If you want to see the notes from previous meetings click here.
If you have an idea for an event, please let Karen know.
Sunday 17th May
10.45am meet (prompt 11am start) - 3pm aprox
Orchard Farm Visit/Tour and Picnic - Mothecombe, PL8 1LB
This DASH event is only open to members.
Whilst booking isn't required it would be helpful to have an idea of numbers, so please email Karen on -
training@devonsmallholders.co.uk
if you know you plan to attend.
All welcome - especially children!
Meet 10.45 ready for tour to depart at 11am
Please ensure you arrive on time as it will be difficult to find the group once the tour starts! Feel free to leave earlier if you need/wish.
Joe and Jess have kindly offered to host a DASH visit. They run the 34 acre farm alongside their NHS roles. The farm is managed regeneratively to boost biodiversity and they run flocks of Coloured Ryeland, Poll Dorset and Dutch Spotted Sheep, producing wool and meat. Since taking over the farm in 2022, they have embarked on a long project of restoration, including wetlands and wildflower meadows. They have also planted heritage orchards and over 5,000 trees. They hold open days and welcome schools and home education groups as well as the general public, to explore the farm.
We will start the tour at 11am, with a 3-4 hour farm walk, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way round (on the beach) at about 12.30/1pm. The tour will finish about 3pm.
Please bring your picnic in a rucksack (or similar) as this will be easier to carry on the walk.
The farm tours typically cover their paddock grazing strategy, wildflower meadow restoration, agroforestry, herbal leys, permanent pastures, wildlife margins, supplementary bird feeding and nesting boxes (including Ospreys), lambing insights. Jessica will also be happy to discuss her cut flower garden. They can also talk about their experience with the ELMS schemes, including sustainable farming incentive, farming and protected landscapes, stewardships, capital grant schemes and educational programmes.
Being new-entrant farmers, they are both also keen to learn themselves from any visitors they have!
Thursday 30th July
Launceston Agricultural Show (NOT a DASH event)
Look out for the DASH stand at Launceston Agricultural Show. www.launcestonshow.co.uk
Thursday 6th August
Honiton Show (NOT a DASH event)
Look out for the DASH stand at Honiton Show. honitonshow.co.uk
Thursday 13th August
Okehampton Show (NOT a DASH event)
Look out for the DASH stand at Okehampton Show. www.okehamptonshow.co.uk
Thursday 20th August
2.30pm or meet in the Springer Spaniel from 12
Tamar Organic Seeds - Tour/Talk
This DASH event is only open to members.
Tamar Organics have kindly agreed to give us a tour of their site and talk/demonstrate to us about seed collection.
Seeds will also be available for sale should anyone wish to purchase some.
https://tamarorganics.co.uk/
Tamar Organics started as a small organic market garden in 1994. They have been registered as producers with the soil association since that time and added their processor license in 2000, when they became one of the first UK companies to offer organic seeds. All their vegetable, herb and flower seeds are organic as are their onions, shallots, garlic, seed potatoes and plant material that they sell. They do not support the development of genetically modified seeds and none of their seeds are GMs.
The tour will start at Tamar Organics at 2.30pm and should last no more than approx 2 hrs.
For those that wish, we will meet at The Springer Spaniel pub from 12 for lunch. The pub is sited opposite the turning to Rezare on the main Launceston/Callington road (A388)
There is no charge for the visit but please advise if you wish to attend the pub/visit by emailing training@devonsmallholders.co.uk
Children U18 welcome - if accompanied by an adult(s)
Tamar Organics, Carthamartha Farm, Rezare, Launceston, PL15 9NX
The postcode will take you to the site - it is at the end of a narrow, single track lane.
Saturday 12th September
40th Birthday Party for DASH
This DASH event is only open to members.
SAVE THE DATE!
Hatherleigh Community Centre - Bowling Green Lane - EX20 3HB
Details to be confirmed - a chance to get together and celebrate 40 years of DASH!
Friday 18th September
2pm
Shooting competition
This DASH event is only open to members.
Following on from our successful event last year, our shooting competition is returning!
Whether you are a top shot or never held an air rifle or air pistol before, come and join us for our second DASH Shooting Competition.
There will be prizes for the highest scores, and of course a trophy!!
Refreshments and all equipment will be provided.
Instructors will be available to help you get on target and then you can shoot a competition card on both the air rifle and air pistol ranges.
Venue : Bideford Target Shooting Club, Melbury Ranges, Bradworthy Road, Parkham, Bideford, EX39 5EP /// colonies.slept.overlaps
Time: 2pm
Cost : £20pp
Places are limited - please email: training@devonsmallholders.co.uk to book