“Forever is composed of nows…” Emily Dickinson
News From The Land…
Wow! What haven’t we done since the last turning of the wheel? It’s been a whirlwind of activity on site since Spring Equinox and what a change in the weather too. At the time of writing, we are basking in bright Beltane sunshine.
King’s Trust students volunteered for 5 days in March and carried out various activities including creating a new kitchen garden with 12 segments planted with various organic seeds. They walked from their base in Street and enjoyed potting trees, soil-testing, and laying new woodchip paths.
Our volunteers have been super-fit by digging the new polytunnel footings and prepping ready for its installation. When this is completed it will not only be a growing space, but a functional indoor space for group activity.
Our yurt is much happier having been re-sited on the west side with a direct view of Glastonbury Tor.
Seeds have been planted and trees potted alongside our blooming native species including the abundant yellow buttercups and dandelions providing food for the insects…
Chinampas have been dug ready for our research and demonstration of agroecology methods as we aim to work instinctively with the fluctuating water levels on the farm. What is a chinampa? A chinampa is a Mesoamerican agricultural technique that involves creating small, rectangular areas of fertile land on shallow lake beds. We have adapted this technique in the fields by forming a web of channels that serve as part of the irrigation system where crops will be grown.
Other Activities:
Bridie’s Staff attended a roundhouse building course and will be engaging with volunteer helpers to complete our own roundhouse at Bridie’s Farm. If you are interested in joining our Roundhouse Building Camp this Summer, please get in touch.
Forest School term started end of April – we will be repeating this again before the summer. Please register your interest for the next term.
Biodiversity on site is off the scale with sightings of heron, great white egret, red kite, sparrowhawk, moles, voles, a trillion spiders, beetles, ladybirds, peacock butterflies, and our bright yellow buttercups have joined the dandelions in creating a golden blanket across the grassland.
Thanks to Crendon Timber for their donation of sawdust for our compost loo and other R&D activity. We have also been kindly donated a bus which is currently being converted into office space ready for our Barn construction on the East side.
Volunteer Days continue weekly on Tuesdays throughout the coming season (not Glastonbury Festival week). Register to become a volunteer.
Beltane Thoughts
Summer has begun! The fertility of the earth is blantantly visible from the full leaf, blossom and potent life force filling up the senses and manifesting in glorious symmetry. Now is the time for action!
Ways to celebrate Beltane:
- Make and wear a flower garland (create your own using recycled materials) or leave an offering under a hawthorn tree to honour the nature spirits.
- Dance round a Maypole! This is a time of wild possibility and sensuality.
- Create your own Green Man art or wear green in honour of the earth’s new colour.
- Share an abundant feast with loved ones
Coming Up Soon
- Volunteer Days continue weekly on Tuesdays throughout the coming season. Register to become a volunteer.
- We will be running a roundhouse building camp at Bridie’s Farm this summer.
- Forest School has started and is welcoming new students for its next term.
We welcome your thoughts, input and positive energy as we continue to build this ground-enhancing project for and with the community. Contact us here.
Bridie’s Farm CIC is the company responsible for the delivery of the Glastonbury Food & Regenerative Farming Centre project in partnership with the Red Brick Building Centre Ltd.
