Monday 30 June 2014

Monday Club

On 30th June, the Monday Club visited the home and gardens of David & Anne Hirst in Port William. Tea on the lawn was followed by a guided tour, with hedges to break the wind and salt and the Gulf Stream less than 100 yards away, a number of tender plants are being cultivated.

The garden is divided into rooms, for over 20 herbs, soft fruit, a mini orchard, asparagus, and a whole array of vegetables all grown in raised beds made from recycled plastic fish boxes. Part of the garden is given over to 17 solar panels, providing renewable electricity for the house, and part to a wild flower meadow, carefully managed to provide the food plants for all 19 butterflies, identified by Butterfly Conservation as breeding in this area. Another wild flower area provides a long season of nectar plants for butterflies, bees and moths and many can be seen feeding there on a sunny day. At the bottom of the garden, and accessible to the public, is the skeleton of a 20 foot Minke Whale, washed up on the beach in 2008, and licensed by SNH as it is a European Protected Species.   


The greenhouse and cold frames provide 9 varieties of tomato, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, watercress, coriander, pak choi and 7 different kinds of lettuce and salad leaves. Figs are ripening in the garden and a row of grapevines are just beginning to fruit outdoors.  The whole garden is managed organically, with 8 large compost bins in constant use and has been designed for ease of working for someone who is less able to carry out all the tasks in a large garden. Assistance with the heavy work is provided by Andrew Wilson of Lowland Gardening.


 

Monday Club

On 30th June, the Monday Club visited the home and gardens of David & Anne Hirst in Port William. Tea on the lawn was followed by a guided tour, with hedges to break the wind and salt and the Gulf Stream less than 100 yards away, a number of tender plants are being cultivated.

The garden is divided into rooms, for over 20 herbs, soft fruit, a mini orchard, asparagus, and a whole array of vegetables all grown in raised beds made from recycled plastic fish boxes. Part of the garden is given over to 17 solar panels, providing renewable electricity for the house, and part to a wild flower meadow, carefully managed to provide the food plants for all 19 butterflies, identified by Butterfly Conservation as breeding in this area. Another wild flower area provides a long season of nectar plants for butterflies, bees and moths and many can be seen feeding there on a sunny day. At the bottom of the garden, and accessible to the public, is the skeleton of a 20 foot Minke Whale, washed up on the beach in 2008, and licensed by SNH as it is a European Protected Species.   

The greenhouse and cold frames provide 9 varieties of tomato, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, watercress, coriander, pak choi and 7 different kinds of lettuce and salad leaves. Figs are ripening in the garden and a row of grapevines are just beginning to fruit outdoors.  The whole garden is managed organically, with 8 large compost bins in constant use and has been designed for ease of working for someone who is less able to carry out all the tasks in a large garden. Assistance with the heavy work is provided by Andrew Wilson of Lowland Gardening.

Thursday 26 June 2014

Local Arts Exhibition

Please read the information for this forthcoming Art Exhibition in Whithorn.

Come and have a go and show off your artistic talents!
(click on photo to enlarge)


Wednesday 25 June 2014

Important information on footcare

"Where you can go for help on footcare"  please click here to view the information.

"10 Steps to Healthy Feet for People with Diabetes" please click here to view the information.

V.O.I.C.E Mid Galloway Launch Photos

Photo collage of the launch of the project which took place on Wednesday 4th June 2014.  Click on photos to enlarge.



Monday 16 June 2014

Monday Club

Members were given the opportunity to have a game of Wii Sport as well as receiving some holistic treatments delivered by Vanessa Woods, which proved to be the most popular option  The treatments included therapeutic massage of the legs, arms, back, neck and shoulders, helping conditions like frozen shoulders. Also on offer was Indian Head and Shoulder Massage as well as Acupressure Facials, which Vanessa says is hugely beneficial for hay fever and sinus problems.  Members felt the experience was very relaxing and enjoyable. Vanessa will be returning to the group on 18th August, due to popular demand.

Our next meeting on 30th June is a Trip to David & Anne Hirst’s garden in Portwilliam, members will meet in Penninghame Church Hall car park at 10am and bring their own packed lunch.  Let’s hope the weather stays sunny!


If you are interested in the Club or would like a Programme of Activities, please contact Building Healthy Communities on 01988 501 111.

Monday Club

Members were given the opportunity to have a game of Wii Sport as well as receiving some holistic treatments delivered by Vanessa Woods, which proved to be the most popular option  The treatments included therapeutic massage of the legs, arms, back, neck and shoulders, helping conditions like frozen shoulders. Also on offer was Indian Head and Shoulder Massage as well as Acupressure Facials, which Vanessa says is hugely beneficial for hay fever and sinus problems.  Members felt the experience was very relaxing and enjoyable. Vanessa will be returning to the group on 18th August, due to popular demand.

Our next meeting on 30th June is a Trip to David & Anne Hirst’s garden in Portwilliam, members will meet in Penninghame Church Hall car park at 10am and bring their own packed lunch.  Let’s hope the weather stays sunny!


If you are interested in the Club or would like a Programme of Activities, please contact Building Healthy Communities on 01988 501 111.

Thursday 5 June 2014

New Printer for Laptop Heaven


A presentation was made today by Sue Reedman, Chair of the Machars Area Partnership, to members of “Laptop Heaven”. Machars Area Partnership is a voluntary group made up of community volunteers, voluntary and statutory organisations. They assist with volunteer led projects in the area as well as supporting the work of Building Healthy Communities. The “Laptop Heaven” group was set up 3 years ago and is run in partnership by Riverside Centre and Building Healthy Communities. The aim of the group is to assist members of the Day Centre to understand modern technology and solve any issues that may arise with their laptops, computers and tablets. The addition of a wireless printer will allow all members to experiment with printing documents and photographs with guidance from  Luke, the tutor, before printing items at home. People who would like to join the group would need to be members of the Riverside Centre which provides excellent facilities for its members throughout the week. The Laptop Heaven group is funded by Building Healthy Communities as part of their Self Management Programme. 

Monday 2 June 2014

Monday Club 2nd June



After a gentle exercise session with Pamela Paterson, the members took part in a short Heartstart course. Heartstart is an initiative coordinated by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to teach people the simple skills (ELS - Emergency Life Skills Support), needed in a “life threatening emergency”. Heartstart is run by David and Ann Hirst, who have worked closely with Building Healthy Communities delivering the course to over 1000 people in the Community, including GPs and their staff, schools, self help and community groups as well as individuals. Assisted by their volunteer, Peter, David explained that being able to do CPR when someone has a “cardiac arrest” is important as it more than doubles the chances of survival and can buy the time needed for professional help to arrive and save someone’s life. Members were invited to have a go at practising CPR and were then offered the opportunity to attend a full course in the future.  The course, which is free, usually lasts for two hours and provides you with very practical hands on learning. Heartstart is actively seeking more volunteers across the region. Anyone interested in attending a Heartstart Course or wish to volunteer, please contact David Hirst on 01988 700637 or Building Healthy Communities on 01988 501 111. 

Due to popular demand, on Monday 16th June, members will be entertained once more by Building Healthy Communities with Wii Dance and Sports as well as being treated to a Hand Massage provided by Vanessa Woods.