Spring
2022
www.farmsforcitychildren.org farmsforcitychildren
farmersforaweek Registered Charity Number 325120
farmsforcitychildren
Contents
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Welcome Farm News Impact Fundraising Corporate Legacy Shop Support Us
Contacts 01392 276381 admin@farmsforcitychildren.org www.farmsforcitychildren.org Farms for City Children, Huxham Barns, Huxham, Exeter, EX5 4EJ Patron: HRH The Princess Royal Founders: Sir Michael Morpurgo and Lady Clare Morpurgo Founding President: Ted Hughes OM Chairman: Simon Gregory
farmsforcitychildren farmersforaweek farmsforcitychildren
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Welcome
As I write these words to welcome you to our spring 2022 newsletter, and to introduce myself as the new Chief Executive of Farms for City Children, I am reminded that this season offers us a time of renewal. The Pandemic has shrouded our nation in a wintry darkness for too long, and it is a joy to see the resilience of nature, the tenacity of our staff and the inspiration of our teachers and beneficiaries as they flock back to the farms to optimistically herald the birth of spring. A former teacher and Headteacher for more than 22 years, I am myself a direct beneficiary of the Farms for City Children transformative muck and magic experience. Having made multiple trips to Nethercott House and finding myself entirely absorbed and converted by the life-changing experiences of tending the land, sustaining the environment and producing my own food, I feel well placed to report on the impact the charity has on its visitors. As you read this newsletter, you will note a variety of routine and seasonal activities enjoyed at each site, all designed to cultivate engaging learning opportunities and to develop good health and wellbeing in the children and their teachers. Improved connections with each other, enhanced life skills to be re-deployed in the classroom and a committed sense of environmental citizenship is just a tempting flavour of what our charity offers.
My visits to the farms have revealed courageous, compassionate and curious young people, demonstrating grit and a growth mindset as they challenge themselves beyond their comfort zones, enjoying farming tasks and outdoor learning that is otherwise denied to them because of geographical, logistical and financial barriers. Farms for City Children exists to be the antidote to the nature deficit disorder inflicted upon young people in urban areas, and it is our core mission to reach more beneficiaries and share with them the nurturing power of the natural world. We could not fulfil this pledge without your continuing financial support, faith and advocacy and we are all sincerely grateful for your commitment to our past, present and future beneficiaries. I am so delighted to share with you this insight into the joy that has been experienced over the last few months, and to give you a sense of the hope and energy that we all feel as our charity embraces its new spring.
Donna Marie Edmonds, CEO
“Over the whole land Spring thunders down in brilliant silence.” Founding President: Ted Hughes OM – “Spring Nature Notes”
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FARM NEWS
Nethercott House
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Spring has officially sprung at Nethercott House! Amidst signs of new life unfurling in the lawns, lanes and ancient hedgerows surrounding the Victorian Manor, we have welcomed our first chicks of the year. The children have loved watching their progress in the incubators and looking after the newly hatched fledglings. Other new arrivals include Hugh the boar, named by the local young farmers’ group who helped fundraise for us to have him at the farm. Once he’s settled in, we hope he’ll sire our next litters of piglets later in the spring. We’ve been busy picking, preparing and planting in the gardens ready for spring. Our young guests have been learning about the importance of caring for the environment and have worked hard helping us dig farmyard manure into the vegetable beds and around the fruit bushes’ roots. They’ve harvested a colourful array of veggies, including: rainbow chard, sprouts, kale, red cabbage and parsnips. Picked the first crop of rhubarb and plucked lemons from our thriving pit house trees. In the kitchen, the children have enjoyed transforming these early fruits of our previous guests’ labour into a tangy accompaniment for their breakfast porridge, roast veg for Sunday lunch and delicious lemon cheesecake. There’s nothing more satisfying than sharing the food you’ve just picked with your friends! And these sessions in the kitchen always spark lively discussions too.
With our February visitors, we talked about the importance of prep, planning and preservation so we can still enjoy home-grown fruit during the sparsest of months and avoid food waste. We had great fun raiding the freezers for supplies of puréed fruit to create another tasty cheesecake (raspberry) and an alternative porridge accompaniment (apple). To ensure another bumper crop of apples in the autumn, we wassailed our own and our neighbouring farmer’s apple trees in timehonoured tradition, with much singing and quaffing of apple juice! We’ve also been planting trees, kindly donated by the Woodland Trust. As part of our commitment to being more sustainable, we have been placing them alongside the river that runs past the farm, hoping to provide new habitat for wildlife and improve water quality in our river catchment. It feels a fitting tribute to our founding president Ted Hughes’ famous anthology of poems celebrating the rejuvenating powers of the River, and we look forward to seeing trees, river and fauna flourish.
