Copsegrove Family Farm Day

Hello everyone!

Hoping you have all been enjoying the bright, blue, sunny skies of late, and the beautiful fresh ever- greening up countryside, with Winter woollies retreating further back in drawers, and last year’s shorts ( or perhaps the last few years in Martin’s and my case…?!) being dug out in replacement!?

April has been a busy time, with our Welsh Black cows popping out calves here, there and everywhere! Girl power reigned this year, with the girl calves outnumbering the boys by almost 3 to 1, and the herd is at its maximum number now, although we are still waiting on one Heifer to pop…she seems to be holding on for dear life, poor girl!

The “courtyard chaos” of the winter months finally came to an end in a blaze of glory just in the nick of time for our Family Farm Sunday last weekend! There was indeed an unusual moment of panic in Martin’s eyes, (possibly prompted by a permanent look of panic in my own eyes through most of this month), when he realised that he needed to build a pizza oven, and a large roof to cover the outdoor kitchen in just 5 days. But with the continued help and hard work of the capable local gang, it got done! Hurrah….and phew…and our huge thanks to all involved, especially to wonderful Wilf, who bore the brunt of the odd Basil Fawlty moment from Martin in those moments when things were not quite going to plan……

But oooooh , does it all look mighty fine! It was truly wonderful to finally see it in action during the Family Farm day last weekend, bustling with happy children, parents and grandparents, and brilliantly bouncy Morris dancers, with the sounds and smells of sizzling burgers, and sausages on the brand new outdoor giant grill!

Once again, we got really lucky with the weather! Woo hooooo….and phewee…(I must admit, wet weather contingency plans had kept me tossing and turning in the wee small hours of more nights than I care to admit to).

However the sun shone on nearly 70 kind volunteers who helped us bring it all together for about 600 visitors! Wellies were wanged, both Derek the Bull and an array of colourful tractors admired, calves oohed and ahhed at, owls ogled and ponies petted. Ice creams and cakes were devoured, marshmallows toasted, and I think we all went home rosy cheeked (particularly aided for us by a few ciders guzzled afterwards as the sun went down with our wonderful team of helpers!)

Our 2026 “Copsegrove Olympic Welly wanging champions” have had certificates sent to them to proudly show anyone who might be mildly impressed by the rather fantastic achievement. I think we may need to progress to medals to suitably reward the welly endeavours of competitors next year…

Derek was officially weighed yesterday, and came in at a slightly underwhelming featherweight 854kg- which means he is on double helpings of breakfast, lunch and dinner to help him prepare for a summer of physical activity with his hareem of ladies very soon! Congratulations to 5 year old Jasper from Birdlip, who nailed his weight to within 4 Kg! A farmer in the making, surely!? His chosen prize is a quad bike tour of the farm!

Thank you so much once again to all those of you who came along . There are murmurings about the next one….we shall keep you informed!

**Greek Feast**

Next up at Copsegrove is our Greek feast on Friday 15th May, (sorry, but now fully booked).
We are hoping for some Greek-like weather so all coming can enjoy a few pre-feast drinks in the new courtyard, before heading in to the barn to devour a delicious Greek spread prepared by Ian and our fabulous Kitchen team. We are excited to be welcoming Pavlos and Vaseilious to Copsegrove for the first time, who with guitar, bouzouki and their voices , will bring the rhythmic energy, soulful melodies and irresistible dance rhythms of the vibrant Rebetiko music to the barn. Should be a really fun evening! We have some lovely Greek wines for the occasion too, matched for the menu by the brilliant Richard from Stroud Wine Company.

**Joyous June Wellbeing at Copsegrove!**

It’ll soon be gorgeous sunny June (hopefully), with those lovely long light evenings perhaps giving us all a little more energy and more inclination and desire to venture out in the evenings and try something new…the perfect month to try something a little different in the barn!?
We are therefore offering the opportunity to come along to Copsegrove on Thursday evenings throughout June, and experience a taster introductory session of one (or more!) of 4 different, joyous and uplifting Well-being activities that are good for the mind, body and soul!
They will be led by some wonderful and carefully selected talented local practitioners, specialising in the vibrant and energetic” BaSamba” dance for week 1 ( Melanie Woolley),” Tai Chi, Quigong and Shibashi” in week 2 ( Mandy Coppes- Martin),” Strength, Mobility and Breathwork” in week 3 (Melanie Simone), and finally finish in week 4 with “ Meditation, Reiki and Mindfulness” ( Melanie Woolley).
Tickets for each will be £15, for a session from 6pm – 7.00pm, with some simple refreshments at the end, and a chance to chat with others for those that like a mingle.
Please do come and join us if any of the above tickles your fancy. No previous experience is required for any of the activities, just an eagerness and desire to come along and try something new, in a very beautiful and peaceful setting.
Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/copsegrovefarmevents

**Summer Solstice Samba night!**

Copsegrove is going Carnival on Saturday 20th June this year, to help us all celebrate the longest day of the year!
We shall be welcoming the fabulous high energy Samba drumming group “Simbora” from Stroud, led by the enthusiastic Tom Stickland. A lively vibrant community drumming group, Simbora have played at many venues, street carnivals and festivals both in and out of the county, and we are so excited to have them with us at Copsegrove playing their mix of Rio Samba, Brazilian funk, and Samba reggae, all reworked in to their own irresistible arrangements. Prepare for the courtyard to be turned in to a street festival for one night only with accompanying music from DJ Jag form Stroud Global Beats, and some delicious Latin American Street food offerings from Ian Ballantyne cooked in the new outdoor courtyard kitchen! Please do come and join us, perch on a hay bale with a Caipirhina cocktail or three, and enjoy the Afro Brazilian grooves floating around the courtyard as the sun goes down….we can’t wait! Hope you like the sound of it too maybe.
Tickets: https://buytickets.at/thefamilymeal

And from Brazil in June to Texas in July…..brilliantly clashing with Chalfest for the third year running, on Friday 17th July we will celebrate our Hay harvest with our first Texan Hoedown! If you have a pair of cowboy boots and hat lurking in the back of a wardrobe somewhere, it might be time to dust them off! More details to follow, but I need to get a new notebook first so we can get planning…

And that’s it for now…sorry, a bit of a long one, but well done if you made it this far.

Keep enjoying the lovely weather, and we hope to see you again at Copsegrove soon! With huge thanks for your interest and continued support.

Kate

Ian Ballantyne - https://www.thefamilymeal.co.uk

Hawthorn and Hare Morris - http://www.hawthornandharemorris.co.uk

Owls - @sohootiful

Pavlos Carvalho - https://www.ensemblereza.com/musicians/pavlos-carvalho-cello

Vasileios Voulgaropoulos - https://www.instagram.com/vasileios.voulgaropoulos/

Melanie Woolley - https://www.instagram.com/melaniewoolleyreikimaster/

Mandy Copper-Martin - https://www.mandycoppes-martin.com

Simbora - https://www.simbora.co.uk

Stroud Global Beats - https://www.facebook.com/globalbeatsfunkymusic