Courses in 2012: we offer a range of interesting and ‘applied’ learning opportunities at our urban food growing site. New courses will be added periodically so check back here for the latest details.

Our courses are held at Hawkwood Community Plant Nursery in Chingford, Northeast London (E4 7UH) – click here for directions – a 12 acre growing space with organic market gardens, orchard and using glasshouses for production. There is a classroom and tea/coffee facilities! We look forward to welcoming you here.

Course registration is through Organiclea (except where stated otherwise below). Register here or if you require more information call 020 8524 4994. *See endnote for our course fee guide*

courses[at]organiclea.org.uk can be used for queries (this email is not checked daily)

* Developing Practical Gardening Skills – National Open College Network Level 1, starting Thursday 2 February 2012 1.30-4.30pm for 18 weeks (with half-term breaks). Course fee £171/£68 /free for Jobseekers’ Allowance claimants (plus £30 accreditation fee for all).  Full payment guidance available on booking. Book through CLaSS, 020 8496 2980, course code ZWP010-4M

This introductory course is for anyone who is thinking about working as a gardener but who lacks the experience or confidence and wants to begin to develop a range of practical skills. Each session will include a theoretical introduction to a core gardening element which will be supported by practical activity. It will focus on all key skills required for food and plant production work and enhance learner confidence and gardening knowledge. The course is being taught by Clare Joy – a qualified community learning tutor and site worker at Hawkwood. IMPORTANT: Bookings are with Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS) Waltham Forest – booking line 020 8496 2974 and quote the above course code. For course content queries – call the Hawkwood site on 020 8524 4994.

* Tap into nature’s seasonal energy: Guided walks that reconnect with nature
One-day courses – Sunday 13 May, Sunday 24 June, Sunday 16 September 2012 (11.30-4.30).
Reconnect with nature in a guided walk through Hawkwood local food growing site and its adjacent woodland. Taking time out from our ever increasingly busy lives to spend time in nature has a wealth of beneficial impacts on our psychological, mental, emotional and physical well being. These guided walks and creative exercises are led by experienced life coach Karen Liebenguth and Adrian Harris. Fee: £20 (£15 concession) in advance; £25 on the day. Booking with Karen: 07815 591279 – karen@greenspacecoaching.com

* Beekeeping – Getting going: Theory and Practice of Natural Beekeeping
Two day course Saturday-Sunday, 12-13 May, running again 7-8 July 2012 (9.30am-5.30pm both days).
This two-day weekend course will give a beginner and interested bee enthusiast sufficient confidence to start beehives of their own. This popular course is organised by Organiclea and co-taught by Organiclea and the Natural Beekeeping Trust. Course fee: £190 /£125 /£50. Includes lunch. *See endnote for course fee guide. Download the full course information sheet for May here and for July here.

* Full Permaculture Design Course 1-3 September (residential), 15-17 September, 29 September- 1 October, 13-15 October (full days). Permaculture is a design approach for living more lightly on the planet as thriving, resilient communities. This course offers an immersion into permaculture – its principles, design methods and processes, woven into an understanding of natural systems. The course is accredited by the Permaculture Association (Britain) and on its successful completion you will receive a Certificate in Permaculture Design. For more information about permaculture see http://www.permaculture.org.uk/ Course tutors are Nicole Freris with a range of qualified and equally inspiring guest tutors! Fee: £350/£500/£650. Accommodation guide and more info available from courses@organiclea.org.uk

* An Introduction to Gardening – 7 week evening class beginning Tuesday 8 May 2012: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
This course is aimed at beginner and keen gardeners who wish to improve their general gardening skills and knowledge, and experienced gardeners who wish to explore organic techniques. It will build confidence in garden design, techniques and practice; and will focus on the tasks and demands of this peak time in the growing season. It will take you through the basics, deal with your queries and build your confidence to get growing this season. It will involve both theoretical and practical sessions and introduce participants to key essentials in the food growing garden. The course is being taught by Nicole David – a qualified community learning tutor and site worker at Hawkwood. (Fee: £96 / £38 conc + £5 [materials costs for all]). Course code: ZWPO47-2M1

IMPORTANT: Bookings are with Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS) Waltham Forest – booking line 020 8496 2974 and quote the above course code. For course content queries – call the Hawkwood site on 020 8524 4994

Further courses planned for 2012 – check back for confirmed dates: DIY for the organic gardener, Herbal Remedies and Plant Medicine, The vine trail: Growing and looking after grape-vines, Accredited gardening courses.

We also run free courses organised through adult learning services (CLaSS) Waltham Forest for adults with learning disabilities.

Thank you for your interest in our work and learning opportunities. We encourage you to book as early as you can as the courses get full. Course registration is through Organiclea (except where stated otherwise above). Register here or if you require further information call 020 8524 4994. For course queries email courses[at]organiclea.org.uk

Important Endnote
*Course fee guide*

We endeavour to make our courses as accessible as we can by offering a sliding scale. Applicability is described below.

*The highest fee is for those on an income over £15,000 per year
*The second fee is for those on an income below £15,000 per year
*The third fee is a full concession for anyone with savings less than £3000 and receiving any of the following benefits:
o Income Support
o Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
o Employment and Support Allowance (contributions based) – IF there is no other household income
o Jobseekers Allowance (income based)
o Jobseekers Allowance (contributions based) – IF there is no other household income
o Pension Credit with Guarantee Credit
o FULL Housing Benefits /Council Tax Benefits
o Asylum Support: People in receipt of asylum support or who have no recourse to public funds, and no other household income.

Course fees are used to cover tutor costs, materials used and premises running costs. Administration is carried out on a voluntary basis by a number of people.