Newsletter February 2004

Affiliated to

HDRA the organic organisation,

Ryton Organic Gardens, Coventry CV8 3LG

and

The Soil Association,

Bristol House, 40-56 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BY

Terry Coulson

As almost everybody in Bath must know by now, Terry Coulson died on the 1^st February. It was a great shock to all concerned. He went into hospital with a mystery infection and died shortly afterwards. He was a long time member of BOG and although I can never remember seeing him with a spade or other gardening implement in his hand he was a passionate campaigner for the organic and Fair Trade ethos.

I personally will miss him greatly as a fellow member on various august committees. He was one of the few people who would cut through the waffle and ask what was actually going to be done or what practical action could be taken – a rare and precious ability. He had a great love of life and was always game for a party or demo. You just had to give him the date and in the event would go to his little black diary. If he said he would be there, he was there.

A special man - he will be greatly missed.

Management Committee

Peter Andrews, Acting Chair: :

Marjorie Gibbon, Newsletter Editor: :

Editor’s ramblings

If you were there, you will have received this at the seed swap on 22^nd February. As well as showcase for all of BOG’s fantastic bakers, the seed swap is for me the beginning of the gardening year. I have to get our seeds organised to take along some little packets of ones we can spare, and think about what will be going in the ground in the coming months. There is always a fascinating array of seeds to browse, all the standard things we rely on as well as lots of unusual things to try. If you’ve not been before, do try to come along next year, it’s always great fun.

Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed to this newsletter. (Without them it would be very thin!) I hope you like it, but remember it is for BOG members and I am keen to include whatever you would like to send in, be it cuttings, articles, recipes, anecdotes or advice. The next newsletter is due in early September so I am setting the copy date as 15^th August. By that time we should be in the midst of bumper crops, sitting back and enjoying the fruits of our labours!

We do not have a roundup of what has been going on at the Community Garden in this issue, reflecting the fact that Steve, our regular part-time gardener, has moved on to pastures new. Steve has been supplementing the work the Saturday volunteers do for the last three years, keeping the garden running smoothly. He has done a fantastic job and will be greatly missed. Many thanks to Steve for all his hard work over the years and we wish him best of luck in his new life in Poole, where he will be the council’s tree officer.

Marjorie Gibbon tel email

A word from your temporary, part-time, acting chair.

Hail and welcome - the committee that runs BOG meets every 2 months or so and we try and deal with the week to week running of BOG and the gardens. It is not very onerous and sometimes even good fun so if any of you fancy giving your views an airing or just wish to escape from the spouse for an evening you are more than welcome to come and join us.

The last meeting was mainly about BOG’s presence at the Farmers’ Market. The meeting was held at my house because some old gentleman (no doubt in trilby type hat) had reversed at high speed into the piece of wood that acts as a safety barrier to the entrance to envolve. This meant that envolve could no longer be used. We tried to tell everybody about the change of venue but sadly we failed. Sorry Rosemary.

But I digress. The background to the meeting is that for the past couple of years BOG has had a stall on the first Saturday of the month from April through to December. The idea being that members could bring along any surplus produce they had and sell it making themselves a little money and BOG a little money in the process. All they had to do was bring the stuff down in the morning and collect any unsold produce and their money in the afternoon. Once in a while they would be asked to serve on the stall.

This was a great idea but somehow the reality turned out differently. Pauline and Tim became the main suppliers and Pauline shouldered the burden of running the thing. Over the last year for all the huffing and puffing we raised just over £300 for the BOG coffers. So the time was ripe for a review of our involvement in the market.

And it was decided that because the stall was the best place to advertise BOG and show the public what we were up to we would keep it going for another year and then review it again.

We also decided that we would only run the stall on the first Saturday of the month and only between April and December. And we would give over more space to advertising the work of BOG.

We also decided to theme each month so as to give it a bit more focus:

So all we need now is a little help from you, our glorious members.

What you can do?

