The Course: Our native floral kingdom is abundant in edible and useful plants and trees, many of which are very well known and commonly seen as weeds. Their many uses were highly respected by our ancestors, when wild plants were relied upon for food, medicine and textiles.

This course will explore some local, seasonal plants and their various uses. We will identify and gather some edible and tasty varieties and look at different ways to prepare and cook them. By the end of the weekend you will have enough knowledge to sample and harvest a variety of plants on your own days out in the countryside.

The course fee includes morning coffee, lunch and tea but excludes accommodation, available on the farm.
Chose from traditional stone cottages or cozy yurts.  

Location: The course will take place on and around Westley Farm.

Owl Prowls with TV's Chris Sperring - 

Chris Sperring MBE is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust, as well as an experienced Naturalist and Broadcaster. Take an evening walk through the farm with Chris as he identifies our local owls and describes their habits and habitats. 

Small groups only so book early!

  Cost: £10 per person concessions half price
  Meet in the farmhouse kitchen

Hens in the Garden and Eggs in the Kitchen with Charlotte Popescu

Building on the success of her first chicken related book: Hens in the Garden, Eggs in the Kitchen, Charlotte wrote Best Hens for You – Choosing Breeds for the Garden in which she explores which breeds will be most suitable for a family garden with stories to illustrate  chickens and their characters.  This year she published Chicken Runs and Vegetable Plots which is about how to combine growing veg and keeping chickens in the garden.

Awakening the spark – Basic bushcraft course focusing on fire by friction, making bowls using fire, spoon carving, shelter building and tracking with Chris Holland 
Dates:  2010           Cost: from £165 per person (non residential)

The Course: This course opens the doorway to the world of Bushcraft, introducing the basic skills necessary to feel at home in the great outdoors. The final course content is subject to the interests of the group but is likely to include most of the following:
 - Fire-making and management including fire-by-friction
 - Improvised shelters
 - Wild edible and medicinal plants
 - Cordage
 - Tool use and maintenance
 - Simple campfire cookery

The course fee includes lunches, evening meals and equipment but excludes accommodation, available on the farm and nearby pub.. 
Evening meals are taken together in the farmhouse kitchen. 

Location: The course will take place in and around our ancient woodlands.

Community events: 

 - apple picking & juicing
 - explore our wildlife
 - hay making & harvest feast
 - SITE09
 - fieldwalking for beginners
 - exploring our geology