The Hatching of – Bars, Veg and Things Unknown

Today saw a meeting between myself and a very helpful Communities First person. After a productive chat, she is now looking into getting hold of some funding for the project. This should hopefully result in us getting some money for shed, greenhouse etc. This means that we need to get the bank account sorted asap but, as we agreed that this was a priority at the most recent Trustees meeting, this is not a problem at all. We also have a finalised constitution as a result of this meeting.

We had a good session at the allotment itself this afternoon. Got a fair bit of digging done, despite the nasty squall of sleety stuff at one point. The two regular volunteers give me a good run for my money, comparing their digging speed to mine and teasing me at every possible opportunity. It is a good thing that I am well trained in being mocked, I am married to Jeff after all!

One thing that is getting a bit frustrating, however, is a lack of progress on the Big Dig. I am beginning to think that, at this rate, the whole thing may not go ahead, with the VSO people at least. Please be in prayer that we manage to get things sorted one way or another. Thanks.

UPDATE: To answer Ian, the wheelbarrow is a sporty little black number with red trim.

The wheelbarrow has landed! Well, it has been delivered to our house, but that sounds a little less impressive. So, that is the final bit of kit we ordered via the recently awarded grant.

I will save the rest of the news ’til tomorrow, as Monday has become my official Allotment Day. Also, a 10.30pm post on a Sunday eve is likely to be a litlle less than coherent. See you again soon, I hope.

As you will know, we have had some good progress with our allotment project. This is only part of what we would like to do, given the time and funds that we can raise. It is the main work for now but is something that Judith enjoys far more than I do. Too me a plant is a weed unless I know what it is. I can’t tell a potato plant from a sapling.

I feel that my work lies in other areas.

One of the things that has interested me in recent years is the work that we can do to help to rehabilitate criminals in a more effective way. There are organisations, such as Victory Outreach, that do this already. I don’t see us participating in the same way just yet but I think I can offer something to those currently being entertained at Her Majesty’s Pleasure.

I’ve been in a similar position that some of these youngsters are in but was lucky not to find myself imprisoned. I was lucky enough to prevent myself falling any further down the slope but these guys need someone to help or just listen.

Today we were able to visit a nearby Youth Offenders Institute (YOI). We had never been to such a facility before. Thankfully we were prepared for what we would find by Smudgie’s own postings. Unfortuantely there were no sniffer dogs on duty this afternoon… Smudgie still has time to show us her impersonation!

The lad that we visited had been woken up as no one had told him that we were visiting today. He knew that we were coming at some stage, just not when. We remembered the rules as to what we could and could not discuss and had a very enjoyable hour.

What made it even better was that none of us felt very uncomfortable, as you might expect too during a meeting with someone you don’t know. It took a little time for the conversation to flow but it did. Thankfully the lad concerned understands what has happened and has accepted that he has a few years to try to put things right in time for his eventual release.

For a while I have thought that this is something that I’d like to do. After today I want to do more of it. I’d like to find the opportunity to do this more often. I’m not there to preach to them but to show them that someone cares and is willing to help. They don’t need sermons they need people who can show that they are not forgotten and alone. They need to be shown that there is hope for them and a real opportunity at a new life.

TRUSTEES
- We have had two Trustees meetings this past month and now have a constitution drawn up thanks to some hard work put in by Jeff. We also have all of the officers allocated (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer).
Targets: There is another meeting planned for later this month to set up the bank account. Also, Jeff is planning to have registration as a company limited by guarantee in place by the time of the next meeting.

WORKING ON THE PLOT
- The insurance documents arrrived and we now have a regular volunteer session on a Monday afternoon. We have two guys who come each week and it looks like there is a lass who may be interested in joining the sessions too. Over half of the bottom plot has been dug over and is looking pretty tidy.
- All of the tools have arrived, except for the wheelbarrow, which I am still chasing.
- The Big Dig plans are now in very much underway. Matt the Youth Worker has agreed to lend us the tools and the VSO volunteers are lined up to lend a hand towards the end of the month. Both plots should therefore be lovely and weed free by the end of October.
Targets: Keep the regular sessions going and continue with plans for the Big Dig at the end of the month.

Thanks for the prayers, people, things are really taking off now and the plots look set to stay with us. Yay!