NEWS
SEnine
Haymaking
By Suzanna Fitzpatrick
Photo by Yuriko Hirai
For
days, we nervously watched always a gamble, as at least a week of Lister hay elevator, a conveyor belt that
the forecast, hoping for dry dry weather is essential. The grass is can lift bales up to the top of the barn.
weather for the big event…no, not cut and turned twice to ensure that it is However, there is still no substitute for
Glastonbury or Wimbledon, but the completely dry before it is baled. If any people power, and a big thank you goes
annual haymaking at Woodlands Farm. moisture remains, there is a risk that the out to the farm’s Project Leader, Hilary
At 89 acres, Woodlands Farm is the bales will spoil and be useless. Mouldy Eastwood, and to all the volunteers who
largest city farm in the UK, and the only hay cannot be fed to livestock, as it can worked so hard. The last of the bales
fully working city farm at which you give them the bloat: trapped wind on were stored just before the weather
can witness seasonal events such as a grand scale, which may sound funny, changed. Here’s hoping the sun returns
lambing and haymaking. We manage but is potentially fatal to ruminant for the second cut!
our fields for the conservation of both animals.
flora and fauna, ensuring biodiversity The hay will be available to buy from
and species-rich meadows. The A rota of volunteers worked around August onwards at £4 a bale, and is of
rotational grazing of sheep and cows the clock to bring in 1,800 bales from exceptional quality, coming as it does
and the haymaking cycle are a vital part the fields and stack them in the barn. from wildflower meadows managed on
of this conservation work. They were helped by the bale grab, organic principles. We are open every
a tractor attachment which can pick day except Christmas Day, 9.30am-
Deciding when to go for the cut is up eight bales at a time, and also by a 4.30pm, and entry
Anne's 100
th
Birthday
Anne Hykin was presented with flowers to celebrate her 100th
Birthday by Chairman of the Eltham Park (A) Guild - North Kent
Federation, Margaret Harrison.
Anne has been a Guild member for over 20 years and still attends
meetings regularly.
Anne takes part in Quiz, Scrabble and Art & Craft sections.
22
Strong People, Strong Families, Strong Community
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