Farming & Environment

New Stour & Avon, August 13, 2021 Farming & Environment A Day at the Farm...

with Tiffany Fleming

Our new columnist Tiffany

Fleming is a volunteer at

High Mead Farm in

Longham, Ferndown

High Mead Farm is a working farm run to promote the benefits of engaging with animals, soil, and nature. They ‘create purposeful roles for our co-farmers, young people and adults alike, to help bring about a sense of well-being and self-worth that many have never experienced before’. Oh, my days. The last couple of weeks down at the farm have been the busiest ever (says she who has been volunteering for all of eight weeks). The launch of the muchanticipated farm shop took place on a super sunny Thursday afternoon. It was lovely to see so many of the farm’s friends and neighbours demonstrating their support. We enjoyed a delicious buffet donated by the Angel Inn and a chance to reflect on all that we’d achieved. Just prior to the launch we were visited by several residents of a local dementia care home; it was a blistering hot day and the parasols and sunshades kindly gifted to us earlier in the week were certainly put to good use.

AWESOME: Richie the expert goat herd and, right, celebrity goat Louise If you are ever in any doubt as to whether you have anything to offer a local cause or charity, ask to see their wish list. It could be they need something as simple as an empty egg box or an item you have squirrelled away in your shed that you could happily live without but to them might make the world of difference. To those who, through the heatwave, donated shades or parasol bases – thank you –you were life savers! All our visitors love to meet the animals and, on this occasion, I felt the ideal welcome should involve our celebrity goat Louise. The problem with goats is that they are nosy and where one goes others like to follow. Instead of a gentle introduction to the star of the show, the assembled group were treated to a quite hilarious display by several (very many) of the farm’s staff and volunteers on how best to round up numerous horned beasties before they help themselves to a perfectly placed picnic. Thank goodness Richie, one of the farm’s longest serving volunteers, has a super speedy mobility scooter and the shepherding skills of an expert Collie. He is, quite frankly, awesome. Whilst this spectacle was playing out, I kept a low profile and focused very much on weeding between the onions – after all, no one wants to see a weedy onion patch. I am pleased to say that, thanks to Richie and team, no harm was done in the making of this entertainment. I wish the same could be said for my pride. It wouldn’t have been too bad had Richie not been well aware of how and why the cloven coven had escaped, or the fact that several members of the team spent the afternoon humming the tune of the Baha Men’s one hit wonder ‘Who Let The Dogs Out?!’. n highmeadfarm.org.uk

n Farm Fact: Goats can be taught their name and to come when called, are very picky eaters, and are extremely intelligent and curious and are very often not given credit for being the smart and loving creatures they are. Postscript: I strongly refute these facts.

WANTED

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New Stour & Avon, August 13, 2021 Farming & Environment Cider makers vying for championship

Almost 300 ciders from across the country have been entered for the British Cider Championships at the Bath and West Country Festival (August 27-29). Bill Meaden of Cranborne Chase Cider is judging one of the classes. Anthony Gibson, chairman of the Orchards and Cider Exhibition at the Festival said: “Under all the circumstances, and especially when you consider all of the other issues that cidermakers are having to grapple with at present, this is a superb entry and a remarkable tribute to the standing of the British Cider Championships. We have reduced the number of classes, in order to keep things as simple as possible in these complicated times, but we have had more than enough ciders entered to be sure that the winners will genuinely be the best ciders in the country.” The number of entries in each class is as follows: Farmhouse: 153 Bottled ciders: 81 Single variety bottled ciders: 36 Bottle fermented ciders: 16 Naturally sweet ciders: 13 Total 299. The British Cider Championships will be judged as part of the Orchards and Cider exhibition, which is being staged in the Sedgemoor Building on the showground so as to maximise the space available. Judging will take place on the first day, with the winners being announced and prizes presented at 5pm. Members of the public will be welcome to watch the judging and will be able both to sample a wide range of some of the finest artisan ciders at the Orchards and Cider bar, and to have a go at judging ciders for

Urgently wanted COWS COWS COWS

To receive top price for all barren cows. Brookfield Livestock Marketing Limited. Payment on the day of purchase. Haulage arranged 07811 381 159

TRADITIONAL HEREFORD BULL, pedigree proven, ideal native breeds, not Holsteins or Continental. 01747 830335

VARIETY OF POL HYBRID PULLETS now available. 07545468700

CONCRETE RAILWAY SLEEPERS For cow tracks / retaining walls. Contact Ricky or Robert at Liquiline Limited 01258 830324 liquiline.co.uk

ETS Truck & Van are pleased to announce their appointment as a Mercedes-Benz Unimog Dealer at their Blandford Branch. Extensive parts stock and full tool and equipment inventory ensures that we can provide a first class service for the No 1 all-terrain vehicle available today.