They have had to contend with inclement weather, difficult ground, foraging deer and rabbits, and three burglaries but Karine, her son Alex and the farm team of staff and volunteers have despatched one problem after another, and are looking forward to a busy summer at Good Hope Farm on Park Lane.

Some two acres of former Elm Farm pasture are being planted with flowers, fruit and vegetables, alongside the newly established orchard of apple, pear and plum trees. The deer and rabbits have been excluded with better fencing, and security has been beefed up to deter human raiders. All equipment is now safely stowed in a container, and a security firm has been hired to keep an eye on the site, which is manned on a mostly daily basis.

Good Hope Farm is now registered with WBC as a service provider for adults with learning difficulties and is beginning to get referrals from local colleges and special schools. With a walk-in polytunnel financed through the Good Exchange (Greenham Trust), a wooden office building and two accessible compostable toilets, Good Hope Farm is already hosting some of the clientele for which it was conceived. The emphasis, says Karine, is on offering practical work experience which optimises individual talents and capabilities. Clients benefit from working in the fresh air of the countryside, and they can obtain a sense of genuine achievement working productively with nature.

Local businesses have found Good Hope Farm to be a good project for their charitable initiatives, offering staff volunteer teams. The polytunnel’s sturdy wooden workbenches, one specifically designed for wheelchair users, were built by one such team. Other volunteers are going to build a fruit cage.

Karine is also grateful for any donations of garden tools, barrows and watering cans.

Planning permission has recently been obtained for improving the entrance driveway and creating a car park area, but this may have to wait for further funding.

Meanwhile, Good Hope Farm is opening to the public from 10am to 3pm on Thursday 16^th March. Visitors are asked to come on the hour in order to join guided tours, and bookings can be made via info@goodhopefarm.org.uk. Parking, refreshments and accessible toilets will be available.