My Greener Home

This autumn, I’m delighted to be launching a new range of fascinating courses which give you the opportunity to learn more about rural and country skills. They are all run by experts in their field with years of practical experience to pass on. The courses are all tremendously inspiring and social events - a great way to meet like minded people. Wherever possible, there is a fantastic healthy lunch made using home grown organic ingredients. All the courses are held at Assington Mill, Suffolk, with farmhouses dating from the 17th century and even its own owl observation tower which was built on a previous course.

•  If you’ve ever fancied keeping some bees on your land, then Beekeeping for Beginners is a must for you. On the day, you’ll learn all about their care, and the type of equipment you’ll need to get started. You will see beehives up close, but they won’t have their usual inhabitants in them. 
• Anyone who has ever wanted to keep chickens should sign up now for Hen Keeping In Your Garden. You’ll get a wealth of information about caring for chickens at home, and on this course, there will be hens to hold and stroke. 
• Smallholders will love the Pig-Keeping Introduction course, again, plenty of practical advice from a seasoned expert (and the most delightful squealing piglets to hold if that’s your idea of heaven).
• Then there’s Sheep for Smallholders, with comprehensive information on keeping sheep and lambs, including handling techniques. 
• Anyone who has ever owned a chainsaw will tell you although they might well come with instructions, some real life advice never goes amiss. Our Chain-sawing for Amateurs day might as well be called ‘everything you wanted to know but didn’t know where to ask’. The expert tutor covers maintenance and keeping your chain saw sharpened plus of course and safety techniques and equipment. 
• The Coppicing Traditional Woodland Management course allows you to learn all about this art hands on, coppicing in nearby woodland. You’ll also gain the theory of just why it’s so beneficial for trees and wildlife, as well as producing materials for crafts and your home fireplace.