https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eesg-christmas-quiz-tickets-35490699638?aff=erelpanelorg
We are a group of micro farmers who welcome anyone who keeps animals or grows vegetables and fruit, or loves cooking! Who would like to come along to our meetings or events and share their experiences with others. You don't need to have lots of animals to be a "smallholder." Many people who grow vegetables, have some bees or maybe a couple of backyard chickens come along and enjoy the meetings and events as well.
Sunday 1 October 2017
Monday 28 August 2017
Monday 14 August 2017
Purleigh Country Show
Come and visit East Essex Smallholders Group members at The Purleigh Country Show on Saturday 19th August. Furzedown Smallholding will be coming along with their Rare Breed Sheep and their range of Locally produced Preserves. Terry Adger will be bringing his amazing turned woodwork. Katie Anderson from Muddy Boots Farm will be bringing along her Goats for everyone to have a tickle! Not to Mention Vince will be bringing along his vintage machinery. This event raises money for Little Havens Childrens Hospice. Such a good cause to support.
Treasure Hunt
Sunday 20th August 2017 - Sadly Cancelled Due to lack of sales, Lots of events going on in Maldon on this day. So we will reschedule for April.
EESG Treasure Hunt
Sunday 2 July 2017
Thursday 18 May 2017
Tuesday 23rd of May 2017
We have been a little slow with a 2017 calender of events, but we will be announcing our exciting schedule at the next meeting on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 at The Roundbush Public House, Roundbush Road, Purleigh, Essex CM9 6NN. 7.30pm
Please come and show your support.
Thursday 4 May 2017
Hedgehog Awareness Week 2017
Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 30th April to 6th May 2017 and hedgehoggy events are being organised all around the country already!
Hedgehog Awareness Week is organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and takes place every year. It aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them.
This year efforts are focussed on our strimmer campaign. We have produced water proof stickers that we are sending to councils, tool hire companies, grounds maintenance teams, etc free of charge on request (email info@britishhedgehogs.org.uk). The stickers remind operatives to check areas for hedgehogs before using any machinery. Once the group have received the stickers and sent us a pic of them in action, we can add them to our Hedgehog Heroes Roll of Honour! See http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-heroes-roll-honour/
As well as checking areas before cutting there are other things we can do to help too:
- Ensure there is hedgehog access in your garden – a 13cm x 13cm gap in boundary fences and walls.
- Move piles of rubbish to a new site before burning it.
- Ensure netting is kept at a safe height.
- Check compost heaps before digging the fork in.
- Stop or reduce the amount of pesticides and poisons used.
- Cover drains or deep holes.
- Ensure there is an easy route out of ponds and pools.
BHPS Chief Executive, Fay Vass, said “We are asking people to pledge to do at least one positive thing for hedgehogs during the week and if possible let us know, send us pictures of the hedgehog hole or home you create, or from the event you organise!”
Here are a few more ideas of how you can get involved:
- Contact your local council or tool hire shop and ask if they will use the free stickers from BHPS on their machines – ask them to email us direct oninfo@britishhedgehogs.org.uk
- Organise an event such as a cake sale, fun day, sponsored event, coffee morning or jumble sale.
- ]Display information (BHPS can provide) in your work place or local Garden Centre, School, Library, shop, etc.
- Contact your local newspaper or radio station a few weeks before Hedgehog Awareness Week and ask them to help hedgehogs by printing a letter from BHPS (we can provide a letter to the editor on request) or by arranging an interview with us during the week (ask them to call 01584 890 801 to book a slot).
- Post leaflets in your area letting people know how they can help hedgehogs (BHPS can provide leaflets).
- Take a selfie with our #hedgehogweek sign (click here for printable copy) and send it out via social media during the week. Remember to tag us on Twitter @hedgehogsociety and use #hedgehogweek
If you are organising an event, PLEASE let BHPS know as soon as possible so that we can keep a comprehensive list of events across the country. We often get calls from the media and public asking for local events and if we don’t know about your event we can’t point them in your direction.
