The Hatching of – Bars, Veg and Things Unknown

With help from our friend Jon, I planted some seed potatoes at the week-end. The sight of two rows of dug and flattened earth, beneath which you know there to be proto-potatoes, it most satisfying. Also satisfying is getting back into the routine of going to the allotment, thanks to Jon for the motivation to do so. I am looking forward to seeing the spuds develop, and also to discovering whether the ‘you can grow spuds in an old compost sack’ advice from a gardening magazine is any good!

In other news, I would like to draw up a Sustaining Life logo. The idea I currently have involves one word on top of the other, with the first ‘i’ from ’sustaining’ and the only ‘i’ from ‘life’ forming the trunk of a tree (or other suitable plant). The leaves and twiggy bits would be wound around the top word, or comprise it in some way, and ‘life’ would be the stronger, lower branches. The idea would be to have only two or three main colours, for impact and for economy! If any of you arty types can visualise that, or have a better idea, then please send your pics to my e-mail addy (on Facebook if you need to find it). Otherwise, this will be left to my amateurish scribblings. I’m sure that any submissions that end up in the final logo will find themselves rewarded with a suitable prize. Closing date – Monday 21st April (short notice out of necessity, sorry!). Watch this space.

With apologies for the delay.

COMMITTEE AND OTHER ADMIN STUFF
- Jeff was in contact with our Trustees a while ago when he identified the days of the week which would be most suitable for them to meet. This needs to be followed up very soon.
- Due to the fact that there are potential clients waiting to use the service now (see March entry), it is important that various admin tasks are completed, including sorting out insurance. Apparantly, becoming associated with BTCV (for an annual fee) entitles community organisations to low cost public liability insurance, together with access to useful things like training and funding alerts. This is worth investigating.
Targets: For Jeff to re-establish contact with the Trustees with a view to holding the first meeting by the end of April. For Dith to contact BTCV in order the get certain things, like insurance, in place so that our first official clients can be taken on.

WORKING ON THE PLOT
- The past month saw a quite a reduction in terms of the amount of time spent on the plot. This was due in part to other priorities and has been compounded by the fact that, sadly, Chris’ current contract with BTCV has now ended. He will still be in the area, and hopefully not out of the picture completely, but his previous valuable level of input is currently no longer available. Another conequence of his finishing is that I will need to access the tools from another source.
- Due to a chance meeting, I have been offered some glass to replace the missing panes in the greenhouse.
I have also been offered a free shed by our friend Jon.
- Some inital seed-sowing has been done under cover and the potatoes have been put to ‘chit’ (produce shoots) ready for planting out.
Targets: Begin to plant out the hardy seeds after the last frost has passed and plant the potatoes. Follow up the offer of the glass panes and organise the removal of the greenhouse from its current situation to its new home on the top plot. Take a look at the shed to see if it is suitable. Speak to Matt, the local youth worker, who Chris has told me may be able to loan us tools until we buy our own. Keep in touch with the support worker of our potential clients in order to keep her informed of progress.

OTHER
- Please continue to pray for all of these aspects of the project. I believe that we are entering quite a key time in its development and it is vital that we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord as it all unfolds. I know that I certainly need reminding that he is in charge of all this and that the success of this endeavour is not down to my meagre efforts. It would not have come this far if that were the case, I must not forget that! Thanks again for all of your support.

Dith

I spent ages updating this a few days ago, and lost the whole lot! Not in the least bit frustrating, honest! Limited computer access in not making things easy either.

Suffice to say, all is going pretty well, please continue to pray. Thanks, and watch this space for a full update as and when.