Stroud Valleys Project - Clare's News Column May 2019

It is so good to see how important our environment and nature is to people in our community. Awareness has been raised by the children striking from school, protests by Extinction Rebellion, several television programmes (particularly David Attenborough) and the increase in news reporting of environmental and climate issues. We see lots of people taking part in our projects or events or buying eco products or recycling packaging in our shop and are aware that many people are ‘doing their bit ‘ for the environment. Hopefully this will all encourage our government to act now before it’s too late.

Air Max

This is a great time of year to be out and about and learning more about nature locally. This week we are organising two Bat Walks, one on Thursday 16^th May (free for over 55s as part of the Royal Voluntary Service “First Time for Everything” programme) and one on Friday 17^th May. You will encounter Stroud’s many incredible types of bats with a local expert. We will listen for bats using bat detectors and hope to spot some flying.Bring warm clothes and a torch. Both walks are in Stratford Park 8.30pm to 10.30pm and you can book a place through Stroud Valleys Project. On Friday night The Museum in the Park will be open late for Museums at Night, 7pm- 11pm - a chance to explore the Museum and ‘secret garden’ after hours.

Our popular Seedling Swap and Plant Sale is this Saturday 18 May from 10.30am - 1pm outside SVP eco shop

If you have any spare or unwanted seedlings you can give them a good home through our seedling swap/sale. Bring along any seedlings that you have spare and exchange them for others.Both vegetable and flower varieties welcome.

Even if you don’t have any seedlings to swap, you can still take some for a donation. It’s a great way to meet other gardeners and to share advice and knowledge.

Details: Created: 02 September 2019

Eco Shop

Coronavirus Jan 2021

Unfortunately, we have had to close our Eco Shop once again.

However, we are now offering a remote order and payment service. If you would like to take advantage of this, you can do so by emailing us at ecoshop@stroudvalleysproject.org or by phoning us on 01453 753358 with details of what you would like to order from our shop stock. We will then call you back to take payment and arrange for you to collect your order. We are also offering a refills service. If you need refills, please email or call us to let us know what you need (including the volume and the brand) and when you would like to drop off your empties. Before you bring them to us, please ensure that all empties are clean and dry and that they are in a bag, marked clearly with your name, contact details and full information about what products you would like.

Tash or Sharon will be in the shop to pick up your messages, process your orders and accept your empties at the following times:

Tuesday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Thursday 10:00am to 3.00pm

Saturday 10:00am - 2.00pm

If you aren’t able to get to the shop, please don't hesitate to contact us to see if we can help.

As we move through this current lockdown, we will be reviewing our opening times in line with demand, so please check on social media and our website for any alterations.

Remember, you can also still order from us via StroudCo.

Please note that unfortunately we are not able to accept any recycling during this lockdown.

We look forward to welcoming you back to our shop when we are safely able to do so. In the meantime, thank you so much for your continued support.

Our Volunteers Say

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I've found the projects inspiring and I've developed skills I didn't know I had, to the extent that I am now able to find employment in new fields.

I will always be grateful to the staff and volunteers at Stroud Valleys Project for their encouragement and warm support.

Being involved with Stroud Valleys Project has been a great experience. I've enjoyed and learnt so much through various courses and volunteer projects I've worked on.

Thank you all at SVP for the help and support you have given me in the last couple of years, which has helped me to get my foot back on the ladder in the world of work.

I loved the course (Veg Growing), it was the highlight of my week

“Often I feel so bad I don’t want to do anything but after coming here, working with my group in the sunshine, I always feel more cheerful. They are my friends now.”

“Volunteering with SVP is the best thing that happened to me in my life.”

“I never thought I would get into gardening and growing stuff, but through all my work with SVP I have learnt to really appreciate nature.”

“We get lots of work done – and we have a laugh!”

“Our group is like pieces from a jigsaw puzzle. Everybody mucks in and does what they can, and the job gets finished in no time.”

“When somebody has a bad day, the others in the team make them feel better.”

“I learn lots of interesting things and I feel useful.”