Food4Macc.org

Heritage Walk Site Work

2011-11-12T12:05:00.004Z

A HUGE thank you to all members of Food4Macc who have helped prepare the site at Heritage Walk and the Triangle on Churchhill Way.

This very special area in town has become a haven of peace and beauty since begun by energetic, inspired visionaries of the Macclesfield Guild and the Parks Department.

On Saturday morning the work was much enhanced by the Wildlife Explorer groups of our local RSPB group.
It was wonderful to see the youngsters so engaged in the many tasks completed by them with such enthusiasm under the equally enthusiastic leaders and volunteers.

Thank you very much RSPB Wildlife Explorers for your hard work!!! And thank you every one who supplied donations of plants and items for the insect hotels.
You can see more pictures of this work on the RSPB Wildlife Explorers website

We are also grateful to The Woodland Trust for providing trees for planting, and to Topps Tiles for supplying pallets and offering safe storage of our equipment.

Snow Goose starts Local Lunches

2011-10-26T08:23:00.000+01:00

The Snow Goose on Sunderland Street is starting doing meals at lunchtimes from this Friday and Food4MaccDirect has been helping with the food. Lunch will comprise a plate of 3 Cheshire cheeses (Golden Brie, Burt’s Blue and Mature Cheshire), Cheshire sourdough, pumpkin bread or herb scone and pear chutney, all supplied by Food4MaccDirect, together with soup provided by the Snow Goose, including seasonal Cheshire vegetables.

Lunch is £6.95 and will be available from noon this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Local Cafe starts using Food4Macc Direct Produce

2011-10-24T18:38:00.005+01:00

Julia Marshall's café and brasserie “Amuse” has just started using Food4Macc Direct local vegetables and sourdough bread in her lunchtime and evening menu.
An example of this week’s menu is below.

· Soup of the week - Spiced parsnip & carrot soup

· Lunchtime menu – chicken & roast pumpkin curry

· Evening menu - Hearty winter root vegetable stew served in a roasted pumpkin

If you’re in Macclesfield, check out Amuse on the pedestrianised part of Chestergate!

Macclesfield Apple Juicing a Big Success

2011-10-07T20:37:00.001+01:00

Despite the wind and rain, friday's apple pressing day outside the town hall was deemed a big success with lots of takers for free juice, freshly pressed from Macclesfield apples.

If you missed it, you will have another chance at the Treacle Market on Sunday 30th October

Our first National Radio Coverage

2011-10-02T05:30:00.003+01:00

Dawn MacDonald and Nancy Benson of Food4Macc's Garden Share were invited to take part in an 11 minute feature on Radio 4's Woman's Hour programme on Friday 30th September.

If you missed it, you can listen to it on the BBC’s iPlayer by following this link.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b0151w30

Make sure your speakers are turned on!

You can fast forward to the start of the feature by dragging the slider bar to 33mins 45 secs into the 45 minute long programme.

Local Trout Meal

2011-09-26T20:54:00.005+01:00

On Friday 23rd September Food4Macc Direct organised a trout meal and cooking demonstration at “Belong” care home on Kennedy Avenue, Macclesfield in conjunction with Phil Shaw from Fork-2-Plate.

Phil is a fully trained and experienced chef and showed us how to cook fresh Wincle trout in 3 different ways.

Everyone got to try their hand at preparation- and eating. All the ingredients, where possible, were sourced locally, of course!

First Annual Food4Macc Show

2011-09-08T20:59:00.000+01:00

Our first show of local produce was a big success with over 50 entries in thirteen categories, and coverage in the Macc Express. Held at the All Hallows catholic College Romero Centre, the emphasis was on fun as opposed to being too serious. Many thanks to Sara (picture above with the winner of the most unusual shaped vegetable) for coming up with the idea and making it happen. Thanks Also to our judges for giving their time to some tough choices.

Opening of the Belong Garden

2011-09-01T23:56:00.001+01:00

On September 1st 2011 David Rutley MP was guest of honour at Belong Macclesfield to officially open our raised bed. Food4Macc volunteers led by Phil Shaw provided the labour and know how to build extra-high raised beds to suit wheelchair users and back sufferers.

Heritage Way Working Party

2011-08-22T07:14:00.005+01:00

Thank you very much to everyone who came to help at the Heritage Walk and Triangle sites on Monday 15th. Thanks also to those who brought plants, water and tools even though unable to work on the day.

