Our members’ weekend and AGM was held at Old Chapel Farm in Powys, Wales from 26th to 27th September and was a relaxed and inspirational time. Our hosts, Fran and Kevin, their children (grown up) and WWOOFers worked their socks off to make us feel welcome and to feed us. How they worked! Thank you. There will be a formal report on the weekend in our Winter newsletter but for now here’s a selection of photos taken by Chris Schmidt-Reid and Taryn Field – thank you both very much for all of these. If anyone else has some photos to share please send them to info@wwoof.org.uk.
Sue Coppard, founder of WWOOF, sent some words which Scarlett Penn, our Co-ordinator and Chief Executive, read out as the formal AGM opened: ‘Dear WWOOF – all of you who belong to, run, and support WWOOF – I’m so sorry I’m not free to be with you. In fact I’m not driving at the moment as I have just had a cataract operation, with another to follow in due course (all going well it seems).
Anyway, this is to wish you an extremely successful and enjoyable weekend, with loads of constructive Thinking. I’ve been reading the numerous papers needed for keeping WWOOF on the rails these days and it is awe inspiring to see how WWOOF has burgeoned in so many directions and how complex it is now: so far from the original simple little contact list! I’m full of admiration for everybody who runs WWOOF these days. Well done! Thank you so much for everything you do.
Indeed WWOOF is immensely blessed with the superior quality of its directors, organisers and staff: intelligent, IT-savvy, lateral thinking and dedicated… (enough to make the corporate world groan with envy!) – and this is because the WWOOF Cause is inspiring and attracts excellent people.Your immense amount of hard work really is worth it as WWOOF transforms and enhances so many lives, offering access to the countryside and contact with nature, knowledge of organic food production, an ethical approach to living and caring for the planet, experience of other cultures, and super people. WWOOF is a powerful force for good in the world, making many people very happy. Belonging to WWOOF is like being a member of a vast, worldwide family. Let’s all keep spreading the word so that more and more people benefit from WWOOF.’
