'Taste every fruit of every tree in the garden at least once.
It is an insult to creation not to experience it fully.'
Stephen Fry
Parenting Course Success!
The first parenting course came to a close on Monday evening and although restrictions were in place and the course content was adapted to keep everyone safe, the feedback from those who attended showed it had been incredibly worthwhile;
'So helpful to reinforce the key principles needed for family happy life'
'Welcoming atmosphere with no judgement. Inspiring and positive'
The Parenting team are offering two courses after the half term break; one during the day and a course aimed at parents of teenagers in the evening. If you know anyone who may be interested they can find out more by emailing info@theparentingspace.space. We're pleased to be able to provide these courses, especially when so many families have felt additional strains during the covid regulations - a huge thank you to the Farnham Institute for their support.
Bodgers and Measurers...
The Friday Gardeners have found a new site for our composting and are building a composter from old pallets and repurposing scrap metal from the old site. Natalie showing that she is a true 'measurer' getting out the spirit level and ensuring that future compost will be well and truly managed.
Clearing and Decking
The gardeners have been busy preparing the acre for it's winter slumber, a time when our trees, plants and wildlife take a well earned break. Unfortunately the weather was appalling on Wednesday but a gardening crew still turned up! Despite not being able to work it was great to welcome some new faces and fingers crossed we'll be able to get stuck in next week.
The Thursday Gardening Club enjoyed great weather and have cleared up behind the fruit cage and tidied up an area for a brand new garden, situated near the pond. They also dug up the old compost which has left that area clear for a new project which we hope to start soon.
The Men in Sheds have been working hard on the pond decking and are confident of finishing the project soon. This is an amazing achievement given the circumstances and we are all looking forward to congratulating them when the final piece of decking has been laid. The pizza oven is taking it's time to dry out but watch this space!
The Wood Wild WebThe acre is blessed with some wonderful trees and one of our favourites is the beech with the circular bench around it, made by our Men in Sheds team. It stands out like a copper beacon with it's stunning shades of yellows and burnt oranges contrasting against the greens and browns of the garden as it defiantly holds on against the coming winter.
In history the beech is recognised as providing some of the first 'paper' as thin slices of the trunk were used by the Nords to write (or scratch) their runes upon. It is probably for this reason that the birch is often referred to as 'the tree of wisdom' and it is said that if you carve a wish on a beech twig and put it in the ground it will come true! It's leaves can be ground into a poultice for skin conditions, it's nuts are ground into 'coffee' in Germany and forked beech twigs are used by diviners searching beneath the ground for water. Known as the 'Queen of the Forest' the beech is also heralded as a symbol for leaving the old behind and for new beginnings - it is a tree of hope.
Humans are not alone in fighting against pandemics and trees show an amazing altruism towards each other when a health crisis affects them. Click on this link to discover their very own amazing NHS!
So the next time you sit on the bench under the beech tree just take a moment to think of what is going on under your feet....
We are trying to ensure that space2grow remains a Covid safe site so please email info@space2grow.space prior to your visits, bring your own food and drink, take any rubbish home and please adhere to social distancing.
Thank you and see you soon!
One of our volunteers who was delivered the HUGE squash last week cooked up a storm in the kitchen creating a beautiful pumpkin soup and here is the recipe;
1kg peeled and chopped pumpkin
1 large apple peeled and chopped
1 large onion peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon Turmeric, a grind of black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon curry powder. 3 chicken stock cubes.....Soften the onions ( I used some leeks from the Acre today and 1 chalot onion) add other ingredients and boil for about 15-20 minutes. Purée till smooth and add 1 dessert spoon cornflour, mixed in a little cold water. Whisk till a little thickened. Enjoy with crusty sourdough bread.
