Winter touches of colour (wine, pink and gold) have been integrated into our shrub beds. They were provided by Sue Amey, Northfield & Edgbaston Constituency Parks Manager. Special thanks to Darrel, DNA Pet Supplies on Wychall Road, who gave us a substantial discount on stainless steel long handled trowels and short handled forks, they were really good quality and just the ticket for this event. You are a star Darrel!
Following our meeting on Saturday 3 December, Dinny Weston, Lucy Horsnett and I joined Sue to weed and plant the 3 lower shrub beds. The soil was light and moist, the sun was shining and the air fresh, as Sue commented, 'excellent gardening weather'. Dinny pointed out the physical work, following our earlier consultation on the draft plans for Kings Norton Children's Play Area, struck a fine balance. Lucy has regularly tended to the beds and was moved to see how her hard work was blossoming.
As we planted, a small child, no more than 4 years of age, whose thoughts left his cycling fun, rode over to thank us for 'making our park look so pretty'. A passing family also took the time to stop and say how grateful they were for our endeavours, after which, an elderly gentleman, out for a stroll, thanked us for adding colour, and remarked 'hey you land ladies are still doing a good job, but where are all the men?'' We were finished in about an hour, satisfied it was a job well done.
Why not have a stroll past and tell us what you think?
You can get involved too - before the snow sets in, we aim to put in our early flowering spring bulbs. If you recall last year, the snow hindered progress and the bulbs were stolen! We aim to hold our bulb planting activity in the New Year, possibly on Friday 13 January 2012 at 11.30am to allow local nursery and school children to join in. The date does suggest we may just be tempting fate!
The lower shrub beds have been formerly adopted by the Friends of Kings Norton Park, so whether you are female or male, we invite you to pick a weed or two as you pass by. If you aren't sure which ones are the weeds, please play safe and join us on the 13 January.
If you, your group or organisation wish help out or sponsor a planting project or any other project, please email us at info.foknp@gmail.com
Lynn Horsnett
Chair FoKNP
