Discovering a Hidden World

There are lots of artistic ways to interpret the Gardens, such as through drawing, poetry or photography. Prose is a little rarer, but this story by Roots and Shoots volunteer Allan shows that it’s a great way to describe the feeling of The Hidden Gardens. Discovering a Hidden World After journeying through endless blocks of […]

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There are lots of artistic ways to interpret the Gardens, such as through drawing, poetry or photography. Prose is a little rarer, but this story by Roots and Shoots volunteer Allan shows that it’s a great way to describe the feeling of The Hidden Gardens.

Discovering a Hidden World

After journeying through endless blocks of busy buildings, I descend metal stairs into a narrow dark corner. A green door stands, waiting. I enter.

Opening into the stillness of a fresh morning, the white sky expands exponentially around the tranquil scenery, revealing a secluded world waiting to be discovered.

A tall tree stands proud on its pristine lawn. The neat lawn stretches like a green velvet carpet. The surrounding foliage encircles the scene in an organic arena. The busy blocks fade into a distant memory as I wander further into the wild. A path invites me to explore.

The rhythmic crunching of my footsteps on pebbles accents the serene quiet. Meandering along the path, the wilderness begins to reveal itself.

A sudden fluttering resonates in the undergrowth as I enter the private sanctuary. Birds twitter and whistle cheerfully up amongst outstretching branches, while a passing seagull jabs high-pitch staccato into the hidden harmony.

I notice some rustling amongst the blanket of crackling leaves. I slowly approach. I follow the sound and peer through the bushes. A blackbird stands still, watching. I move closer. His gentle eyes look at me without fear, allowing me into his hidden world.

Hidden Gardens Volunteers are liking the lichen

Hidden Gardens volunteers braved the weather to meet at Queen’s park to take part in an OPAL Air Quality survey. This survey uses biological indicators; species whose presence is sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Guided by Joanne Dempster from OPAL, we focused on looking at lichens with different sensitivities to nitrogen containing air pollutants […]

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Hidden Gardens volunteers braved the weather to meet at Queen’s park to take part in an OPAL Air Quality survey. This survey uses biological indicators; species whose presence is sensitive to changes in environmental conditions.

Guided by Joanne Dempster from OPAL, we focused on looking at lichens with different sensitivities to nitrogen containing air pollutants and were amazed at how proficient we became in spotting different lichens in a short morning session. Our records will be uploaded to the national survey and will provide valuable information about levels of nitrogen containing air pollutants throughout the UK.

Not only are lichen good indicators of air quality, but they look pretty too!

The quick brown fox ignores our backgate locks

The quick brown fox ignores our backgate locks… One of our volunteers snapped this pic of him lounging on the compost bags. Perhaps he’s super keen to volunteer with The Hidden Gardens? Unfortunately no Vulpine Volunteer Opportunities as yet, but we’ve plenty for people. thehiddengardens.org.uk/volunteering.php

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The quick brown fox ignores our backgate locks…

One of our volunteers snapped this pic of him lounging on the compost bags.

Perhaps he’s super keen to volunteer with The Hidden Gardens? Unfortunately no Vulpine Volunteer Opportunities as yet, but we’ve plenty for people.

thehiddengardens.org.uk/volunteering.php

Weekend Volunteering: Saturday 19 September, 1pm-3:30pm

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY: Saturday 19 September 1pm-3.30pm We’ve a few places left on our next Weekend Volunteering Opportunity. We’ll be pruning, maintaining the Gardens and getting them ready for Autumn and Winter. No previous gardening experience is necessary, just a desire to work outdoors in the Scottish weather. Here’s what some previous Weekend Volunteers have enjoyed […]

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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY:
Saturday 19 September
1pm-3.30pm

We’ve a few places left on our next Weekend Volunteering Opportunity. We’ll be pruning, maintaining the Gardens and getting them ready for Autumn and Winter. No previous gardening experience is necessary, just a desire to work outdoors in the Scottish weather.

Here’s what some previous Weekend Volunteers have enjoyed about volunteering with The Hidden Gardens.

“Being outside; doing gardening work; and meeting new people”
“Learning more about plants, building on last time’s experience. Meeting people!”
“Being among friendly people. Learning more about gardening. Being in the sunshine.”

