Our Visit to a Goat Farm March 2012

4 week old Kid

Lesley finding some food in the hay nearly caused a stampede

Thanks for coming to see me

Fielding Cottage is an award winning small business producing goat's cheese from a farm in the Breckland Valley. Our aim is simple... to supply farmer's markets, delicatessens and restaurants across East Anglia with tasty and healthy homegrown products from our herd of goats.

As active members of the Norfolk Young Farmers we spent many years thinking of different ways to combine our love of working with animals with our farming knowledge and expertise to create a business unique to the area.

A couple of years ago we started researching the benefits of products made from goat's milk over cow's milk and were hugely impressed by our findings (you can read more about these here). We decided to take the plunge and invest in a small herd of goats and the appropriate milking and processing equipment.

A goat really does have a personality of its own. In fact, our meetings with numerous goat enthusiasts at various Farmers Markets, inspired us to offer our ‘Sponsor a Goat’ and ‘Fielding Cottage Experience Day’.

For just £30, you can select a name for your very own goat and you will receive an A4 certificate with your chosen name and a colour photograph of your goat.

Or for £60, come and spend some time at Fielding Cottage. You can see the goats, help to milk and feed them, play with the kids (season permitting) and view the cheese making process. Of course, you can also try the cheese too!

So, if you are looking for a gift for someone who has everything, or just want to give something a little different, pleasecontact us for more information.

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Beryl Keen, one of our members, gave us a fascinating insight into the different styles of Quilting at our February meeting. She said Patchwork was like painting with material. Considerable changes had taken place since medieval times and there are so many aids to help - battery operated cutting wheels instead of scissors, rulers, cutting boards, specialist sewing machines and many other items. She said there are no rules, you go by your feelings - personally she finds the whole spectrum of greens and browns very restful. She combines hand and machine sewing on her pieces.

There are quite a few books which can give you ideas for patterns. Her first attempt took several years - patience is the key! Having a small room or area where you can leave your work undisturbed is a great bonus. Joining a Quilters Group is a good start - there is a Group that meet in the Library in our Community Centre. Beryl said she had attended some good Workshops at Wroxham Barns.

Beryl brought along many samples of her exquisite work from a double quilt to wall hangings and place mats (I think about 15 examples in total). The double bed quilt had 25 squares in it - everyone different. One of my favourites was a wall hanging entitled "Through the Iron Gate". It comprised of 2" squares of different coloured materials depicting flowers in a garden and on top the garden gate was embroidered.

Her work in progress at the moment is a runner to go on a piece of furniture. We were all lost in admiration for her skills. If ever you are in London, there are examples of medieval quilting in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Sometimes exhibitions are advertised in Norfolk - go if you have the chance!

Our Jumble Sale was a great success and many thanks go to everyone who helped or contributed.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11 April at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when Margaret Flatman will be talking about the Life of a Potter - another interesting speaker to look forward to.

Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155 .

Shirley Shackshaft