Volunteering at the Bilsthorpe Miners Memorial Garden

Friday, 12th April 2024

Looking forward to a fantastic Friday on the 12th of April!

Are you volunteering at the Bilsthorpe Miners Memorial Garden? Indeed, I am engaging in the noble pastime of weeding, where one valiantly battles the relentless green invaders of the garden beds. Some may deem it a Sisyphean task, for with each weed pulled, it seems two more spring up to take its place, mocking efforts with their leafy grins. Yet, fear not, for every garden warrior knows that it is not the size of the garden that matters, but the spirit of the gardener. And I, my friend, have channelled my inner Percy Thrower, the horticultural hero who whispers tales of green-thumbed glory.

As I grapple with the soil, I like to think that every weed I conquer is a win for fabulousness and organisation in this little corner of nature. The Bilsthorpe Miners Memorial Garden might not be the biggest, but it’s a plot of land overflowing with history and nostalgia, a lush homage to those who worked beneath the ground. My seemingly superficial efforts are an impactful contribution to maintaining this haven.

So, I embrace the dirt of the garden as a badge of honour, and when you next admire the results of my hard work, remember that every thriving plant, every blooming flower, is a testament to my effort. If I ever feel discouraged by the relentless growth of weeds, I envision them as a defeated army, overpowered by my bold gardening spirit. Keep going, courageous gardener, for the strength of your inner Percy Thrower is truly remarkable!

Memory Lapses

I have an ongoing battle with names, a struggle familiar to many! It’s as if my brain enjoys playing hide and seek with them. And those gardens, oh, the deceptive patches of greenery! They can resemble a wild jungle safari one day and a peaceful Zen retreat the next, depending on who is holding the shears. It’s quite the botanical enigma. But let’s take a moment to applaud the unsung heroes of horticulture, the dynamic duo of the garden world – the husband-and-wife team. With more rings of life experience, they are like the Gandalf and Galadriel of gardening, wielding their magical tools to tame the wild flora. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary stories are hidden behind the most ordinary facades, and that every unkempt hedge might just be a chapter in an epic tale of dedication and love for nature. So next time you pass by that garden, give a nod to the silent guardians of the shrubbery, and bear in mind, it’s not just a garden, it’s a legacy being nurtured one leaf at a time. As for the names, well, perhaps the trees and flowers have it easy – they just have to sit pretty and never worry about forgetting anyone’s name at a party! If only I could remember names!!

Lincolnshire CO-OP

The Lincolnshire CO-OP sponsored today’s volunteer session through their Green Spaces Project. It is an impactful endeavour with a focus on local environmental conservation. The program aims to rejuvenate and preserve green areas in the community, playing a crucial role in enhancing the natural surroundings. Instead of ordinary tasks, volunteers engage in significant eco-friendly activities such as planting and cleaning, contributing directly to the improvement of the environment. The Co-op Wood stands as a testament to their dedication, having been established as a haven for wildlife and leisure activities. For those interested in participating in these environmental efforts, further details can be found on their website: www.lincolnshire.coop/community/our-environment/green-spaces

Bilsthorpe Heritage Trail

In our charming little village, where history seems to seep from the ancient walls of the Village Hall, there’s a story that’s as old as time itself. It’s a tale of heritage, woven with all the richness of the coal seams that were once the lifeblood of this place. Rumour has it that the chairwoman of the Bilsthorpe Miners Heritage Museum, whose name is as hard to pin down as a ghost in the fog, is a figure of local legend. If only her furry friend had been by her side, maybe her name would have stuck like glue, but alas, the dog was off on its own adventures, and her name vanished into thin air like smoke up a chimney.

Fresh from her television debut, where she wowed the viewers of BBC East Midlands, our unnamed hero embarked on a quest to find new digs for the museum, as the old Village Hall is on its last legs, creaking and groaning like an old miner after a long shift. The squash courts, which cradle the museum’s treasures, are also set to vanish, like echoes in the mine shafts. In this dire hour, she made a heartfelt, yet charming pitch for volunteers, casting her net wide in hopes of catching perhaps, some willing souls. Let’s hope she finds some brave companions on this adventurous treasure hunt! And there I am, caught in the crosshairs of her plea, contemplating whether to embark on a wild adventure into the world of volunteerism. Could it be that retirement has not been the peaceful haven I anticipated, but rather a warm-up to the chaotic escapades of preserving history? The idea of being busier now than in the olden days, when work was my daily snooze, is both frightening and strangely thrilling.

