Wild Acres Community Project CIC

Community Days We started this year feeling proud that we had transformed the land and developed so many more growing areas. And yet through the hard work and commitment of all our co-producers we achieved even more this year. The weather was a challenge for much of the year. In January Storm Isha took polytunnel 2 and in November our marquee was destroyed by storm Bert. The wet spring and summer was great for slugs but much of our planting was therefore sadly delayed or unsuccessful this year. We were forced to cancel the Wassail planned for 18th Feb because the ground was saturated and the potential for accidents was too great. This was disappointing when we had done so much to prepare including improving the kitchen flooring, mulching paths, laying down cardboard, strimming around the apple trees and improving the flower bed. Numerous signs were painted, gazebos erected, and a large campfire built. There was also a lot of planning with the choir leaders which we were able to resurrect later in the year with a singing workshop. Throughout the winter, building a fire was the first activity in the morning. We made and bottled black and redcurrant juice, chitted potatoes and planted seeds and broads out. Sarah did more work on the drawn plans for the growing plots, extending the drawings and refining the numbering systems. The laminated plans (thanks Amy’s dad, Paul!) were put up in the potting shed. Sarah (and her partner Tim) made labels for each plot – so we became incredibly well organised. Tuesdays continued to be the most popular throughout the year with on average 12 attending and for the first six months we successfully delivered an additional day, a Saturday. Community Payback attended regularly throughout the winter doing ‘heavy’ work digging a trench to improve drainage, felling trees and preparing the ground for tree planting to create a new hedge. Volunteers with Stroud Valleys Partnership then spent two long days with us planting trees. Despite the pouring rain on one of the days we all enjoyed the community activity together and of course Wild Acres’ hearty lunch. Wildlife – On 27th Jan a group of people engaged in the RSPB count and the results were sent in. There is of course also our resident robin and we were fortunate enough to be visited after Storm Bert by what we believe to have been a Siberian Trush. We have been plagued with some unwanted wildlife and a lot of time taken up making beer traps for slugs and sticky traps for whiteflies, but we have also introduced bees and goats. At the end of January, we had the sad news that the queen had died followed by all her workers. The honeycombs left were impressive; so making wax had to be the next task. Despite Amy’s best and very determined efforts it was unsuccessful. On 11th June Jenny and Chris, our Beekeepers, brought a new swarm. Unfortunately they have reported that our new swarm has also lost their queen and the bees have flown. As part of the Management plans developed by Chris and Martin to improve the fauna and flora of the meadow we introduced Boo and Betty on loan from Claire to get on top of the brambles in an area we couldn't mow. The goats arrived on 7th July. There was some work setting up the enclosure and they’ve had two homes so far. They have been a great attraction for all (except those who have been butted!). Finally, in October we were given the privilege of releasing two hedgehogs into the wild who needed rehoming from a building plot in Newport. This was arranged by the Hedgehog Rescue centre in Frampton. We haven't seen them since but assume they are still on site. Community Gardener - Fee Ford started on 25th June. She came with a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience and very quickly embraced the community. So it was a huge disappointment to all of us when she announced that she had been offered a full time job she couldn’t refuse. She left us on September 10th The Sustainability Tree – funded by Transition Stroud who hosted a series of events focused on building a more sustainable and connected Stroud District. This was a project which we developed with Berkeley Climate Action Group. The design and construction of the tree was enthusiastically undertaken by Steve, a graphic artist, Dan and Martin B. It toured around local libraries, a sustainability event, Stroud and Berkeley Fair. Many other groups are keen to use the tree and we will keep it at WA as a Community resource. Compost Area - this has always been an unresolved issue at Wild Acres and this year progress was finally made. A hot composter was first filled in June. Martin B then made a Biochar and Dan fixed the chipper. A co-producers’ meeting about compost took place on 8th October and a workable plan was agreed. Other highlights: - February – Art Shack sign (painted by Wendy) put up March – Cherie (& Sajjad previously) completed Level 2 Food Hygiene April - Kitchen manifesto up April ●Steps built out of brook ●Lights in kitchen area May - Wildflower plugs planted in meadow June - Kitchen cleaned, refit and flyscreens put up in preparation for Environmental Health visit – 5 Stars achieved! ●Work experience student, Gregory, came for a week from Bristol Cathedral Choir school. ●Docks removed from meadow. ●Pole lathe made, completing the woodwork area ●Plant signs painted July/August – tomatoes boiled, bagged and bottled (& soup). Freezers full. ●Pickles and preserves (chillies, beans, shallots) ●Toms tied and garlic plaited. Lots of strimming! ●Teepee erected ●Welcome Zone sign put up September – Solar panel installed on art shack (Dan ) October - new shed /summerhouse constructed ●Lights fixed in art studio ●New welcome sign created by Wendy December - wreath making ●Xmas lunch and party Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) - March, May, August. These sessions funded by Gloucestershire County council provide holiday activities for children on free school meals. We have run 12 sessions this year for 8-12 year olds including two ‘offsite’. They have been very well attended this year and we’ve had some great times. Let’s Create, Saturdays (monthly) 10.00 – 11.30 – Run by Georgie and Alex there were 6 sessions this year. Creative, unstructured play sessions using recycled materials for messy imaginative fun. They also set up a magical mud kitchen. Visitors /other friends ●Our friends in the Prince of Wales hotel, Abas Chandra and Sajjad came to say goodbye on 9th Jan before they were moved to London. Sajjad is now working in Dursley and has returned to see us on a few occasions. Plamedi also joined us during the summer. Wild Acres support of the refugees was reported in an article in Amplify Stroud in February. At a time when they felt particularly vulnerable Wild Acres provided a safe space for them, as well as somewhere they could feel useful and work. ●Sonya, National Trust ●Velcro Collective joined us in February ●Visits in April -Steve, Berkeley vicar, Jose Hawker, Early Help Co-Ordinator Stroud ●Beaver Scouts completed their gardening badge with us. ●Meeting with Helen Craig, Rednock School to explore support and engagement with students ●Visits in May - Community rail partnership (Fatimah and Mollie); Jenny, Active Impact Gloucestershire re access issues; parents with son re potential placement with us ●Mark Clifford, sculptor and potter ●Visits in June – Kate Rodman, Allsorts Glos for families who have children with additional needs ; HAF providers; Benefactor, supporter and Lions Club Ron with Australian relatives; Stroud Reimagine, the Engine room and Transition Stroud; interview with Countryside and Community Research Institute about Green Social Prescribing ●Visits in July – Emily and children; Neighbour Steve and his brother-in-law ●Visits in August – Leanne and Mel, HAF workers from SDC and Ciaran Murphy from Lottery Fund ●September - Lorna, artist, joined us for a lunch and potential commision. Later in the month Laura from Field Fresh and Claire from Hewitts sweet shop attended lunch and discussion of potential workshops in 2025. ●October - Chloe from Forest of Dean community worked with us; visit from Leigh Coghill Oakbrook Community Farm in Stroud Events ●15th April - Wild Acres Developing Roots - this was an open consultation event to all local groups, statutory bodies, community associations and funders It was a resounding success. The turnout was fantastic, the discussions insightful and the atmosphere was filled with a shared sense of purpose and excitement. The event not only highlighted the incredible potential of Wild Acres but also laid the groundwork for meaningful partnerships and innovative projects in the future (see full report for more information) ●2nd – 6th May – Severn Vale Arts Trail. ●11th May – Plant Sale – Mend and Bloom – many co-producers donated plants, worked in the kitchen serving cakes and drinks, baked cakes, ran the plant stall. About £100 was raised ●15th May – Know your Patch – about 40 people attended. Workshops on photography and Foraging ●24th – 26th May – Theofest (private hire) ●26th May – Chandra’s birthday party ●28th May – GL11 Activity Day ●30th May – Trefoil Adult Guiders visit ●8th June – Stroud Permaculture Group Day workshop ●10th June – Quadrat Survey of the meadow ●17th August – Voices and Rhythm - a brilliant music event funded by the Sharpness Wind Turbine fund. 35 people gathered together to sing around the totem pole and then played djembe drums led by Evelyn and the Sharpness women drummers. After a delicious feast served by Martin and Cherie the night ended in carnival style with everyone joining in with percussion and dancing to the samba beats of Tom and the Simbora band. ●24th August – Singing with Sorrel Wilde and book reading with Doina Cornell. 2 events in one day. Though unrelated, both events celebrated the wonders of the natural world and that included heavy rain at times and grey skies! But spirits were certainly never dampened. ▪Singing with Sorrel - 15 people attended in the morning, most were new to Wild Acres, and several had not sung in a group before. Sorrel Wilde’s playful, relaxed and intuitive style of teaching quickly put everyone at ease. By the end of the morning, we had learned four beautiful songs and sung them in harmony. Singing outside, at one with nature, was a moving experience especially when we walked silently down to the brook and sang there about the healing nature of water. And then enjoyed the amazing experience of a sound bath in the teepee. All feedback was glowing:- ‘a group of strangers coming together embracing the environment and sinking into making music” “I feel I have stumbled upon a hidden gem. You really have got all the ingredients right, on all levels.” “Thanks to Sorrel for a beautiful, gentle and uplifting workshop. Thanks to Wild Acres for being magnificent hosts and a truly inspirational community project” ▪Book reading, “Our Ocean’s Broken Heart”. Doina is well known to many as a district councillor for Dursley until earlier this year and leader of Stroud District Council until 2022. This book details the experiences of a very different woman – a sailor – as she voyaged across the ocean to the areas of the Pacific and Arctic most threatened by climate change. Everyone was enthralled by her tales but also struck again by the dreadful realities of climate change. Thanks also to Berkeley Climate Action Network for setting up their stall – all contributed to a fascinating afternoon. ●20th September– Workshop organised by Transition Stroud on Community engagement and change management. Attended by 12 people and some interesting conversations with potential for collaborations. ●28th September – Stroud Reimagined stall outside sub rooms collected sustainability wishes ●19th October – Lantern Carving workshop - no take up. ●24th October – Punkie Night cancelled External meetings with partners ●Feeding Gloucestershire Network meeting, Chantry centre 29/1 ●Stroud Voluntary and Community Sector meeting, 18/2 ●Martin attended the Community Hubs meeting, 2/7 ●Martin delivered Dye course (and following weeks), 8/7 ●Julia Horsfall, Social Prescriber, 10/7 ●Glos Rail Partnership, 18/7 ●Martin Stroud VCS, 15/8 ●Creatives meeting Dursley (Vicky and Amanda), 11/9 ●meeting at Rednock School Martin B and Martin C, 1/10 ●Access to Nature – nature without barriers. (disability and access to opportunities in nature) Wild Acres Wild Acres at Breadstone A good place to be Out of place maybe a smartphone In nature wild and free Bobby, a friendly dog Loves to chase a stick Feel like a small cog In a world of woodland brick Food is tasty, new friends to meet Always someone else to greet The good borne out of a pandemic Greater than government rhetoric Nick Whittard