Courses

Course Title Description Date Price
The Pitch in Picnic

Our annual community picnic is back, and this year it's being held on the same day as The Big Lunch, a very simple idea from the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.

We'll be doing this in our own unique GBY way with a 'bring and share picnic' (bring something to contribute with you), our annual and highly competitive soup making competition (judging starts at 2pm), and this year there will be demonstrations of practical skills from all the tutors behind DIY Peterborough, so as well as enjoying a top notch lunch with your friends and neighbours, you'll be able to learn how to fix your bike, sew on a button or even make your own lip balm!

This event is the grand finale of Peterborough's wonderful Green Festival a week long celebration of environmentally concious activities in Peterborough. Follow the link for more details!

12pm - 4pm - Bring some food with you!

Sunday June 02nd

FREE!

Overground 2013: Live Arts Jam

OverGround: Live Arts Jam is a one day live arts event that this year is being run by it's organisers at Blok Collective as a fundraiser for the Green Backyard! As well as hosting live street art, you can expect to see a variety of disciplines take place on the day and also have a chance to take part!

Anyone can join in the jam (spaces may be limited though), sign up will be available soon by visiting the website www.overgroundarts.org or find them on Facebook and show them your stuff!

Saturday August 17th

FREE!


Past Courses

Course Title Description Date Price
DIYPBO - DIY Beauty Products

Do you spend a fortune on beauty products? Learn to make simple lip balms and face scrubs yourself, and take some away to try at home! Take part in this FREE course brought to you by The Green Backyard and City College Peterborough. No experience necessary!

Tutor: Sophie from The Green Backyard, 11am - 2pm

Click here for a full list of DIYPBO courses

Tuesday May 14th

FREE!

DIYPBO - Self Employment

Are you interested in becoming self employed but feel swamped by all the legal requirements and paperwork? This course is for you! 
Take part in this FREE course brought to you by The Green Backyard and City College Peterborough. No experience necessary!

Tutor: Sophie from The Green Backyard, 11am - 2pm

Click here for a full list of DIYPBO courses

Thursday May 09th

FREE!

DIYPBO - Basic Car Maintenance

Does your car cost you a fortune to maintain? Master the basics with this DIY Peterborough course suitable for beginners and save yourself a trip to the garage! Take part in this FREE course brought to you by The Green Backyard and City College Peterborough

Tutor: Bob from Pyrois Technologies, 11am - 2pm

Click here for a full list of DIYPBO courses

Thursday April 25th

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday December 19th

4.00

Craft Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday December 09th

FREE!

Public Meeting on the Future of the GBY

We would like to invite you to be a part of our future. The Green Backyard is a product of the people who have created it, and it is you who have the ability to take it forward.

Anyone interested in the future of the GBY is invited to attend this open meeting to find out more about our plans for the future and how you can be part of them.

Since Peterborough City Council (PCC) announced its intentions to sell the Green Backyard site for development in late 2011 there has been much talk and speculation abou

t the future of the project. After considering a proposal by the GBY in October this year PCC offered the Green Backyard the opportunity to purchase the land, with the certain closure of the project on its current site if a purchase wasn't able to be made.

In order to meet this challenge the Green Backyard has decided to re-form the organisation from it's current not-for-profit social enterprise into a cooperative, making the project owned and governed by the community with transparent, democratic procedures.

To initiate and govern this change of status we are recruiting 6 volunteer Interim Board Members who will help the Green Backyard take this new and exciting step towards becoming a strong and permanent centre for sustainability in Peterborough. We think that these roles are essential in the Green Backyard's ability to move forward and seize the opportunity presented by Peterborough City Council, and this is where YOU come in!

The deadline for applications is 5pm, Saturday December 8th, and the roles will be elected by public vote at this event.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE GREEN BACKYARD AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW...

Click HERE to find out more about the Interim Board Roles and how to apply:

To view our full proposal click HERE:

To apply for one of the roles you can download the application form HERE:

These are exciting times - see you on the 9th! - 5pm - 7.30pm

Sunday December 09th

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday November 21st

4.00

Craft Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday November 11th

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday October 17th

4.00

P'boro Conker Championships and Craft Fair

Yes it's that time of year again! The leaves are starting to fall and we're once again ready to do battle, armed only with a round nut on a piece of string.

This years competition will be our best yet, with our regular local crafts fair, hot food and drinks, home-made cakes, SNAIL RACING and a licenced bar.

We will open to the public at 11am for craft shopping and friendly warm up games. Those wishing to enter the competition MUST be on site, registered and ready to play by 12.30pm.

Craft stall holders - if you are new to us and would like to enquire about a pitch please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk

11am - 4pm Free entry

Sunday October 14th

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday September 19th

4.00

Craft Fair

 

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

The amazing community interest company Massage for the Masses will also be on site for the day providing massage therapy!

