Interview!

Remember I applied to be accepted on the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme back at the end of March? I had huge difficulties filing the application due to our rubbish broadband and it all was a bit stressful, especially as at the last minute I added in all the sustainability stuff I used to do as a volunteer Master Composter to my original idea of a Forest School/Outdoor ed Social Enterprise? Well ...I have got through the application and the first sift and have been invited to interview         :)smile emoticon

May Bank Holiday weekend events Moors Wood is attending

Big Apple Blossomtime May 1/2 2016 Putley, Herefordshire

I am at this event both days, in my stall outside Putley village hall. My stall offers natural crafts and seed planting (workshops to show you how to make something as well as items for sale), plant sales of Heritage seeds grown by me, in organic growing medium in my polytunnel at Moors Wood (and with a lot of added advice if you need it) the Serama chickens Algy and his wife will be there (being fabulous!) and I will be offering my help on growing veg, composting, frugal food and chicken keeping methods.

Hereford River Carnival Sat 30th April 2016

I am at this event all day, in my stall in the H Energy village. My stall offers natural crafts and seed planting (workshops to show you how to make something as well as items for sale), plant sales of Heritage seeds grown by me, in organic growing medium in my polytunnel at Moors Wood (and with a lot of added advice if you need it) the Serama chickens Algy and his wife will be there (being fabulous!) and I will be offering my help on growing veg, composting, frugal food and chicken keeping methods.

Leominster Allotment Composting Workshop

This morning I loaded up my car and headed off to Leominster to the Ginhall Lane Allotments. I had never visited these allotments and was very impressed by what I found. All was neat and tended and there were a lot of compost bins in evidence :)

I was there to give a workshop on "improving your composting" with both technical and practical advice. So I talked about what composting actually is, why we do it in our gardens the way we do, the best place to site a compost bin, the environmental and financial benefits of composting, the natural processes which turn kitchen and garden waste in compost,




We had a break after an hour for tea and cake which was most welcome as it was sunny but chilly outside!

We then went to look at some compost bins on site  and discussed how to tell when your compost is ready, how to get it out of the bin  and what to do with it when you have got it out.

We then went and looked at the emerging community composting area on the allotment site.

















I went home pleased with the reaction of the group, who said they all found my talk both useful and interesting.

"It was so interesting & she was such a knowledgeable speaker" said Janet, of the workshop.

I didn't get to take any photos but Chris Preece the Vice Chair of the Allotment Association very kindly let me use some of his.

Moors Wood in April

     The bluebells are flowering :)  

Cuckoos and Nightingales in the Wood.

Oh wow think I just heard the first nightingale of our year heresmile emoticon very early! Just listening now 

Also heard the first cuckoo in Moors Wood last week, on Monday.smile emoticon

Working at SHYPP Leominster

Today I was at SHYPP Leominster as part of  an H Energy and  and Herefordshire New Leaf   funded event, working with lots of lovely people coming in to do workshops with me about chicken keeping, composting, seed sowing, gardening, cooking and lots of different crafts (needle felting a brooch, herb scented decorated bags, decorated seed planters and paper boat making)

needle felted brooch making

Everyone very intent on their work

 Time for a well earned cuppa - the lunch SHYYP provided was really good :) Thank you!

This lovely person holding Mrs Algy made the brooch she is wearing :) 

As always, the Serama chickens were very popular! Mr and Mrs Algy were stars!  Mrs Algy laid an egg at the end :) 

Members of The Big Skill were also there, with clay modelling, wet felting and willow weaving so there was lots going on for people to see and join in with  :) 

SHYPP is a fabulous project - this is what they say on their website

SHYPP provides 16 - 25 year olds across Herefordshire with housing, training and employment opportunities.
We provide a range of accommodation suitable for young people at different stages of their lives including foyer accommodation, move on flats, shared houses and supported lodgings.
We are not just about accommodation we work with young people through training programmes and a wide range of activities.  SHYPP wants to give Young People the opportunity to develop independent living skills, identify their talents and go on to live happy and successful lives.  SHYPP also provides floating support to assist Young People in their own homes, enabling them to access accommodation, maintain accommodation and help with debt management.
SHYPP is a service driven by what young people want, this means projects develop according to their needs.

Thank you to H Energy and Herefordshire New Leaf for making such a great day possible and to all the staff and members at SHYPP for being such good fun to work with. 

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 It was a privilege to work with such an enthusiastic, thoughtful group of young adults.

Also many thanks to the  helpful men who helped carry stuff to my car at the end :)  

Composting workshop coming up