Knutsford GROW

It's a BIG HELLO and welcome to our latest volunteers; the lads from Petty Pool

Knutsford GROW would be nothing without its team of cherished volunteers.

To celebrate and thank them for their efforts they were entered in a free prize draw with a chance to win prizes generously donated by Barclays plc.  First prize was a luxury Fortnum & Masons’ hamper stuffed full of goodies.

The winners (drawn by Jacqui Forbes) were Paula, Margaret and Laura & Mike.

GROW Chairman Neil Forbes said, “All GROW’s volunteers should be justifiable proud of how much their efforts are appreciated; I hope this small gesture goes some way to demonstrate this.

If you know of someone who might benefit from our service or you’d like to join our volunteer gardening team for a few hours a week you can find out more by checking out our website www.KnutsfordGROW.org.uk or by emailing Volunteer@KnutsfordGROW.org.uk  GROW operates in an outdoor Covid Secure way.”

Second Prize winner Margaret quipped,   Thank-you for the wonderful box of exotic "goodies" … [in] the prize from the Knutsford GROW raffle that we were entered into.  A lovely surprise, but, as I for one get such a lot of benefit from going out with GROW, this was an unexpected bonus. Many thanks”

Well more of a make-over!

Thanks to funding from Knutsford Town Council we are going to have some new electic tools to replace our petrol ones.  But we're not only going greener, the funding will also cover a brand refresh along with a sparkly new and impoved website.

Things won't happen overnight as we want to get it right but meanwhile a BIG THANK-YOU 

It's not quite Spring and all the flowers and plants are on standby.

Want to join the team helping Knutsford's frail and disabled residents with their gardens?

We're looking for volunteer gardeners and also a Trustee.

See our adverts on the Community Volunteer Service's Cheshire East website and search for Knusford GROW  Search for opportunities | CVS Cheshire East (cvsce.org.uk)

Our volunteers should be very proud.  We just carried out the 2020 Beneficiaries' Survey.

We couldn't do it without you.

Shoppers using Amazon can now ask Smile.Amazon to make an automatic donation of 1/2 % of their purchases at no cost to themselves.

• Same Amazon Prices
• Same Products
• GROW gets a donation from Amazon to help with our costs

Just fill in GROW's charity number 1091285 when asked.

See Our How To Help page for more details  or go direct with this link     https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1091285-0

A big thank-you to Cheshire Community Foundation - Knutsford Fund for their generous donation to cover some of our operatiing costs for a year.

Without the generosity of their donors to GROW our much needed unique service would be very much less secure.

Thanks again

GROW gets help from HM Government in partnership with The National Lottery Community Support Fund to cover lost income because of the pandemic.

With fundraising events cancelled and things in Lockdown this much needed boost from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund will make up for our usual fundraising activies in 2020.

Thank-you Chancellor of the Exchequer

Now the UK Government has issued guidance GROW in turn has risk assessed its operations with special attention on keeping all safe whilst minimising risks when we're working.

A specific new policy has been developed which can be accessed here or by going to the policies page of this website.

We are glad to be able to re-start our service albeit at smaller ecale during the pandemic.

Stay safe and follow national guidence. 

We're socially distancing but have restarted limited operations to help those whose gardens have gone wild during lockdown.

GROW welcomes Andy Martin as a Trustee.  Andy was voted in at our AGM held remotely by video link.

He brings with him an excellent 'green' skillset which will widen those of the board.

Fimd all about Andy here 

He along with the rest of the Trustees are aiming for GROW to start operations again once Lockdown is over.  

Yes it's true, we started in 1999 and are still going strong.

We were planning a small party in the summer but this will have to be delayed untio it's safe to go out again so watch this space.

GROW's welcomes new Trustee David Laycock who joined us in February 2020.

David brings a great skillset, a different perspective and will soon be 'up and running' to spread the workload of the other Trustees as the board moves back to full strength.

The board is seeking new (volunteer) trustees.  This exciting opportunity has recently become available  see the link below

Become a Trustee   

or a bit more information ...

Time flies when you're having fun and 2019 sees GROW having been up and running in Knutsford for twenty yes 20 years!

We turn 20 years old in 2019 and are delighted to say we've just secured funding from the Big Lottery Fund - National Lottery Awards For All to 'Keep GROW Going'.

The Board are so happy.  It means we will be able to keep people's gardens neat, tidy, safe and dare we say, "Lovely" for another year providing our much welcomed smaller grants and donations keep coming in.

