Roots AW1112

brrrrr! Wrap up and

get down to

The Potting Shed!

inspiring people, improving places

LIVING UNDER ONE SUNGet the lowdown on the Community Group of the Year.

NEW IN THIS ISSUE THE POTTING SHEDRecipes, competitions and letters.

BTCV HOLIDAYSExplore what’s on offer.

Supporter Magazine Autumn/Winter 2011www.btcv.org

MEET A TRULY INSPIRATIONAL BUNCH OF BTCV VOLUNTEERS

btcv.org/supportus 1

To request a Freepost envelope call BTCVon 01302 388 883 or email [email protected]


Don't throw away your old mobile phones or inkjet cartridges, RECYCLE THEM! For every one recycled with our partner, ShP Solutions, BTCV will receive a cash donation!

Thank you!

Trees for everyone…Most of us will have wonderful memories of at least one special tree. Trees we played around as children; trees we grew from seeds; apple trees; conker trees; trees with faces and ones under which we sheltered from the rain.

The BTCV shop offers a wide range of trees from which you can select a perfect gift or feature for your garden. To select your tree visit us at www.btcv.org/shop

Last year, over half a million people worked with BTCV to improve their environment and their lives. Over the next few pages, you will discover just a few of the amazing personal stories behind that remarkable figure.

Whether it’s by overcoming physical limitations to reach one’s potential or working together to improve social cohesion in disadvantaged areas, this year’s Green Heroes are a truly inspirational bunch.

The collection of stories reassuringly show that, despite the difficult economic and social times we find ourselves in, environmental action and volunteering continues to thrive throughout the UK.

Many congratulations to this year’s outstanding winners and of course to the hundreds of thousands of other unsung Green Heroes who make up BTCV’s army of volunteers.

Best wishes

Tom Flood CBE, Chief Executive

what’s new

The Potting Shed

Volunteer of the Year - MichaelRogersonMichael is 20 and has been deaf from birth. His deafness had left him depressed and isolated. He had been unemployed for 15 months when he discovered BTCV at a county show.

Since volunteering Michael has gained self esteem, a new social life, skills and discovered new pastimes and passions. He’s secured a full time job as a gardener and is now learning to speak after having a cochlear implant.

Michael discovered the rural skill of dry stone walling whilst volunteering with BTCV. He enjoys walling so much he is now considering launching a business as a dry stone waller. His parents and friends - as well as fellow BTCV volunteers - have all noticed the transformation and are delighted his tremendous effort has been recognised.

Find out more about the BTCV Green Heroes at btcv.org/supportus

inspiring people, improving places 2

97Big Green Weekend

3Green Heroes Awards 2011

btcv.org/supportus

PARTNERSHIP AWARD BALLYSILLAN ALLOTMENTSThis innovative Belfast project is a partnership between Conservation Volunteers (our name in Northern Ireland), the Salvation Army, local allotment holders and Belfast City Council.

Over the past year, this food growing project has turned a derelict site into an oasis of green. Volunteers from the local Salvation Army have transformed the land – and themselves. The volunteers’ journey is both powerful and remarkable as they’ve worked together to overcome hostility, mental health problems, addiction and vandalism.

NATURAL TALENT AWARD AMANDA JAMESAmanda has studied NVQs with BTCV and works for a Third Sector organisation to promote green living in disadvantaged communities.

When she isn’t engaging local communities, she leads BTCV holidays and carries out environmental green space management – with her horse.

Together with Big Lad, Amanda extracts timber from local woodland using ancient logging techniques!

Amanda is a fantastic example of someone who has achieved qualifications through BTCV and has gone on to a job where she continues to make a difference. She is an inspiration for any environmental student.

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Green Heroes Awards 2011

Carbon Army

award!

As the allotment took shape

and improved, so too did the

volunteers’ confidence and

hopes for the future.

BTCV HOLLYBUSH SCHOOLS TEAMThis team of volunteers, led by two BTCV staff members, works in primary schools five days a week creating nature gardens and educational outdoor spaces for pupils.

The group is funded by the schools at which they work. From creating vegetable gardens to butterfly zones and sensory gardens, the schools team create environmental havens in West Yorkshire’s bustling inner cities.

Their work increases children’s awareness of the biodiversity of their local area and encourages them to think about the consequences of their actions in terms of climate change and other environmental issues. Volunteers include students, unemployed, retired people, people with learning difficulties and mental health issues.

