Projects

'Al Fresco Young Gardeners Club' Beacon Site

Friar Park, Mesty Croft & Woods Extended Schools Core Offer Partnership

During the growing season, children from one high school, four primary schools and the local Sure Start Nursery make weekly visits to their local allotment in Friar Park to plant, nurture and harvest their own fruit and vegetables under the expert guidance of the Friar Park Allotment Association. Eventually pupils take the produce they have grown home to share with their families, or in the case of the High School, sell it to their teaching staff!

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Barnford Park and Farm Road Allotments Beacon Site

An excellent working allotment site, with two school plots, encouraging local schools to get involved in growing vegetables and flowers. Raised beds for wheelchair access, and also working with adults with learning disabilities. Contact Dean Turner 0121 565 7906 or Barbara Carroll allotments officer) (Key facts; raised beds, schools plots)

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Burnt Tree School Beacon Site

The school has set up a raised growing bed for each year group, on their playing field, and are keen on all aspects of growing, linking it to the national curriculum. For schools interested in learning more contact Lisa McDevitt 0121 557 2967. (Key facts; school gardens, raised beds, curriculum links)

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Malthouse Garden - Ideal for All - Beacon Site

Ideal for All's third acre fully accessible garden is based in Smethwick next to the Independent Living Centre. The garden is divided into four areas, wildlife area, propagation area, decorative garden and food growing area. It has an indoor classroom, polytunnel and greenhouse, toilets.

The garden was developed with the vision and input of disabled people, and is now used for therapeutic gardening sessions, active gardening for the over 50's, cooking workshops and other activities. Schools have used the gardens in the past for curriculum support.

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Moorlands Allotments Beacon Site

Behind the old Manor House, this model allotment has showcase allotment plots, children’s play area, and has a successful gardening programme with the local primary school, and an accessible plot for a gardener who uses a wheelchair Contact Vera Walsgrove Secretary to arrange to visit the site. 0121 533 9762 vera.walsgrove@blueyonder.co.uk (key facts; accessible garden, schools programme, curriculum links)

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Parkhill Primary School Beacon Site

Wednesbury has set up a school garden for vegetable and flower growing (key facts; school which has created gardens in its grounds, links to curriculum)

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Ready, Steady, Grow

The children learn about the Balance of Good Health and understand a little about plants before visiting Salop Drive Market Garden. Whilst at Salop Drive the children take part in a practical session designed by experts in each of the fields of;

• Horticulture; children learn to garden and so they can grow their own food.
• Healthy eating; children harvest and taste very fresh organic produce.
• Physical activities; the children have fun on a treasure hunt to find their 5-a-day.

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Salop Drive Market Garden - Ideal for All - Beacon Site

Salop Drive Market Garden is a unique three acre working market garden which developed from a derelict allotment site over a period of five years and represents the hard work and vision of disabled and local people.

The south facing site is a working market garden, growing over fifty different vegetables through the season for sale direct to local households. The fully accessible site has six commercial size polytunnels, propagation glasshouse, toilets, community garden, wildlife area and pond, outdoor growing beds and raised beds, fruit trees, and mini allotment plots. The site is supervised by a horticultural therapist and garden support worker.

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Sandwell Allotments

These allotments offer a great resource to Sandwell residents, enabling people to come together to grow food, flowers, get fit, meet others and enjoy the rest and relaxation of the outdoor life.

Some Allotment Sites in Sandwell have toilet facilities. Some have raised beds for less able gardeners. Some have improved roads and paths that allow for wheelchair access. Some sites have been set up as Community Agriculture Projects. All have a friendly welcome waiting.

Allotments are all owned by Sandwell MBC and either run by the council or by the active Allotments Association Council.

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Sandwell Food Team, Sandwell Primary Care Trusts

Sandwell Food Team works on a wide range of issues relating to food access, healthy eating, obesity, and availability of fresh and healthy produce in shops. Within schools the team aim to promote understanding and awareness of healthy eating and the balance of good health through a wide range of school based activities across the borough.

The Food Team work in support of the Sandwell Food Policy. Sandwell Food Policy aims to protect and enhance the health of the population and contribute to tackling health inequalities.

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Sandwell Healthy Schools Scheme

Sandwell Healthy Schools Scheme (SHSS) is an award scheme that aims to improve attainment within schools through focusing on health improvement of the whole school community.

SHSS provides a framework for supporting schools in identifying and developing key priorities for improving the health and well being of all individuals within the school community. Healthy Schools builds on the fact that schools are a key setting in which to promote the health of the whole school community.

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Sandwell Valley Farm and Forge Mill Farms.

Sandwell Park Farm is a a fully restored 18th century farm which was constructed to supply food throughout the year to the Earls of Dartmouth's estate and Sandwell Hall. A variety of lovestock housed within the central courtyard and adjoining pasture are the actual breeds that would have been kept on the farm at the turn of the century.

The Victorian Kitchen Garden demonstrates the techniques used to supply vegetables and fresh fruit to Sandwell Hall. The farm also contains collection of old agricultural machinery and displays illustrating human activity in Sandwell Valley from pre-historic times.

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