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Bees and Trees in Cresswell

Funded on Spacehive 1 June 2022 Delivered 12 April 2023

Impact data and claims within this report are provided by the project creator and have not been independently verified by Spacehive.

Bees and Trees in Cresswell

Cresswell Pele Tower CIO By Cresswell Pele Tower CIO

We want to re-instate an orchard and host beehives within a forgotten walled garden, whilst providing skill to volunteers and a safe, inspiring space for visitors.

Cresswell Delivery stage

56
backers
£5,241
raised
funded icon
This project was funded on 01 Jun 2022!

We have a fantastic opportunity to re-nstate an abandoned walled garden that was formerly part of the historic Cresswell Hall estate (which includes Cresswell Pele Tower) and to make this into a community green space where visitors can rest, reflect and participate in gardening and wildlife. Having opened the restored Pele Tower in 2021, our focus has now shifted to the adjacent walled garden where volunteers have removed the debris of decades of neglect to reveal a fantastic space that will become a "secret" garden for locals and visitors to enjoy, complementing the built environment and history of the area. Recreating its former orchard, complete with beehives are priorities from community consultation.

What we'll deliver:

  • Plant an orchard of 30 trees including medieval species ie: medlar
  • Construct and install beehives safely amongst orchard
  • Provide volunteers with skills to maintain beehives

Why it's a great idea:

Restore neglected garden into public greenspace with areas for gatherings and educational space. Increase mindfulness through access to wildlife and plants. Provide space for participation in gardening for those who lack this locally. Provide opportunities for local volunteers to gain new skills. Enhance access to historic and cultural assets. Increase biodiversity and understanding of natural processes esp. pollination.

Steps to get it done:

  • Buying and planting 30 fruit trees
  • Building & installing 2 hives
  • Training 6 participants in bee-keeping

Cresswell Pele is a nationally important but totally undervalued historic asset that has been rescued from neglect and is now a local asset. One of the few remaining standing Towers along the anglo-scottish border, they were hugely significant during the border troubles in the middle ages. It has now been fully restored (removed from Historic England Buildings at Risk Register - a huge accolade!) and is now open to the public free of charge. The entire site and projects are managed by volunteers.

Gallery

Location Cresswell

About the space

Custom Location

Council

Northumberland Council

How will the money be spent?Total £4,776

Bee keeping equipment - £3,185 (67%)
Fruit and nut trees - £1,244 (26%)
Other - £347 (7%)

Costs Breakdown

This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.

67%
Bee keeping equipment
£3,185
26%
Fruit and nut trees
£1,244
7%
Other Read More
£347
  • Spacehive fees
    £247
  • Transaction fees
    £50
  • VAT
    £49

Overfunding

This project is enabled for overfunding. If the project hits its funding goal before the end of the campaign period, any extra funds raised will be spent (in order of priority) on:

  • More Hives and Trees
  • Training more people
  • Educational work

Total £4,776

Our Volunteer List

We're currently looking for people to offer skills and time to develop our project! Check out the list of what we need below and then use the 'Volunteer' button to the right to get involved.
  • Help with promotion of the crowdfunder. We would welcome antique garden equipment. Garden canes please Donation of plants are very welcome Volunteers really welcome as well

Want to help?

Do you have stuff or skills to contribute to this project? Use this tool to offer something to the project creator.

Volunteer

Offers

I have some trees and shrubbery if you can use them
Foxgloves, irises, tulip bulbs, hardy geraniums, cotineaster, Siberian irises, crocosmia, violets, feverfew, ladies mantle, large hydrangea, large pieris japonica, raspberry canes, gooseberry bushes, rhubarb, medlar tree, several large, established shrubs, bushes and plants on behalf of various people and community groups. Handcrafted medieval beekeeper outfits.
I can offer practical gardening skills as an RHS qualified horticulturalist on most Sundays. Have been speaking to Steve Lowe but having trouble contacting him via email.
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