Old Bakehouse

Old Bakehouse is small in-town MM Green in Morpeth, Northumberland. The green is one of the smallest of all, but has a large team of Trustees and a very active volunteer group. The Green is basically a long, thin walkway that many people walk through as access.

Location
"Old Bakehouse Yard off Newgate Street, opposite T&G Allans in Morpeth. Go past Old Bakehouse Cafe and it's on the left."

History of the Green
It began in 1998 when a group of local residents decided to transform an area of wasteland behind the shops in Newgate Street into a wildlife garden. They formed a charity and applied to become a Millennium Green in 1999. With funds from the Lottery, Castle Morpeth Borough Council and local businesses a landscape architect was employed to design the Green as shown below. Since then it has become an important haven for people and wildlife in this busy town. It is relatively small, about one third of an acre, but it has matured into thriving green space for the community and makes a significant contribution to Morpeth's success in Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom.

Team
It is run by 10 volunteer trustees who organise regular working parties to manage the pruning, weeding and coppicing and 35 "Friends" who keep it clean and tidy throughout the year.

Millennium Feature
The Wildlife Mosaic was installed in 2000. a further five small mosaics have been added, created by local school children.

Other Features
Solar panel- powered bird bath, poetry box, 3 interpretation panels, seating for up to 25 people.

Nature & Wildlife
The Green is important for wildlife, particularly being in the town centre. Our count of different birds is now up to 19.

Planting is designed to attract pollinators and encourage birds and insects. New features include a wildflower area and a scented garden

Fundraising & Sponsorship
Each year we hold a Garden Fete in June to raise funds, particularly through the plant stall and cake stall and children's games. Morpeth Town Council supports with an annual grant and we regularly apply for funding from local businesses and organisations.

Nearest Millennium Greens

 * Greenhead?
 * Otterburn?

Green Pennant
Old Bakehouse has been awarded the Green Pennant every year since 2005.

Fundraising & Sponsorship
Old Bakehouse was awarded a £2.5K grant from the Breathing Spaces fund to improve the Green in 2009.