EUROPEAN AWARDJÉRÉMIE CHOMETTEJérémie is French and came to volunteering through a European Voluntary Service initiated by UNAREC (Union Nationale des Associations Regionales Etudes & Chantiers). He continued to work with the organisation becoming the youngest member of the board and international committee.

Jérémie has played a key part in the development of international umbrella organisation Conservation Volunteers Alliance (CVA) and remains firmly grounded. He has also made a significant contribution to the European Year of Volunteering 2011 working groups.


PARTNERSHIP AWARD BALLYSILLAN ALLOTMENTS

NATURAL TALENT AWARD AMANDA JAMES

4

Natural Health Award TOM HODSONTom is 21 and five years ago was homeless and living on the streets. He got into a hostel, discovered BTCV and is now a Volunteer Officer.

Tom has bipolar, paranoia and sleep disorders but finds volunteering with BTCV helps enormously. As a result his general health has improved. Time keeping, eating well and using a computer are now part of his routine and he’s now gained qualifications with BTCV.

Tom’s self esteem has rocketed and he is now looking for work and ready to take the next step of his journey.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR CHRIS SPEIRS - SENIOR CAMDEN GREEN GYM PROJECT OFFICERChris, a Senior Project Officer, embodies BTCV. The Camden Green Gym leader is dedicated to the cause, enthusiastic and extremely hard working. He’s a shining example of what can be achieved.

Chris can always be relied on to go that extra mile for BTCV and regularly appears in the local media to represent the organisation. He has also welcomed ministers and VIPs to his sessions in the past few years.

Transforming green spaces!

COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR - LIVING UNDER ONE SUN Go to page 8

Read about our...

When did you first become involved with BTCV?

I first volunteered on a beautiful day in August 2007. I was working full-time in the IT and Telecoms sector but keen to change direction and follow my passion for the environment. The day was led by Alex Sylvester (now the Watford Green Gym PO) who was very friendly and welcoming.

What attracted you to BTCV?

From childhood I have always been fascinated by nature and wildlife. I feel an obligation to do what I can to help protect our environment and to share my passion with those around me. BTCV are the biggest conservation volunteering charity in the world, so I could not think of a better place to be.

What is the Green Gym?

The Green Gym promotes the irrevocable link between our health and our environment.

How did it feel to win the Employee of the Year Green Hero award?

It was a real honour, having never won much of anything in the past it is a great feeling to have your efforts recognised in this way.

Finally, what’s the best thing about working for BTCV?

The amazing people I meet each day, hearing their stories and the journeys they have been on and helping in a small way to create the opportunities for them to improve their lives.

ROOTS MEETS… Chris SpiersHolidays

THAT DON’T COST THE EARTH... BUT MIGHT JUST CHANGE THE WORLD.If you’re looking for a more interesting holiday next year, one that will improve your health, introduce you to new people and help you to learn new skills, then why not try a BTCV Conservation Holiday? There are so many to choose from... we offer short breaks in the UK to the chance to help with projects as far away as Cameroon, Iceland and Italy.

Just imagine yourself building remote trails and camping in the wilds of Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park or enjoying fabulous home-made Italian food on an olive harvesting holiday in Autumnal Umbria.

Take the chance to spend the days benefiting from good physical work in stunning locations, knowing that your are part of something really worthwhile and meeting new friends.

Volunteering in Iceland

Dining out in Italy

To find out about our full range of holidays visit www.btcv.org and select ‘shop’ and then ‘holidays’.A short UK break costs as little as £115 or you could be enjoying a week in Iceland for just £345.

btcv.org/supportus 5


…to Duncan Batty, our Head of Fundraising who successfully finished the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run, completing 10k in just 59 minutes and 57 seconds. Coming in well inside his target time of 1 hour and 20 minutes and raising £491 for BTCV, Duncan is already in training for his next run! Watch this space!

…Ashdown Rambling Club in West Sussex whose 150 members raised £443.35 through donations made after their weekly walks.

…Tibshelf Infant and Nursery School in Derbyshire whose ‘Welly Wednesday’ featured Welly Wanging and Welly Printing activities and raised £60 for BTCV and their very own gardening club.

Congratulations AND THANK YOU…

Membership of BTCV’s Community Network is open to all groups who want to work for a better environment. Over 2000 groups now benefit from being part of the UK’s largest community network.

