The history of The Butterfly Garden.

There was never a plan to set up the project, at least not until the summer of 2002 when six young autistic students were visiting a small commercial Nursery and garden centre on the outskirts of Cheltenham. They came, innocently enough, seeking gardening advice and unwittingly became the pioneer founders of 'The Butterfly Garden'. Invited to return and with guidance they teased life into a small, previously unused patch.... and people heard about it.

By November, a quarter of an acre of overgrown, derelict land was fenced off. A development plan was drawn up and as the months advanced the once tired and empty space was transformed. Today the garden extends across more than four acres. It weaves and entwines with 'the original business' (that still operates) and there is an emulation and sharing of daily tasks, that makes the experience very real. Now, over one hundred students attend each week. Many are referred by colleges, schools, day centres and NHS support agencies, whilst others are guided by friends and family. There are students on site every day and together they have transformed a wilderness and helped to shape a stimulating garden experience, with terrific resources.

The Butterfly Garden is no longer just about gardening though. As the project has evolved, people have just turned up offering help and services (amongst them teachers and care workers) and today the provision is both diverse and stimulating. We have volunteers supporting art, music, woodwork and catering as well as the gardening.

The Aims and Objectives of The Butterfly Garden.

Broadly our aims are to offer diverse, stimulating and purposeful opportunity to people dealing with disablement of any kind. Delivering a service which offers education, recreation and therapy, in a cocktail that the individual finds comfortable. We welcome and value all.

Our objective is to create a unit that is safe, reliable and self sustaining.

The Management of The Butterfly Garden.

The Charity is managed by a team of dedicated Trustees.

The Trustees (whose activity is defined by our constituition) meet on a regular basis to discuss the ongoing development of the project and have an Annual General Meeting each spring. Our current Trustees are Mr Chris Evans (Chair), Mrs Jackie Etheridge (Secretary), Mr Michael Hennessey (Treasurer), Mrs Sue Dove, Mrs Eileen Riddell, Mrs Sarah Sutherby and Pat Youngson.

This group is supported by a strong Accountant. Mr Roger Curtis (of Holbrook Curtis Chartered accountants of Cheltenham) The activities are run and managed on a daily basis by the project coordinator Mr Chris Evans, with help from teachers, support workers and a team of quality volunteers.

We warmly invite contact from interested parties, which can be directed to the trustees or to the ' day' team by e-mail at info "at" thebutterflygarden.org or by telephone on 01452-713068 or by post to The Butterfly Garden, The Brambles, Bamfurlong Lane, Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 6SL.

The Meadow

The meadow extends across two acres and is being preserved and maintained by the students as a piece of traditional countryside. It has total wheelchair access and has been formally opened as a public space. It is expected that with time the area will become a real wildlife haven. It is serviced by a running brook and has two ponds.

The Classroom

The classroom was donated several years ago by the education service. It is a portable unit, is well equipped and offers working accommodation for twenty. It currently also serves as our canteen. The limiting factor is that the unit is accessed by means of a flight of steps. We expect to begin construction of our new(ground level) classroom early in 2011.

The original garden

This is where it all began, the tiny plot that was our first garden. Pulled from dereliction in September 2002, this most peaceful space is now mature and a real delight. It is the first stop for visitors, the glorious tip of our iceberg. The shade house : This timber shelter was raised in 2004 and offers a working space on very hot days. Effectively it is an outdoor classroom and can accommodate 20 people, allowing work to continue in the shade.

The Greenhouse

The greenhouse is our production space. Initially we crept into the front corner of the site's commercial greenhouse and now we have laid claim to 2,000 square feet of it. It is a very useful space and we use it throughout the year for the production of the plants that will be used across the project. We are also generating seasonal items in support of a number of school and college business enterprise initiatives.

The Allotment

It is amazing to look out on the allotment and remember that six years ago,it was a wilderness. Now it is a well managed kitchen garden with good paved access and some terrific raised beds. It is a substantial space and boasts soft fruit beds as well as good rows of seasonal vegetables. In early 2011 the plot will be enhanced by the arrival of a shed and greenhouse.

