A job done properly is a job well done?

During the winter months at the Centre, all is quiet and groups are not to be seen, just us folk who work the weekday shifts. Everyone is catching up on things they need to get done, and things slowly tick by. For me though, the deadline loomed, 5 weeks till the first group arrived on site, and I had a to do list of maintenance for the building as long as a novel (slight exaggeration) (it really wasn't an exaggeration ~Nathan).

As you may have gather from Nathan’s last blog post, I have spent the last 4-5weeks carrying out most of the maintenance on the building… from changing light bulbs to fixing door handles to poly-filling… and trust me, there was absolutely loads of that, the list was endless. Jan has deep - and I mean deep - cleaned everywhere, the place was spotless. The amount of painting she has done is surely not good for anyone, and could possibly turn the majority of us insane (though she did get some help from the rest of the staff in places, especially as time started to run out).

Now after a month and a bit of running round like a loon I can look back at all my effort and say that I'm pleased with what I have done. The building looks great, possibly the best I've seen it, and for now, everything works. Group are starting to come and go more regularly, and as the hustle and bustle of groups increases another deadline draws nearer.

The deadline that is the beginning of school season. In a little under 2 months my role of maintenance and outdoors worker will change to being one of the sites educational rangers/leaders. Nathan and myself will start leading groups and schools on activity sessions, with the help of Chris, who will be returning to the ranks to help with the chaos.

I love my job, and the majority of the things that I do (filling holes in dormitory walls is now not one of them), but I have to admit my favourite part of my job is school season. In no other job I have done do I get to have as much fun as I do here during the school groups. From the moment groups arrive to the time they leave it all great fun, whether its archery, shelter building or just a walk round the woods. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all hard work and the amount of hours you work a day increases. I’ve found myself still on site at 9pm or later, but it’s all worth it, and with out a doubt the amount of effort you put it shows with 1) how much the group/kids enjoy their visit, and 2) how much I enjoy their visit.

So, a job done properly is a job well done?

I would like to think so, or at the very least if you can say you have enjoyed it, you’re halfway there.

Robert Hooker

Maintenance Extraordinaire and Educational ‘Super’ Ranger.

Many thanks to Rob for his 'guest' post. Hopefully Andy will soon add his post, if I can cajole him into posting one... Andy is an A Rocha Intern, and our Environmental Officer. ~Nathan

Well, someone had to do something...

After our busier summer period, during which there are always groups on site, the winter and early spring bring a break from those hectic warmer months.

The slower season around Christmas allows our staff members a much needed cooling down period and a chance to catch up on any jobs that couldn’t be completed due to the constant stream of happy guests using our accommodation. For instance, Rob seems to have spent a solid month filling holes in the dormitories with pol

yfilla and Jan is almost definitely sick of the sight of Magnolia paint. There is something more boring than watching paint dry, and it’s painting the same colour for 2 weeks straight. The result of all this hard work, though, is definitely worth it, as the Centre is looking almost as good as it did when the new buildings were opened in 2008.

We have been fortunate enough to have been donated more trees from two separate organisations. The Tree Council have given us 15 apple and pear trees to start an orchard on site, which will hopefully start providing us with apples this coming autumn. We have also been given 420 trees from the Woodland Trust. These trees are of various different varieties like Hazel, Crab Apple and Elder. They will provide us with even more harvestable fruits in the autumn. The Woodland Trust have also given us an Oak, grown with seed taken from a Royal estate to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

We were joined by yet more piglets, with 8 arriving with a bang on Bonfire Night. Our very first pig, Nessa, was the mother and Rodney (who has now sired 15 piglets) was the father. These piglets have already moved on to greener pastures, having been adopted by Andy and Carol who have a farm in the Swansea Valleys. They are very happy in their new home, and are apparently trying to eat Andy and Carol out of house and home. Rodney went with his children to their new home and is also settling in well. This leaves us with our original two pigs; Nessa and Peppa, who are enjoying a bit of peace and quiet.

