Firstly an apology. Due to the requirement to licence a raffle that lasts for more than one day, and all the hoo-ha that accompanies obtaining one, we had to change our plans for the Christmas prize draw. We changed to a one-day event in December so the prizes were not on display at Handmade as promised. Sorry!! For the record, the raffle raised £72 for our charity so thanks to you all who brought a ticket. The draw was made by Andrew Slugget (Chairman of the Holsworthy Beekeepers) and first prize hamper was won by Kerry Thain from Sutcombe and the runner-up hamper went to Rhoda Jennings from Bradworthy.
Now to the Commons. Given the dreadful wet weather earlier in the year, we brought all the breeding ewes indoors towards the end of February and of course then the sun came out! Still, they are all happy enough feeding on Dennis’s prize winning hay (actually it might have won a prize had he bothered to enter a competition!) and the lambing action all starts at the end of March. You should see plenty of lambs out and about by the time you read this piece. We are well prepared having been on an excellent lambing course with Gillian Dixon at South Yeo Farm East near Northlew over the border in Devon.
Before being brought back to our lambing shed at Kilk, the sheep have been grazing our land at Upton near Bude where we have 12 acres of (relatively) dry meadow. We now have a brand new hay barn at Upton supplied by Blackdown Buildings and erected by the team from Stop Gap Fencing. Thanks guys for all your work in horrible weather and also to Michael Vanstone’s team who did the foundations and groundwork.
Having finished their duties with the ewes, the three rams (Thor the Gotland, Pip the Balwen and Edam the Zwartble) all came back to Kilk. Here are Dennis and Shaun shepherding Edam and Thor up the road to one of our fields in West Street. Don’t they make pretty group!
Much of the winter has been spent on maintenance and improvement of the land and keeping the footpaths in good and passable condition. Sometimes it seems like a losing battle. However, writing now in the middle of March, there are signs of Spring everywhere. Snowdrops are giving over to Daffodils, Pussy Willow and Catkins are bursting from the trees and the first of the butterflies are on the wing. Truly a time to look forward to the year ahead.
We have lots planned so do keep an eye on the new notice board at the entrance to the Commons and enjoy your walks as Spring turns to early summer. Remember that if you have any comments, suggestions or new ideas for the Commons, please do let us know at team@westlandcs.co.uk or phone us on 01288 321114. Apparently you can also do things on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t ask me how!
See you all on the Commons.