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Here’s the second lots of clips from fantastic ‘Clay-time’ workshop lead by @compost_mentis_coop at the Long Wall Ecology garden last Saturday. @nissamarianishikawa lead us into the tactile nature of clay, encouraging us to play with creating tiles and objects that will be incorporated into the compost toilet, from taps to soap dishes to thinking about ‘STP’s/stand to pee’ devices, which we renamed ‘MUD’ - mobile urine device - which do you prefer?  We can’t wait to see these once they’ve been fired and are already imagining other forms we could make! 💚
To round up the day we created this beautiful one word poem:
Mud health.
Digging air.
Texture, touching, tactile, sticky.
Mirror, squish, dirt, worm.
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Thanks to @newhamlondon #communityassemblyfunding for supporting these workshops.
A few scenes from the cob-experimenting part of ye A few scenes from the cob-experimenting part of yesterday’s ’Clay-time’ in collaboration with @compost_mentis_coop - Hari and Sib bought some London clay from an allotment in Barnet, and we tried different mixes and methods, using sand and straw to add stability and tensile strength, and packing the mixes into block shapes to make bricks! These are now drying in the temporary compost loo on site, looking forward to seeing how they turn out in the next couple of weeks! Thanks to everyone who came down, keeping warm squishing and stomping clay, and creating some beautiful objects for the loo which we’ll post here next! 
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Thanks to @newhamlondon #communityassembly for the support to host these workshops, collaboratively & creatively learning about composting ecologies and alternative approaches to working with ‘waste’ 🍃🍃🍃
Last few tickets released for 'Clay-time' workshop Last few tickets released for 'Clay-time' workshop in collaboration with @compost_mentis_coop this Saturday! 
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Underneath all the concrete, roads and skyscrapers, London has rich clay soils which can be used for building, making ceramics, crafting and of course food growing! This experimental workshop is an opportunity to get your hands into some local clay, and try out making tiles, bricks and artefacts for our new community compost toilet!
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Join us for a learning and making session with ceramics artist @nissamarianishikawa. Link to sign up in bio!
There’s a new poster in our noticeboard - ‘Lis There’s a new poster in our noticeboard - ‘Listen to the Channelsea’ gives you a QR code/link taking you to a collection of audio works created by Surge members @blancsceol (@stephen_shiell & @hannah_mary_white) - amplifying the sounds, ecologies and people on and around the river for your listening pleasure! Link is also in our bio 👂

And if you have a poster you’d like to put in the notice board get in touch!
Another wonderful workshop today with @compost_men Another wonderful workshop today with @compost_mentis_coop as part of our ‘Welcome to the Channelsea’ series, contemplating the ecologies and waste systems around the Long Wall Ecology garden, and today more co-design chats to feed into the design of the accessible compost toilet we’re building on site. Thanks to all who came, such fruitful thinking and talking about roofs, water flows, materials, smells and everything else! 

Thanks to @newhamlondon #communityassembly for the support ✅❤️
Have you ever considered what your dream toilet wo Have you ever considered what your dream toilet would look like?
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Considering the fact that we humans spend a large chunk of our time on the toilet (apparently as much as an 1 hour and 42 minutes per week according to one study), it's both surprising and telling that we rarely discuss the systems used to recycle our deposits, and the environment in which we make these deposits.
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Join us for a co-design session in collaboration with @compost_mentis_coop to input into the creation of an accessible community compost toilet on the site of the Long Wall Path ecology garden. The toilet is being built this summer, to create a humanure composting system for the new community orchard, and become an inviting and enticing space in which to consider our role in the ecosystems of the area. This weekend's workshop is a chance for you to input your ideas into the design. 
Link to sign up in the bio!
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These photos are from the last workshop session.
We had another visit from a seal on the Channelsea We had another visit from a seal on the Channelsea - last one we saw was back in 2021. They were keeping a low profile, mainly the snorting snout poking up above the water. The tide was turning and soon after we spotted them they made their way back out on the tide. Would be great to hear from anyone who knows more about seals on the Thames/tributaries!
Wonderful workshop today! The first in our series Wonderful workshop today! The first in our series collaboration with @compost_mentis_coop - we learnt about the history of Abbey Mills with @faupllzbp, found our way around the sewage system with Dr Hui Tse-Hui, and dreamed, drew and described our dream toilets with @linden_katherine. Can’t wait for the community design session on the 18th, please join us! Link in bio 👆

Thanks @newhamlondon #communityassemblyfunding 💚
There’s a couple of spaces opened up for tomorro There’s a couple of spaces opened up for tomorrow’s ’Stratford Unplumbed’ workshop with @compost_mentis_coop Come and learn about the history of Abbey Mills sewage pumping station, alongside hearing about recent research into alternative sanitation in urban spaces, and creative imagining around our dream toilets in the afternoon at the Carpenter and Docklands centre. Link in bio!