We are hoping to raise £2,000 during Hedgehog Awareness Week 2017, texting HHOG17 £5 to 70070 will donate £5 to this appeal. (You can change amount to £1, £2, £3, £4, or £10 to donate those amounts).
To donate to our Hedgehog Awareness Week campaign online please click https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/bhps/haw17
Leaflets and posters are available on our website or we can post copies out on request.
http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/
Monday 10 April 2017
www.gov.uk/government/news/updated-measures-to-protect-poultry-against-avian-flu
Press release
Updated measures to protect poultry against Avian Flu
All poultry in England to be allowed outside from Thursday 13 April
following the latest evidence on the risk posed by wild birds.
All poultry in England are to be allowed outside from Thursday 13
April 2017 following updated evidence on the risk posed by wild birds,
the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has announced.
The requirement to keep poultry in Higher Risk Areas of England housed or completely enclosed in netting, introduced to minimise the risk of them catching avian flu from wild birds, will be lifted. However, all keepers in England will continue to be required to comply with strict biosecurity measures. A ban on poultry gatherings also remains in force until further notice.
The decision to lift the additional requirements in the Higher Risk Areas is based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice, which concludes that the level of risk to poultry in these areas has now reduced to the same level as that across the rest of England. This is because of changes in the wild bird population: the majority of over-wintering migratory birds have now left the UK, and resident wild waterfowl are at their lowest levels and entering the breeding season when they become less likely to move long distances to forage for food.
The risk of poultry becoming infected from H5N8 remains heightened and countries across Europe continue to experience outbreaks and observe cases in wild birds. Defra is stepping up surveillance of wild birds across the UK to inform our risk assessments.
All poultry keepers must continue to take steps to reduce the risk to their birds, including minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures, cleaning footwear, keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy and feeding birds indoors.
Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said:
H5N8 avian flu has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016, including chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. Where avian flu has been confirmed, we have taken swift action to limit the spread of disease with restrictions around affected premises and full investigations to determine the source of infection.
H5N8 can be spread indirectly via the contaminated environment, for example in wild bird droppings, contaminated feed or bedding, as well as being passed from wild birds to poultry directly from bird to bird. All disease control measures continue to be kept under review depending on the latest scientific advice and disease outbreak situation.
The requirement to keep poultry in Higher Risk Areas of England housed or completely enclosed in netting, introduced to minimise the risk of them catching avian flu from wild birds, will be lifted. However, all keepers in England will continue to be required to comply with strict biosecurity measures. A ban on poultry gatherings also remains in force until further notice.
The decision to lift the additional requirements in the Higher Risk Areas is based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice, which concludes that the level of risk to poultry in these areas has now reduced to the same level as that across the rest of England. This is because of changes in the wild bird population: the majority of over-wintering migratory birds have now left the UK, and resident wild waterfowl are at their lowest levels and entering the breeding season when they become less likely to move long distances to forage for food.
The risk of poultry becoming infected from H5N8 remains heightened and countries across Europe continue to experience outbreaks and observe cases in wild birds. Defra is stepping up surveillance of wild birds across the UK to inform our risk assessments.
All poultry keepers must continue to take steps to reduce the risk to their birds, including minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures, cleaning footwear, keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy and feeding birds indoors.
Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said:
We continually review our disease control measures in light of new scientific evidence and veterinary advice. Based on the latest evidence on reduced numbers of migratory and resident aquatic wild birds we believe that kept birds in the areas we previously designated as Higher Risk are now at the same level of risk as the rest of England and may now be let outside.Lifting the housing requirement in Higher Risk Areas means free range birds across every part of England can now be allowed outside again.
However, all keepers must still observe strict disease prevention measures to reduce the risk of contamination from the environment, where the virus can survive for several weeks in bird droppings.
This does not mean business as usual: the risk from avian flu has not gone away and a Prevention Zone remains in place, requiring keepers across England to take steps to prevent disease spreading. We continue to keep measures under review and keepers should check GOV.UK for regular updates.
H5N8 avian flu has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016, including chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. Where avian flu has been confirmed, we have taken swift action to limit the spread of disease with restrictions around affected premises and full investigations to determine the source of infection.
