Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
St Columba’s Heritage Farmstead is a working community farm. We are always delighted when members of the community wish to join in and help with the remodelling of the farm. We have had many enquires over the last few years from people, asking how they can get involved with the work. In response, we have created community volunteer days so that anyone wishing to get their hands dirty and join in the fun of transforming the farm, can come and get involved.
So every Friday we meet and work together on revolutionising this 23 acre farm from a mono cropped oat and cattle farm, into a thriving hub of sustainability, conservation and proliferation of wildlife, and community life.
What kind of activities you can expect to be involved with?
General work and maintenance is a never ending job here at Chanctonbury and will include all of the below and more.
- Hedge planting
- Preparing fields for grazing
- Cutting back over growth and landscaping and planting wild flowers
- Working in the community garden, planting and harvesting crops
- Tree planting and caring for the Chanctonbury Forest Garden
- Fencing work and repairs
- Ditch repairs and restoration of the water courses
- Bee-keeping (seasonal)
- Working with our flock of rare breed sheep The Wild Ones. Depending on the the time of year we may be lambing, shearing, or rounding up and undertaking general health checks.
Instructions for arriving
When you arrive please park in the Chanctonbury Ring carpark. St Columba’s Farm is less than 500 yards from the carpark. Our days will begin at 10am with prayer, followed by the allocation of the days tasks. Lunch will be in the community garden or Great Barn (depending on weather) at 12.30. We aim to resume for the afternoon at 1.30 and work through till 4pm.
What to Bring.
Please bring sturdy shoes, preferably water proof, work clothes as you will get dirty, a pack lunch and gardening gloves.
Our volunteer days will be great fun, rewarding and help to build that vital sense of community ownership of St Columba’s Farm. You, your family and community are always welcome and thank you for considering volunteering with us. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
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