteen at the Orchard where it was prepared into 296 tasty meals for volunteers to enjoy. Any non-cooked food waste is then composted to begin the process again. It’s a circular food model serving customers and community alike. Read the full story now.
Galivanting volunteers
Newquay Orchard volunteers have been about and about this month building friendships and new skills. A number of volunteers joined Golden Tree’s Cornish stone wall classes. Over 2 days they learnt the basics of the traditional structure used in farming and landscaping across our lovely county. They also visited Kerdroya, a new piece of public art in Cornwall celebrating the distinct hedging techniques from 12 locations across Cornwall in a labyrinth formation.
A group of volunteers also joined the team at Trerice House and Gardens for a day exploring the historic grounds. Whilst at the National Trust property they learnt about plants, monitored bird boxes intime for spring time and tested the PH levels of the soil in their veg patches.
Delivery Officer Jack’s walking groups are back too! After taking a pause over the past year they have stepped back into action and so far have walk around Newquay’s coastline and the foot path around Porth reservoir. If you would like to become a volunteer and join activities like these sign up today and a member of the team will be in touch with you.
Sustainable Lives thrives
Our Change Coaches continue to provide mental health and employment support to participants on the ESF funded Sustainable Lives social program here at the orchard. This month we were delighted to reach a milestone helping 130 unemployed or economically inactive people access the support provided on the social programme, 6 months ahead of the original target. This highlights the need for support provided by organisations like Newquay Orchard and proof that people want to engage with their environment, sustainable practices, and environmental topics. Want to learn more about Sustainable Lives?
Members totes motes (totally motivational)
Kowel Gwenen Co-workspace members are continually embracing new ways of working. Meeting for Monday motivational breakfasts help the community of freelancers and remote workers interact and inspire. This month saw a discussion about the upcoming TEDx Newquay being hosted in our urban greenspace in November and a demonstration from member and CLLD participant Pedal Pack about the benefits and opportunities of electric cargo bikes for businesses. Of course the members all had a go on the bikes! Find out more about memberships.
As we settle into the weather and colours of autumn we are eager to see how our ever-growing community gather and take a renewed appreciation of the natural patterns this season presents. If you’d like to hear more from us follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
If you’re not signed up to the e-news sign up now for our November journal. In the meantime stay well, get some fresh air and give our staff a wave if you’re exploring Newquay Orchard.