We accomplished considerable preparation of both areas and heaps of planting. Another work day will be notified in due course and we hope to complete in time for the RSPB youngsters to be able to make their insect hotels.

All Hallows Poly Tunnel Glazed

2011-07-10T20:05:00.002+01:00

On Sunday the weather was warm and still enough for us to succesfully apply the polythene covering to the tunnel frame. Though there were a couple of very heavy rain showers part way through we managed to get the covering tensioned and secured. The next job is to fix doors at each end, and to bury the edges of the polythene in the ground to complete its sealing.

Monster Spuds at the Rowans

2011-07-09T07:21:00.000+01:00

We had a pleasant surprise when harvesting poatoes at the Rowans.

Some of the potatoes would make a baked potato that would feed about 3 people!

Veg Box Scheme starts operating

2011-06-23T04:47:00.000+01:00

Our first twelve trial deliveries of the new Veg Box scheme began on Thursday 23rd June at the Snowgoose Cafe and Bar on Sunderland Street.

If you are interested in trying this scheme you can see more detail on our website here

Barnaby 2011

2011-06-20T15:03:00.002+01:00

We weren't so lucky with the weather this year, but despite the rain there was plenty of interest in the Food4Macc stall.

Lots of people entered the mystery vegetable competion, or took away a and pea seeds to grown on their window sills.

Overall we probably introduced ourselve to about 100 interested visitors.

Next door was the first public appearance of Macc2020 Macclesfield sustainability umbrella group. Eliot Warrington and Lesley Mattin had assembled the stall at very short notice.

A Polytunnel for All Hallows Catholic College

2011-06-06T15:15:00.003+01:00

The frame for a 10 metre x 6 metre polytunnel was erected last week.

The polythene covering is due to be delivered any day.

We may need lots of pairs of hands to help tighten and secure the covering.

Preliminary work at Belong, Kennedy Avenue

2011-06-06T15:01:00.003+01:00

Work has begun on a new project site; the Belong Care Home off Kennedy avenue.
With the help of Macclesfield Community Garden Centre we have started to clear an area ready for the construction of a raised bed, and compost bins are well advanced.

Co-op Staff Volunteer to Help at the Rowans

2011-05-14T16:48:00.002+01:00

TEAM CHALLENGE IS ‘BLOOMING’ MARVELLOUS

Staff from The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) dug-deep for the community, when it teamed up with Food4Macc yesterday (Thursday, 12 May) to develop fruit and flower gardens at The Rowans Care Home, Macclesfield.

As part of The Co-operative Volunteer Programme, ten colleagues from the member-owned financial services provider – which has branches of Britannia and The Co-operative Bank in the town – took part in the team challenge to build two new ground level growing-beds for fruit bushes and flowering shrubs.

In addition to preparing the ground for currants, goji berries and honeyberries, members of the team also watered, weeded and pruned existing planted areas at the care home.

Working with local voluntary group, Food4Macc – which aims to encourage more food to be produced locally as part of a move towards a more sustainable community - the new garden areas will now be used by the residents and their families to sit in and, to enjoy picking the fruit and vegetable when it is ready to eat.

Iris Myerscough, of CFS’ Treasury Department helped to lead the project and said: “The day was very hard work but extremely good fun, enjoyable and rewarding. As a community business itself, The Co-operative is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves and, its volunteering programme enables staff to take part in community activities during work time.”

Debbie Townend, secretary at Food4Macc, continued: “ “

The activity was facilitated by CSV Employee Volunteering. Ann Shackleton, an employee volunteering officer in the North West for CSV, added: “Involvement in local community projects is a great way of employee teambuilding and management training and, leaves a lasting legacy in the local community.”

For more information about Food4Macc, visit www.food4macc.org

ends

Notes for editors

Please note, following Britannia’s merger with The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) in 2009, it became inaccurate to refer to Britannia as a ‘Building Society’. For further help or information, please contact Andrew Torr in The Co-operative Group Press Office on 0161 827 5622.

About Food4Macc:

Food4Macc is a voluntary group that aims to have more food produced locally in the Macclesfield area as part of a planned transition from today's oil dependency, to a low-carbon sustainable community. Its main areas of activity are: Talks and Demonstrations every month with its Gardening Club. Sharing experience, swapping seeds, plants and produce. Six Community gardens where you can grow fruit and vegetables, and learn from more experienced gardeners. A Garden Share scheme that matches gardeners with disused vegetable plots. Helping local farmers market their produce in the local community with food maps and, encouraging others to plan ahead for life when oil prices and food are more expensive than today.

