Introduction
Welcome to the Meadow Orchard Project.
This open land behind Hornsey Health
Centre has been designated for community
use by the NHS and is being managed as a
community garden, orchard and wildlife
conservation site by local volunteers. The
site offers a safe, peaceful and inspiring
natural setting to simply enjoy being in
nature, to meet people, to get involved in
activities and learn new skills. You can join
as a member for an annual subscription of
£10/£5 concession (membership forms are
found in the tool shed).
Wildlife
An ecological survey of the site was
undertaken in May 2010 by London Wildlife
Trust. We were given advice on how to
protect and enhance the delicate wildlife
features of this land, which is a site of Grade
1 Importance for Nature Conservation. The
undisturbed meadow grassland is a unique
feature in a London urban setting and a
mosaic of five different habitats supports a
rich biodiversity of wild plants and flowers,
insects, spiders, trees and bird-life. There
are locally rare yellow meadow ant-hills,
which are part of the food-chain supporting
bird life, including the green woodpecker
(an endangered species in Britain). At least
14 bird species are found here including
blackcap, song thrush and gold finch, at
least 62 wild plant types including 13
grasses, 16 species of tree with a great
wealth of English oak. Plus, delicious wild
blackberries that also provide shelter and
forage for mammals, birds and insects.
Volunteering
We are open for general workdays every
Saturday from 11am to 4pm and
Fridays from 10.30am for eco-building,
plus additional events and workshops on
other days for specific projects. Help is
always needed and we welcome a diverse
range of people of all ages and ability.
Children are welcome on site but children
under age 15 must be accompanied and
supervised by an adult.
Regular volunteers are encouraged to get
involved in the ongoing upkeep of the site.
There will be somebody supervising the
volunteer day and a list of jobs on the blackboard/shed notice-board. A site diary is kept
outlining work undertaken on each workday
and who has attended. Please ask for help
if you are not sure of what to do. There is a
monthly site meeting on 2nd Sat of every
month at 1pm to find out what is
happening and what needs to be done. You
can also share your ideas for the project and
future plans.
Activities that take place here include:
 gardening and food growing
 tree planting and tree care
 composting
 wildlife habitat management, e.g
scything, clearing bramble and
pathways, transplanting saplings,
dead-hedge laying
 eco-building
 developing site infrastructures
 bee-keeping
 education workshops
 arts/crafts such as mosaic making
and wood-work
 observing nature and wildlife talks
 celebrations and community events
Site features…
The site is designed and being developed
using permaculture principles. There are
vegetable and herb growing beds, both for
annual and perennial planting, and a
polytunnel for seedlings and veg crops. We
use organic gardening techniques and
conserve water as much as possible by
mulching.
There are many fruit and nut trees and
berry bushes planted around the site using
forest gardening principles of plant guilds.
The eco-building has been constructed by
volunteers using natural building methods
and sustainably sourced materials, including
cob (clay, sand, straw mix), straw-bale,
rammed-earth tyres, recycled timbers and
urbanite.
There are two beehives at the back of
the site. We are
practising
natural
bee-keeping methods
that involve minimal
disturbance to the
bees
and
allow
natural swarming to
take place. If you are
interested in finding
out more about the
hives talk to the beekeepers, Mal and
Paul.
Site code of conduct
All visitors and volunteers are responsible
for taking care of the Meadow Orchard as a
resource for the community.
 Be aware of security and always lock
gate/shed when leaving the site
 Keep to the designated pathways to
protect the habitats and take care not to
walk on the delicate ant-mounds
 Take all recycling and rubbish away with
you and use the compost-bays /
wormery for food-waste (except
meat/fish)
 Take care of tools and equipment and
clean and put away safely after use
 Keep working areas and built-structures
tidy and help with clearing up when
needed
 Be aware of conserving water on site
 Ensure safe working practices are carried
out whilst volunteering – refer to the
health and safety policy and risk log
Meadow Orchard Project
Inspiring and growing creative,
healthy and sustainable
communities
Website
http://shepherdscothealinggarden.ning.com
Phone 07947 617563
Email meadoworchard@virginmedia.com