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Social Horticulture Therapy at Tuppenny Barn, Winter Veg Workshop and Breads

Last week, Carla, with her willing volunteers, managed to take down our clay pizza oven as its position was hindering progress of the new solar tunnel. Now it has been removed, we can get on with the building of this tunnel for the social horticulture therapy (SHT) project. Talking of which, the SHT team visited the Services Veterans Outreach Support Drop-In Centre on Wednesday where we saw first hand how assistance is given to those in need who have served in HM Forces. It was an inspiring visit and we hope to use this facility to help sign post ex-veterans who would benefit from SHT at Tuppenny Barn. We also met up with the Founder of Shore Leave in Hasler, the nearest SHT project to us in Southbourne. We are hoping to form some kind of partnership with them as they have gained valuable experience in this type of gardening therapy since forming six years ago.

I am getting ready for my fully booked Winter Vegetable Gardening Workshop this coming Sunday. I often tell people that although not much grows in winter, a well organised plot may nonetheless be quite full. You need to plan carefully, and well ahead, sowing and planting at specific times through the year. Many salads can be grown in winter, especially with a little protection from fleece, cloches or larger structures. I hope to encourage the attendees to have a go and see what kind of harvest they can produce in their own gardens.

It is with much sadness that I have to report that Tito, our baker, has decided he can no longer deliver his delicious bread and pastries to us on a weekly basis. As with many small businesses, he said it is just not economical enough for him to do so. This week will be his last delivery so if you want to stock up in the freezer, the following is the list of what he can supply:

  • Spelt
  • Rye
  • Baguettes
  • Brown seeded
  • Campagne
  • Olive and rosemary
  • Walnut and sultana
  • Le pave white
  • Ciabatta
  • Almond or plain croissants

I am currently on the lookout for a replacement baker as we are really keen to have good organic bread to sell at the shop on a weekly basis, so will report back if I have been successful.