About CSV:

CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Every year, CSV involves over 150,000 volunteers in high quality opportunities that enrich lives and tackle real need. Between them, they help transform the lives of over 1 million people across the UK. CSV trains over 12,000 young people and adults each year. www.csv.org.uk

For Further information contact:

Andrew Torr

The Co-operative Group Press Office

Email: Andrew.torr@co-operative.coop

Telephone: 0161 827 5622

Macclesfied Times Front Page

2011-05-13T16:38:00.000+01:00

The Macclesfield Times has given Food4Macc its first front page coverage:-

The Return of the Carrots

2011-05-09T09:43:00.008+01:00

Following their success in the Barnaby parade last year the Food4Macc carrots have been resting.

However the opportunity to abseil down the front of the Macclesfield town hall with local MP David Rutley on Saturday, was too much to resist.

Sara Wreford donned the costume and braved strong winds and rain to show how it is done.

The event was to launch the new Macclesfield Brand Image and there were several stalls in the market place, a climbing wall and entertainment.

The Food4Macc stall created a lot of interest in local food, giving away free seeds and offering tastings of locally produced bread.

Capesthorne "Growing in Confidence"

2011-03-28T18:00:00.005+01:00

Yvonne Phillips persuaded her husband Peter, Head Gardener at Capesthorne Hall to generously give up his morning last Saturday to host "Growing in Confidence", a demonstration of seed planting for beginners.

This was followed by tea and home-made cakes by Yvonne.

See Yvonne's video here

We're Back in the Library

2011-03-28T17:55:00.002+01:00

After a complete redesign by Judy Roper, Ruth Shercliff and Debbie Townend, our display boards have returned to the foyer of Macclesfield Libray until Saturday 2nd April.

Town Centre Growing

2011-03-28T10:14:00.003+01:00

Have you noticed the new path alongside Churchill Way opposite B&Q and Halfords?
The Macclesfield Guild in conjunction with CEC have begun work on creating an attactive green space out of what was for many years a piece of derelict land.

Val Lloyd is shown here planting daffodils beside the path.

If you have half an hour to spare, you can help by removing litter from the bushes at the top of the slope. If you have some plants that you would like to place there, give Eric or Val a call on 01625 511 408. They would welcome some help!

Cheshire Life Article

2011-03-28T09:01:00.006+01:00

The April edition of Cheshire Life contains a feature on "People power transforming Macclesfield."

The article includes references to Transition, Food4Macc, Treacle Market, The Loop, Love Local Life, and the Farmers markets held at the Hollins pub, and the community opera.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Cheshire Life Press Coverage

2011-01-25T06:36:00.003Z

Food4Macc Direct has a long mention in an article in Cheshire Life this month about the diversification of Ladderstile Farm by Peter and Rose Brocklehurst.

Read the article

Transition Macclesfield Starts Moving

2011-01-20T06:51:00.000Z

The Romero Centre at All Hallows Catholic College provided the venue for the second Transition Town meeting sponsored by Food4Macc on 19th of January

We agreed on the name Macc2020 for the Transition group, outlined our ambitions, and agreed to meet again on Wednesday 23rd February (venue tba).

We have set up an embrionic website www.Macc2020.org

The group is now trying to establish what sustainability initiatives are already in place in Macclesfield and hoping to gather more interested people to help with the project.

First Lamb Delivery

2010-11-26T09:10:00.002Z

Food4Macc Direct
The first 10 members took delivery of 8 half lamb boxes at 6pm on Thursday 25th November at the Waters Green Tavern.

The Waters Green Tavern was chosen because of its central location, easily accessible for the train and bus stations and with nearby parking. This is much better than people driving out to the farm every month and will make it more accessible for everyone.

Brian McDermott, landlord at the Waters Green Tavern is happy to have the pub used as a “food hub”, as it brings new customers to the pub at a relatively quiet time. In fact, Brian has also joined the Lamb Buying Group himself.

Food4Macc Direct would like to expand the lamb buying group in time for the next delivery in January, but is already planning further products, including other meat, poultry, vegetables, fish and artisan bread.

If you would like to find out more about Food4Macc Direct or join one of the buying groups, send an e-mail to direct@food4macc.org or call Tim on 01260 253987.

