Lockdown/ Future Planning

Although we knew the Coronavirus was coming, it's probable that none of us fully appreciated the impact it would have on our everyday life. Indeed, how long the crisis will continue is still unknown, we can only hope people take every precaution possible to help reduce the spread of the virus.
In the interest of Health and Safety all upcoming events at and for Birley Spa are cancelled, including our Volunteer Days. Although this is disappointing, it does give us time to thoroughly plan out future events as well as work on strategies for improving the site in general and look at longer term fundraising.

We hope to get the get the green waste moved from the garden. It is unlikely that we would lay a lawn this year in any event, planning for accessible pathways is much more important. What would be fantastic though would be to have some colour in the garden. We have tried to find out what was actually supposed to be growing there, but haven't got very far. The Cherry Laurel had overgrown so much that it had effectively smothered anything else. There are a few ferns and a clump of primroses in the border in front of the entrance to the plunge pool and that's about it.

The Spa is a Victorian building so it would be appropriate to have a Victorian themed garden. A formal planting style is quite high maintenance so the more relaxed style of a Victorian Cottage garden would be preferable. Because we want to fuel biodiversity within our environment as much as possible there will be emphasis on plants to attract Bees, Butterfies, Bats etc. We are currently working on plant lists , but if anyone has anything suitable going spare that they would like to donate, please get in touch.

The earliest event that may be able to go ahead in the Spa grounds is Saturday 4th July 2020, Teddy Bears Picnic, in conjunction with Fields in Trust. Further details will be released nearer the time, if we are able to proceed.

Heritage Open Days this year run from 11-20 September. We all are reasonably optimistic that this will go ahead as normal. Following on from last years event we will (hopefully) be having a few extra sessions and rolling out a wider tour of the grounds with a talk about the flora and fauna of the area.

Obviously given the ongoing situation our progress with the council has all but halted as other critical issues must take priority. 
We will be speaking with representatives from National Lottery Heritage Fund next week on ways to move our application forward.

We will update you when we have further news. Please stay safe!


For children big and small
Link to the Wildlife Trusts, home activities.
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/looking-after-yourself-and-nature#activities

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