• Advice on and access to competitive insurance packages

• Grant Finding Assistance with GRANTnet, including BTCV’s own Chestnut Fund

• Discounts on essential tools, supplies and training

• Online Resource Bank and reporting software

• Help with website development

• Online group directory

• Health and Safety advice and information

• Network News - our quarterly newsletter

• Advice and support

Joining our Community Network could be the best decision your group make! For more information call 01302 388883 or email [email protected] or visit www.btcv.org.uk

Running, cycling, skipping or even sitting in a bath of cold baked beans… let you imagination run riot and raise money for BTCV!We would love to hear from anyone who would like to raise money for BTCV’s work! For more information and support contact BTCV’s friendly fundraising team on 01302 388888 or email [email protected]

Sun Shines On Our First

Big Green WeekendOur first Big Green Weekend took place at the end of October and what a fantastic time we had. The sun shone (for most of our events) and hundreds of families and supporters turned up to join in the fun, learn more about BTCV and even turn their hands to some new crafts.

Events took place across the UK and Europe, all showcasing the charity’s work but each offering a unique BTCV experience. On offer was the chance to take part in projects such as woodland management, dry stone walling and footpath building. For those favouring less strenuous activities, volunteers were on hand to demonstrate how to build a bug hotel or introduce groups to the excitement of pond dipping.

To add to the fun and raise funds for our work, schools, volunteers and supporters across the whole country were invited to take part in a sponsored ‘Tree-sure Hunt’. Volunteers organised a group hunt in London’s Regent’s Park, while many participants enjoyed private hunts in their local parks and woodlands.

Take a look at what went on across the UK and make a note to join us for our Big Green Weekend 2012.

btcv.org/supportus

Supporting BTCV has never been easier…Text BTCV 70003 and donate £3Texts cost £3 plus network charge. BTCV receives 100% of your donation. Please obtain bill payers

permission. Customer care 0844 847 9800. Charity No in England (261009) and in Scotland (SC039302)

7

We would like to thank the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for funding the Big Green Weekend and Green Hero Awards.


You can find out more about Living Under One Sun and how you

can get involved or support their work at www.livingunderonesun.co.uk. If you have been inspired to

make a difference to your community green space, find out how BTCV’s Community Advocates can help

you apply for a Green Flag Community Award at www.btcv.org/greenflag

Focus on LUOSCongratulations to Living Under One Sun for winning BTCV’s Green Hero Community Group of the Year. The award recognises the Community group that has shown the most outstanding commitment, innovation or achievement in working towards a better environment where people feel valued, included and involved.

Tom Nandi, BTCV’s London Community Advocate, first recognised the Haringey group’s achievements when he supported them to apply for a Green Flag Community Award.

Living Under One Sun is based in Tottenham, London, one of the less privileged wards in the country and manages allotments, an orchard, and an apiary. This inspirational group is using food growing as a tool for community engagement and is implementing projects which create a positive community spirit.

It all started in 2005 with mothers from the local communities trying to reduce violence in their neighbourhood and they now promote and enable healthy living and community leadership.

The volunteers manage all of their activities without any core funding, although, they have secured project funding from a variety of sources including the People’s Millions.

“It is really empowering and a great honour to have our work recognised by BTCV and showcased and celebrated by Sir David Attenborough and Jonathon Porritt. We are looking forward to more collaborative working with BTCV in the future” said Leyla Laksari, who is the group’s founder.

“It is clear to see the fantastic work of Living Under One Sun and the positive effect it’s

had on all those involved with the group. This group has been successful in reaching both individuals and community organisations which has had an impact on policy and practise both locally and regionally.”

Photography by David Tothill

Green Superhero Competition!

Your Letters

If you are aged 12 or under and would like to

win this great Encyclopedia of Nature

and a BTCV Bear, here’s what you need to do.

Think of the super powers you think the

ultimate green superhero would have and

then draw and label a picture to show what they

look like and how they could help to save the planet!

Once you have completed your entry, write your

name, age and address on the back and send it to

us at: Roots Superhero Competition, BTCV, Sedum

House, Mallard Way, Doncaster, DN4 8DB.

The winning entry will be selected by

an independent judge who will be

taking imagination and age into account.

CLOSING DATE for entries

30 December 2011

We are always thrilled to hear from our supporters and volunteers and would love to pass on your news through Roots.

To encourage you to put pen to paper, each star letter featured will win its author a great bundle of BTCV goodies.

Hope to hear from you soon!

9 btcv.org/supportus

I just wanted to let you know

that I have planted the Rowan

tree that came from the BTCV

shop. My mummy and I planted

the tree in the largest pot we

could f ind and will look after

it over winter. When the tree has grown

taller I am going to plant it in the

garden near to where our pets have been

buried. That way I will always remember

them and the tree will be very special to

everyone in my family.

