We have all had a busy but very exciting time getting the Zzipa enterprise off the ground.  As is often the case we have had to adapt to changes and be flexible and inventive.

View from the potato patch towards the oven

We have hosted a midweek dining evening where people booked a table, a private birthday party, a weekend dining and takeaway night and an Off Grid cooking event where other Low energy and Off Grid businesses and projects such as Wild Stoves , Bridport Renewable Energy Group and local farmer Rob Lemmy showcased their wares and generally shared their enthusiasm and expertise.

Customers have been particularly impressed by the wood-fired earth oven and the rural location of the Garden with its stunning view of Colmer’s Hill we have plans  to promote these unique aspects of the business.

One of the perks of the job..sunset over Colmer's Hill

Next up for us is harvesting and flour milling with Tamarisk Farm in West Bexington and a tour of River Cottage HQ gardens and kitchen.

Take a look at our facebook page and our blog for up to date info and invitations to our events.

See you soon

The Zzipa Team

Our latest project is all about land and food.   Devised by five teenagers, the Zzipa Pizza enterprise will be launching in April with a Pizza Private View. If you would like an invite then please email us via the Treewise website.

Zzipa has only been made possible with a grant of £9,700 approved by the Local Action Group.

See: Chalk and Cheese http://www.chalkandcheese.org/

So a very big THANK YOU!  to:

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas’

The grant is awarded by:

The European Union as part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) as lead organisation responsible for the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) 2008-2013. The funding comes through Axis 4, the LEADER axis. The fund is known regionally as ‘Local Action for Rural Communities.

Local Action Group

The Local Action Group forms the central part of the programme, it’s an open group, and all the members have a fair and equal say on which projects should be supported, as well as giving overall guidance on the direction of the programme. The Local Action Group meets every 2 months, hears presentations from projects, votes and comments on them, and this then decides which projects can be supported further. The final decision on project funding is made by the Local Action Group Executive.

Forthcoming Treewise Events

One Day Pruning Courses: Saturdays 9.30 am -4 pm

(Beginners and Improvers): Saturdays: January 14th and 28th & February 11th and 25th

As part of the Kitchen Garden project we have been experimenting with a wonder box and are keen to share ideas and information on these and other types of hayboxes. We would love to hear about your own experiences of low-energy cooking methods too.

To join our adventure in low-energy cooking

please contact Rachel Millson: on

01308 427449

or go to the treewise website to send an email.

Harvest

The Treewise Kitchen Garden is a growing and cooking project for families with young children in the local community. In addition to our already popular activities, we are now excited to be introducing more food growing and cooking and hope to share food costs with other families. The aim is to enhance all our lives with more outdoor activity.

Everyone involved has benefited from the fresh food being produced and opportunities to learn new food related skills.

We will continue to offer workshops next year.

The Treewise Kitchen Garden project is being supported by the Big Lottery Fund, the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food scheme, Grassroots and Community Foundation funding. Many Thanks to Michael and Joy Michaud from Sea Spring Seeds have donated seeds for the project.

Olly Goolden from Five Penny Farm will be holding tutorials.  We will also be running other courses throughout the project so please see our Dates For Your Diary page to find out when our next workshops are.

Workshops to look forward to are Grub-In-A-Tub with Michael Michaud and Adventures in Low Energy cooking with Rachel Millson.

in the orchard in Symondbury

starting April 2011

(£5 per session)

Campfire cooking, greenwoodworking, outdoor games,

art and craft, gardening,

All ages welcome

( children must be accompanied by an adult )

Telephone 01308 427449 to book