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

 

Sunday September 09th

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday August 15th

4.00

Craft Fair

 

***CANCELLED - CRAFT FAIRS WILL RETURN IN SEPTEMBER***

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

 

Sunday August 12th

FREE!

Overground Live Art Jam

 

The not-for-profit, annual live art event sees a wide variety of new work by talented artists, being created and performed live in a festival atmosphere. You can expect to see graffiti and street art as well as performance art, illustration, poetry, craft like you've never seen it before, sculpture, music and whatever else people come up with inbetween.

So anyone can register to take part and we encourage a collaborative approach to the work. For more information and to register to take part go to www.overgroundarts.org

10am - 8pm

 

Saturday July 21st

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday July 18th

4.00

Craft Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday July 08th

FREE!

Introduction to Transition

Come along to this free introduction course to find out more about Transition and the issues that drive it such as climate change, peak oil and economic instability, and meet some of the faces who are already involved :)

Transition is a global movement that began in Devon in 2006. An experiment on a huge scale, it supports community-led responses to climate change and shrinking supplies of cheap energy, building resilience and happiness.

Peterborough in Transition are the local Peterborough Transition Initiative who formed in Novemebr 2011 and who are now offering these free introductory sessions for people to find out more about what Transition means for Peterborough.

14:00 - 16:00

Saturday June 23rd

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday June 20th

4.00

Craft Fair

 

Due to our event taking place the day before, our craft fair will not take place this month and will return as usual in July

 

Sunday June 10th

FREE!

Peterborough in Transition: LAUNCH CELEBRATIONS

Join us to celebrate the official launch of Peterborough in Transition, a group of Peterborough folk working to make our city stronger and happier, with a free day of fun, activity and adventure at the Green Backyard.

Enjoy live music, arts and crafts, discussions, free workshops, delicious local food, a licensed bar, kids activities aplenty and much much more.

If YOU are interested in volunteering to help make this amazing day happen please get in touch. All volunteers will get a free meal on the day! :)

***LIVE MUSIC***
Tallawah - Roots reggae
Niksays - Punk/folk rock
Richard Hall (Isiah) - acoustic folk rock
Charlie Alexander - soulful singer/songwriter
Andy Hughes - talented young guitarist
Dave Williams (The Deadites) - acoustic punk rock
Oscar De Winter - eclectic accordion baritone
DJ Urb - record breaker, expert raker, mess maker, beat creator
Day Glow Joe - world beats and a bit o' bass
+ many more to be announced

***ARTS AND CRAFTS***
Live art by Overground artists
Craft stalls featuring beautiful, locally made goods
Live poetry performances
Live Story Telling from Malcolm Busby
Film Screenings

***LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK***
Sample home-made, organic dishes
Try foraged wild foods
Bake a cake and enter it in the Bake-Off (judging at 3pm)
Enjoy local ales and other drinks from our licensed bar

***DISCUSSIONS AND WORKSHOPS***
Make wildflower seed bombs with Greeniversity
Join the knitting circle
Learn massage techniques with Greeniversity
Watch a martial arts demo
Listen to an introductory talk about natural beekeeping
Join a drum circle with www.monkey-bongo.co.uk (3pm and 4pm)
Take part in music workshops hosted by the amazing BEAT THIS (1pm - 5pm)
Meet community groups from across Peterborough
Take part in discussions about the future of our city

***KIDS ACTIVITIES***
Bring an old toy to swap in our toy exchange
Get your face painted
Get creative
Win a prize in the Peterborough in Transition quiz

We will be selling raffle tickets on the day, all proceeds go to Peterborough in Transition. Get one for your chance to win one of several amazing prizes, all donated by local businesses.

ALL EVENTS POWERED BY PEDAL POWERED GENERATORS BUILT BY THE AMAZING BIKE TO BASICS TEAM!

***Who are Peterborough in Transition?***
We are a group of local residents working to make our city stronger and happier in the face of environmental, social and economic challenges. We have different skills and backgrounds but we are all actively engaged in the Peterborough community. We are people who are learning by doing – and learning all the time. People who understand that we can’t sit back and wait for someone else to do the work. People like you, perhaps…

***AFTER PARTY!***

And if after one amazing day you still want more, get yourself along to the North Street Bar from 8pm for Lavandula: An amazing new soul night with DJ Urb, Rich Hill and Lukus with all proceeds going to Brain Tumour UK xx

11.00 - 20.00

Saturday June 09th

FREE!

The Pitch in Picnic

 

The Green Backyard is delighted to bring you the ultimate bring and share community-picnic to celebrate both this years Peterborough Green Festival and the Big Jubilee Lunch 2012. By taking part you'll be joining people across the whole of the UK who will have lunch together in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. Last year over 2 million people took part!