Breaking News!

The week after Rodney and the piglets were collected Peppa gave birth to even more piglets. At the time of writing all 8 piglets are doing well and are preparing to start eating their own weight everyday in pig-nuts. This latest litter of piglets takes Rodney’s total of children to 24!

The work on our poly-tunnels is nearing completion, with growing in the smaller of the two having started. The larger poly-tunnel is well on the way as well and we look forward to sampling the home-grown (is that the right word?) fruit and vegetables it will produce when finally finished. The main aim for the larger poly-tunnel is to allow school groups who visit us during the spring and summer to be able to take part in the harvesting of crops, which we can now start growing earlier in the year. Both poly-tunnels had a visit from a herd of cows, who helped fertilise the ground, which was nice of them. We aim to grow various unusual plants and vegetables like yin-yang beans, white aubergine and purple carrots.

To dig some fantastically straight trenches for the poly-tunnel we hired a lovely mini-digger. This was basically an excuse to use the following picture of a very happy Rob in the digger. Rob would like to make it clear that he did actually use the digger, and didn’t just sit in it.

Events:

2nd Sunday of every month: Eco Tribe: 3-5pm

We have been running a new Sunday afternoon youth group at the St Madoc Centre since last summer. The group is for children and young adults and is called ‘Eco tribe’. The group is a mixture of wildlife and outdoor activities, as well as fun and games. Over the last few months we have been pond dipping, star gazing, tree planting, snake hunting and eating toasted marshmallows over a bonfire. Eco Tribe runs on the second Sunday of every month. If you or anyone you know is interested in coming along get in contact with the centre.

Last Sunday of ever month: Archery Club: 3-4pm

The Drawforce Archery club meets in the sportshall at 3pm on the last Sunday of every month. Suitable for children and adults. The first session is free. Ring us for more details!

26-30th March: Reflections on God’s Creation - residential week £160

Take time out before Easter at St Madoc’s. Have time to wonder, wander and walk. Enjoy a programme of relaxed, optional activities with plenty of time to reflect, surrounded by God’s wonderful creation. See 27th below for day visitors too. See website to book, or give us a ring for details.

27th March: Reflections – focus on Caring for God’s Creation

Discover more about the work A Rocha and St Madoc Centre do to look after the environment. Hear inspiring talks and take part in walks and discussions. This is part of the Reflections residential week and is open to day visitors. Please book in advance. Chat to Sarah for further information. sarah@stmadoc.co.uk

19th May: Dawn Chorus Walk: 5:30am

An early morning walk led by A Rocha Intern Sarah to take in the musical dawn chorus. The walk will culminate in bacon butties and a brew at St Madoc Centre. Cost: £5 or £10 for a family. Please book in advance, sorry, no dogs.

June 6th: Arts and Crafts Fair

An exhibition of locally produced art and craft work.

11 August Bat discovery night 8.15pm

Join us for a walk around our grounds to spot some of our many species of bats! We’ll have bat detectors to use and our guide will be Rob Colley from West Glamorgan Bat Group. Please book in advance: sarah@stmadoc.co.uk

14th October: Apple Day: 1pm-5pm

Come along and help us celebrate the humble apple! Take part in appley activities eg juicing, apple games, and appley things to eat. With thanks to our Eco-tribe

volunteers

1st December: Carols and Crafts for Christmas

Our annual Carols and Craft event will be on the 1st of December this year. With live music, hot food and free mince pies. The event will be on from 10am-4pm and entry is free.

Volunteer at the St Madoc Centre:

We are always very happy to work with volunteers, no matter their age, skill or ability levels. If you are interested in volunteering at St Madoc Centre at any time please let us know. We do also hold Volunteer Days: 15th of February, 6th of June and 31st of October. Please book in advance. Sessions usually last from 10am-4pm.

If you are interested in volunteering at the St Madoc Centre, or would like more information about any of the events listed in this newsletter please contact us using the details found below.