We are running an event later in the summer for a Bournemouth based charity called Faithworks Wessex, who run a project for lone parent families in Kinson and West Howe. We are welcoming up to 10 families for the day and have a host of activities planned, including bushcraft skills and a barbeque lunch cooked…
Our other ewe Leah finally gave birth to twins at 3am on April 21st. So our flock has doubled twice, starting with 2 in the first year, to 4 last year, and now to 8.
One of our ewes finally gave way and bought 2 beautiful lambs into the world at 11pm. What ensued for the next 3 hours could only be described as a mucky mess involving all manner of sheeply bodily fluids! Bethany being of a rather fragile disposition when it comes to gore, found herself frantically milking…
So this morning while working with a client who is not very steady on her feet we had to make a frantic exit as a swarm of bees came over our heads. Once in the safe confines of a car I realised the swarm was most likely from our hive which was not good news.…
We penned the ewes up 3 weeks ago in expectation for an imminent birthing to follow. And yet nothing has appeared, other than 2 rapidly expanding tummies. Below is a picture of surely the fattest sheep in Hampshire, who can hardly walk. When oh when will she pop?
If you take a wander through our woodland you will stumble upon early signs of spring, with snowdrops in full bloom and tiny daffodils ready to burst forth. But the really exciting news is that our friendly borrowed ram Artie seems to have had success with our 2 ewes. They are due to give birth…
The Woodland Trust has generously chosen to donate 105 trees to Project Manna to help revive the water meadow area. The trees are a mix of native British trees that suit wet or boggy land, and to help shade and cool rivers and streams. Our plan is to clear an area beside the river and…
At Manna we are learning to be resourceful and imaginative with things that would otherwise go to waste. We have made links with local people and businesses who are giving us all manner of useful provisions. For example, a local tree surgeon drops off his wood chippings which we use for weed suppressants, pathways, and…
After many months of fence post bashing, and lots of helping hands, we were finally able to welcome our first animals onto the land. They came in the form of 4 rather interesting horned sheep. And what furry beauties they are! After a remarkably smooth transition from neighbouring land, they couldn’t wait to tuck into…
We had considerable help from members of the Bournemouth Foodbank, which included Tommy shimmying up a tree faster than a monkey!