Bring along a dish to share, if possible made using local ingredients and add it to the feast for everyone to tuck in to! This picnic won't work if people don't bring food so please do try to bring something (even if it's a bag of crisps!).

You can also enter the READY STEADY SOUP competition!
Bring a sample of your best soup recipe for the judges to sample and win a hamper of GBY goodies. Marks will be awarded on both flavour and how environmentally concious your super soup is. Judging starts at 1pm

There will be music all day and the chance to buy some lovely plants for your garden or allotment!

12.00 - 17.00

 

Sunday June 03rd

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday May 16th

4.00

Craft Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday May 13th

FREE!

Rustic Woodwork

 

A regular class for anyone with an interest in woodwork, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

 

Saturday May 05th

10.00

The Green Backyard presents: BEATROOTS!

Join us on Saturday for BEATROOTS! A day of fun, music, art, crafts, activity and good food, all in aid of your urban green space - The Green Backyard.

LIVE MUSIC FROM 1PM!

DJ Urb - record breaker and expert raker
Tallaweh - Amazing local reggae band
Andy Hughes - Talented up and coming multi-intrumentalist
Piper - Funk with a whole lotta smiling
I Want A Tree House - Peterborough rock/grungers - https://www.facebook.com/IWantATreehouse

Home cooked hot food will be on sale all day along with plenty to keep the kids entertained.


All funds raised on the day will go toward helping the Green Backyard grow bigger and stronger in some challenging times. In 2012 the project must remove all of its buildings from the site in order to allow UK Power Networks to complete maintenance work, the project is also in talks with Peterborough City Council to negotiate its long-term future on the site, so come down, have a great day and show your support!

If you would like to volunteer on the day please get in touch!

Saturday April 28th

1.00

Craft Fair

 

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

 

Sunday April 22nd

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday April 18th

4.00

BEATROOTS! - Fundraiser and Fun Day

Join us on Saturday March 24th for BEATROOTS! A day of fun, music, art, crafts, good food and thought provoking discussion, all in aid of your urban green space - The Green Backyard.

There will be live craft demo's all day so come and have a go on a pole lathe, learn how to knit or make your own wild-flower seed bomb. Home cooked hot food will be on sale all day along with plenty to keep the kids entertained.

LIVE MUSIC
*DJ Urb - 12pm - World record breaking DJ and GBY favourite
*Dan and Nate Kerr - 1.45pm - Unexpected covers from the brothers!
*The Last T-Rex - 2.30pm
*Nick Thompson - 3.15pm - Improv-prog-rock
*Charlie Alexander - 4pm - Acoustic fun
*Niksays - 4.45pm - Folky punk - https://www.facebook.com/pages/NikSays/111732352205678
*Richard Hall - 5.15pm - Soulful folk rock from the Isiah frontman - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Isiah/115893155124796

LIVE TALKS - in association with Peterborough Peace Campaign - 4pm
We are delighted to welcome Bruce Kent and Lindsey German to the Green Backyard, following their appearance at the John Clare Theatre earlier in the day for the 'End the Culture of War' public meeting.

Bruce Kent is the Vice Chairman of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), the Movement for the Abolition of War, and Pax Christi. A former catholic priest, Bruce has spent more than 50 years as an active peace campaigner and has been described as pillar of British political radicalism. Don't miss this opportunity to hear him speak in Peterborough!
www.cnduk.org
www.abolishwar.org.uk
www.paxchristi.org.uk

Lindsey German is a socialist writer and campaigner. She helped organise the largest demonstration in British history against the Iraq war, has campaigned and written extensively about women's rights and is involved in the Coalition of Resistance against the government's austerity policies. She has written a number of books including Material Girls (2007) and and is currently writing a People's History of London. She stood as a left wing anti war candidate for mayor of London in 2004 and 2008, and in the general election of 2005 in West Ham, where she achieved one of the biggest swings against Labour in the country. She is on the editorial board of the Counterfire website.
www.stopwar.org.uk

****

All funds raised on the day will go toward helping the Green Backyard grow bigger and stronger in some challenging times. In 2012 the project must remove all of its buildings from the site in order to allow UK Power Networks to complete maintenance work, the project is also in talks with Peterborough City Council to negotiate its long-term future on the site, so come down, have a great day and show your support!

If you would like to volunteer on the day please get in touch!

****

Saturday March 24th

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday March 21st

4.00

Craft Fair

JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHERS DAY! Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday March 11th

FREE!

Film Screening: The War You Don't See

In association with the Peterborough Peace Campaign we are pleased to be screening this eye opening documentary by John Pilger on the mainstream media's influence over the public perception of modern conflicts. Watch the trailor and get more information about the film here. The film is a 12A but does contain some distressing images.

