We’ll be planting up a storm over the next few months and we need all the help we can get, come along to one of the days below. We provide tools and warm welcome.
A Leap of Faith
The idea of Gorgeous Gorse Hill came about just under two years ago – two years; can you believe it! We went from an idea – a thought about turning the expanse of grey metal and scruffy grass that populates Gorse Hill into a fully functioning community group with a committee and everything. We’ve even got accounts! Accounts!
Today, I had an interview with the lovely Izzie from Durham University who is doing her thesis on guerrilla gardening. It was lovely talking to her about our project, how it came about, what it means to us and where we fit into the guerrilla gardening movement.
I think we aren’t pure guerrilla gardeners although we do maintain some of their principles and I feel that our planting of the tree pits last year can be perfectly described as guerrilla gardening.
Winter Draws in
Our next steps on the road to Gorgeous Gorse Hill. Come and join us and get involved.
Winners at the MEN Environment Awards!
Back in July a couple of my awesome Gorgeous Gorse Hill colleagues took a punt and entered us for the inaugural Manchester Evening News Environment Awards. Continue reading
I want to be a Community Leader
One of the wonderful John Shuttleworth’s creations pokes gentle fun at those of us who get involved in community activism. Community leader is not one that sits well with me, I see Gorgeous Gorse Hill as a team working to improve our area with the consensus and support of our fellow residents. One of my greatest fears is that our gorgeous vision is not one of the majority of the community.
Summer Beauty
Wow we’ve been busy in Gorse Hill the past few weeks; we’ve certainly taken advantage of this glorious weather.
One of the most wonderful things that has happened is that the BT exchange boxes have been decorated – I’ve secretly been looking forward to this the most but it felt like we were waiting a lifetime for the designs to be signed off by BT. But now they are in place our marvellous artist Rob did such a good job interpreting Gorse Hill Scouts designs the boxes have really caused a buzz! (sorry)
Here’s a taste of the designs but you can find them all on our new interactive map, the map has the locations of the boxes plus areas of planting – this map will continue to grow and develop as our work grows and develops. Continue reading
Roller Shutters from Grim to Gorgeous!
Things are starting in Gorse Hill, meetings are being held, planters viewed, designs being designed and compost ordered!
We have our locations picked out that we will focus the Better Together funding on – these are in addition to the roller shutters that will be decorated.
You can see the locations, along with an ideas board to let you see what we are aiming for: Gorse_Hill_site_locations__LA1
Exciting times ahead – the next activity is for residents to come and view the local Gorse Hill Primary School pupils’ designs and cast your votes for your favourites – the winning designs will grace the roller shutters.
Here are the Top 15 winning designs – I hope you spot your favourite. There are some beauties. Thanks to Target Cafe for hosting the art show and the 39 wonderful Gorse Hillians who came out to vote. The designs will now be passed to Unity Arts to be developed ready for the shop owners to choose the one they want on their shutter.
What if?
What if? It’s a question that I have been thinking about a lot since our big win. Continue reading
We’ve won!
Gorgeous Gorse Hill has won £25,000 in the Better Together community competition!
Thank you to everybody who voted!
Now the work begins
Watch this space!
Read all about it in the Manchester Evening News.
Facebook: Gorgeous Gorse Hill
Twitter: @gorse_hill
Gorgeous Gorse Hill needs you!
We’ve been shortlisted to win a £25,000 Together Mutual Insurance / Manchester Evening News / Groundwork community competition.
We aim to improve Gorse Hill through art and gardening:
- Working with local children to paint roller shutters and BT boxes
- Planting fruit, veg, flowers and herbs in every available space
Go to www.togethermutualinsurance.co.uk/better and vote for Gorgeous Gorse Hill. Each person can vote once per day so please keep voting daily, entries close 11th April.
We need your votes!
Help make Gorse Hill gorgeous!