Here’s hoping all of our friends, family and supporters have had a peaceful and healthy Christmas. I’m noticing that lots of friends are saying that they’ve really enjoyed the slow pace and low pressure Christmas this year. I know that for a lot of folk this will have been a strained and unhappy time, and it has been sad not being able to see friends and family but the lack of rushing about seems to have been a relief to many – myself included. I’m noticing too that when people say “How are you?” or “Are you well?”, it’s not just a flippant greeting we really actually mean it. “How are you?” translates to ‘are you coping? Are all your family healthy? Are you getting out a bit? How is your mental health?’ It’s in lieu of the hugs that we can’t give.
Along at the site we have had our last sessions for the year, our Friday team planted row upon row of garlic, our first planting for next season. Sam discovered that some of the garlic left in the ground from last year is sprouting and looks perfect to plant, so we dug them up and planted them all too. Our Saturday team prepared beds, re-laid paths and tidied up the quiet garden at the top, Everyone worked really hard and even thought the weather swung between sunshine and rainbows and dark, stormy squall, some chocolates and a good laugh got everyone through. We got everything done that we needed to and so that’s where we closed until the new year.
With the willow we cut from the site I have been making wreaths to raise money for the project again this year. Sadly due to Covid, we weren’t able to have the workshop and I really missed it. My Blue Peter-style tutorial video really just wasn’t the same! But I loved all of the photos people send me of their beautiful creations that the made with bundles they collected from the site, Great to see people trying their hand at a craft they’ve never tried before and making lovely things with it.
So that brings us to the end of a really weird year. We look forward to 2021 with a bit of trepidation, but with the vaccine being rolled out and still being able to open here to volunteers, we hope we will be able to continue providing lovely veg and maintain our beautiful space.
We will re-open on the 8th January, let us know if you’d like a slot. A very happy new year to all, stay healthy, hold your family close and we hope to see you very soon. Jane and Sam xxx
