W W O O F UK NEWS worldwide opportunities on organic farms issue 260 autumn 2018

inside: WWOOFing with alpacas taster days—a success story calendar countdown commences WWOOFing in the Scottish Islands #penntopaper on the plot with Mr Fluttergrub farm hack and CSA gathering beaver reintroduction update

wwoof uk news issue 260 page 2 editorial

We’ve had real success with our experimental taster welcome to the autumn 2018 days this year – on page 7 we tell you how they’ve edition of WWOOF UK News gone and how to get involved in future events. Page 8 brings news of a revised approach to our AGM and re- I hope the summer has been kind to you – many people gional gatherings while on page 3 we are delighted to will have revelled in the consistent bright weather announce that we will be making a calendar for 2019 much of the country has had, with all the opportunities available and give you details of how to get yours. it’s given to plan outdoor events with confidence and Mr Fluttergrub is looking on the bright side of the re- enjoy the longer days. At the same time there have cent high temperatures and celebrates a bumper crop been major challenges associated with the heat and of aubergines – he tells us how to grow and nurture lack of rainfall. We’d love to hear how it’s been for our them for best cropping, page 6. members and what part WWOOFing has played. And what could ever be cuter than WWOOFing with We have a couple of new features in this issue. Our Co- alpacas? Even picking up their poo is a pleasure appar- ordinator/Chief Exec Scarlett Penn shares her thoughts ently! See page 9, and smile. on how big things can be achieved through a little col- I look forward to hearing from you and receiving your lective action on page 4, and on page 5 we showcase news, comments and experiences. our first featured location. For this first time it’s the glorious Scottish Islands. Elaine Koster, Editor

stay in touch what is WWOOF UK?

Please send contributions for our print editions to  WWOOF UK holds a list of organic farms, gardens [email protected] or by post (address page 12) by and , all offering and accommo- the following dates: dation in exchange for practical help on their land. 31st October for Winter 2018 issue  These hosts range from a low-impact woodland 31st January for Spring 2019 issue settlement to a 600 hectare mixed holding with on- 30th April for Summer 2019 issue site farm shop, café and education centre. 31st July 2018 for Autumn 2019 issue  WWOOF hosts should follow the IFOAM organic The deadlines for material to be included in the next principles but need not be registered with a certifi- four electronic updates are: cating organisation. 5th October 2018  Hosts do not expect WWOOFers to know a lot 11th January 2019 about farming and growing when they arrive, but 12th April 2019 they do expect them to be willing to learn and able 12th July 2019 to fit in with their lifestyle.

We particularly welcome your photographs and  The list of hosts is available, either online or as a book, by letters as well as your WWOOFing tales. joining WWOOF UK for a membership fee.  Once you have the list you can contact hosts di- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wwoofuk rectly to arrange your stay. on Twitter: @wwoofuk  Your host will explain what kind of work you will be and Instagram: @wwoofuk expected to do, what accommodation is on offer Contact: [email protected] and will discuss the length of your stay. And don’t forget members can always post adverts,  WWOOFers do not pay to stay with hosts and hosts question and comments on our members’ forum do not pay WWOOFers for their help. www.wwoof.org.uk/forums/forum  The ethos and mission page of our website gives full

details of what is expected of hosts and WWOOFers. cover photo: Taryn Field  WWOOF UK is a charity registered in England and Wales 1126220 and in Scotland SC045524.

