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A sea of Spring bulbs is a beautiful sight, so too the intense colour of a Summer border, but neither can compete with the riot of reds, oranges and yellows as the green leaves of Summer give way to the colder shorter days of Autumn. While Autumn gives us some of the most colourful scenes nature has to offer, it can also be the ficklest of the seasons, a tree with a jaw-dropping display of fiery red leaves one year, can be drab and underwhelming the next. What influences that? Why can't we guarantee a spectacular display every year? The answer is complicated. For that perfect Autumn display we need to look back, back as far as the previous growing year. What we need is a decent growing season, nothing special at this stage, just no major droughts and a decent bit of sun. So, nothing to stress the plants, that way they go into the next year in good health. But before we get to the next growing season along comes Winter and this plays its part in the quality of colour the following Autumn too. We don’t want any crazy record low temperatures that may damage some plants, but we do need a few frosts, so the plants go properly dormant. Plants like a good sleep in winter and so a mild winter where they never quite stop growing isn’t ideal. Now we get to the important bit, the growing season just before Autumn. We need Spring and Summer to be great growing times, with lots of sunshine and no prolonged dry spells. Sounds straightforward and it is, but the problem is it never really happens. Our Summers can often be much wetter than is ideal or increasingly we have periods of baking hot dry weather that stresses plants. If we do manage this great growing season, how does it give us the Autumn we are looking for? The sun lets the leaves build up all the compounds needed to give those amazing colours and the rain means they never get dry and tatty looking. For our gardens in Preston, 2023 hasn't been too bad. Last year was a decent growing year, Winter was good, and Spring and Summer have been perfect, so what could possibly go wrong in Autumn? What we need would be a cold settled spell. Night time temperatures nice and low, but still dry sunny days, with beautiful blue skies providing the foil for fiery foliage. When you consider all of that, the perfect Autumn is a big ask and the frequent storms and heavy rain didn't help. But the good news is we don’t need perfection to give impressive displays and there are trees that will look beautiful even in terrible growing years. I enjoy the chase for the perfect conditions even if they never come. Particular highlights for me this Autumn have been the avenue of Lime Trees in Haslam Park, turning a lovely golden yellow and the range of colours on show in the rock garden in Avenham Park. If you love Autumn too why not share some pictures with us or let just let us know some good spots in and around the city. Chris Taylor, Horticulture Project Officer Grange Community Garden Let's Grow Preston.

We are delighted to announce that we are now a Living Wage Employer to deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. This means that everyone working at Let’s Grow Preston receive an hourly rate of at least £10.90 (the living wage), significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £9.50 per hour. Annie Wynn, our Development Director, said: "We're super proud to announce that we're now an accredited Living Wage employer. This means that as a charity we've made the conscious decision to ensure that all our employees are paid a fair day's wage. Paying the real Living Wage is the right thing to do as a responsible employer to ensure our staff know how much we value them". Cllr Freddie Bailey, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building said: “We welcome this move from Let’s Grow Preston as we continue to strive to make Preston a Real Living Wage City. 24 Preston employers are now accredited to the Real Living Wage scheme and we encourage more Preston businesses to consider doing the same as it strengthens employee wellbeing, and ensures that employees have enough in their pay packets to meet their everyday needs.” Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation said: “We’re delighted that Let’s Grow Preston has joined the movement of almost 11,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employerand they, like Let’s Grow Preston, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay."

On Friday 14th October 2022, our Development Director, Annie Wynn, received her British Empire Medal (BEM) from The Rt Hon the Lord Shuttleworth KG KCVO, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire. Annie was awarded the BEM for “services to the community in Preston, Lancashire, particularly during Covid-19” as part of The Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours in June 2022. She is pictured with Taz (Mohammed Tahir Ali) from the Preston Community Hub who also received a BEM.

Let's Grow Preston is delighted to receive a special tree from The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) “Tree of Trees” which stood tall as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism to the nation and the world as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations. LGP joins over 300 organisations from across the UK who were announced by the QGC as recipients of these special trees in The Queen’s name. Preston was chosen as a Queen’s Green Champion City and LGP is one of only 8 organisations in Lancashire to receive one of these special trees in recognition of the community work that we do. The tree becomes part of the living legacy in honour of Her Majesty, joining over a million trees already planted across the UK as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy. We will be joined by the King’s official representative, The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, and the Mayor of Preston to help to plant the tree at 1pm on the 20th November 2022 at the Hub on Grange park, off Mitton Drive, Ribbleton, Preston. On the day we'll have a variety of activities including willow weaving, a hedge laying demonstration and the opportunity for people to build a bird or bat box for the park. We are also working in partnership with Preston City Council to offer people the chance to plant and take home with them a small cherry tree. “Receiving such a special tree is a huge honour for Let’s Grow Preston and is recognition for all the work that we do to support the Preston community, improving people’s physical and mental well-being through nature. However, we wouldn’t be able to do anything without the generosity of our volunteers and the collaborative and cooperative way we work with Preston Food Hub Network, the allotmenteers and so many grassroot groups and local businesses” said Development Director for LGP, Annie Wynn.

