Potting up some Honesty seedlings for the Dell. We've learned that no matter how hardy the plant is supposed to be, nothing but weeds grow from seeds in the Dell! Much better to give them a head start with some tlc.
On Thursday 14th July, the Judges from the Heart Of England In Bloom, will be in the Dell as part of their tour of the town. The Friends of the Dell and Gals will be there to welcome them, so if you have time and would like to come and say hello, you'd be most welcome. They usually get to us at about 11.30ish, but it's difficult to be exact.
A copy of the booklet, which will be given to the Judges explaining the Gals involvement in the Dell. The Friends of the Dell will also be giving them a potted history of all their news too.
THE GALS IN THE DELL
UPDATE FOR 2011
www.downinthedell.blogspot.com
Bee Heaven by the GALS, North Slope, The Dell April 2011
(To be read in conjunction with the 2006/7 booklet and update for 2007/2008)
FUNDRAISING
The GALS have done no major fundraising since 2009 when a grant of £300 was received from Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, £50 from The Friends of the Dell, and another £100 private donation from a local resident, for plants on the east slope.
However, most of the subsequent planting has come from seed or from plants donated by local residents from their gardens, or by people who have read about the Dell in the press.
The Regency Round Table have donated 500 purple crocus bulbs as part of their Eradicating Polio scheme.
Warwick District Council have donated plants in lieu of and in recognition of the hours Gals have been gardening. They have also been very supportive and delivered a mass of spent bedding (hyacinth bulbs and polyanthus) from the Jephson Gardens, as well as finding the odd applemint plant or two.
The Friends donated 3 beautiful acer shrubs which the Gals were delighted choose and plant, and which have added some glorious red colour to the north slope.
An acer donated by Friends of the Dell
Hill Close gardens are still very supportive and kindly allow us their spent material, and Gals raid skips and compost heaps and nurse plants back to health before giving them a new home in the park.
Gals outgoings are small, as planting is not done on masse but, as well as donations, relies on good gardening practices such as division and cuttings, and proper maintenance.
WHO ARE THE GALS AND WHY ARE THEY GARDENING IN THE DELL
Gals aims to identify, tidy, clear, replant and reclaim neglected public spaces in their town. They aim to make them accessible, safe, and attractive for residents and visitors.
They are a hardworking enthusiastic group of 4 lady volunteers who love gardening, and whose aim is simply to enhance the local environment for people and local wildlife.
Gals only seek to make the environment cleaner and more enjoyable for all who use the town and had been involved in several projects in the town, including the Station Terraces, Packington Place, and York Walk. In October 2006, they began work at the Dell following a suggestion from a local Councillor, and after talking to WDC and Friends of the Dell.
The Dell is a quiet oasis in the middle of a busy town, but was not used as much as it is today. It was overgrown with bindweed, brambles and was rather neglected, and intimidating. WDC’s resources are limited, and they were not able to provide extra help to clear and replant. Gals, by hard work, and by raising funds from local business and obtaining grants from Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, were able to make a contribution.
They’ve tried to raise the profile and reputation of the park in a way which includes the whole of the local community and its needs. The area around the Dell has some social housing and a high number of council and privately owned flats some without gardens. There are a number of schools and nurseries nearby, and several residential care and nursing homes.
The work Gals have done has been reported in the local press at various times, and through such schemes as the Heart of England In Bloom. There is a blog which is updated regularly and which keeps everyone informed and involved with achievements. The feedback from the community has been wonderful, and Gals are overwhelmed by the positive response to their efforts.
The Dell is no longer a neglected, and under used space, but is a small thriving oasis in the middle of the town.
ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2008, Gals were honoured with an Outstanding Achievement in the Heart of England In Bloom competition.
They were also lucky enough to visit Houses of Parliament in October 2008, to promote The Dell to MP's, Peers, and various invited guests. They were 1 of the 10 groups selected from the recipients of the 02 It’s Your Community Grant, as an example of excellence.
Hopefully the publicity surrounding both these achievements will help put the Dell firmly on the map and mark it out as a place to visit, be looked after - not only by WDC, but by all who use it.
In 2009 Gals were nominated for a Civic Award (Environment Award) from Warwick District Council, and during July 2010 and again in 2011, photographs of GALS were also to be seen at the BBC Gardeners World Live Show at the NEC, supporting the RHS Neighbourhood Award scheme.
In May 2011 they were chosen by The Daily Telegraph, to highlight their competition, Gardening Against The Odds Awards.
It’s hard to satisfy the needs and demands of the increasing number of people who now use the park, and also Warwick District Council, who have necessarily strict guidelines on what can and can’t be done in a public open space. Children, naturally, love to play on the slopes and the council initially asked Gals to plant in such a way as might discourage them. This rule has now relaxed, but there is always the challenge of maintaining a garden in such a popular play area, and renewing planting is a continuous process.
2011 has also seen problems with the weather, being the coldest and longest winter for over 100 years, and with temperatures dropping to minus 20; the spring has been warm but very dry, and as a result a lot of plants were lost this year. WDC have contributed a large number of plants for difficult areas, and residents plant donations have helped fill the gaps.
And finally,
Gals have been in the Dell for 5 years, and love doing what they do, but couldn’t continue without the support and help of wonderful people like The Friends of the Dell, Warwick District Council, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, Glendale, and all the lovely people who live around the Dell and who visit it whilst in the town.
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