Food4Macc Local Heroes Winner

2010-11-19T22:13:00.006Z

Food4Macc has won the Local Hero-Social Enterprise of the Year in a poll of Silk 106.9 listeners.

Accepting the award on behalf of Food4Macc, Secretary Debbie Townend paid tribute to the hard work of Project Leaders and Volunteers over the last year.
Pictured are Viginie Adamski, Philip Shaw, Debbie Townend and Sarah Wreford.

The organisation has recently started working with local farmers, and had been instrumental in the formation of a new group to look at the whole issue of planning a sustainable future for Macclesfield, possibly leading to the start of a Transition Town movement here.

Macclesfield: A Transition town?

2010-11-12T07:05:00.004Z

Last night Food4Macc devoted its regulary monthly public meeting to a discussion led by Nicola Percival of Bollington Carbon Revolution .

We were pleased to see many new faces, and the meeting generated lots of ideas about what we could do individually and collectively to reduce our carbon footprint - and save ourselves money as oil prices rise inexorably.

At the end of the meeting about 25 people wanted to meet again on this subject and Simon Webb kindly agreed to co-ordinate that. If you would like to be informed about this group please email transition@maccinfo.com

Next Meeting: 7.30 Wed 19th Jan at the Romero Centre, All Hallows Catholic College, Brooklands Ave, Macclesfield, SK118LB

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Treacle Market

2010-11-07T17:12:00.005Z

Food4Macc attended the October Treacle Market in Macclesfield, with a stall that offered tasting of several different British apples, a demonstration of an apple slinky maker, and some fascinating treats made from surplus fruit by our trained chef, Philip Shaw,and a colouring competition.

See the competition winners and the recipes for treats on our website here

Rowans wins Community Garden of the Month

2010-10-28T08:49:00.005+01:00

An article written by Sara Wreford has led to the Rowans being awarded "Community Garden of the Month" and £350 worth of gardening equipment by Garden Answers Magazine

We are grateful to Sara for the national publicity generated by this article, the prize, and of course her hard work as project leader of the team at the Rowans that built the garden described in the article - from scratch.

Read the Article

See next post for details of the latest developments at the Rowans.

B&Q donate £250 of Gardening Equipment

2010-10-28T08:10:00.002+01:00

Food4Macc Project Leader Phil Shaw collects £250 work of gardening equipment donated by B&Q Macclesfield. (under the approving gaze of Alan Titchmarsh).

Our thanks go to B&Q and to Stuart and Judy for handling the grant application, with the support of B&Q's Natalie.

Garden Share in the Macc Express

2010-10-28T07:27:00.004+01:00

In the same week as our seventh Garden Share began, we had this coverage in the Macc Express.
Congratulations to our Graden Share Co-ordinator Ruth Shercliff, and thanks to reporter Rhiannon McDowall for a very well worded article.

MACCLESFIELD EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010
Comfort food for sharing

by Rhiannon McDowall

Vegetables have thrived and friendships have blossomed thanks to the Food4Macc shared garden scheme.
Norman Whyatt, 77, of Monsall Drive, Macclesfield, allows Claire Finnis and John Marsh to grow fruit and vegetables in his back garden in return for a share of the crop.
But the great-grandfather of two, whose wife Madge died just over a year ago, said the duo's company is just as welcome as the veg.
He said: "I think the scheme is absolutely fantastic, I would recommend it to anyone.
"My wife died 13 months ago and it all got a bit much for me. It's nice for me because I come home and I have someone to chat to two or three times a week."
George, who is a retired Co-operative officer, added:
"They have done such a good job on it, it looked great in the summer.
"I came home from Buxton the other day and there was a turnip and some peas on my doorstep."
Claire Finnis, 36, of Rodney Street, Macclesfield, works on the garden as often as possible with pal John, of Vincent Street.
The mum of one said: "It's a great idea. I think Norman likes the company and it's only five minutes up the road for us.”
"I was on a waiting list for an allotment but last time I checked I was one of about 400, so this is perfect."
Food4Macc was launched in March this year and is encouraging more food to be produced locally, reducing the community's oil dependency and carbon footprint.
If you would like to get involved as a grower or a land owner; call Ruth on 01260 253987 or email gardenshare@food4macc.org

Transition Wilmslow

2010-09-18T08:23:00.003+01:00

Transition Wilmslow had a first public meeting this month where they showed the BBC film "A farm for the future" (also available on YouTube here ) after which Food4Macc were invited to explain our experience starting Food4Macc.