Pauline is the main co-ordinator of market sales. I will help anyone who wants to volunteer to co-ordinate a theme day, donate a recipe or any other stuff.

Forthcoming events

The next committee meeting will be at envolve on Tuesday 2nd March, from 7pm. Come along and find out what goes on.

Our first stall at the Farmers’ Market this year will be on Saturday 3rd April. See the word from our chair for details

Our annual open day, Growing Green, will be held on bank holiday Monday 3rd May. This coincides with the final day of Bath’s Spring Flower Show. Plants and refreshments will be available.

A trip to Ryton Organic Gardens is planned for Saturday 26th June – see below.

There will be an open day at the community garden in association with HDRA on Saturday 7th August. There will be plants available and refreshments.

Trip to Ryton Gardens

As I’m sure you all know the organic garden at Ryton is the home of the HDRA. The gardens are fantastic and a showcase for the organic movement. Should you tire of greenery there is always the excellent restaurant or you could take a spin round the newly built ‘Vegetable Kingdom’ exhibit.

This year we hope to take a party to the gardens on Saturday 26^th of June. We will hire a mini bus and the cost will be around £12 – entry to the garden will be extra but those of us who are HDRA members can get in for nothing. Bring your own lunch or eat in the restaurant.

If you would like to come on the trip let me know as soon as possible by April 1^st at the latest.

Peter Andrews

You come to fetch me from my work tonight

When supper’s on the table, and we’ll see

If we can leave off burying the white

Soft petals fallen from the apple tree

(Soft petals, yes, but not so barren quite,

Mingled with these, smooth bean and wrinkled pea),

And go along with you ere you lose sight

Of what you came for and become like me,

Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.

How Love burns through the Putting in the Seed

On through the watching for that early birth

When, just as the soil tarnishes with weed,

The sturdy seedling with arched body comes

Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs.

Walking on the Wild Side:

‘Working with nature’ may be an overused organic cliché but it is one that I can relate to. Wildlife in the garden, whether it be grass snakes in the compost heap, toads in the long grass or slugs in the beer trap, is always fascinating.

As a professional gardener my personal preference for the organic approach has been jeopardised on many occasions. I have long since refused to ‘weed and feed’ lawns, although I know that one or two of my customers have ‘bottled out’ after I have left the premises. The point is I have always explained to the customer the need for bio-diversity in the garden and the effects of chemical applications to the soil and life cycles.

So it is only natural that my enthusiasm for organic and wildlife gardening should extend to teaching others about the benefits, which is the base line for Bath Natural Habitats. This new venture sets out to:

• offer a range of garden services to residents of Bath at reasonable cost
• provide learning opportunities for people of all abilities who are interested in organic gardening and horticulture as a leisure activity or a career
• provide training and work placement opportunities for those seeking employment in gardening and horticulture
• improve and enhance the diversity of natural habitats for flora and fauna in gardens, allotments and green spaces in and around Bath

• establish a network of professionals engaged in garden construction, horticulture, arboriculture and conservation who are willing to train others in the skills of their specialised field

• undertake all aspects of work in private gardens and public spaces including design, installation, maintenance and repair

If you are interested in becoming involved with Bath Natural Habitats contact Tim Baines by:

This new venture has been set up to:

• establish a network of professionals engaged in garden construction, horticulture, and conservation who are willing to train others in the skills of their specialised field
• undertake all aspects of work in private gardens and public spaces including design, installation, maintenance and repair at reasonable cost
• provide educational, training and employment opportunities for people of all abilities who are interested in gardening and horticulture as a leisure activity or career
• improve and enhance the diversity of natural habitats for flora and fauna in gardens, allotments and green spaces in and around Bath

The aim is to develop a community enterprise that will be managed by all those involved in the business – professional gardeners and landscapers; employees; trainees; customers; organisations and individuals supporting the enterprise. Bath Natural Habitats will be trading as an unincorporated company, run by Tim Baines, in the meantime.