Hot drinks, nibbles and wine will be available on the night, or you're welcome to bring your own refreshments. The event is free, although please consider making a donation if you're able to.

The film will be followed by a discussion hosted by Peterborough Peace Campaign, and on March 24th we will be welcoming speaker Bruce Kent, Vice President of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarment to the Green Backyard, as part of our Beatroots event. Don't miss it!

6pm - 9pm

Saturday March 10th

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday December 21st

3.00

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday December 11th

FREE!

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday December 10th

10.00

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday November 26th

10.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday November 16th

3.00

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday November 13th

FREE!

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday November 12th

10.00

Laughter Yoga

Come along and laugh for no reason in this unique exercise programme designed to get your chuckle mussels working. We will work with laughter exercises and games, deep breathing and stretching,to get fresh oxygen into your lungs and raise your serotonin levels. Graunteed to be a giggle!

Sunday November 06th

4.00

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday October 22nd

10.00

Drum Circle

CANCELLED - DRUM CIRCLES WILL RESUME IN NOVEMBER

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

 

Wednesday October 19th

3.00

Peterborough Conker Championships

Come and do battle at what is (as far as we know!) Peterborough's only conker championship held at our beautiful community garden. We'll supply competition conkers but do bring your best beauties for plenty of friendly matches too. Make sure you're on site and your name is in the hat by 1pm if you want to be in the competition!


Children are very welcome but parents, you are responsible for their safety at all times - i.e. it's up to you if you want to bring goggles and a suit of armour for them to wear! There will also be other kids activities plus the ever popular chickens and ducks.

Delicious home cooked food will be prepared and sold on the day along with tasty hot drinks to ward off that autumn chill.

13.00 - 17.00

Sunday October 16th

FREE!

Introduction to Keeping Chickens

The perfect course for people thinking about keeping chickens on a small scale, or for people who have recently started. This course will be led by Hugh Burton, Hugh has kept chickens since the age of seven with up to 200 birds in his care at some stages. He won best in show at the National Poultry Awards in 2002 with a black silkie bantam and has been a regular contributer to other poultry keeping courses.

Hugh has been advising the Green Backyard on our chickens for over a year and has helped us keep our flock of silkies, ex bats and many others healthy.

The course will cover all of the basics to keeping chickens as well as a practical demonstration and there will be plenty of time for questions.

1.30 - 4pm, £2 donation per person to the Green Backyard to cover materials costs

Saturday October 15th

2.00

Just Do It: Film Screening

We are very excited to present to you our first ever film screening at the Green Backyard! Just do it an independently produced and financed film about environmental activists in the UK and is currently being screened at cinemas, festivals and community venues around the country. We will follow the screening with a short discussion about the issues covered in the film.

Entry is £Donations and if it proves popular we would love to start showing films regularly.

18.00 - 20.00

http://justdoitfilm.com/

Saturday October 15th

FREE!

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday October 09th

FREE!

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday October 08th

10.00

Sow a Wildflower Meadow at the Green Backyard

Come and help us sow the seed for our beautiful wildflower meadow. The charity Buglife and loads and loads of volunteers have been hard at work preparing the site and now it is ready for the seeds. This is a perfect activity for adults and children so come along and get involved, an expert will be on hand from Buglife too so come armed with some beastie questions!!

This meadow will provide a vital urban habitat for numerous vertebrates and invertebrates right in the city centre, and will be a stunning and colourful display that thousands will see as they go past our city on the train, not to mention from the Oundle Road bus stop!

13.00 - 16.00

Wednesday October 05th

FREE!

Laughter Yoga

Come along and laugh for no reason in this unique exercise programme designed to get your chuckle mussels working. We will work with laughter exercises and games, deep breathing and stretching,to get fresh oxygen into your lungs and raise your serotonin levels. Garunteed to be a giggle!

2pm - 3pm

www.monkey-bongo.co.uk

Sunday October 02nd

4.00

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday September 24th

10.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

 

Wednesday September 21st

3.00

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday September 11th

FREE!

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday August 27th

10.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday August 17th

3.00

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday August 14th

FREE!

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday July 23rd

10.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday July 20th

3.00

Overground: Live arts Jam

OverGround: Live Arts Jam is a one day live arts event. As well as hosting live graffiti and street art, you can expect to see a variety of disciplines take place on the day and also have a chance to take part in some interactive demos.

We have space for 60 artists to create live during the event, and are looking to be able to accomodate even more for this year’s event. The event is free and there will be food available using our own produce and a bar on site as well as live music from DJs across the day.

Click here for more information

11 am - 8pm

Saturday July 16th

FREE!

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday July 10th

FREE!

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday July 09th

10.00

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday June 25th

10.00

The Green Backyard presents... BEATROOTS! - Daytime

BEATROOTS IS BACK!!!