With Christmas 2018 approaching GROW's 'Elves' are working hard making things to entice you this Christmas.

All sales go directly to support our gardening team in our beneficiaries' gardens.

Do drop by our stall at Knutsford's Christmas Market on Priness Street ['Top Street'] on Sunday 2nd December.

GROW hopes to see you there. 

A delighted GROW Board learned they had received a donation of £260 from the generous Brook Street Chapel (Knutsford) Committee & Congregation.

Thanks to all concerned.

Knutsford's Mayor is hosting a fund raising meal and we are one of her chosen charities.

You can find out all about it here http://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/events/mayors-fundraising-events/taste-italy 

We understand that our contact links aren't working for some people but are fine for others.

Thank-you for trying if you are affected.  We are working to understand why.  It may be that some people's security or settings in their device is blocking the pop up mail appearing to enable them to get in touch.

Whilst we work on this, if this problem is affecting you and you need to get in touch please email our coordinator Anne  using anneroberts123@hotmail.co.uk.

Thank-you for bearing with us 

Some photos from the Members Day at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2016.  Knutsford GROW were involved with helping the gardeners at Tatton Park to produce this stunning garden.  it was designed by the Head Gardener Simon Tetlow to represent the home of the BFG-Roald Dhals creation and one of his best books. 

GROW's Special General Meeting on 12th April 2016 decided to change our constitution to allow small amounts of trading to halp boost our funds and make us a little less dependent on grants and donantions.

One of our cherished volunteers Michael loves his lawn mower duties with GROW so much he's written a song about it.

Greatful thanks and well done to the staff and customers of http://www.guysbarbersknutsford.uk/ for their generous contributions to our collecting tin.

Every little helps and as we all know, "If you look after the pennies ..."  we promise to use your donations carefully and wisely.

GROW could be good for you!

We have a new page on this site decated to mental health survivors GROW & Mental Health  see how we may be able to help you or someone you know

Thank-you and Merry Christmas to Knutford Lions who have made a financial contribution to our volunteers' Christmas meal out.

Winter will be here soon (?) and GROW will be reducing its activities and start planning for the year ahead.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND MERRY NEW YEAR 2016

GROW is very happy and fit to burst having secured a stand at Knutsford's Christmas Market on Sunday 29th November.

We've employed a guard hedgehog or ten to cover secuity for our Christmas Wreaths.

Thanks to Sue and the Barclays team who came out to help us on the 10th August.  They are based at Radbroke Hall just outside of Knutsford and come out to help community projects when they can.  With Michael one of our regular volunteers we cleared two overgrown gardens and got very wet and muddy as a consequence.  However a good time was had by all and we helped out two very deserving beneficiaries.  With their support we could not undertake such large projects.

Blooming Marvellous!  GROW wins silver at RHS Tatton.  A BIG WELL DONE to all concerned.

Chairman Debbie with Coordinator Anne and our SILVER Certificate

You can find us at this year's RHS Show at Tatton Park 2015.  You can find our entry at "Blooming Beds" section- in front of the Floral Marquee.  We  have designed the garden for CVS.  It's called 'Volunteering is Blooming Marvellous for You'.

Come and find us - you may win a prize yourself!

'GROW' has gained Lottery funding.

GROW is now one of the beneficiarys of the Knutsford Beer festival.

Knutsford GROW has been chosen as one of Knutsford Mayor's good causes in 2014-'15.

Tatton Estate Management Bursary.

Knutsford GROW are looking to recruit a new part-time coordinator to manage a new Big Lottery funded project; "GROW more!"

Knutsford GROW is delighted to announce it has received a grant from the BIG Lottery Fund to extend its service into Bexton Ward and Warren Avenue in Knutsford.

GROW is pleased to announce the support of Peaks & Plains Housing Trust as a new donor

Knutsford GROW has received a huge boost in the form of a grant from Lloyds TSB Foundation Trust for England and Wales

Volunteers from local firm, Ashley and Dumville braved the downpours to do some gardening in Manor Park.

Tatton Estate Management are GROW's Corporate Patron

Grow's volunteers enjoyed an afternoon at beautiful Bluebell Cottage gardens

Knutsford GROW are in urgent need of funds to survive.

 Would you like to help disabled and elderly people keep their gardens tidy in and around the Knutsford area?

Our new and updated website is now live!

The Mayor of Knutsford has shown his support for Knutsford Grow

Dear Volunteers, Spring has finally sprung and we shall start mowing after Easter, much to the delight of many volunteers!