The Leader of the Parish Council, a figure as contentious as a bull in a china shop, appears utterly oblivious to the museum’s importance. The chairperson believes the Leader is driven by money, not by an appreciation for culture, imagining the renovated Village Hall as nothing more than a lucrative venture, feasting on profits rather than preserving the historical wealth of the past.

In this epic clash of tradition and progress, where the worth of the past is pitted against the power of profit, could I be a like the anchovy on a pizza? Will I rise as the heritage museum’s superhero, defender of antiquity for generations to come? Or am I destined to spectate as Bilsthorpe’s heritage is stashed away like a forgotten lunchbox at the end of a school day? Only time will spill the beans, but one thing’s for sure: Bilsthorpe’s tale is still unfolding, and every local is a character in its ongoing soap opera. A millennium of history doesn’t come together in the blink of an eye!

When I posted this to Facebook in the evening, I got this response from our NSDC district councillor, “hi Litter Picking Dog Walker, following your recent post on the heritage Museum I just wanted to mention that 3 of the Heritage Museum members are also Parish Councillors, M1, M2 and M3. And they have been, and are still, a party to all discussions and decisions. No decision has been made about any of it as we are still just exploring whether we will get planning consent. Any decision made will need to go to the Full Parish Council meeting of which they are full members of. I just wanted to let you know.” Oh my, this is a sensitive topic.

Returning to the memorial garden in the heart of our quaint village because that what today is about, our eccentric bunch of green thumbs gathered. There was a mix of villagers and CO-OP employees from Lincoln, all united by a common purpose. We dove into the dirt, tending to the needs of the community with every weed pulled and plant pampered. When lunchtime arrived, the lack of gluten-free options led me to indulge in the sweet embrace of chocolate paired with the rich aroma of coffee. The break refreshed our spirits, and we returned to our tasks with a re-found zeal, the afternoon sun casting long shadows as we worked.

After Lunch

By 14:00, our heroic crew’s hard work had paid off, turning the place from jungle to almost paradise. We managed to fill three whole vans with the remains of our garden warfare, sending them on a one-way trip to the composter. As we said our goodbyes, some promised to come back, sealing our fate as eternal garden warriors. The air was thick with emotion, and even a few tears were shed, as if to say, “This garden will never be the same without our sweat and tears.” It was more than just a day of hard work; it was a day of bonding, of laughs, and the commitment to keep this garden a masterpiece.

The village, previously just a sleepy backdrop to everyday life, had transformed into a wild canvas of potential, with each volunteer wielding their trowel of change. This experience left an unforgettable mark on everyone involved, a collective memory of what can be achieved through teamwork and a shared vision. The end of the day wasn’t just a wrap-up, but more like a dramatic pause before the next episode of this ongoing saga of community involvement and environmental guardianship. It truly was a fabulous day – not only for the work accomplished, but also for the floodgates it opened to future collaborations and improvements. A place for more work, sure, but also a place for more growth, learning, and community spirit. The village and its volunteers, forever interconnected, eagerly anticipate the days ahead with a mix of hope and sheer stubbornness!

The Evening at the Copper Beech

A peaceful person can enjoy the end of the day in the Copper Beech, one of two public houses in the Village. The pub, a haven of camaraderie and warmth, welcomes the weary with open arms, its amber lights a beacon in the twilight. M and I enjoyed the clink of glasses and the murmur of friendly banter that are the evening’s tender lullaby. The rare steak, a sumptuous reward for a day spent in selfless service, is savoured with a satisfaction that only those who give without expectation can truly understand. As the night draws near, the heart swells with a sense of fulfilment, for in the simple acts of kindness, one finds the profound echoes of life’s greatest symphony. Tomorrow waits on the horizon, a canvas yet to be painted with the hues of new experiences and the promise of continued purpose. And so, with a heart full of contentment and a spirit at ease, one retires under the watchful gaze of the stars, cradled in the embrace of an earned rest, dreaming of the dawn and the infinite possibilities it holds.

Keep Litter Out of Nature