The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those held by WWOOF UK page 3 wwoof uk news issue 260 news from the office From our host contact, Taryn Field Here’s an example of what I mean: Hosts — do you use social media platforms with your Hi Maria, Please can you confirm that you are still plan- WWOOFers? I've heard from a couple of hosts that they ning to WWOOF with us on the 12-24th September? If I use WhatsApp groups as a good way to communicate do not receive a reply from you by the 28 August, I will with their WWOOFers. Do any other hosts do this or assume you are NOT coming, and make appropriate something similar? I would be interested to hear about arrangements. how technology can assist in hosting, and if there are From all of us positive or negative aspects to it. Please let me know You’re probably aware that the full WWOOF UK team, your thoughts and experiences at [email protected]. trustees and staff, meet three times a year for formal Recently we have received feedback from hosts regard- Council meetings. Our June meeting was held for the ing communication with WWOOFers and how some second time at a brilliant venue in central Birmingham, WWOOFers are not responding to confirm their stay. Cherry Reds Café, saving us all time and reducing costs I suggest, as part of your communications with WWOOF- by making it possible to hold the meeting on one day. At ers, that you send an email a few weeks before they are the meeting WWOOFer Emma Robinson was confirmed due to arrive giving the WWOOFer and yourself a dead- as a trustee and we already have reason to be grateful line for confirmation. This should help you if WWOOFers for her experience in marketing. We are really fortunate do not confirm by the suggested date, as you will you at too that three other potential trustees were with us; least have a reasonable amount of time to make other hosts David Beaton and Matthew Pumphrey and 19 year arrangements. old Alice Law who is from a host family but now off on her own WWOOFing adventure. Thanks everyone!

calendar countdown commences! Looking for the perfect alternative festive gift for your eco-friends – or something to give an extra special WWOOFer or host to say thank you? What about the WWOOF UK 2019 calendar? Each month features a genuine ‘WWOOFing in action’ photo selected from our host pro- files, along with an authentic quote gleaned from members’ feedback. We always have great fun putting it together (so many lovely pics to choose from) and hope it will provide you, or the person you give it to, a WWOOFy glow all year long. There’s a limited number available so don’t miss out! We will be offering them for sale for a reduced price of £6.00 at regional gatherings between now and Christmas (see page 8 for details of our plans for these), so that’s a good reason to get yourself along to one. Alternatively, you will be able to buy them via our website from 1st October 2018. Individual calendars are £7.50 each or £7 if purchased to accompany a gift membership. All prices include post and packing but we can only send them to addresses in the UK. So, plan ahead and your festive gift problems could be sorted!

wwoof uk news issue 260 page 4 #penntopaper A message from Scarlett Penn, Co-ordinator / Chief Exec

One of my beloved Continental Gi- vets for their caring and expertise. a c h i e v e d ant rabbits, Mr. Higgs, was recently Mr. Higgs rallied...but then over the through a lit- killed. He wasn’t chased by a next couple of days seemed to get tle collective neighbour’s dog or stalked by a fox, more uncomfortable, sitting in odd action. And dug out by a badger or swooped on positions and occasionally stamping then I thought by a bird of prey. his foot. Despite more checks, I about how He was killed by a fly. couldn’t find any problem. Finally, as that could be projected on I found the maggots when they were he went off his food, I had another desperate look and…oh my good- to the job I very small and hurried him straight do, and the to the vet. Despite it having ticked ness...there they were, wriggling passion that past out-of-hours the vet and nurse around deep in his nether regions. Poor, poor boy. both WWOOF and I share for creat- were there waiting for me, and all ing a future which is sustainable and three of us pinned poor Higgsy on I removed these last 20 maggots, respectful of all living beings. his back and began the task of de- now perhaps 4mm long, in a panic, maggoting. We used gloves, combs, because when a rabbit stops eating I’ve heard lots of people say that tweezers and unusually, gaseous the serious condition of gut stasis is simply by doing what it does anaesthetic, which made the mag- likely to occur. This means the nor- WWOOF is acting to help change the gots wriggle out of their hiding place mal wave-like motions of the diges- system. How otherwise would peo- and drop into our waiting container. tive system slow down allowing bad ple who have no contact with grow- After a couple of hours we thought bacteria to build up, making the rab- ing or nature get a view into the we’d succeeded and home he came. bit even more reluctant to eat or world of small-scale organic land I was pleased with myself for being drink, in turn causing the condition stewardship? How else would they vigilant and catching the fly-strike so to worsen and the gut to stop work- experience first-hand an alternative early, and in deep gratitude to the ing altogether. And so it was: de- way of life with people already out spite a final veterinary there living it, already proving it can be done? Mr Higgs on his favourite armchair intervention to try eating the newspaper and bring his appetite It’s true, we are helping effect back, we lost him. change, but in these times of accel- At times like that you erating environmental and social stand back, you ask problems, I don’t feel we can afford WHY, you search for a to rest there. How much more point of learning or change could we be achieving if we meaning. And as I sat were a stronger network of mem- tearfully by his grave bers, and if we as a charity were that evening, trying to more strongly networked with other sidestep the inevita- like-minded organisations? ble self-blame and So if you agree, let’s see what we guilt that comes at can do to draw our network tighter. these times, I thought WWOOF UK’s steering group has about my 6 kg of Gi- been working up an idea to reach ant taken down by a more of our members annually – see team of tiny menaces page 8 for details. And I’m now wriggling around to- hatching a plan to try and gether. And I saw it as strengthen key relationships within another (albeit terri- the sustainable farming and futures bly sad) example of sector. What could you do? how big things can be Scarlett

