About the Environment Trust



Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow Community Plot Holder Handbook2014 EditionVersion ControlAuthorDateVersionStatusAdele DyerApril 20141DraftVerusca CalabriaApril 20142DraftAdele DyerApril 20143FinalContents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u 1About the Environment Trust PAGEREF _Toc384306851 \h 52About the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow Project PAGEREF _Toc384306852 \h 52.1The Project Aims: PAGEREF _Toc384306853 \h 62.2The Project’s Outputs: a Summary PAGEREF _Toc384306854 \h 62.2.1The Model Market Garden PAGEREF _Toc384306855 \h 62.2.2Public events and activities PAGEREF _Toc384306856 \h 73Project Staff and Structure PAGEREF _Toc384306857 \h 83.1Volunteering for Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow PAGEREF _Toc384306858 \h 94Allocation of Community Plots PAGEREF _Toc384306859 \h 105Induction, Training and Support PAGEREF _Toc384306860 \h 105.1Induction PAGEREF _Toc384306861 \h 105.2Training and Support PAGEREF _Toc384306862 \h 106Management of the Model Market Garden PAGEREF _Toc384306863 \h 116.1Model Market Garden Committee PAGEREF _Toc384306864 \h 116.2Environment Trust for Richmond Community Interest Company PAGEREF _Toc384306865 \h 116.3Partners PAGEREF _Toc384306866 \h 116.4The role of Community Plot Holders in Management of the Garden PAGEREF _Toc384306867 \h 116.5Model Market Garden Management Plan PAGEREF _Toc384306868 \h 126.6Development of a comprehensive code of conduct and site rules PAGEREF _Toc384306869 \h 127Community Plot Holder Policies: A Summary PAGEREF _Toc384306870 \h 127.1Health and Safety PAGEREF _Toc384306871 \h 127.2Equal Opportunities PAGEREF _Toc384306872 \h 127.3Grievances PAGEREF _Toc384306873 \h 137.4Confidentiality PAGEREF _Toc384306874 \h 137.5Data Protection PAGEREF _Toc384306875 \h 137.6Children and vulnerable adults PAGEREF _Toc384306876 \h 138Appendices PAGEREF _Toc384306877 \h 148.1Appendix I - Terms and Conditions. PAGEREF _Toc384306878 \h 148.1.1Eligibility for a community plot PAGEREF _Toc384306879 \h 148.1.2Allocation PAGEREF _Toc384306880 \h 148.1.3Fees PAGEREF _Toc384306881 \h 148.1.4Heritage Varieties PAGEREF _Toc384306882 \h 148.1.5Bushes and trees PAGEREF _Toc384306883 \h 148.1.6Water PAGEREF _Toc384306884 \h 148.1.7Manure and compost PAGEREF _Toc384306885 \h 148.1.8Importation of top soil PAGEREF _Toc384306886 \h 158.1.9Fertilisers, pesticides and other chemicals PAGEREF _Toc384306887 \h 158.1.10Non-compostable waste PAGEREF _Toc384306888 \h 158.1.11Access to tools and other facilities PAGEREF _Toc384306889 \h 158.1.12Cultivation depth PAGEREF _Toc384306890 \h 158.1.13The Display Garden PAGEREF _Toc384306891 \h 158.1.14Health and Safety PAGEREF _Toc384306892 \h 168.1.15Security PAGEREF _Toc384306893 \h 168.1.16Visiting public in the garden PAGEREF _Toc384306894 \h 168.1.17Groups in the Model Market Garden PAGEREF _Toc384306895 \h 168.1.18Open days and special events PAGEREF _Toc384306896 \h 168.1.19Keeping the garden tidy PAGEREF _Toc384306897 \h 168.1.20Eviction PAGEREF _Toc384306898 \h 168.1.21Dogs PAGEREF _Toc384306899 \h 178.1.22English Heritage PAGEREF _Toc384306900 \h 178.2Appendix II – Community Plot Holders Agreement PAGEREF _Toc384306901 \h 18About the Environment TrustThe Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow Heritage project is run by the Environment Trust for Richmond Upon Thames and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee set up in 1984 to preserve buildings and landscapes of historic and social significance locally, to find new community-based uses for them, and to educate the public about their local environment.The Environment Trust’s projects encompass the built and natural environment of the area, including the River Thames. We have been closely involved in gardening projects for over 20 years, and through our landscape volunteering activities we have become aware, through talking to volunteers and members of the public, of the growing interest in gardening amongst younger people and families, who learn much from the retired people they volunteer alongside. The Environment Trust runs a variety of events during the year to enthuse people about the environment around them through practical conservation work and educational events such as the popular Art Picnics. Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow community plot holders will receive the Environment Trust programme of events at their induction. Please see environmenttrust.co.uk for more information.About the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow ProjectJam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow is a 3-year Heritage Lottery Fund project that will focus on the rich and varied Market Garden and Nursery Land heritage of Twickenham, Hampton and Hounslow. Our project aims to explore the social history and physical heritage of the nurseries and market gardens of Twickenham, Hampton and Hounslow in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Previously, there has been a tendency to focus on the history of important estates, houses and families in the boroughs bordering the Thames in South West London, without exploring the infrastructure that supported them. Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow hopes to balance that. For today's urban families it is enriching to learn of the use of the land their houses are built on and, at a time of growing interest in the sources of food on their tables, to understand how food was produced.The Project Aims:To make the hidden heritage of market gardens in Twickenham, Hampton and Hounslow visible and accessible to residents of all ages, abilities and interests To ensure as many local people as possible can participate in our project by making this heritage relevant and applicable to people’s everyday lives through educational resources, training and workshop opportunitiesTo provide opportunities for local residents to gain new skills, find out about local heritage and create a sustainable interest in horticulture, local heritage and food through our Model Market Garden siteTo restore lost heritage varieties to sites throughout the area and help to ensure their names become part of everyday language about foodThe Project Outputs: a SummaryThe Model Market GardenThe Model Market Garden is the linchpin of Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow. The Garden will be the tangible result of the research carried out by volunteers, with information contributed by local allotment holders and gardeners. The market garden will be sited in the northeast corner of Marble Hill Park, adjacent to land once part of the kitchen garden of Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk (1689-1767). The model market garden will be open to the public, and a programme of community celebrations, demonstrations and workshops will take place for local residents and school children. There will be opportunities for horticultural training throughout the project. The following resources will be available:Raised bed and pathways for everyone to access10 community plots for local people with little or no growing space of their ownTraditional plots from the time of World War IIHeritage Interpretation Boards5 different heritage varieties of fruit and vegetables grown each yearA management committee made up of local peoplePublic events and activitiesThroughout the three years of Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow we will be holding a varied programmeme of public events and activities:Down Memory Lane events These events will take place twice a year at locations across Twickenham, Hampton and Hounslow. Local people will have an opportunity to come together to share their memories of the local history of food production.Heritage and horticulture workshops Regular workshops open to the public at the Model Market Garden Site. Sessions will be run on horticultural techniques and best practice, then and now.Heritage Walks Heritage walks will be created from the use of our in-depth research of local archive collections, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew archives and the collections at the RHS Lindley libraries. Plant heritage workshops for local people with a range of disabilities People with a range of learning disabilities, supported by gardeners and buddies, will learn about the history of market gardens including practical gardening skills.Art picnics for families with English as a second language Families with English as a second language will learn about the local plant heritage through art picnics held at the Model Market Garden. Model Market Garden Open Days Our Open Days will give local people the opportunity to visit our site and find out about the project. Participants will learn how to grow and care for heritage varieties; seed swaps and talks will take place about the market garden history of Middlesex. Touring Heritage Audio Visual ExhibitionA touring exhibition produced by our community plot holders that will showcase the hidden history of market gardens and food growing including the everyday lives of those that worked in the market gardens of Middlesex.A Model Market Garden game A game will be produced to bring to life the social history of market gardening; the game will be introduced to primary school children in Twickenham, Hampton and Hounslow to help them learn about their local heritage and the importance of local food production. Some of these activities will take place at the Model Market Garden and community plot holders may be asked to assist on these days. It is envisaged that other activities will take place at the Model Market Garden involving outside groups, such as schools, training organisations and interest groups. Community plot holders may wish to be involved in these days. Community plot holders will always be informed of activities taking place at the Model Market Garden. Project Staff and StructureVerusca CalabriaHeritage Project Manager 173355137795Verusca oversees and manages the project as a whole, building and maintaining partner relationships, the Heritage Lottery grant, ensuring the project is delivered on time and budget. Contact details: tel. 0779 1092850. Verusca.calabria@environmenttrust.co.uk.Adele DyerHorticultural Coordinator124460234315Adele is responsible for the building, development and maintenance of the Model Market Garden, the horticulture volunteers and the community plot holders. She will deliver workshops and help create resources for other growing projects. Contact details: tel. 07966 091860. adele.dyer@environmenttrust.co.ukStephen JamesProject Assistant174625173355Stephen oversees the project correspondence and the project management systems, supporting the Project Manager in delivering the aims and completing the project on time and on budget. Contact details: 020 8891 5455stephen.james@environmenttrust.co.uk.Volunteering for Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow In addition to paid roles, there are many volunteering roles. These include: Research and Oral History Volunteers (September 2013-April 2014)Heritage Horticulture Volunteers (on-going)Transcription Volunteers (May to July 2014)Exhibition and Interpretation Volunteers (August to December 2014)Volunteer Officers (on-going)Photography Volunteers (on-going)More information on these roles can be found in the Volunteer Handbook, available from the Project Assistant at stephen.james@environmenttrust.co.uk. Around 220 volunteers will be involved in the project over three years. Volunteers are at the heart of the project and the project would not be able to achieve its aims without them. In addition, the project will engage with:The project Steering GroupOral History Interviewees School children and parents in various educational activitiesTraining organisations who offer new skills to young peopleMember of the public interested in part-taking in our varied programmeme of activitiesAllocation of Community Plots If you would like to become a community plot holder, please request an application form from Stephen James, our project assistant on email: stephen.james@environmenttrust.co.uk or call 07760 343495. You can also download an application form from our website: .You will be required to return the completed application form including the details of one referee. You will then be asked to attend an introductory talk, giving more information on the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project and the Model Market Garden, where you will learn more about the opportunities and responsibilities of maintaining a community plot. At this event you will be asked to sign a Community Plot Holder Agreement, a copy of which can be found in Appendix II. Once we have received the reference and the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow staff are satisfied that you meet the eligibility criteria, you will then receive a welcome email and an invitation to attend an induction at the Model Market Garden from Adele Dyer, Horticultural Coordinator. Induction, Training and SupportInduction All community plot holders will be given an induction at the Model Market Garden. This will cover:Health and safety proceduresFirst aid provisionSafe working practicesSite securitySite facilitiesAn introduction to growing cropsTraining and SupportOn-going training and support will be available as required during the term of the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project, until July 2016. The Horticulture Coordinator will be available to answer queries, make recommendations and give hands-on demonstrations on a one to one basis, or to a group if it is felt that all or most of the plot holders need the same training. Management of the Model Market GardenThe Model Market Garden will be overseen by the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project until it comes to an end in July 2016. In order that the garden continues to function after this time, the Environment Trust is working to produce a long term plan to find solutions to maintain the garden beyond the funded period of the project (July 2016). Model Market Garden CommitteeThe committee is made up of representatives of:the Environment Trust for Richmond; Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow staff, including the Horticulture Coordinator; experts from outside the Environment Trust; other interested partners, including a representative from English Heritage; and representatives from the community plot holders (at least four members) It is envisaged that the committee will change in membership over time, but retaining representatives of the Environment Trust for Richmond and English Heritage. The positions of Chair and Secretary will be allocated. Other officers will be appointed as seen fit by the committee. Environment Trust for Richmond Community Interest CompanyAfter the end of the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project in July 2016, financial management of the Model Market Garden will move to the Environment Trust for Richmond Community Interest Company. The Community Interest Company will be working to create profit making opportunities to financially support Environment Trust activities, including the garden. PartnersEnglish Heritage lease the Model Market Garden site to the Environment Trust for Richmond for use by the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project. As such a representative of English Heritage will be a part of the Model Market Garden Committee and will have the right to veto any measures which will adversely affect the work of the Park Rangers or the park contractors, or will contravene English Heritage’s regulations governing the park. The role of Community Plot Holders in Management of the GardenCommunity plot holders will be required to play an active role in the committee. Each plot holder should attend at least one committee meeting per annum, and at least four community plot holders must be present at each committee meeting in order for a quorum to be reached. It is envisaged that plot holders will take the important offices on the committee once they are established on their plots. Model Market Garden Management PlanA document is available to the Model Market Garden Committee, which sets out the aims and objectives of the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project and of the Model Market Garden. The committee will be able to use this document to steer the development of the community plots and, after the end of the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project, of the wider garden, with the approval of the Environment Trust. Development of a comprehensive code of conduct and site rulesA code of behaviour governing such matters as conduct at the site and evictions in the event of a plot falling into disuse is to be decided by the Model Market Garden Committee. As this is a community garden the community plot holders will have a decisive role in drawing up this code and adapting it to suit the requirements of all parties munity Plot Holder Policies: A SummaryBelow is a summary of all the policies that have been established to support community plot holders throughout their time with the Environment Trust.Health and SafetyThe Trust will provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from its activities and will endeavour to consult with its community plot holders on matters affecting their health and safety. The Trust will give training and support and will ensure that all community plot holders are competent to carry out their tasks. All community plot holders will be provided with information and instruction. If you would like access to the full Health and Safety Policy, ask a member of staff. Equal OpportunitiesThe Environment Trust strives to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the Trust’s activities and that nobody is excluded from these activities on the grounds of age, class, employment status, ethnic or national origins, race, religious or political beliefs, marital status, responsibilities for children or dependants, sex, sexual orientation, health status, disability (mental and physical), personal circumstances or unrelated criminal convictions. If you woud like access to the full Equal Opportunities Policy, ask a staff member.GrievancesIt is the policy of the Environment Trust to