Sow, Grow and Share is RYA's latest project

Sow, Grow and Share is now an over-arching title which encompasses the various diverse initiatives including Rotary York Ainsty providing growing kits to produce fresh food for participants in the York locale.

‘Presentation’ of the raised bed planter to The Hut organisation in York. Rotary York Ainsty past president Dudley Valentine is seen with the plaque before it is affixed to the planter (nestling below the vast foliage which has grown since the installation). The planter was donated as part of the Rotary club’s Show, Grow and Share initiative. Image source: Stewart Gilbert (RYA).

Sow, Grow and Share - SEPTEMBER 2023 - UPDATE OVERVIEW

As part of RYA's on-going involvement with this initiative, the membership decided to partner with three York voluntary organisations - The Hut, Door 84 Centre for Youth and Foxwood Community Centre Gardening Club by providing raised bed planters and other gardening items.

> Door 84 Centre for Youth: Raised bed plander and gardening equipmemnt

> Foxwood Gardening Club: Wooden Cold Frame

> The Hut: Raised bed plus fruit trees and bushes

Sow, Grow and Share - Windowsill Kits MAY 2022 - UPDATE OVERVIEW

Sow, Grow and Share was a project launched in 2021 whereby Rotary York Ainsty, then in partnership with Edible York, provided growing kits to produce fresh food for first-time gardners.

Following the positive response to the 2021 initiative, Rotary York Ainsty (RYA) hoped that the 2022 event would continue to enthuse the community to grow vegetables in resident's own gardens. Alternatively, they could club together with neighbours to cultivate a communal garden. Spirits were uplifted by enjoying friendship working in the open air.

York Ainsty Rotarians supported the Garden Share Initiative at the New Earswick Folk Hall on Saturday (May 21, 2022). They were in attedance between 11.00 am and 12.00 noon...

Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians Stewart Gilbert and Dick Powell with Audrey Miller of Edible York at the New Easwick Fold Hall event on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Text and image source - Stewart Gilbert

RYA have made this kit as environmentally friendly as possible, consistent with being cost effective and simple to use. The peat-free, organic compost supplied in compostable bags is sourced from Brunswick Organic Nursery (Bishopthorpe). The recycled plastic tray and pots, can be reused for several seasons.

Emma Green, Community Officer for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust at the Foxwood Community Centre, is seen below receiving ten Rotary York Ainsty ‘Sow, Grow & Share’ kits prepared and presented by Rotarian, John Quickfall.

Emma distributed the kits to JHRT residents interested in trying their hands at growing their own edibles. Each kit contains four seed types (beetroot, dwarf French bean, broad bean and nasturtium) plus five litres of peat-free compost, pots recycled from Rotarians’ sheds. A gravel tray was included so seeds can be started on a windowsill before planting outside.

First provided in Spring 2021, ‘Sow, Grow and Share’ kits give recipients pleasure from nurturing seedlings and ultimately tasting some fruits from their labours at the same time contributing to the environment by providing nectar for pollinating insects.

Nurturing a plant from seed is great fun and its flowers will provide nectar for bees. This vegetable and flower kit is a great way to start. The compost is peat-free. The plastic pots have been recycled and can be re-used, likewise the trays. If they break put them in the plastic recycle collection. The compost bags are biodegradable, but can first be used to cover planted pots to help the seeds to germinate. All of these plants can be grown either inside or outside, but all the seeds will set off faster if they are started off on a sunny windowsill.

Rotary York Ainsty is grateful for the assistance given by Audrey Miller and Edible York in launching this initiative.

This script is copyright: Dick Powell and Stewart Gilbert

Contact Dick Powell about this page:

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Yorkits - Growing and Spreading (2)

Hard at work at the York Minster Yorkits workshop 2023

Yorkits - making and supplying washable feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries

Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians embark on a purple crocus planting campaign to mark World Polio Day on October 24 at the Folk Hall, New Earswick, York.

Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians embark on a massive purple crocus planting campaign to mark World Polio Day on October 24 at the Folk Hall, New Earswick, York.

The remote and difficult to get to area of Fushë Arrëz in Albania

Rotary York Ainsty, working in cooperation with two other Rotary Clubs in different countries, is developing a project which will bring medical aid to a remote region of Albania - Fushë Arrëz.

