1st March 2009

1st March 2009.

Dear All,

It was good to see nearly everyone last weekend at Mautby, congratulations to Esther, Rosie and Mary-Ann for organising the event, activities and food and everyone else for joining in. We left at 9.30 am on Monday but detoured to Caistor to view the Roman remains. We were back in Over by 11.30 am and Jackie stayed for lunch before departing for deepest Derby.

Lower Wood Farm, Mautby

Roman Caistor

Smiley faces

We had a church outing to the 10-pin bowling rink at St Neots that night. 37 turned up for a meal and most stayed to bowl. I would tell you that I got joint top score – but that would be immodest!
At work we had a visit from another group promoting the use of zeolite as a soil additive to improve texture and for controlled fertilizer release. It is used at present for recovering heavily polluted soils and they wish to demonstrate its usefulness in normal agriculture.
I started sowing seeds in the greenhouse this week and cut the lawns for the first time yesterday.
On Thursday we studied “People, life and the Antarctic Treaty” in U3A then I had to travel to London for the “Grower of the Year” awards dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Hyde Park. I had been asked to present one of the trophies for “Science into Practice”. It was just like the Oscars: nominations listed on the screen, a drum roll then open the envelope – “the winner is…” The MC was John Inverdale of BBC sports fame and he did a good job despite laughing when my job description was read out as “Vegetable Consultant” The ticket for the meal was £160 + VAT (I was not paying) and as the cheapest room was £160 as well I decided not to stay and eventually arrived home at 1 am.


John Inverdale

We had an emergency meeting on the Village Green on Friday because the Parish Council have decided to drain the field 2 weeks before the beginning of the cricket season.
On Saturday I had the honour of accompanying my wife to the curtain shop to pick up material ordered by Esther and choose some for the dining room. Kate then cooked a meal for 30 for the annual area church officers gathering.
I watched Over beat the top of the table Littleport 2 v 1 yesterday. A lively encounter with the opposition ending with 9 men.
I have spent time this week preparing for Moldova, gathering seed and gifts and talks. We should be flying out on Thursday until the 14th so no letter next week.

Love

Mike & Kate