Welcome to our Spring Newsletter!
We have introduced a few new features over the past few months including:
A WhatsApp group for the staff and volunteers which has proved successful in keeping us all in touch (and helping when we forget the milk!).
A New Poster which we are distributing around the local towns and villages to spread the news. We would welcome any offers of help – just let us know if you would like to!
Our celebration of Burn’s night with Haggis sausage Rolls Pancakes in the Barn on Shrove Tuesday
In particular, our special thanks to those who have supported us most recently, including:
Castle Hill Garden Centre and The Friends of Yeatman Hospital – for their contributions towards the new garden project, the polytunnel cover, seeds and compost
Sherborne Bingo Night
Blackmore Vale Lions – Mobility Scooter
A grant from the Dorset Neighbourhood Fund to help us with a Volunteer coordinator for an extension to our Volunteer Group
Gryphon School Sixth Form
THE NEW TEAM
Liz Rose
Liz has taken on the role as Manager and will be your first contact at the farm.
Born in Shaftesbury and lived and went to school in Gillingham before moving to Somerset to train as a Mental Health Nurse Liz has spent 40 years in the NHS as a community nurse specialising in working with people with dementia and supporting their carers.
Liz is an open water swimmer, loves the outdoors, plays ukulele in a band and performs amateur dramatics.
She has just taken up pottery!!
Simon Peck
Simon has recently joined the Countrymen as the new lead in P.R, Marketing and Fund Raising.
Born in Weymouth, Simon grew up on Exmoor before returning to Dorset for most of his working life. For 35 years Simon worked as a Land Agent with Savills and has always been involved in farming and rural life. He and wife Veronica (Roni) have 3 children and 1 grandson.
Simon is a keen walker, fisherman and cook and enjoys vegetable gardening, charcuterie and, most recently, trying his hand at making cider – with varying degrees of success!
COUNTRYMEN’S COLUMN
We have welcomed new men and said goodbye to Tim and Arthur who have been active members over the past few years. We will miss their humour, smiles and contributions.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Open Day 30th May
Silent Auction – 2nd July
Farm Sale & Tractor Run – 11th and 12th August Designing and building a stylish new stile for the Stourton Caundle Stile Trail.
We’re restarting our Carer’s Group which will be held monthly at Rylands Farm. First meeting on 25th April.
DONATION REQUESTS!
We are always very grateful for any donations, large or small, monetary or otherwise! In particular at the moment we are looking for:
Raffle prizes and offers for our silent auction being held on 2nd July
Any help towards teas on open days – cakes, scones and jam always welcome!
Compost, plants and seeds for the forthcoming planting season