It has been a busy few weeks getting our place ready for Open Day - which we had on last sunday. It was a great success. Many people came and stayed around for a long time as it turned out to be a dry and sunny afternoon. - which we had hardly dared to hope for. A lot of cakes and bric-a-brac arrived -and all in all we were also able to raise close to €5000. Thank you to everyone who helped us with the Open Day - both on the day and before.
The week before we were presented with a cheque of €350 from the children in the school in Ventry. Before Easter they held a raffle and decided that they would like to donate the money to us. Thank you very much to you all.
On Sunday morning a new calf was born - this time a little Kerry calf - and over the weekend we were joined by two new co-workers - Fiona from Germany and England - and Lea from Switzerland. Sadly we also had to say goodbye to Christine who left us after having been with us for a year to go back to Germany.
Now we are all looking forward to a very warm summer!!!!
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
April 2012 News
Like everyone else we all have been struggling with the change of weather and there has been a lot of illness and struggles which has at times left us a bit thin on the ground - but life goes on and we are happy to say that another healthy calf was born - much to Tomas's delight. It is a little Jersey calf.
Sadly we are going to loose Kathleen who was working with us through FAS and I would like to take the opportunity here to thank her for all the help and support she gave us over the last few months.
Lately we have been asked a lot about how our planning application is going - and I thought to give a brief update on that. After having to give up on our initial house which we had planned due to funding issues we designed a new house and a workshop for which the application went in just a few weeks before Christmas last year.We now have got the plans back a second time asking for more information ( on colour schemes and building materials ) - and a detailed landscape plan which will unfortunately set us back both time wise and financially.We can of course only keep our fingers crossed that these will be the only requirements....!!!!
Lastly I would just like to say that we will be having our Open Day this year on the 3rd of June - so keep looking out for more news on that.
Sadly we are going to loose Kathleen who was working with us through FAS and I would like to take the opportunity here to thank her for all the help and support she gave us over the last few months.
Lately we have been asked a lot about how our planning application is going - and I thought to give a brief update on that. After having to give up on our initial house which we had planned due to funding issues we designed a new house and a workshop for which the application went in just a few weeks before Christmas last year.We now have got the plans back a second time asking for more information ( on colour schemes and building materials ) - and a detailed landscape plan which will unfortunately set us back both time wise and financially.We can of course only keep our fingers crossed that these will be the only requirements....!!!!
Lastly I would just like to say that we will be having our Open Day this year on the 3rd of June - so keep looking out for more news on that.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
April 2012 News
Easter has been - and everyone is having a little bit of a quieter time after our Easter celebrations. Quite a few people went on holiday- and a lot of visitors have come and gone.
The second Dexter calf was born and all the lambs that we had been expecting are happily running around the field.
We would like to thank the Transition year students in the Poabail Scoil for donating the money they raised with their recent Fashion show to us. It was very much appreciated. All the money that has been donated and that was fundraised for goes to our building fund as we are still very much hoping to build our first house and a workshop building in the very near future - and due to the current financial situation their is no funding available.
If anyone would still like to run or walk the Women's Mini Marathon in Dublin in June in order to fundraise for us please contact me on 0861522483 - as there are still a few days left in order to sign up. A group of us went last year - and it was a great day.
The second Dexter calf was born and all the lambs that we had been expecting are happily running around the field.
We would like to thank the Transition year students in the Poabail Scoil for donating the money they raised with their recent Fashion show to us. It was very much appreciated. All the money that has been donated and that was fundraised for goes to our building fund as we are still very much hoping to build our first house and a workshop building in the very near future - and due to the current financial situation their is no funding available.
If anyone would still like to run or walk the Women's Mini Marathon in Dublin in June in order to fundraise for us please contact me on 0861522483 - as there are still a few days left in order to sign up. A group of us went last year - and it was a great day.
Monday, 26 March 2012
March 2012 News
The summer has arrived - at least it seems like it. The last few days have been magnificent - and like everyone else most likely we have been all trying to spend as much time outside as possible. We had a picnic on our cliffs - and instead of having the Zumba afternoon in the farm there was a lot of dancing outside the weavery. There are quite a few red faces and arms - and Thomas Ryan and Hangul have been brave enough to jump into the sea ( with wetsuits though ).Tomas is is going up to the cliffs every day to check up on the cows which are all happy to be outside again - and we are only waiting for one more sheep to lamb.Sadly Marion left us last week but we will not have to go to far to see her as she is living and working in town.
The weavers have been incredibly productive with making rugs and scarves in lots of different colours for the market season and the gardeners are busy with tending to all the seedlings that have been planted - and have done a lot of planting outside. The garden looks amazing.So far the battle with the weeds has not yet started - but later on in the early summer we will welcome some extra help of some enthusiastic weeders.
Easter is around the corner - and once again we are busy preparing for a festival - which is very important in our Camphill life. People have been blowing out eggs to paint and decorate the houses with - and we are doing a lot of singing.We wish you all a lovely Easter day - and great weather.
The weavers have been incredibly productive with making rugs and scarves in lots of different colours for the market season and the gardeners are busy with tending to all the seedlings that have been planted - and have done a lot of planting outside. The garden looks amazing.So far the battle with the weeds has not yet started - but later on in the early summer we will welcome some extra help of some enthusiastic weeders.
Easter is around the corner - and once again we are busy preparing for a festival - which is very important in our Camphill life. People have been blowing out eggs to paint and decorate the houses with - and we are doing a lot of singing.We wish you all a lovely Easter day - and great weather.