page 5 wwoof uk news issue 260 featured location: Scottish Islands

Was there ever a more beautiful place to WWOOF, with rugged landscapes, changing seas and breathtaking mountain views, than the Scottish Islands?

As WWOOFers you can enjoy enriching experiences at a vast array of hosts, including large cattle farms, woodlands, social enterprises and gardens! Immerse yourself in tight-knit communities whilst experiencing life on a fifth genera- tion family croft (#95527). Help out on an oyster farm (#27083) or help care for seals and otters at a wildlife sanctuary (#27059). Whether you want to learn about organic and veg box schemes, or harvesting seaweed, there seems to be endless opportunities on these stunning islands. Have a look for yourself by clicking on Central and Northern Scotland on our home page map and start arranging the trip of a lifetime now!

wwoof uk news issue 260 page 6

on the plot with Mr Fluttergrub Solanum Melongena cover. Although the name might suggest a I sow aubergines at the beginning melon, Solanum Melongena is in of March in a pot of seed . Jerusalem Artichokes fact the aubergine or, if you’re This is placed in the propagator set North American, the eggplant. The at about 20° Celsius. Once germi- clue is in the Solanum part of the nated, seedlings are moved to the name. It’s a member of the Solana- heated greenhouse. As soon as sev- ceae or nightshade family (if you’ve eral true leaves have formed each seen an aubergine flowering you’ll seedling is pricked out into a 10 cm see it has a resemblance to the flow- pot. They are then grown on until ers of woody nightshade) along with about mid-May when each plant is the potato and tomato. set out in 25 cm wide and deep Although aubergines are a regular pots in an unheated greenhouse. on my plot, in cool summers the har- The pots contain bought in bark- vest is often disappointing. This year based compost. Although I usually however, it’s a bumper crop so far. make up my own potting compost do find troublesome are greenfly As of the last days of July my twenty mix I’ve found this doesn’t work for (small green aphids) that infest the -odd plants have already produced aubergines as Verticillium wilt, to plants, mainly in early summer. The at least one large aubergine with which the plants are especially sus- only way to control these is to many more swelling nicely. This ceptible, is present in my soil. squash them between finger and early and bountiful cropping is en- It’s often advised that the growing thumb, a tedious task that has to be tirely the result of the sustained high point of the young plant should be repeated several times. Fortunately, temperatures we’ve experienced. pinched out when about 30 cm tall persistence, perhaps aided by help- Aubergines are very much, more so to encourage branching. I don’t usu- ful sparrows and insect predators, than peppers or tomatoes, a warm ally bother with this and it doesn’t usually pays off so that aphid and weather crop. Heat is the key to suc- seem to make much difference to plant reach a stage of relative equi- cess and it goes without saying that cropping. More important is staking librium. in normal British weather, success is and, if the plants are in pots, feed- This year I’ve grown only two auber- only likely if cultivation is under ing. As aubergines swell plants can gine varieties, Giotto and Bonica. become top heavy and topple so Both produce large and glossy black a strong cane is a must for sup- fruit. There are numerous other va- port. Feeding is also essential for rieties with fruit of varying sizes and pot grown plants. I use a liquid colours. I’ve tried many of these organic tomato feed applied over the years but in terms of yield twice a week from mid-June to and showiness Giotto and Bonica late August. are hard to beat and in this amazing While aubergines respond to summer are rewarding me with a heat, they can be rather finicky plentiful harvest. An aubergine glut whatever the weather. Plants will threatens; a welcome change from not tolerate wet feet so it’s im- the ‘normal’ summer excess of cour- portant to go easy on the water- Mr Fluttergrub is the pen name of some- ing, especially when it’s cool. Al- one who is close to the heart of WWOOF ways pest prone, they seem UK. Based in the north of England he’s a more vulnerable when it’s hot. very experienced grower and has agreed Whitefly and red spider mite are to write a regular column for us. Let us know if his suggestions work for you or if frequently given as the main you have other ideas for your region, problems but only the latter is an please get in touch using: issue for me and then usually not [email protected]. until later in the season. What I

