2017
2017
Read about some of the brilliant projects we were involved with in 2017
crow nest park christmas schools project
In the run up to Christmas 2017, we were asked by staff at Crow Nest Park if our gang could cut and shape a load of pallets into the shape of Christmas trees. The pallets would then be distributed to local schools for pupils to decorate and return for display in the park; culminating in a competition at the Crow Nest Park Christmas Event, with Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff judging which one was the winner!
Well, this was right up our street; just the sort of project we here at Transformers North love. It utilised the carpentry skills of our team and was a fab way to involve and engage the local community ... so we were only too happy to oblige, and we couldn’t wait to see the decorated pallets once they were returned.
We certainly weren’t disappointed … they were nothing short of magnificent (see the slideshow to the right), and it was so much fun to see each one come back transformed in so many different styles! How Paula ever chose a winner we’ll never know!
This was such a brilliant project to be involved with, and happily we’ll be doing it all over again in 2018 :)
clem's garden, huddersfield
In November 2017 we received a request from a fellow social enterprise to help them shift a whole heap of topsoil and compost. The call came from the fantastic
Clem’s Garden in Huddersfield (who offer the chance for over 50s with no family to come together to share their care and skills growing and selling flowers to benefit local charities & community projects); the task was one that suited us down to the ground and we were delighted to say yes!
It was a gorgeous, sunny Autumn day (…well, it goes without saying the sun was out, we take it everywhere with us after all!) when the Transformers North gang arrived at Clem’s Garden and were all eager to get going. Our mission: to move tonnes of compost and top soil into possibly the longest raised bed in West Yorkshire to ensure thousands of bulbs could be safely tucked up all snuggly and warm prior to the cold weather and inevitable frosts setting in.
It was an ambitious task, but we love nothing more than a challenge here at Transformers North and our team displayed outstanding teamwork to not only complete the mission, but also have time to plant up thousands of narcissi bulbs too. What a wonderful day we had at Clem’s Garden; it was so great to work in partnership with a like-minded social enterprise, the welcome we received (from both human and feline occupants!) was so warm and we’re happy to have made some fab new friends! Our team really enjoyed the day and we’re hoping we can work together once again in the not too distant future.
RUDDI'S RETREAT, HUDDERSFIELD
At the end of May 2017 we were contacted by the wonderful charity
Ruddi's Retreat about helping transform an overgrown, under-used space at their offices and not-for-profit tea room. Their idea was to create a community garden where local children and groups could come to learn about growing and take part in environmental activities.
We leapt at the opportunity to get involved and in July 2017 embarked upon our task to realise the potential of the site.
We had four sessions and a lot of heavy lifting/work to do to successfully complete our assignment! Our tasks included digging out, flattening and marking/raking pathways, shifting 5 tonnes of gravel to form pathways, lifting 5 tonnes of topsoil into raised beds surrounding the car-park, weeding, rock & root removal, digging out & creating a pond area and laying artificial grass onto a fenced off concrete section. Phew! It's tiring just thinking about it, but we did it.. and we did it with lots of fun and laughter along the way - the trademark of Transformers North! :)
On our final session we worked alongside a team of NCS students who did a great job painting the raised beds, fencing, planting up the beds (after we filled them with topsoil), creating a rockery & decorating the area with artwork and solar lights.
The space is now totally transformed and ready! It feels welcoming and dynamic; we're delighted school and community groups will now benefit by utilising the space to gain positive experiences, obtain knowledge, learn new skills and have loads of fun in the process!! :)
New Wortley Community Centre, Leeds
For two weeks in April/May 2017, we were back amongst familiar faces as we rejoined forces with our friends at New Wortley Community Centre in Leeds. This time our brief was to construct a 4 metre long outdoor table (complete with benches) for communal use, build an outdoor shelter area, stain the decking we built last year, plant up some hanging baskets and give a general sprucing up to the outdoor space; all to be ready for the official opening weekend of the new Community Centre building on 5th/6th May.
Phew! .. Quite a mammoth task to complete in just two sessions.. but, the Transformers North crew are nothing short of incredible and together with Community Centre volunteers exhibited industriousness, enthusiasm and fine teamwork as we accomplished our goal in time! :) You didn't doubt us, did you??
It was great fun being back at New Wortley Community Centre and to see everyone again; we all had a fab time and even got to spot our names on a commemorative plaque (which recognises all who helped achieve completion of the fabulous new building and its surroundings) for the landscaping work we completed last year. Very cool!
ravensthorpe residents action group, dewsbury
For 3 weeks in March 2017, we joined forces with Ravensthorpe Residents Action Group to assist them with achieving Phase I of their management plan for the bird sanctuary area of Dewsbury Country Park before nesting season.
This particular wooded area is quite dense and suffers from fly-tipping/general littering. The plan was to thin out a particular section of the woodland; helping access for volunteers to remove any large items and hopefully mitigate against further littering by providing much clearer sight lines to promote the fantastic green space that it is.
We had a ball working alongside Ravensthorpe Residents Action Group with some great teamwork on display and by the end of the third session we had accomplished our mission - Phase I of the management plan was complete! Now it's time for us to leave the area for our feathered friends to move in and make their homes, but we hope to team up with Ravensthorpe Residents Action Group again in the future!
Transformers North Allotment Plot, Huddersfield
This year we've taken on an allotment plot in Fartown, Huddersfield and towards the end of January we had our first visit with the plan of getting it ready for the upcoming growing season. It was quite overgrown and certainly required a little bit of love and attention - this was no problem for the Transformers North gang who had it weeded and dug over within 3 hours! (we even had time to make a start on what will become our seating terrace too!). Upcoming projects on the plot will include completing the seating terrace, repairing the shed and of course, lots of lovely vegetable growing!
