Thanks to all of our members who get in touch and tell us of their exploits, adventures and aspirations. Here’s a small selection for you and we would love to hear from more of you.
WWOOFers Yann and Christelle made their blog originally to share with family and friends but say ‘we shall be delighted to share our journey WWOOFing with others WWOOFers’. If your French is as lacking as mine you’ll need to ask for an on screen translation – but it’s worth it!
Hosts Chisholme House, who sent us such delightful photos of their volunteers for our autumn 2015 issue, have recently been in touch to say: At the end of the winter students, staff and visitors at Chisholme were still enjoying the fruits of the great work WWOOFers did within our walled garden in 2015. Cabbages, leeks and parsnips were regularly coming out of the kitchen to our dining table, even if sometimes we had to wade to harvest them (see the photo)! Now we are looking forward to dry weather and another new round in the garden. We hope to welcome many new WWOOFers throughout the spring and summer. As a school (for adults) which places special emphasis on good food we think we can offer you a very special experience. Do come and see if we are right!
WWOOFer Gavin Hodge sent us his thoughts on and photos of the Membership Weekend in the autumn: I went to the WWOOF AGM in September and what a place! Barn dancing in the old chapel made the evening. Being welcomed by Holly. The yurt in the top field gave me a very comfortable night’s sleep. To attend the workshop on permaculture and organic gardening gave me the understanding to do more gardening and extend my knowledge of the land. Who would have thought just knowing that three bays makes for a crumbly covering for the new spring growth could lead to a life in Communities? Here are some photos of the weekend that you are welcome to use in the newsletter.
And host Beth Currie told us this: Cookes West Wood Farm (aka Abundant Earth ) situated in North East England embarked on a new way to host WWOOFers last summer! As well as having long term WWOOFers (usually a month or more), we also held three WWOOFing camps! These were a great success!
Between six and ten WWOOFers from around the globe gathered on our little smallholding and helped in the gardens from where we run our veggie box scheme.
These temporary communities lasted for a two week period and all the participants left with a really fulfilling experience. Not only did they learn about growing but they found that living and working together brought deep sharing to the little communities they formed. WWOOFers discovered lots about themselves through living with others.
Singing, fires, bbqs, skill-sharing auctions, sightseeing and dancing were some of the activities that took place. If living in an outdoor temporary WWOOFing community appeals to you…get in touch! beth.silverbirch@gmail.com
