It’s been a non-stop November here at Newquay Orchard! As we head into winter, a time of year when many people struggle with low moods, our volunteers have been building friendships, confidence and footpaths.
Newquay Orchard have been out and about
Our volunteers have had the opportunity to get involved with other worthwhile projects this month as they joined Cornwall Council’s park ranger. A team of volunteers and staff travelled to Dabuz Moors on the outskirts of Truro city centre to build a path so more people can enjoy the natural space safely. Following this a Newquay Orchard volunteer secured an 8-week placement assisting Cornwall Council 1 day per week on projects around the county. The team plan to help other worthwhile projects on a regular basis in 2022.
Whilst learning about our environment is a core part of our teaching we also like to explore how we can live more sustainably. 16 of our volunteers took a trip to the Bodmin Materials Recycling Facility Centre and the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre. Volunteers learnt how all of Cornwall’s recycling now stays in England and that enough energy is produced from incineration of non-recyclable waste to power 21,000 Cornish homes!
Growing Futures securing the future of rare plants
The Growing Futures students were seed harvesting the successfully reintroduced Small-flowered Catchfly this month. The rare species of wildflower was planted in the urban greenspace in spring this year as part of a national RSPB programme ‘Colour in the Margins’. The seeds harvested by the students will go to a national seedbank so they can continue to help the plant thrive. It was rewarding for the students to be a part of the project which will help biodiversity and wildlife throughout the UK. As well as making a difference nationally Growing Futures have also been tending to projects closer to home. The young adults have been learning about landscaping whilst looking after the flora surrounding Nansledan. If you spot them working on the grounds around the development give them a wave!
Newquay Orchard team day
Early on in November the whole Newquay Orchard team gathered in the urban greenspace for a team day. As the space and our team has grown so much this year it was a good opportunity to get to know each other better. We spent the morning listening to some interesting ideas before heading out into the orchard to enjoy lunch in the den and a guided tree walk with Hetty. Did you know the ginkgo tree is over 200 million years old!
Community café welcome to all
Newquay Orchard were delighted to be joined by Macmillan and Age UK Cornwall for the first of what will be a monthly drop-in wellbeing café in the Kowel Gwenen community building. The morning offered emotional, financial, and medical advice for those living, or helping a family member with a cancer diagnosis.
The next wellbeing café will be on Wednesday 8 December. It’s a drop-in so just come along for a chat, 10am – 12:30pm, and there will be some friendly faces there to greet you.
Wellness Fayre bringing people together
We also hosted the first Newquay Orchard Wellness Fayre in November. The day-long event offered wellbeing sessions and workshops such as meditation, yoga and herbalism. The workshops were either for free, donation or at affordable prices to make it accessible to everyone. The practitioners taking part are also on the Taking Root and Branching Out business support programme funded by a Community Led Local Development ERDF grant. The opportunity to showcase their services is an important boost for these small businesses which are in their first year of operation.
Motivating members with chili
Kowel Gwenen co-workspace members joined another monthly Monday motivational breakfast led by Alchemilla Apothecary who woke everyone up with a capsicum chili pepper tincture. The herbalist highlighted the links between anxiety and digestion and how these can manifest in numerous conditions in the body. By growing and foraging herbs and consuming them in teas, tinctures and balms we can introduce our body to more immune boosting natural ingredients. You can read more about Sarah from Alchemilla Apothecary now.
Flying the Green Flag Award
For the fifth year running, Newquay Orchard received a Green Flag Award. Newquay Orchard played a vital role for people throughout the lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise, connect with nature and meet friends and family safely outdoors. The news that Newquay Orchard has achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and volunteers from the community that make the green space a great space that everyone can enjoy. Thank you again to our wonderful volunteers!
As the team looks forward to winter and the festivities that the season brings we are celebrating our ever growing sustainable community of people that can take care of one another through some of the year’s tougher months. 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 December enews. In the meantime stay well, get some fresh air and give our staff a wave if you’re exploring Newquay Orchard.