[doganjo]

Just back from a glorious nature event in the Glen on the Central Scotland Smallholders stand. 

Stuart, our Chairman, had it all organised - a pallet strawberry bed, cockerel and two young pullets, three baby Embden geese, home made feeders and drinkers, bird feeders, paper brick maker - all out of recycled materials.  And a couple of games with prizes for the kids.

Simon, our events co-ordinator, Emma, Stuart's partner, and me helped tell lots of people about keeping hens, ducks, geese and quail, and about growing stuff in limited spaces as well as  larger ones.  Lots of very interesting stands around us - Helix Bee-keepers, RSPB, an archaeology group, an environmental fishing group, unusual Birds of prey - and that was just in our section. 

The Scout Hut was the first port of call for a free coffee or tea to start us off in the morning, and a free lunch was taken round to us from the School kitchens at about noon.  Lots of other stands offered information on responsible dog walking, grow your own food, hand crafted wood work - necklaces, spoons, mugs; electro fishing, a wild meadow newly seeded.

Weather was perfect - cloudy and mild while we were setting up, warmer as teh day worn on then glorious 'bronzing' sun fro a good hour in the afternoon .

Could have done with a few more CSSA members but the  Royal Highland got in the way of that    I suppose it HAS been on the go longer 

Check out our website for date and details of the next event -
CSSA 2014 events

Summer Pruning and Cordon/espalier fruit trees 12th July Wishaw

Visit to an Alpaca farm - 26th July

BBQ and Show what you grow - 24th August

Fruit tree pruning   - September

Talks by various speakers - from end September over winter - smallholders
paperwork, soap making, various others