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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.
In 2009 the group was awarded the Queen's
Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the work
achieved.
| The number of
different sites across the Island increases month by month and has
now topped an amazing One Hundred! |
The group is
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!
| Some 400+ hours of Green
Gyming has taken place to date; that figure multiplied by an average
number of attendants of around 35 means that 14,000+ hours of
conservation volunteering has been achieved. |
Over 400 people of all ages and abilities have taken
part since the group started and we hope all have enjoyed improving
their health through the physical activity and fresh air. If you
are thinking about joining us please do contact
the number below before
coming.
Can we ask that if you are a dog
owner, and wish to bring your pet
along, we ask that you keep your dog safely on a lead
please.
This is a picture of us
working at
Brett's Meadow in Alverstone Garden Village.
 Very occasionally it is necessary to
change the venue at the last minute, so please check the programme
below before
the 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 and planning and is especially important if we are
working in schools. For instance it ensures we
bring enough tools and, the most important reason, that we bring along
enough cups for the tea and coffee break!
How to contact
us
If
you are interested in
volunteering - call Alison Hounslow - between 10.00a.m.
and 5.00p.m. only please - on 07528 376399 for
more
information. Or email info.iwgreengym@gmail.com
Or
Are you interested in
involving the IW Green Gym in
your project? If
you are running a project, are clerk to a
parish council or are involved with a church or charity
or another public body like a school and think you might like our help
then our email
address for this type of enquiry is iwgreengym@gmail.com. Email Mark Russell with
details on
how you think we may help the
project you are involved with, or with ideas for a future
activity. It is always worthwhile making contact, preferably
before your funding is applied for, if appropriate, so as to
incorporate
the costs involved.
So how are we funded? Over the
past 8 years we have relied upon help from many quarters to survive but
primarily from donations, if
you or your company would
like to contribute or donate to a local conservation organisation
whether that be financially or by giving old tools please get in
touch with us. Email iwgreengym@gmail.com or phone 07811 360230.
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
The IW Green Gym is every
Wednesday from 10am to 1pm,
see
below for dates and locations!
How did the group start?
... see bottom of page.
| Date
2012 |
Location |
Task
and other details |
OS
Grid
Ref |
link |
| 8th February |
Ashknowle Cemetery, Ashknowle Lane, Whitwell. Parking see right > |
This
is a new location for us this week. Tasks
will include some scrub clearance, a bit of
grubbing out of
suckering trees and uncovering some monumental masonry.
Drive into the lane and guidance will be
given for parking. Bus 6 |
SZ516,776 |
Link
to Streetmap |
| 15th
February |
Munsley
Bog, May
Close, Godshill. Please park on
the Main Road
or in the
Dubbers cul-de-sac opposite, with only few numbers in May Close itself
- to
avoid problems. |
This type of habitat
known as ’valley mire’ is rare on the Island and is another
which benefits from
our work to prevent what is known as succession taking place; where
scrub and
trees would prevail if not cut back and controlled.
Buses 2,3 WC |
SZ525,823 |
Link
to Streetmap |
| 22nd February |
Corf
Camp, Corf Road,
Shalfleet. Drive in through the gate and
up to the main buildings. |
We
return to Corf – another chance to see this super location. We will be continuing to tackle some of the
jobs
here. Bus 7 WC |
SZ417,900 |
Link
to Streetmap showing entrance |
| 29th February |
Golden Hill
Country Park,
Freshwater.
Park
in the car park behind the old Kenwood
works. |
This
park which is called after an historic landowner by the name of Gauden,
is a
familiar venue for Green Gyms. This time
of year, while much of the wildlife is still dormant, various
management tasks
can take place such as scrub clearance. Buses
7 or 12 |
SZ337,878 |
Link
to Streetmap |
| 7th March |
Afton Marsh LNR, Afton Road,
Afton, Freshwater. Parking - Manor Road
or Afton Road. |
Some
willow and scrub clearance on the marsh! Wellies
are needed here today for sure. This site
is a gem of a reserve, important for many
wetland
species. Bus 12 |
SZ348,861 |
Link
to Streetmap |
| 14th March |
Bembridge
Fort, Bembridge Down, Bembridge. Park in the viewpoint car park just beyond
(to the East) of the Fort. Not in the
fort itself. |
An
opportunity to access somewhere unusual this week as we venture down
into the
deep, wide and thankfully dry moat around this hexagonal fort. However we would warn those not great with
heights or who have mobility issues that this would regrettably not be
suitable
for you; but you may like to join others to litter pick or to have a
walk
around Culver instead. It is such a
beautiful location. Clearing and burning
up material is the task today. Bus 8 |
SZ625,859 |
Link
to Streetmap |
| 21st
March |
Christ
the King
College,
Wellington Road,
Newport |
Newly
formed back in 2008 this act joined two former middle schools into one
institution. Parking is in the top car
park on the right if heading up Wellington Road then report to
reception please. We have a pond to
recreate! Bus 7, 12 and 38 |
SZ487,886 |
Link
to Streetmap |
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PLEASE
RE-CHECK WEB PAGE NEAR EVENT
IN CASE OF A CHANGE TO THE SCHEDULE |
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WC
= sites with toilets
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!)
How did the IW
Green Gym
start?.... a potted history...
Way back in 2003
the BTCV
Green Gym was
originally run as a project by The Footprint Trust.
Then seven
years
ago when the funding came to an end the group had to make a decision,
either come to a close
or
to band together and become independent. We chose the latter...
Thanks to
the
dedication, knowledge and willingness of the volunteers, we continue,
now as an independant constituted community group.
Called the IW
Green Gym our committee, all
volunteers, manage and run the group's activities. The is
one of the best and
most fun
ways
to
improve both your own health and that of the countryside.
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