Dog FriendlySpring is definitely in the air! The lambs are all around us, the farmers are all busy lambing and the local talk is all sheep-related. The catkins are bursting forth, primroses and snowdrops are out and the wild daffodils are pushing up. It’s uplifting to have such harbingers of Spring showing themselves after a prolonged period of wet and windy weather. Even the farmers are saying that the rain has been unprecedented, so we feel reassured and hope for much drier conditions very soon.
We had some exciting news last week – the land at Kerswell Farm has been designated a County Wildlife Site. CWS make up nearly 30,000 hectares, approximately 4% of Devon and have been designated due to the presence of particular habitats and species such as traditionally managed species-rich lowland meadows, upland oak woodlands, lowland fens and mires such as the culm grassland found here at Kerswell Farm. We’re in the process of applying for some grants to help with the restoration of our large rush field to a more biodiverse habitat, so this recent designation should help with that.
Adrian has started work on Kerswell Barn – fresh white cottage windows will be going in very soon, the sparkly new bathroom is waiting to be installed and we will be choosing a new kitchen, furniture and fabrics in the coming weeks. The feedback and comments we have had on The Old Piggery have been so positive, we now know what works best and will replicate in Kerswell Barn the very high standards that have made The Old Piggery so special. Realistically, as there is a lot of work to be done, we aim to have it ready for guests in July. More news as we make progress…