We have seen a Springtime packed full of events including our inaugural Hexham Farmers Market, which typifies so much about Go Local Food in being part of a community focused enterprise celebrating many of the region’s highest quality local artisan producers. 

The fields have also hosted a wide spectrum of inhouse events such as Birdsong Walks, Foraging, Soil Health Workshops, and a fantastic visit from the Ponteland’s University of The Third Age grower group.  

Paul has been organising a splendour of events for us in the past year.  From Chutney making workshops to the jam packed offering this Spring.  Paul is heading off on his travels this summer, we would like to express our fullest of gratitude for all his exceptional efforts in bringing these engaging an insightful events together.

Here is a summary of our up and coming events in the summer:

Go Local Food Summer Events

• *Prudhoe Goes Green – 10th June – 10-4pm    
• Free workshop – Time Saving Tools for larger gardens – 17^th June 
• *Ovingham Goosefair – 17th June – 12- 4.30pm
• *Hexham Farmers Market 24^th June 9-1.30pm
• *Stocksfield  Festival – 26th August

*Members will be available to answer questions and offer an insight of what it means to be part of out community.

Time Saving Tools for larger gardens – 17^th June

10.30 to 12.30  Free of charge

A practical demonstration workshop of innovative and ergonomic market gardening tools for growing vegetables, led by our knowledgeable growers, Ian and Jala.

Location: Go Local Food fields. Ovington, behind Halls of Heddon Nursery, Ovington NE426EE

This is an exciting opportunity to try out unusual light weight, handheld tools compatible with no-gig practice.  A full article about this new initiative can be found on our website: https://golocalfood.org.uk/time-saving-tools-for-large-gardens-or-allotments/

Please register interest at admin@golocalfood.org.uk 

Springtime Events Summary

Birdsong Walk – Evening Chorus – 4^th May with Gill Thompson

Foraging Workshop – 13^th May with Sophie Wren

Composting and Soil Health Workshop – 25th May with Andrew Davenport

Hexham Farmers Market – 27th May

Hexham Farmers Market – Saturday 27^th May

What a fabulous time in the sunshine we had at Hexham Farmers Market on Saturday May 27th.. The volunteer rota was successful with six members supporting the setup, running the stall and packing away. David had done a super job with the social media posts and people were seeking us out for a chat and to find out more. We weren’t sure how much veg we’d need and were pleased that we were only left with 3 Trial Bags which we donated to the lovely Tans Café (Hextol Foundation).  Many thanks to the harvesting team for creating the trial bags.  Great team work all round.

Our next market appearance is scheduled for 24th June, Midsummers Day!

Birdsong Walk – Evening Chorus – 4^th May with Gill Thompson

This was our first Evening Chorus, we are usually up at dawn, so it provided a different perspective from a dawn chorus allowing us hear the mellow calls of the birds bedding down for the evening. Highlights were the following birds with Gill’s interactive headphones providing quite the exceptional experience.  Thank you very much Gill for such a wonderful evening

Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Pheasant, Robin, Song Thrush, Starling, Wood pigeon, Wren

Foraging Workshop – 13^th May with Sophie Wren

On Saturday participants left the workshop full of confidence with new found knowledge of what they could do with dandelions and sticky jack.  Sophie who led the workshop has promised to return in the autumn to see what this season will bring – look out for details on the website.

Attendees took to foraging with teacher Sophie Wren to find out about the wild edibles growing abundantly right on our doorsteps. During this workshop, Sophie focused on the ‘weeds’ that are often overlooked and their incredible nutritional and medicinal value. She will also introduced the practice of foraging including sustainability, how to safely identify edibles, and harvesting. During the session we enjoyed samples of wild foods and drinks made by Sophie. 

Sophie is an experienced foraging teacher who runs regular seasonal courses with her organisation, Live Wild. She is also a proud member of the Association of Foragers. Sophie has a particular interest in ethnobotany and folklore, and likes to share stories of how plants and fungi were used and revered by our ancestors. Sophie runs longer courses at nearby Whittle Dene CIC, which would be an ideal next step after attending this introductory workshop.

Composting and Soil Health Workshop – 25th May

This workshop included composting of garden waste, kitchen waste, making leaf mould.  How to get the most of these valuable resources, composting them into fertile compost in weeks/months rather than years. 

Andrew covered mulching with local natural waste materials and other soil health preservation techniques such as no dig. 

Andrew Davenport is a nurseryman, author, grower and gardener. Sustainable and organic practices, in particular ‘Quick Return’ composting, are paramount to his ethos and work.

Special Guest Visits

University of The Third Age Ponteland Visit

We welcomed the University of the Third Age, from Ponteland on the 19^{th of} May with Ian our resident horticulturist answering questions throughout the guided tour of our Ovington fields which are now bursting with lushness and harvesting well. 

Member and Cropshare receiver Bernadette Williams organised the gathering with all the U3A members from Ponteland keen growers with Ian receiving some welcome tips and bounties of knowledge from their years of experience. 

Our fields offer the perfect venue for a walk through of learning and sharing discussions and we welcome future visits from grower’s enthusiasts or potential new members interested in receiving a crop share.