Last years’ scions grafted at South Lakeland Orchard Group’s grafting day at Growing Well Sizergh are now being transplanted in our orchard. Rosemary Russet, Oslin, Tom Putt and Howgate Wonder are just a few of the 18 varieties planted. See the National Fruit Collection website for more information about apple varieties. Once planted they will have rabbit and deer guards placed round them.

Our bullied blackrock is recovering well with most of its feathers having regrown and looking much happier.  The are all enjoying the milder weather and continue to have access to the vegetable plot while there is not too much there for them to damage.

The recent foggy weather highlighted these ground level spiders’ webs. They are suspended on the grass around the edges of our planted woodland. No actual spiders have been seen so not sure what has made them. Suggestions welcome.

With the lake finally thawing, the last few days have seen a few people out and their efforts have been rewarded with plenty of fish caught. Sinking lines seem to be effective with montanas and damsel nymphs most successful.

The recent icy weather conditions made both playing golf and managing the course impossible.  The recent thaw and sunshine has allowed us to cut the greens  and has encouraged many golfers to get their clubs out. General comments received were on how well the course has withstood the weather.

Students on Lancaster University’s BSc in Management spent a foggy morning at Forrest Hills working in teams on various problem solving activities including designing and printing their own team flags.

BTCV  are running a series of conservation activity days at Forrest Hills for people aged 16-24. Activites include tree planting, bird and bat box building, woodland management and river bank maintainance. BTCV provide all equipment and training and sessions are on Jan. 30th, Feb 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, March 6th and 13th. Contact Dave Turner at BTCV on 01772 250316 if you are interested in getting involved.

On Friday 15th Jan, Gail Armstrong (’bat lady’) ran her first bat course at Forrest Hills. This course was aimed at experienced people and will hopefully be the first of many. See her website for details. While the group were in Conder lodge, they spotted a water rail. These are fairly common around fresh water and are seen at Leighton Moss bird reserve.

As part of the expansion of our fruit and vegetable growing area, we have asked Alan Schofield of Growing with Nature to act as a consultant to advise on crops and varieties that are particularly good for this area, succession planting and on scaling-up to more commercial production. We hope to supply as much of the produce as possible when the resource centre opens later this year.

Alan has over 30 years experience of commercial, organic growing and is a founding member of the Organic Growers’ Alliance.

Work continues on upgrading the entrance inlcuding fitting three new gates supplied by Richard Hope of Low Tatham. Each have quotes on them. This one reflects our long standing links with several Swedish community groups of farmers and project workers. Pronounced ‘more brar’ it translates as ‘feel good’ or ‘well being’.

The other gates have quotes  from poets Robert Frost (’of the stones of the place’) and John Clare (’the grass below - above the vaulted sky’).

All the quotes relate to the importance to us of ‘place‘.