01592 858458

254a High Street, KY1 1LA

info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk

Introduction to Organic Vegetable Gardening (2-day course)

11th and 18th May in Kirkcaldy

Are you interested in growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs? This 2-day introductory course will give you a grounding in all you need to know to get started. Over the 2 days you’ll learn about garden design, soil analysis, composting, seed sowing, dealing with pests organically and much more, with plenty of practical exercises. For more detail of what’s covered, see the course outline.

The course will be held over two consecutive Saturdays (11th and 18th May), at Ravenscraig Walled Gardens, Kirkcaldy (see map). The course will run from 9.30 to 4.30 each day.

Its FREE of charge to Kirkcaldy residents; for others the cost is £80 (£50 unwaged). To book your place email info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk or phone 01592 858459.

The course is accredited by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and a certificate from the college is available for any participants opting in to complete an short written assessment at the end of the course. (Note that the assessment is completely optional!).

Growing in Small Spaces

Saturday 25^th May 10am – 12:30pm Ravenscraig Walled Gardens

Interested in growing your own but feel like you can’t because you don’t have a garden?  This practical workshop is for you – from lettuces to strawberries, tomatoes to parsley and more – they can all be grown on windowsills, patios or balconies.  We’ll cover what fruit and veg are suitable for container growing, types of containers and how to sow, maintain and harvest your crops.

Please contact us to book your FREE place by email info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk or by phone 01592 858459.  When booking please provide a telephone contact number.

Book Club: “Turned Out Nice: How the British Isles will Change as the Earth Heats Up” by Marek Kohn

Tuesday 28^th May 7pm – 8.30pm Greener Kirkcaldy Advice Centre

Our next book is a look into future with scientist Marek Kohn as he describes what the British Isles will be like as a place to live in 2100 when it is predicted that global temperatures will be 4 degrees warmer than today.  Thoroughly researched and pragmatic this book should be an interesting read and a welcome alternative vision to both those of doom-mongers and deniers.  Join us for a tea, biscuits and lively discussion.

PLEASE NOTE:  Anyone is welcome to join the discussion whether you’ve read the whole book or not!

Fuel Efficient Driver Training – June 2013

Friday and Saturday 7th and 8th June 9am-4pm Greener Kirkcaldy Advice Centre.  

We’ve run 2 successful weekends of Fuel Efficient Driver Training sessions over the past year, and we’re doing it again in June!

We’re offering FREE Fuel Efficient Driver Training lessons (normal price £40) in March.

Understanding how to drive more efficiently could save you a lot of money on your fuel bills. The Energy Saving Trust estimate that after training you could save as much as two months’ worth of fuel each year.

During the 50 minute session an accredited instructor will tell you all you need to know about how the way you drive can have a significant impact on how much fuel you use.  13 people took part in these courses with us in August and between them they have made an estimated saving of £1973 and about 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide.  Feedback from participants was also very positive:

“Great – will implement advice given in my driving for sure.  Great instructor, great advice.  Thanks!”

“Eco doesn’t just mean ecological, it means economical! Saving the environment and living in harmony with the environment saves lots of money at the same time!”

Contact us to take up this fantastic opportunity.  E-mail info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk, call 01592 858459, or call into the Advice Centre on Fridays and Saturdays.

Wild Walks: Edible Wild Leaves PLUS Cookery Workshops

Edible veg in a hedge!

Saturday 8th June 11am Beveridge Park, meet outside Rugby Club.

Join us on another monthly wander with expert Tony Wilson.  This month we’ll be taking a look at the things that are growing all around us that are edible!  Then you can join us immediately after the walk for a workshop on how to turn foraged leaves into delicious dishes – bring a box to take some lunch home with you!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to increasing popularity we are now taking bookings for our wild walks.  Please contact us on 01592 858459, or email us on info[at]greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk

Wild Walks in Kirkcaldy, April to October 2013

Our wild food and wildlife walks have been so popular over the last couple of years we’ve decided to organise more this year, with some exciting new additions. The walks will be led by Fife wildlife expert Tony Wilson who has a vast knowledge of local flora, fauna and folklore- and is a great storyteller!

The next walk is an evening walk around the Beveridge Park on the look-out for our furry flying friends – bats.

PLEASE NOTE BOOKING IS NOW REQUIRED FOR OUR WILD WALKS!  They’ve been so popular we are forced to restrict numbers!  Contact us on info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk, or 01592 858459.

Dates for your diary

11th May- Bat walk, Beveridge Park 8.30pm. Meet outside rugby club.

8th June- Edible Wild Leaves, Beveridge Park 11am. Meet outside rugby club. New! Cooking demo afterwards! Details to be confirmed.

20th July- Seabirds Sojourn 11am. Seafield. Meet at Seafield beach car park.

24th August- Rockpool Rummage 11am, Seafield. Meet at Seafield beach car park.

14th September- Wild Berry Walk, Ravenscraig Park.  Meet at main entrance to the park. New! Cooking demo afterwards! Details tbc.

5th October- Fungi Foray, Dunnikier woods. Meet at car park to Dunnikier House Hotel.

Grow Your Own Workshops

We want to encourage you to grow your own veggies, herbs and fruit, and we’ve worked out a series of workshops to fill everyone with ideas and inspiration. There’s something for everyone, no matter what growing space you have, and whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced gardener.  We’ve found a great bunch of teachers to show you how and our lovely training garden and orchard at Ravenscraig Walled Garden will be our venue.

Here’s the titles and the first dates for your diary (more details coming soon)

23rd March- Beginners Grow Your Own 
6th April- Growing Perennial Veg with Alan Carter
May- Growing in Small Spaces
June- Weeds, pests and how to cope with them
July- Composting at home
23rd August Plot to pot (with a look at preserving)
September Beginners soft fruit
October Planning for next year, getting garden ready for winter

For booking, call the Greener Kirkcaldy office on 01592 858459 or email info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk, stating which workshops you’d like to attend.

Volunteer sessions at Ravenscraig Community Orchard

Calling all Kirkcaldy gardeners…

Would you like to help develop our community orchard in Ravenscraig Walled Garden? We always welcome new volunteers and hold regular volunteer sessions at the orchard. These are on a drop-in basis so don’t feel you need to commit to the full session, every little helps!

• Every Thursday 10am – 1pm
• The last Saturday of each month, 1:30 – 3:30

The volunteers are currently planting fruit trees, helping to develop our training allotment, and carrying out biodiversity surveys and improvements at the site. We offer training and support to the volunteers – no gardening experience is necessary, but skilled gardeners are very welcome!

Just come along to the Walled Garden – the entrance is a blue gate near the junction of Dysart Road and West Quality Street (see map). If you can’t find us, call 07583 275241 for directions.

There will be a short induction at the start of each session for anyone who hasn’t been before. Please read the guidelines on what to expect at the site too – Ravenscraig orchard – Volunteer guidelines (PDF file, 31 KB).

If you’d like to be involved in other ways, keep an eye on our website for details of the progress. We’re also keen to hear from anyone who has any knowledge of the history of the site – we’re uncovering some interesting finds and would love to know what they might be from.

If you have any questions please get in touch!

Swap Shop – free books, CDs and DVDs

We’ve had some great new donations to our swap shop this week – loads of books and some graphic novels. Its easy to take part – just bring along any books, CDs or DVDs you don’t want any more and swap them for something new – it’s that simple!

At the Advice Centre, 254a High St, every Friday and Saturday 9-5.