H5N8 can be spread indirectly via the contaminated environment, for example in wild bird droppings, contaminated feed or bedding, as well as being passed from wild birds to poultry directly from bird to bird. All disease control measures continue to be kept under review depending on the latest scientific advice and disease outbreak situation.
Further information
-
Read guidance on how to continue to comply with the Prevention Zone currently in place across England.
-
Read the latest veterinary risk assessment for Avian Influenza H5N8 in the UK and Europe.
-
Read more information about the ban on gatherings, which remains in place.
www.gov.uk/government/news/updated-measures-to-protect-poultry-against-avian-flu
Wednesday 15 February 2017
Avian flu confirmed at a farm near Redgrave in Suffolk
H5N8 avian flu has been confirmed at a poultry premises near Redgrave, in the district of mid-Suffolk.
The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu
at a poultry premises near Redgrave, in the district of mid-Suffolk.
This follows the announcement of an initial 10km Temporary Control Zone around the premises on 13 February after laboratory analysis identified the presence of H5N8. Further investigations into the nature of the virus have now confirmed that it is the same highly pathogenic strain of H5N8 that has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016.
A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls in place. Use our interactive map to check if you are affected by restrictions around any premises.
The affected premises is estimated to contain approximately 23,000 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds at the premises will be humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.
Public Health England advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.
www.gov.uk/government/news/controls-for-avian-influenza-introduced-around-site-in-suffolk
This follows the announcement of an initial 10km Temporary Control Zone around the premises on 13 February after laboratory analysis identified the presence of H5N8. Further investigations into the nature of the virus have now confirmed that it is the same highly pathogenic strain of H5N8 that has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016.
A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls in place. Use our interactive map to check if you are affected by restrictions around any premises.
The affected premises is estimated to contain approximately 23,000 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds at the premises will be humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.
Public Health England advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.
www.gov.uk/government/news/controls-for-avian-influenza-introduced-around-site-in-suffolk
Monday 6 February 2017
A beginner's guide to permaculture gardening
Laura Laker
30th March, 2010
www.theecologist.org
Don't get stumped by the name: permaculture is a simple, vital tool for food growers and gardeners alike
A philosophy of gardening. Gardening and philosophy. Either way it seems strange to the uninitiated. However, one thing permaculture isn't, to many people's surprise, is a cult. So what exactly is it?Permaculture is a design system which sprang up during the 1970s oil crisis, a reaction to food insecurity and the desire for self-reliance. Combining attitude and practical application, it encompasses anything from recycling, reusing and regenerating, to simply observing.
When applied to gardening it suggests that not only can we grow food almost anywhere - from fruit shrubs in patio pots to vines on fences - but we can get higher yields with less effort simply by mimicking nature.
When I started to view every niche as a potential food-growing zone, for me the world turned into one big gingerbread house.
In contrast to many modern agricultural methods, a natural growing system sustains a continuous cycle, with dead plants becoming mulch for new growth. Permaculture gardening seeks to recreate this cycle, turning food waste into valuable compost and replacing slug pellets and weedkillers with natural predators and natural competition. According to co-founder Bill Mollison, it is about working with nature, not against it.
Survey your plot
Permaculture isn't prescriptive and methods should be applied to each garden or balcony individually. The first step, therefore, is observation. Although common sense, this aspect in particular surprised me whilst attending a permaculture course in North London one chilly February weekend.
The group was asked to stand in a forest garden (a permaculture design concept, in which a garden is established to mimic a young forest ecosystem) and simply observe a small area for 15 minutes. Stock still in front of an apple tree in the bitter, fading light, looking at lichen patterns and wondering where the sun rose and set, I started to see the garden differently.
I realised that to avoid winding up with a lot of shrivelled plants, it is vital to learn how much light, wind, and water a plot receives before jumping in with a trowel and a packet of seeds. Ideally this phase should span a year, to observe changes through the seasons.
In any outdoor space microclimates exist, and where a south-facing wall will protect delicate plants, a windy balcony may be better suited to fruit shrubs such as gooseberry and damson, providing a natural, edible windbreak.
