The surprising cost of outdoor furniture and other news.....
Hello Friends, I write this month to tell you about FoEV activities over the last few weeks and also the plans for the coming weeks.
Firstly though, I would like to give you an insight into the surprising costs of putting in a simple bench seat in the Fairy Garden. I would also like to point out that all the other non-gardening enhancements to the gardens such as Two Face Mctea Tree, John's timber sculptures in the raised garden bed, the Fairy House Shelter, Acorn House and various doors and windows in logs within the Fairy garden have all been funded by John, Bronwyn, Malcolm and myself. The idea being that John liked to use all FoEV funds as much as possible for our insurance, plants and gardening.
So apart from the purchase of our FoEV trailer, the Memorial seat and roof has been by far the most single costly undertaking we have attempted. I think it was worth every penny as it has made the Fairy Garden a much more usable and welcoming space.
Below is a table showing some of the costs;
The gorgeous Silky Oak timber so cleverly harvested by John from a tree that had to be removed for a new building in Eaglemont. If you could buy it, I suspect it would cost multiple 100's of dollars. The timber that Bron supplied from John's stash for the roof and fencing, paint, Malcolm's welding efforts on the bottom of the chair ends, various bolts and screws from my stash. Lets say conservatively, another $500? So a running total of $1700......
If we were to factor in the cost of FoEV labour....... well at a guess I would say if we had had to pay for labour we wouldn't have got it done! Certainly a sobering lesson for us if we ever want to do more infrastructure. FoEv have entered photographs of our project to Sikkens in the hope they use them in their advertising and send us a $100 prize
Well done to all FoEV members who helped get it done, I believe it is a fitting tribute to John.
I have recently spoken to a group of Ivanhoe Girls Grammar school girls sitting in the Garden with their ipad planning where their story boxes will be positioned. A further family group who got off the train, spent over an hour in the Fairy garden before getting back on the train.
National tree planting day
I would like to thank everyone who participated in National tree planting day in such cold and wet conditions. I would especially like to thank those who put in great efforts to get our our ground ready and helped me purchase sufficient plants and stakes (funded by a grant from VicTrack).
Member discussion