ensure that community plot holders with a grievance relating to their voluntary role at the Trust have access to a procedure that can help to resolve grievances as quickly and fairly as possible. Community plot holders should aim to settle most grievances informally with the support of the Model Market Garden Committee. However if a grievance cannot be settled informally, the community plot holder should raise it formally with the Environment Trust’s Operational Manager, Berny Simcox, tel. 07515 355796, email: berny.simcox@environmenttrust.co.uk.ConfidentialityThe Environment Trust requires community plot holders to observe strict confidentiality where appropriate, especially regarding financial matters and the business dealing of the Environment Trust for Richmond Community Interest Company. Data ProtectionThe Environment Trust only requests sufficient information to deliver projects. Some of this information may be personal and possibly sensitive. The Environment Trust is committed to protecting your privacy and will keep all of the information confidential and treat it with care and respect. Any information will only be shared with individuals’ consent. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals have the right to request information. For full details of the Environment Trust’s Data Protection Policy please ask a member of staff. Children and vulnerable adultsThe Environment Trust undertakes to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are afforded adequate protection when taking part in any facet of the Environment Trust’s activities. In order to safeguard vulnerable adults, community plot holders may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. If you require any clarifications on this policy please ask a member of staff. You can also request a full copy of the Environment Trust’s Children and Vulnerable Adults policy.AppendicesAppendix I - Terms and Conditions.Eligibility for a community plotCommunity plot holders must be local to the site, preferably able to walk or drive to the site within 15 minutes. They must have little or no space at home to grow food and must not have access to an allotment. No previous experience of growing crops is needed. AllocationDuring the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project, allocation of plots will be the responsibility of Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow staff and the Model Market Garden Committee. After July 2016 responsibility will lie with the Model Market Garden Committee. FeesDuring the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project, fees will be payable at the rate of ?10 per annum. After the project, from 2016, these may well increase as the Model Market Garden will then be funded under a different model. Fees will be set through negotiation between the Model Market Garden Committee and the Environment Trust for Richmond Community Interest Company. Heritage VarietiesAs it is part of the Model Market Garden, plot holders are required to grow only heritage varieties of vegetables, fruit and cut flowers. The Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project will provide seeds and some young plants propagated at other Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow sites. Should community plot holders wish to purchase other heritage seed or plants, it will be at their own expense. Bushes and treesTrees and bushes cannot be grown on the community plots as the plots are too small and were not envisaged to hold such plants. Should community plot holders wish to gain experience at growing trees, there will be opportunities to plant, prune and care for cordon and espalier trees in display section of the Model Market Garden (see below). However, cane fruit, such as raspberries, can be grown provided proper supports are established and the fruit is kept trained well away from the paths around the plots. WaterWater will be available onsite. During the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project, the cost of this will be met by the project. After the project, from July 2016, the cost to community plot holders is be to negotiated between the Model Market Garden Committee and the Environment Trust for Richmond Community Interest Company.Manure and compostDuring the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project, the cost of this will be met by the project. We request that community plot holders make use of the compost bins onsite for green waste and assist in regularly turning the compost to ensure even decomposition. Importation of top soilNo top soil or other inorganic materials are to be imported onto the site. This forms part of the contract with English Heritage due to the presence of underlying soft and hard archaeology. Fertilisers, pesticides and other chemicalsCommunity plot holders must adhere to organic principles, in line with the Model Market Garden. Fertilisers, pesticides or other chemicals, whether organic or inorganic, must be stored off site and used away from other garden users. Non-compostable wasteCommunity plot holders must remove any waste that cannot be composted from site. Access to tools and other facilitiesTools and other sundries are to be found in the Model Market Garden potting shed. Community plot holders are free to use them, but should take care to ensure they are used with care, cleaned and returned to the shed after use. Should community plot holders require other equipment, it may be possible to purchase it at the discretion of the Model Market Garden Committee. Should this cost not be agreed, it will be the responsibility of the community plot holder to purchase it. These tools may be kept in the potting shed, but in this case they must be available for use by all community plot holders and storage in the shed is at the owner’s risk. Tools must be stored securely in the potting shed, and care must be taken to ensure the health and safety of all site users (see below). Cultivation depthDue to underlying archaeology, the ground cannot be cultivated more than 25cm below ground level. Raised beds have been used to increase the planting depth available