Spring 2009

WWOOF, PO Box 2154, Winslow, Buckingham, MK18 3WS www.wwoof.org.uk
WWOOF UK NEWS
WORLD WIDE OPPORTUNITIES on ORGANIC FARMS
Issue 222 Spring 2009
Looking forward to a new season
We asked the directors and staff of WWOOF UK what
they are looking forward to in Spring. Some of their
answers were:
“WWOOFing in Spain for a month”
“Encouraging more people to join in on a new, sane,
enjoyable, healthy, organic and safe way of life”
“The Winslow Beer Festival!”
“The successful launch of WWOOF Ireland and meeting
all the co-ordinators of European WWOOF organisation
in Sweden in May”
Left to right: Christiane Schmidt, John Cant, Craig
Priestley, Carl Rogers, Richard Hazell, Emma Goodwin,
Kath Hallewell, Susan Moores, Scarlett Penn, Rob Lea,
Edward Ackland, Michael McAndrew.
“Very much looking forward to getting to know the
WWOOF hosts in my region in the coming months, and to
seeing the first broad bean leaves push their way through
the soil - so very green!”
What are you looking forward to?
Why WWOOF?
• reconnect to the soil, get your hands dirty and get grounded
• re-skill and help revitalise ancient knowledge
• gain first hand experience of organic and biodynamic farming, growing and animal husbandry
• find inspiration in like minded people
• rediscover the relationships between local food production, social community and spirit
• taste totally fresh produce
• acquire a wealth of experience for a relatively small financial outlay
• walk the talk - try it out for yourself
‘WWOOF is an astonishing key to unique experiences.’ The Guardian
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 2
News from the Office
Hello everyone!
What is WWOOF UK?
WWOOF has a new member of staff working two days a
week, starting at the beginning of February.
WWOOF UK holds a list of organic farms, gardens and
smallholdings, all offering food and accommodation in
Elaine Koster was known to WWOOF staff members exchange for practical help on their land.These hosts range
before joining them because she has edited several of from a low impact woodland settlement to a 600 hectare
LILI's recent books. She has a variety of other occupations, mixed holding with on-site farm shop, cafe and education
including being a tai chi instructor, which is her passion
centre. Hosts do not expect you to know a lot about
farming when you arrive, but they do expect you to be
The WWOOF main office is open Tuesday, Wednesdays willing to learn and able to fit in with their lifestyle.
and Thursdays.
The list of hosts is available by joining WWOOF UK for a
Tel: 01296 714652
membership fee. Once you have the list you can contact
Please update your files with the new email addresses:
hosts directly to arrange your stay. Your host will explain
what kind of work you will be expected to do, what
Hosts: [email protected]
accommodation is on offer and will discuss the length of
WWOOFers: [email protected]
your stay.
General enquiries: [email protected]
WWOOF is a charity; WWOOFers do not pay to stay
Or write to:
with hosts and hosts do not pay WWOOFers for their
WWOOF UK, PO Box 2154,Winslow, Buckingham. MK18 help. Charity number: 1126220
3WS. United Kingdom.
WWOOF Exposure
Call for Submissions to
the newsletter
Call for volunteers to help run the WWOOF stand at the
Royal Highland Show at Ingliston Edinburgh 25th to 28th
June 2009. Contact John Ouchterlony 01241 860250 or This is your newsletter – please contribute and share
your news!
[email protected]
The organisers of UK AWARE (April 17th/18th London We’re looking for interesting host features, WWOOFing
Olympia) say this year’s exhibition is “set to take stories, your letters, international news, Transition
environmental awareness and education to a higher Initiatives news from food and farming groups, seasonal
level. A variety of exhibitors, speakers and interactive stories – recipes, customs, food storage, courses and
happenings promise to make this year’s UK AWARE even learning opportunities, book reviews and of course your
free ads (under 50 words non trade)!
more inspiring, friendly and informative than the last.”
WWOOF will have a presence there and generously the The newsletter is now quarterly so please send
organisers have offered to give WWOOF members free contributions to [email protected] or by post
entry (normally priced at £5). Just enter the promo code to the office, by the following dates:
UA09WW at www.ukaware.com.
WWOOF and LILI are keen to work together attending
events throughout the country. If you are interested in
helping out, please get in touch, specifying whether you
would like to volunteer for WWOOF, or LILI, or both.
Email [email protected] or ring 01296 714652
April 30th for Summer 09 issue
July 31st for Autumn 09 issue
Oct 31st for Winter 09 issue
Jan 31st for Spring 10 issue
other organic farms got in touch, all keen to offer their
hospitality in exchange for help from willing volunteers.
Working Weekends On Organic Farms - WWOOF - was
In 1971, Sue Coppard organised a working weekend for born.
herself and three other Londoners on an organic farm in
Today, WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities
East Sussex. They arranged a deal with the farmer: they
on Organic Farms: a truly global phenomenon with over
would help out with work that needed doing on the land
6,000 hosts in 88 countries.
in exchange for food and accommodation. The weekend
was so successful that it became a regular trip, every third
With over 300 hosts in the UK and membership rising
weekend.
sharply year on year, it can’t be long before the verb ‘to
News gradually spread of ‘Sue Coppard’s Land Army’, and wwoof’ makes it into the Oxford English Dictionary.
