15th September 2024
Dear All,
Our
Harvest Thanksgiving continued on Sunday when our morning service was led by
Richard Blackhurst an Onion farmer from near Ramsey. In the evening, I led and
produced a 2024 Harvest Report. The Wheat acreage was down by 9% and the yields
down by 8% per acre, Oilseed Rape was down by 21% and the yields by 7%. Spring
Barley and Oats increased in area but yields were still below average – are you
depressed yet? The Government Sustainable Farm Incentive (SFI) has taken
500,000 acres out of cropping in favour of flower meadows with additional land
being taken for housing and solar energy. The UK already imports 40% of its
food costing £28bn.
Harvest Decoration
After
swimming on Monday, we packed up the electric fence at the allotment. It has
been a success as long as you do not work out how much Sweet Corn you could buy
for the cost of the fence!
On
Tuesday I sowed 11 sorts of Chinese vegetables for winter greens from seed
given by Esther last birthday. Later we met up with some ex-NIAB colleagues at
Girton Golf course for lunch and discussion of various ailments!
I
joined a couple of walking colleagues for a trip to Chelmsford on Wednesday to
watch Essex v Nottinghamshire. Bad light and rain shortened the day but Essex
still had time to dismiss them for 93 and enforce the follow on.
Chelmsford –
Threatening Clouds
Kate
and I were leading the walk on Thursday. It was a familiar route starting at
Conington then circling via Boxworth, Knapwell Woods and Elsworth. It was cool
but dry so good walking conditions.
Interested
Spectators
Boxworth New Barn
Boxworth Old
Vicarage
Boxworth Thatched
Terrace
Thursday
was Albert’s 9th Birthday and his request was a Trampoline for a
present.
Hove Trampoline
Jn
the evening we had a spectacular thunder and hail storm leaving a carpet of
hail stones some of which were still present in the morning. Needless to say,
there was considerable damage to tender plants.
Hail Front
Hail Back
On
Friday Kate and I were invited to Wimpole Hall where three of our walking group
volunteer in the Walled Garden. I have helped them with choosing vegetable
varieties. On Fridays they have a “Chilli Talk” as they growing a large selection
of Peppers.
Walled Garden
Pumpkins &
Squash
Chilli Basket of
Fire
Regards
Mike
& Kate
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