and more ...
Background Stories to our sites.
"The atmosphere is calm in this old urban farm, the surroundings are clean, very well kept, the old buildings are gorgeous, … Early mornings bring bird-song and later a busy-ness of nest-building or taking provisions to the bird-boxes. South Court Environmental members and volunteers move over this landscape undertaking not farming but conservation work. In winter, they might be found in the Barn planning, learning - or enjoying social evenings."
Adapted from "The Singular Case of the Taylor 's Jigsaw" part of the Abington Lodge story.
Long Park.
The Boughton Lane Pocket Park - 'Long Park' as it is familiarly known - follows the old stone wall, once the 1 mile long northern boundary of Northampton Deer Park. It was first mentioned by name in 1201. By 1560 the wall was in poor repair and the deer were able to pass over it easily. Since 1995 the old Deer Park is looked after by volunteers supported by South Court Environmental. The old wall is accompanied by fine high hawthorn hedgerow along much of its length. Long Park is now a wildlife nature reserve and a place of community value.
From " Long Park : A Brief History"
"It is for organic growing only - no chemicals may be used. It is for herbs and fruit and at the same time it is also for the enjoyment of the community group at the garden. Members, friends and volunteers can use the garden socially. Specifically, the garden is being developed for those people with mobility problems who enjoy gardening. It is also for educational use - local school children are welcome." South Court Environmental supports the voluntary work of the wildlife gardeners in this Kingsthorpe garden.
From "Secret Garden Introduction"
"150 trees have stood for eighty years where Wilson planted them. The Tithe Map of 1840 shows the land where the orchard stands was then marked as belonging to the Queen. To the east lay Abington Mill Farm and Abington Mill itself.
The Mill and Farm are recently gone but the Millpond, bordering the Orchard, is where it always was. In Wilsons' Orchard the Bramley's stand in their rows tucking their own old darkness down among their trunks. Around them are the great Ash, the great Maple and the great Willow and many fine Hawthorn trees. Now the Orchard lives again with the help of SCE and the volunteers who plant trees and collect apples."
Adapted from " Wilsons' Orchard: Past, Present and Future. (A management history) "
Hunthe Garden in Northampton is very aptly named. It lies behind blocks of garages that are themselves hidden between the backs of Lutterworth and Barry Road's houses.
Hunthe Garden, one of SCE's seven sites, is also known as the recycled permaculture garden. Everything used in the garden has been discarded as rubbish. For instance an unwanted chest freezer has been recycled as a mid-garden watering facility From our belief in recycling and reducing environmental impact, most recycled materials we use there are sourced from nearby residents.
Another strength of the garden is that it is managed by permaculture and organic principles so if you want so see permaculture in action visit or come along and join in at Hunthe Garden on Thursdays between 10am and 4pm.
South Court Environmental knows other stories that are unfolding and there will be more. These are not all "our" stories - even if we do co-operate in them. But stories don't have owners anyway. Here are some other local story titles.
• ABINGTON MEADOWS and
• BRIDGE FARM and
• DUSTON CHURCHYARD and
• LAND O ( " LOCAL AND ORGANIC " ) and
• S T. GEORGE'S WILDLIFE
… and there are many more stories. We don't even know them all. There are lots of people in these stories, including our members, helpers, volunteers and well-wishers.
Altogether we are usually just called "SCE" or " South Court "
• We welcome supporter-members.
• We welcome you to volunteer with us.
• We welcome you to volunteer with us in the improvement of our local wildlife.
• We invite you to get involved in our stories.
• We invite you to get in touch.
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