Staffordshire Smallholders' Association
Staffordshire Smallholders' Association aims to improve the knowledge and skills of those interested in small scale farming and the countryside.
The committee continue to work behind the scenes to plan a programme.
The Committee are now finalising the 2023 - 24 programme and some dates and venues are still to be confirmed.
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September sees us visiting Woodhouse Farm and Gardens for a tour of the walled garden and our AGM.
Date: Saturday 16 September meeting at the venue at 2.30pm.
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Further dates are awaiting confirmation but we hope to include a session on Foraging in October.
In November we plan to visit a local woodland to find out about Horse Logging.
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Our annual Christmas Social on 9 December is an event not to be missed. We will be back at Brocton Village Hall for fun, games and a shared lunch. More details soon. Christmas hats and jumpers encouraged!
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In January we are planning a talk from a local plant nursery, while February we will have a practical session on Hedge Laying. We did this a few years ago and some members put their new skills to good use sorting out their own hedges, or those of friends and family. It is great fun too.
In April we will be travelling to Longdon Village Hall, near Rugeley, for a session on Tree Grafting. Again we haven't covered this for a few years and with lots of new members we feel it is time to revisit. Last time most members had good success with their fruit trees grafted onto dwarf root stock.
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In April we will welcome members of the Stafford Knot Spinners for a session From Fleece to Fibre, looking at the different processes involved in spinning yarn for knitting or weaving. This will be back at Brocton Village Hall. Come prepared to try it for yourselves.
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For May we are trying to arrange a talk, or a visit, to hear all about bats.
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June will see us testing our butterfly knowledge and identification skills at the Butterfly Art Trail at Tean Valley Meadow Nature Trust near Uttoxeter, while finding out why they are so important to our environment.
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We will celebrate summer in July with a Summer Social Garden Party. Venue tbd.
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The above meetings are subject to confirmation and dates and venues will be confirmed as soon as possible. For more information contact Peter - details on the Contacts page.
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Most meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month and take place at Brocton Village Hall, unless otherwise stated. Please arrive for a prompt start at 11am.
Where dates are not yet confirmed, these will be added as soon as possible
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All ideas for future topics or speakers are very welcome.
*Contact Peter Hannant - his details are on the Contacts page.
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MEET THE TEAM
Alan Markwell
Chairman
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Alan was confirmed as our Chairman at the AGM in 2021, having been doing the role on a temporary basis.
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Peter Hannant
Secretary
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Peter excels in the role of Secretary - organising meetings, speakers and keeping everyone informed.
If you have a query about the Association, Peter is your first point of contact; his details can be found on the Contacts page.
Helen Hannant
Treasurer
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Helen keeps a tight control of our finances which means that we can offer a wide variety of talks and trips for just £20 pa for a family membership.
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Helen also organises a raffle at meetings to boost the funds. Donations of suitable items for the raffle are much appreciated.