The story of WWOOF
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 3
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
This seems like terribly bad manners on the part of other host
farms. A simple: "Sorry, we're full on those dates" or: "Sorry,
May I make a plea on behalf of WWOOFers who are far too you don't have the experience we need" lets WWOOFers
polite to complain themselves?
know where they stand and they can move on. Otherwise,
they are left waiting for a reply which never comes.
As a host, I always ask WWOOFers how they came to choose
Tansor Lodge Farm, expecting the reply: "It sounded such fun", So PLEASE, hosts, keep your e-mail address up to date, check
or "I wanted to work with horses", or "I don't speak English e-mails daily, and reply to WWOOFer requests, even if it is
and you speak French".
only to say "regret, no spaces available."
But nothing so positive, I'm afraid. They chose me because, Anne Brown Tansor Lodge Farm, Northants
nine times out of ten, I am the ONLY host to have replied to
the WWOOFer's e-mail request.
Send your letters to [email protected]
WWOOF Ireland – A
Unique Organisation
WWOOF Ireland was first formed nearly 40 years ago, but
the organisation broke down 10 years ago and has since been
handled mainly by WWOOF Independents, who hold lists of
hosts in countries which do not have their own organisation
www.wwoof.org/wwind. After much liaison with WWOOF
UK and Independents, and hard work designing the site by
WWOOF hosts in West Cork, the new WWOOF Ireland
organisation will be launched in late February. It will be unique
in one essential regard, being the first WWOOF organisation
to be 'cross border'; encompassing those hosts previously
listed with WWOOF UK, in Northern Ireland.
Bad news for Sheep farmers
Britain's sheep farmers are on the brink of revolt over
European commission proposals ordering them to
electronically tag and identify every single animal in the
30 million-strong national flock. They claim the move will
devastate the industry and could force farmers on to the
streets in protest if Brussels insists on imposing regulations
they claim are "crazy" and "unnecessary".
The regulations, to be introduced in January next year, mean
each sheep must be fitted with an electronic ear tag. The
move is designed to track all individual sheep in the wake of
the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001. But Britain has more
sheep than anywhere else in Europe, and farmers, already
under pressure from falling prices and low profit margins, say
it is not practicable or even necessary.
To find out more about WWOOF Ireland, or to join as a From The Guardian on Monday 9th Feb.
host or a WWOOFer visit www.wwoof.ie or call the office
on 027 51410.
Are any WWOOF hosts aware of this? How will it affect
you? Care to comment?
Annie King
Host News
Connecting with a Cuppa
We are fairly new to the WWOOF hosting business, but
have an idea that we would like to put to other hosts
out there. At the moment, when new hosts apply to join
WWOOF, they are screened over the telephone by the
relevant regional host contact. If they live close enough
to one of these volunteers, then they may also get a visit.
Hosts and regional host contacts all agree that visits are far
more useful that telephone calls - it makes such a difference
being able to talk to someone face to face, to actually see
the accommodation they are offering, and walk with them
around the holding. Everyone benefits from a visit, but the
distances involved mean that not everyone gets a visit.
implements etc etc. Even, in my wild fantasy, a 'lend-awwoofer' system for amish style house building! New
hosts would be brought into the fold, and helped with any
fears they may have (its pretty daunting to have strangers
in your house for the first time, isnt it?). Existing hosts can
also help with advising on accommodation standards for
wwoofers, as we have heard from some wwoofers of, shall
we say, less than perfect accomodation being offered.
We are volunteering to be a West Somerset introduction
host, offering to visit new hosts within, for example, a 10
mile radius. We would like to hear from other hosts who
are willing to 'pop round for a cup of tea' to new hosts. We
are, by our nature, very busy people, and I don't take this
offer lightly (I run three businsses, plus the smallholding) So here's my suggestion: existing hosts should get involved but I feel that it will benefit us all in the long run.
with visiting new hosts. This would have many benefits
- the build up of a network between hosts (I dont know Please get in touch if you would like to get involved in your
any in my area - how many do you know?), where we can area.
share tips and tricks, advise as to the best place to buy
or sell produce, borrow / rent special tools or tractor Guy Dewdney SW88 - [email protected]
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 4
Urban WWOOFing Eco style in
Essex
Our family is Chris, Rosie, and Rosie’s children; Merri and
Robin. Until July 2007 we lived in west London tormented
by the noise of planes flying to Heathrow every 5 minutes.
Chris had moved to London from a community near
Cambridge where he had lived for over 20 years. We both
saw community living as the greenest, and most efficient
way to live and the best way for children to grow up.
objectives is to live
as self reliantly as
possible; reducing
our carbon footprint
while having a happy
comfortable life. We
also want to share
ideas and techniques
However, in early 2007, after searching for more than six as much as we can.
months and visiting numerous communities we gave up.