Transition Wilmslow have their own website and they have some interesting links which I have unashamedly added to our website, and are listed below so that you don't have to spot what is new!

WWOOF is a charity, teaching people about organic growing and low-impact lifestyles through hands-on experience.

The Permaculture Association is the national charity that supports people to learn about and use permaculture.

Researches into temperate agroforestry and into all aspects of plant cropping and uses, with a focus on tree, shrub and perennial crops

£1500 Grant from Tesco

2010-09-09T22:42:00.002+01:00

Tesco has awarded a grant of £1,500 to Food4Macc.
Currently two of our community gardens are situated in the grounds of Care Homes for the elderly, and the Tesco grant is specifically aimed at projects relating to the elderly in our community.

At the Rowans Care Home Food4Macc has already established four raised beds for growing vegetables plus other beds for soft fruit including raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries and jostaberries. Food4Macc will use the grant at the Rowans and at other sites benefiting the elderly.

The plan at the Rowans is to build a fruit garden with a variety of apples, plums, damsons, pears, cherries and apricots with additional soft fruit beds for more blueberries, various currants, strawberries and other soft fruits.

Adlington Garden Share Success

2010-08-31T12:34:00.007+01:00

Nancy and Keith Benson have made a transformation of their Garden Share at Adlington organised through our Garden Share co-ordinator Ruth Shercliff.

The before and after photos below tell the story :-

Bollinbrook School Raised Bed Construction

2010-08-12T10:45:00.007+01:00

This month Food4Macc volunteers helped Bollinbrook School build four raised vegetable beds.

Friends of Bollinbrook, an association of parents, teachers and friends of the school arranged a digger to clear and level the ground.

Next a weedproof membrane was laid.

And construction of the timber frames was begun.

Top soil was added to the beds and bark chippings were laid on the walkways.

Quite a transformation!

Middlewood Fair Raises £258

2010-07-23T11:19:00.003+01:00

Our Tombola stall at the annual Middlewood Fair organised by the Bollin Valley Rangers, raised £248 from visitors who braved the uncertain weather forecast.

Prizes were generously donated by Arighi Bianchi, Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer, Fairways Garden centre, Flora Garden Centre, and Food4Macc members.

Thanks to the team who manned the stall and did such a good job of selling tickets.

£1500 Grant from Tesco

2010-07-10T11:13:00.000+01:00

We have been informed that Tesco have generously donated £1500 towards the cost of our community gardens.

We would like to say a big thank you to Judy and Stuart who put a lot of work into getting this funding.

Prestbury Beaumont Open Day

2010-06-25T10:28:00.000+01:00

The residents of Prestbury Beaumont were introduced to the project that has kept Food4Macc volunteers busy since the autumn of 2009.

The transformation of the orchard was particularly impressive.

Barnaby Parade

2010-06-20T07:30:00.015+01:00

Food4Macc's contribution to Macclesfield's revived Barnaby festival was a bunch of carrots a pumpkin and a scarecrow marching in Saturday's parade.

The marchers certainly created some interest and attracted interviews by two local radio stations.

Costumes were the result of inspiration and a lot of hard work by Nicola Gower and Sally Lambert.

You can see more pictures here

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Official Opening at the Rowans

2010-06-20T06:45:00.007+01:00

On Friday, Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East Council, councillor Roger West, visted the Food4Macc community garden at the Rowans Nursing Home, Merriden Road, Macclesfield as part of the celebrations of the official opening of a new extension to the home.

Food4Macc project leader Sara Wreford is pictured with the Deputy Mayor (and a scarecrow!)

From the left, Sara Wreford, Liz, activities co-ordinator,Michelle, Manager of The Rowans

£500 Grant from the William Dean Trust

2010-06-20T06:35:00.004+01:00

A suggestion by Gillian Pierce led us to apply for funding to the William Dean Trust. We learned earlier this week that trustees have generously awarded us a grant of £500.

Community Supported Agriculture

2010-05-20T15:47:00.003+01:00

Transition Buxton hosted a talk by the Soil Association yesterday.

Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and the local community, providing mutual benefits and reconnecting people to the land where their food is grown.

CSA offers larger scale food production than can be acheived by allotments or community gardens.

The Soil Association website offers a lot of information about CSA here

Planting Begins!

