At Meadow Orchard, we’re excited to harvest our yellow London Clay for pottery, perfect for low-temperature wood-fired ceramics. The site, once tennis courts, is rich in clay and ideal for sustainable, locally sourced materials. Our permaculture ethos aligns with using local sustainable materials. We’ve built a clay roundhouse, a natural puddled clay pond, a clay oven, a clay rocket stove and now pottery feels like the next step. In spring, we’ll begin harvesting and testing the clay with local artists and ceramicists. Early test results are promising, and we can’t wait to share the process. Get in touch if you’d like to join us on this creative journey!
Tag Archives: sustainability
Meadow Orchard @Grow Urban Festival 2025
The Grow Urban Festival 2025 is a vibrant, week-long celebration of urban greening, food cultivation, and community resilience, taking place across London from 7–15 June 2025. Organized by Capital Growth in collaboration with partners like the National Trust, Natural History Museum, and Imperial College, the festival features over 50 events, including hands-on workshops, talks, gardenContinue reading “Meadow Orchard @Grow Urban Festival 2025”
Biochar Pizza Oven
Date Saturday 17th May ’25Time 12.00 – 4.00pm Designing and prototyping Biochar burn from 4.00pmLocation Meadow Orchard Project Last year we built a couple of Top Lit Up Draft TLUD biochar retorts, combing a small oven and a hot plate for cooking on. The next step we are looking at how to utilise the heatContinue reading “Biochar Pizza Oven”
Get Involved at Meadow Orchard: A Haven for Nature, Learning, and Community
At Meadow Orchard, we offer a rich and varied volunteer experience where you can connect with nature, learn new skills, and be part of a vibrant, caring community. Here’s just some of what you can get involved in: Gardening & Growing Orchard & Meadow Care Rewilding & Permaculture Wildlife & Ecology Beekeeping Community & Well-beingContinue reading “Get Involved at Meadow Orchard: A Haven for Nature, Learning, and Community”
Why Soil Testing is Essential in a Community Garden
Soil Testing Updates 9/4/25 Proposal made for testing soils for contamination based on advice by members of London Transition Town Groups. 18/4/25 We are currently planning a brief meeting to discuss the proposal for a potential soil contamination test and to plan the next steps. 1/5/25 At our May committee meeting we raised the issueContinue reading “Why Soil Testing is Essential in a Community Garden”
Wood Firing: Unique Handcrafted Pottery Update
At Meadow Orchard, we’re excited to harvest our yellow London Clay for pottery, perfect for low-temperature wood-fired ceramics. The site, once tennis courts, is rich in clay and ideal for sustainable, locally sourced materials. Our permaculture ethos aligns with using local sustainable materials. We’ve built a clay roundhouse, a natural puddled clay pond, a clay oven, a clay rocket stove and now pottery feels like the next step. In spring, we’ll begin harvesting and testing the clay with local artists and ceramicists. Early test results are promising, and we can’t wait to share the process. Get in touch if you’d like to join us on this creative journey!
The Fascinating World of Yellow Meadow Ants
Discover the fascinating world of Yellow Meadow Ants (Lasius flavus) thriving in London’s urban landscape, especially in our disused tennis courts! These golden-yellow ants have adapted to clay soil and abandoned spaces, creating intricate underground tunnels. The combination of stable temperature, moisture retention, and minimal disturbance makes old tennis courts the perfect environment. Yellow Meadow Ants rely on a symbiotic relationship with aphids for sustenance and contribute to soil health. Learn how these ants, often unnoticed, play a crucial role in transforming neglected areas into thriving microhabitats. Explore their surprising presence in London’s green spaces today!
Pedal Power Workshop – Postponed
Dates Dates and details to be confirmedTime 10.00am – 6.00pm CostWe want to make this course available to everybody, no matter your financial circumstances. The course is offered on a conscious contribution basis. Pay what you can afford and what you feel is fair for the teacher! Places are limited so please book early toContinue reading “Pedal Power Workshop – Postponed”
GoodGym @MOP 9th April 🏃♂️
GoodGym back for their seventh volunteering activity at MOP! Date Wednesday 9th April ’25Time 7.00 – 8.00pmFor more details https://www.goodgym.org/v3/areas/haringey Edit 29/4/25 You can now view the goodgym report here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/reports/there-s-not-mushroom-here It’s always fun to see just how much goodgym can achieve in their hour sessions! This week our keep fit pal and general good-do-erContinue reading “GoodGym @MOP 9th April 🏃♂️”
Rocket Stove Workshop – Wednesday 16th April
Join us on Wednesday 16th April and learn how to build a small rocket stove using clay, sand, straw and up-cycled materials! #HappierOutdoors2025 Date Wednesday 16th AprilTime 12.00 – 16.30pmSuggested Donation £5.00Sign-up Email meadoworchardproject@gmail.com for details What is a rocket stove? A Rocket Stove is an extremely efficient and clean-burning wood stove. It utilizes a tall flueContinue reading “Rocket Stove Workshop – Wednesday 16th April”