News
RHUBARB FARM IN THE NEWS
THE MANSFIELD CHAD carried a great feature about Rhubarb Farm on 2nd May - download a copy here
The Derbyshire Times featured the healthy cooking courses at Rhubarb Farm.
WE'RE NOW FENCED IN!
Rhubarb Farm's 2 acre therapeutic side is now fenced in! This has been possible by generous grants from Derbyshire County PCT and the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation. This has given our work a tremendous boost and allowed us to dig our pond, sow a lot more crops, erect two cheap polytunnels and finish our composting toilet. A big thank you to these organisations for your support and belief in us.
LARGE POLYTUNNEL
We are delighted that the Tesco Charitable Foundation have awarded us funding for a large polytunnel, which will provide the right conditions for growing good quality salad crops, and allow more comfortable indoor working. Northern Polytunnels are supplying it, with integral gutter to allow for water harvesting, which will again contribute to our low environmental impact.
COMPOSTING TOILET
The composting toilet is now finished! It is housed in a lovely log cabin, also has a urinal and is surrounded by flower beds. It was constructed by students on a Composting Toilet Construction course, sponsored by Limestone Journeys, and finished off by apprentices and volunteers. We shall be having a Composting Toilet Opening Party on Saturday 9th June when Judy Derricott, Health Improvement Manager for Derbyshire County PCT will perform the opening ceremony.
WILLOW ARBOUR
Rhubarb Farm now has another lovely willow structure - a willow arbour. It was built by people on a willow-weaving course run by Jason on 19th April, and funded by the Limestone Journeys project.
The arbour has been built in the wildlife a rea, next to the pond.
The picture shows all those who built the arbour standing under it at the end of the day - Pani, Kurt, Darren, Julie, Andrea, Glen. Note the limestone rocks which have been used to edge the borders at the base of the arbour, to protect the dog roses which were also planted to wind up through the arbour. It was a great use of the limestone, which had been dug out of the hole for the pond. The rock is not far below the surface at Rhubarb Farm, and so we have plenty of it lying around!
LANGWITH COMMUNITY SHOW
On Saturday 8th September Rhubarb Farm will host the LANGWITH COMMUNITY SHOW. This will be a revival of the traditional Produce Show that used to run about 20 years ago - but with a lot of added extras and fun for all the family.
THE LANGWITH COMMUNITY SHOW is being planned by a group of Langwith people and Rhubarb Farm. The Show will consist of classes in Handicrafts, Domestic Produce, Flowers, Produce, Art and Sculpture, Woodwork, Photography, and Children's Section with 9 classes. As well as the Show, which will be held in a large marquee, there will be entertainments in a ring, a Tug of War between teams from local pubs and Young Farmers groups, a magician working the crowd, a fun Dog Show, stalls selling crafts, a bouncy castle, bric-a-brac stalls, tombola, raffle, tractor rides, and archery. Anyone interested to have a stall or provide entertainment at the Show should contact jennie@rhubarbfarm.co.uk.
Download the Show Schedule
WHEELS TO WORK
The organisation Wheels to Work have helped several Rhubarb Farm staff with their transport to work needs. Some staff have received a bus pass, and two of them, Ashley Prince and Chris Andrews have received reconditioned bicycles to enable them to get to work easily. We are very grateful to Wheels to Work for their support for Rhubarb Farm staff.
FIFTEEN NEW STAFF FOR RHUBARB FARM!
Rhubarb Farm has appointed 13 unemployed 16-18 year olds to work as apprentices as Rhubarb Farm. 3 of them are from Langwith, 4 are from Bolsover and 6 are from Shirebrook.
In addition, we have appointed two part-time supervisors to support them. 11 of the apprentices will be Assistant Gardeners working on our Community Supported Agriculture scheme (growing veg for veg boxes) and 2 will be Assistant Admin Workers.
Their apprenticeship will last 20 weeks and all of them will take an NVQ2 in either Horticulture or Business Admin. They will be supported in this by an assessor and time every week to work on their portfolio.
They will work 30 hours a week and be paid £78 per week.
Rhubarb Farm has been enabled to provide these chances for the young people through a contract with the training provider Skillsfinder who have been very helpful and flexible in getting the scheme off the ground.
We hope at least some of our apprentices will stay another 30 weeks with us, and go on to get their NVQ3.
In addition, Wheels To Work is providing help with transport costs or bikes to get to work.
In a climate of doubt about apprenticeships Rhubarb Farm is providing real work and training for 13 young people who have not worked before, who are not in any form of education and who need the break to get into the world of work. Rhubarb Farm cannot alter the larger economic picture but we can help at local level to inspire, raise aspirations and give young people a better chance in the world of work than they would have if they did not have this apprenticeship. The young people will learn new skills, teamwork, co-operation, discipline in the workplace, and a qualification (the very first for some of them) and get satisfaction and enjoyment in what they do at Rhubarb Farm.
Congratulations to them all and we look forward to seeing them take positive steps to their future working life.
CREDIT UNION COLLECTION POINT AT RHUBARB FARM
Rhubarb Farm volunteers are staffing a Credit Union Collection point in the cafe every Thursday from 9.30-11.00.
We are doing this to counter the influence of the loan sharks who are plaguing Langwith. We would like as many people as possible to open a savings account and save a small amount as often as possible, in order to have some money set aside for birthdays, unexpected things etc.
Loans will be available at very low rates, and collection point 'staff' will advise you on this if you ask.
We are doing this for Two Shires Credit Union, which has collection points across Bassetlaw and Bolsover.
Please be assured that all transactions and information about the Credit Union are treated with the utmost confidentiality and volunteers have to sign the Official Secrets Act before staffing the collection point.
What is a Credit Union?
A Credit Union is a community savings and loan cooperative, where members pool their savings to lend to one another and help to run the credit union. Credit unions aim to help people take control of their money by encouraging them to save what they can, and borrow only what they can afford to repay.
Being local and small makes it much easier to pay in and to access your money.
2 Shires Credit Union was established in June 2000 as Worksop & District Credit Union. Since then the Credit Union has offered people a friendly way to save and borrow.
Who can join?
Anyone who lives or works within the area of Bassetlaw District, Bolsover District, and Market Warsop, whether employed or unemployed, young or old.
How to join?
Membership requires proof of identification and a one-off non-refundable membership fee of £2.
Benefits of membership:
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Excellent way to save
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Low cost affordable loans
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Free life savings insurance (conditions apply)
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Free loan protection insurance (conditions apply)
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Authorised & regulated by Financial Services Authority (FSA)
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Covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
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Financial Ombudsman Scheme
For any queries, ring Two Shires Credit Union office
01909-500-575.
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