2010-05-13T13:48:00.006+01:00

This week our volunteers have been busy planting at Beech Hall and the Rowans.

There is now something to show for all the hard preparation work put in over the winter.

Beech Hall will be be hosting a picnic beside the garden on May 22nd where children will be able to plant their own food and see it grow.

Sara's Garden Party

2010-05-13T13:28:00.004+01:00

On Sunday Sara hosted a social event for Food4Macc members in her garden. In addition to home-made food, there was a bric-a-brac stall and a plant sale, which together raised £80 for Food4Macc.

A big "Thank You" to Sara and her family for volunteering to run this event.

New Discount for Food4Macc members

2010-05-05T15:43:00.002+01:00

Macclesfield Community Garden Centre has agreed to offer a 10% discount to Food4Macc members from its premises inside West Park.
The garden centre is self sustaining, with all plants and products grown and sourced locally to support the local economy. In addition to providing both training and support to people with learning disabilities, the centre provides a vibrant retail operation and garden services.
more details

Progress Report

2010-04-02T22:24:00.009+01:00

On our Bollin Valley site we have now cleared the first beds, by lifting the turf.

A little further down the valley there is a community orchard planted by the Bollin Valley Rangers a few years ago.

At The Rowans a wind-break Laurel hedge has been planted, and the first beds have been laid out.

Our Sainsbury's bag packing day today raised £334 and we were able to talk to lots of people interested in gardening.
Thanks to everyone who came along.

The BBC has a new vegetable growing webpage called Digin, amongst other things they are offering Free Seeds http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/digin/

Some gardening iPhone Apps (applications) have been added to our website here

Beech Hall School Site Clearance

2010-03-17T17:53:00.002Z

A working party has cleared the site, and drawn up plans for our next community garden project on playing fields in the Bollin Valley belonging to Beech Hall school.

Beaumont Raised Beds are Built

2010-03-17T17:47:00.003Z

Three raised beds have been created.
Wide pathways give easy access for wheelchair users.

T Shirts For Sale

2010-03-15T16:12:00.004Z

We now have some good quality white cotton T shirts for sale at £11 each.

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large.

Please call 07824 860 566 or email food4macc@googlemail.com

Beech Hall

2010-03-14T19:14:00.002Z

We now have the go-ahead to begin work on the Bollin Valley Riverside site provided by Beech Hall School.
Work will start on Tuesday 16th March at 10.30 til 1pm here (there is a "P" indicating the parking and the site is shown in green).

We will start by clearing the site, and marking out the beds. If you can spare an hour please come along and join in the inauguration of this new project.

Just read the safety notes here before you come, and bring appropriate stout gloves, footwear, and some black bin liners if you have them.

So that Viginie can plan what we aim to achive that day, please give her a call to let her know that you are coming . Her number is 07833 523 532.

The Next Project: The Rowans

2010-02-16T17:59:00.003Z

The Rowans Care Home (off Bollinbrook Road) have invited us to help organise a community garden in their grounds.

If you would like to hear more about our ideas and perhaps get involved in shaping the scheme from the start, please come along to an open meeting at the Rowans

on Thursday 25th February 2010 at 7:30pm. see poster

If you would like to know more about this project can contact Stuart Potter on 07594 988977.

A Good Week

2010-02-13T18:25:00.002Z

This week we learned that HMRC will treat us a charity for tax purposes, so we can reclaim Gift Aid on any donations received.

Local supermarkets Tesco and Sainsbury's have agreed to support our work, and local garden centres have started to offer 10% discounts to Food4Macc Members. See our new web-page of Supporting Organisations .

The Planning authorities have now written to us making clear what we CAN do on the Beech Hall School site. The main constraint seems to be to avoid any permanent structures, but most of our planting plans will be OK.

Macc Library Display this week

2010-02-08T12:46:00.002Z

After lots of feverish printing and laminating last week by Judy, Julia, Melissa, Sally and Deb, we unveiled our week-long display in the foyer of Macc Library this morning.

The scarecrow is by courtesy Sally's concept sketch - and Judy's hat stand and ingenuity!

The theme is Past, Present and Future, with other panels devoted to our Aims, our current Projects, and the Benefits we anticipate.

There is leaflet dispenser which will give people the opportunity to get in touch with us.

Our First Car Boot Sale raises £105

2010-02-08T12:41:00.003Z

Thanks to Mel and Stuart who broke the ice on our fundraising campaign, making £105 for our group funds by running a stall at the Rugby Club car boot sale on Sunday.