Monday, 12 March 2012
March 2012 News
Lots has happened in the last few weeks. We have nine new lambs and they are all happily jumping around on the field . Everyone really enjoys watching them as they are all on the field that we need to pass to get to work. One of the Dexter cows that we got in the autumn had a calf - which is tiny compared to the calfs one usually sees as the Dexter Cows are quite small.
A lot of excitement was had last week when the Container that has been on our land since before we started seven years was removed. It was a little bit like the end of an era. We were remembering back to when we first opened it - packed with old bedsprings and lots of other things.It took us days to empty it - and it was soon filled with lots of other things as it has been the only storage space we had for a long time. Some of the benches we found are still being used to this day - although they got the occasional lick of paint.The bedsprings we had found also had been used for many things - as fences, wire for the beans and peas to grow up on and one is still being used as the door to the chicken run.But now there is a nice space which is being straight away filled with various sheds- so that all looks a little bit neat and tidy. Otherwise people are busy with getting ready for St. Patricks day. A group is busy with rehearsing drumming - while others are going to join the Bee-keepers at the Parade on Saturday - and the rest of the Community will be found watching the parade this year.
A lot of excitement was had last week when the Container that has been on our land since before we started seven years was removed. It was a little bit like the end of an era. We were remembering back to when we first opened it - packed with old bedsprings and lots of other things.It took us days to empty it - and it was soon filled with lots of other things as it has been the only storage space we had for a long time. Some of the benches we found are still being used to this day - although they got the occasional lick of paint.The bedsprings we had found also had been used for many things - as fences, wire for the beans and peas to grow up on and one is still being used as the door to the chicken run.But now there is a nice space which is being straight away filled with various sheds- so that all looks a little bit neat and tidy. Otherwise people are busy with getting ready for St. Patricks day. A group is busy with rehearsing drumming - while others are going to join the Bee-keepers at the Parade on Saturday - and the rest of the Community will be found watching the parade this year.
Monday, 27 February 2012
February 2012 ews
It is hard to believe that it is nearly the end of February - and march is standing at the door. Spring is well on the way - and one can really see nature waking up. The first of the lambs are expected any day now - which is always a big excitement as everyone loves to see the new born lambs running around on the fields. The basket weavers, Thomas Ryan and Marcus are very busy at the moment with making willow fences in the garden to create more shelter from the wind. It is quite amazing to see the huge amounts of willow they are bringing up from the bog where until a few years ago there was very little growing. 5 years ago we planted lots of trees on our land - and the ones in the bog were planted in an attempt to dry it out a little - and to create a little woodland area.
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm.
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm.
Monday, 13 February 2012
February 2012 News
Everyone has been enjoying the lovely weather these last few days and one can really feel a buzz around the place. More and more of the hens and the ducks are laying eggs and a lot of work is done. The gardeners have started sowing in the poly tunnel, have planted a few new fruit bushes and Dominic, Stephen and Darren have been very busy with shifting the smelly compost There is a lot of nice compost to be used in the coming months.The first tulips and hyacinths are peeping out of the ground, even the first rhubarb is starting to show. The bullock that was mIt is hard to believe that it is nearly the end of February - and march is standing at the door. Spring is well on the way - and one can really see nature waking up. The first of the lambs are expected any day now - which is always a big excitement as everyone loves to see the new born lambs running around on the fields. The basket weavers, Thomas Ryan and Marcus are very busy at the moment with making willow fences in the garden to create more shelter from the wind. It is quite amazing to see the huge amounts of willow they are bringing up from the bog where until a few years ago there was very little growing. 5 years ago we planted lots of trees on our land - and the ones in the bog were planted in an attempt to dry it out a little - and to create a little woodland area.
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm. eant to join us a few weeks ago but unfortunately escaped has finally joined the herd, but not before he tried to get over a few fences when the vet paid him a few visits. Now he seems content enough to be in the farm and has not attempted to run off yet. Mick and John Joe have been very busy with clearing out the ditches along the road to the hardcore road and have been putting the final touches to the new farm shed which is really finished now. A group of us going for a little music holiday in Cahersiveen next week which we can tell about the next time. The birthday season seems to be over for a while as we have been celebrating three birthdays in the last weeks one of them which was a big 21st!!!
Unfortunately we have lost 5 of our ducks since the last time that I wrote - as the fox paid a nightly visit - so that we only have 4 ducks left. But tomorrow we are going to be joined by a few chickens that are going to be living in the garden of our house up in Lisdeargan.
Last week a few of us spent some days in Ballinskelligs where we were participating in a music workshop which was held in Waterville. It was a great week and apart from making music we also had the chance to explore the surroundings - though we all would have appreciated a little better weather.
Now we are looking forward to some old co-workers coming for a visit - and helping a little in the garden and on the farm. eant to join us a few weeks ago but unfortunately escaped has finally joined the herd, but not before he tried to get over a few fences when the vet paid him a few visits. Now he seems content enough to be in the farm and has not attempted to run off yet. Mick and John Joe have been very busy with clearing out the ditches along the road to the hardcore road and have been putting the final touches to the new farm shed which is really finished now. A group of us going for a little music holiday in Cahersiveen next week which we can tell about the next time. The birthday season seems to be over for a while as we have been celebrating three birthdays in the last weeks one of them which was a big 21st!!!
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