“Have enough courage to trust love one more time, and one more time.” Maya Angelou
News From The Land…
News From The Land…
The summer sun is still upon us with a few thunderous downpours but it is generally very dry here. We have been gaining momentum with our new builds, and activity on-site has increased with visits from local groups.
A second cohort of the King’s Trust group with leaders Nick and Lizzie joined us from Strode College in mid-May for their volunteering week. Another fantastic contribution, this time laying woodchip path around the entire perimeter of the permaculture field! They also enjoyed some creative time by painting and drawing plants, playing guitar and absorbing the natural surroundings.
We held a volunteer celebration day at the beginning of June, to pause and enjoy the environment in between the busyness of ‘doing’. A lovely chance to have a tools down day and feast in celebration to thank all our wonderful volunteers for what they have achieved over the last year! A great day had by all, with songs, poetry and crafts round the fire to round it off.
We also welcomed the Drawing On community art group to the farm in mid-June with over 30 artists sketching, painting and taking in the sights and sounds of the land, and collecting inspiration for their gorgeous artworks. Thank you to Rev Gill Sakakini and the lovely group of artists. Nature connection is a big part of our work here at Bridie’s Farm, so we really enjoy seeing that happen through the medium of the creative arts.
Other Activities:
The wood workshop is taking shape, with a roof frame erected to link the storage containers, and provide undercover working space. The wood has been delivered to site for the roundhouse build. 50 locally sourced trees felled from the Joseph Chark Trust woodland will stand again as the henge and roof of the first ever community-built roundhouse in Glastonbury.
The native species of invertevates, mammals and birds have been recorded with sightings of migratory species such as swallows and swifts enjoying the feasts of bugs on the wing. Our wildlife boxes have been positioned around the fields and on the mature trees and we hope to invite local wildlife groups such as Somerset Wildlife Trust to carry out another biodiversity survey as comparison to our baseline report.
Summer Solstice Thoughts
We have reached the longest day and shortest night again, as we stand still this year to appreciate the abundance and outward-focused activity of the season while looking forward to turning inwards as the energy changes.
Ways to celebrate Summer Solstice:
- Honour the energy of the Sun by painting a bright picture of a sunflower.
- Create your own headdress using natural materials like flowers and grasses.
- Write or think about your intentions. What do you want to bring into your life? What habits do you want to change?
- Greet the sunrise on Summer Solstice morning, watch the sun set at the close of day (or both!)
Coming Up Soon
- Volunteer Days continue weekly on Tuesdays throughout the coming season (not Glastonbury Festival week). Register to become a volunteer.
- Volunteer Days continue weekly on Tuesdays throughout the coming season. Register to become a Bridie’s Farm volunteer.
- Ever wanted to build a roundhouse! We are running our first ever roundhouse build camps at Bridie’s Farm. Details here – spaces still available. Camp #1 from 13th-17th July. Camp #2 from 6th –10th August.
- Forest Garden Design Course with Adam Crofts – 5th-6th July. Book your place here. Full details on website.
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.
