Latest news
The latest news from Singleton Environment Centre
Yoga, Tai Ji & Qi Gong come to Singleton - Oct 08
In the wake of the Beijing Olympics, the demand for tuition in Ancient Chinese Arts has grown and so experienced teacher, John Scott Petty, has starting classes in Yoga, Tai Ji and Qi Gong at The Singleton Environment Centre.
John explained; “Singleton Environmental Centre is a beautiful location with attractive facilities serving the community.
"Teaching these ancients arts in this peaceful place is a wonderful antidote to our busy modern lives."
John went on to add; “My aim is to make classes friendly, inclusive and accessible to everyone. The classes show how these practises can be used in everyday life to help combat stress and promote well being."
"Even if you have never tried this before, and no matter what your age, you can benefit from these classes.”
Yoga Classes will involve simple yogic techniques that help to build a healthy body and healthy mind. Yoga can make you peaceful, radiant, strong and able to deal with life’s challenges.
Tai Ji and Qi Gong are practised in China and around the world to maintain health and physical fitness and to combat stress through the promotion of mental calm and clarity.
For any questions or to book a space please call John on 07831 219 578.
Japanese Visitors Welcomed - Sept 08
Ashford’s Singleton Environment Centre has been attracting visitors from all around the borough and further a field since it opened in May this year, but last week two Japanese academics visited to find out more about it.
Noriko Kajiki, Associate Professor in Urban & Regional Planning at Kobe Women’s University and her colleague Noriko Tsujimoto from Osaka College of Social Health and Welfare visited Singleton with their host Yoshihiko Oyama from Birmingham University.
Their fact finding visit was to learn about the work of BTCV, the environmental charity that runs the Singleton Environment Centre in partnership with Ashford Borough Council, and the role of the environmental voluntary & charity sector organisations in the UK.
Their visit was as part of week in Kent to learn about development and skills in promoting biodiversity and community involvement which is something the Japanese are looking to develop. In particular they were interested in BTCV’s work at the Singleton Environment Centre and partnership with Ashford Borough Council.
Yoshihko Oyama from Birmingham University said, “We wanted to visit BTCV as we know that BTCV is a leading organisation in the UK in terms of working with people and local communities.”
They met with BTCV Kent’s Training Manager Mike Phillips who explained about the charity and in particular their work in Kent working with local groups, such as the Ashford Community Woodland group and the Ashford Veteran Tree Project which are two projects run in the borough, alongside other projects around the county.
In Kent, BTCV has strong local partnerships and with over 45 years of experience and has developed a collection of successful projects. From their base at the Singleton Environment Centre, BTCV offers diverse training opportunities, Green Gyms, a network of community warden schemes, compost advisers and a range of practical activities across Kent.
Centre Manager Daniel Jones explained about the Singleton Environment Centre and all the sustainable features that were used in construction and operation of the building and the ongoing partnership work with Ashford Borough Council and others.
The visitors were also interested to hear how the centre’s Footprints Café is now a focal point for the local community, whilst at the same time educating people on local, seasonal produce and reducing food miles.
Yoshihko Oyama said, “It was so nice to visit the Centre as we could see and sense a new community and landscape has been created with the Centre as the focal point. The new environmental building, the community woodland, community cafe, training and empowerment of local communities - all make up a new opportunity for making local communities sustainable. It was very exciting and inspiring.”
Daniel Jones from BTCV said: “We were delighted our Japanese visitors wanted to come to Ashford to find out more about BTCV and the Singleton Environment Centre. We hope that they will be able to take a few ideas from their fact finding visit to shape what they are doing in Japan.”
Eurostar lends a hand at Singleton Environment Centre
Extra work has been carried out at Ashford’s new Singleton Environment Centre thanks to a team from Eurostar.
Eurostar arranged for a team of staff from across all areas of the company to spend a day working in the fresh air and contributing the environment in Ashford.
Paula Brodzinski, Environment and Energy Programme Manager, Eurostar, said: “The day spent at the Singleton Environment Centre was a bit of a first for Eurostar. We took a team of about 30 employees, our environmental 'champions', and they all agreed it had been a really useful, motivational and enjoyable day.”
Three teams lead by experienced BTCV staff worked on three projects during the day. The first group built steps to the amphitheatre, and the second group built steps to “Bugshire” the area for children to look for creepy crawlies on the site.
They created an area suitable for children to sit amongst the ‘bug hotels’, use the space as an educational resource or simply to eat a packed lunch and admire the view! All logs and tree trunks used were found around the site and a team effort was required to place them in position!
The third group worked on clearing access to a pond located in an area left to colonise naturally located next to Cuckoo Lane which is also now part of the site looked after by BTCV.
At lunchtime they stopped for a truly Kentish lunch freshly prepared from local produce by the centre’s caterers, Footprints.
Mike Cook, Manager for BTCV in Kent said, "Events like these really show what people can achieve. Even with little or no experience, through support from the BTCV team, everyone got stuck in and made a real contribution to the centre and grounds.”
“It is also very pleasing that companies such as Eurostar are choosing to support the environment for their team days and make a real difference, rather than choose an activity that has no lasting benefits. We hope that they are the first of many groups to join us."
