Blog

LOOKING BACK 2023

It was a busy end to a busy year. We packed out the Bevy pub for our Annual General Meeting followed as ever by music and dancing. We had over 40 people at our Christmas lunch where Jo and her team served up a hot roast dinner on open fires and army ovens. Then finally it was all aboard the Santa Bus for its 20th year anniversary as we made our way around Moulsecoomb raising money for charities like ourselves.… Read More »LOOKING BACK 2023

Keith Wilkinson – a legacy to be proud of

Words at Keith’s tree planting celebration event at our garden Running a small charity, we are often asked by grant funders to explain our ‘outcomes’ . What they are asking in a roundabout way is what difference have you made with our money. There isn’t a parellel universe where I can see what would happen if our community garden didn’t exist. But I can tell stories. One of them is of about Keith Wilkinson who we are all here today… Read More »Keith Wilkinson – a legacy to be proud of

OPEN DAY 2023

Another open day, this time in the boiling heat on a teachers strike day. Let’s just say it was manic – and a little bit magical. The idea of our annual open day isn’t about raising money (thankfully the Fonthill Foundation and Pebble Trust sponsored it) or even raising awareness – although of course we’re more than happy if both these things happen. What it’s really about is to give those we support the chance to be in charge while… Read More »OPEN DAY 2023

LOOKING BACK 2022

I know it’s not about the numbers but here’s a few figures that shine a light on what we do. It cost just £7,580 a month to keep the Forest Garden going. For that we deliver: Two weekly workdays at the garden which over 50 people attend. Everyone gets a tasty, nutritious home-cooked lunch to say thank you for volunteering Outdoor one-to-one education for pupils struggling at school at the garden as well as working with 32 pupils a week… Read More »LOOKING BACK 2022

SPONSOR A NEWT FOR CHRISTMAS

It cost just £7,580 a month to keep the Forest Garden going. For that we deliver Two weekly workdays at the garden which over 50 people attend. Everyone gets a tasty, nutritious home-cooked lunch to say thank you for volunteering Outdoor 1:1 education for pupils struggling at school at the garden as well as : 32 pupils a week at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy 30 pupils a week at Moulsecoomb Primary School trips, visits from other community gardens, students and… Read More »SPONSOR A NEWT FOR CHRISTMAS

Moulsecoomb Forest Garden Annual General Meeting

Friday 11th November 2022 at 18:30 Followed by Curry-oke At The Bevy, 50 Hillside, Brighton BN2 4TF Agenda Standing for committee are Documents available. Please let us know if you want to see them beforehand.

THE OUTDOOR TEACHERS OF THE FUTURE

The pupils we work with struggle in the classroom but often excel outside, gaining confidence in their abilities and earning qualifications. They are the environmentalists, countryside rangers, wildlife conservationists and outdoor teachers of the future. Moulsecoomb Forest Garden provides the opportunity for those pupils to learn those critical skills, and while demand for our outdoor education is growing, we haven’t got the resources to meet that demand. But if we are to continue to thrive and have any sort of… Read More »THE OUTDOOR TEACHERS OF THE FUTURE

OPEN DAY 2022

OPEN DAY 2022 MOULSECOOMB FOREST GARDEN OPEN DAY PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES Tours of the garden on the hour every hour. Make your own pizza Cafe serving light snacks, home-made cakes and refreshments Bushcraft skills and primitive technology Chickens. Mark will be there with the Moulsecoomb Primary chickens. Feed them, pet them, they might even sit on your head. Bug hunts and pond dipping – what’s lurking in our ponds, hiding in the long grass, buzzing around the garden. 1.00 -2.00pm… Read More »OPEN DAY 2022

LOOKING BACK 2021

It’s the stories that paint a picture and make a place special. Where people use the garden as a stepping stone to further training and work, building their confidence and skills: “Forest Garden has helped me so much, giving me a purpose, somewhere to go during this pandemic, a few hours away to embrace this little haven.” Where we can support youngsters struggling in mainstream education: “It has made a huge difference to C’s self-esteem and confidence. It would be wonderful… Read More »LOOKING BACK 2021

NO MAGIC MONEY TREE

Unfortunately there’s no Magic Money Tree growing at the forest garden or biscuit tree for that matter. But as our book-keeper Julie showed everyone graphically at our recent Annual General Meeting this is how we make ends meet 22% comes from donations – the majority from our Friends of the Forest Garden monthly donation scheme 29% came from grants – thankfully we have found some funders who don’t insist on endless forms and reports – and who come and visit… Read More »NO MAGIC MONEY TREE