If you are keen to start growing before your year is up, try a few things out on a small space first. This is a perfect time to limber up green fingers and establish skills, some compost and avoid biting off more than you can chew. Green manure is excellent preparation for future veggies.
Diversity
A key aspect of permaculture garden design is growing a diverse range of foods with mutually beneficial relationships. Marigolds, for example, deter eel worms from nearby tomatoes, while lovage and sweet cicely attract aphids' natural predators.
Plants are carefully chosen, often native varieties, only a fraction of which we currently eat. Those most suited to local conditions require less tending - ticking another key permaculture box: minimal input for maximum gain. A mixture of annuals and perennials can be aesthetically pleasing while providing food throughout the year.
Zoning
When planning your plot, think: which plants will I visit the most? Which ones will require the most tending? These will live in the 'zone' closest to the house, zone one (or indoors, zone zero). This means ripe foods will be picked in time, and delicate plants won't shrivel away unnoticed at the back of the garden.
If zone one is the 'busiest', zone four contains the plants requiring the least attention, further away. Traditionally zone five will be a wild, undisturbed haven for natural predators and wildlife. This can exist even in a small plot.
Mulch!
As permaculture is a low-impact model, it encompasses a no-dig philosophy. Sounding more like a dream come true than a practical method, it is possible to change what grows in a space without turning over the soil. The key word here is mulch, and I was enlightened on the benefits during my permaculture course.
This method is best for potatoes, cabbages and marrows. After knocking down any weeds, a layer of cardboard, newspapers or natural-fibre carpets will kill weeds by blocking out their light. Some mulch or compost on top provides nutrients for the plants and by piercing the cardboard layer you help new roots reach the soil. Then add compost or topsoil before sprinkling straw, or grass clippings and leaves (often in surplus in local councils).
Forest garden
In nature, not only does variety exist on a two dimensional plane, but each family of plants will grow to different heights. Known as ‘stacking', a permaculture forest garden sees tall fruiting trees above a layer of dwarf varieties and nut bushes, which in turn shelter fruiting shrubs, with perennial herbs and vegetables, and finally roots underground. By covering the soil with plants, it is protected from water loss and erosion.
Pests!
UK households use masses of pesticides for every invertebrate going. In a natural ecosystem predators will carry out this job without negative environmental impact - for example frogs do the same job as slug repellent without the shrivelled corpses or having to keep the children away. Last year after visiting a Froglife stall I filled a planter in my garden with water and a frog moved into permanent residence within three weeks. It doesn't need to be Lake Baikal, and could provide a lifelong home for your own natural slug patrol.
The modern Transition Town movement emerged from the permaculture model, as a reaction to concerns over peak oil. With some thought it is possible to grow food in a sustainable way using practical skills, while benefiting ourselves, our communities and wildlife. That is a satisfying thought when you're tucking into your own home-grown dinner.
Further information:
Websites:
- The Permaculture Association
- Permaculture Magazine
- Video on how to build your own permaculture herb spiral
- Permaculture images: www.flickr.com/photos/naturewise
- London permaculture network
- Edible Forest Gardens: Part 1 and Part 2 by Dave Jacke with Eric Toensmeier, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2005
- Permaculture in a Nutshell by Patrick Whitefield, Permanent Publications, 2008
- Permaculture: A Beginner's Guide by Graham Burnett, Spiralseed, 2009
Thursday 26 January 2017
New Years Resolution
New Years Resolution
It's been far to long since our last Blog up date but my news years resolution isn't let's start a diet or join the gym it's lets try to keep our blog up- dated ......so
here we go.
My goodness where do I start! Danni is back to work after maternity leave and has very little spare time with work, caring for the small child who I might add isn't so small anymore ! and smallholding tasks and duties.
So it's over to me mother of Furzedown Smallholding for now.
I'm not sure where to start such a lot has gone on so I think I will start with the present and and keep popping back to last years adventures.
Latest news is we have two beautiful calves born just before Christmas.
