Unearthing the Past

One of the young men who attends the Agriculture Project here at Crag House Farm got quite a surprise a couple of months ago, when helping to shift rubble to clear a small area of land. Something which he spotted in with mounds of earth and stones, turned out to be something really special; an almost entire clay pipe. Pipe bowls or stems have sometimes been discovered on the Farm, particularly when ploughing land or repairing drystone walls, but never one in as good a condition as this.

Old clay pipe found by our Agriculture Team.

Having sought advice on cleaning the pipe, (being grateful to have a trustee who was formerly a museum curator), the pipe was carefully handed over to our very own “Repair Shop”, otherwise known as the Art Shop Project here at Caring For Life. They did a wonderful, delicate job of restoring it and the clay pipe now looks magnificent, showing something of the markings of use around the bowl, and clearly showing the spur underneath.

Although we cannot be clear as to the exact age of the clay pipe, it is thrilling to be able to see something which was once used by someone working here at Crag House Farm. It appears to have been a good quality pipe, and someone must have been sorry to realise they had lost it! 

With all the history attached to Crag House Farm, it is unsurprising that we find objects such as this beautiful pipe, occasionally coins, old field drains and even a quern-stone. 

Farming activities have taken place here for centuries, and it is rather wonderful to see how a little piece of history was unearthed by a young man now working on the Agriculture Project here at Caring For Life. Crag House Farm is providing a safe haven and a sense of belonging for so many people, and we thank God for this.

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Changing Seasons

With Caring For Life being based at Crag House Farm, we are always very aware of the changing seasons, whether we notice it in the altered hours of daylight, the fluctuating temperature, or the beautiful signs of the different seasons all around in the natural world. It is a blessing to be able to point out the beauty of creation to those who attend therapeutic projects here at the farm. Some people may be too lost in their own situations to be able to look up at the changing colours of the trees, or to look down at brightly coloured fungi, or the fascinating shells of nuts that have fallen from trees in our fruit and nut woodland zone. 

But as people begin to relax, to enjoy company on the projects and to feel safe here, their eyes are often opened to the beauty of the changing seasons.

We have to be careful to point out that fungi should be admired but not touched!  With the recent first frost of the season, some of the trees on the Farm are displaying beautiful colours, and this can also be a talking point with people attending projects here. Of course, we can always talk about the weather, especially as things seem to alter so quickly from windy and extremely wet weather, to bright, autumnal sunshine! 

Our Being There team making plans for the upcoming season.

The changing seasons also act as a reminder that Christmas is on the way. This may sound premature, but plans have to be drawn up well in advance of Christmas, in order to ensure that everyone supported by Caring For Life is provided for, at what can be a very isolated time for some. Plans are well underway for Christmas celebrations, making up special food hampers, ensuring there is a gift for everyone, and a host of detailed practical arrangements. Our Being There, housing support, team are kept busy with planning, and we are always deeply grateful for gifts and practical help from prayer supporters, our Caring For Life support groups and corporate volunteers. 

Although the seasons change, we are above all truly thankful to God for His unfailing, unchanging faithfulness.

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Food and Much More

As recent web articles show, this time of the year, traditionally “harvest time”, is wonderfully busy for us. Churches, support groups, organisations and schools send harvest gifts to us, with a stream of cars sometimes arriving all at once, to deliver the harvest to us. After sorting the food by category and date, a task undertaken by our Time For Jesus volunteers, staff and volunteers, including corporate volunteer groups, our food stores are replenished, ready for food parcels to be given out to those in need at any time during the year ahead. Members of our Being There (housing support) team make up food parcels for individuals  or families who are experiencing difficult times, due to a whole myriad of factors. Food parcels are made up and then delivered.

But this aspect of Caring For Life’s work is about so much more than giving a food parcel. This is a tremendously practical way of meeting an immediate need. If someone has no income, or drastically reduced income for whatever reason, there is an immediate need for food to sustain life. At Caring For Life we come across situations where people are choosing between heating their home or eating food, and this becomes a dangerous choice when winter sets in. Or we see families in which the parent may be ensuring the child eats, but not eating properly themselves. Not infrequently, we find people with empty cupboards in their kitchen. Some people may have a chronic health problem or be reliant on important medication, and poor nutrition has a very negative impact on their overall physical and mental health. 

At Caring For Life we come across situations where people are choosing between heating their home or eating food.

Thus, meeting the need for food is a wonderful way to provide quick, straightforward help. But delivering a food parcel also provides an opportunity for a gentle chat, some human contact, and the chance to see what other help is needed; what can be done to unravel the causes of “food poverty”.  Regular food parcels may be needed for some time, whilst a person’s financial situation stabilises and issues are sorted out.  Caring For Life is so thankful to be able to provide that regular help when it is needed, and so grateful for the harvest gifts which make this possible, enabling us to provide food.. and so much more .. for those in need. We thank God for the harvest and for the opportunity to share His love in this way.  

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