Fore Street, Heavitree
We're thrilled to confirm that the whole Fore Street project, with all of its wonderful community participants shown below, won an
RHS ***OUTSTANDING*** Award 2018, in the It's Your Neighbourhood category.
This is the highest award in that category which, for
a first time out, is an amazing result. Please do read on below to see how we did it!!
"FORE STREET PLANTING"
In usual Squilometre style we set about the project by asking local residents and traders what THEY wanted to see on the street. Using this feedback and the results of previous consultations, the overwhelming response was "more greenery". So, working with a small group of local volunteers, calling themselves the Green Pod, we set to work .... and we now have 6 large troughs and 22 smaller planters each maintained by individual traders.
In usual Squilometre style we set about the project by asking local residents and traders what THEY wanted to see on the street. Using this feedback and the results of previous consultations, the overwhelming response was "more greenery". So, working with a small group of local volunteers, calling themselves the Green Pod, we set to work .... and we now have 6 large troughs and 22 smaller planters each maintained by individual traders.
The St Michael's CofE Primary Academy Gardening Club - helping with the Fore St planting and gaining their RHS Level 3 award
(image taken with kind parental permission)
(image taken with kind parental permission)
Who is responsible for them?
Their purchase and installation has been arranged by Interwoven Productions CIC, a local not-for-profit Community Interest Company who have taken responsibility for their insurance and for all of the other permissions necessary for their placement.
This has been done in partnership with local traders who have agreed to participate in watering and maintenance.
The planting
Plants have been chosen to be insect-friendly and to help the local air and environment so will not be the usual brightly coloured bedding plants. Although slightly less impacting on the eye we believe this helped us gain our RHS **OUTSTANDING** award.
This is what the judge had to say ...
“May I thank you most sincerely, and all those involved ,for a most enjoyable, interesting and well put together tour this morning.
Your enthusiasm and attention to detail has certainly made a massive difference to the quality of life in Heavitree, current and future generations will have lots to thank you for.
The unique and interesting projects that you have introduced have obviously captured the imagination of all ages.
The staff and children at the school were a credit to themselves, the school and the wider community, so a big thank you to them and of course the dedicated staff.
Obviously a big thank you to Orlando, who has not just made a difference, but made it fun , may I wish you all the very best for the future,
Thank you again”
The planting of Fore Street involved traders, local residents who donated time, compost and plants, local businesses and of course The Green Pod. Check out our Thank You Gallery of wonderful local people involved.
"FORE STREET - THEN AND NOW"
Inspired by this image provided by our very own Heavitree councillor, Olwen Foggin, we worked with Ladysmith Junior School on a history project that celebrated the long trading heritage on Fore Street. Ninety Y5 children undertook a history project, led by Year 5 Lead, Ana Salter and inspired by the long trading history of our very own Fore Street kindly supplied by the Heavitree Local History Society. The children have created trade emblems representing the fascinating range of outlets from history - drapers, saddlemakers, blacksmiths, bootmakers and have presented them as unique, circular blue plaques for window display. All of this work was supported by workshops provided by Interwoven artist and director, Lindsey Hughes. The workshops were designed to forge links between the residential and trading communities of Heavitree, creating lasting legacy from the project.
"FLAGS FOR FORE STREET"
All through February 2018 our Interwoven artist, Kerrie Seymour, worked with Year 4 children from St Michael's CofE Primary Academy creating Flags for Fore Street! You can see some of their development work here - St Michael's Yr 4 Art Project
Interestingly the original flags with their paler background colours did not stand up well to the air pollution on Fore Street but our amazing local school took this as another opportunity for learning. We took the flags down and the examined them as part of national Air Quality Day 2018. Fortunately we were able to arrange the manufacture of another set of flags, using the same brilliant emblems and you'll see these on the street all through 2018. The original flags have now been donated to the school.
All through February 2018 our Interwoven artist, Kerrie Seymour, worked with Year 4 children from St Michael's CofE Primary Academy creating Flags for Fore Street! You can see some of their development work here - St Michael's Yr 4 Art Project
Interestingly the original flags with their paler background colours did not stand up well to the air pollution on Fore Street but our amazing local school took this as another opportunity for learning. We took the flags down and the examined them as part of national Air Quality Day 2018. Fortunately we were able to arrange the manufacture of another set of flags, using the same brilliant emblems and you'll see these on the street all through 2018. The original flags have now been donated to the school.
"A COMMUNITY THANK YOU!!"
Finally, in the blazing heat of 2018, Interwoven Productions held a big ole, community Thank You event for all of the participants in each of these wonderful, community-driven projects. Here is the evaluation report presented to the judges of the It's Your Neighbourhood, SW in Bloom award. The event was to thank over 30 individual Fore Street traders - over 20 local volunteers including the Green Pod - 150 participating children(!) and to their teachers and families for their help - local community groups - and our councillors for releasing the Section 106 funds -
A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY!! THEY ARE ALL HEAVITREE CHAMPIONS!
A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY!! THEY ARE ALL HEAVITREE CHAMPIONS!
