One of our members is going to have to leave her home and BD garden of 13 years and is looking for a long term rental of a one bedroom property.  If you have anything which sounds possible or know of anything, please could you contact me on bournegoodban@gmail.com

Many thanks

Ros

The Apricot Centre at Huxhams Cross Farm are now running volunteer days once a month, in order to be able to give volunteers a more focussed session. The sessions will consist of an introduction to a biodynamic or permaculture technique in the morning and a group activity which may include composting, stirring of biodynamic preparations, tree planting etc. Lunch of soup and bread will be provided. Please let Rachel know if you intend on joining us for our first volunteer day by emailing her at rachelphillips@apricotcentre.co.uk or 07540 445 851.

The next session will be on Thursday 7th February from 10am – 4pm. Please meet at the barn. Please note dogs are no longer allowed on site for volunteer days.

Further dates planned for 2019 are: 7th March, 4th April, 2nd May, 6th June, 4th July, 1st August and 5th September

Derek has asked me to post details of a forthcoming talk in Buckfastleigh Town Hall.  It will take place on Friday 22nd February, from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, doors open at 7.10. Cost is £5 [ or £3 concessions ]

This talk will explain 5G and what is now happening as regards its roll out. We will particularly go into the health implications  but  it is important to be aware of the effects upon nature and the bird and insect populations. There will be time for questions.

We have 2,500 fliers so do please get in touch should you be willing to help with their distribution. The speakers are John Kitson and Ian Crane as well as a Skype link with two American experts on this subject.

Thank you

Derek [Lapworth]   tel  01364 644010.

A reminder of the Three Kings Stirring to be held at the South Devon Steiner School on Sunday 6th January.  1.30 Tea and coffee, 2.00 Introduction to the stirring, 2.30 – 3.30 Stirring (in quiet).  Bring a container (jam jar for example) if you wish to take some home.

Any questions, please contact Selby Thomas on 01803 762260 or selby@crookedpath.co.uk

Proper Edges Biochar

We produce high quality biochar from the wood left over after hedge laying, coppicing and gate making. Usually this brash is burnt, wasting energy and releasing poluting smoke. However, using our highly efficient kiln, we can produce biochar very cleanly with hardly any smoke and the carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is stored in the char.

Biochar is fine charcoal that can be added to compost to help hold nutrients and water in the soil and increase soil fertility. Its microporous structure also provide ideal habitat for mycorrhizal fungi that help to feed plants. It can be used  in layers on compost heaps or in leaf bins but it has manifold other uses too. To find out more about benefits of biochar, and the science behind it, have a look at the International Biochar Institute website.

We sell our biochar in paper sacks and in dumpy bags. We also sell top grade barbeque charcoal in paper sacks. Our kiln is fully mobile so we can also bring it to your site and make biochar from your own brash wood.

Jeremy Weiss at Velwell Orchard