Services offered include:

• information and advice for organic gardeners
• introductory/specialised training courses
• consultation/report for bio-diversity and conservation
• design for habitat improvement and enhancement
• implementation of hard and soft landscaping designs
• maintenance of gardens, allotments and green spaces
• production and supply of wildflowers, shrubs and trees

For further information Telephone:

Tim Baines

AMARANTH

Amaranth has edible leaves, a bit like spinach, but it was the seeds that made it a staple food of the Aztecs. Sylvia spotted it for sale on the stall at the Farmers Market and thought she would give it a try. She has summarised what she has found out about it. Perhaps you picked up some seeds at the seed swap.

Amaranth grows well in a warm site with good drainage and full sun, and will stand quite a bit of exposure. Start in pots in April and plant out when warm enough for French beans. The plants can reach 6’.

The leaves range in colour from greyish green to ruby red or scarlet and when eaten young – lightly boiled with knob of butter added – are similar to spinach. If kept watered, can be cropped at fortnightly intervals. Can also be stir fried.

The red-leafed type look like faded red cabbage when cooked but if you use the cooking liquid to cook rice a claret-purple colour results.

The shiny round seeds are edible – free of gluten, high in proteins, twice the calcium of milk and five times more iron than wheat. Also good source of potassium and phosphorous as well as vitamins A & C.

The seeds can be used as an alternative to rice or couscous – use 3 x as much water. It should be boiled for a little less than 20 minutes but if it turns out gloopy rather than sticky you’ve overcooked it or used too much liquid. They can also be sprouted, made into popcorn or eaten as cereal.

In Mexico people eat popped and sugared amaranth which they call alegria (happiness). In India it is made into sticky sweet balls called laddoos. In Nepal the seeds are ground into flour to make chapattis and a gruel.

Sylvia Hudnott

A Rumtopf for Christmas

I’ve always quite fancied a Rumtopf and I must have said so at some point, because my mother-in-law gave me one for Christmas. It is not the most attractive thing I have ever seen, like an oversize bunch of brown celery, but I’m keen to have a go. Having had an idle inclination for it, I have now had to find out exactly what is involved.

Fruit is preserved through the year in the rumtopf, or rum pot, starting in June. Put the fruit in the clean pot and sprinkle over half as much (by weight) sugar. Leave it to stand for 1 hour then pour in 700 ml dark rum. Cover the pot tightly with film then the lid, and store it in a cool place.

More fruit can be added as it becomes available, with half its weight in sugar, and keep the rum topped up to cover the fruit by 1 cm.

Fruits that can be added are strawberries, raspberries, grapes, black cherries (with the skins pricked), apricots (halved and stoned), peaches (stoned and sliced), plums (pricked), and pears (peeled and cored). Pineapple can also be added, peeled, cored and cut into chunks, with all the spines removed.

Once everything is in, seal the pot tightly and leave it for three weeks. Add a final half bottle of rum, seal again and leave for three more weeks.

Now it is ready, but the fruit is apparently best left to mature. Traditionally in Germany (where they are from) it was eaten at Christmas. The juice makes a potent drink (not surprising considering how much rum went in), and the fruit can be eaten with ice cream, custard or mixed with almonds and topped with whipped cream and chocolate.

Marjorie Gibbon

The existence of car clubs is growing and Bath is fortunate to have one of the few established clubs in the country, and as from late last year Oldfield Park became the newest location for one of the clubs cars.

The Bath Car Share Club was initiated by envolve in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council and has been in operation since May 2001. The scheme is designed for people with the occasional need for a car for journeys where public transport, walking or cycling just are not suitable.

One of the key objectives is that it encourages a sustainable approach to travel as well as saving the members money and reducing demand for parking. The club, now run as a co-operative, and has about 40 members who are using the cars regularly. Vehicles can be booked on the internet or by phoning a national call centre. Members pay a monthly membership, then pay as they use the car.

We have been members of the club for over a year, and use the car on average perhaps once a week. We have used it for business trips and family outings both locally and further a field.