page 7 wwoof uk news issue 260 non-members feast on taster days A big success story for us this sea- If you are a host, son has been our taster days for and especially if non-members. you are in Wales After piloting the idea at The Nurs- or Scotland, and ery during February, we have sup- think you’d be ported hosts in York, Sussex (east up for holding and west), and Somerset to offer an event like this four more; with a fifth due in the do get in touch. Peak District in October. You’ll need to have space for Every one of them has sold out, with 10-15 people participants saying they like the idea and some tasks of ‘trying before buying’. they can accom- Not only are the events generating plish in an hour new volunteers – they also make or two. Hopefully you’ll feel OK The WWOOF UK admin team do all sure these people are immersed in about doing a mini-presentation the promotion for these events and, our ethos and mission before their about WWOOF UK. We have one unlike regular WWOOFing, we’ll first official WWOOF exchange. Each you can personalise. manage all the bookings too. You taster has included input on our top Bryony Huntley, the host who deliv- just need to focus on welcoming tips for WWOOFing. ered our Somerset taster day, said: your guests. Of course, not everyone who comes ‘If you’re someone who thinks it’s Having recently reviewed the pric- along signs up afterwards, typically worth investing a bit of time and ing structure we can pass £5 of because they want to WWOOF in energy in getting the next genera- every participant’s fee on to the another country. We don’t consider tion of WWOOFers started off on host to help with catering costs. this a failure, rather we’ve made the right foot, hosting a taster day is Please get in touch with us using sure someone doesn’t buy a for you! [email protected] if you can WWOOF UK membership in error. help. And, who knows what seeds will ‘We had great fun with a varied have been sown for the future? group of people dispelling WWOOF- We’d love to hear from you if you’re ing myths and preparing them for a taster day ‘graduate’ too. Do write We’d like to build on these founda- what was to come. It was a really and tell us what happened next. tions, with a regular programme of inspiring day but in a different way. ’ taster days in 2019. beaver reintroduction update Earlier in the year we told you He said: ‘They are all doing well, about the reintroduction of beavers more water here than ever. They on to hosts Woodland Valley Farm adapt the environment to suit them. land in Cornwall during 2017, in And us if we had the brains to see it.’ partnership with the Cornish Wild- It’s great to be able to bring you life Trust, Exeter, Southampton and such a good news story and we hope Plymouth universities and CoaSt. Chris will stay in touch as the project We’ve recently heard from Chris progresses. Jones, owner of the farm, that the beavers are in very good shape, that two kits were born earlier in the spring and they are all doing well. photo: © Jack Hicks

