Forest Garden Equinox Living Willow Workshop

Spring is upon us, can't you feel that March madness, blowing your head this way and that? It's a dash to complete al those winter jobs. This week began with two kitchen drawer baskets for Mark Stone's Welsh Kitchenswww.welsh-kitchens.com, then back to harvesting. I am so lucky I am, cut the last of the  gorgeous organic willows at Nant Clyd Farm www.nantclydfarm.co.ukin Llanilar then up to Aberyswyth to see the University's research willows and help myself to as much as we could squeeze in to ye olde van. These willows are super fast growing types developed for biomass and all two years old so perfecto for the job of giant badger building....Thanks Megan and Marni for the volunteering epecially the unloading at the end of a tiring day...I/we will be back...any volunteers...Thursday next? So excited. Then Wednesday was back in Cilgerran cutting the Willow Circle  planted at the school a few years ago. I had left it  until the last minute as I was not sure what  to do with it until Alpay, my tree buddy, suggested  running a workshop at St Dogmaels Forest Gardenhttp://www.naturewise.org.uk/page.cfm?pageid=nw-teifigdn to celebrate the Spring Equinox. The willows used have a number only and not a name, one that Dave the grower at West Wales Willowswww.westwaleswillows.co.uk knows...his prefered choice for the job of structure building. I must say I love the way it is developing in the school at Cilgerran. Some of the stems have now fused and the whole structure has only grown vertically, if you know what I mean, by a small amount after one pruning per year.

So these beautiful willows went to the Forest Garden workshop on Thursday. The weather was supposed to be be bleak and wet but it was tolerable though a bit windy. Seven people turned up for the day and it was fun and productive...we sort of completed a Tunnel/Archway and a 2m Dome. there is a bit of finishing off to do guys..I forgot to say the willows need to be stamped in...how could you forget that. It was very well organised obviously and  I met some lovely people like you do at these  things and hopefully encouraged some willowing  and volunteering. You never know.  We all went for lunch at Alpay and Clare's house too which was lovely...hot toast and tea and no wind. thank you Alpay and Clare you are very cool, kind, warm and wonderful.  the evening was spent back home at Cwmuchaf  quickly to make a bike basket for Kinkaris' new old  bike which was delivered today, Friday, in Bristol as I helped move the gang to their really amazing new house in Bishopston.  So ends the week....what next ...plant climbers for the Eco Shop in Cardigan...grab them quick..a limited edition...and badger head completing at Ysgol Natur, Wildlife Park Cilgerran, call in.