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We
run a small farm in
Upper Gravenhurst, a beautiful
village in the middle
of Bedfordshire, UK and aim to make a
living by producing high quality products in a way that
impacts the environment as little as possible. |
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We love it
here and think you might
too |
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Come for a walk
Much
of our small farm is accessible
all the time, either on public footpaths or through permissive access
that
forms part of our Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
The farm also lies on a promoted walk that passes through
Silsoe and Shillington - details at www.letsgo.org.uk so if you just
fancy a
walk, why not take a look?
Find out more
Lots
of locals enjoy walking
around our fields every day of the week. People are interested in the
cattle
and the willow and regularly ask about what we do and how it affects
the countryside
and the wildlife that lives here; we can often be found chatting
– it’s a
friendly kind of place. If you’d like to find out more about
the farm; what we
do, how we do it and why (and a whole load more besides), we would be
delighted
to show you around. Read on for details or follow these links....
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Guided
walks
(Tailored
as necessary to suit your group's interests or age)
Take a walk with
us; let us introduce
you to the cattle, visit our willow beds, find out about our wonderful
hedgerows and meadows and hear about the day to day issues we are
dealing with
at the moment. Whatever the time of year,
there are common farmland birds to be
seen; sometimes we’re lucky to catch a glimpse of a heron,
buzzard, little
owl or kingfisher. Here’s a chance to get a little closer to
the land, ask
anything you wish about what we do and enjoy this beautiful bit of
Bedfordshire.
Duration 2-2.5
hours.
Terrain unsurfaced, undulating grass with some slopes of
up
1:10. No stiles or other similar barriers. Two steps of approx. 20cm
onto and off a footbridge (can be avoided)
Charge
£2.50/person; maximum number 25; minimum charge £35
Light
refreshments can be provided at the end or during these sessions if
required at an extra cost.
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Walk
and willow workshop
(Suitable for all ages over eight years)
A
shorter walk to our willow beds, a
chance to cut some stems and have a go at making something willowy to
take
home. Willow is a wonderfully tactile material to work with; we find
that most
people can be decidedly creative and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity
to make
something. No experience is necessary and we provide everything you
need.
Duration
3 hours.
Terrain
unsurfaced, undulating grass with some slopes of up 1:10. No stiles or
other similar barriers.
Charge
£5.00/person; maximum number 15; minimum charge £50
Light
refreshments can be provided at the end or during these sessions if
required at an extra cost. |

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Classes
Whole
day sessions for groups in
making simple things for the garden from willow and hazel. Held on
site, outside on the farm in Gravenhurst. Make a plant support for your
garden, willow fencing,
hurdle panels, a simple basket...
Best
suited to spring or early summer. |
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Make
a plant support
A
whole day session
for groups in
making simple things for the garden from willow and hazel. Make a plant
support for your
garden.
We make lots of obelisk or pyramidal plant
supports from willow each year. They are great for growing sweet peas
or any
other climbing plant and are relatively
easy to make. In a day, you will create something to take away and use
in your
own garden. We’ll also spend a little time talking about
willow – choosing, sorting
and selecting. Held on
site, outside on the farm in Gravenhurst, so you'll need to come
prepared.
Price £45 per person including
all materials, tea, coffee and biscuits.
Bring your own lunch. Minimum charge
£180.
Bookings from groups are welcome
Provisional bookings for April 2012 - please contact us now if you are
interested in booking a course or a place on a course.
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Coming soon!
All these sessions are at the planning stages. If you are interested in
any of them, please contact us now. |
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Coming soon - Wassledine
tales
A chance to
enjoy stories in a
beautiful farmland setting, either as part of a walk around the farm or
routed
in one location, near the banks of the River Hitt.
Great views of the
landscape, river, trees, hedges and wildlife provide the
backdrop and contribute
to the atmosphere (and sometimes the stories). Storytelling is a lovely
way to
connect with a place. Just for fun but not just for children.
More about Wassledine storytelling
Please contact us to discuss
visits for spring/summer 2012. |
![Amid the willows [image thanks to Anne Collett-White/CPRE]](jane_cpre250_3.JPG)
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Coming soon - Cows
in the countryside
Where does food
come from?
We
feel it’s important to talk about
the food we eat – how it’s produced,
who’s involved and why quality in
production is so important. We feel strongly that farmed
animals should be well looked after and enjoy as stress-free and
natural a life as possible.
Jane spends lots of time working on nature
reserves, in school grounds and country parks and we are beginning to
offer similar
opportunities here in Gravenhurst, for groups to enjoy and find out
about this
landscape and the way we look after it using the same fun, hands on and
interactive methods. |
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Coming soon - Make a basket
Local
basket maker, Martin Hazell
will show you the rudiments of the craft, including a quick
introduction to
basket making willow. You will go home carrying something in which you
can carry
something else; consider this a taster day for the future!
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t.
01462 711815
m. 07794 013876
e.
info(at)wassledine.co.uk
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Coming soon - Fencing and hurdles
Rustic fencing
is popular and
beautiful in a garden setting. It provides effective screening and
protection
without being overly formal. We will tackle some simple techniques and
designs
and include information about living willow.
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![Wassledine landscape [image Barry Halton/CPRE]](landscape700.jpg)
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site © Guy &
Jane Lambourne, January 2008-11 |
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