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32 New Stour & Avon, November 5, 2021 Farming & Environment A Day at the Farm...

with Tiffany Fleming

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’. If you are familiar with the lyrical content of Heigh-Ho, the song happily trilled by Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, you’ll have a pretty good idea how I spent my latest day at the farm... digging was very much on the agenda. It turns out that digging can be immensely satisfying. Thanks to a team of half a dozen or so CoFarmers, we worked quickly. There were a few distractions and diversions – a sheep got into the duck pen which caused a bit of a kerfuffle, Bluebell the pig managed to get caught on the wrong side of a fence, and Mollie the horse called by to say hello in an obvious attempt to take her mind off the imminent arrival of the farrier. There was the usual steady stream of passing ducks, chickens, and alpacas, but otherwise the morning passed without incident, unlike my Friday shift in the farm shop... I offered to cover the shop for a couple of hours and no

sooner had I arrived than a tall young man in a high-vis jacket burst enthusiastically through the door announcing: ‘it’s OK, Security is here’. Security (aka Navid) produced a CD player and set about entertaining me with a DJ-style playlist – which included a good measure of Jason

Derulo – at a fair volume.

After playing a 20minute set, Navid announced that it was time for home. He vanished as quickly as he had appeared and my quiet afternoon was restored, or so I thought!

Almost immediately, a loud beat rang out, accompanied by impeccably timed clapping, and a decent rendition of We Are Family by Sister Sledge. Will, one of the farm’s best-known characters, was getting into his Friday groove and taking us on the journey with him. All around the farm, voices spontaneously joined in with the singing. Sharon, the farm’s awesome office administrator, appeared highmeadfarm.org.uk

Pictures: TIFFANY FLEMING

SMALL BALE MEADOW HAY £5.00 a bale, 20+ delivered FOC. Small charge for fewer, or collect nr Hinton Martell. Tel/text Vicky 07860 489719 2 Stables plus 2 acre field for rent. (2 further stables and acreage maybe available) Hazelbury Bryan. On Secure Farm £200pcm 07734 059190 Fine Equine Hay & haylage bales near Milton Abbas. 01258 880558/ 07789376588 Farm Fact I had assumed that digging was done purely to alleviate compaction. However, according to the RHS, the other major benefit is that the micro-organisms found in soil need air for respiration and metabolism. There are five different types of soil microbes: bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes. Each of these microbe types has a different job to boost soil and plant health.

New Stour & Avon, November 5, 2021 33 Farming & Environment Could you dig deep for our Domino?

The staff, volunteers and CoFarmers at High Mead Farm are rallying to help their precious pony Domino. Domino was born on the farm in 2013. Since then, she has been an integral part of the team, helping provide a therapeutic environment for a range of people with additional needs. She has been a source of comfort for many during the lowest points of their lives, given people a sense of purpose and confidence, and put a smile on so many faces, and now she needs your help. The animals at High Mead are not just pets, they are working animals. They help to deliver a service that truly changes lives. During Domino’s time at the farm, she has helped countless people. High Mead Farm animal husbandry team member Lucie said: “Towards the middle of October, we noticed that Domino didn’t seem quite herself. The vets took a blood sample and the results showed that her liver was not functioning properly. “We were devastated and deeply concerned. In the days following, things moved very quickly. We opted to have a liver biopsy carried out in the hope that this would give us a better idea of Dominio’s prognosis and best treatment options. “Unfortunately, she was too high risk for the operation. We are now trialling her on a course of steroids and have an amazing team of vets supporting us. “We desperately want to do everything in our power to get her better, choose the best treatment options possible, and not be limited by cost, but as a community interest company (one that is still recovering from the impact of covid) this is sadly something we are unable to fund alone.” If you would like to help, visit: justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/lucie-digweed.

Concern over proposed car-parking fees

by Faith Eckersall Verwood Town Council has indicated that it’s likely to oppose the new car-parking charges which are being floated by Dorset Council. The council announced its ‘Parking Transformation Project’ earlier this year, asking for views on its plans to standardise the 76 different permits across its area. It hopes to introduce any new charges next year. Dorset Council said the proposed three-tier pricing structure for car parks: “Differentiates between the diverse and unique areas that Dorset enjoys – rural, coastal and town – and the seasonal nature of car parks at popular visitor destinations.” It wants charges to become consistent over an area where they currently range from free to £9 a day. “As part of this work, a single car-park permit is proposed for drivers living and working in Dorset,” said the council. “This would replace the 76 different car park permits covering the old district and borough local authority areas.” Verwood residents have voiced fears that any attempt to standardise parking in their area could damage the town where they have previously enjoyed free parking when using local shops and facilities. Among the concerns raised are that drivers will either go to large supermarkets with free parking, or will park in residential streets to avoid fees.

Gold award for Upton Wood

Dorset’s Upton Wood has won a prestigious Gold Award and best in category, in the South and South East in Bloom Conservation Area Award 2021 competition. Now rangers are appealing for more volunteers to help the woodland maintain its beauty by joining litter picks, woodland and heathland management schemes and wildlife recording. Meanwhile, rangers at Avon Heath Country Park have devised two new circular trails to their network. The Short Wander guides visitors on to the open heathland and then a tree-lined path while the longer Viewpoint Trail involves three short climbs with the reward of lovely views at the top. For information on volunteering at Upton Wood contact Katie Black on 01929 424443. 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

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