Tour - Tuesday 2nd March 2010

Mudlarks

View from Cromwell Road # 1

Mudlarks

View from Cromwell Road #2

Mudlarks

View from Cromwell Road #3

View of private plots #1

View of private plots #2

Mudlarks uses the same grounds as private allotment holders. It is crucial that our Trainees are incorporated into society and not blocked away in some secure area. This view takes in the road bridge in the distance. Private plots in the foreground.

Another view across the private allotments to the road bridge.

Area B and D

From the pedestrian access across the individual plots and the community plots and the valley.

Areas C, A (left), B, D (right)

Looking directly down the pedestrian path from the platform. Individual plots to the left and right. Sheds to the left, new raised beds to the right and a train passing in the background.

Area B

Looking to the right from the platform. A line of hedging and bulbs planted in the Spring of 2009. Many of the bulbs have just started to flower.

Area B

Individual plots with the remains of the winter vegetables and the bare soil cleared of weeds awaiting fertiliser and seeding.

Area B

The individual plots, in the foreground, have produced reasonable crops so far and should, with further enrichment become more productive. We believe it is important that all our trainees have the opportunity of tending and become responsible for their own 'plot'. The sense of achievement and pride is a joy to be seen.

Area B

It is important that the composting areas are distributed around the site to avoid unnecessary journeys. These bins are located close to the individual plots and enable the trainees to fill, sort and turn the compost and return the finished product to their own plots.

Area B

Individual plots to the right of the platform. Potatoes have been chitted and should be ready to plant soon.

Area B

Planted with garlic.

Area B

Last of the leaks.

Area C

Looking left from the platform the willow seating area is behind the individual plots. The orchard has been planted to eventually shield the view of the sheds from Cromwell Road. There was a small harvest of apples after the first year of planting, which is very encouraging.

Area C

The second area to be tackled was the soft fruit area. A number of bushes and canes have become established over the past two years and we are looking forward to bumper crops in the autumn. The wire fencing is a necessary precaution and feature of all our beds in an attempt to dissuade rabbit attack.

Area C

The fruit orchard and compost bins for the soft fruit beds and individual plots.

Area C

The current extent of the fruit orchard. The trees have been planted to enable our Trainees to easily harvest the fruit. Native and some very local varieties have been chosen.

Area C

The area cover by sheeting and bordered by pots and crates is where our greenhouse is to be sited. Currently we are dependent on window sills and donations of established plantlets. We soon hope to be able to allow our trainees to participate in sowing and tending for very young plants.

Area C

The triangular plot planted with raspberry canes.

Area C

Area C

Area C

Area C

Levelled ground next to the compost toilet. This area is earmarked to become another vegetable garden.

Area A

The herb spiral. Ravaged by rabbits soon after its inception but the wire fences have kept them at bay and the plants have since recovered. We hope to make the entire site much more suitable for the partially sighted and this sensory and also highly productive mini-garden is the first step on that journey.

Area A

The compost toilet, erected in February 2010. The chimney and the heat of the sun evaporate the water content leaving a friable compost which wil be further composted before it is applied to the roots of the fruit trees. The toilet is designed for the wheelchair user with suitable hand bars securely fitted

Area A

The tool shed, erected in February 2010. This is a welcome addition to Mudlarks as we are able to store our tools in a wheelchair accessible store.

Area A

The area in front of the sheds in where we take our coffee and lunch breaks, discuss items of interest and socialise.

Area A

The area in front of the sheds is currently used to create raised beds, bird boxes and cloches.

Area A

On a fine day we encourage everybody to participate in group activites. Here we are potting up spring bulbs in unwanted boots to be sold at the Farmers Market.

Area A

As much rainwater is harvested as possible from the shed roofs. The spring bulbs will be replaced with climbers in due course.

Area A

Part of the preparation area to the rear of the sheds. Potted summer bulbs are collecting prior to the March Hertford Farmers Market.

Area A

This covered area is a temporary shelter for our bikes, we encourage participants to travel this way, and wood for raised bed construction.

Area A

The shed line. We have deliberately lined our sheds so that there is a minimum profile when looking from Cromwell Road. It is our intension to provide a really pleasant and tidy vista with climbing annuals in the summer and autumn and fruit blossom is the spring.

Area A

Work in progress. Soon to be covered with runner beans and bags removed.

Area A

Three temporary sheds which occupy roughly the same floor area as the eco shed that will replace them.

Area A

Break time for trainees, volunteers and staff. A very pleasant activity on a sunny March day but an endurance without shelter on others. Fortunately with the approval of our shed application at least some Mudlark members will have shelter at break times from May onwards.

Area A

Typically there are four staff, six or more trainees and at least two volunteers on site. We are down on numbers today due to illness and Kate attending a training course. Numbers will increase as facilities improve. There is a huge number of people who would benefit from attending Mudlarks.

Area D

The hope is that further funding will enable this corner of the community plot to be populated with raised beds. At £100 a go this may be a long term ambition but we are determined to prepare at least part of the site ready for wheelchair users and others with mobility problems.

Area D

Wide paths of forest bark have been laid in this corner of the community plot to segment the land ready for crop rotation. We also hope to line many of the paths with runner bean arches.

Area D

All of the ground has been dug over and weeded by hand. many thanks to everybody who helped including those that participated in Company Days.

Area D

From the far corner of the community plot you may just be able to spot the Mudlarks sheds. The track to the right leads to the vehicle access of the allotments.

Area D

The paths are deliberately wide, eventually to enable wheelchairs to access this entire area. The beds are deliberately narrow to enable people with mobility problems to be able to manage all the plots from the paths.

Area D

Wood bark is used extensively as path material. This provides a relatively cheap and safe method of providing routes around the site. With further funding we would like to install paths suitable for wheelchair users and hand rails for those that need extra stability.

Area D

These beds are not designed for people with mobility problems but the shuttering is used to deliniate the bed, (we like things neat and tidy), hold the earth in place, allow the soil to warm up quicker, and provide anchorage for cloches and netting.

Area E

The vehicle access track and gate leading to Mudlarks.

Area E

The track and gate from the Mudlarks side.

Area E

The compost heap. The grass and weeds from the Community Plots were extracted and heaped high. It would have been an absolute waste of a valuable resource to remove it to landfill. Over the winter the good soil has been extracted and returned. The grass has partially composted (a big heap will compost even in winter) and moved and mixed with other compost. This heap should be gone by the time we are ready to construct the hard standing. It has been nicknamed 'The moral high ground'.