A mini-festival in the heart of Peterborough, Beatroots is an all day and all night fundraising extravaganza for YOUR urban green space - The Green Backyard. All proceeds will go towards keeping our beautiful, volunteer run garden thriving, and helping us expand the range of courses and services we can offer.

DAYTIME EVENTS - FREE!

Live music and DJ's, kids activities, craft stalls, a licensed bar hosted by Club Dissident, home cooked food and hot drinks for sale, mural painting workshops, live bellydance troupe, face painting, guided garden tours and much much more!

LIVE MUSIC FROM

THE LYNETTE GROUND BAND
Acoustic blues and soul
www.myspace.com/lynettegroundband www.overplay.com/lynettegroundband

THREADS
Indie punk rock
www.wearethreads.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/threadsband

THE COLD CLUB QUARTET
Local gypsy swing wizards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq2AC4qa1uQ
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cold-Club-Quartet/207215802646410?sk=info

NIKSAYS
Acoustic punk rock
https://www.facebook.com/pages/NikSays/111732352205678?sk=info
http://www.myspace.com/niksays

A GREAT NOTION
A rowdy, punk rocking vegan with an acoustic guitar
http://agreatnotion.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Great-Notion/132239303468502

CHARLIE ALEXANDER
Folk rock fun

ANDY HUGHES
An acoustic solo performance from this talented up-and-coming singer songwriter

Plus a live dance performance from Faye and the Desert Dancers!

*****

We are proud to be part of Refugee Week 2011 and the day will also feature information on the plight of Refugees in Peterborough and accross the UK from staff at the British Red Cross

Saturday June 25th

FREE!

The Green Backyard presents... BEATROOTS! - Nighttime

BEATROOTS NIGHTIME EVENTS @ CLUB DISSIDENT

8pm - 5am
Club Dissident, 24b (upstairs), Lincoln Road, P'boro, PE1 2RL
£5 entry - all proceeds go to the GBY

Live music from bands and DJ's to keep you dancing into the wee hours with proceeds going to the Green Backyard and all compered by the Cambridge based poet and comedian ALEX I-AM.


LIVE MUSIC FROM

THE SHABBY TINKERZ
Back in Peterborough by popular demand, The Shabby Tinkerz are an awesome 8 piece urban dub collective from Luton. With influences ranging from hip hop and blues to metal and drum n bass their awesome live atmosphere, subtle melodies and lively vocals make these guys ones to watch, and DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED!!

Co front man, Mc Mckai waxes lyrical on controversial subject matters whilst painting thought provoking pictures through his vocals. The bands sound is lifted to further vocal heights through Nikki Fountain whose touch of soul will leave hairs standing up on edge. The two lead vocalists, as well as vocal support from percussionist Paul Murphy, bounce off each other creating entertaining dialogue as well as food for thought.

The band invokes a wide range of instruments to create their unique sound. Pianist Joe Wiggins, leads the way for the main melodies backed up by some frenetic guitars courtesy of Aaron Hartman and Kevin Barton. Deep grooving bass lines are provided by Tom Waldron and soothing sax and clarinet overtures are added to the carefully constructed dynamics by Tammy C Barret. Percussionist Paul Murphy uses a myriad of instruments to keep the beat flowing drawing on DnB and jazz styles.

Check them out :)
http://www.shabbytinkerz.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shabby-Tinkerz/133799996630118
http://www.myspace.com/theshabbytinkerz
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheShabbyTinkerz

DOUBLE HANDSOME DRAGONS
Local post-rock monsters the Dragons are a semi-instrumental rock band from Peterborough and have recently been described by one reviewer as sounding like "the soundtrack for bi-polar disorder". If that hasn't convinced you that you MUST SEE THIS BAND he goes on to say "just when you get up to speed, it fades into something else like a Transformer that goes from being a car crusher to a feather duster. It’s all at once brilliant and confusing like Einstein talking backwards". So... er... yeah.

With 2 EP's to their name and about one million awesome live performances DHD really are a band for Peterborough to be enormously proud of, they are POWER like in power surge, not power ballad (well not often anyway). Get to know them:
www.myspace.com/doublehandsomedragons

ZEBROOTZ
Peterborough's very own 8 piece reggae tribute band featuring musicians from bands including THE GANGSTERS and TRES COJONES. Zebroots will be performing a set packed with reggae classics including tracks by Bob Marley, Max Romeo, Desmond Decker and UB40.

