Shared Earth began back in January 2023. We decided to organise our volunteer days with a few aims in mind:
Firstly, to provide a safe and welcoming environment where people can get involved in a practical activity.
Secondly, to be somewhere for them to learn new skills and to socialise in an environment free from the constant distractions of the devices so often surrounding us all.
Finally, a way to help us keep on top of the seemingly endless jobs and projects that come with managing the 5 acres of land we’re lucky enough to look after.
We have an ever-growing list of dreams and projects, so our volunteers’ help over this last couple of years has been so valuable and appreciated. Looking back on the photos of each event so far, it's wonderful to see how far we've come, how much we've got done, and the friends we've made
We have been told many times by different people that these events have become a lifeline and that some not only look forward to, but also cherish the time they are with us for the real life human contact, as well as the opportunity to be out in the fresh air with other people wanting the same experience. It is really quite humbling when someone's thanks come with a tear in their eye.
We’re now in 2025 and this sees us venturing into our third year of Shared Earth, and we’re so happy and excited to see what we can achieve!
It is always our goal for Shared Earth days to be relaxed and light-hearted. There is no expectation or minimum requirement. People can do as much or as little as they want or are able to, and refreshments are always available. Having an assigned photographer for the day has been very useful, and a lovely job for someone who doesn't feel up to the more physical stuff. There are also other tasks that can be done like the sowing and harvesting of seeds. We also try to plan for all weathers. So, if it looks likely to be a wash out, then a day spent in the poly-tunnels is more attractive than a day on the land getting wet, muddy and cold.
Although, if that is what you fancy, be our guest!
The weather forecast for January 25th 2025 was sunny but cold. In the wake of the very high winds before Christmas, we had a couple of Ash trees come down on the land which I had been working through with my 'trusty Husqy' (chainsaw). As I worked through it I was making various piles of timber for processing. Instead of thinking just of firewood, I had a few projects I wanted to use the wood for to enable the trees to live on in the land in some way: to build a shaving horse and a pole lath. Then there would still be a big pile to be processed for our camp fires and also our home stove as Ash makes wonderful fire wood. Finally, there was a big pile of brash to go through the chipper which would create some great quality woodchip to mulch our forest garden. However, it seemed a shame to chip or burn all of this material... It got me thinking…
I decided I wanted to tidy up and define an area of land near our base camp as it was on the edge of some trees and was quickly becoming swallowed up by brambles. I wanted to create a fence line of 'Dead Hedging' along the tree line to contain the bramble. We love having blackberries to pick in the Summer, but, if you let them, brambles will just take over! I also wanted the area to be more clearly defined.
Dead hedging is done by knocking pairs of stakes, or 'hurdles' into the ground at roughly meter spacings and then weaving and filling in between the hurdles with sticks, and brash from woodland debris to create a fence of sorts.
All of the material from the fallen ash trees was perfect and would be nice way to honour those trees by using them elsewhere on the land, instead of just chipping or burning them.
I had already done a small section of dead hedging elsewhere on the land so, after the usual 09:30am meet and coffee in the poly tunnel with plan for the day and 'Tool Box Talk' I was able to show people what the goal was. I was able to explain how we will create it, and then, showed people the piles of material to use, finally showing them the area I wanted to cover. There were a few raised eyebrows at first as the length of area I wanted to cover was just over 15 meters, but I was confident that, once we got going, it would not take too long to achieve. I was right!
Within a short time, we had all settled into a flow and everyone was concentrating on a particular part, one person making hurdles, a few people preparing brash and then stuffing it between the hurdles. And of course, we had assigned a photographer for the day.
I always try to be as prepared as possible for these events, so on the Friday night, I had collected together all the tools we might need, such as secateurs, pruning saws, bow saws, garden twine and gloves. I had also taken the time to make a couple of Mauls (which is a type of hammer) out of some Oak I had lying around for knocking in the hurdles.
We always say that people can stop when ever they need to for a cuppa tea, a bite to eat or a comfort break, but we always stop around 1pm for some lunch and to give our little boy a change of scene and some quiet time. We got back out in the afternoon and with everyone's hard work, we finished the job before it got dark.
We always provide a wholesome dinner for our volunteers and this month it was an organic home grown soup with gluten-free flatbread. This brought to a close a wonderful first Shared Earth of 2025, and created an exciting buzz for the future.
With the growing season fast approaching, it's going to be another busy year!
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