Earthworks has sadly been a target for thieves and vandals numerous times in recent years. There was really nothing more heartbreaking than arriving at our lovely gardens to discover damage had been done to areas worked on by our trainees and volunteers or to find that equipment had been stolen.

As part of our new building project we have had a complete overhaul of security arrangements. Following meetings with Herts Police Force we now have a smart new fence around the entire perimeter of the site (with anti-climb measures), an infra-red CCTV system, and, perhaps most importantly, we no longer keep any valuable equipment on our site overnight.

We are also continually grateful to local people who report any issues or suspicious goings on in the area to us and the police. Thank you!

Heavy rain showers did nothing to dampen the spirits of all those who attended our summer fair on Saturday. The slightly soggy gardens at Earthworks were completely awash with smiling and happy faces!

Those who came along enjoyed delicious cream teas, BBQ burgers, and cakes made by various local people as part of our very own Bake Off competition! Watling View School students won 1st place with their very tasty St Clements cake.

Visitors were also treated to all sorts of games and craft stalls, our beautiful plant stall, and  an enchanting dragon story with fire breathing! Thank you very much to everyone who turned up to support us and of course helped us to officially, and very proudly, open our beautiful new building The Warren.

The Summer Schools project is for young adults with learning difficulties who are aged between ages 16-25, offering horticultural training at Earthworks. The project lasts for four days (Tues-Fri) and there are a number of weeks to choose from across the summer period.

We offer a variety of horticultural and landscaping experiences, just some of the tasks may include; seed sowing, basic gardening (pruning, planting, weeding etc.), sawing, and drilling.

There will be daily refreshments (drinks/snacks) included as well as a t-shirt and an end of project BBQ which everyone will be invited too.

There is a subsidised fee of £20 per day per person. The project begins in July and is very popular so we strongly advise applying as soon as possible! We would also love for you to come down and visit before accepting a place on the course to have a chat and see if it is right for you!

If you have any more questions or would like to request an application pack please email Josie: josie@earthworksstalbans.co.uk

Each academic year Earthworks employs an undergraduate student (usually from a geography or environmental sciences degree program). Each student undertakes a 48 week full time paid placement with us. They become a member of our staff team benefiting from nearly a year’s worth of hands on work experience linked directly to their studies. This also benefits Earthworks tremendously since we have an additional new and enthusiastic team member.

Josie Green is our current student employee and is doing such a good job that we might not let her go back to uni!

“It has been a fantastic placement and I am really enjoying it so far! It’s a unique opportunity to work in a flexible and independent way whilst helping to benefit a charity. I have set up my own project, an educational schools project, you can choose to do something more scientifically based”

We are now looking to recruit a student to take over when Josie leaves at the end of summer 2014. If you or someone you know is studying a related degree which incorporates an acadamic work placement and would like to know more please don’t hesitate to contact Steve Pike (Placement Supervisor) for more details email Steve.

You may download the following three reports from our 11th October AGM, plus the Agenda:

• The Chair’s
• The Project Leader’s
• The Horticulturist’s
• The Agenda

• Harpenden Mencap
• Transition, St. Albans
• Mind
• World Development Movement St. Albans
• St. Albans Cycle Campaign
• Pike Photography