wwoof uk news issue 260 page 8 AGM and regional gatherings

For many membership organisa- tions, an AGM is not only a consti- tutional necessity but also a chance for members to get together and share their news and experiences of the past year. For decades, WWOOF UK has organised an an- nual Members Gathering during which we have carried out the AGM business, but which is mainly all about WWOOFers, hosts, staff and trustees chatting, eating, learning and sharing. In recent years we have found our- selves variously in the grand fortress of Laurieston Hall in Scotland, in the green and misty hills of mid Wales at AGM 2015 Old Chapel Farm, and under the crags of England’s western Lake Dis- this format has not usually included Members Gathering attendees to trict in Kepplewray. Usually, around non-members. tell us what they value most about 50 WWOOF folk come along, many So… WWOOF staff and trustees the annual weekend away. Getting taking up the offer of subsidised ac- have agreed not to hold one big the opportunity to ‘meet each commodation and meals and staying Members Gathering and AGM event other’, ‘meet staff and trustees’ and for the whole weekend – probably in 2018. Although there will still be ‘look around a host’s place’ are con- tempted in by the tantalising ele- an official WWOOF UK AGM (we sistently the top three reasons for ment of surprise as to whether must have one each year, not least attending. Taking all that feedback they’d be sleeping in a barn, bus or to agree on and sign off the annual into consideration, we will be pilot- bunkhouse. report and accounts that we send to ing a different format whereby WWOOF staff support Regional Host As time, economics, and our mem- the Charity Commission, although officially only trustees need be pre- Contacts (RHCs) and hosts to hold bership have changed over the years Regional Gatherings across the UK though, we have come to ask our- sent at an AGM to do that); this year throughout the year, which can in- selves whether what has become a it will just be held during the Council clude all WWOOF UK members and traditional Members Gathering and meeting of staff and trustees in Oc- are open to non-members too. AGM format still meaningfully in- tober in York. Hosts and WWOOFers won’t be together in the room for These gatherings will be given a cludes enough of the thousands of small budget to help add a point of WWOOFers and hundreds of hosts the AGM this year, and this is a big change for us all. interest to the event – perhaps pay- who make up WWOOF UK. And ing someone to run a workshop, or that’s not to mention the fact that Over the years, we have asked

AGM 2016 page 9 wwoof uk news issue 260 just buying really, really good bis- day Regional Gatherings, managing In fact as we go to press we are cuits – and at least one member of bookings and generally spreading finalising a date for our first Regional staff or a trustee will attend each the word about them to include as Gathering in Shropshire in late Sep- gathering. We hope that this way many members as possible. We tember/early October. All members, more members will be able to at- hope this will also kick off a buzz of regardless of their location will re- tend at least one WWOOF gathering interest amongst non-members too ceive an invite so keep an eye on a year, meaning more people get and help recruit more quality your inbox. And if Shropshire feels a more of what they want and the WWOOFers from the UK. Non- bit too far away, or you’re not avail- WWOOF word spreads wider! members will be asked to pay a able on that date, fear not – there Many RHCs have held and hosted small fee to attend, which will then will be another WWOOF Regional successful regional host gatherings be discounted from their member- Gathering somewhere near you very over the years and the staff team ship fee if they decide to join soon and we’ll be making sure you are using their example to get more WWOOF UK – the gatherings will be hear about it! And it’s likely there’ll involved in designing engaging one- free for existing members. be really, really good biscuits.

Postscript We are still looking for ways of involving WWOOFers and hosts in the 2018 AGM in October, possibly by live broadcasting the meeting online so members can listen in and maybe even pitch in with topics for staff and trus- tees to discuss. Do you have any suggestions about the best technology for us to use to do that? Would you be interested in watching and taking part? As always, we’d love to hear from you about this or anything about the regional gatherings, so please email [email protected] with your suggestions! WWOOF’s annual report is always made publicly available on the Charity Commission’s and our own website. WWOOFing with alpacas Host contact Taryn Field used to be rived, along with a host and is now an occasional Andy, Wayne's part- WWOOFer. Here’s what she’s been ner who came to up to lately. help on the farm on On a Saturday in July my fiancée and his only day off, and I, with a few friends, visited a nearby t h e i r c u r r e n t host for a day's WWOOFing. Great WWOOFer Benja- Ground Farm is a new host that min, who is from joined in March this year, and they France and is have hosted several WWOOFers WWOOFing with already. The farm’s main business is them for three Arkadia Alpacas which specialises in months. We started alpaca trekking and running creative the day with coffee workshops like spinning and felting and a good ol' chat using the alpaca wool. about the farm and what they do there, I was very excited to visit as the and went to have a hosts had mentioned that we may peak at the new additions to the but they didn't seem to mind, they meet some baby alpacas and I'd Alpaca herd. Did you know that al- looked peaceful and relaxed. never met a baby one before, or pacas are pregnant for 50 weeks? even an adult for that matter. We had a walk down to the pad- Some have even been known to go docks where the rest of the alpacas The hosts, Drew and Wayne, were over a year gestation period! That's were grazing and generally looking there to welcome us when we ar- a long time especially in this heat, cute, males and females in separate

