This was not strictly a fundraising event but we were priveleged to have the new director of Earthworks St Albans, Teresa Gore, come and give us a talk on our chosen charity for the year, in an effort to inspire us before walking the streets with Santa’s float! It was good to hear all about how the charity works and the services it provides as although some of us had helped out at the summer and autumn fairs, others were not really sure what Earthworks was all about.

Their motto is “people of all abilities learning and working together” and they provide people with learning difficulties a unique opportunity to gain practical horticultural skills and the chance to lean about the environment, make friends and gain experience which may lead to employment. The trainees themselves love working there and take part in all decision-making.

The site at Hixberry Lane not only has a large vegetable patch, shade tunnels and polytunnels  but also an orchard, woodland, ornamental and wildlife gardens and they have recentlyconstructed a pond. The site is run as environmentally-friendly as possible, even down to water recycling! The produce (fruit, vegetables and herbs) is all organic and is sold on site and at St Albans Farmer’s market. Trainees also make bug boxes and bird tables.

Earthworks works closely with the local authorities who pay for the trainees placements and they are working towards providing nationally recognised qualifications. Many volunteers work alongside the trainees and paid staff and it has proved such a success there is now a waiting list of volunteers!

St Albans Circle has helped with the various fairs held during the summer selling teas and coffees but next year (2010) these will be combined to one big Autumn Fair, which will be on Sunday 5th September. Looking forward to it!