KNOWBURY WI press report for January.

President, Carol Hardy, welcomed 22 members to the first meeting of 2016.

Final arrangements were made for the annual dinner which this year is to be held at The Three Horseshoes at Wheathill and a presentation and workshop using pearls as jewellery is planned for this year's craft bursary to be held in February.

Annie Felix has put together an exciting programme of speakers and demonstrators starting with January's speaker Stuart Toulson who is the manager of Oak Farm.

Oak Farm, in the picturesque village of Ditton Priors, is a working farm which is a service centre for adults with learning disabilities. It is a 30 acre smallholding run on organic principles, producing high quality vegetables and fruit, some of which is made into jams and chutneys on site. It also has livestock, including sheep, pigs, alpacas, rabbits and a pony, as well as a flock of 150 free-range laying hens.

Stuart, his colleagues and the local volunteers have provided training and an inclusive environment for the service users for the last 25 years and have sort to foster a spirit of integration within the local community. Recently, Shropshire Council have given the farm to the Ditton Priors Community Land Trust.

Stuart gave an inspirational and thoroughly entertaining insight into his experiences working along side the men and women who use the centre.

For further information on Oak Farm, volunteering or becoming a member of Oak Farm Friends Association (OFFA) see oak-hill-farm.org.