Receptionist Steph gives us an insight into her first six months at Bore Place…
I started working at Bore Place at the beginning of September 2016 and so much has happened in that time that I thought it would be good to go on a whistlestop tour of the last few months!
I have met so many different people whilst I’ve been here, and it’s been fascinating to talk to them and find out more about the work that goes on here. It’s been a pleasure to meet the founder of the Commonwork Trust, Jenifer Wates, when she’s been here with the other trustees of the charity.
Keep an eye out on the website and social media over the next few months, as there will be some short films being made about the work of the charity and history of the site. These films are being produced by Justin Ingham – here’s a sneak peak from his first visit here…
Director Caroline Arnold with Commonwork founder and Trustee Jenifer Wates, being filmd outside Bore Place House 2017.
At the beginning of my time at Bore Place, I spent a day with the Grow to Grow team. This was a brilliant experience, and we worked as a team to clear weeds from the vegetable beds, ready for fresh seeds to go in. After this, we enjoyed a well-earned lunch, made with food from the garden, made by one young person – they take it in turns to come up with culinary delights!
It’s also been very exciting to see what the young people from Grow to Grow have produced with the guidance of Chef Sparky. My desk is opposite the kitchen, and I have watched an assortment of chutneys, jams, syrups and marmalades being made (and on occasion, I have been allowed to have a taste!)
Speaking of lovely things in the kitchen, it has been amazing to see some of the dishes that Chef Sparky has created for groups that are staying here! They have enjoyed cheesecake made with Bore Place milk (turned into curd by Blackwoods Cheese Company onsite), veal from the farm and fresh bread.
It was also lovely to see one of the students who had been doing work experience on the farm take home some vegetables from the garden and turn them into this beautiful salad:
I have also had a glimpse into the life of the organic dairy farm – once a week I record the farm admin e.g. when calves are born, milking records and any pregnancy diagnoses. The farm office is above the milking parlour, so I’ve had a bird's eye view of the milking happening. I have also watched one of the young people from Grow to Grow learn about the milking procedure:
It’s been great fun here and I’m looking forward to seeing what else is around the corner! You can also find out what’s happening by visiting the website or social media pages – search Bore Place on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.