Sustainable Christmas gifts made by WWOOF UK hosts
We asked our hosts at short notice if they would be prepared to give a sample of their produce which would make ideal Christmas gifts to send in the post. We were delighted to receive a selection of hand crafted organic gifts which are truly original and wonderfully festive. We are running this promotion on our social media platforms @wwoofuk where you will be asked to ‘like and share’ to be in with a chance of being the lucky recipient of this fabulous festive giveaway.
The Christmas wreath is the creation of Sara Redman who runs a business growing seasonal cottage garden flowers using organic practices on her smallholding in West Wales. Sara grows cut flowers, providing cut flowers for sale at organic shops and direct sales as well as flowers for weddings in her local area. Sara and her family also grow their own vegetables and herbs, keep free ranging chickens, ducks, geese and sheep. The 5.5 acre holding is home to wildflower meadows, flower and vegetable gardens including raised beds, a polytunnel, greenhouse and pond. Composting, crop rotation, mulching, beekeeping, seed saving and arts and crafts are all practiced by these creative hosts.
You can find out more about Sara’s creations on her website and on Facebook: @Theflowermeadow
The Alpaca wool keyrings are made by Drew Thomas. He keeps pedigree prize-winning alpacas, which are bred selectively for improved fleece quality. The fleece is processed on site in a purpose-built workshop in which spinning/felting/craft workshops take place. Alpaca trekking with the public provides a further income stream. Drew is an author and also practitioner of animal therapy.
Drew’s 10 acre smallholding in Northamptonshire has a sustainable woodland, a glamping site, rainwater harvesting system, sustainable long-term pasture and a fruit & vegetable garden. WWOOFers assist with animal care, eco-house building, veg growing and in the Fibre Shack with fleece skirting & processing and learning crafts – carding, spinning, weaving and felting.
You can find out more about the alpacas on Drew’s website and on Facebook: @greatgroundfarm
The felted Christmas decoration was made by SUSAN DENHAM-SMITH in the Lake District where she lives with her family. Susan works with local Herdwick sheep’s wool to promote the use of the wool and diversify its uses, developing new textiles and with the help of WWOOFers, has developed an organic natural plant dye garden to be used in the on-site wool/spinning and weaving studio. Susan is also experimenting with No Dig gardening and Permaculture – creating eco balance to protect the precious dye plants from caterpillars, slugs and snails.
You can find out more about Susan’s wool products and courses here. Follow her on Facebook: @wildwoolworkshopuk
***The WWOOF Christmas Giveaway recipient will be chosen randomly and the gifts will be posted [to a UK address only] on Thursday 19th December *** The giveaway will also include a WWOOF UK tea-towel which can be seen in the top photo.***