Financial results of the Santa Sleigh visits in York and area in the run-up to Christmas 2023

Details of the RYA Santa Sleigh in York and area in the run-up to Christmas 2023

Annie Arkwright hands over another batch of SpecSort glasses to the Navajeevana Centre, Sri Lanka.

The highly-regarded SpecSort initiative - a flagship project of Rotary York Ainsty - is expanding its sphere of operation by delivering sorted and graded pre-owned glasses to more countries across the globe.

The main projects supported by Rotary York Ainsty as at March 2024...

A 'Signature' project for Rotary York Ainsty. Members collect glasses from opticians then sort and grade them, before taking to Africa. RUTH PEROTT awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's honours. Link: https://tinyurl.com/MBESpecSort

York optometrist Ruth Perrott was honoured with the award of an MBE in the Queen's New Year's 2021 list for her work in supporting visually impaired patients in Africa. She recently attended a ceremony where she received her award from Prince William.

Sow, Grow and Share is now an over-arching title which encompasses the various diverse initiatives including Rotary York Ainsty providing growing kits to produce fresh food for participants in the York locale.

A varied series of meetings with guest speakers, activities and projects.

Rotary York Ainsty has honoured York-based charities and individuals who partnered with Rotary to mitigate the effects of the Covid-10 Pandemic on the communities in York and district

Rotary York Ainsty membership opportunities are listed and detailed here - click on the image to advance to the detail.

A joint initiative with local organisations and schools to plant crocuses, the purple crocus blooms reminding all of the on-going threat of poliomyelitis to the world's children.

Team players wanted to join us in our many York community-based projects - with local, national and international benefits. Find out more below.

Team players wanted to join us to assist us in our many community initiatives - with INTERNATIONAL benefits... Find out more here.

The main photograph (above), supplied by Tanzanian aid worker Alice Kostrzewa shows a group of schoolchildren in Arusha, the United Republic of Tanzania, proudy displaying their personal hygiene kits, locally made from templates provided by Yorkits.

Yorkits - making and supplying washable feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries

Eco Angels is a Rotary York Ainsty (RYA) initiative that aims to transform waste plastic into attractive Angels. For a voluntary donation to the Yorkits project (which helps to change lives) RYA is providing basic armature shaped kits.

A York-based organic nursery and craft workshop is providing a safe and secure community working environment for those with learning difficulties.

Rotary York Ainsty is getting its gloves on to assist a community boxing club in the city.

ToyLikeMe is a York-based community-interest company which encourages and influences toy manufacturers to consider disability when designing their products.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organised by Rotary clubs and districts where teenagers develop skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.

Rotary York Ainsty Associate Membership - What is involved - What is expected.

A photographic record of some visits (both ways) in recent years

Three examples of how you can assist those less fortunate via Rotary membership

How to show an interest in joining Rotary York Ainsty - A selection of membership application forms

Rotary York Ainsty supports Door 84 - a York city centre for youth

What is Rotary all about? Some interesting facts and figures

Santa on tour with Rotary York Ainsty Rotarian 'collection Elves' - Peter Kendall, John Merchant, Christine True and John Niklaus.

Follow the travels of Santa as he tours streets and villages of York bringing the Christmas message to local communities.

A thank-you letter and certificate from School in a Bag.

An archive of Press Releases circulated to the media of York - including cuttings and links to original documents and resources.

Yearsley Grove School in Huntington, York support Rotary York Ainsty's Polio Eradication project

York area school pupils aimed for top marks in ingenuity as they swapped their classroom for a design and construction challenge - the RiY Technology Tournament, which was held at the international headquarters of Portakabin, in Huntington, York.

York Ainsty Rotarian Avtar Matharu is seen with another Marie Curie supporter at York central rail station.

Rotarians and volunteers have been out and about assisting with Marie Curie cancer care collections in York.

Six Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians tell the story of why they joined the association.

The heart defibrillator at Copmanthorpe is ready for use, installed courtesy of Rotary York Ainsty.

A photo-gallery featuring some images taken on the 2018 visit to RYA's 'twin' club in Münster, Germany - Münster St Mauritz.

Chechelele - the main attraction at RYA's Charter Night with a Difference - WOZA RYA

WOZA RYA - A Charter Night with a Difference - Rotary York Ainsty Charter Night 2018

Rotary York Ainsty Friends form a vital part of its community structure

Social Activities 2023-24

RYA have an active social program, usually held during the first week of the month in place of the traditional club meeting. This is open to relatives, friends and anyone interested in Rotary.

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