Settling in Well

A new recruit to the Equestrian Project, Pabi, is settling in well. She is a four-legged recruit, a little pony, chosen for her size and temperament.  Easy to handle and groom, she is a very friendly pony and has quickly become a favourite for some of those attending the project. 

One lady said, “I really enjoy working with Pabi, because she’s my size, and she listens to me.”

One young man commented, “Pabi is fluffy and she’s kind.”

Pabi is clearly winning hearts already, as the other horses and ponies have done. The Equestrian Project is a wonderful opportunity for people, some of whom may be very socially isolated, to make friends, whether they be two-legged or four-legged friends!

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#CragHouseFarm #CaringForLife #CFL #PabiThePony #EquestrianProject #TherapeuticDaytimeActivities #AnimalTherapy

Creatures in Flight, by Day and at Night

The lovely sunny September days have not just been enjoyed by the beneficiaries and visitors who come to the farm each day, but also by the abundant flying creatures that call Caring For Life home. When we stroll around the the gardens with the beneficiaries on the Conservation project, the air is humming with the sound of buzzing insects such as honey bees, butterflies and hoverflies taking every opportunity to feed on the long flowering, nectar-rich planting.

Plants such as persicaria, monardas, echinacea and sedums were specifically chosen to provide more forage and larval foodplants for our beleaguered native pollinators and they have been successful in attracting many species. The large flat umbels of a single sedum specimen seems to pulsate with life as dozens of insects systematically move from tiny flower to tiny flower collecting nectar.

Common Darter Dragonfly

It is wonderful to be able to bring people who may be hurting, lonely or isolated within their home to such a beautiful and bountiful environment. For some it is their only experience of being close to nature.

Dragonflies are also enjoying these warm days and the beautiful bright orange-red form of the Common Darter can be seen acrobatically flying around the pond. If you are patient and hold out your hand they may even come and rest on your palm. You can take a closer look at this majestic insect whilst it uses your hand heat to warm up!

Beneficiaries on the conservation project are also really enjoying being involved in our expanded species monitoring work. In particular they love seeing what different species of butterfly or bumblebee they can spot and then checking they have identified it correctly in our new set of field guides.

Another exciting development on the project has been the use of a new moth trap. This has enabled us to start learning which of the 2,500 British moth species can be found on the farm. Attracted to light during the night, they are contained in the trap, examined and recorded the following morning before being released unharmed. Whilst we have only found common species so far we have been amazed at the beauty and intricacy of patterns of these otherwise unseen creatures.

We are very thankful to be surrounded by evidence of God’s amazing creation here at Crag House Farm and are privileged to be able to share it with many precious individuals who may never otherwise get to enjoy it.

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#CragHouseFarm #CaringForLife #CFL #Conservation #TherapeuticDaytimeActivities #Moths #Dragonfly #CommonDarter

Behind the Harvest Scenes

Some of us may be familiar with the sight of tractors working in the fields, cutting hay or silage, or making and loading up bales. But we may well be less familiar with what goes on behind the scenes. 

Cutting the 2019 hay harvest.

In addition to the Agriculture Project caring for the land here at Caring For Life, and watching when the hay crop is ready, the Mechanics Project plays an important “behind the scenes" role.

The Mechanics Project looks after various vehicles, including the farm ones, helping to keep other projects running smoothly, whilst providing important experience and opportunities for those on the project.

An impressive list of machinery had to be checked over, serviced, cleaned or repaired, ready for the hay harvest this year. It’s not good if machinery breaks down when there is a race against time to get the harvest in before the weather breaks!

Behind the scenes, the Mechanics Project checked over the following equipment:  Round baler  Conventional baler Mower  Tedder Haybob Tractor  

It’s all a vital part of bringing in the harvest. We are very thankful that the hay was safely gathered in during the fine spell a few weeks ago.

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#CragHouseFarm #CaringForLife #Agriculture #Mechanics #2019Harvest #Tractor #TherapeuticDaytimeActivities