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If you haven’t already visited us here at The Community Farm, overlooking the amazing Chew Valley Lake, then why not try a stroll through The Farm before walking on up to Knowle Hill? On a Saturday you could combine this with a visit to The Farm’s Veg Shed which is open every Saturday, 10am to 2pm. The Veg Shed is run by staff member Sam and sells organic produce grown at The Farm as well as from other local organic growers.
I first heard about The Farm when I came across their stall at The Chew Valley 10K race in 2016. I’ve been going along as a weekday volunteer there ever since. My attention was soon grabbed by the work done there to enhance wildlife, and one of the things I’m involved in is the monthly Bumblebee Count from March to October. The results are sent off to a national database and we’re always looking at ways we can survey other wildlife across The Farm to see if we can do more to improve habitats and increase biodiversity.
The Farm has developed over the years with the expansion of the staff team, more opportunities for regular field and wildlife volunteering, funded therapeutic groups, lots of school visits and there’s even a weekly toddler group, run by Earthwise – it’s such a joy to see the little ones enjoying their mud kitchen and digging stations! Lots of events are now take place on-site, making use of the outdoor shelter, the lovely roundhouse and the yurt. These include Foraging Walks, Owl Prowls, Marmalade Making and The Farm’s fantastic Seasonal Events.
Now, let’s get back to that walk…there’s a permissive path through The Farm from the main entrance gate in Denny Lane. Turn left up the main track, passing the Veg Shed on your right, towards the main warehouse which is a hive of activity during the week with team members busy packing customer veg boxes and wholesale orders. The Farm’s volunteers and wellbeing groups have planted hundreds of spring bulbs along here under the apple trees to attract early pollinators, adding to the snowdrops, pulmonaria and primroses on the bank by the entrance.
Just before the warehouse, turn right up the main track bordered by apple trees and head up towards Knowle Hill which you’ll see in the distance. Four varieties of apple trees are grown along the track here, both for eating and juicing. We had such a fantastic crop this year and volunteers have just spent a few gloriously sunny winter days carrying out essential pruning to ensure they get the best start for a plentiful growing season!
To your right you’ll see the market garden beds where there’s not a great deal to see during the winter months, but cover crops are growing to nourish the soil while it rests, in preparation for the spring and summer crops.
Further off to your right you can see the four polytunnels which are mainly full of salad leaves in Winter, whilst in Summer they’re heaving with masses of tomatoes, chillies, peppers, cucumbers and more. The leeks and brassicas in the field on your left have been harvested, the task finished off by Avon Gleaning Network who distributed the excess to their network of local food banks.
An old hedgerow intersects the track as you pass into the next field. Now’s a good time to look along the hedge and listen out for birdlife. This old hedgerow is a valuable habitat for birds, bees, other insects, and small mammals - you might even catch sight of a sparrowhawk that skims the hedge in search of supper. Often there’s a kestrel hovering overhead and in winter redwing and fieldfares can be seen. The other day green woodpeckers, sounding their characteristic call, were also seen flying across.
You’re now in the Festival Field where Valley Fest is held in August. All the while, unless there’s the famous Chew Valley mist, you’ll get a beautiful view to the south of the lake and the Mendips, while to the north you look towards the Dundry ridge with Bristol beyond.
Carry on through another field until you reach a footpath through the hedge at the base of Knowle Hill. Make sure you remember your binoculars if you have them – up on the very top of the hill where I recently stood and watched a pair of buzzards circling not far above my head. You can then follow the track back to The Farm with a pause to warm up by Sam’s firepit back at the Veg Shed!
This is definitely a walk to do in all seasons, I for one am looking forward to catching those springtime and summertime views!
By Annie Price, Management Committee Member
