MP Jo Churchill visits Orchard Barn
On the last Friday of May the sun shone and the birds sang. It was a great day for a VIP visit to Orchard Barn and we were delighted to show MP Jo Churchill the work of over 1600 trainees and volunteers. Jo was with us for an hour and a half during which time we were able to show her the progress we are making constructing our new craft room using local trees in the round.
Jo had a go at using a draw knife to make a peg for use in the new craft room and watched as Calvin debarked an elm log in preparation for use as a roof rafter in the new craft room.
We were able to show Jo some of the benches we've made using green wood. The back of this bench is a piece of Cherry Plum from our orchard.
The visit was attended by parish councillors from four adjacent parishes and thirty volunteers and trainees. It was great way to mark the success of the project and discuss plans to expand the range of traditional and natural building courses we offer. As a reminder of our slow and sustainable building project we gave Jo a snail paperweight (made by OBee Volunteers from slate and hazel).
Thank-you for visiting Jo, it was a pleasure to meet you.
Visitors welcome any Wednesday (other days by prior arrangement), we are SW of Mill Road, Battisford or visit our website www.orchardbarn.org.uk or phone 01473-658193.