Either the communities had no space available, were too Being
part
of
far away or were looking for younger families. So we began WWOOF is great
to search for somewhere to buy.
as we have help with
our work and meet
The new property had to be in the east or south east, interesting friends
within cycling distance of Merri’s school, the shops, the in the process.
railway station and the sea. It also had to have a big
enough garden to have hens, bees, grow all our own fruit We heat our house Insulating the roof
and vegetables and be within our price range.
with waste wood
from the industrial estate. Solar panels provide our hot
What we found was a large bungalow in Essex with an water and some of our electricity. We have built a reed
attic extension which stood on a half acre plot, landlocked bed to purify the domestic grey water for garden watering
by an estate of bungalows (we have 12 neighbours!). The and have dug out a well (with help from our WWOOFer).
bungalow is on the outskirts of town close to an industrial Our vegetables grow in deep beds made from recycled
estate (a very important feature as you will see!) and a roof tiles and lots of well rotted horse manure (traded for
nature reserve 10 minutes walk away (important when you honey and eggs).
have an energetic dog) and the sea is only a little further.
The well we were clearing was already constructed. We
Although we aren’t living in a Community, we are in the were told by the person who sold us the house that there
middle of a lively, friendly group of neighbours. There is was an old septic tank which was filled in with soil. We
enough space to invite like-minded people to stay with us decided to dig it out and use it to store rain water. When
-community comes in all shapes and forms!
Frederic (our WWOOFer) was here seemed like the ideal
time to do it. When we excavated it however we found
We see climate change as the biggest challenge facing the it was an old well (lined with concrete rings), so three
world today. In response to this one of our most important muddy days later we had dug it out to over three meters
deep and it soon filled with water. We intend to use the
water in the long dry summers we get here to help with
our garden irrigation.
We are looking forward to WWOOFers from many
different countries this year. We have already had
enquiries from Japan, Australia, Croatia, and France. This
gives Rosie’s eleven year old, Merri, a chance to taste many
languages – Frederic, a recent WWOOFer, insisted on half
hour French lessons every evening (Merri wasn’t too sure
about that!)
So, we look forward to another growing season with the
excitement of meeting lots of new people and growing
lots of tasty organic vegetables.
Check out our website at www.ecodiy.org to see more of
our project.
Chris Southall
Digging out the well
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 5
ORGANIC NEWS compiled by Vicki Hill
Do as I say not as I do
Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn kicked off the new year
by urging consumers to "Buy more British and eat more
British" to create demand for home-grown food - as new
outrage breaks over UK pork imports and the fact that his
own government buys almost half its food from abroad.
Supermarkets and companies needed to label products
more clearly to show consumers exactly where their food
is coming from, he said and suggested a voluntary labelling
scheme reporting the country of origin so that people could
make local choices, and in the case of meat, find out where it
has been bred, reared and slaughtered.
It seem unlikely that the producers of the 500,000 tonnes of
pigmeat we import each year will be rushing to voluntarily
label their produce since most of it comes from pigs reared
in conditions banned in this country. The news of the
cruelty behind so much of the meat on sale in UK shops
and restaurants has led to a fresh public outcry and follows
renewed pleas for legislation from Compassion In World
Farming patron, Joanna Lumley, after the charity recently
filmed hideous footage from 60 intensive rearing pig farms
across Europe. "When you see the results...you are tempted
to despair," she said "But I refuse to give up hope."
She is adding to the voice of CIWF and many others for the
government to go much further but it all seems rather futile.
Not only is Benn's voluntary labelling idea viewed as weak
his cries to Buy British have gone unheard as it has been
revealed that only just over half of all food bought by the
government offices, is British. The rest is shipped or flown
into the country.
The detailed breakdown of the £1.8 billion a year spent on
meat, poultry, vegetables, potatoes and fruit for civil servants
and ministers across the Government shows that only 25
per cent of bacon bought across the Government is British.
About 95 per cent of the apples bought by the NHS are
imports while just one in ten fish served by the Foreign Office
is from British waters or farms. Some of the worst offenders
are Revenue & Customs, the Treasury and private prisons,
which are supervised by the Ministry of Justice.
Organic food – both from Britain and overseas – comprised
just over 8 per cent of the food served in Whitehall. It is
almost non existent in public institutions such as prisons where, ironically, a recent survey has linked junk food with
aggressive criminal behaviour..!
Off-Colour Oats and Soiled Soya
There have been more calls for tougher tests on organic
produce after pesticides were found recently in ten 'organic'
oat products sold in the UK and the plastics chemical,
melamine, the source of huge dairy scares in China, was found
in 'organic' soya expeller used in animal feed.
The Soil Association found the oat contamination after
randomly testing 12 oat-based products, half of which had
been certified by itself, half by other organic certification
bodies. Ten were found to contain pesticides, which are
not permitted in organic products, and some of those had
contamination at higher levels than those set by the Pesticide
Safety Directorate.The Soil Association says it is: "conducting
urgent investigations and working closely with the companies
it certifies to determine which organic oat products are
affected."
At this stage, they say the contamination is probably a result
of substitution of non-organic for organic oats at some point
in the supply chain, and are advising all the companies who
have tested positive to withdraw their products.
Meanwhile, it’s the Food Standards Agency which uncovered
the melamine contamination - found in Chinese imports
of organic soya expeller for UK farm animals. It is calling
for a ban on imports from China and advising farmers to
quarantine any products they have. Melamine is a chemical
used in the manufacture of amino resins and plastics. It may
have been added to the soya to increase nitrogen levels and
indicate a falsely high protein level. Last year in China, it
poisoned thousands of babies - it had been added to their
milk powder.
