This year we decided to make use of the elderflower trees we have dotted across the project by experimenting with some home-brew. So our Syrian ladies made some rather tasty elderflower cordial while Bethany kicked off 5 gallons of elderflower champagne. The cordial went down a treat and the champagne continues to brew…
We are pleased to announce 2 very significant donations for Manna. The first is towards our workshop building project which will provide a multi-purpose room giving us a place for shelter, meetings, 1:1 sessions, and indoor activities. Our funding target for this is £1,800 and the Wakeham Trust have very generously given us £900 towards…
We had a wonderful surprise this week from 2 of our volunteers who took it on themselves to spend their weekend making a fantastic gate for the entrance into the woods. Anyone who has visited the project will know the ramshackle makeshift ‘gate’ we have had to date which was to keep the deer from…
This past week we have created a pond in the middle of the edible growing area, with the hope it will attract frogs who will feast upon the slug population. We are growing produce using organic methods which means we have a constant battle with slimy predators, so are trying to come up with natural…
Over Easter we were treated to some Syrian delights cooked up by 2 of our volunteers which was a delicious change to the usual project lunch.
We have had various visitors to the project over the Easter holidays with one 7 year old arriving just in time to assist in the delivery of the first 2 lambs! Two of our volunteers bought their son who got stuck in with digging over strawberry beds, feeding sheep and exploring the woods. It’s great…
Our first lambs of the year have arrived today, with one ginormous one needing a helping hand (or arm) to enter the world. The timing was perfect as for once the ewe chose a daytime slot, which was warm and dry as opposed to 3am with a frost. We have 3 more mums to be…
We are enjoying the willow shelters planted 18 months ago which have taken root beside the river. Having had such success with them we plan to plant more at the end of the year, creating spots for people to stop and enjoy a moment of rest and reflection. But yesterday we fancied a bit of…
Lots of plans are afoot for the year 2019, and we have launched straight into them thanks to some glorious days. Our ram lamb twins made a successful great escape over the Winter, so a new and far more secure paddock was in order. We have welcomed 2 more volunteers into the project, with one…
On Saturday we celebrated National Tree Week by planting an orchard with the help of the Smile Project. Despite the dreadful forecast we were blessed with a rain-free day, and as such were able to plant the majority of our new orchard, as well as doing other wood-related activities. Thanks to the Tree Council, and…