Welcome to the SRT blog No. 49 

16th April 2021 – Welcome to our blog post No. 49 

No one is sure how the month ended up with its name, but we do know the Romans named it “Aprillis” and was sacred to the goddess Venus. 

Those who were born in April have a diamond as their birthstone, which represents innocence. Their birth flower is either a Daisy or a Sweet Pea. 

There are two zodiac signs in April. Aries, which is until April 19th and Taurus, which is April 20th and onwards. 

April is a great month for meteor showers. One of which is the Lyrids meteor shower, which appears from April 16th to April 26th each year. There’s another one called the Eta Aquariids meteor shower that can be seen onwards from April 21st. 

There are quite a few notable historical people born in April, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, and Queen Elizabeth II. 

On April 15th, 1912, the famous Titanic ship hit an iceberg and sunk on her first and only voyage. 

George Washington was inaugurated as the First President of the United States on April 30th 1789. 

Of course, one of the most well-known dates of April, is April Fools’ Day on the 1st of the month. No one is sure where this originated from, but some believe it to be inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer’s story in “Canterbury Tales” called “Nun’s Priest’s Tale.” 

After a 1,500 year break, the first Olympics of the modern era took place on April 6th 1896, in Athens. 

And of course, as we all know, “April showers bring May flowers,” so if the rain of April ever gets you down, never forget the silver lining! 

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The race was on. Last week the teams at Hemel Food Garden potted up 23,732 bedding plants  in 3 days. Possibly a record ? A big thanks to all – the team, trainees and  volunteers. A superb effort, potted up watered and fitted into every nook and cranny possible. 

This then allowed for more on-site work to happen. Weeding in the orchard ……

And Leah was planting out the cabbage in the allotment. 

Michael & Michelle mowing straight lines on the lawn, in front of the summer house at the Tranquility Garden. 

The first aboard for a ride on the new silver bus, donated by West Herts Charity Trust. 

Bakery Update 

The builders have been racing ahead – the walls have been painted white, the ceiling spotlights are in and the mezzanine space is coming along. The floor will be painted next and the cupboards and worktop will be arriving the end of next week, donated by Osborne. 

The outside is being clad with wooden planks  that fits in well with The Repair Shed next door. 

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A big Sunnyside thank you to @Addicted2Cake for their amazing cake for the opening of the café at Northchurch this week. 

Serving the customers with a hot drink and a piece of the ‘shed’ cake.

The next batch of seed sowing – production team in the poly tunnel.

And then onto a new project. The mobile caravan, that was brought onto site a few weeks ago now has to undergo a full strip out. The  caravan was previously used by the BBC for a project at Micklefield Hall in Rickmansworth and then donated to us for a second life, as once finished, it will become an eco-friendly class room – it may take a while. We will send updates over time, as work progresses and show you the finished classroom.

Before……

After…….

A team from Northchurch were out this week preparing a large wildflower meadow along the old A41 to Cowroast. Litter picking, scarifying and then scattering the seeds. Sunnyside will maintain this stretch of field, cutting the hedgerow when needed and looking after the grassland.

The chickens are checked every day.

Oh and someone has to enjoy the sun when it’s out – this time it’s Sam’s turn!

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The Activity Centre did some contract work on the garden space outside the Old Mill Pub in Berkhamsted prior to their reopening this week. They helped to establish a wildflower area by the riverbank and planted up several sleeper beds with perennial plants from HFG.  

The team included Noreen, Becca and Ian, Pete and Louise. 

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Did you see the Daily Telegraph Saturday pg19. ‘I feel safe in the garden…..’ Michelle and Hollie are interviewed and talk about how Sunnyside supports them.