The Community Spirit

It makes you realise with the current situation and lock-down, how much we take for granted in the UK, for example that we will always be able to acquire items that we need. When we worked in the Seychelles we got used to items not being available, and I s'pose living on the island of Aride, we kind of expected to have to 'make do and mend'. 

But still it was a challenge when there was no toilet roll available, or DIY items such as paint (only 'muddy peach' emulsion). There was never any milk and milk powder was in short supply, when they ran out of packaging, it took months to get a toilet seat for our long-drop toilet, we had to make our own calendar and mirrors just couldn't be found - the latter interesting for Melv trying to have a shave! 

But in the UK we have come to expect to be able to get what we need when we need it and more to the point very quickly. With the current lock-down, supply of many items has become a challenge and the closing of shops and stores has meant that acquiring products such as compost has been a concern for us, especially as it is so key to our business operation. It was therefore a huge relief that during one our recent deliveries a doorstep conversation with one of our customers led to an act of community spirit.

It was lovely that one act of good will led to another and later that day we had an offer of as much compost as we needed. Andrew Rowlands of Godwins, a local growing media producer and grower called to say he could supply us with compost, both peat free and multi-purpose when we needed it. Although the factory was currently closed to customers, he would be able to ensure that we could collect pallets as needed, as long as social distancing was maintained.

Godwins' peat free compost is a product that we already used and we were very excited that we now had a supply of the material in such difficult times. With the help of Mike Chitty, a Godney villager, and the loan of his trailer there was soon a pallet at our barn door, ready to be off-loaded.

With the assistance of the muck truck our stock supplies were soon replenished, as Melv off loaded the trailer in the bright sunshine.

With plenty of storage room in the barn it was great to get stocked up, giving us both the peace of mind, but also the freedom to pot on and grow as we needed in our attempt to provide continuity of supply for village people - Andrew included - who is now enjoying our living salads!!

Andrew's kindness is certainly going to go a long way to helping our small business' ability to be an important fresh salad and vegetable producer for the local folk of Godney, Panborough and Polsham, and so to fulfil our new ambition to be useful during these unusual times. 

To compliment the compost, Andrew also offered us a large supply of redundant 9cm plant pots, another offer we certainly couldn't refuse.  Again providing us with a better ability to pot on a larger quantity of plants, especially varieties such as courgettes, cucumbers, cabbage and beans. Planting out larger plants into the outside beds helps to ensure their survival and counteract being devoured by pests such as wireworm and cut worms.

They also inspired us to resurrect an old idea of producing potted herbs, such as coriander and red basil. 

These 9cm pots would be perfect for this, providing herbs in pots, which will have a long shelf life and provide people with the opportunity to have the fresh ingredients they need to invigorate and liven up their home cooked cuisine.