This summer has been a great time to be a Countryman at Rylands farm. We have welcomed new members and some fantastic new volunteers.
We ran a very well attended stall at both the Holnest and Yetminster fairs where we met friends old and new. We sold plants, quizzes and some gorgeous knitted animals, plus hats and gloves that were created and donated to us by one of our Countrymen’s wives, Irene.
On the farm we now have a barn full of hay for the winter months and we have some gorgeous new calves. It is great to see the cattle and sheep outside enjoying the sun on their backs (well, most days!)
We have made some bird boxes for Holnest church, they have a wildlife friendly churchyard, and we also made a couple of planters for them[JM1] .
Bishop’s Caundle community shop have been very grateful for our Countrymen grown tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce. We hope to have our allotment productive next season with the help of some enthusiastic volunteers.
One of our older countrymen had a visit from some of his old friends from a vintage motorbike club come and join us and we organised two cream teas for the families of the men. The bikes were very much admired.
The rural chaplain and new curate for the area joined us for a fun afternoon with wonderful ice cream donated from the Purbeck ice cream company followed by a sing song led by Nigel on his guitar.
Projects in the barn include building a crazy golf course which is proving to be very popular, plus the making of a blanket box for storing spare clothes and hats for the winter, some great artwork from Marc and Steve and we are in the process of building a weather station.
Our members come from very diverse backgrounds. As well as farmers and horticulturalists, we have a captain from the Royal Navy, engineers, builders, members of the RAF, a doctor and even a gentleman who has built his own plane and flown it!
We always welcome new enquiries.
Please give us a ring on a Tuesday or Thursday (01963 210789) or email [email protected]. Thank you!