Lincoln Conservation Group attended a new site for our latest task day – a new site for the Group, and a new site, in general.  St Andrew's Garden is a small, reclaimed green space sited very close to the Lincoln City Football Club in a densely residential area of the city. Managed by the Sincil Community Land Trust, the garden currently comprises of some tall silver birch trees, a newly laid circular path, a couple of compost bins and some colourful furniture. The Group was joined by members of the Red Imps voluntary group, led by Alice Carter of the Lincoln City Foundation, as well as Trustees from the Land Trust.

Our task was straightforward, if strenuous! We were there to help remove some of the lasting evidence of the garden’s former self (an abandoned playground) to make way for a wildflower meadow on the garden’s far side. This entailed removing a small number of nettles and bramble before digging up the existing grass and any deep-seated concrete blocks (former playground equipment bases) to help level the ground. Once we got going, the concrete blocks came quick and fast, and with particular thanks to Louise, Robin and Nick, they were soon hoisted out of the ground, ready to be reused by the Land Trust as an informal path to the site’s composting bins.

We also thinned the compost bins of some of its heavier wood waste, to help aid the biodegrading process – thanks Ali, Isla, Anne and Julie!

It was a hot, long day, and a hard task, but we left the site ready for its first wildflower seeds and us ready for a cold bath and a beer!  Well done everyone!

​Sophie

P.S. Chris Williams of Nettleham Woodland Trust, who organised this task with us on behalf of the Sincil Community Land Trust, later sent us the following: 'A great job at the micro-park of St Andrew’s Garden, where residents were inspired by the effort and impact teamwork can achieve. Thank you.'