As lockdown and Coronavirus hit the UK one of our last tasks we did was to plant trees along a fence border of Dedham Therapy farm. Circumstances dictated that we could not come back and admire our work until now but it was worth the wait. The trees are doing well, and in a similar way to when we see the flowers around Colchester from Colchester in Bloom, there is a sense of pride and satisfaction.

We were met by Katie who gave Ian and Vanessa the list of jobs and ensured all of the COVID-19 precautions were known and adhered to.

Our tasks included weeding a delightful plot and spreading manure ready for a new crop or bloom to flourish...one of the residents commented “cockadoodle-do-do” which nicely summed up the efforts made.

Additionally, there were plenty of nettles in the paddocks which needed to be removed and the Shetland Pony seemed pleased about that when he discovered the fresh grass hidden underneath the clearings!

I was stationed with Detti and we were amused by the 3 billy goats gruff. The smallest one had the largest horns and a deep bleet and the tallest goat had a high pitched bleet not befitting her stature!

Although the animals were more interested in there brunch than us, I am sure they appreciated having a few less weeds and nettles. And the clients of the farm will hopefully be able to spend some quality time with them as a result.

Never have we had such fun shovelling and wheelbarrowing poop!

Big thanks to Megan and Katie and the other volunteers who helped us with our questions!