Fordhall Farm Working Weekend photo.

Last weekend we had the last working weekend at the farm. I thought I would share with you a photograph of the hardworking volunteers. We didn't take too many photo's on the weekend as we were so busy clearing the buildings.

 The next working weekend is on the 16th October  - 17th October, so book your place now, it's always popular!

Clay oven build at Fordhall Farm

Last weekend a group of us got together to build a clay oven at Fordhall Farm. We spent the first day mixing clay and sand to form out first layer. The mix was a bit wet but with a bit of ingenuity we wrapped a 'girdle' around it to stop it from slumping. On Sunday we proceeded with a mix of clay, sawdust and straw to create an insulation layer which was then covered with a final layer of clay, (from Fordhall's pond) and horse hair with one secret ingredient to help waterproof it. To finish it off, we moulded a worm, (much loved here at Fordhall) around the outside of the oven. The oven will be protected from the elements by a structure built by Mel Draycott, which will eventually have a grass roof on top. The wooden uprights for the structure are ash and alder and were donated by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and come from the Ercall a woodland area near Telford. Hazel hurdles will surround the structure to further protect the oven from wind and rain.

But we could not have achieved any of tihs without the generous support from Shropshire Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund - thank you.

I shall soon be trying out the new oven to see how much wood it needs to get hot and in September, will be running a weekend bread making course, using the oven to bake the bread and cook pizzas. For more information about that, please see the events page on our website. Bex

Be a Norman for the day at Fordhall Farm

Be a norman for a day! If you are interested in history or simply dressing up then this childrens activity morning is for you. We will be dressing up as Normans on our very own Ringwork and Bailey site, using nettles to make string to tie around our waists, making dough rings to cook on the fire and more - generally eating drinking and being merry jsut as the Normans did... without the alchohol of course!

10am-12.30pm. £5 per child, suitable for ages 4-12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult

Fantastic visit to West Town farm, Devon

Recently, I was able to travel to Devon to meet shareholder, Andy Bragg, on his organic beef farm in south Devon. Andy tenants his family farm from the church and over recent years has moved from dairy farming to organic beef. As well as selling some of his beautiful beef direct to the public, he also runs many inspiring activities for the community, very similar in nature to those that we do at Fordhall.

Andy is an inspirational person and extremely passionate about West Town farm and involving the community. I left feeling even more inspired and enthused about the possibilities for Fordhall - I may even steal some of his great ideas! For example, they have a fantastic community library which we could incorporate in our new tearoom. I was especially jealous of the many characterful old farm buildings that Andy has and is able to use for their community activities - something which we desperately lack at Fordhall.

They also run an insprirational project called Organic Arts, where children and families are encouraged to learn about farm life through the arts. This truly is a wonderful place and I must thank Andy for his hospitality on our visit. I left full of inspiration and ideas.

If you are ever in Devon I would definately recommend a visit. We do have a volunteer weekend and a clay oven building course this weekend at Fordhall, however if you find yourself in the south then West Town Farm have an Open Day this Sunday. See their website for more details.

http://www.westtownfarm.co.uk/
http://www.organicarts.org.uk/

Charlotte

Clay oven build at Fordhall Farm

Just a quick reminder to readers that the clay oven course is happening this weekend at Fordhall Farm and we do have some spaces available. We shall be building the oven and showing you how to make one, so you'll be able to have one in your own garden - they don't have to take up masses of space. Being able to make pizzas or bread or roast meat in an outdoor oven is a great thing to be able to do - get your friends to come and help you and have fun at the same time! Please call Bex on 07875742522 or ring Fordhall Farm.