Petrus Green Gym Newsletter

March 23rd 2015 Issue 61

The Green Gym team joined forces with Touchstones last week as part of British Science Week. A
nationwide project which aims to engage more people in the sciences. Our project named plant
hunters of the past looked at the science of botany which is the study of plants. On Thursday we
heard about how in the past one local botanists would walk as far as Scotland to collect, study
and grow different plant species. We looked at recording methods and a collection of teaching
aids held in the Touchstones store and were able to have the rare opportunity to look at the rest
of the stores artefacts. On Friday we took a walk around Broadfield Park to look at various plants
many of which now common locally would have been brought by botanists from around the
world. After our walk we discussed the future of plant hunters and how whilst new species will
naturally develop we may also see a rise in genetically engineered plants to meet our needs. For
example to be more disease resistant or produce a heavier crop. The group imagined the future
ability to grow meat and fish or the use of plants for future medicines amongst other products
and built a sculpture out of recycled materials to reflect our thoughts. Everyone enjoyed the
sessions which gave a fascinating insight into our local history and the science of plants.

On Saturday the Green Gym attended the Alpine Society annual flower show held in Whitworth. We
saw exhibits from growers from all around the UK and had the opportunity to speak to the growers.
Pictured is John Dower the winner of the alpine miniature landscape competition.

After a lot of time spent indoors this week we still managed to get out to work on a local
residents garden that we have been helping to clear and tidy an area that has become over run
with Ivy and overgrown shrubs. There is still a long way to go finish the job but we have made
good progress and will continue to work on the garden over the next few weeks.

Also today we received our Grow Wild Seed Kit which we have
been selected by the Grow Wild project to be part of a
nationwide wildflower community growing project ran by Kew
Gardens and funded by the national lottery. We will grow the
flowers at our Petrus residential projects and other projects
around Rochdale.

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 24th March: Long Street 1-3pm
Thursday 26th March: Wellfield Street 1-3pm
Friday 27th March: Cheviot House 1-3pm
Tuesday 31st March: Falinge Rd 1-3pm
Wednesday 1st April: St Peters Church 11-1pm
Friday 3rd Monday 6th April: Closed for Easter

If the weather causes the planned activities to be cancelled an indoor session will be held at
Beswicke Royds Street.
Contact Rachael for more information: 01706 646925
Email: rachel.bennion@petrus.org.uk

Registered Office: Craig Lee House, 25 Church Lane, Rochdale OL16 1NR. Tel: (01706) 345844
Fax: (01706) 713151

Email: petrus@petrus.org.uk

Website: www.petrus.org.uk

A LIMITED COMPANY FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES.

Director: L Robinson. Registered Charity Number: 510904. Limited Company Number: 1523836 (Registered in Cardiff)