Fresh from performing at this years Strawberry Fair as well as numerous local gigs, these guys are passionate about the music they play and their cheery, chilled out vibe is perfect for Beatroots. Don’t miss out!
http://www.zebrootz.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/pages/Zeb-Rootz/149251191797501

SKILLZ
Locality boy Skillz competes on June 11th at the 2011 Vauxhall UK Beatbox championships grand final. GOOD LUCK SKILLZ!!! Skillz will be back for his second Beatroots performance with more of his lyrical dexterity, beats and BASS. He's gonna bring the house down so don't miss it!!
www.Locality1.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKeopBoqYVY


NICK THOMPSON - Improv funk-rock

DJ's

Urb - Dancing shoes are mandatory
Sysex - Techno techno techno -
http://www.myspace.com/exsys
Benny T - Electro swinging! - http://soundcloud.com/peddlebreaker
Day Glow Joe - Ghetto bass
Lukus - Eclectic beats
Local - House monkey

We are proud to be part of Refugee Week 2011 and the evening will also feature information on the plight of Refugees in Peterborough and across the UK from staff at the British Red Cross


Saturday June 25th

5.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday June 15th

3.00

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday June 12th

FREE!

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday June 11th

10.00

The Pitch in Picnic

The Green Backyard is delighted to bring you the ultimate bring and share picnic for this years Peterborough Green Festival! Bring along a dish if possible made using local and/or organic ingredients and add it to the feast for everyone to tuck in to! This obviously doesn't work if no-one brings any food so please try and bring something to share (even if it's a bag of crisps!), if your skills in the kitchen just aren't up to scratch then you can still come along for a £1 donation.

You can also enter the READY STEADY SOUP competition!
Bring a sample of your best soup recipe for the judges to sample and win a hamper of GBY goodies. Marks will be awarded on both flavour and how environmentally concious your super soup is. Judging starts at 1pm

There will be music all day and the chance to buy some lovely plants for your garden!

For the full lineup of Green Festival events (most of which are FREE!) go to www.pect.org.uk/greenfestival

Monday May 30th

FREE!

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday May 28th

10.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday May 18th

3.00

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday May 14th

10.00

Laughter Club

Join Darren Goodale from our monthly drum circles for some therapy to laugh about: It’s often said that laughter is the best form of medicine and it seems it is, evidence that laughing releases endorphins giving us the feel good factor is remarkably strong. It can help to reduce stress, relieve pain, bolster morals, and release creativity. This is why we run laughter sessions and laughter clubs - being playful in a group setting, using laughter techniques and games and deep breathing helps us to find common bonds and mutuality together. And even if you fake it doesn’t matter, the brain doesn’t know the difference between fake and real laughter and it will set off the same joyful mood anyway, lifting you making you more positive and relaxed, soon you find your laughing naturally anyway and feeling more connected.

1.00 - 1.45pm

Sunday May 08th

3.00

Handmade Crafts Fair

Our monthly celebration of all things handmade and lovely!  Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes to pottery, fabrics, felt and rude cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Items must be handmade to be sold at this fair.

Sunday May 08th

FREE!

Peterborough International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day

On 1 May guerrilla gardeners around the world sow sunflowers all over the place. It's a way to bring beauty, bumble bees and bundles of fun to your neighbourhood. 2011 is the fifth "International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day" and this time it's on a Sunday! So hopefully it'll be bigger and more colourful than ever before.

Last year in Peterborough we had a great day planting thousands of sunflower seeds but sadly only a few of these managed to survive. This year we will have a more organised plan of attack and our seeds will not go into the ground in a willy or even a nilly fashion!

Suggestions of areas that will be easy to maintain, publicly visible and in serious need of cheering up are very welcome...... We will then choose and focus our planting on a couple of areas to ensure (hopefully) a decent success rate and a cheerier sunnier Peterborough.

THE PLAN:
*Meet at the GBY at 11am with your trowel, sunflower seeds and bottle of water. Don't be late or we might have left without you!
*Walk to chosen areas as a group
*get planting!

DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE EVEN IF YOU CAN'T JOIN US ON THE DAY!

Watch a short video of how to take part and what has been done before here: http://www.youtube.com/TheGuerrillaGardener#p/u/0/Kz_gRZgl_Wo

Post your ideas on the wall of this event on the local COMMUNITY pages of GuerrillaGardening.org:
http://guerrillagardening.org/community/index.php and spread the word to friends and other guerrilla gardeners.

Sunday May 01st 11:00

FREE!

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday April 20th

3.00

Easter Craft Fair

The Green Backyard will once again be hosting the very best in handmade local crafts, this time in partnership with Handmade in Peterborough. Expect beautiful traditional and very non-traditional items ranging from jewellery, wood carving, homemade beauty products, jams and cakes, pottery, fabrics, felt and obscene cross stitches, you won't find any of this stuff in Queensgate!! Hot drinks and delicious home cooked food will be on sale all day.

10am - 4pm

PITCH ENQUIRIES: A pitch is £5 for individuals and £10 for a group/business stall, please e-mail thegreenbackyard@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested

Saturday April 16th

FREE!