Bee-leagured
The latest blow to the world’s bee population has hit the
Upper Rhine region of Germany. Mass bee death has been
blamed on Clothianin, a pesticide used to dress seeds, in this
case, maize.
Dry weather meant the Clothianin blew off and contaminated
all the blossoms of plants nearby.Around 11,000 bee colonies
containing 300 million bees were wiped out and there are
concerns that the pesticide might also be directly transferred
to the flowers and pollen of the maize crops.
Clothianin producers, Bayer Crop Science, had done no
studies into the effects on the maize itself and have had to
compensate the beekeepers. Many think it is too late and
there are now calls for the pesticide to be banned in the
Legal Eagles for free!
UK.
If you are involved in a community group, charity or social What a mad situation. - in order to produce bigger crops, we
enterprise scheme you will probably need some business kill off all the bees!
law advice at some point. LawWorks is a national network
CONGRATULATIONS!
of lawyers who can help with company and employment
law: advising on employment contracts, staff handbooks A bit of a boost to counteract so much gloom.The prestigious
etc, intellectual property law: which covers areas such as Radio Four Food and Farming Award chose organic dairy
trademarks and data protection - and general tax, VAT, pioneer, Mary Mead from Holt Farms in Somerset (also the
insurance and health and safety issues.
founder of Yeo Valley) as Farmer of the Year. Congratulations
They work free of charge.To apply, go to www.lawworks.org. are also in order for the Organic Farm shop at Abbey Home
uk.There is also a general guide: "Voluntary but not amateur: Farm near Cirencester which carried off The Environmental
A guide to the law for voluntary organisations and community Retailer of the Year award from the National Farmers' Retail
groups," available from the DSC (Directory of Social Change) and Markets Association.
at www.dsc.org.uk/publications
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 6
Organic Purity?
WWOOF UK director Edward Acland attended
the Soil Association conference in Bristol in
November last year.
The theme was farming in transition. WWOOF had been
invited to take part in a workshop entitled ‘The Great Reskilling.’ This focussed on how we can learn practical skills
and inspire the next generation of farmers and growers.
Edward was one of five one the panel and did much to
extol the wonders of WWOOF as a way of achieving this.
Here are Edward’s notes from the plenary session of the
full conference:
The panel comprised Peter Melchett - Policy Director,
Soil Association, Professor Tim Lang - Food Policy, City
University, Rob Hopkins - Founder, Transition Network
and Julie Brown - Growing Communities.
At question time following the dynamic presentations I
stuck my mitt up and put the following question to the
panel, directed to Peter Melchett;
“ If our society is really serious about transition objectives,
driven by the need to break free from our over dependence
on irreplaceable finite resources, especially oil, to what
extent is the Soil Association reviewing its certification
terms of reference to what I call ‘Organic Purity.’ For
example, might a holding that can demonstrate that its
organic produce has been procured with minimal or no use
of finite resources be awarded a higher certification grade
to one that is still significantly reliant on finite resources in
its product procurement ?”
A key speaker at the event was Vandana Shiva who has
just published a book entitled ‘Soil not Oil.’ This is an
invitation to develop a secure long term future via, as
far as reasonably possible, letting go of our over reliance
on fossil fuels, so as to step into the full spirit of an allembracing organic future.
I would personally welcome a serious discussion within the
WWOOF culture about this challenge and to share same
with key drivers for change such as the Soil Association.
I hope this will be discussed at WWOOF’s next Council
Peter Melchett indicated that this is an area that meeting so we can work out the best way of promoting
they are taking seriously and which is receiving their such dialogue and how best to hold hands with the Soil
consideration.
Association.
The case for change - some sobering statistics
• Intensive agriculture needs ten calories of energy to
produce one calorie of food.
tonnes of water, emits 7 tonnes of carbon dioxide,
and uses one tonne of oil.
• G
lobally, agriculture is responsible for between 17 –
32% of the world's total greenhouse gases.
• O
rganic farming typically uses 26% less energy to
produce the same amount of food as non-organic
farming.
• O
ur Government has set a target for 80% cuts in
UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 – including the • In 1900, 40% of the population was involved in
main gases from farming, nitrous oxide and methane.
farming, now less than 1% of the UK population
This means major changes for UK food and farming,
work in farming. Cuba needed to deploy 15-24% of
which contribute at least 18% of the UK's total GG
its population after collapse of the Soviet Union and
emissions.
consequent cut in imports of agrochemicals and oil.
• G
lobally the production and use of artificial fertilisers
are the largest single source of nitrous oxide, a
greenhouse gas 310 times more damaging than carbon
dioxide.
• To make one tonne of artificial fertiliser takes 108
• A
cross Europe, soil erosion and degradation seriously
affects near 157 million hectares (16% of Europe,
nearly 3 times the total surface of France).
• 4 4% of the UK's arable soils are suffering from erosion,
36% at moderate to serious risk.
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 7
Soil Association Food Security
Campaign
“The way the world grows its food will have to change radically
to better serve the poor and hungry if the world is to cope
with a growing population and climate change while avoiding
social breakdown and environmental collapse”
International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), 2008
From 2006 to 2008, global food prices rose rapidly – caused by global market failures, fluctuating oil prices, increases
in extreme weather events, and the unsustainable and immoral dash by the US to grow crops to 'feed' cars rather
than people.
