Tuesday 15 June 2010

The Apricot Centre

Yesterday morning I paid a visit to the Apricot Centre. Marina O'Connell who owns and runs the place gave me a tour of her 4 acre property. A house and garden at the front, an orchard in the middle, and woods at the back: it is a truly beautiful place. The centre is located about 2.5 miles from the Manningtree Station in Lawford down a road called Hungerdown Lane which is dotted with houses and small agricultural plots.

The Apricot Centre practices organic, permaculture and biodynamic principles. The garden is about 10 years old. Marina started planting windbreaks (made of hazel and elder hedges) 10 years ago and planted the fruit trees the next year. Not only do they grow, make and sell, they also teach. Marina puts on courses which are open to the public.

It was a beautiful morning visit to a beautiful place. They were collecting elder flowers to make elderflower cordial. I'm headed back Thursday to do some work! Hope to put in at least a day of volunteering a week, maybe two. We'll see how it goes.

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