From
the 26th
May until 16th
of June this year I was fortunate enough to participate in a
horticultural volunteering project in Poland. The project was a joint
co-operation between two charities, Capacity London and Rybnik Europa
Poland. This involved a reciprocal arrangement between the two
charities were three volunteers from the town of Rybnik in southern
Poland were on work placement in London and three volunteers,
including myself were on a work placement in Rybnik.
The
theme of the project was ‘Creative Uses for Communal Green Spaces
and I am convinced my selection for participation in the project was
influenced and decided by my involvement and experiences with MCA,
which I outlined in my application for the project.
Subsequently,
I have been asked to write a Blog for MCA outlining and recording my
participation in the Capital London “Open Green Spaces” volunteer
gardening project in Rybnik. I kept a daily log during my time in
Rybnik and I have used some of this as synopsis of my visit
illustrated with appropriate photographs.
May
27th -
Arrived at Rybnik and was given outline of the practicalities by
Maria (our project co-ordinator) of our stay in Rybnik such as bus
timetables shopping and banking. Taken to accommodation and had an
opportunity to visit the Stodoly area where we would be working in a
municipal garden nursery/garden centre for the local council.
May 28th
- Visit and introduction to placement at Zamyslow Wodociagi. The
manager, Maria explained the work we would undertake and gave us a
visit to the site and introduced us to the 17 staff. Maria also
explained the nature of the work and our role in it. This included
potting up composting and preparing plants for customers as well as
working in the Green houses. This was a great introduction to
horticulture in this area of Poland which due to heavy
industrialisation had difficulties with contaminated land. We also
outlined our particular areas and background in horticulture in our
respective countries.
 |
| The team at the Gardening Centre |
Poland
appears to be a country firmly within the European Union and keen to
develop cultural linguistic and economic elements of it’s society.
The unemployment rate along with immigration were a constant topic of
conversation, something we Irish could identify with.
 |
| Learning new skills and interacting with the locals. |
June
1st -
Visit to Bison Park and Pszczyna with Grazyna, a Volunteer who had
returned from London gardening project and Maria. An enjoyable visit
and wonderful gardens who are great hosts.
June 3rd- - June 13th Start of volunteer work at Kompostowni civic nursery . Induction re Health and safety and work colleagues. Due to the atrocious weather we were unable to work outdoors or visit town parks or roundabouts to assess potential planting schemes. The weather deteriorated as the week progressed which restricted our work experience outdoors.
June
3rd-
- June 13th
Start of volunteer work at Kompostowni civic nursery . Induction re
Health and safety and work colleagues. Due to the atrocious weather
we were unable to work outdoors or visit town parks or roundabouts to
assess potential planting schemes. The weather deteriorated as the
week progressed which restricted our work experience outdoors.
 |
Flash flood an example of the weather
conditions that badly damaged the greenhouses.
|
However
the staff were very accommodating and took time to teach and share
skill with us. I was mindful that they had work to get on with yet
they took time to engage with us. A lot of the plants were similar
to those in Ireland despite the different climates and as the staff
were very skilled they taught how to take cuttings and propagate
successfully and economically.
We saw
how the staff had developed environmental and recycling schemes with
water and composting. Using purpose built heavy plant and traditional
methods.
June 7th -
Visit to Kanios commercial garden centre. A beautiful day weather
wise which added to the visit making a highlight of our trip to
Poland. Amazing extensive gardens giving us an insight to plants and
horticultural landscaping of Poland. Lots of ideas to take away and
try out both in in my own allotment and garden.
We had ample opportunity to avail of civic life in Rybnik, The location of the accommodation was ideal for cycling, walking and jogging in around Rybnik and surrounding areas such as Rudi. I visited local sports centres to swim and went to the cinema. Everyone was so helpful despite my limited polish and it gave me an insight into life in Rybnik.
I also saw the developments in terms of infrastructure such as business and “urban” sprawl” and “modernisation” which had both positive and negative impacts. It was a bit like Ireland with the cessation of the political conflict with massive development with from such sources as European funders.
My abiding memory will be
the beautiful landscape, friendly and hospital people and the support
from the Grundvig project. It was a fun, eventful and excellent
learning experience on many levels. I would highly recommend it.
MCA Gardener 2013
