Transition Town Dorchester has been out with their scythes, slicing through the lush grass and dock of the new farm – someone commented, 'it's only like a big garden, compared with the old farm' so that makes us feel a bit better, as we survey what seems like acres and acres of greenery gently waving in the breeze.

We have acquired some posts from a building site. They are beautiful but very long, thick and very heavy. Two of us manoeuvred them into a car, two posts per journey. One of us still has a bad back... We then summoned three big teenagers who heaved them onto the farm site. They are still where they were dropped until we find another collection of teenagers (or similar) to position them for the raised beds. In the meantime, we have begun cutting turfs where the raised beds will be. The next massive task will be to barrow earth from the old farm to the new. But the farm is lovely in the sun, the apple blossom is coming out, the hedges that we have planted bursting into bud, and it feels a good place to be.

It has finally been warm enough to check the bees. As we suspected, we have lost four colonies, and are left with three. We knew the small ones wouldn't survive, and in hindsight, we should have put the two small colonies together for the winter. But two large ones also didn't make it. We are now cleaning the empty hives and placing them temptingly in case a passing swarm identifies them as a suitable future abode.

If you would like to join us for our weekend workdays at our community spaces, email info@transitiontowndorchester.org

KATE FORRESTER

TRANSITION TOWN DORCHESTER