What's On - Courses for Horses

2010 Transition Harvest Training Event. This year we are aiming for Saturday 4th September starting at 10.00am BUT regretfully only by combine. We have been defeated by last week's weather and the crop is now flat and is virtually imposiblle to harvest by binder - whether horse or tractor. We sincerely apologise for this bit it is out of our hands. However we have been asked to arrange transition autumn cultivations with horsepower at the "One Planet Food Project" based at Occombe Farm at Preston near Marldon, Devon by kind permission of Emily Vevers. This is the arly stages of arrangement so watch this space for confirmation. Please call Victor on 07855 187769 for updates as to the precise day (please do not leave messages or send text to this number; messages may be left on 01872 580888). We apologise for any inconvenience, but we are highly dependent on the weather! All are welcome to come to this training event. Meet at the field sign posted from Gerrans Village Church. There will be a £5 collection per person, please, for this charitable work.

More information about the 2010 transition harvest training event:

Organic oats heritage harvest! Victor gets his oats!

In early August , weather permitting, Victor and the enthusiastic team from CHP (TRAINING) (www cornishhorsepower.co.uk) will harvest Treloan’s crop of organically grown oats, by Shire Horses. Ponies also working on site. For details, call 01872 580888 or 07855187769 (no messages or texts please). Please use the landline.

This will be cut by binder and stooked to dry out prior to carrying home by horse wagon and pony cart, some two or three weeks later. At this time it will be carefully ricked for the drying process, ready for steam threshing in mid October. Then we can safely say "The Harvest is Home". Following this will be the usual workers Harvest Supper in the barn.

Simultaneously the Shires and ponies will be giving additional working demonstrations, alongside the harvesting programme, which will be the first shop window and ‘Taster’ to demonstrate the format of our CHP practical, in field, training programme due to start this September in preparation for the certificated course in 2010, by Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Cornwall. See their press release below.

This course is part of our small scale farming and organic food production calendar which includes:

• Spring sowing festival
• Harvesting festival
• Steam threshing festival
• Winter working

Photos of activities throughout the working year can be viewed on our picture gallery.

Organic Small Scale Farming - a UK farmer writes

Progressio - people powered development

National Transition Network

Justice and Peace network

Exeter University

Duchy College

Think YOU could handle a team at work?

Come and learn about the Transition Movement to the ultimate ‘LOW OR NIL CARBON FOOTPRINT’ food production, on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula Coast.

This promises to be a spectacular event and will be amply aided by six or more Shire horses and ponies. Not a tractor in sight! The farm is a very special one that has always been organic and used traditional farming practises and machinery. 

The Horses will be present for the mums and children to get to know and delight all. Refreshments will be on hand for the peckish.

Make it a day out.

To help with the costs of this charitable event an entrance charge of £5 a head or £15 per family will be collected.

The event is being held to make people aware of the unique training courses, finally ready to take place this autumn, after years of hard work by all involved. This includes work over the six months of winter 08/09 with LANTRA, the government training body for all land based industries, at Stoneleigh Agricultural Showground, Coventry, putting the needs of ‘the Farm Working Horse and Pony’ into 12 new modules to be incorporated into the QCF programme.

PRESS RELEASE –WORKING HORSES - 24TH April 2009

Quote from Andrew Counsell, Principal, Duchy College, Cornwall

“I think it is absolutely excellent that those involved with traditional working horses are looking to develop qualifications in this area. The strength of the working horse community in Cornwall is exceptional and it is really pleasing that those with the skills involved are using them to allow younger people to learn and develop these traditional skills. As part of a national scheme, led by LANTRA, the Sector Skills Council we should be able to protect these dying skills and engage young people. 

Having been involved with this group for a number of years, there is tremendous enthusiasm and desire to pass on knowledge and skills.

The event held recently at Portscatho was well attended and an excellent example of everyone being able to work together. I am sure as time goes on and as we continue to develop the whole area, then working horses will once again be seen not only locally and regionally but also nationally. The College looks forward to continuing to support this agenda.

More details from Victor Barry or Liz (victor@treloancoastalheritagefm.orangehome.co.uk), 01872 580888/ 07855 187769, or Cornish Horse Power (www.cornishhorsepower.com)

Drawing attention to the Transition Network.org for information on how to reduce our carbon footprint on local food production options and any other carbon elements, e.g. energy, etc.

Whether it be for a return visit or your first we look forward to welcoming you to

TRELOAN ..... THE FARM WHICH TAKES OUR PAST INTO YOUR FUTURE.