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FARM NEWS
Lower Treginnis
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Our festive feast was a triumph, with our farm and garden produce transformed into the tastiest, traditional Christmas fare. The food took centre stage alongside the beautiful table decorations and Christmas wreaths created by our guests from St Peter’s Primary, who were thrilled to unwrap their gifts courtesy of Britains’ Farm Toys. It was a great memory that we’re sure these children will treasure forever. The first young people to join us in the New Year were able to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of our coastal walks in some beautiful winter sunshine, taking in the sights and sounds of the spectacular St David’s Peninsula that surrounds the farm. Back at base, they worked hard with the wheelbarrows, collecting compost and digging it into the vegetable field.
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The children learned how this crucial part of preparing the ground helps it produce a bumper crop of veg later in the year. In the wise words of Alan, our gardener, you can't take from the garden without giving back! As well as growing veg for our guests to enjoy cooking in our kitchens, we’re selling produce on the Peninsula Producers’ Food Hub. Our young visitors always say that seeing their harvest picked, packed and ready to go out to the local community is a great feeling. But to be cooking that produce half an hour after picking it, then sharing what you’ve created with your friends’ is even better! Lambing has begun and the first chicks are hatching in our incubation sheds. On the farm, we see time and again how animals help children grow in confidence while reducing anxiety and promoting wellbeing. The children have loved seeing new life on the farm and were mesmerised by the sheep dogs’ skills in moving sheep from field to field. We can’t wait to welcome more new arrivals to Treginnis during 2022.
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FARM NEWS
Wick Court
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We’ve been looking after the trees in our orchards this winter. Children have worked hard spreading woodchip mulch around their roots so they get the water and nutrients they need, as well as helping to coppice the hazels. They learnt how to use tools safely to cut the rods, then drilled holes to create candle stands for another tree-caring tradition. This practice may be less scientific, but it’s always great fun! Storyteller Bill Church led our young visitors in the Wassail, an ancient tradition to bless the trees in the hope they yield more apples in the coming season. Surrounded by candle light, shouting to scare the spirits away, they put toast on the branches, poured apple juice around roots and enjoyed warm apple juice and chocolate-covered apples. Apple tree we wassail thee! Apples also featured in our farm-to-fork work with the children, as they enjoyed getting their hands sticky making sausage rolls with meat from our pigs and apples from the wellwassailed orchard. This led to a discussion about seasonality – what grows when and how far it travels to reach our supermarket shelves.
On that note, we’re thrilled to be selling our produce online to local supporters, available for collection from Wick Court. Do take a look: https://openfoodnetwork.org.uk/farms-forcity-children/shop#/about We’ve welcomed lots of new additions so far this spring, with our handsome black Arun Surami cockerels, nine new piglets born to our everpopular pig Tara, and plenty of lambs finding their feet. Halter training for these new arrivals in preparation for local agriculture shows has been a favourite activity among children and adults alike! The lambs run and jump as the children give chase. As the lambs get used to it, they’ll trot calmly on their leads, giving us the chance to show the lambs and maybe win a rosette in the rare breed categories. At least, they will in the coming weeks – but not yet!
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Telling it like it is
“The food tastes better here because the animals are so well looked after.”
We ask all our visiting young people and adults – to tell us how they feel about their visit to our farms. We love hearing their feedback and we hope you will too! Thank you for making these truly transformative, life-changing visits happen. Because of you, hundreds more young people have experienced a week of muck and magic this year. “Thank you so much for giving us “I really liked the biodiversity walk-and-draw session. There's never enough time just to stop and wonder.”
“Nature is like a building; if you take away one part, like some bricks, it will all fall down.”
“I went to Wick Court when I was about 10 years old and it’s the reason I now work in the farming industry; a very special place!”
“I learned to eat with a knife and fork for the first time. I learned to sit at the table and eat with other people. I will appreciate my family.”
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such a wonderful and fun week at the farm. We have made so many memories that will change us and this experience will stick with us forever.”
“Thank you for giving us this mind-blowing experience. This week of farming changed me. I’ll cherish these memories forever. It was fantastic. We absolutely loved it.”
“I will think about where my food comes from. I will use my computer game less and play out more.”
