The Hatching of – Bars, Veg and Things Unknown

…our allotted dough.

Okay, so that is more than a bit of a paraphrase, but yesterday I finished a grant application for a substantial amount from a Trust Fund and handed it over to the helpful Communities First worker, Lisa.  She should have added the finishing touches and put it in the post today.  So, the waiting begins.

A successful application will result in us being donated sufficient money to put a large greenhouse, shed and some raised beds on the top plot.  Also, we will have enough cash for some more tools and equipment, plus we will be able to lay some paving down and edge the veg beds. 

The most exciting thing, from my point of view, is the fact that we were encouraged to bid for the means to pay someone to provide training.  In effect, this means that we would be able to employ someone to lead a three hour allotment session per week (currently led by myself or the volunteers). If this goes through, then I have it in mind to approach Chris from BTCV (remember him?) and offer him first refusal.  I bumped into him in the supermerket last week, after not being able to get in touch with him since his contract ended earlier this year, to find that he is at a loose end and in danger of retreating from S Wales completely.  As he was such a great asset to the area when he worked here, I would like to at least offer him some incentive to stay.  I would be very happy indeed if we were able to take him on, as he has extensive experience in leading community allotment projects already, as well as being an all round Good Bloke.

So, there you have it.  Prayers for grants to be granted, please!

Btw, the new pic at the top is from the Big Dig.

Today we have accomplished a great task. It was so great that it took us all day. We left the house just after 8 and finally got home at 5.

In that time we collected a rented, flat bed Transit and moved the best part of a tonne (at least) of rotted manure from a friend’s of a friend’s manure collection. We’ve moved around a quarter of his pile and will be back in the future for more – funds permiting.

That may take a little time as we have almost exhausted our bank account – yes we now have one. So as well as looking for specific grants to fund a greenhouse, shed etc we also need to begin thinking of ways of raising more funds. So if anyone has any ideas please let us know.

Tomorrow we have 2 volunteers spreading the muck and we have to clean the truck and return it. If there is time we’ll help with the spreading.

Many thanks to Dan for the driving of his dumper, his JCB and giving up his Saturday morning. Thanks to the Rev P (our treasurer) for letting Dan off household chores to help. Thanks to Brian for supplying us with free poo and tea. Thanks to Paul for giving up his Saturday to help us and buying us lunch (we forgot to give your money back) and offering to give up his Sunday afternoon to spread muck. Thanks also to Dave who will also be spreading much tomorrow afternoon.

2009 Targets

WORKING ON THE PLOT

The first activity planned for this year is the collection and spreading of manure tomorrow (Sat).  A team of us will be collecting the muck, kindly provided by a couple of local horses, delivering it and putting it on the plot.  This will rot down in the course of the next few months, adding condition and nutrients to the soil.  Mmmm (the plants will say!)

The plants in question are currently in the form of a seed order which is due to be sent very soon.  The focus for this season will be to grow a number of more traditional, hopefully easy, crops on the bottom plot.  Also planned is the establishment of some boundary plants for shelter on this plot, and perhaps a pond and some fruit bushes.  The hope is also that some funds will come through to allow the purchase of a greenhouse, shed, raised beds and other essentials for the top plot, which is looking to be the location for permanent structures.  I, personally, would like to see these things in place by the end of this year, so that they are in use by next season and we will be able to concentrate on the planting around them.

ADMIN, FUNDRAISING AND THE LIKE

Lisa, the Communities First worker, is in the process of putting a Trust Fund bid together for us.  If this is successful, then the plan is that it will pay for all of the above!  I have a copy of the funding bid so far, she and I need to work on it together next week and have it submitted by the end of Jan to reach the next round of applications (otherwise it will be a case of waiting ’til April).  Please pray.

We are also working on our corporate image.  Well, okay, we are sorting out a logo to use as a letterhead etc.  One of our Trustees has a friend who is happy to do this for a nominal fee, so this should hopefully be sorted with very little difficulty.

The next Trustees meeting is planned for the beginning of Feb.  This will be the forum where any other major decisions for forward planning are agreed upon.

Of course, this is simply the allotment side of the whole thing.  Watch this space for other developments in areas already mentioned by Jeff.  Also, do not forget to look out for the ‘Things Unknown’ . . . we certainly will!

Dith

Although my attempts at monthly updates and target setting have fallen by the wayside recently (Jan Target: Resume monthly progress posts!), I could not let this opportunity to look back over this last year go by unnoticed.  So…

WORKING ON THE PLOT

At the beginning of the year, we had the excellent assistance of Chris from BTCV and his volunteers.  This, combined with occasional help from my friend Jon, enabled us to clear the botton plot and plant a few crops.  Sadly, the loss of Chris’ help and other matters led to a slack period which meant that the only successful crop, apart from the potatoes, were the weeds.  This was soon rectified by the return of one of the BTCV volunteers and another very useful volunteer.  Due to sterling work by these guys most Monday afternoons since September, the bottom plot is now very well dug over and looking great.

Another boon was the help given by the Global Exchange (VSO) volunteers which endabled us to clear the top plot by the end of November.  The day of the Big Dig saw their random, but nevertheless effective, digging skills put paid to all the concerns about our losing the plot due to lack of attention.  Two other volunteers may also be added to our number as a result of their involvement in the dig. Overall, the day was alot of fun; involving much laughter, alot of mud, some hard work the consumption of a vast amount of soup and tea!

The two current regular volunteers and myself also sat down at the end of this year to plan a layout of the two plots and put together a seed order.  It was nice, at that point, to sit in a lovely warm cafe, and we have some good ideas for the coming year (see forthcoming post!)

ADMIN, FUNDRAISING AND THE LIKE

Despite a few problems initially, the Chestnut Fund grant that we applied for via BTCV came through and proved very useful.  It enabled us to supplement the money from a generous donor the previous year and purchase the necessary insurance for our work.  The Chestnut Fund also provided basic tools which have helped things to get underway.  In addition, we are now in contact with a local Communities First worker who has provided us with alot of information and support.  She is currently in the process of sourcing other funds which, if they come through, will be very useful in implimenting future plans, 

This year also saw the formation of a Management Committee and the appointment of Trustees.  One result of the Trustees meetings is that now have our own bank account (to put all the lovely grants in!)  These meetings have been really productive and provided a focus and support for the administrative side of the work.  Consequently, we now have a constitution, have registered as a business limited by guarantee and are looking at options for a logo for Sustaining Life.  Another vital function provided by the committee meetings is the fact that they can keep me from going off on tangents!

OVERALL THOUGHTS

It has become obvious to me, as I have been typing this summary, that much of the focus to date has been upon what we have done in a very physical sense.  Whilst that is not a bad thing, I personally do not want to forget who I serve and why I am doing this.  At the end of the day, it is not about growing nice crops and making me look good!  It is about honouring the Lord and serving those he has given us.  Please pray that we do not forget this as we progress into 2009, and join us in thanking the Lord for how far he has brought us already.