The club have 2 new cars, a Corsa hatchback, parked on Upper Oldfield Park and an Astra estate, parked in Broad Street Car Park in the centre of Bath. Parking the vehicle is taken care of as the cars both have designated spaces, a clear advantage given the parking costs and problems in Bath.

Car share clubs help the local environment in two main ways. Firstly a car share car is felt to replace 5 ordinary cars, thus reducing the number of cars produced and parked on the street. Secondly car share members are more likely to use more environmentally friendly forms of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport, as they are more aware of the true cost of using a car.

Oldfield Park was seen as an ideal ‘community’ base for a car when the club was initiated and the area includes a large proportion of the current membership. A marketing strategy is underway emphasising the following factors, in the real hope of encouraging residents to think about their need for access to a car:

• The lack of off street parking and the problems of on street parking.
• The close proximity of facilities i.e. Moorland Road.
• Relatively easy access to Bath city centre via bus or on foot.
• The presence of a local railway station.

The car club is very optimistic that the move to Oldfield Park will be a positive and beneficial step, significantly increasing the membership and allowing the club to expand.

A returnable deposit of £100 is also required.

For each booking:

• Booking fee £1.
• Charge per hour £2.30 – a whole day is £30.
• Charge per mile 16p – this includes petrol (if you need to fill up, the cost is refunded).

Contact the administrator, Richard Humphreys:

By phone on 787925.

By post or in person at Bath Car Share Club, c/o envolve, Green Park Station, Bath, BA1 1JB.

Simon Kale

Simon is a regular visitor to the community garden with his three young children Hamish, Alfie and Lucy.

Fruit Pruning

Last spring there was a work day concentrating on pruning fruit trees. Syliva Hudnott kindly wrote this summary for us.

As I was a bit late for the start of this work session in February, I missed Tim’s talk on the various types of secateurs, saws, etc but he suggested I buy me a better pair. I admit that I tend to do all sort of things other than pruning (like digging a little hole to stuff a plant into) and the secateurs never do get cleaned.

We mainly dealt with apples and pears, which if you prune in the winter (February) you are pruning for growth so unless you want the tree to drastically change shape, don’t prune in the winter. In all probability a lot of the shoots that grew last year and have small buds on them will turn into fatter fruit buds in the second year. You cut out growth made during the previous summer, counting 5 buds from a main branch or 2 or 3 buds from a previous spur cut, always to an outward facing bud. Cut any dead wood or canker out. Use very sharp implements and always tidy up the cut with a knife –if you have to cut through a larger stem the edges can be a bit untidy. Always try to prune in dry weather. Give the plants a feed with wood ash, garden compost and perhaps a sprinkling of blood, fish and bone.

In the summer you prune for fruit. Let the shoots grow until about June/July and then when they have just started to ‘mature’ – the colour of the shoot changes slightly near the stem and it gets sturdier – trim them down to 2 or 3 buds above the new growth.

Sylvia Hudnott

An Invitation

Just before Christmas I was at the allotment on a cold and dark Saturday afternoon. Walking around on the hard ground I was taken by how incredibly different the place felt compared to a couple of months previously. For me, as someone who has not done much gardening, this change of personality was wonderfully enchanting. I began to wonder how it might be to celebrate this changing character by creating a performance for the allotment.

So, I decided to give the peas and beans a bit of a break and am proposing to put together a special performance for the allotment on the spring bank holiday on May 3^rd.

At the moment I am not clear what this ‘performance’ will look like or how elaborate it will be. I’ve had a bunch of ideas – like putting on a piece of theatre or doing a special of my weekly crossbreed of The Good Life with Some Mothers Do Have ‘Em. But I would really like to start some conversations about what we could do together.

If you are interested in helping to put together a performance, then come along to the allotment on Saturday 6^th March in the morning. We can hear about what other ideas and energy exists within our troupe of garden performers and then see what happens. If you come along on the 6^th, you might even get the chance to do a little performance yourself (!) or hear me tell a short story.