The Paddock

The paddock is a work in progress. Initially we cleared a piece of overgrown land and grassed it. This was a holding operation, a way of keeping the land in order, whilst a plan was conceived. Work has now started on converting this space into an outdoor theatre. Construction will be in the form of an ampitheatre, fronted by a stage. We have great plans for the ongoing development of this scheme.

The Willow bed

In 2003, we planted 250 willow for craft work and construction. Each year we harvest bundles of material and gradually are honing our skills through experimentation. Members of our group apply their skills to sculpture, garden structures and weaving.

The new cabin

2011 will be the big year, where this project is concerned. We have full planning permission and most of the money for the construction of our new building. It will serve as a second classroom, workshop for our students and will have full services including toilets and a kitchen. It will also serve as a social hub for our group and is a clear commitment to the long term future of The Butterfly Garden.

The Wildlife area and Desert

This is a very special garden, an intimate managed space that we share with nature. We built it from scratch having cleared the ground of briar and bramble. It is fully accessible and has a peace that suggests that it might be a million miles from anywhere. At the end of the paths, which weave through dense undergrowth we have built a desert garden. It was built as a folly and is there for no other reason than "because it is".

How you can help The Butterfly Garden

We never close the door on offers of help and the county community has become enormously supportive. We rely heavily on this support to advance.

There are many ways that you can help:

• All departments are grateful for resources and we are pleased to receive materials for any of the activities. From art supplies to woodwork tools.
• We are always looking for second hand goods for our charity shop "FLUTTERBUYS". We struggle with space for clothing, though we do hold a pool of hats, gloves and scarves for student use. Anything and everything else seems to sell, generating very useful money for the garden.
• We welcome volunteers, either to assist with the work, to help our regulars or to commit to behind the scenes activity.
• We are always grateful for financial support too and are delighted when supporters choose to fund raise on our behalf. We are keen to be involved, so do let us know if you need help.
• We also have some supporters who offer donations, we are a charity and therefore qualify for Gift Aid relief and we are registered with Just Giving (a direct donation arrangement, which is linked from our web menu).

Thank you for your interest and do contact us directly if you have any queries.

Flutterbuys

The Butterfly Café

The Café is actually part of the commercial Garden Centre. With the help of a catering volunteer, we take charge of it on a Monday.

The volunteer, supported by one of our group opens the café between 10 and 3, serving hot drinks, delicious home made cakes and light snacks.

Recycling

We have secured full waste management and carriers licences for the project and have a very effective recycling programme for horticultural plastic and cardboard.

The recycled products are redirected to our own gardeners, are offered to support other 'growing schemes' in schools and communities or are forwarded into the appropriate recycling channels.

The Music room

We have a portacabin which is used as a music room and now boast an extensive collection of instruments including guitars and drum kits.

We have sound recording equipment and a Karaoke machine and currently have help from a music volunteer one day a week, we continue to look at strengthening this provision.

Art at The Butterfly Garden

We have created a dedicated art room, which is available for all visitors to use.

We have a good range of basic art material as well as some craft equipment. This area does not have a dedicated support volunteer, but still gets well used.

The woodwork shop

Opened in January, this venture could be a real success. We have two volunteer woodworkers, the support of Messier Dowty in providing us with recycled timber and some very keen students. We also have some useful equipment including a lathe.

Our group have been making bird boxes, exploring simple furniture construction and wood turning.

Image courtesy of

 

Our Partners

The users:
• We have regular connection with Milestones, Betteridge and Alderman Knight Schools. With GLOSCOL, Stroud College and Star College.
• We are getting referrals constantly through Social Services and various departments attached to the Nhs.
• Groups come in from Care Homes and from Day Centres.
• We also have a growing number of direct domestic referrals

Project links :
• GAVCA. - www.gavca.org.uk
• Thrive - www.thrive.org.uk
• People and Places Gloucestershire
• St George's and St Vincent's Association - www.stvsandstgs.co.uk

Outreach :
• The Eden Project.
• Cheltenham Borough Parks Department
• Cheltenham and Gloucester Airport

Donations are always VERY gratefully received, they can be sent to :

The Butterfly Garden,
Bamfurlong Lane,
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire.
GL51 6SL

Tel : 01452 - 713068

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