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday April 09th

10.00

The Green BIKEyard

Following the success of our first workshops, here is the second in our monhly FREE Bike workshops! A chance to brush up on bike maintenance skills or learn them from scratch, followed by a demonstration and discussion with a qualified professional cycle technician about the best ways to keep your bike safe and secure.

11.00 am - Meet and Greet
12.00 pm - Demonstration: Cycle security

Hot drinks available very cheaply, relaxed atmosphere, plenty of seating + a great chance to meet members of Peterborough Mountain Bike (MTB) club and Peterborough Cycling Club.

If the weather's nice and people are willing we'll go for a bike ride afterwards too!

Sunday April 03rd

FREE!

Renny's SECRET Open Day. SSHHHHHHH!

Its Renny's birthday this week so on Saturday we will be having a small gathering to wish him well. Expect some crafty things for you to have a go at, good food, sunshine (hopefully), a bit of music, facepainting and good company. Anyone bringing birthday cake will receive an extra big smile!

Don't forget, it's a secret so let's make it a nice surprise for him.

We'll all be heading down to Odd Ones Out later to carry on the party with some live music from dub/hiphop monkeys the Shabby Tinkerz, soothing reggae classics from 8 piece local band Zebrootz and some blinding beatbox with Skillz! (Cub Dissident from 10pm, only a fiver!)

14.00 - 18.00

Saturday March 26th

FREE!

Earth Centered Workshops: Basic Spellcraft

Led by Karen Lawrence from Earth Centered Workshops, this workshop is for anyone who is interested in making the ancient art of magic work for them. This workshop will consist of a small group exploring ideas about magic, what it is, when we should and when we shouldn’t use it.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE

Saturday March 19th

35.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday March 16th

3.00

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday March 12th

10.00

Seed Sowing

Learn what seeds to plant for your vegetable crop this year, how and where to plant them and how to look after them once they grow. Some will be planted here at the GBY and some you can take away with you.

13.00 - 15.00

Saturday March 05th

5.00

Willow Birds

Learn to weave large 3D animal shapes using locally cut willow in a variety of colours, and take them home at the end of the day. These sculptures are great for anyone with a basic knowledge of willow weaving and look lovely inside or out.

12.00 - 16.00

Saturday February 19th

20.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday February 16th

3.00

Green Woodworking Group

The meeting of a monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. Subjects to be covered are decided by the group at the previous months meeting.

All monies generated from the admission fee go towards tools, resources and equipment for the group.

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday February 12th

10.00

The Green Backyard presents: BEATROOTS!

Join us for a day and night of live music, workshops, art, poetry, crafts, local food, body painting, BIG drawing, graffiti and much more to raise funds and celebrate the second birthday of the Green Backyard - YOUR urban green space!

  • Venue: Club Dissident, 24b Lincoln Road, Peterborough
  • 1pm - late
  • All ages welcome before 8pm, 18+ after
  • FREE/Donation before 7pm, £3 after

The One Pound Workshops

  • Mix with world record breaking DJ Urb
  • Beat box with Locality soundsmith Skillz
  • Weave stars and other shapes with willow from the Green Backyard
  • Learn to make homemade beauty products with natural ingredients
  • Make models from clay and gathered natural items
  • Take part in the Knit In - knit a square for our GBY patchwork blanket
  • Plus more on the day!

Live Music:

  • 3.45pm ~ Live performance from the Alternative Street Krew
  • 4.00pm ~ Daniel Burke - Acoustic set from the Dead Rabbits guitarist
  • 4.45pm ~ Niksays - Acoustic punk rock
  • 5.30pm ~ Cold Club Trio - Gypsy swing and all that jazz
  • 6.15pm ~ Nick Thompson and friends - Improv prog rock
  • 7.00pm ~ Isiah - Local folk rock heroes
  • 8.00pm ~ Oscar De Winter - An accordion, bardic tones and a raised eyebrow
  • 8.45pm ~ Moony - Soulful Opaque frontman
  • 9.30pm ~ Dead Poets (with Skillz) - Poets who know it with beat box backing
  • 10.15pm ~ Xidus Pain - Conscious local hip hop
  • 11.00pm ~ Dr Robeatnik - Solo loop-pedal powered tunes from Sheffield
  • 11.45pm ~ PolyChaos - Dubby bassy funky fun from Leicester

Live DJ's:

  • 12.15am ~ DJ Urb - A world record breaker, dancing shoes are mandatory!
  • 1.15am ~ Day Glow Joe and Benny T - World beats and filthy rhythms
  • 2.45am ~ Lukus - Too funky for words
  • 3.45am ~ Sysex - Techno techno techno

    **PLEASE NOTE: this event is NOT at the Green Backyard, the venue is Club Dissident, 24b Lincoln Road, Peterborough. Search 'Club Dissident' on Google Maps for directions**
Saturday February 05th

3.00

Willow Domes and Tunnels

Spend a day with us learning to build a willow dome and tunnel. These living structures are fantastic spaces for children to play in and are beautiful additions to a garden. We will be using both willow grown on site and harvested locally to build these structures on the GBY site.