Places are limited, and registering interest is essential. To take part, please contact Andrea – andrea@thehiddengardens.org.uk

Fingers crossed for sunshine!

Taskforce Cyanotypes 2015

This week Taskforce volunteers made their own cyanotypes. Using cartridge paper that had been soaked in light sensitive chemicals, they chose and arranged leaves and flowers from the Gardens to make their own pattern. Check out the slideshow for some behind the scenes shots of cyanotype creation!

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This week Taskforce volunteers made their own cyanotypes. Using cartridge paper that had been soaked in light sensitive chemicals, they chose and arranged leaves and flowers from the Gardens to make their own pattern.

Check out the slideshow for some behind the scenes shots of cyanotype creation!

The Hidden Gardens – Easter Closing

The Hidden Gardens will be closed on Friday 3rd and Monday 6th April*. Volunteering will be taking a break, too! Greenfingers will start back on Tuesday 14th April, and Taskforce is back on Wednesday 15th April. Have a nice break, everyone! *The Gardens are always closed on a Monday for maintenance, but the office will […]

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A wild bunny in the wildlife meadow
A wild bunny in the wildlife meadow

The Hidden Gardens will be closed on Friday 3rd and Monday 6th April*.

Volunteering will be taking a break, too! Greenfingers will start back on Tuesday 14th April, and Taskforce is back on Wednesday 15th April.

Have a nice break, everyone!

*The Gardens are always closed on a Monday for maintenance, but the office will also be closed this time

Gurdwara Gardening Plaque Unveiling

It was a bit of a blustery day as the plaque for the Gurdwara shared garden was unveiled on Saturday 7th of March. The crocuses and daffodils were just beginning to peek through the soil. The blue and gold of the flowers echoed the flags that fly above the Gurdwara. We look forward to seeing […]

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A group from the Gurdwara and The Hidden Gardens don't let the weather faze them!
A group from the Gurdwara and The Hidden Gardens don’t let the weather faze them!

It was a bit of a blustery day as the plaque for the Gurdwara shared garden was unveiled on Saturday 7th of March.

The crocuses and daffodils were just beginning to peek through the soil. The blue and gold of the flowers echoed the flags that fly above the Gurdwara.

We look forward to seeing the different flowers that’ll appear throughout the year!

The plaque commemorating the Gurdwara shared garden.
The plaque commemorating the Gurdwara shared garden.

Lovely drawing from former Taskforce participant

It’s no secret that The Hidden Gardens wouldn’t be what they are today without the hard work and passion from all our volunteers. We greatly appreciate our volunteers, and it makes us very happy when our volunteers love being here too. We were delighted to get this picture from Annyck, a 2014 Taskforce volunteer. We […]

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A beautiful drawing by Annyck, a former Taskforce volunteer
A beautiful drawing by Annyck, a former Taskforce volunteer

It’s no secret that The Hidden Gardens wouldn’t be what they are today without the hard work and passion from all our volunteers. We greatly appreciate our volunteers, and it makes us very happy when our volunteers love being here too.

We were delighted to get this picture from Annyck, a 2014 Taskforce volunteer. We love all the aspects of volunteering she has drawn, from growing vegetable, to wildlife surveys, and perhaps our administrator’s favourite, cooking!

We’ll be announcing our volunteer opportunities for 2015 very soon. Keep your eyes peeled!

“Our Games” at the People’s Palace

A fantastic exhibition celebrating volunteering at the 2014 Commonwealth Games is at the People’s Palace. Co-produced by the Games volunteers and Glasgow Museums, the exhibition explores the impact the Games have had on the people of Glasgow. Ibrahim, a volunteer at The Hidden Gardens, volunteered at the Games and is featured in the exhibition. He […]

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Andrea, our Volunteering Manager, and Ibrahim, our all-star volunteer
Andrea, our Volunteering Manager, and Ibrahim, our all-star volunteer

A fantastic exhibition celebrating volunteering at the 2014 Commonwealth Games is at the People’s Palace. Co-produced by the Games volunteers and Glasgow Museums, the exhibition explores the impact the Games have had on the people of Glasgow.

Ibrahim, a volunteer at The Hidden Gardens, volunteered at the Games and is featured in the exhibition. He interviewed our Volunteering Manager Andrea, and the footage is displayed in the exhibition. We hope the newfound fame does not change Andrea.