In this episode, Annie Wynn chats to Lucy Baxter about the amazing work that Let Grow Preston does in the community and how nature and gardening is incredibly important for our mental health. Click to open Spotify to listen

Do you want to know how to create a successful composting system for your garden, but other than getting one of those things that look like a Dalek, shoving all of your veg peelings and garden waste in and then praying for compost, don't know where to start? Then come along to our FREE Composting Course! Saturday 8 June 10am-12noon Ashton Walled Garden, Ashton Park, off Pedders Lane, Preston, PR2 1HL Reserve your place at https://lgp-compostingcourse2019.eventbrite.co.uk The course will cover all areas of composting including: The theory of good composting What is compost? Why is it useful in the garden? Building and managing a compost heap. Composting techniques for smaller gardens. All materials will be provided but please bring gardening gloves and wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear as the course will go ahead regardless of weather conditions (shelter is available in cases of extreme weather). Contact us to find out more at letsgrowpreston@gmail.com or 07535 836364

Welcome one and all to the penultimate blog I will write. For the past 6 months I have been documenting my gardening voluntary work in and around the community of Preston, Lancashire. A lot has changed in that 6 month period and today marks the near end of my time with Steve Smith ( senior park ranger ) at Ashton Park. I intend to say goodbye to Preston Parks on October 3rd 2016. It was initially going to be October 17th but Steve was away that week so I've decided to conclude my time a fortnight earlier. I am delighted as to everything Preston Parks has provided for me and the many experiences and memories over the past year that I will cherish for some time, thank you. Today, however, was still a working day and Steve and I tackled Ashton Park with our bin bags, litter pickers and gloves in a diligent and hassle free way. Throughout our jaunt round the park we were fortunate to see some familiar faces who walk dogs for a living. It was brilliant to see the dogs in such good shape and enjoying the beginning of autumnal weather. Steve and I were also fortunate to avoid the wet weather. On some Mondays when I've done a litter pick it's been absolutely throwing it down and we both came back to the Pavilion base looking like a pair of drowned poodles. By the time we got back this morning it was pushing on 11.45am and I reminded Steve that I wanted a photograph of him and I outside the pavilion to document my time with Preston Parks and Let's Grow Preston since end last year ( 2015). We managed to get an employer from Preston City Council to take a photo of us, we got two in total and we were no doubt looking particularly cheesy. It was edging towards 12noon and before I went Steve asked me to email him what I would like on the reference. I will email him soon and also print the photograph. It's not totally goodbye as I'll be coming in for the last time on October 3rd and I have asked Steve if he'd like to join me and Barry from Intact ( need to check with Barry ) for a beer bi-monthly from December onwards. He said he'd like to but his schedule is really busy with family commitments. I said my goodbyes for now to Steve and looked around Preston Parks to recall what a special year these last 12 months have been and what a privilege it's been to meet Steve and the rest of the team. I'll be back for the last time on October 3rd for now though this is Alex Ashworth signing off for Preston Parks 19/9/16. Throiughout

Good afternoon blog followers and welcome to the latest instalment of the intrepid adventures of Alex Ashworth as he continues to gain valuable experience in the field of gardening within the voluntary sector. Today marked a return to Preston Parks at Ashton Park after a two week break. I arrived at approximately 9.45am complete with full outdoor clothes in ( getting ready for the winter freeze), and, after I helped myself to a brew and made one for Senior Park Ranger, teacher, mentor and friend Steve Smith we were just about ready to get going for the morning's activities. For the first hour or so it involved giving the park a good clean up and, since Steve had already been round last Thursday and Sunday it wasn't as bad as previous weeks had been, in fact both of us could probably testify that we only used about 1 and a half bags throughout our walk round the park. Thankfully, this week it didn't rain only a slight drizzle so it did mean cleaning the park wasn't as gruelling . We began with the first port of call, giving the car park a little maintenance then I turned right towards the tennis courts and teen shelter and Steve turned left heading towards the doctors surgery then on to the path where he would meet me later. Sometimes it easy to loose each other and I did turn round several times to see if Steve was still in focus. I'd just about filled my first bag so I tied it and placed it next to a bin for the council to take away. It was at this point that Steve surfaced again and he instructed me where he'd like me to clean up next. It was after 11 am now and we were both getting parched so Steve agreed to call time and we went back to base for a brew. By 11.45am we went out towards the main road on the park and Steve had the major job of bringing in the old green flag from last year down the pole and attaching the new one. The Green Flag represents a clean, sustainable, eco-friendly park and is accessible to all if, they too keep it clean. Prior to Steve fixing the new one and hoisting it up the pole he took several pictures of me holding the flag with a somewhat cheesy expression. Thankfully, the lens didn't break so I must have been looking good. After the pictures were taken and the relief was over, Steve hoisted the flag up the pole and it looked cool as it floated in the wind. Which marks the end of another PP session for another couple of weeks. I'll be back with Steve on September 19th, until then, however, this is Alex Ashworth signing off for a rewarding and productive morning with Preston Parks at Ashton Park, Preston.