Here’s a few more photos of the brilliant temporary compost toilet built on site in collaboration with @compost_mentis_coop last weekend! We used pallets and salvaged tent fabric and some beautiful branches, and a toilet found on the street, these elements coming together to create a wonderful space to make our workshops more accessible in the interim, before we get started on the permanent toilet.

Made possible with funding from @newhamlondon #communityassemblyfunding
Last weekend we had two wonderful days planting ap Last weekend we had two wonderful days planting apple trees at the Long Wall Eoclogy garden! We gave the trees a beautiful start by writing our intentions and dedications and planting these in the soil with the trees, to grow alongside them in the years to come. Thanks to everyone who came along! 

Made possible with funding from the @mayorofldn #GrowBackGreener fund @groundworklondon
This Saturday (instead of our regular eco gatherin This Saturday (instead of our regular eco gathering) is the first of our workshops in collaboration with @compost_mentis_coop - ‘Stratford Unplumbed’ will take us all on a learning journey from the history of @officialthameswater Abbey Mills sewage pumping station, and into recent research into alternative sanitation in urban spaces.  We’ll also be dreaming about toilets of the future! Link to sign up in the bio ✅
Last weekend @compost_mentis_coop made this beautiful temporary toilet on site with the help of volunteers, so we’ll see how it’s faired after a week and get to experience it ourselves! More pics from the orchard planting coming soon! 
These workshops were made possible with funding from @newhamlondon #communityassembly
We're getting excited about upcoming free weird an We're getting excited about upcoming free weird and wonderful workshop series in  collaboration with @compost_mentis_coop, to run alongside our collaborative community compost toilet build at the Long Wall Ecology Garden on the banks of the Channelsea River. Links to all the workshops in our bio, sign up as spaces are limited and going quickly! 
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First up: Stratford Unplumbed: Saturday 4th Feb
For this workshop, we'll be learning about the history of @officialthameswater Abbey Mills sewage pumping station, alongside hearing about recent research into alternative sanitation in urban spaces.  In the afternoon we'll be dreaming about toilets of the future and working together on the design for the new compost loo! 
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Speakers and facilitators include: Dr Tse-Hui Teh, Faustine Pallez-Beauchamp, Linden McMahon and Sib Trigg.
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Following workshops:
Community Compost Toilet Co-design Session Saturday 18th Feb 2-5  
Clay Time! Saturday 4th March 11-3
Creative Ecologies along the Channelsea River Saturday 15th April 11-4
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Supported by @newhamlondon #CommunityAssembly.
Poster design by Louche Press @louchemag
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Image description ~

"Weird + Wonderful" in bright pink text atop some green wormy shapes. "A series of free nature workshops @ The Long Wall Ecology Garden. Hosted by Surge Coop and Compost Mentis".
Great ecology gathering today! Figuring out togeth Great ecology gathering today! Figuring out together the best way to continue making the dead hedge, getting some more posts in the ground, litter picking, gorgeous vitelotte potato gifts from @maudynmaudlyn ‘s allotment, and finally getting the beautiful driftwood community noticeboard in place! Now open for community posters and flyers for local events/meet-ups, DM us if you have something you’d like us to display! Thanks to @made.workshop for the sign board 🙏🏻
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Coop member @stephen_shiell will be over at our ne Coop member @stephen_shiell will be over at our neighbours @_abbeygardens next week to replace, secure and waterproof their raised beds within the gardens. 

For this he will need some keen volunteers anytime between 10 and 4, from Tuesday 10th January - Saturday 14th January. 

This will be a fantastic opportunity to shadow a seasoned carpenter/ gardener and all round community activist. 

They need as many people as possible to deliver this project so your help will be massively appreciated. 

Please dm @_abbeygardens - with a day you would like to come and times your available and come down to help out!