WWOOF welcomes 16 year-olds wwoof uk news issue 260 page 10 ar- h i s eas. W e

poop scooped both the fields (this is the woodland itself. time WWOOFing. After a few weeks to stop parasites spreading) and Within an hour, we had made such a of Ben getting comfortable on the then met one of the more social fe- difference, I don't think our hosts farm, Wayne and Drew were posi- males, Octavia. The females were were expecting us to be so enthusi- tively surprised when he asked if he much more curious and were inter- astic and up for getting the job could take the lead on an Alpaca ested in hanging out with us, Octa- done. It was such fun work, being in walk. It's always nice to see via even allowed us to give her cud- a group, shaded from the sun, all of WWOOFer's confidence growing as dles! What amazing soft fleece they us getting stuck in, and I remem- their English is improving. I asked have, with such random patterns bered how much I missed working Ben what his favourite thing about and colours too. (I saw purple spots on the land and being enveloped by WWOOFing at Great Ground farm, on one of them.) nature. and he told me it was 'conversations with the hosts'. Wayne and Andy took us down to a I also think that the amount we small woodland below the pad- achieved, got Wayne thinking about We eagerly returned to the woods, docks, to do some clearing near the possible ways he could hosts groups only to be attacked by thorns, net- brook. Their next project is building of WWOOFers more often. I can tell tles, and branches but we prevailed a green wood bridge over the brook just by being there for the day, that victorious and thought of our cuts so they have access to the fields. Wayne and Drew have such a pas- and bruises as medals of good fun The woods are also used occasion- sion for looking after alpacas, and and enjoyable work. At the end of ally by Scout groups for camping, so wanting to do the very best with the the day we took our time perusing the plan is to build a compost toilet, land they are looking after. all the marvels that Wayne and making the woods safer by creating Drew have made in the little Arkadia steps down to the brook, and gener- Over lunch I had a chat with Ben, Alpaca shop. Such creativity! (And ally encouraging healthy growth of who seemed to be really enjoying we may have purchased a few bits and bobs.) Our whole group felt good in what we achieved, and Wayne and Drew were very thankful indeed. If you are looking for some- where peaceful, with welcom- ing, friendly hosts, if you want to learn about alpacas, and are interested in positively improving the land then you would love WWOOFing here. photos: Taryn Field

page 11 wwoof uk news issue 260

farm hack and CSA gathering The Landworkers Alliance Cymru, The Farm Hack Network and Social Farms and Gardens have teamed up to bring you an exciting event called ‘Community Farm Hack’. You are invited to come and get down and dirty in creating a sustainable food system. This event brings together appropri- ate technology, peer-to-peer learn- ing and community food projects in one jam packed four days. (There’s a pre-hack on 4th and 5th October).

