Our monthly blog keeping you updated on all the goings on at Horsenden Farm. Written by Emma Robertson, friend of the farm and partner of the Brewer.
There is no smoke without fire and April began with a scary blaze in the squatted buildings to the south of Ballot Box Bridge. Eight fire engines and around sixty firefighters were called to the derelict building on the 8th of April and worked hard to bring the flames under control, remaining on site through the evening. Most of the roof and the first floor of the flats were damaged but thankfully nobody was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Understandably, in this context, when Bill the Beekeeper arrived to inspect his bee hives and encountered devastation in his apiary, he thought that perhaps vandals had crept onto the farm site! A very full nucleus (five frame mini-hive) of bees that were ready for transfer into a fresh full-size hive had been tipped over and emptied – bees, brood, stores, and all the hive contents were nowhere to be seen, and several other nucs had also been knocked over. However, checking the site carefully, Bill spotted two large piles of dung that he was able to identify as Badger scat! There were no survivors because hungry badgers happily eat live bees as well as their offspring, wax comb and the honey and pollen they have gathered and stored.
The Horsenden Farm stall at the first Boston Manor Farmers Market was a roaring success and a brilliant opportunity to share the farm with the wider community. We’ll now be at this regular farmers market in the walled garden of Boston Manor Park (Brentford TW8 9JU) on the first Saturday of each month, so do come and find us to say hello. Huge thanks to Faried, Ralph and Stix for manning the stall and making it such a success!
The RHS Wisley Edibles Team were welcomed to the farm this month and given a tour of the various growing spaces. They were hugely impressed by all the work being done by our amazing volunteer community. Following this visit, members of the farm team will be heading to RHS Wisley in May as part of a horticultural exchange — a brilliant connection that grew from Beth and Ewa meeting at the Orchard Summit last year.
On the 12th and 18th of April, Russ hosted two beginner spoon carving days in the woodland workshop that he has spent so much time bringing back into use. He has shared what a joy it was to see everyone get stuck in and said; “Honestly, there are few things more rewarding than helping someone pick up a new skill. That moment when someone realises they can create something they thought was impossible that morning? It’s absolutely brilliant to watch. For me, that never gets old.”
Attendees spend the day focusing on the safe and steady use of traditional hand tools, from carving axes to various specialist knives. Starting with nothing more than a rough piece of locally sourced, freshly felled wood, traditional techniques are used to bring a functional, handcrafted spoon or butter knife to life. The lovely collections of newly carved spoons and butter knives are then tucked away for drying with the attendees who made them – they just need a little time before they’re oiled up and ready for their first use. Keep an eye on our What’s on page for future courses.
In the polytunnel this month, things have been really taking off. Mike and Brian have installed new wires to support vertical growing, while Beth, Megan and Pauline have set up irrigation. The tomatoes are now planted out — so we’re officially on track for a tomato extravaganza this summer! And of course any leftovers will be welcomed by the brewery, who are always keen to make another batch of their tomato gose (a lightly salted fruity beer that pairs particularly well with spicy foods).
There is also a new compost tea station in the compost area, creating nutritious (and free) plant feed from comfrey, nettle and even bindweed to support our veg and flower production. Over in Woodpecker Hollow, the Hugel “Wiggle” is underway — sparking plenty of excitement (and even the occasional dance!). The plan is to plant it up with a range of perennials, including hops for the brewery. The planting of purposeful edible perennials will be continued around the front of the bar, where a new set of rails that has been installed for customers to lean and chat also offers some more growing space. There are plans here for pots of herbs and vining plants that will bring new flavours to beer, soda, and possibly even pizza toppings!
Another exciting development is the newly constructed flower shed — a self-serve space where you’ll be able to pick up weekly bunches and jam jar posies. The colour is still to be decided, but it’s already sparked curious Loaf and Brewery customers to make inquiries and the first Saturday of sales successfully sent many smiling customers away with arms full of gorgeous blooms.
In the farm garden, foxes have been having fun, beds have been dug up leaving growers to wonder whether there are any potatoes left under ground, and someone has been scratching at the edges of the polytunnel… Nets and cages are used to protect crops and fake hawk kites are likely to be put up to prevent pigeons from creating holes in the roof of the polytunnel. On the farm, there is always a balance of needs and a sharing of crops, and much discussion of the invisible leylines that tug us all into precarious compromise.
Coming up in May the gate times change and the farm stays open until 8pm.
- There will be a Horsenden stall at the Boston Manor Farmers Market on the 2nd of May.
- Horsenden’s first Beltane celebrations will be happening on May 3rd, with a beating of the bounds walk, and dancing around the Maypole to welcome the growing season.
- On the evening of Friday 8th there is an open mic event at Perivale Library and naturally Perivale Brewery will be providing the bar…
- EWG butterfly group have planned a survey of green hairstreaks on the hill – Sunday 10th May, meeting at the farm at 12.00.
- The acoustic jam session is usually on the third Saturday of the month but this month has been moved up one weekend to Saturday 9th May, we will continue to host our Perivale Brewery Quiz on the second Sunday of the month (10th May), Board Meeting (board games available) on the third Sunday of the month (17th May), and the Horsenden Open Mic session will be held on the final Saturday of the month (30th May) when there are also plans for a Perivale Party (TBC).
- The Leisure Society return to Horsenden Farm for the final date of their UK tour as a trio on Saturday May 23rd. Tickets available here.
- Horsenden Loaf opening hours; Fridays 11-7 and the burger and beer deal is back! Saturday/Sundays 10-6 when pizza will be available between 12 and 6pm.
- Horsenden Farm Flowers will be available for purchase on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Carving Club: Our very first session kicks off this May.
- More Craft Courses: We’re adding more dates and disciplines very soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
- Perivale Brewery opening hours; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12-8pm, there is a new batch of Beerista on the bar and down at the Dodo Micropub in Hanwell and a collaboration with the Loaf (a dirty Belgian blond and a new pizza topping combo) will be coming soon…
Leave a Reply