Paula added: “What most people liked was the opportunity to spend time doing something completely different to their day-to-day work and seeing the very tangible results of their labours, whether that be pond clearing, fence repairs or step-building. It was very satisfying to see what we could achieve as a group in just a few hours”.
Singleton Environment Centre Open Day 2nd August
Several hundred people braved the weather to enjoy a fun packed day at Singleton Environment Centre on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008.
The centre’s community open day was a chance for everyone to see behind the scenes and join in fun activities for all the family whilst learning about the environment.
Organised by Kent BTCV, which manages the centre for Ashford Borough Council, the day’s programme of events included pond-dipping and home composting demonstrations.
Visitors were given guided walks around the centre and in the nearby community woodland with a chance to join in with Ashford Community Woodland Volunteers on their monthly task their monthly practical conservation tasks.
Younger visitors took part in making bird boxes and bird feeders to take home in the centre’s workshop, whilst BTCV volunteers ran a popular ‘fun with fabrics’ workshop giving visitors the chance to print their own cotton bag.
There was information and opportunities for volunteers of all ages to take part in conservation projects in the town and its countryside or to learn more about the borough’s green spaces.
Woodland nymph ‘Flora, the Singleton Giant’ greeted visitors to the centre building and acoustic music duo ‘Carnelian’ (Nina Clark and Simon Bridgestock) entertained visitors in the afternoon.
Visitors also found out about the progress of the Ashford Veteran Tree Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, run by BTCV with Ashford Borough Council. Other attractions included information on some of the sustainable features of the building and a chance to meet the team running the centre. Homemade produce and drinks from Footprints Café & Bistro, which is located within the centre was served throughout the day.
The Mayor of Ashford Cllr John Link and other Ashford Borough Council representatives visited during the day.
Organiser of the day BTCV Project Officer Virgina Hodge said, “The Open Day was a huge success. It was really great to see so many local people enjoying the Centre’s facilities and getting involved in a variety of activities from designing your own bag to making a bird box or bird feeders using re-cycled milk cartons. The Ashford Community Woodland Walks were very popular, despite the rain.”
Preview Day - 22nd May 2008
Representatives from Ashford Borough Council, the BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), funders and the local community partners and stakeholders were among the guests invited to the special preview of the Singleton Environment Centre on Tuesday 20th May.
Visitors were able to see the finishing touches being put to the new centre and it is expected it will be fully up and running by the end of May. A community launch and celebration is due to take place later in the summer.
The innovative eco-friendly £1.9m building will be a centre for learning about the environment and will also provide a full and imaginative programme of activities catering for people of all ages from both the local community and visitors to Ashford.
Cllr Gerry Clarkson, portfolio holder for cultural and project services, said: “The Singleton Environment Centre is a unique project that will play a key role in highlighting the importance of environmental awareness in the borough.
“What sets this project apart is that the whole community has been involved from the outset and we have a facility for the community designed by the community.”
As well as being a focus for environmental activity, the centre will be a venue for arts, entertainment and community events, alternative health and fitness classes, rooms for hire and a café and bistro, Footprints, run by Singleton residents Neville Robinson and Caroline Shier.
The eco-friendly building uses local and recycled building materials, sustainable energy and recycled water. The workshops and boiler room have been made from timber clad second-hand shipping containers with tree trunks being used for the external column.
Daniel Jones, Centre Manager, said: “The Singleton Environment Centre is a fantastic concept. It is not just a building; it is a centre for the community and a whole range of local organisations and groups to use.”
Mike Cook, Kent and East Sussex Manager for the BTCV, said: “The centre will act as a one stop shop for those that want to get active in the environment. People coming to the centre can find about their local green spaces, what is going on and how they can help.”
The project has been coordinated by Ashford Borough Council and funded from a range of sources including the DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government), Channel Corridor Partnership, the county and borough councils, builders Hillreed and Redrow Homes, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Rail Link Countryside Initiatives and waste and recycling specialists BIFFA.
Centre's new cafe opens - May 2008
When you go down to woods today, why not pop in for a coffee?
Footprints Café and Bistro is located within the exciting new Singleton Environment Centre.
Footprints Cafe and Bistro follows the theme of conservation and environmental awareness, by serving local and seasonal produce with ethically farmed meats and fish set in an unpretentious, elegant and relaxing location.
Footprints is run by locals Neville Robinson and Caroline Shier. Opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm and also open late on Friday and Saturday evening from 7pm until 11pm.
Neville said: “We want Footprints to be a place where people want to be, to relax and enjoy the view, enjoy a tasty meal, a delicious glass of wine or a fantastic cup of coffee. Together we are putting our friendly personalities, enthusiasm and energies into this business.
“We want to create a place where you can nourish your soul with good food and drink, hear beautiful music and escape the bustle of everyday life, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy the company of friends. “The food is freshly made with as much seasonal local produce as possible. There are local beers and wines, as well as some excellent European examples. Conscious of food miles ‘local’ is strongly featured as well as sustainability.
“We have a comprehensive day menu, but we are also open Friday and Saturday evenings with a dinner style menu. Sundays will be a little different with brunch and a special Sunday lunch menu. It will be a twist on the traditional Sunday Roast theme. As the seasons unfold, live music is planned as well as family hog roasts. Watch this space!”