Social and political unrest at the cost and scarcity of staple foods followed in 14 countries worldwide – from 'tortilla
riots' in Mexico to protests over the price of pasta in Italy.
In the UK, we have not yet experienced the worst effects of a globally imbalanced food system, but here too, food
security is again an issue of public concern.
The first review Gordon Brown commissioned on becoming Prime Minister was an analysis of food issues. The
resulting report published in July 2008 concluded that: 'existing patterns of food production are not fit for a lowcarbon, more resource-constrained future', and 'existing patterns of food consumption will result in our society being
loaded with a heavy burden of obesity and diet-related ill health.'
This stark analysis chimes with the Soil Association's concern that our current UK food and farming system is
not 'fit' to meet the challenges of climate change, long-term costlier oil, or for providing a foundation for people's
health. Unfortunately, the Strategy Unit paper appears to be a 'minority report' and not the major influence over
Government policy on food and farming.
A secure food future - organic by 2050
Hence our campaign to mobilise the UK to change its food and farming system to a more resilient, climate-friendly,
organic, local model, less vulnerable to external shocks and challenges.
With 30% of an individual's carbon foot-print made up of their food choices, food is the single most important,
everyday means for tackling the challenges of climate change, fossil fuel depletion and future security of our food
supplies.
The Soil Association's overall campaign goal is to make a rapid transition from a food production system dependent
on chemicals, global commodity markets and heavy use of oil, to a more resilient, localised, organic food and farming
system powered by present day solar power, rather than one reliant on climate-damaging fossil-fuels made from
ancient sunlight.
Transition Food and Farming News
Transition Chepstow are thinking about allotments in the workplace and planting
apple and pear trees in the town
Transition Totnes is involved in the National Mapping Local Food Webs project
Transition Kinsale’s Grateful Gleaners will pick unwanted fruit and give you a shareback
Transition Lewes are setting up a rocket composter to compost the town’s food waste.
What’s your news?
For more on the Transition movement see www.transitiontowns.org
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 8
Courses and learning opportunities
The Soil Association has set up its Organic
Apprenticeship Scheme. Apprenticeships with farm and
food businesses will provide individuals with practical
training and direct experience of working as part of a
team, combined with structured off-site group tutorial
sessions or "masterclasses" which provide the theory
behind the practice.
The apprenticeship scheme is a two-year programme
which will enable apprentices to focus on mixed or
single enterprises, as well as the option to study other
farm types and enterprises.
The ultimate aim of the Organic Apprenticeship Scheme is
to achieve well-rounded and experienced individuals with
specialist skills, if so desired, but primarily with a broad
knowledge of organic agriculture and food businesses.
For more information contact Vicky Sleap or Ben Raskin
on 0117 914 2400 or email [email protected]
The Biodynamic Organic Agriculture Training at
Emerson College is a unique combination of using
scientific knowledge and artistic skills in order to create
healthy balanced sustainable farms. Insights into the
formative processes at work in minerals and plants to
create life abundant soils that nourish crops on all levels
are used. Latest scientific insights in life force research
to assess the nutritive quality of the food we produce
are used. The Biodynamic Organic Agriculture Training is
Photo courtesy of Emerson College
not just about learning how to drive a tractor – although
that is part of the curriculum too – it is about developing
new ways of working with nature and increasing knowledge of the supersensible world. 16th September 2009 start –
two years http://www.emerson.org.uk/
Beginners Scythe Courses 26th April and 16th May at the Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, Carmarthenshire. Learn
all about this essential small holders tool! Contact Michelle [email protected] tel 07813 464990
Low Impact Living Initiative (Various locations) 01296 714184 - www.lowimpact.org
4 - 5 April - Dry Stone Walling
18 April - Scything
10 May - Keeping ducks and geese
16 May - Food smoking
18 April - Keeping pigs
Other organisations offering courses:
Environmental Trainers Network; http://shop.btcv.org.uk/etn
Permaculture Association (courses all year): www.permaculture.org.uk
Institute of Organic Trading and Advice (IOTA): www.organicadvice.org.uk
Garden Organic (HDRA): www.gardenorganic.org.uk Tel: 024 7630 8224
CELT (Centre for Environmental Living and Training): www.celtnet.org Tel: 061 640765
Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG): www.farmgarden.org.uk
CAT: (The Centre For Alternative Technology): www.cat.org.uk Tel: 01654 705989
If any hosts or other organisations would like to advertise a course or learning
opportunity here please do get in touch: [email protected].
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 9
Wassailing tales
In our house Christmas hangs around for a while…pine needles between the floorboards, piles of Christmas
cards waiting to be recycled into labels, advent calendars and new cards for next Christmas - as if! New year has
come and gone and I feel fully partied out.
Back in September over nettle soup in my kitchen with Kath Hallewell and Trudy, we were thinking of ways to get
members of the WWOOF community to meet each other and we came up with the idea of having a Wassailing
at our new smallholding in East Sussex.