Hello people and welcome to the latest update into the voluntary world of Alex Ashworth in his quest for experience and progression. Today was Friday which meant two things. One, the start of a long bank holiday weekend in the hope that it doesn't rain and two a visit to Intact at Ingol where I have been attending gardening sessions with the encouragingly brilliant Barry Mann for the past five months or so. I started the session in fine form by putting all my gardening gear on and as I tied the last shoelace on my boot I looked up and Barry zoomed past me on my bike, it was like something out of an action film. Having already built a strong rapport over the past five months we knew exactly how to get the work done and in the most effective and diligent way. Before anything began I thanked Barry for writing an excellent reference for me which really emphasised how much he has appreciated me giving up my time to help run the gardens at INTACT. Barry instructed me into what needed doing this morning and by 9.20am the work was already quite underway. The first task involved uprooting the potatoes with the fork, picking them off the root, cleaning them slightly and leaving them in a warm spot to dry. Once that was accomplished a period of weeding that bed took place. By this stage fellow volunteer Chris appeared and he began the lengthy yet rewarding task of cleaning the potatoes with a bucket of water that I had uprooted earlier. At this point in the morning Barry and I were slightly parched so I was pleased when Barry asked if I'd like a brew. I didn't hesitate at all, in fact I was delighted to have a refreshing drink that came just at the right moment in between the next task which I was yet to carry out. Barry introduced me to the herb bed and his desire for the coriander's in the bed round the corner to relocated to the herb bed. He highlighted specific areas where he'd like them to be placed. Admittedly it was hard to keep them standing especially as the coriander's weren't that robust due to their faint stems. I completed the task with ease and persuasion. After they were all planted I gave them a little sprinkle of water to encourage their growth. By this stage in the game my brew was ready and I could drink it knowing the majority of the morning's work had been completed. Chris demonstrated his eagerness and determination to continue by working during the brew break and refusing to have a brew. This meant Barry and I could chill for a while knowing we were in capable hands with Chris manning the fort. After 11 am the morning's work was rapidly coming to an end. We put all the tools back in the tool shed and said our goodbyes' to fellow volunteer and great grafter Chris. End of part one for my time with INTACT was fast approaching. I knew that after today I wouldn't be working in the garden with Barry and Chris again but come October time I'll be re-instating my volunteer time with The Work Club. To help channel that future goal of getting back to work, Barry showed me how much business cards are due to my desire to have my own gardening business at some stage. As I was about to depart INTACT till the autumn, Barry kindly wanted to extend his help by asking me to send him an email based on the type of work I'd like to do and my contact details. He would then forward that on to social networking sites and any other advertising websites to get my name out there. He was being a realist and said it could take some time which is fine as I like to pace myself in all things I do. I thanked him for the past five months and he opened the hand of contact by saying he would still like to see me when I attend The Work Club in October. This is Alex Ashworth signing off for my final day volunteering for Barry Mann but it's not quite the end for my time with INTACT.

Good afternoon fellow blog followers and welcome to an exciting update into the voluntary escapades young Alex Ashworth is dedicating to, in and throughout the district of Preston, Lancashire. Today was Monday which meant two things :- the start of the new working week and another visit to Ashton Park where Preston Parks is based. I arrived at Ashton Park HQ at roughly 9.45am. As I was driving into the car park I noticed Senior Park Ranger Steve Smith already undergoing a period of litter picking prior to our usual start. Once I got all my appropriate gear on ( waterproofs, boots, waterproof jacket and gloves) I soon got into a brief instruction from Steve to go to the base and collect the litter picker and three bags to join him on our weekly clearance of the park. Bear in mind at this point in the days proceedings the rain was coming down quite heavy, yet, this did not prevent our determination to get the park clean and at a good level for people to enjoy walking in and bring their dogs or children. Fortunately on our jaunt round the park we met some friendly faces. Two men who regularly walk dogs in the park for extra income noticed our high level of diligence and stopped briefly for a chat. This helped keep up the momentum and pace despite being totally drowned from head to foot. I'd probably reached half way when I suddenly realised I'd ran out of bin bags. Thankfully Steve had some extra bags spare so I concluded the mornings litter pick with the bag Steve gave me. By the time we'd got back to the base, we'd down at least two hours non stop and how much we were looking forward to sit down and enjoy a nice cup of coffee. I made a brew for Steve and I had two chocolate biscuits, what was that diet I was on? oh yeah, seafood. With the weather being so bad there was little activity we could do after our brew break so Steve let me know that I could go once I'd finished my brew. I'll be back with Steve in a couple of weeks, taking us up to 5th September 2016. For now then this is Alex Ashworth signing off for productive if, a little wet, morning with Steve at Ashton Park. heavy, yet