Fundraising We know our farms stimulate a sense of awe and wonder, inspiring young people, enhancing their mental health and wellbeing and broadening their horizons. Being immersed in nature, a world away from their city horizons, never fails to make the children who visit our farms happy, as well as helping to shape their future engagement with the world around them. The Pandemic has been challenging for everyone, but has disproportionately affected vulnerable children and young people, and we know that the fabulous nature-based experiences that our farms provide, can play a huge part in restoring their wellbeing. But we can’t do it without you! With your help, we can give thousands of children an amazing, memorable week that will change the way they see themselves, their food and their future. It will provide lasting memories, new skills and a deeper understanding of the natural world. We’re planning to welcome more children than ever before when we open each of our sites up for an additional ten weeks in the year ahead, so please support us, so that no child misses out. If you would like to talk about supporting us in more detail, please call us on 01392 276678 or email fundraising@farmsforcitychildren.org www.farmsforcitychildren/Supportus
Get giving!
Could you sponsor a child’s visit for a day or a week by becoming a regular monthly giver? A monthly gift of £5 (with Gift Aid) could pay for a joyous nature-based day of activities while a donation of £30 could help cover the subsidy for a child’s week-long life-enhancing farm residential. What an incredible gift to give! £12 a month could pay for three hearty meals for a class of hungry children £30 a month could help subsidise one child’s joyful week of discovery on the farm £75 could pay for a farm to fork cooking and nutrition activity for 12 children £400 could subsidise a weeklong countryside and farming residential for one child
Get active!
Why not join one of our events or set up your own - fundraising can be sociable, uplifting and hugely rewarding. If you fancy a physical challenge, we have a space available for the London Marathon. To find out more, email us today.
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Our corporate supporters The business community has really stepped up for Farms for City Children during the Pandemic and continues to support us in a huge variety of ways. We are incredibly grateful to all the companies who have offered their help – whether by hosting fundraising events, inviting us to take part in blogs or in podcasts to spread the word about what we do, making donations or volunteering. Please contact our Corporate Fundraising Manager, Lisa Long, if you would like to have a chat about supporting us: Email: lisa@farmsforcitychildren.org Tel: 07983 366325
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We would like to say a huge thank you to… l
Ecological consultants Tyler Grange, have been volunteering and offering pro bono support at our Gloucestershire farm, Wick Court. The team have been painting, building, weeding and even helping to develop crucial biodiversity plans at the farm.
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Around 100 representatives from the garden and farm machinery, turfcare and outdoor power equipment industries, attended The Service Dealer Awards 2021 last November. We were honoured to be chosen to benefit from the Awards’ charity raffle, which raised £3,500. The amazing Advent of Change who, despite facing logistical difficulties and delays during 2021, raised £3,665 through sales of ‘The Charity Advent Calendar’, ‘The Children’s Charity Advent Calendar’ and ‘The Charity Christmas Crackers’. Thank you to them and to everyone who made a purchase. The staff team from London-based Native Restaurant (pictured below), came to visit Wick Court last November. At their Mayfair restaurant, a £1 voluntary donation is added to every bill to support our work, and we were delighted to show team Native around our farm, so they can report back to their generous customers about how we invest these kind donations in life-changing visits for children.
Leave a gift in your will A week spent on one of our farms can be life-changing for young people facing a multitude of barriers – and your generous gift can make it happen for generations to come. By remembering Farms for City Children in your will, you can help young people experience the joy and magic of connections with animals and the natural world through farming. A week in wellies can have a transformational impact for young people as they discover a different world, becoming immersed in nature, the environment and the source of the food they eat. By the time young people leave us they have learned a whole host of new transferrable life skills, and their horizons have been broadened forever. We depend on gifts in wills to keep offering these life-changing visits to our farms. Writing or updating your will can bring huge peace of mind. It ensures that your estate and possessions will be distributed according to your wishes. We know it’s an important personal decision, and we understand that your loved ones come first. But once you’ve taken care of the people close to you, could you leave a gift to help young people discover skills and understanding that will change their lives?
Get your free will-writing pack If you’d like to know more about how a gift in your will can create a muck and magic experience for future generations, as well as how to write or update your will, request your free will-writing pack today. Send back the form on the reverse of this newsletter, and we’ll send out your free information pack.
Write your will with Guardian Angel We are delighted to offer you an exclusive opportunity to write, or update your will for free through Guardian Angel. You can do it online, over the phone or even in-person – whichever suits you best. It’s quick, easy, and checked by experts. Visit their website at gawill.uk/farms-legacy. To find out more about leaving a gift in your will, contact our Individual Giving and Legacy Manager - Nicole Young on 01392 276407 or email nicole@farmsforcitychildren.org
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Our shop
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1. Barney the Horse and other Farmyard tales
5. Enamel Mugs
Full of friendship and adventure, this charming story collection from Michael Morpurgo illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees is perfect to read together and celebrates the way the countryside and its animals can leave an impression on a child's heart forever. (Ages 5-8 yrs) Pre order ahead of publication on 28th April 2022
A wonderfully practical enamel mug that simply transcends time with its classic style and durability. Perfect for the great outdoors – whether drinking tea in the garden or wild camping!
