North Kelvin Meadows – a dear green place for all?
Recently I went along to a fab family fun day themed around fruit and veg in Glasgow. I did runner bean races, apple and spoon races and danced to fruit and veg themed songs. It was on a wild green space called the North Kelvin Meadows in the really cool West End. But the bad news is that it might not be there for much longer as some people want to build houses on it, so loads of other children could miss out on being active and healthy there.
We love exploring in the Children’s Wood
Read on to see what small thing you could do to help give loads and loads of other children the chance to have fun in this wild space.
Why wild spaces are great
Not everyone is lucky enough to have their own garden and even less of us have a wild space that we can run around in, climbing trees and exploring. I was really sad to be told that 1/3 of Scottish children say they never, ever play outside. There is heaps of research now to tell us that getting outside and doing wild play is great for our development and education. So, Mummy and Daddy think it is great that communities are coming together to look after wild spaces and start community gardening within them. That means others can learn to be as good a gardener as I already am at 3.5 years old. Plus it makes us all feel safer and happier to know that people are looking after nature on our doorstep.
North Kelvin Meadows
Seven years ago a community group set about managing a green space in the West End of Glasgow. The site had previously been playing fields and tennis courts but had not been looked after for over 25 years and so was a bit messy and yucky. The local people tidied it up with the idea of maintaining the ground as a multi-use community green space for the people of Maryhill and the West End.
They have built raised bed allotments for people to come along and try out planting and growing things to eat, a fruit garden, composting facilities that reduce the waste going into landfill and a wildflower plantation. In the 7 years since they started (and were told by the Council they were wasting their time trying to clean and maintain the space) countless children have been born who are now lucky enough to run around and climb trees in the Meadows. They have also received awards and commendations from the RHS and Beautiful Scotland.
The Children’s Wood
Since 20122/12 there has been an area of the Meadows called the Children’s Wood designed to connect children with nature. Fourteen schools can walk to the space to use it for outdoor learning. As well as storytelling under the trees they can try growing things, orienteering, looking at the bugs and beasties they share the space with or learning life skills like team work and assessing risks. There is a weekly outdoor learning club open to all on Wednesday 10am-12noon. And they hold amazing events such as the one I went to a few weeks ago.
Objections to planning application
There are simple reasons why the Council shouldn’t allow the housing development. As of August 2011 the Meadows fall into the West End Conservation area. The trees bordering the site have preservation orders on them. And the Council’s City Plan policy is supposed to be to:
- Retain trees which contribute positively to the historic character of the area,
- Retain all existing open space, public or private, which contributes positively to the character of the area,
- Respect the historical context and have regard to the historic plans of the area,
- Preserve and enhance the special character and appearance of the area
So surely the ground is secure as a stimulating learning environment for all? Nope! The area has been marked for a housing development for 90 new houses despite there never, ever having been houses there before.
The deadline for objecting to the development plans is 29th June 2015. That’s less than 2 weeks away. So if you have a few minutes it would be great if you could have a look at this
web site where you will find a standard objection email to easily cut and paste into your email and send to Glasgow City Council.
Future events
Objections will help the Meadows continue to host events such as the Summer Solstice Celebration and Butterfly and Grasshopper Feast on 21st June. You can dress up as your favourite bug or insect and do maypole dancing. In August there will be a Harvest Festival and on 13th September there will be a Fairy, Elf and Pixie Festival.
If you do object you’ll know you did a wee bit towards preserving a wonderful place. A place that children and adults can use to grow and develop themselves as well as things to eat. A place where friendships have blossomed. Neighbours, even from adjoining properties who had never spoken, now share advice on pruning and planting out. A place for gardening enthusiasts like you and I to enjoy it as a place to meet.
That sounds like a Dear Green Place in Glasgow doesn’t it?
Hugs & kisses,
Lulu’s 2014 Resolutions…
Happy new year to all my lovely readers. It’s the time of year when we say farewell to 2013 and are making our resolutions for the year ahead and this year I resolve to spend as much time as possible outdoors. It will come as no surprise to you to hear that getting outdoors is good for you, whether you are young (like me) or old (like M&D!) But just in case you need some convincing, here are some great reasons why you too should make “getting outdoors” one of your 2014 resolutions…
Fit for Free
Getting outdoors is a great way of getting exercise. You don’t need to be running marathons (like crazy Auntie Alison!). Just going for a walk in the park, doing some gardening or riding your bike is a fun way of getting fit and getting some fresh air. Plus it’s free so no expensive gym memberships required!
Get outdoors in 2014, even just to make a daisy chain
D is for Delightful
Getting outside is an important way of getting Vitamin D. We are always being told that we need to take vitamins but if we can get as much as possible direct from sunlight then that’s got to be a good thing. It doesn’t have to be a gloriously sunny day to get Vitamin D (good job seeing as we live in Scotland!), just getting outside helps. Make it one of your 2014 resolutions too!
Good Health to You
Getting outside is good for our general health. Spending time in our gardens and green spaces can reduce breathing problems such as asthma, being active can reduce obesity and it has even been shown to improve eye sight! Even in cold weather, wrap up well and head outside.
Gardening is good for your health
If You’re Happy And You Know It…
This is one of my favourite reasons – spending time outdoors simply makes you happy! I love being outside. It immediately improves your mood, brushes away the cobwebs and makes you happier. It’s especially nice just now, when it is often dark and wintry, to take advantage of a nice day and get out into the garden. Seeing plants coming to life and bulbs bursting through brings hope for the future and sunny days ahead. Plus its fun to pull the toys out of the garden shed and have a play 😉
Every Day’s A School Day
One of the great things about heading outside is there is always something new to learn and see. Whether it’s seeing a new plant coming into flower or discovering a new bug in the garden it’s a great way to learn about the environment and care for our wildlife. It’s much more fun to get outside and get mucky than sit indoors reading about nature in a book and it helps us understand it much better.
Keep active and learn new things in the garden
Social Club
Spending time outdoors is a great way to be sociable. When I go to the park I love seeing my friends and playing with them. Sometimes we arrange to meet other friends in lovely outdoor places such as Palacerigg Country Park where we can go exploring and run around or have a day at the beach. Even if we are just staying at home and playing in the garden we always see neighbours and have a chat. That’s nice.
So there you go. You can keep your faddy diets – my 2014 resolutions include getting outside as much as possible. Wishing you all a fun filled 2014.
Lulu