Mowing a Labyrinth
For the past couple of years I have mowed a labyrinth into the wild flower meadow in the Top Field as part of the All Year Round Summer Solstice celebration we hold here at the Trust. The children really enjoy it, and were determined there should be another one this year.
So, wielding the trusty Austrian Scythe, I went out in the drizzle on Saturday morning to mow. This years labyrinth is based on a simple Chartres design, as found at this informative website.
An attempt to photograph the labyrinth, balanced on top of a gate holding the camera in the air!
Once the inner circle was established, mowing progressed smoothly. I mowed a series of concentric circles but left stands of uncut grass at the four quarter points in each circle, leaning over the uncut grass to mow a space for my feet then jumping over to continue mowing beyond. Then I went back and linked up the segments in the correct order to create the winding path.
A willing volunteer spent the afternoon walking back and forth through the labyrinth, wheel-barrowing the cut grass out of the maze so that it could be spread and turned into hay. She celebrated the completion of this task by one last uninterrupted, wheel barrow free walk along the path!
The hay from the Labyrinth
If you live locally and would like to visit the Labyrinth, do get in touch. It should be there for a good few weeks yet, before the tide of hay making reaches it.
Posted in All Year Round, Events, Scythes
Tagged All Year Round, labyrinth, summer solstice, wild flower meadow
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Permaculture in Action
The next workday at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust (nr Newcastle Emlyn) will be on Sunday 10th May, 10.30 until 4-ish. May is a busy month, but if you find yourself free perhaps you would like to join us for some Permaculture in Action?
Planned activities include continuing the work begun by the SWWPN visit last year on the west boundary of the top hay meadow. We will be installing a new gateway, mainly using posts and material sourced from the land, ahead of moving the fence line to the hedge later in the year.
We will also be installing a second spring water storage tank on the Trust’s “off-grid” water system. The system is maturing now and includes a ram pump delivering spring water for drinking plus an extensive rain water harvesting and delivery system providing water for the gardens and animals. A tour of the system could be arranged if people were interested.
There is also some work to be done in the forest garden areas.
If you would like to come, please contact me to let me know. I can provide directions if needed. Please bring food to share for lunch. Workdays are usually held every second Sunday of the month throughout the year if you are interested in joining us another time.
All Year Round – Candlemas
All Year Round’s Imbolc celebration will be on Sunday 1st of Feb at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust.
There will be candle making (dipping this time) and hopefully incense making too. And the usual mix of cooking yummy things on the fire, stories, songs, copious cups of tea and children playing free.
We ask for £3-£6 per family to cover costs. If you need directions to find the Trust, please get in touch..
January Volunteer Workday
If you feel like getting out into the fresh air and doing some work in good company after all the festive feasting, then maybe our first volunteer workday of 2015 is what you need!
This month’s workday will be on Sunday 11th January. We will be sorting the wood created by the coppicing / pollarding done late last year and starting work on the footings for the timber framed cow shed. We may also fit in a bit of hedge laying.
Work days start around 10.30am and include a bring and share lunch, so bring along something small to share. For more information about our monthly workdays see this page.
All Year Round – Winter Solstice
The next All Year Round celebration will be on MONDAY 22nd December, 2pm until 5pm, at the Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust.
We will be celebrating the short days with fire – making a fire sculpture, experimenting with a bit of chemistry magic to make coloured fire and using the fire and smoke to carry our wishes and dreams for the New Year. We may also find a bit of time for some festive singing.
There will be a bring and share afternoon tea of mince pies and mulled juice / cider, so please bring along a dish to share.
We ask for £3-£6 per family to cover costs. If you need directions to find the Trust, please get in touch.
Posted in All Year Round, Events
Tagged All Year Round, Celebration, Family, Winter solstice
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Apple Trees for Sale
We have a small number of bare root apple trees for sale. We have experienced growing all of the varieties ourselves, either at the Trust or in neighbouring gardens. They have been selected as varieties that should grow well in West Wales.
We are building up a collection of varieties that will give a long season of apples for eating. The aim is to be able to eat apples grown in our garden from late Summer until Spring. Here is your chance to do likewise!
Trees are £12 each or £50 for 5. See this page for more details about the varieties available and how to purchase.
All Year Round – Halloween
The next All Year Round celebration will be on Sunday 2nd November at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, starting at 2pm.
To celebrate Halloween we will be making and baking soul cakes. We will also have a go at a few magic potions, but first we will have to complete the cooperative challenges to gather the ingredients! Ceridwen, the witch from the tale of Taliesin, will be making a guest appearance to help us with the magic and tell us her story.
If you want to, come in costume. It would be great to see some trainee witches and wizards.
We ask £3-£6 per family to help cover cost. Dress up, dress warm and come and join in some halloween fun!
All Year Round – Harvest Festival
Our next All Year round celebration will be on 28th September, 2-5pm at the Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust.
We will have an apple press for making juice, so bring along any spare apples you may have (and bottles to take the juice home!). We are also planning to play some cooperative games and have our usual campfire.
All welcome, please contact us for directions.
Posted in All Year Round, Events
Tagged apple juice, apple press, harvest, seasonal celebration
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