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  PArticipaction Whitby horticulture therapy at stainsacre hall near whitby gardening at stainsacre hall participaction whitby mental health and learning dissabilites resource centre gardening as a therapy for depression and mental health problems

 

MAIN PLOT - JUBILEE GARDEN -  PLOTS - POTTAGE - POLLY 1 - POLLY 2 - COMPOST AREA - CONSERVATION

 

THE INTERACTIVE GARDEN.

 

 

THE MAIN PLOT.

 Participactions main vegetable plot is situated at the top end of the site and is dedicated to the production of a wide range of fruits and vegetables. All participaction members assist with the upkeep of this area. Produce form the main plot is sold to members of the local community and to various fruit and vegetable retailers in the local town of Whitby. Proceeds from sales going towards the funding of the project. Amongst the crops produced are : Potatoes, carrots, peas, beans, spinach, leeks, onions, courgettes, and beetroot.

 

 

 

 

 

THE JUBILEE GARDEN

In 2002 Funding was acquired from the Queen's Jubilee fund to create a garden for relaxation and enjoyment. All members from the project were asked to design a garden for the area at the top of ParticipAction's site at Stainsacre. The best features from the submitted plans were amalgamated into the final plan. In summer of 2002 and spring of 2003 the ParticipAction members worked hard on the site and took the jubilee garden from the planning stage to the beautiful garden that exists on site today. The garden is now host to several enjoyable barbecues in the summer months.

 

 

 

 

INDIVIDUAL PLOTS.

In the middle of the participaction site are the individual raised beds. Any participaction member wishing to grow their own veg is given a plot of their own to work upon where they may grow whatever they wish for their own use. In the past members have grown their own fruit and veg including : carrots, peas beans, potatoes, beetroot, spinach, Strawberries, raspberries and too many other types to mention here. If members are unable to attend for several weeks for what ever reason other members are always eager to help out with weeding their friends plots.

 There is also an annual fun sunflower competition with a small prize for the winner.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

POTAGE GARDEN.

A mixture of Vegetables and bedding plants create a beautiful display in the pottage garden. Numerous bedding plants including: marigolds, petunia's and ageratum are planted amongst red cabbages, cauliflowers, onions and broad beans. The result is a spectacular display of colour that has to be seen to be believed.  All participaction members currently assist in the planting and weeding of this this wonderful area of our garden.

 

 

 

POLLYTUNNEL ONE

Pollytunnel 1 is utilised for the raising and hardening off of seedlings throughout spring. Many thousands of young plants are raised from seed every year. The plants are cared for by participaction members throughout spring and watered on a daily basis (sometimes even twice daily). Plants raised include: marigolds, petunia's, tagetes, ageratum, dahlia, and numerous other varieties. The majority of plants are sold to the general public at the annual plant sale in may. Many plants are also given to Stainsacre Hall and used to create beautiful floral displays around the grounds.

  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

POLLYTUNNEL TWO

Pollytunnel 2 is utilised for the growing  of vegetables including : tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, chilli peppers, lettuce and many different types of herbs. The majority of produce is sold to the general public and to local fruit and veg shops in town. Paricipaction members care for the produce and water the plants on a daily basis throughout the summer months. Members are also encouraged to take home produce from the pollytunnel for their own use. In Spring this tunnel is also used for raising veg seedlings to be planted outside when the chances of frost have passed.

 

 

 

COMPOSTING AREA.

  • The system is designed to follow a ‘flow sequence’ ensuring optimum      use of area with the ability to operate a grading/sorting/shredding preparation unit.
  • A 5hp petrol driven shredder is brought to site as required and the reduced material incorporated into compost or used as mulch.
  • The graded components are loaded, in layers, to one cubic metre wooden bins – 4 groups of 2 bins – with initially every second bin left empty to enable a ‘mid term’ turn over.
  • Finished compost is bagged and stored in an adjacent polytunnel.  No accelerators are used.
  • Leaves are collected in a separate bin to produce good quality leaf mould.
  • A rotating barrel bin is also used which can produce good compost in 6 weeks although it lacks the temperature to kill seeds.  The barrel is rotated approx 150 times per week.

Article by Barry Shade.

  

 

 

 

  In November 2000 a bid was submitted to the MIND Millennium Awards panel to fund a Conservation Wildlife Project in the woodland at Stainsacre Hall. The bid was successful and an award of almost £3,500 was granted Members of ParticipAction, working closely with other volunteers made and installed nest boxes, bird feeding stations, mammal boxes, and bat boxes. A wildlife pond and a wetland area were constructed and a bird hide erected. The site is a haven for wildlife and is used by ParticipAction members who wish to commune with nature and groups of young people visiting Stainsacre Hall who use the facility, for nature study.