We are having a second open day for 2010 on Saturday September 18^th 11am-4pm here in the Scottish Borders. There is no charge for entry, but we welcome donations. These are in aid, once again, of Friends of African Nursing. We provide some lunch without charge and invite visitors to bring food to share. We also sell books on the day, along with preserves, plants and anything out the garden produce wise that’s surplus! In this case 50% goes to the charity and 50% is returned to producing more (by covering costs).

Last Open Day was at the peak of the soft fruit season. This one will be peak of the top fruit season. Still lots of practical learning opportunities, and always jobs to be done. Children welcome. No dogs in the garden.

This forest garden is nearly twenty years old since it was planted on a quarter acre of rather uninteresting weeds. Much has changed.

Invitation is by RSVP so we have a good idea of numbers. If you respond we will e-mail you directions. About fifty people came last time (from as far as four hours drive away). Sometimes it’s possible to arrange lift shares for people. It’s also helpful if three or four people can offer to help on the day.

Many thanks

Graham

Scotland Live

Scottish Stock Exchange

In this discussion with the Institute of Economic Affairs, Editorial Director Phillip Boothe discusses the need for a Scottish Stock Exchange.

“Phillip Boothe IEA on BBC Scotland Live August 4th 2010” .

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(Press Play to hear the discussion with IEA Director Phillip Boothe)

A review of my book can be read here:

There are lots of books about permaculture, and many have a slant on gardening, but one that I have found particularly useful recently is The Permaculture Garden, by Graham Bell.

No surer sign of summer than our new call ducks producing their first ducklings. 

This fine lady has just hatched nine.

These are “Call Ducks” and are quite cute, some call them the bath toy duck. They are small, cute and very energetic ducks and here at Garden Cottage as well as the new arrivals, we have 4 Adults, 3 females and 1 male. This is the first hatch of ducklings for our adult ducks.

When sitting on the eggs the Call duck is very protective of their clutch, hiding well in the undergrowth or under objects. So dedicated to their role, that even when a garden strimmer passes within inches of the nesting duck, she doesn’t move an inch.

This is the second clutch of eggs this year, but the first to hatch. The ducklings are kept in a protective run with their mother to prevent predators attacking them during their first days. Predators such as Crows, Cats, Sparrow Hawks, have been noticed to increase after the ducklings arrived on the scene.

The run is secure and has a shelter for mother and ducklings and a small pan of water, enough to allow the ducklings to be introduced to water but not enough for them to drown in should they become water logged.

Human contact during the hatching stage of their development is kept to a minimum as the Ducklings have a strong ability to readily imprint  on the first creature they see that is bigger than them because they know they are the same species as the creature they see upon hatching, this ability makes them follow other species such as dogs or humans.

A Beltane festival occurs on April the 30^th on Calton Hillin Edinburgh but this is to keep it in line with the more modern May Day. In the past the Celtic quarter day Festival was celebrated halfway through May. In Ireland it was celebrated on the 11^th of May, but here in Scotland it was celebrated commonly on the 15^th May.

So we decided to have our own Beltane and celebrated it at the traditional time of year which was fortunate because Beltane was on Saturday 15^th May this year.

A few friends were invited to celebrate with a curry, a fire and some fireworks were set off to end the evening.

It wasn’t the evening of wild abandon as is the case on Carlton hill, but everyone came out around the fire after enjoying a sumptuous meal served by Nancy and Myself and as you can see Everyone enjoyed fuelling the fire.

BBC Parliament Live

Scottish Chamber

of Commerce

In this continuing inquiry, the Finance committee discuss Scotlands Government Budget Strategy:

Garry Clark (Scottish Chamber of Commerce Head of Policy) says that a fundamental re-assessment of public services would be required to address the “unprecedented” financial crisis.

“Garry Clark on BBC Parliament Live – 51 minutes into video” .

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(Press Play to hear the Parliament discussion with Garry Clark)

Scotland at Ten

Scottish Chamber of Commerce

Hear this interview by Sarah Paterson with Ron Hewitt - Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce:

“Discussing the Labour Manifesto“.

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(Press Play to hear Ron Hewitt Sound-bite 1 of the Radio interview)

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(Press Play to hear Ron Hewitt Sound-bite 2 of the Radio interview)

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(Press Play to hear all  of the Radio interview)

In this interview Sarah Paterson speaks to Ron Hewitt (Chief Executive – Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce) John Dickie (Head of Children Poverty Action Group Scotland) and Stephen Boyd (Assistant Secretary of the STUC) about their views on the Labour Manifesto.

Hear this interview by Andrew Black with Garry Clark - Head of Policy for Scottish Chamber of Commerce:

“Discussing the Conservative Manifesto“.