Good day to you all and welcome to the latest update reporting the various volunteering pursuits young Alex Ashworth is committing to in and around the district of Preston. On Monday 8th August I volunteered my time with Preston Parks at Ashton Park. I've been coming here since November last year and in that time I have learnt some valuable skills and information regarding various plants. Monday however, focused on planting some oak trees around Ashton Park area. I met Senior Park Ranger Steve Smith at 10am and we got into a relaxed conversation whilst drinking our brew before we endured the mornings work. At 10.20am we left the Pavilion HQ and made our way to Steve's van. In addition to planting oak trees we also took the time to sow some grass seeds on areas around the park that were dry and lacked grass. I learnt how to use a rake properly at this stage with Steve's expert help. We then began planting a variety of oak trees. The first one was Steve's daughter's. We did the work collaboratively. Steve would create the outline border with the trench spade then I would dig the hole then carefully placing the oak tree in the designated spot. We filled the hole with soil unearthed from our digging. A particular highlight of our mornings work happened when Steve spotted a tiny oak tree. Without missing an opportunity he dug round it then I scooped it up with the spade. He kindly asked if I'd like to take it home, I said yes. Steve christened it after himself, adding a touch a comical brilliance to the day. We continued planting the oak trees and covering areas of destitute grassy areas with grass seeds to make the park more welcoming both for dog walkers, young children, teens and adults. The mornings proceedings concluded at 12.10pm. Steve had a series of other jobs to do and it was getting towards lunchtime so my stomach was calling me. It was another peaceful and enjoyable morning with Steve. I'll be back there in a couple of weeks. For now though, this is Alex Ashworth signing off for time well spent with Steve Smith at Ashton Park.

Good afternoon blog followers and welcome to the weekly visit into the voluntary pursuits young Alex Ashworth is committing to in and around the city of Preston. Today was Wednesday which meant another visit to Ashton Park where the Let's Grow Preston team were getting prepared for the final session of the horticultural class. The session has been going on for some time now between the hours of 12noon - 3pm every Wednesday afternoon. The group is being taught the basics such as how to plant plants, how to prevent weeds and how to grow your own vegetables. As volunteers started to emerge after 12.15pm we began with the planting. This included Echinacea purpurea ( wild berry) which is an erect perennial producing tall rose purple flowers with orange - brown cone shaped centres. We also planted another Echinacea purpurea this time however it was white flowers and yellow cone shaped centres. Finally, the Leucanthemum or Laspider, this is a compact, mat-forming perennial producing a very large, double pure - white daisy like flower. It is ideal for borders and patio containers. Whilst this was being carried out a number of other volunteers began weeding a series of beds in the community garden. Bill ( the tutor ) and another fellow volunteer observed how on the right hand side of the beds there appeared to be two plants sprouting purple flowers in an area that mostly included yellows and whites. They agreed it was slightly odd and would have been preferable if they had been planted on the left hand side. The next task included removing the grass from the potato bed. I did this solely then I was fortunate to have at least two other volunteers and Bill contributing to dispose of the grass. It was here where a conversation about music and favourite artists occurred. It was interesting learning about other peoples musical interest and how they differ from one another. At this point in the afternoon it was time for a break, and, an opportunity to indulge a little in a fellow volunteers treats she had brought. When brew time was taking place lead of Let's Grow Preston Annie Wyn appeared complete with mower and strimmer. This became the background noise whilst we were slurping and scoffing. In part two of the session all of us got to work in taking out the potatoes from the potato bed which included forks and tubs for the spuds. I foolishly took the whole root out and placed it in the tub! I then realised the correct way of doing it was to remove the spuds then place them in the tub. We all got on great during this period and it was such great fun when we'd dug up quite large potatoes. Much to our delight we were allowed to take some of the spuds if we were that way inclined. For the half hour or so our sessions were crystallised when a photo of us all was taken. It captured the fun and enjoyment we've all experienced during the past few weeks. After that several of us explored the community fruit garden and picked some berries for a potential pie whilst others took some to try. The session wound up around 2.45pm as we'd just about exhausted all our physical and mental strength. Whether we see each other again depends on who signs up for the next course but it has been both educational and enjoyable in way that is truly unique to each volunteer. This is Alex Ashworth signing off for yet another rewarding afternoon with Let's Grow Preston.