Two New Proposed Sites

2010-02-08T11:57:00.005Z

We are now working with The Rowans care home off Bollinbrook road, where the manager Michelle is planning to hold a meeting with residents of adjoining houses to discuss a community garden in the grounds.

We are also working with Cheshire East Green Spaces department on a possible community orchard on the field in front of the hospice.

Diana Moss is putting together an initial proposal, and a public meeting is likely early in April.

Short on-line films on Transition Towns

2010-01-20T11:00:00.002Z

I just found a link to these two short (8 mins and 7 mins) films about Transition Towns.

2010-01-20T09:24:00.002Z

On Tuesday we attended a meeting of ECOGS (East Cheshire Organic Gardeners) in Macc. We have quite a lot of shared ambitions and we have agreed to host a web page for them listing their interesting programme of talks and visits.

Macc Express Article

2010-01-13T08:58:00.003Z

Abbrieviated Canalside FM Interview

2010-01-07T20:36:00.002Z

Although the programme lasted an hour and a half, you can hear what was said in this 30minute edited version.
The sound has lost some quality because it has been compressed down into a 7.5Mb MP3 download.
Download

2010-01-04T09:03:00.002Z

Radio Interview

Tuesday 5th Jan
Canalside Radio chatted to Deb about Food4Macc for a total of about 30 minutes during Sandy's Afternoon Show.

2009-12-23T17:43:00.002Z

Just found out about this new initiative in West Park:-

"As a Social Enterprise, Macclesfield Community Garden Centre is self sustaining, with all plants and products grown and sourced locally to support the local economy. In addition to providing both training and support to people with learning disabilities, the centre will provide a vibrant retail operation and garden services." more

2009-12-15T11:51:00.002Z

Fantastic photos of a fantastic group! Don't forget to come along this Friday for more fresh air, fun and exercise.....starting at 10am.
Things really are moving along, the bank account has been set up, all we need is some money to put in it. Good progress is being made with the grant applications, although i believe the paperwork is a bit daunting......you can never have too many forms. However maybe we should be thinking about other methods of fundraising, please put your thinking caps on so we have some ideas for the next meeting.
Did you manage to watch the film "The Age of Stupid" on BBC 4 ? If you missed it you can catch up on BBC Iplayer until 21st December, it is well worth seeing.

Work in Progress at the old Orchard

2009-12-12T10:28:00.010Z

Prestbury Beaumont Apple Orchard – 11^th December 2009 Report from Nicola, Team Leader.

The winter moon still hung in a daytime sky lit by the brilliance of the morning sun. A thick hoar frost covered the ground paving the way to the orchard where bramble and bracken were usurping the ground in which the remaining eleven ageing apples trees stood. Here we gathered, laden with tools for the tasks ahead.

This was our second working visit to Prestbury Beaumont where our task was to clear the ground and rejuvenate the old orchard. Ruth, Stuart and I set about clearing the bramble and bracken, which was transported to the composting area where Phil (our composting expert) sorted and shredded, creating a mound of sweet-smelling humus. Virginie (our apple tree expert) along with Bill, set to pruning an old plum tree whilst Judy (photographer) clicked and snapped us all at work. By the end of the day we were able to show Edwin (head gardener of Prestbury Beaumont) three of the trees that we had rescued from the dense undergrowth. A glorious day was had by all with satisfying results from just a few hours of work.

Judy says - I was impressed with the start the team have made to the old orchard at Beaumont. Well done all of you - it is a great project. I have taken some photos of 'work in progress' which we will get onto the Food4Macc website. Meanwhile I have posted 3 of them here.

2009-12-10T17:43:00.005Z

On Wednesday 2nd of December we began work on our first site at Prestbury Beaumont. A few or them

Pictured are (left to right) Phil Shaw, Nicola Gower-Jones (project manager), Bill Pettipiece (deputy project manager) and Edwin Clarke (Beaumont's Head Gardener). Several other workers managed to avoid the camera!

The first job was to begin clearing the ground around the existing apple trees in the old orchard, and to begin work on a compost heap.

The second working party is planned for Friday December 11th, 10.30am - 2.30pm.

2009-12-10T17:11:00.001Z

Hello,
Well this is the first post of our new blog.
We hope to use it to keep our supporters up to date with the activities of Food4Macc.org