What is the Environmental Centre?

The Environmental Centre is Fox Hollies’ secret garden. Hidden behind perennial borders is a community allotment set up with an orchard, raised beds and a greenhouse.  Beyond the nursery playground is the Forest Garden, an outdoor play area for children and a sanctuary for wildlife. 

To keep the gardens flowering is no small task so we run volunteer sessions twice a week where everyone who wants to join in can turn up to help out and take part.  Whether you just want to stop and smell the flowers, are an aspiring gardener wanting to learn or have botanical expertise to share, everyone is welcome. The Gardening Club takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am-2pm, and is open for all ages.

To register your interest in volunteering with us – complete the form on this link: https://forms.gle/TVwFYM9FJu1pqYN19

Growing for the Community

Gardening is a constant ongoing process and the garden is what we make out of it.  We grow a variety of fruit, berries and vegetables both for our own enjoyment and to help out.  In the spring, look out for our plant sales and in the autumn a fruit and vegetable stall.    We’re always thankful for donations of plants and gardening equipment.

Volunteer At the Gardening Club

We garden outdoors year round with jobs changing with the seasons but it’s not all about plants. We also help maintain the Forum’s outdoor spaces and carry out repairs where it is safe to do so.  Folks who can hold a hammer and a paintbrush are as welcome to join in as those who know their tomato from their trowel.  And if you don’t know, we can teach you.

Wildlife in our Backyard

We do what we can to support nature around us.  Bug hotels, leaf piles, bird feeders and planting pollinator-friendly flowers are just small things but they all add to a thriving ecosystem.   For example in 2020 we added a small hedge of native trees and shrubs donated by the Woodland Trust.