May 25th (Sat) - 10.00 am - The Isle, Isle Lane, Bicton, Shrewsbury SY3 8EE. Walk and Talk visit of around 1.5 miles with a Picnic Lunch in the walled garden (or house if wet)
Start Time: 10.00-10.30am meet up; Walk and Talk: 10.30-12.30am; BYO Picnic Lunch - 12.30-14.00/14.30; Walk and Talk: 14.00/14.30-16.00/16.30
Depending on the number of members interested this might be split to a morning and an afternoon visit with a manageable 30 in each group. We’re suggesting a BYO picnic in between so all members can get together and have a chat.
The Isle Estate consists of approx 800 acres of agricultural land, water, woodland and dwellings and walled garden, mostly surrounded by the River Severn. Edward Tate the owner is passionate about Sustainably Farming for the Future. Find out what role agricultural practices have to play mitigating climate change, biodiversity loss, and water and food security, along with the work they do with Harper Adams & Ashton Universities and The Field Studies Council on long-term projects to enhance the natural environment and biodiversity.
June 30th (Sun) - 2.00pm - Members garden, Maggie and Peter Anderson, Baschurch
After quite a number of years, we return to Maggie and Peter’s lovely place out near Baschurch. A five acre holding with one acre of garden, they excel in resource recycling, composting, greenhouses, fruit (top and soft), veg, herbs, roses, lawns, trees, hedges, goats (very entertaining), hens, cattle, sheep, (pigs sometimes) horses and dogs, a gardener (wife) and regular WWOOFERS (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and any other waifs and strays who turn up! No upper limit on numbers. Please bring cakes.
July 21st (Sun) - 2.00pm - Robin and Julie Pocock, Shrawardine [not far from our old Potato Day venue]
A large half acre garden with slopes down to the River Severn, grape vines, raised veg beds, 21ft polytunnel, fruit trees, ornamentals, house at Poo Corner, pond, a river bank walk and joy of joys, a zip wire (periculo suo). Real enthusiasts. Please bring cakes.
August 11th (Sun) - 2.00pm - Twelve Acres Wales - Drew Spellar, Gardener, Plant Grower and Herb Lover
This growing smallholding is situated near Llangadfan, Welshpool, and is work in progress (something I know SOGgies like). Some things are establishing and doing well, others are experiments, like the small vineyard. The garden with raised beds are developing and the animals an ever learning experience. Drew is also the Chair and a Trustee on the Board for The Herb Society, so herbs play a big role in what happens at Twelve Acres. By August I suspect there will be plants for sale. Please bring cakes.
September 22nd (Sun) - 2.00pm - Members 'garden', Jonathan and Karen Hartnell-Beavis, Brockton nr Shifnall - Havenhills Field and Kitchen
Havenhills Farm sits on a hill just south of Shifnall. Jonathan ran a food business in London for 15 years - The Food Ferry, whilst Karen is an accomplished food photographer. They became disenchanted with the food system and food production as a whole and moving to Havenhills, they set about changing things. Whilst Jonathan looks after the field and growing side of things, Karen gradually became obsessed with food provenance and nutrition, and manages the kitchen, marketing and photography. They have a Veg Bag delivery/ collection scheme and sell Hampers full of fresh, nourishing seasonal veg based foods, bread and pasta, the flour for which comes from a neighbours’ organic heritage grains. They held three Supper Clubs last summer in the Silver Birch Grove and also ran a few workshops in the field, one focussing on tomato growing, another called “Soil, skills and sustenance”.
This will be both a field and kitchen experience.
October Visit and Date to be Confirmed (but hoping to go to Agripost Green Waste Recycling Unit, Shrewsbury)
If possible this will be a joint SOGs and Master Composters visit.