NEWS

Throughout the festive period, the Green Spaces put on some free wreath making sessions as a way for people to learn a new skill, collaborate with local organisations and provide a warm, welcoming environment for people to enjoy. We used fresh foliage sourced from Hyndburn's woodlands, local florists and garden centres to allow people to create their own unique pieces.

We joined forces with local floral-enthusiasts, the Meadow Sisters on Saturday 10th December 2022. Despite the snow, people flocked to the Market Hall in Accrington to create their very own wreath - either as a festive decoration or for a loved-ones grave. Over thirty people participated in the workshop, either as individuals or with friends and families, and many agreed that it was a "fantastic workshop". Other feedback includes "Brilliant staff. Really made me feel comfortable – I suffer from anxiety and social phobia. Really helped with my wellbeing, feel more confident and happy today." and "Fantastic. Very therapeutic. Lovely ladies helped me to achieve an amazing wreath." 

The following session was held at the Trinity Church, Accrington on Monday 13th December 2022. This was another hugely successful workshop, with 10+ attendees. Participants had the opportunity to also weave their own base using willow, adding to the uniqueness and creativity of the wreaths. One of the churchgoers even turned theirs into a beautiful table centrepiece.

Thanks to our Green Mentor, Joel, the students of St. Christopher's 'Eco Club' also had the opportunity to decorate their own wreath, which led to an array of weird and wonderful creations!

Thank you to the Meadow Sisters, Trinity Church and St. Christopher's for making these events possible and thank you to everyone who attended!

Between the 11-12th November the Green Spaces Team participated in a dry stone walling course led by Louise Kirkbridge, the course took place in Hollins woods on a section of drystone wall that had fell into disrepair. The wall was first dismantled down to the foundations and the stones laid out according to size, guide lines were created to ensure the original width of the wall was kept. Instructions and demonstrations were then given by Louise on how to safely lay stones to create a solid structure. After two days of walling the section we worked on had been fully re-erected, looked more aesthetically pleasing, and was a lot more stable.

We would like to thank Louise Kirkbridge for providing the excellent training programme, it was an amazing two days and we all learnt a lot about a valuable skill that is part of the cultural landscape.

We would also like to thank our funders at GreenRecoveryChallengeFund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for providing the means for Prospects to host events like these.

On the 21st September Prospects' staff and the Green Team Volunteers took part in a scything course delivered by Steve Tomlin.

During the course, participants were taught about all the different components of a scythe, how to hone the blade with a whetstone and how to correctly set them up for an efficient cut. Once the scythes were set up the participants headed to Milnshaw park for a demonstration on traditional scything techniques and then gave it a go themselves. The participants worked in rows scything the wildflower meadow to promote new growth while some of Prospects staff raked away the cuttings.

The course was fantastic and everyone learnt a lot about traditional scything skills that has benefited the green spaces around Hyndburn, where it has been applied in plenty.

Prospects would like to thank everyone who came along to the session, and to Steve Tomlin for delivering such a well structured course. We would also like to thank our funders at GreenRecoveryChallengeFund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for providing us with the necessary resources to organise this event.