Welcome to the SRT blog No. 116
16th Sept 2022 – Welcome to our blog post No.116
Some IMPORTANT INFORMATION for everyone
In memory and as a mark of respect Sunnyside Rural Trust sites, services and social enterprises
will remain closed on Monday 19th September,
the day of the State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
We will re-open on Tuesday 20th September as normal
We are so sad to hear of the passing of the Queen. Our thoughts are with her family.
The Sunnyside team will continue to support our trainees and community in the coming days and weeks ahead.
RIP your Majesty.
Floral tributes were be laid at The Forum in Hemel Hempstead. Sunnysiders made ours from flowers grown on our sites.
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Some of the Northchurch team were in Kings Langley at the allotments carrying out all sorts of jobs as requested. Michael, Gillian, Sean, Christian, CJ, Jake, Michael & Simon. Matt tried to hide – not very good at that!
The other week Zoe & James were making hay bales – home-made style.
Linda led a really great yoga session for trainees, enjoyed by all.
Ian, volunteer Lisa & Ellie sowing seeds for baby leaf / micro greens being trialled at Northchurch for an October harvest. Look out for them in a few weeks.
Michael & Ellie helping to move compost to top up the bubble greenhouse with compost. A very autumnal job!
Not to be messed with! Christian brought home the silver from the Britch Adaptive Open Judo Championships! Congratulations from all!
NFU Mutual corporate volunteer team were at Northchurch for a day this week helping with the new fence and gate building.
The first apples were taken to Chiltern Ridge for pressing into apple juice. There is a bumper drop of apples this year.
Moving woodchip at the Red Lion allotment contract and installing a new gate for them. Getting good at this!
And never forgetting the animals
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Claire was at the Berkhamsted school contract with a team from Hemel Food Garden 2 weeks ago pruning and tidying one of the schools outside spaces.
Then with Ieva in Apsley with Robert & Eddie clearing. Mowing and weeding – with great teamwork what a transformation.
Here’s one of the plot to plate meals prepared by the team for the team – yummy roasted vegetables from the allotment accompanied by fresh rocket and beetroot. Noreen was really enjoying.
Catnip doing its job!
It’s the turn of pears to be harvested. Gently does it.
The tranquility space perennial border was having a re-vamp – perfect time of year for some interplanting.
Dan & Henry teamed up this week to make some delicious looking gluten free chocolate chip cookies for the Sunnyside Up café.
Outside at Brakespeare school. Nice and tidy now.
Potting up herbs into terracotta pots to sell in the farm shop.
The weekly yoga class with Emma – indoors now that its cooled down and a bit damp under foot.
Birthday card production made by trainees. Lots of celebrations to come.
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Activity Centre, with the start of reindeer making. Trainees have had great fun making and choosing names for theirs. So far there is Dancer, Blitzen, beauty, Nala, Simba & Ozzie. Annette has been busy knitting the scarves as well.
African snails enjoying their new home and the tank being cleaned by Paul & Caroline.
Apples picked by the team and ready to go to be pressed from here as well.
Farida taking the dance, movement and music session.
Lewis & Clare. Aisha & Shannon. Paul, Michael S & Sharon cooking this week.
Jam making is in full swing as well. Michael, Sharon & Noreen were picking and then Simon made the blackberry jam from start to ‘jarred up’ finish!
Sunnyside honey jars being labelled by Sharon & Michael S. ready to sell o the market stall and in the farm shops.
Damson picking by Michael T, Keith, Kwasi & Ed. And Simon.
Tim & Clare’s turn on the market stall last week with Sophia’s sunflowers.
Domestic duties not overlooked – Lewis’ turn hoovering.
Lewis and Graham were in Bovingdon – weeding tasks this time
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Where’s Val? Not at Hemel Food Garden this week!
Have a great weekend….
…until next week.