Suddenly (it seemed), January 17th arrived - the old Twelfth Night, traditionally the night for Wassailing, and the
night that we had decided to hold our first Wassailing. The weather forecast was dire but the sun shone all day
and by lunchtime the first of the WWOOFers arrived bearing dishes of food. The kettle went on and immediately
everyone settled down to peel apples and make quiches while we chatted and got to know each other a bit better.
The pigs got the cores and the peelings. Then it seemed imperative to sample a bit of our cider - a pungent brew,
not for the faint-hearted, but with brief exposure to the air it became quite drinkable and was deemed to be a
fine ingredient for the Wassail Cup.
As the daylight faded we all went outside to choose the apple tree around which to hold the ceremony. We chose
the first tree in the orchard which had produced abundant fruit earlier in the year. The tree was adorned with
solar powered fairy lights and tea lights in jam jars. A fire was lit in a brazier and the food and drinks were carried
out to a table under the trees.
At 7.30pm the Wassailing began. Kath recited a Wassailing carol and the Wassailing Queen poured warm Wassail
round the roots of the tree to encourage a good crop. We had selected all
manner of pots, pans and utensils from the kitchen which we rattled
and banged while whooping and shouting to scare demons
from the sleeping tree. Our ten year old, Louis, was then
hoisted high into the tree to place cider-soaked toast in
the crooks of the branches for birds to carry away along
with pests and diseases. And then, joy of joy for Louis, all
the Wassailers bowed to him (including his sister and
brother!).
The blessing done, it was time for feasting
and passing round the Wassail cup. The cup
itself should be a beautiful vessel that is used
every year. We selected a cut crystal bowl
that I had just inherited from my grandmother.
We gathered round the fire and passed the bowl
around and around until the wassail was finished. No
rain came, but the wind whipped into a frenzy as if
all the spirits in the orchard were fleeing elsewhere.
Huddled round the fire we ate the food and Kath
treated us to a beautiful song.
We were a small group of hosts and
WWOOFers trying out wassailing for the first
time, but it was a wonderful evening; a really
great way of meeting other members of the
WWOOF community, relaxing together,
working together and finally celebrating
together. As we parted company at the end
of the night we decided that this should be
the first of many WWOOF wassailings to
come.
Vicky Radtke
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
Page 10
What’s Happening in March and April?
Vernal / Spring Equinoxes
Bumble Bees
The Vernal equinox on 20th March at 05.48 GMT (times
from the National Maritime Museum), is the moment
when the sun crosses the equator and the North Pole
sees the sun for the first time in six months. This has long
marked the formal start of spring (though the Met Office
and others insist on March 1st). On the following day, the
centre of the sun spends equal amounts of time above
and below the equator, some call this the Spring equinox
(for others, vernal and spring are synonymous, and their
locating on 20th or 21st - or as early as the 19th - a
matter of conjecture); equinox is from the Latin for 'equal'
and 'night'.
Queen bumblebees (already mated) come out of
hibernation in early spring (although some species are
increasingly active all winter now) and feed on early flowers
such as dandelions before searching for nesting place - old
mouse nests in sunny banks are favourite spots.
Holi
The Hindu Festival of Colours that marks the coming
of Spring, celebrated with much merriment and a riot of
colour with participants smearing paint on each other and
throwing clouds of brightly coloured powder.
Easter Day
Eostre, goddess of dawn and spring, gave her name to
Easter.Although we seem to know little about her, she was
clearly an important pagan deity. Tied to the first Sunday
following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, this
'moveable feast' falls between 21 March and 25 April.
Signs of Spring
Of the 21 species of bumble bees, 6 regularly visit gardens.
These important pollinators are declining, mainly due to
the intensification of farming resulting in loss of habitat
and wild flowers on which to feed. Gardeners can help by
growing wild flowers such as comfrey, red clover, white
dead nettles, buttercups and foxgloves, and garden plants
like lavender, catmint, sage, rosemary and lupins. We can
also leave areas garden to become wild where thistles
and dandelions thrive and log piles are left. Buy or make
nesting boxes for bumble and other kinds of bees.
All Fool’s Day
Nature's capricious seasonal weather was the original
trickster. The Romans celebrated the spring equinox with
the feast of Hilaria and introduced the idea of practical
jokes. However our modern April Fool's Day (or rather,
morning - jokes played after noon rebound on the player)
originates in 16th century France where April 1st was also
New Year's Day. When new year was brought into line
with the rest of the Christian world in 1582, there were
still stubborn adherents to the old festivities, the absentminded and those in the sticks where the information failed
to penetrate for years - these were, to the sophisticates of
the 'new' calendar' - the original April Fools, and became
the butt of jokes and prankery.
The nesting season for birds has begun in earnest. Hedgehogs
will be coming out of hibernation. Their populations seem
to be declining fast, and need all the slugs they can find,
so don’t put down slug pellets (or similar) as they can kill Signs of Spring
them. If you wish to give them additional food, try nonfish cat/dog food, but not bread and milk as it gives them Look out for the first brimstones and orange-tip
diarrhoea.
butterflies, for the first swallows and listen for the songs
of the cuckoo and nightingale.