Tilly the Dexter and Tulip her daughter both had a little holiday a few months back with a very handsome local Bull and just before Christmas and with no problems they both produced to healthy calves.
We had been keeping a close eye on them we had moved them into their winter quarters in the barn ready for the big event!
Much time had been spent leaning on the gate watching their big bellies moving while the calves jiggled around inside,theirs udders had developed and we knew we wouldn't have long to wait.
Tulip a first time mum was the first to produce, a little female calf,all on her own no assistance needed except maybe a few words of encouragement from her mother Tilly.
Tulip took to motherhood perfectly licking the calf dry and gently mooing.
Such a lovely sound normally it's a huge long Moo for where's my breakfast .....your late ! But this is such a gently low noise it's wonderful to hear and of course to watch that bond growing with her new off spring, it just reminds me how wonderful nature is.
One down one to go!
About a week later I woke with a jolt to 4 sharp very loud Moo's!
My bedroom window looks out onto the barn so I am pretty aware of any goings on out there.
I hastily sent Danni a text I could have walked across the landing and tapped on her door but with the small child sleeping and not wanting to wake him I thought it safer to text, the joy of modern technology lol.
I soon had a reply saying Gareth was out there checking ....... Next text "there is some discharge labour is underway" .......15 minutes later and the next text "I can see the water bag"
By this time I was up the excitement was all to much for me.
We didn't want to interfere just let labour progress naturally but of course keep an eye out for any problems expecting a calf mid to late morning.
Tilly had other ideas I walked past the barn some 20 minutes later and boom there was our second calf !
A big strong boy who was named Bolt after Usain Bolt because his big Handsome and came out at the speed of light lol.
Such exciting times for us and a few weeks on and all is going well and the babies are growing and settled.
Have a lovely week
Donna x
Wednesday 18 January 2017
Marmalade Making Tips
We asked founder of the World’s Original Marmalade Awards, JaneHassell-McCosh for her Top Marmalade Tips as well as her recipe for Apple Marmalade. If you wish to enter these annual awards the closing date for 2017 is February 10th. Click here for the entry form.
Jane’s top tips
* Do it now – the best Seville oranges arrive in the shops after Christmas, so make sure you get the best of the batch.* Clean equipment – if you haven’t used your equipment recently, wash it thoroughly before use. You don’t want your hard work undermined by musky undertones. To create an award-winning marmalade it is important to pay attention to these small details.
* Plan your recipe – decide what sort of marmalade you will make and how you would like it to taste. I invented my own recipe, which I absolutely adore and produce every year. Refine and practise your ideas before sending us the very best.
* Setting point – at Dalemain our judges taste each marmalade blind (out of the jar or on a plain white saucer). It’s important that it has set correctly. Don’t overcook your marmalade into a solid, unpleasant lump. Have confidence in your recipe and remove it from the heat when it states that you should.
* Settling time – make sure that the peel doesn’t all rise to the top of your vessel. The best marmalade has pieces evenly spread throughout. Leave it to settle in the preserving pan for 15 minutes after reaching setting point before pouring it into jars.
* Jars – jar design and labels do not matter, unless you are entering our ‘Marma-label’ competition. The only important point to consider is to use a clean, sterilised jar. Wash it in hot, soapy water, rinse it well and place it upside down in a warm/hot oven for about 30 minutes.
* Send it in early – whilst the deadline for entries is February 10th, there is no point in leaving it until the last minute. We have plenty of space to store your entries at Dalemain; many have already arrived from across the world.
* Filling in your entry form – choose the category that best describes your marmalade (or you) accurately. To be considered for Best in Show you must first win your own category, so choose wisely.
* Packaging – wrap your marmalade securely. When sending it by post use bubble wrap or polystyrene chips to secure the jar within a small, good quality, well-sealed cardboard box. Also, please put your entry form inside the box along with your cheque: people do inevitably forget this.
* Come and enjoy the Festival – after all the effort you have put into producing your marmalade, you deserve a fun day out at the Dalemain World’s Original Marmalade Awards! Again, your entry fee will go to charity, and while you’re here you can attend a demonstration or workshop run by a professional to help improve your technique for next year!
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