IW Green Gym

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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.

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

 

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.

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  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
    PLEASE RE-CHECK WEB PAGE NEAR EVENT
IN CASE OF A CHANGE TO THE SCHEDULE
   

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!)

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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