Last weekend I took the opportunity to join one of our VIP visitors at CaenhillCC while Chris took a well-deserved break from the farm. To be able to welcome people like you who follow the farm, support us and keep us motivated is so much fun, plus it's a great opportunity to share out the farm work a little more The whole farm team has been lookin...

A busy team all working together, and this week, a bit of a celebration. A very special team member has celebrated spending a year with us volunteering. Without his dedicated time, support and expertise we would not be where we are now ­ grateful thanks to you (we know who you are) we cannot imagine how things would be without you.

The day started a little cool once more, but it soon brightened up and warmed up too. It was field work time with a helpful team today. The front field was topped and the hay field was worked on. First job there was to turn the hay and let the sun work its magic. Later in came the helpers and off they went with the baling.

The team headed out to stack the bales safely. It should be fit to put into the barn tomorrow ­ a tow needed to get it all moved.

The general chores were needed as always. Tiddler came around with the team for a while.

The guys did a fantastic job out in the pig pen. Today they dug out the muddy hollow a little more, then worked on a stronger, secure fence.

Here we are, now halfway through the year. A new month dawned ­ the first day being the hottest recorded July temperatures on record.

That did not stop the team at Caenhill CC. Everyone rolled up their sleeves, put on the sunblock and set off with the work in hand.

Now the 2nd day was a little cooler and some rain began to fall. This was good for the plants but not for the hay on the field. To top it all off, the evening was showing a full moon.

Work has now taken on a new strength for everyone ­ must do it, must learn it, can manage The team took over on Friday, running the project and looking after everything.

The weekend showed us all what a great team we have.

It really can get very busy, when you really do not expect it. Well this week has seen the team marching onwards as everyone does their best to get the farm running and keep running.

Some great contacts this week with Jamie and his farm project and the Eco projects at Create in Bristol. It was so encouraging to talk to both projects, talk about our different but similar projects and part company as friends to see and contact soon. The team on Tuesday set about the work near the stable and wondered what the buzzing sound was? Only a swarm of bees in the tree. A group of ladies all suited up and a hardy guy with a saw at the ready to help. It all went well. Next day though was not so good, perhaps it was the breakfast menu but the seemed to want to leave again.

A great team in who worked away on the small pond area for the tiny ducks, some painting then some thistle and nettle cutting. Need to get things going now for the Business Games day ­ lots of teams beginning to come along.

Another week goes sailing by and we see the grass growing, the elderflower out in bloom and the hedgerows full of life.

The farm has been busy as usual and we are still tackling the strong winds. The sun came out to tease us into warm summer days ahead.

2 new ducklings appeared this week, and the mother occasionally lets us see them. She guards them well.

A great team came in this week from AMC to help us with some of the farm work. What a team! Painting done until the pots were dry, soil moved out of the pond area, the barn

cleared out, and Tracey just bleated away in the background!

Wow, what a week for the start of summer ­ in like a roaring lion! It is improving now though.

The farm has been very busy all week. Rescuing plants, a poorly lamb, and more, and here we are still smiling.

It was good to welcome a team from Arval this week. Plenty for them to do and we hope they enjoyed their time.

Sheep shearing this week as the weather warms up. Those ‘woolly jumpers’ are just a little too much now. A first time for Dot, Minty, Spot, Polly, Tweedle dum and Tweedle dee ­ hard to work out who is who now. It all looks like an instant diet ­ they all look so sleek and fit.

The Aylesbury ducks went out to the small pond this week. Turbo joined them too. They just loved their new pond and the greenery. A really happy bunch.

It is now summer, a full moon to be seen by all tomorrow ­ but the day was very challenging with stormier conditions as the day progressed.It has all started rather disappointingly but promises to get better.

We have a group coming in this week who are keen to share the farm experience with us all.

Summer activities beckon ­ sheep shearing, hay making, even the hint of strawberries coming through. The bee swarm from the weekend seem to be settled into the hive rather quietly, Maybe they are exhausted, maybe they find it a bit too cold at the moment.

The members met together on Friday and discussed the work to keep the project moving through the rest of the year. Some great ideas and some helpful and useful people.

Off we all go, now let’s have the summer sun to help us through!

It really has been a busy week as we saw out April. Now into May and things look even  busier. All good though.
Today, the sheep were given fresh pasture so a little more food for them. They all seem very  happy with the move.
The weather certainly has not come along to the fact that we are facing the Summer season  very soon  just a little cold and fresh. Not good for the bees, the blossom and the delicate
plants. It will get better soon we hope. A new month brings new challenges but we can safely say that the team here at Caenhill CC
is up for it and ready to begin. The coming weeks we have several groups coming along to share their time and support the
project as we support them to achieve some new skills.

Here we are towards the end of another month, how time flies. How the weather and the farm has picked up too.

This week has seen a lively session just about every day as everyone works towards sorting and feeding and making good use of themed areas.

The sheep had their first treatment here yesterday. A great team supported the process rounding up sheep, sorting them all out, attending to all the lambs and finding out that we have the same number of ewe lambs as we do ram lambs! Who’d have thought it.

The work stretched us all but we were in there from start to finish. All is now calm out in the field and we know that each and every one of them has been checked over.

More planting this week so last night’s rain was very welcome.

Another week begins but we really didn’t see much of the weekend. A busy one with many people helping out with lamb feeding. Not long now, they are beginning to get stronger and bolder and enjoying the hay we have put in for them. How quickly little ones grow!

Once again the core team is setting a great example with their great skills they share here. Support for the animals, support for the CC Centre.

Today saw a table and some chairs arrive so everyone had to try it out - in the middle of the track. The lambs even had a run around it.

Not long now and the toilet block will be completed - what a great piece of work by a very special team member.

Lots of people planning events, visits, volunteering and courses here. Booked in a team for July already - how time flies.