NOW THE BOURNE GREEN GARDENERS

The Bourne Green Gym was formed in 2009 as part of a scheme run by the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) which allows young and old alike improve their health and the environment at the same time.

Once the idea was mooted nationally, the trust received a huge amount of interest from people wanting to set up their own groups and in response, they developed a licence arrangement whereby organisations could establish new schemes according to its quality standards by providing a package of training, evaluation advice and support. One of those who expressed an interest was Rosemary Blakesley, a garden and landscape gardener, and as a result of her determination, the Bourne Green Gym was formed and she became the project manager.

The trust supported her through every stage of development, including explaining the how the Green Gym Licence worked and how best to gain the support of a local health authority or health centre. “The support was excellent”, she said. “They made the administration side of my job easy by enabling me to submit project reports online. I know that they are on the end of the phone if I need any advice and they provide training so I can keep improving the Green Gym offer here. I might be the only member of staff in Bourne but I certainly don’t feel alone.”

Rosemary was fortunate in that Hereward Group Practice in Exeter Street, Bourne, was supportive of the idea from the beginning and assisted her in a bid to the Lincolnshire PCT Rapid Improvement Fund which they succeeded in securing. By August 2009, she had a team of eleven members recruited through the Hereward Group Practice and so became the first of its kind to be funded by a NHS trust in the country.

The primary objective is to help people in the town to improve their fitness and well being and at the same time enhance some of the neglected corners of local parks, access in the woods and hopefully starting work on a school outdoor classroom in the near future. But during the summer of 2009, much of its work was devoted to cleaning up the landscaped area of the Abbey Lawn, formerly the memorial garden established in July 1983 to Horace Stanton (1897-1977), a local solicitor and long-serving clerk to the trustees of Bourne United Charities.

The project had a particular appeal in that it lies within the town amid a well used amenity and both Rosemary and her volunteers were full of enthusiasm for the task which was completed by the end of the summer. “Most are recovering from some form of medical trauma”, she said, “but this work is a beneficial therapy that does not involve taking pills or medication. We should all try to be fitter and at the same time we are made increasingly aware of the importance of our environment and so we can leave something good for the future generations to enjoy while at the same time giving ourselves the chance of a better, healthier life."

Robert Brown, manager of the Hereward Group Practice, was equally enthusiastic. “It is important to provide patients who need to increase their exercise with a range of options”, he said. “Whilst some may be interested in gym classes or walking, others will be attracted to the idea of gardening and other types of physical work outdoors. The Green Gym is a valuable addition to the options we provide and the work they do makes a significant contribution to the community.”

The practice continues its support by providing Rosemary with office space and tool storage, advertising Green Gym in the waiting areas and encouraging doctors to refer patients. General practitioner Dr Ian Wheatley, who supports the scheme, said: “I think the Green Gym is an excellent idea. Any initiative that improves the physical and psychological health of our patients is very welcome, especially in the context of increasing levels of obesity. Unlike traditional exercise regimes the Green Gym provides social and environmental benefits as well.”

At a typical Green Gym session, experienced leaders guide volunteers through a range of practical projects, giving them the opportunity to tackle physical jobs in the outdoors, improving their strength and stamina, boosting practical skills and confidence and benefiting the community’s local green spaces. In Bourne, with two large parks and extensive local woodland, the team of volunteers has plenty to keep them occupied and are steadily becoming an asset to the town.

Adrian Smith, Project Manager for Bourne United Charities, who are trustees for the town’s two main parks, said: “We employ two ground keepers to look after over 40 acres and much of their time is spent tending the lawns and litter picking. To have the Green Gym team at our disposal means that some of the forgotten corners of the parks can be reinvigorated and improved for the townspeople. It’s a very positive relationship.”

Yvonne Hunt, BTCV Health Development Manager, said that the trust was delighted that the Hereward Group Practice had become the first to take on a Green Gym licence. She added: “It shows how far medical practices have come in terms of promoting physical activity and mental health, and going beyond treatment. We hope that many more practices will follow their example.”

In the summer of 2010, the name of the organisation was changed to the Bourne Green Gardeners and on Tuesday 31st August, it was presented with the annual rose bowl award by the Rotary Club of Bourne for improvements to the environment, notably work at the Abbey Lawn, the Wellhead Gardens, Bourne Wood and Grimsthorpe Castle estate.

REVISED SEPTEMBER 2010