Our new Central Nursery is now based at Woodview Allotments, Redland Park, Twerton.
At our Hub during the seed collecting season, we process the collected seeds and then stratify them placing them into either warm or cold storage. From January, we sow and grow on the germinated seedlings in our greenhouse. From May to June the tree seedlings are distributed across our nursery network. Please see our year for more information.
The Story of the New home for our Central Nursery
After nearly three years based at the BANES Council Parks Depot in Royal Victoria Park – thank you Parks! – we have now set up a new home for our Central Nursery.
In March 2023, we identified a new location, one half of an allotment site in Redland Park, Twerton on Curo land.
In April 2023, we undertook a consultation with both the allotment holders and the local residents discussing our plans. The feedback was very positive, and we would like to offer a special thanks to the ongoing support from the allotment holders.
In July 2023, we applied to BANES council for planning permission for our new Hub. Thank you to Stride Treglown, PlanningSphere and Ethosep, and BLB Solicitors for their pro bono support. We would not have been able to do this without your generous support!
During October and November, a number of volunteer days took place clearing the site and preparing it for a new volunteer hut and polytunnel. We also received confirmation that planning permission had been approved!
At the start of 2024, we returned to the site to remove the existing fence ready for a new taller fence around the whole site to be installed. We also planted a hedge around the lower part of the site. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped clear the site over a number of days and remove the old fence, as well as plant the hedge!
The next stages of work involved landscaping followed by the installation of a wooden volunteer hut and a polytunnel. The wooden hut was built off-site and then erected on-site.
Over 2 weeks in July, our amazing community of volunteers, helped to erect the polytunnel and install the compost loo. A lot of hard work was involved!
On Thursday 18 July 2024, we welcomed funders, friends, supporters, our neighbours and community of volunteers to the Official Opening of the new Central Nursery.
Look out for the photos of the journey of our new hub coming soon!
See some images from our time at Victoria Park
