I help out as a volunteer for BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) who have restored the walled garden in Haigh Hall Country Park.
BTCV are interested in developing the derelict zoo area at Haigh Hall into an Eco Centre, this would consist of an allotment area and permaculture which would show and give interested members of the public the opportunity and ideas on how fruit-vegetables and flowering plants can be successfully grow, they could also participate in the development and upkeep.
To gain the necessary funding a licence and or lease is required and I would be obliged if anyone with an interest in seeing and/or getting involved in the project complete the questionnaire and return it to me, either by pm or email to
pfa1955culuk@hotmail.co.uk
.
The walled garden is open to members of the public every Thursday and there is a wide range of different varieties of vegetables, wild flowers, tree and soft fruits including many heritage apples.
Regards
Phil
BTCV
(British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)
Proposal for Haigh Hall Eco Centre
A little bit about the proposed project: BTCV are applying to the National Lottery for a grant to convert the old zoo area within the Haigh estate into a practical food growing and learning area for groups and volunteers of all ages. The area will be reopened to the general public for recreational purposes and the site will provide a venue for courses on food growing, permaculture, orchard management, beekeeping and a range of other environmental topics. Food produced from the site will be distributed in the local area and will be available from the stable yard.
1. Would you like to see the former zoo area returned to public use?
Yes No
2. Would you be happy to see the space used for education and/or food growing?
Yes No
3. Would you be happy to see the area developed e.g. for housing?*
Yes No
*This is not an option currently under consideration by Wigan Council, but we are interested in determining public opinion regarding development of the site as it has not been ruled out.
4. Would you like to see this space used for another purpose?
Yes No
(If YES please go to question 5. If NO go straight to question 6)
5. If yes please can you specify the use in the box below
6. If the proposed project went ahead would you be interested in volunteering to maintain the area or taking part in any gardening/ green living courses taking place there?
Volunteering Courses Neither
7. Would you be interested in buying food (mainly fruit and veg) from
Haigh Hall that had been grown on the grounds of Haigh Hall
Yes No
8. How important is it to you that the site is organic?
Very Fairly Not At All
8. Would you like to see, where possible, ‘green’ energy and structures
used? (green energy such as solar power, wind turbines. Green
structures such as straw bale buildings, and green roofs)
Yes Don’t know No
If you have further comments please feel free to note them in the box below
It would be helpful if you could provide your postcode to allow us to ensure there is a good demographical representation
Thank you for taking the time to share your views on Haigh Hall. The comments you provide will help us to establish the how people feel about the current use of the Haigh estate and how people would like to see it improved. Public opinion will be taken strongly into consideration when the proposal is put to the decision making panel of the lottery.
