Activity Log - 2020

January 2020 – Site reopened after winter break for volunteer activity on Wednesday and Sundays. War and Peas published online.

February 2020 – Registration as a Charity. Ash tree suffering die back felled by HPBC arborist team. Seedy Saturday:   300+ packs shared.  Introductory workshop on Principles of Organic Gardening. War and Peas published in paperback. Stocked in Scriveners, Pool’s Cavern and the Pump Room.

March 2020 – Seeds shared from foyer of Pavilion Gardens until required to close by nationwide lockdown. Presentation to 30 GPs on well-being project for social prescribing. Covid-19 pandemic declared. Serpentine Community Garden Society Detached established in growers’ home garden.  SCG closed to visitors. Volunteer team established to maintain site and sustain the growing cycle. Wednesday workshop programme postponed.

April 2020 – Rota for essential growing work covers four days a week – to allow physical distance of workers when on site. 184 volunteer hours onsite – compared to 309 in April 2019.)

May 2020 – Weekly cover continues. 194 hours logged onsite. (471 in May 2019). Maximum of six volunteers on site together. Discrete day groups formed each with day coordinator and deputy. Some groups choose to work with lower numbers. Hours contributed in growers’ home gardens and studio (for production of signs and posters) not formally captured.

June 2020 – Weekly cover continues. 177 hours logged onsite. (452 in June 2019.) Whats App group set up for all volunteers to help coordinate activity.

July 2020 – Weekly cover continues with slight easing of group size – maximum of ten volunteers on site. 221 hours logged. (397 in July 2019.) Old garage condemned as unsafe by DCC contractors. Emptied, locked and surrounded with security fence pending demolition. Fringe event postponed to 2021, replaced with Secret Garden event – booked tours for groups , maximum 6 per group.

August 2020 – Booked tours for groups , maximum 6 per group, well-received.

September 2020 – Old garage demolished by DCC contractors. Cost met by High Peak Borough Council.

October 2020 – Successful application for  Cadent award – £10,000 for Give Peas a Chance Saturday programme 2021-2022

November 2020 – Successful application for Heritage Fund award – £21,120

December 2020 – Appointment of part-time Garden Manager.