Homemade soup and hot drinks will be on sale throughout the day

11.00 - 16.00

Saturday January 29th

5.00

Wood Carving

A monthly class for anyone with an interest in woodcarving, try something small or come regularly to work on a bigger project. Renny has over 30 years experience working locally as a carpenter and wood carver and has produced gifts for Richard Branson, HRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

For larger projects an additional materials charge may be required

12.00 - 15.00

Saturday January 22nd

10.00

Drum Circle

Be part of an 'in the moment' music experience at our monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren Goodale. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

19.30 - 20.30

Wednesday January 19th

3.00

Willow pruning and planting

Learn the principles of willow husbandry on our 3 year old willow bed. Willow is an incredibly useful tree due to its vigorous growth and crop of flexible poles which have been used for centuries in bastket making, fencing and building.

13.00 - 15.00

Saturday January 15th

5.00

Green Woodworking Group

This is the first meeting of a new monthly group for anyone with an interest in green woodwork. Come and share experience, start new projects and learn new skills and methods. On this first meeting we will be doing some pole lathe work and subsequent meeting topics will be decided in advance by the group.

All monies generated from the admission fee will go towards buying tools and equipment for the group.

12.00 - 15.00 Subsequent meetings will be longer once the format has been established with group members

Saturday January 08th

5.00

On the grapevine:

Happy birthday GBY!

Check out four years of the Green Backyard in photos - here

Help us grow, join us on:

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What People Think:

"I like the Green Backyard because it gives me something fun to do and it's better than staying inside" - James Humphries, age 11

"For me the Green Backyard is a really satisfying and therapeutic family environment" - Jo Schofield

"There's loads of good people here and I really enjoy being outdoors" - Molly Chambers, age 15

"A slice of heaven in a concrete jungle filled with wonderful people"

"An asset to community and social values, promoting change, peace and sustainability"

"It is a place where people, plants and life can grow organically. It is a space where new things can happen"

"The Green Backyard is the living, growing, healing heart of community in Peterborough and it makes the city a better place"

Did you know?

The UK imports about 350,000 tonnes of potatoes a year, including during the English season. Many of these imported varieties may have been in storage for up to six months!

Half the vegetables and 95 per cent of the fruit eaten in the UK comes from overseas

Farming & Food production together make up about 1/5th of UK & World Greenhouse Gases

In the UK the total food chain, from farm to fork, emits 22% of greenhouse gases - similar to the total for road traffic.

Of all fruit and veg grown globally approx 25% is wasted, with most of this going into domestic waste bins

Kenyan green beans are 20-26 times more Green House Gas intensive than seasonal UK beans

Apples can and are kept for up to 10 months in cold storage before being sold as ‘fresh’

40% of conventionally grown fruit and vegetables contain residual agrichemicals

Seventy-six per cent of apples consumed in the UK come from overseas

The UK imports about 350,000 tonnes of potatoes a year, including during the English season. Many of these imported varieties may have been in storage for up to six months

Two thirds of the tomatoes eaten in the UK are imported, with a typical Saudi Arabian variety travelling an average of 3,100 miles

In the UK, we get most of our carrots from South Africa (approximately 6,000 food miles), despite the fact that the Western carrot emerged in Europe in the 15th or 16th century.

Agriculture and food account for nearly 30 per cent of goods trucked around Britain's roads and, according to a Government report in 2005, the resulting road congestion, accidents and pollution cost the country £9bn a year.

Each year an estimated 6.3 million tonnes of packaging comes into British homes, at a cost of £450 to the average family

Since 1978, the annual amount of food moved by HGVs in the UK has increased by 23 percent with the average distance for each trip also up by 50 percent

In 2008 the global cost of bread, butter, eggs and potatoes increased by as much as 60 per cent in 12 months.

A standard allotment can yield around a ton of vegetables. If you bought the same amount of organic potatoes, onions, carrots and parsnips in a year, it would cost you around £1,700 from Sainsbury's or a minimum of £1,227 from Asda – even more if you have spent £30 a week on organic vegetables delivered in an attractive crate.

All local authorities in England and Wales are legally obliged to provide any group of adults (aged 18 and over) with allotments of 250sq m. Get yours!

Every £10 spent at a local food business is worth £25 for the local area’s economy, compared with just £14 when the same amount is spent in a supermarket

 

A Californian grown lettuce that is consumed in London has an energy consumption – calorie ratio of 127:1

Today, some 817 million tons of food are shipped around the planet each year, up fourfold from 200 million tons in 1961.

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