Hadlow Fields
Campsite & Activity Centre
As we turn the year in to September the trees of Hadlow are starting their colourful autumn display but it is the fruit trees that have been laden with apples, pears and damsons that have been the focus of our small team of socially distant volunteers. In the last couple of weeks fruit has been picked; preserved and pressed in to jam, chutney; juices or is currently soaking in spirit! December may seem some way off but our now famous Damson Gin and Port; an assortment of jams and chutney and a few other treats will be available to buy in early December as the prefect Christmas presents.
If you are visiting Hadlow for the shop it’s the prefect time to also purchase our new badges for anyone who completed our Toadstool Tales Challenge (£1) or has been on a Virtual Camp 2020 (£1.50) – don’t forget all the resources to run your own virtual camp on an international guiding theme are available until the end of the year under the Activity tab of Hadlow’s website.
If you do visit the shop, you may also spot one of the projects we have been working on over the summer which is the re-instatement of the white gate at the bottom of our driveway. The gate has been extensively repaired, treated for rust and is being repainted before being returned to new gate posts.
The finishing touches are now going in to Orchard Shelter following the installation of the clear glazing and new sink unit earlier in the year. We have added a new notice board and white board along with neckerchief bunting – so once you’re able to visit, take a look and see how many of the neckers from camps or World Centres you recognise.
We are continuing to work to finish the outdoor cooking area and classroom but essential materials have been in short supply for months now but we hopeful that work can progress later in September.
Although girls and leaders may have been largely absent from Hadlow this year the wildlife has certainly made the most of our absence. Our Woodpecker and Buzzard families have both grown in number; the hares and rabbits are making the most of wide open space while avoid the watchful eye of the buzzards! Our squirrels and mice are busy gathering in the hazel nuts for winter and our amphibians are seeking out their winter homes.
We look forward to welcoming girls and leader back to the outdoor spaces of Hadlow once we are confident that the site and its facilities can operatively safely for all.
