** BGCG NEWS BULLETIN ** **Issue 1**

Hi everyone, things have been happening in the gardens at a slowed pace recently, but fear not, people are still pottering away in the background to keep the flowers alive. Here's the latest news from Bernays Gardens.

** WATER **

We are still having water issues which we hope to work on with the council, but we are taking up tanks to fill the butts and the flowers are thriving with people regularly popping up to water them. Here's David with one of the butts in a trolley which he took home to fill up.

 

Mark has also regularly been popping up with big tanks and a lady who visits regularly waters when she brings her dog in. I'm sure there may be some secret waterers too, so thank you to everyone who is keeping our plants alive and popping in regularly to pick up litter. 

** ANTI BULLYING GROUP **

An anti-bullying group have been using the gardens for their meetings in the nice weather. I can't think of a better place to hold a summer outdoor meeting. It's good to get out of the office! Will be nice to see more local groups and businesses using it as the profile goes up. 

** POO BAG UPDATE **

People have been using the poo bags and we haven't found any mess in the garden when we've been litter picking! Yay for responsible dog owners. We refilled the dispenser a couple of days ago too so there are plenty more bags for everyone.  

** NEXT COUNCIL MEETING **

We are arranging a meeting to be held in the next couple of weeks, the date is to be confirmed but it will probably be on a weekday evening so that most people can attend after work. We will be discussing the longer term plans for the gardens, working with local groups, funding, council participation etc...

Everyone is welcome to come to these meetings, they are open to all. We will post details on the facebook group when we have a date, time and place

** FAIRY UPDATE **

The fairies have been doing their fairy thing, keeping an eye on the gardens, sprinkling magic and leaving gifts. There is a new surprise being installed in the front area, but they aren't ready to reveal everything yet! It takes them quite a while to get their little wings flapping and flying all over the gardens.

Sadly some fairies are missing from their home under one of the central trees. We're not sure who felt the need to kidnap them, we are awaiting a ransom note but so far nobody has come forward. 

If you know anything about our missing fairies please contact us. We will try to meet kidnapper demands. The other fairies are quite upset. 

** BIRD BOX UPDATE **

A new bird box was hung today near the entrance. Look out for it on the way in!

** MYSTERY TREE**

Can anyone tell us what this tree near the entrance is? We just aren't sure!

That's all for now then folks. You know where to find us, click any of the links on the right hand side, we're always on facebook chatting away. Come and join us! 

Little owl signing off.

Stanmore Fun Day and Volunteering in the Gardens

On Sunday St John's Church had their fun day and we had our volunteer day running alongside it. Stuart opened the gates and people could come through the gardens to get to the fun day field, we would nab them on the way through and tell them all about our volunteering and try and get them involved. We think it may have worked! Lesley is fantastic at enticing people into the group and Mark charmed all the children with his fairy paraphernalia which he stole from the elves and fairies which have been appearing in spots around the garden. 

He also let some children choose and plant their own flowers, giving them a little sense of ownership and a want to come back with mum and dad and look after it. So sweet! 

The mayor of Harrow opened the Fun Day and we all prayed that the rain would stop so that more people would turn up. All the stalls looked so lovely waiting.

The church tower was open for people to go up and see the bells. I desperately wanted to go, so I snuck of for a little look while the others stayed back at the gardens keeping an eye on things.

The entrance was very narrow and the staircase incredibly steep, impossible to photograph with my camera. I climbed up the winding, worn stairs until I reached a room full of bell ringers. The whole society were there to talk us through how they work and tell us a bit of history. They meet every Thursday evening and anyone is welcome.

I climbed further up and they showed me the bells, these photographs don't do the sheer size and awesomeness of them justice. (I know awesomeness isn't a word but I like it! haha!)

Then we climbed further to the top, stepped out of the tiny door and all opened our mouths in awe as we took in this view of the surrounding areas. It was amazing and such a shame we didn't get a clearer day for it.

The old church looked amazing from up there. Just look!

I walked back down a few levels and they rang the bells. I'd like to say thank you to them for such a lovely 20 minutes. I have heard the bells from my house since I was a tiny child and it was quite an odd feeling seeing them and hearing them surround me in that room, the vibrations of them shaking the tower. A bit like meeting a celebrity you've seen on TV for years!

Anyway, I've been distracted here from the garden work but I wanted to cover the fun day because they were so lovely to let us share in their event, and really it was brilliant and this is about Stanmore. 

So back in the gardens, we put up some new signs about littering. A new notice board at the entrance where people are welcome to also put community notices. We swept and planted and gossiped with all of the locals who came through. 

We found a new fairy. She told us this is her favourite spot to watch over people in the garden and make sure they are having a lovely time. Try and spot her when you're next in there will you? Let us know if you have found her! 

The fairies we had found previously could be spotted sprinkling dust under a tree further in. The children just loved finding them there. 

We planted all varieties of newly donated plants. Thanks to Mark Brooker and Mark Maltby for donating flowers and also one of my lovely neighbours, we injected new colour into the freshly turned beds. (Mark B had spent so much time digging them in previous weeks)

I'd just like to finish up by saying thank you again to Stanmore Church for letting us share their day with them and to very one who came and engaged with us throughout the day. 

Annie (on behalf of the Bernays Gardens Community Group) 

*** If anyone has anymore photos from the day which you would like to see here on the blog, please email us at bernaysgardens@hotmail.com and we'll happily do another lovely photo blog post on here. ***

Fairies?

We think some fairies may have been sprinkling magic dust and leaving little gifts in the garden. What do you think? 

Stanmore Fun Day

St John's Church in Stanmore are holding a fun day this Sunday at 12pm.

Click here to get to the Facebook event page!

Some of the Bernays Gardens Community Group will be working in the Gardens. They are looking forward to meeting visitors to the Stanmore Funday, this Sunday 28 June.  We will be delighted to show you what we've achieved so far. Please pop into to the Bernays Gardens and meet members of the team.

Come along and say hi if you can, it should be a great day.