to community plot holders. Please take this into account when planning your soil cultivation. The Display GardenThe Model Market Garden has many roles. It is a community garden, but also serves to educate and inform the public about the history of market gardening in Twickenham and the surrounding areas. As such there are crops grown as a demonstration of the varieties grown and methods of cultivation both in the late 19th century and during World War II. Community plot holders are encouraged to get involved in the cultivation of these areas, which offers both a chance to cultivate a wider range of crops, but also to add to the overall sustainability of the garden. Health and SafetyCommunity plot holders must take due care to ensure the health and safety of community plot holders, their guests, other community plot holders and all visitors to the site. Risk assessments will be available in the potting shed and must be read and signed. These will include a site risk assessment and task specific assessments. SecuritySite security must be maintained at all times. Tools must not be left unattended, and the shed must be locked when left unattended. A combination lock is used on the shed. Please keep the combination secret. If you see anyone vandalising property, acting aggressively or acting suspiciously do not approach them. Report the issue immediately to the Park Rangers on 07825 680709: they are trained to deal with these situations. If you see any damage or vandalism, try to make the area safe and call for assistance from the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow staff or the Park Rangers as appropriate. Visiting public in the gardenThe Model Market Garden is an educational resource for the whole community and as such it is open to the public. Please make visitors feel welcome and be prepared to answer their questions if you can. Please refer anyone with more difficult queries to the project website. Groups in the Model Market GardenFrom time to time groups will use the Model Market Garden for training and education purposes. The Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project staff or the Model Market Garden Committee will alert community plot holders to when these activities are taking place. Please be aware that some of these groups may contain children or vulnerable adults. Open days and special eventsThe Model Market Garden will host open days and special events that will enhance the public awareness of the garden and will also help to fund the garden going forward. Community plot holders will be made aware of when these events are happening and should be prepared to help with the preparation for them and participate when possible. Keeping the garden tidyAs the garden is open to the public, community plot holders are required to keep their plots healthy, weed free and well cultivated at all times. Failure to do so may result in steps being taken to ensure the situation is rectified, and ultimately, removal of the right to cultivate the plot. EvictionThe Model Market Garden Committee will be responsible for ensuring community plot holders adhere to the terms and conditions and for ultimately evicting any community plot holder who fails to comply. The committee, in conjunction with the community plot holders, will draw up a procedure to be followed in these circumstances. DogsDogs are not permitted in the garden, unless they are trained service dogs assisting their owner. English Heritage The Model Market Garden is located with Marble Hill Park, which is owned by English Heritage and leased to the Environment Trust for Richmond for use by the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow. As such everyone gardening at the Model Market Garden must abide by English Heritage’s regulations regarding the use of the wider park, which can be seen onsite. Particular attention must be paid to the closing hours, which is generally at dusk. Appendix II – Community Plot Holders AgreementJam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow Heritage ProjectCommunity Plot Holders AgreementIntroductionThis agreement describes the arrangement between the Environment Trust and …………………………… (name of the community plot holder) in the role of community plot holder. The Environment Trust appreciates you taking a community plot at the Model Market Garden, part of the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow Heritage project, and we aim to make this experience enjoyable and rewarding for you.The Environment Trust for Richmond agrees to provide the following: An induction into the aims, objectives and outputs of the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow Heritage projectA description of the community plots and the terms and conditions applied to themAppropriate training and support from the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow Horticulture Coordinator. Details will be available during your inductionProvision of tools, water, seeds and access to the potting shed during the term of the Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow project (ie until July 2016)Equality of opportunity and diversity – details of our policy is available in the Community Plot HandbookA confidential working environment – details of our policy is available in the Community Plot HandbookProvision of adequate insurance cover for volunteers whilst carrying out their volunteering roles The community plot holder agrees to:Adhere to the terms and conditions (see Community Plot Handbook)Maintain the plot, ensuring it is well cultivated at all timesTo follow the organisation’s procedures and abide by relevant policiesTo attend necessary induction and trainingTo have due regard for confidentiality of the organisationTo provide referees and to consent to DBS checks being undertaken as necessaryModel Market GardenModel Market GardenCommittee Member nameCommittee Member signature……………………….…………………………Community PlotCommunity PlotHolder nameHolder signature……………………….…………………………This is an honourable agreement, rather than a legal one. ................
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