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(Press Play to hear all  of the Radio interview)

In this interview Andrew Black speaks to Garry Clark (Head of Policy - Scottish Chamber of Commerce) Dave Watson (UNISON Policy Spokesman) and Martin Symes (Chief Executive of Scotland Voluntary Organisation) about their views on the Conservative Manifesto.

High Speed Rail Line
Putting forward his proposal for high speed rail, Graham Bell of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said that the time had come to turn the ‘aspiration’ of high speed rail into ‘inspiration’. Focusing on commuting patterns between central Scotland and central London, Bell highlighted that today up to 1 million people commute by either rail or road, while a further 6 million people commute by air.

Not only would high speed rail take 3.5 million people out of airports and save up to £1 billion in time, it would also dramatically reduce carbon emissions. With the costs of building a high speed rail line in Britain expected to be up to £30 billion, Bell suggested that the cost of incorporating Scotland into the wider UK proposal could realistically see costs rise by a further £8 billion over 20 years.
He believed that the onus is on Scotland to ensure that it is included in the construction and development of a high speed rail. Bell also advocated the proposal that the line would split at the border ensuring that that both Edinburgh and Glasgow would be similarly served.

The Dragons were equally enthusiastic, but with some caveats. Minister Stevenson though persuaded was particularly concerned about the costs involved. Scott McIntosh, on the other hand highlighted the fact that a number of studies had been done on the issue of high speed rail in the UK and the question now needed to be asked as to how this would be delivered. High speed rail for McIntosh had to be part of an integrated transport system and while it has the support of both the public and the private sectors he argued that without the involvement of the private sector such a project could not be delivered.

Scott McIntosh	Mike Connelly	Stewart Stevenson	Grant Thomas

Hidden in a small village in Marysville Victoria, southeastern Australia, is a magical world where the sculptor Bruno Torfs has 25 years contributing his work to combine the beauty of art with the beauty of nature around him. Born in South America, at age 15 his family moved to Europe in search of new opportunities.With frequent trips, sometimes alone and sometimes with his wife Marleen, to form the artist’s personality, which is reflected in the form of paintings and sculptures . After years of living like this, Bruno and his family decide to go to Australia to create a garden with sculptures that immediately became a permanent attraction. After finding the ideal site in the small village, it took a further five months preparing the park for opening to the public. Bruno began with just 15 sculptures and today you can find over 150 and he continues to add some from time to time. He has gone to live there with his family in the area of rainforest that he bought to live happily with their creations. Looks very Worthwhile.

Carmichael's Declared Open!

Local shop owner Wasim and his family have invested time and money to ensure the people of Coldstream continue to receive value for money and have a local shop with better facilities.

Carmichael’s closed it’s doors on the 11th of February for 10 days whilst a major refurbishment of the premises took place.

Although the shop opened its doors on Monday 22nd, it was officially opened by local MSP John Lamont (who kindly provided the photographs) with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday 24th Feb.

The opening was attended by local patrons of the shop who were greeted with a buffet and a glass of wine (or 2) to celebrate the fantastic achievement.

Even shoppers who called in to shop during the ceremony were greeted by Wasim, and being a true salesman, he guided them to the buffet or offered them a tray of food or a drink during their visit. He did slip out on occasion though, but only to take plates of food to owners of other local shops who couldn’t attend.

John & Naureen

The conversation was primarily about the new shop, and everyone agreed that the transformation to the Carmichael’s they had known for so long, had not only made the premises look bigger, but the shelving made it easier to reach the products.

However, the conversation was dominated by expressions of how pleasant, hardworking and friendly Wasim, his family and all the staff are.

I wholly agree with this and would also add, what a fantastic chef Naureen is! and live in hope that her meals will soon be seen on the shelves in Carmichael’s.

Many commented on the new chillers, that accommodated a range of soft drinks, beers and wines and all were very happy to see the change to the old shop.

Wasim & Naureen with John Lamont

Wasim and Family moved to Coldstream from Glasgow less than 6 months ago, and have quickly earned a place in the hearts of many Coldstreamers and forged solid friendships. This blog follows on from a previous blog that highlighted the importance of local business during the time Coldstream was cut off by the snow, when the larger corporations like Co-op failed to obtain supplies of milk, fresh bread, fresh fruit & veg and fresh meat, it was the local businesses that came through for us.

I would also like to congratulate G.J Sanderson our local butcher on winning top awards for their Haggis & Black Pudding Pie and their Steak Pie. Out of 83 contestants, our butchers won joint first. Starting off with 100 points they lost only two points, resulting in 98 points for their product.

And this also highlights the commitment our local business’ have to our continued custom. Carmichael’s has not only undergone an expensive refurbishment but a change of supplier to ensure that prices maintain to be competitive and affordable. Our butcher has gone to great expense to ensure their product is proven to be at the top of it’s class.

Our small local businesses do a great deal behind the scenes to attract our attention and favour our custom, I for one have noticed and I am applauding their loyalty to me, a local.

Sean