2. Quentin Blake Print “The Goose Girl and her brother” (Collector’s edition of 495)
6. Muck & Magic Tea Towel Our wonderful colourful tea towels are back by popular demand! Made from 100% organic, fair trade cotton featuring Quentin Blake’s Mud & Magic image.
We are grateful to Aquarelle Publishing who will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each mounted print to our Charity and fulfilling orders on our behalf. Your contact details will be securely shared with Aquarelle for fulfilment purposes only. Image: 370mm x 290mm Mounted: 570mm x 510mm. Please see the shop on our website for more details.
7. Playing cards
3. Juco Bags
The much-loved novel, War Horse, has been adapted for a picture book audience. This powerful book for younger readers tells the enduring story of a friendship between a boy and his horse and is a gateway to help children understand the history of the First World War. (Ages 5-7 yrs)
Our bag has thick padded handles offering extra comfort for carrying. It measures 30 x 30cm and features an allround 18cm gusset making this tote a great choice for hampers. It will hold 6 bottles making it perfect as a bottle bag for gifts or shopping. Juco is jute combined with cotton and has a waterproof wipeable interior - perfect for fresh produce, perishables or cold items.
4. Driftwood keyrings All of these lovely key rings are individually handmade from authentic driftwood material. Sold individually.
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Our Farms for City Children playing cards feature some of our favourite Quentin Blake illustrations. Cards are standard poker sized, professional grade, plastic coated and come in a laminated card box. Sold per pack.
8. War Horse Picture Book by Michael Morpurgo
9. Engraved Steel Parker Ball Pen (Gift boxed) Stainless steel Parker pen in a gift box. Engraved with the Charity name. Blue ink.
All goodies available from our online shop at farmsforcitychildren.org/shop
shop and donate Shopping with Farms for City Children We have a lot more gifts and goodies available from our online shop at farmsforcitychildren.org/shop
Products
Price
PRE-ORDER Barney the Horse and other Farmyard tales
£12.99
NEW FOR 2022! Quentin Blake Print “The Goose Girl and her brother” (Collector’s edition of 495)
(includes carriage -mainland UK)
£
NEW FOR 2022! Juco Bags
£6.00
£
Driftwood keyrings
£3.00
£
Enamel Mugs
£6.00
£
Mud & Magic Tea Towel
£6.00
£
Playing cards
£6.00
£
War Horse Picture Book by Michael Morpurgo
£10.00
£
Engraved Steel Parker Ball Pen (Gift boxed)
£10.00
£
Postage and Packaging
£4.00
£4.00
I would like to add a donation of
£
£
Thank you for your support.
Qty
Subtotals £
£182.00
Total £
Please complete the ‘Your Details’ section overleaf and return this order form with a cheque made payable to Farms for City Children to the address below. If you are donating, please include this in your cheque total. Freepost Plus RUBA-HTLU-GUBA Farms for City Children, Huxham Barns, Huxham, Exeter, Devon EX5 4EJ
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Thank you for your kind support Your details Title: Address:
Full Name: Postcode: Tel:
Email:
Your donation
q I am making a donation of £ would like my q Idonation to FFCC
would like to make a regular donation q I(Please complete the details below.)
SINGLE DONATION
REGULAR DONATION
STANDING ORDER Instruction to your bank or building society
and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past four years to be treated as Gift Aid donations, allowing FFCC to reclaim from HMRC an additional 25p for every £1 donated.
Bank Name & Address
Account Holder Name (s)
I confirm that I am a UK taxpayer and I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/ or Capital Gains Tax in the current year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on my donations it is my responsibility to pay the difference. I understand that I must contact FFCC if I wish to cancel this declaration, change my name or home address, or no longer pay sufficient tax on my income and/or Capital Gains.
Sort Code Account No Please pay Farms for City Children, NatWest Bank, Sort Code 53-50-28, Account Number 08404445 The sum of £ every month/quarter/year (please circle) until amended or cancelled, starting:
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Keep in touch We would love to keep in touch with news about how your support is bringing joy to the children who visit the farms. Please tick below to tell us how you want to hear from us: Email
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Send me your free will-writing pack
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Data Protection - we take your data protection very seriously. Full information on how we keep and process your data securely can be found in our Privacy Policy at www.farmsforcitychildren.org/dataprotection. 0422