Tools for Christmas!
We have received a large bundle of recycled tools for the allotments! They were donated by the Tools Shed project, which is run by The Conservation Foundation in conjunction with HM Prisons.
Tools Shed is a great project which ticks all the boxes! Broken or unwanted garden hand tools are left at pick up points for recycling; reducing waste and landfill. The tools are collected and delivered to prison workshops, where inmates learn how to repair and refurbish them, gaining valuable experience and skills which will help their future prospects. Finally, the tools are distributed free to gardening and environmental projects in schools, allotments and community gardens where they are put to good use in creating and maintaining green areas for the benefit of all.
I first heard about Tools Shed last Autumn and put in a request for some communal tools. In February, I was told my application had been successful and we were on the verge of getting the tools when covid intervened and the project was put on hold. Finally, I was contacted by Kevin (pictured above), the South West Regional Coordinator for Tools Shed, and we arranged a safe, socially-distanced handover at Monkton Elm Garden Centre last week.
I was very impressed both by the quantity and the quality of the tools we received! They will join the other donated tools in our communal shed for plot-holders to borrow. Spare tools are always put to good use, particularly by people just starting out who may not have any tools of their own, so we are very grateful to receive these. In fact, there were more than enough tools in our bundle for our needs so we will pay forward the gift by sharing or donating some of the tools with other local gardening initiatives.
Tools Shed is a national project. Our tools were refurbished at Dartmoor Prison and our nearest drop-off and collection point is Monkton Elm in Taunton. The project is currently suspended due to covid-19, but Kevin told me they hope to be operational again in late spring so if you have any tools you can donate please hang on to them until then.
Find out more about The Conservation Foundation here.
Tools Shed is a great project which ticks all the boxes! Broken or unwanted garden hand tools are left at pick up points for recycling; reducing waste and landfill. The tools are collected and delivered to prison workshops, where inmates learn how to repair and refurbish them, gaining valuable experience and skills which will help their future prospects. Finally, the tools are distributed free to gardening and environmental projects in schools, allotments and community gardens where they are put to good use in creating and maintaining green areas for the benefit of all.
I first heard about Tools Shed last Autumn and put in a request for some communal tools. In February, I was told my application had been successful and we were on the verge of getting the tools when covid intervened and the project was put on hold. Finally, I was contacted by Kevin (pictured above), the South West Regional Coordinator for Tools Shed, and we arranged a safe, socially-distanced handover at Monkton Elm Garden Centre last week.
I was very impressed both by the quantity and the quality of the tools we received! They will join the other donated tools in our communal shed for plot-holders to borrow. Spare tools are always put to good use, particularly by people just starting out who may not have any tools of their own, so we are very grateful to receive these. In fact, there were more than enough tools in our bundle for our needs so we will pay forward the gift by sharing or donating some of the tools with other local gardening initiatives.
Tools Shed is a national project. Our tools were refurbished at Dartmoor Prison and our nearest drop-off and collection point is Monkton Elm in Taunton. The project is currently suspended due to covid-19, but Kevin told me they hope to be operational again in late spring so if you have any tools you can donate please hang on to them until then.
Find out more about The Conservation Foundation here.
Submitted by Jane, plot 9
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