Adam has written the piece for this years newsletter. Please read it... It is long, but very lovely. What a fabulous year we have had at the allotments this year at Mudlarks. It is my pleasure to be able to share with you the highlights of 2014 at Mudlarks and beyond. Mudlarks has progressed more than ever this year, and I have enjoyed 3 and a half years working for the best gardening project in the UK. We don’t only have a gardening project now though, as our new exciting Mudlarks Vegetarian Cafe has been open for a few months, and we have some marvellous staff and young people with learning difficulties who are thriving with being given a chance to showcase their talents. I would thoroughly recommend it to any young person for work experience and also to members of the public to try out as customers. By doing this we will continue to spread awareness for people with disabilities and break down social prejudice of people with special needs. Not to mention we also strive to provide home grown vegetables and fruit from the allotment whenever possible. Mudlarks have also been granted permission to own chickens during the last year. This has enabled gardeners and staff to take home fresh eggs as well as their home grown produce. It has given some gardeners a new experience and has been a great opportunity for people who are afraid of animals, like myself, to overcome a fear. Another hugely exciting venture is that we have begun working as groundsmen at Hertford Town Football Club on Mondays, which has been invaluable work experience. It is a very rewarding experience to work there and I have even watched a match there on a Saturday (and they let me in for nothing). Particularly watching that game knowing I’d played a part in maintaining the pitch was an absolute pleasure, to see the work I’d done make a difference to other people. After all, that is what Mudlarks is about, and on the allotments the team spirit is better than ever, benefitted by the brilliant weather we have had in 2014. We have been very fortunate to have some plants still producing way into November. It’s safe to say the gardeners have definitely made the most of the fantastic weather conditions and most of them have had amazing crops which is as much down to everyone’s hard work as it is to the weather. The sight of colourful flowers, trees, fruit and vegetables has been a sight to treasure and behold this year, and that doesn’t happen without lots of hard work. Larking About is also going great guns at the moment with the brilliant work carried out by Colin and the team at Holy Trinity church in Bengeo, St Leonards church in Bengeo, Hertford castle grounds and of course to paying customers. Colin is definitely worthy of a bit of praise for all of his patience with gardeners but also for carrying out fabulous work wherever he is. Finally, I had the opportunity to be a volunteer a couple of weeks ago which was very enjoyable, so thanks to Vic for giving me the chance, and all the staff that supported me. Mudlarks have continued to support their gardeners to the highest standard, and the support they have given me is priceless. I won the Capel Manor Full Time student of the year trophy for 2014 and Mudlarks deserves a huge amount of credit for helping me succeed to such an extent. Without them, life wouldn’t be as great now, and I wouldn’t have gone to Capel Manor. Mudlarks has definitely made me as a person and I thank all the staff, volunteers and fellow gardeners for all their support, fun and fantastic memories. I would also like to thank Mudlarks’ friends for their continued support of Mudlarks and to ask them to continue supporting us as the exciting Mudlarks teams steams ahead into 2015. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! Adam Lynch Mudlarks Gardener
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 21:17:11 +0000
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