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Happy New Year to all! ⭐️🌟⭐️ We’re b Happy New Year to all! 
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We’re back after a restful break with our monthly eco gathering at the Long Wall Ecology Garden this Saturday. This week we’ll be putting up the community notice board, and generally tidying, litter picking, and sorting out the dead hedge. There will also be banana bread…! Link to let us know you’re coming in the bio 👆or just turn up, 11-1pm, Saturday 7th January. Hope to see you there!
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We’re holding these sessions on the first Saturday of each month, gathering energy for the community orchard care and getting to know the area. Come and join us!
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We’ve been awarded funding by the @mayorofldn Grow Back Greener fund to plant a community orchard on the site, and we’ll be planting trees on January 28th & 29th, link in bio to join in! 👆
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@_abbeygardens @lovelondone15 @groundworklondon @thewalkgroup
Really inspiring and informative trip out on the C Really inspiring and informative trip out on the Channelsea last week with Nick Bertrand, conservationist at @creeksidediscoverycentre, and @victoria_rance, artist and Green candidate and activist. 
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We’re learning so much about this place, and yet there is so much more to discover. We spoke about the importance of getting to know a place deeply, and not ‘doing’ too much before you’ve fully observed, wildness and what this really means - the congress of competing wills that make up an ecosystem, of which we are a part, and how we can use our own will and responsibility to best serve the diversity of life by keeping other wills in check - how conservation is so much more about cutting back and removing than planting, and that’s really what this small piece of Newham wilderness needs! 
Thanks @newhamlondon #communityassemblyfunding for the new boat engine making these trips possible. Looking forward to more learning and growing with the Channelsea! Lots of workshops coming up in the new year, will be posting dates and details soon!
Lovely morning making midwinter wreaths at our eco Lovely morning making midwinter wreaths at our ecology gathering 🌿🌲🌿
Thanks to all who came, @jsamson56 and @maudynmaudlyn newcomer Claire who bought the holly, and @shona.handley provided the ribbon! We foraged old man’s beard, teasels and rosehips and apple cake and tea kept us warm. We’ll be back in January 7th to finish off the dead hedge…
>>>SAT 3rd DECEMBER<<< For this month’s eco gath >>>SAT 3rd DECEMBER<<<
For this month’s eco gathering we’ll be making festive midwinter wreaths using willow and greenery foraged from the area. We’ll be gathering materials to use on the day, but please bring your own too! Link to sign up in the bio ⬆️
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Anything evergreen will work, with woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus and bay, all adding their scents to the mix too, and rosehips and holly berries (which are actually ‘drupes’ or fruits) to add colour. These evergreens can keep us connected to life and new growth throughout the winter months. 
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Holly is an ancient plant with many different varieties living all over the globe, descending from ancestors that lived up to 50 million years ago. Its ability to adapt to changing conditions over millennia, and the bright red of its fruits, can give us hope and passion to pull us through those dark winter nights. Ivy is another plant that has a symbolic presence at this time of year. Roman God Bacchus wore a wreath of ivy for the belief it could stop you becoming drunk, perhaps also the reason why so many pubs are still named after ivy, and were often advertised by an ivy wrapped pole. We like to take courage from the tenacity of the plant, its ability to spiral to great heights and survive almost anywhere, to keep going in the face of adversity.
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Whatever you might be feeling or going through at this time, join us to create a wreath to take away with you, that you can refresh throughout the year, reminding you of the cycles of life.
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Here’s Al testing out our new green propulsion s Here’s Al testing out our new green propulsion system! Thanks to everyone who voted for us in the @newhamlondon Community Assembly to make this possible, get in touch if you’re a local community group who would benefit from a river trip. And join us tonight at Stratford Town Hall for the community meet up, where you can find out more info about other activities and workshops happening in the new year! Link in bio 🌀
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗰𝗼 𝗴𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗰𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟭𝗮𝗺 - 𝟭𝗽𝗺! We’ve been prepping for tree planting, clearing litter and observing the area. We’ll be doing more of this, as well as creating a dead hedge if we can get enough hands on the day, so come join us! The links in the bio with more info, and to RSVP that you’ll be there.
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We’ll be holding these sessions on the first Saturday of each month, gathering energy for the orchard planting season this autumn. Come and join us!
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We’ve been awarded funding by the @mayorofldn Grow Back Greener fund to plant a community orchard on the site, so we’re planning our tree varieties at the moment and working towards preparing the land for planting in the autumn/winter…
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@_abbeygardens @lovelondone15 @groundworklondon @thewalkgroup
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