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The Isle of Wight Green Gym is an independent community group which operates throughout the year at venues across the Island.  We are one of almost 100 Green Gyms nationally, see BTCV's website for more information.  Each session starts at 10am and lasts for around 3 hours (with a tea or coffee break in the middle!) and participants are welcome to join the session midway through if you think that the whole thing is too much.

If you are on holiday and feel like doing something different, why not join us for a session?  People of all ages are encouraged and always welcome, we are sure that we can always find you something to do!  This is a picture of us working at Brett's Meadow in Alverstone Garden Village.

The way in which we decide the venues depends on factors such as landowners and seasons.  The group is always keen to hear your suggestions!  Very occasionally it is necessary to change the venue at the last minute, so please phone before Wednesday to check that it is still happening at the location listed below!

Booking is essential at all venues, this is for reasons of health and safety (especially important in schools) to ensure we bring enough tools, and (and the most important reason) we bring along enough cups for the tea and coffee break!  Another reason to phone would be if the timetable below is not up to date.  Please call Colin Withers on 01983 866459 for more information.

If you would prefer to email us then our address is greengym@footprint-trust.co.uk

Green Gym at Nansen Hill

We were rewarded with a wonderful view here on top of Nansen Hill in Upper Bonchurch. 

Most sites are near public transport. For details of Southern Vectis services, see www.islandbuses.info

For more information and pictures of past Green Gyms take a look at our blog site.  Click on this link   GREEN  GYM BLOG

Green gym is every wednesday from 10am to 1pm, see below for dates and locations!

For safety's sake, you must wear stout footwear such as shoes or boots - trainers and sandals are strictly forbidden!  Remember it can be cold and wet, so please wear adequate clothing.  Also ensure that your Tetanus is up-to-date!
Date (2009) Location Task and other details OS Grid Ref  link
3rd June

Brighstone Primary School,

Brighstone. 

Park in village car park, (behind The Three Bishops).
It has been four years, (04/2005) since we visited this school, so to make up for lost time we may be here two weeks running!  Well, that isn’t the real reason, actually it is so that we can make certain everything is completed in their new-look grounds. The jobs could be building a wall, made of logs!  Laying a woodchip pathway, some planting of an area for wild plants and various other planting elsewhere.  Hopefully plenty to keep us busy.   Bus 7  WC  SZ427,826  link to Streetmap 
10th June Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Ventnor Because we did so well last week at the school we have an alteration to some timetables and are not returnng to Brighstone but are instead working  with our friends at Ventnor.  This week helping them clear, prepare and plant a bed.  Bus  6 . WC  SZ547769 Link to Streetmap.co.uk 
17th June The Duver and Priory Bay, St Helens, Bembridge

Park in the National Trust car park
This is a return visit to The Duver, the only example of a fixed sand dune system on the Island.  Today we are assisting the National Trust in beach cleaning the area, look out for the nationally scarce Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)  which has colonised the area. SZ636,892 Link to map
24th June Rew Down, park in the road to Ventnor Golf Club, to be found at the Ventnor end of Newport Road, Lowtherville. Always a lovely location, this week we are to build a style, remove some of the invasive non-native species, and improve our cardiovascular fitness.  Believe me; a few trips up and down the incline on this reserve will soon get the blood pumping!  Further directions - once parked walk up the hill towards the golf club, we are working on the chalk grassland to your left.  Bus 3 SZ553,775 link to map
1st July Brading Down, park in the viewpoint car park on the top of the downs. Another stunning location, and another one we have made a real difference at over the years.  Once again, the task will be to remove some of the Common Ragwort Senecio vulgaris.  A poisonous weed which if left unchecked would limit the ability to graze this downland.  Please remember to wear clothing which covers the arms and legs, and to wash hands before eating. Bus 10 SZ596,869 link to map
8th July Cowes County Primary School, Edinburgh Close, Mountbatten Ave, Crossfield Ave, Cowes I hope many of you will have enjoyed our session at this little school back in May.   We really achieved alot.  I expect this time things may have re-grown here and there, and there may be some further tasks which need our attention.  This school really looks after us well though and we wish the very best to Catherine, the head teacher, in whatever she does in the future.  WC Bus 1 SZ491,958 Link to Map
15th July Brading Down, park in the viewpoint car park on the top of the downs. Back again and continuing to clear the Down of Ragwort.  See the 1st July for details. SZ596,869 link to map
    PLEASE RE-CHECK WEBPAGE NEAR EVENT    

WC = sites with toilets


Brading Down

Just a selection of some of the less camera shy Green Gym-ers during a task upon Brading Down 


This is all you need for hours of fun at the IW Green Gym!  (And all you need to bring is yourself ... we supply the rest!)

The BTCV Green Gym was set up in 2003 and back then was funded through Healthy Living Programme and EU Leader+, both of which were administered through the Island of Wight Economic Partnership.  This initial funding paid for the van, tools and a leader for the first 2 years.  So 3 years ago the funding ran out....

Thanks to the dedication, knowledge and willingness of the volunteers even though this funding ended, we continue.  The management of the Green Gym has now passed over to the volunteers.  The group is 100% run by unpaid volunteers. The group continues to 'do good' across the Island and continues to be the best and most fun way to improve both your own health and that of the countryside.

If you would like to know about the history of our Green Gym, please click here.

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Footprint Trust ~  The Riverside Centre ~ The Quay ~ Newport ~ Isle of Wight ~ PO30 2QR

Registered Company Number 0458 7815.  Registered Charity Number 1106024

telephone / fax: 01983 822282

Webmaster: Ben Vail echg.com), VantageGaming.net