Most toads will have started spawning by now (but take care
when you turn your compost heap as they like to hibernate Rooks have been refurbishing their nests for some time
in them), their eggs are laid in long strings as opposed to the now. Their rookeries are conspicuous while the trees are
great gelatinous cauliflower-like clumps that frogs produce. bare. Individuals can be seen guarding their nests from
Herons lay their eggs early so that their young can benefit twig stealers, while their mates fly in carrying more nesting
from the accumulation of single-minded, amorous frogs that material in their beaks.
are gathering in their ancestral and garden ponds.
April is a good time for bluebell walks - try a visit to
Look out for the first spring flowers – wood anemone / Bucklebury Common (Berkshire), Cotterill Clough
wind flower, celandines, primroses, violets dog’s mercury, (Cheshire), Arlington (Sussex), Hawkes Wood (Cornwall),
cuckoo flowers…
Arley Hall (Cheshire) or find another walk in your area.
March Hares
Watch out for ‘boxing’ hares, a sure sign of their mating
season. This often indicates that a doe isn’t ready for the
buck’s advances.
From the wonderful Common Ground website,
with thanks - www.commonground.org.uk
The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those
held by WWOOF or LILI
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
The Classifieds
Page 11
Please note new guidelines: hosts and members can advertise free in one issue, up to 50 words, for help needed, roofs
wanted, paid opportunities and miscellaneous. Holidays and courses are 25p per word. Ads from non-members 50p
per word, max 50 words. Please send ad text to [email protected] and payment to main office. WWOOF accepts
no responsibility for the accuracy of advertisements and does not endorse the products and services
offered. You are advised to check before availing yourself of what is offered.
Ecohouse/smallholding looking for
WWOOF help. WWOOFer needs
to be prepared to learn about and work
on the eco features of the property
as well as the garden. Dog/children
possible - talk to us. In town, Near the
sea in Essex. See www.ecodiy.org phone
01255 254548
SWA32 - Pencoed Growers need
one helper from early June until end
September to assist with seedsowing,
planting, weeding and harvesting a
variety of vegetables sold from the
farm and at a weekly farmer’s market
in Cardiff. Accommodation in caravan,
some meals provided plus modest wage.
Telephone 01656 861956 or email
[email protected]
Aussie Horticulturalist, cycling Lands
End to John O’Grouts needingWWOOF
placements April to September 09
may stay longer.Broad based industry
experience can turn hand to most
challenges including house duties. Keen
about trout, vegetables, cooking, golf,
beer, home renovating and sitting. John
Sansilands [email protected]
Guerrilla Gardener, needs fruit trees
/seeds/bulbs/donations - can anyone out
there please help? Please contact me at
[email protected]
SC146 - WOOFERS WELCOME
ALL YEAR ROUND good food, great
location interesting and varied work.
We are a happy family of 5 near
Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland. Phone
01887830337 or email [email protected] that’s right free canyoning
is available in the summer
Weekend courses and learning
holidays. Willow work, Bead Jewellery,
Self-Sufficiency, Women’s Creativity,
Walking, Cycling, Yoga and Massage,
Singing,FamilyActivities,Healthy Cooking,
Fungus Foray, Circus Skills, Wildflowers,
Organic Gardening – and more!
Friendly atmosphere, local, organic food.
We often need helpers! Volunteers
share their skills and learn new ones.
www.lowershawfarm.co.uk.
Lower families with children. Currently two
Shaw Farm, Shaw, Swindon SN5 5PJ.
children aged 9 and 12. l.hickey@ucs.
ac.uk 01206 299416 / 07504 139140
Man 52, fit and strong. Seeks short
or long term WWOOFing in rural or Steiner teacher seeks children aged
isolated area. Particularly interested in 7-14 to educate in small affordable
husbandry; have some experience. Easy informal setting in Norfold/Suffolk
going nature and keen to learn more. [email protected] 01206 299416 /
Telephone Stephen on 0191 3841899 07504 139140
or 07828 093511
Three adults, aged 30-40 and one
WWOOF
OPPORTUNITY/ child (12) looking for field/garden/farm
LAND WANTED: Veggie/vegan to stay on in Norfolk or Totnes while
couple seek long-term WWOOF in we wait for project to move in to. Will
Yorkshire Dales to develop skills in stay in caravan, tipi, yurt or house. Many
permaculture, biodynamic gardening practical skills, hardworking. Great if
and green woodworking.Also looking children live on site. [email protected]
to buy 2-4 acres of land nr. Settle to 01206 299416 / 07504 139140
build straw-bale house and live selfsufficiently. Please contact Sarah/Louise Newly resubscribed host, on the
on 01623-720293.
beautiful island of Rousay in Orkney
is hoping you will come up and visit.
WWOOF
S17 - Ourganics in Plenty of varied work, sheep, cattle, tree
Litton Cheney from early April planting, veg, fencing etc. We especially
to early September
needs help. need help from mid March until the end
of Spring. Please contact Eric by phone,
We grow produce to sell locally,5 acres of to talk about the possiblities - 01856
water meadow,we have a 27m polytunnel, 821252 - evenings.