I have also collected conkers, acorns

and sycamore seeds and have planted

them too. I am hoping that by spring they

will have started to grow and I will have

the beginning of my very own woodland.

Polly H (10), Aughton, Lancaster

star letter!

Please write to us at: The Potting Shed, BTCV, Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB

I would like to thank you so much for helping me get involved with my local BTCV group. It has really changed my life. I moved here because of my job, that was about two years ago, but found

it very hard to make friends and spent a lot of time on my own. When I read about volunteering with BTCV I thought it was worth a try. I am so glad I plucked up the courage to go along as now I am f itter and happier than I have been for as long as I can remember. I have met some great people and now feel part of the community.Thank you!Michael S, London

10

Granny’s Green Tomato ChutneyThis VERY EASY recipe is a great way of using up the unripened tomatoes left at the end of the summer.

STEP ONE: Skin and slice the tomatoes and onions. Place in a large bowl, mix with the salt and leave overnight.STEP TWO: Place the sugar and vinegar in a large pan and boil, dissolving the sugar. Add the sultanas and apples and simmer for 10 minutes.

Strain and add the tomato and onion mixture to the pan and return to the boil. Then simmer for an hour or until the mixture is of the right consistency before transferring to jars.Old jam jars may be used as long as they are spotlessly clean and the lids are plastic coated.

1 kg green tomatoes½ tbsp salt200g onions1 medium sized hot red chilli200g chopped sultanas200g cooking apples , peeled cored and chopped200g light muscovado sugar1 litre white wine vinegar

INGREDIENTS

Thrifty Cook’s Recipe!

I just wanted to let you know

that I have planted the Rowan

tree that came from the BTCV

shop. My mummy and I planted

the tree in the largest pot we

could f ind and will look after

it over winter. When the tree has grown

taller I am going to plant it in the

garden near to where our pets have been

buried. That way I will always remember

them and the tree will be very special to

everyone in my family.

I have also collected conkers, acorns

and sycamore seeds and have planted

them too. I am hoping that by spring they

will have started to grow and I will have

the beginning of my very own woodland.

Polly H (10), Aughton, Lancaster

Wrap up well and enjoy being outdoors on sunny winter days, there are lots of jobs you can be doing in the garden. Here are just some of the things to think about.

• Any tender, evergreen plants which are planted in the ground can be protected through the winter by covering with horticultural fleece. Delicate perennials such as Penstemons should have a layer of straw or thick mulch placed over the crown of the plant.

• Plants in containers should be moved to an unheated greenhouse or sheltered part of the garden and the pots wrapped in bubble wrap if the weather is very severe.

• Tidy borders, removing old growth from perennials. When weeding, take care not to disturb early bulbs which will have shoots just below the surface of the soil.

• Winter pruning of fruit and ornamental trees can be carried out whilst the plants are dormant.

• Winter Pansies and Violas must be regularly dead-headed to encourage more flowers through the milder weather.

Visit www.btcv.org.uk/shop to choose from the range of winter flowering shrubs and evergreens to brighten your garden and add extra interest. Why not purchase some plants as Christmas presents?

Ger

anium

TOP TIPS for growing your winter favourites

^ Donate - Whether you want to make a one-off or a regular gift, your support for BTCV will help fund practical conservation work that makes Britain a greener, better place.

^ Volunteer - If you have the time, then we have the tools. Join BTCV and make a difference to an area near you whilst learning new skills, enjoying the benefits of nature and forming new friendships.

^ Holidays - Choose from an extensive range of volunteering

holidays, in the UK and worldwide and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

^ Shop - From books to bulbs, you’ll find a huge variety of goods to help you improve your own garden or the local environment.

^ Recycle - If you have an old mobile phone, used printer cartridges or even an unwanted car we can help you get rid of them and get some money back for BTCV!

BTCV Sedum House Mallard Way Doncaster DN4 8DB

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01302 388 883 www.btcv.org

There are many ways to get involved and support BTCV...

BTCVHow you can support

Follow us on

twitter.com/btcv facebook.com/btcvuk

Printed on paper manufactured from 100% recycled fibre

Registered Charity in England (261009) and Scotland (SC039302). Registered in England as a limited company No. 976410

Find out more, visit btcv.org

Please give this magazine

to a friend or family

member when you have

finished reading it.

Simply type Get Growing into iTunes now and download for

FREE.Get Growing is a new App for your iPhone. Find out how much you could grow, how much money you could save and how you can help the planet!

Roots AW1112

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