October 2010
Here we are again
Yet another month gone by !!
The days are getting shorter and we all know winter is on its way.
Many congratulations to Woody who has had two litters of piglets both born in September. Both mums (Prudence and Margo) and all 17 piglets are doing well.
Our last gathering on Tuesday night was a great success, we had a wonderful tour around Springstep Dairy and for those of you who came I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. For those who couldn’t make it, if Bob and Sally Kirk are kind enough to invite us again next year please try and come. Take it from us it’s a treat not to be missed.
We started with a tour of the big barn where all the nannies, were chilling out and settling down for a relaxing evening on one side and on the other side romance was in the air with the Billy’s and their lady friends!!!
Sally filled us in on the history of Mundon Hall as we went on our way and Bob explained all about the husbandry of the goats, we carried on through to the milking parlour and through to where the milk is pasteurised and processed into the cheeses, cream, ice cream and yogurt. The health benefits of using goat products were also explained to us.
Then into the shop were we had a tasting treat of different cheeses finished off with some creamy rum and raisin ice cream (just what our family need to keep our hour glass figures !!)
Sally then took us all over to the house where we had tea and biscuits with goat’s milk.
And I have to say we are converted. No more milk from the supermarket for us !!
We have placed an order for 5ltrs of milk each week, we can collect it frozen store it in the freezer and take it out as needed.
Sounds good to me and we are supporting a local business.
Would it be a good idea for all meetings to be
arrive at 7.15pm for a 7.30 start? Let us know.
We have booked the Blue Boar in Maldon for the next meeting Tuesday 26th October 2010
We thought we would leave this meeting for general chit chat get the feel of the place, fill in the proforma on who we are, phone numbers, what animals we have etc. As everyone seemed to think this was a good idea. Perhaps we could also work out a plan for the future meetings.
From the feedback received it seems most of you would like a guest speaker for some of the evening, with the remainder given over to our usual discussion and chat.
Tuesday 23rd November at The Blue Boar Maldon
NFU talk on the services they offer including insurance starts approx. 7.45pm
Tuesday 14th December at The Blue Boar Maldon.
We thought we would make this the
‘Smallholder Christmas Jolly’
Many people have shown an interest, they offer a buffet at £6.00 a head
Vol au vents filled with prawn and marie rose sauce
Chicken sate
Vegetable spring rolls
Cocktail sausages
Quiche
Spicy Potato wedges
Sandwiches filled with beef ham tuna mayo and cheese
If you would like to join in the party final numbers and payment of £6.00 will be needed at the October meeting.
Tuesday 25th January 2011 7.15pm Blue Boar Maldon
We have a local vet who is very keen on giving us a talk on Poultry. Again we can arrive from 7.15 and the talk will start at approx. 7.45pm.
DEFRA would like to attend to talk about their role in keeping livestock and rules and regulations we should abide by !! although DEFRA are still waiting for confirmation of funding for this!
Have your questions ready (this is one that shouldn’t be missed).
Tuesday 22nd March 2011 7.15pm Blue Boar Maldon
Carol Knight of the Alsa Farm Pedigree Gloucestershire old spot herd in Stansted Mountfitchet will be giving a talk on breeding and rearing pedigree pigs.
Tuesday 19th April 2011 7.15pm Blue Boar Maldon
McVeigh Parker will be giving a talk on fencing and the products they offer
That’s all your suggestions catered for so far,
Well, except for Fiona who has requested Alan Titchmarsh.
We seem to be having a few problems sorting that one out!!!
If anyone knows of somebody to ‘do a talk’ on vegetable growing please let us know as mother could do with some help.
So come on get your thinking caps on, you tell us who you would like or what subject you would like talks on and we will try our best to arrange it.
I am trying to persuade a fellow small holder to do a demonstration on her craft skills which are pretty amazing. She knows who she is.
Thinking past the winter would you like a summer BBQ and quiz night?
Well that’s it the end of our very long news letter
Best wishes to you all and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 26th October at the Blue Boar 7.15pm
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