35 raised beds, a unique irrigation
system and some woodland. We are LAND VISION: I have a vision of a
off-grid, use solar and wind power with land based, vegan, healing community
rain water for washing and spring water based in East Sussex. I am looking for
to drink. We run permaculture courses. people interested in joining me in this
venture in some capacity depending on
Accommodation is a self-catering skills. Contact Jo: jomoonflight@yahoo.
shepherd’s hut and we mostly cook on co.uk for more details. Am seeking land,
an open fire and eat together. We share funding and willing participants.
daily chores and the work is mainly in
the garden - if you can turn your hand S02
VINEYARD
NEAR
to anything so much the better. Near GLASTONBURY. Wide range of
Bridport, Dorset. Pat Bowcock on wines, cider and apple juice (SA symbol).
01308 482455.
Year-round seasonal work with vines
and other fruit. Making and selling wines
Help Required: March - November on and cider. Caravan accommodation,
2 acres (100 species) medicinal herbs. mainly self-catering. Building a cabin
Great opportunity to learn about herbs, for WWOOFers. Phone 01749 860393
herb production and processing. Own email [email protected]
mobile home and £60/week (food not
supplied). Contact Anna Kinross, The VINEYARD NEAR HASTINGS Organic Herb Trading Co, Milverton, 6 Ha vineyard near south coast resort
Somerset, TA4 1NF. Tel. 01823 401205. of Hastings offers long or short-term
E.mail [email protected]
self-catering working holidays in large
mobile home.Wide variety of ‘hands on’
Yurt / low impact dwelling community vineyard tasks all-year-round, as well as
starting in Norfold/Suffolk seeks more wine making and processing of fruit juices
WWOOF UK NEWS: Issue 222
on site. Vineyard & Woodland Nature
Trail plus wine tastings for visitors
during summer. Free use of facilities
such as shower, washing machine, local
phone-calls and on-line computer. Visit
website www.englishorganicwine.co.uk
for more details.
HELP REQUIRED: on organic veg
farm in Argyll. Any enthusiatic singles or
couples wanted to help with various veg
growing duties from April-Sept. We’ve
recently taken over this small business
and would love you to participate in
our new venture supplying good food
to great customers and businesses!
See our webpage: ardfernorganics.
com. Email: [email protected]
Tel:01852 500240
Contact Rachel on: 07799 007149
[email protected]
Low impact, organic mindset couple
(early 40s) looking for a way to live
sustainably, at low cost. Work exchange
in lieu of rent? House sitting? All offers
and suggestions considered. Particularly
interested in south coast area, and in
growing fruit and vegetables. Contact
[email protected]
Page 12
garden with polytunnels, greenhouses,
vegetables, fruit and herbs. Established
permaculture area with large forest
garden. Very varied work with
excellent learning potential + food
and accommodation. Innovative and
traditional building methods adopted.
We are in the process of installing
renewable energy i.e. solar water
heating panels, wind turbine and log
boiler. Additional interests: singing,
Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, music, chanting, sound healing and
From 15th July onwards we will be seasonal festivals. We hold organic
hand making hay on our wildflower and sustainable courses and education
meadows. WWOOFers welcome projects in schools. Very inspirational
to help and learn. Contact Michelle place which is particularly suited to
[email protected] Tel 07813 people who are prepared to invest
464990
positive energy. These people love it
and leave fired with enthusiasm. Also
Accommodation offered, in semi- Wanted - sheep fleece to insulate our helping in the kitchen is expected. The
rural location near Romsey, Hampshire; eco-caravan. We are near Newcastle accommodation may be considered
living with mature gay woman and Emlyn and can collect in the local area. modest by those with high expectations.
whippet, £85 a week + bills. Privately Contact Michelle michelle_laine@ Contact Paul, Primrose Organic Centre,
rented from landlord. Need to be hardy yahoo.co.uk Tel 07813 464990
Felindre, Brecon, Powys LD3 0ST. Tel:
as very basic facilities, lovely in summer,
01497 847636. E-mail: paul.benham@
freezing in winter. Garden with room HELP WANTED - on wonderful ukonline.co.uk
to grow veggies, could be commutable 6-acre viable ecological smallholding
for work in Salisbury and Winchester. near Hay-on-Wye. SA symbol; market
Book Review
Salad Leaves for All Seasons: Organic Growing from Pot to Plot by
Charles Dowding
Honed over 25 years of organic growing, Charles Dowding’s book is a treasury of
knowledge about growing salad crops. A passionate proponent of the no-dig system of
soil care, he grows on a small acreage in Somerset and sells to restaurants and a local
box scheme.
I learnt much from this book, particularly how to crop salads for maximum yields over
long periods. By harvesting just a few outer leaves of each plant, Charles shows how to
keep cropping from the same plant, letting it grow upwards on its main stalk. There is also
a great chapter on growing micro-greens.
My only gripe is that the book is poorly edited. There are chops, changes and repetitions
in the chapters which left me flicking back and forth to check exactly what was what.
Nevertheless, I would really recommend this book for it’s tried and tested knowledge
and great photographs too.
£10.95 and free delivery from www.lowimpact.org
Alissa Pemberton
New website gets to
the root of the matter
Thanks to the team led by Michael McAndrew and Circle Interactive, WWOOF UK finally has a website fit for the
21st century. Visit www.wwoof.org.uk and let us know your feedback.
And don’t forget the WWOOF forum of www.lowimpact.org too!
NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 30th April 2009 [email protected]