What is a Farm Hack? Land workers As part of the CSA gathering content will be driven by the passions of the and farmers are an innovative and you will be able to learn how to set people involved and we only ask for creative lot and those inventions up a CSA, how to better communi- a small donation for food on those and on-farm solutions are being cate with customers and volunteers, days. showcased at this event. We intend how to improve your horticultural This is a child-friendly event and we to employ peer-to-peer learning work and also how to set up a live- which means everyone is the plan to have a kids’ space set up so stock CSA. And we’ll include feed- that families can come and enjoy teacher and everyone is a student; back and networking about how all our learning is driven by our curios- their time together while allowing the CSAs are getting on and what ity and inquisition. parents to have the chance to get support they need. involved. Please get in touch so we We have some demonstrations of Anyone interested in the CSA side of know numbers and have enough home made farm equipment, we things can apply to us for a subsi- support for the kids’ space team. have the development of an open dised ticket through our funding source DIY farm robot, an open We look forward to seeing you at support form Social Farms and Gar- the event and we need you to make source plastic shredder with ex- dens. See our website for details, or truder and we have practical skills it as amazing as it can be. email [email protected]. demonstrations and rolling skill- The main event on the 6th and 7th shares such as metal work, forging, Venue tool renovation, green wood work, October is ticketed: this includes meals and camping. We have a slid- Tyddyn Teg timber frame building and more to Tyddyn Berth be confirmed. ing-scale ticket system to make sure as many people as possible can ac- Bethel Do you have an invention you want cess the event. The preceding two Caernarfon ll55 3ps to show off? Do you have a work- days are for people who are passion- shop proposal you want to offer? Do ate enough to get together and geek Website you have broken tools that need https://bit.ly/2OenoY6 out about in fixing, bring them along! the farming context. This pre-hack

Niels Corfield’s designing edible spaces courses Would you like to be: *Growing your own food but feel you don’t have space or the time? *Eating more organic food but think it’s too expensive? Learn the design skills and knowledge to transform gardens or urban spaces into abundant, edible gardens, that are full of food, friendly to wildlife, look good, and need little maintenance. London weekend course—15th and 16th September Bristol evening classes—From 3rd October to 28th November (8 week course with one week half term break) For information and booking details: https://bit.ly/2vFk3K9 wwoof uk news issue 260 page 12 classifieds Classified ads are free up to 50 words at the editor’s discretion. WWOOF UK accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of advertisements and does not endorse the products and services offered. You are advised to check before availing yourself of what is offered. [email protected]. uk

Former WWOOFer seeking partici- Hello, my partner and I are looking We are looking for a house sitter to pants for a Birkbeck University to buy land (3 acres plus) to create look after our smallholding outside study on ‘prepping’, self-reliance a retreat to support others in re- Bath. We need the veg patch wa- and environmental threat in the connecting to nature. Ideally by the tered, animals fed and watered and UK. We are looking for WWOOF sea, with woodland, peaceful but general keeping an eye on the community members who ‘prep’ for with life nearby other than the flora space. Knowledge on garden main- disasters to take part in confidential and fauna. Please contact using: tenance would be needed. Please interviews. £10 Amazon e-voucher [email protected] get in touch if interested. as a thank you. Please contact Sonia Thank-you! Thanks, Algy Sloane. Please contact: for more information at [email protected] [email protected] SHARE FARMING OPPORTUNITY offered on long-established 140 We're looking for a new member to The Gaia Foundation Seed Sover- acre organic upland farm, with pos- join Brambles Housing Coop in eignty programme is looking to sibility of more land. Shropshire Sheffield! We are a co-op of com- connect with growers interested in Hills. Pedigree Traditional Herefords, mitted, lovely, busy people close to training in seed production with a Clun sheep. Good direct marketing the city centre with a large garden. view to sell or swap seed their potential. Contact: [email protected] wider community. Would also like Details [email protected] to speak to farmers interested in House sitter required over the growing 'heritage' grains. Contact: Christmas period to look after two Are you a new or landless grower [email protected] cats and a pony for about a week in who has energy and skill to help a beautiful Highland glen 25 miles start up a collaborative market gar- north of Inverness, wonderful walks, We are always interested in hear- den enterprise on land you could bike rides etc. Need own transport ing from members who would like potentially live on? Are the South and some knowledge of horse care. to be more closely involved with Shropshire Hills AONB an area you’d Please contact Juliette, using, WWOOF UK. consider? If so, get in touch to talk [email protected], or phone Contact [email protected] possibilities. [email protected] 01349 884440.

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copy deadlines: 12th October for next e-update, 31st October for winter print issue; send to [email protected] WWOOF UK, PO Box 2207, Buckingham, MK18 9BW