The Compost Bin

Hello and welcome to The Compost Bin. I'm Compostwoman and I live with my family in rural Herefordshire. We have nearly four acres of garden and woodland, all managed organically, which we share with Chickens, Cats, Guinea Pigs and assorted wildlife. We also grow a lot of our own food, run courses in all sorts of things and make a lot of compost!

I work as an environmental educator, lecturer, writer and Forest School leader at Moors Wood . I am a Master Composter and have spent the last 11 years as a volunteer Community Compost adviser with Garden Organic and my local Council. I offer talks and run workshops and events where we talk about compost, veg growing, chicken keeping, cooking, preserving and sustainable living. We also make crafts and have fun.

We try to live a more self sufficient lifestyle here, as best we can, while still having a comfortable life and lots of fun. To learn more about us click on the About Compostwoman tab and remember to click on the photos to make them full size!

Wednesday, 4 April 2018

Weeping Window in Hereford Cathedral

Part of the WW1 14 -18 touring art installations to commemorate the fallen. Beautiful.

Sunday, 14 January 2018

Instagram update

Anyone who follows me as Compostwoman on Instagram, my account was hacked in Nov 2017and I lost control of it . You may still see a load of my photos up there, but under another email and name :(

I have complained to Instagram but they have been utterly useless, so PLEASE do unfollow the imposter and follow me, instead on this link as thecompostwoman

The Instagram button on the LH sidebar takes you to the new Instagram page, as does THIS LINK to my instagram account :)

Thank you, and if you feel like complaining BEFORE you unfollow the imposter - do feel free!

Monday, 8 January 2018

Polytunnel Damage.

Sadly the Polytunnel cover was damaged by the very heavy snowfall we had in Dec here in Herefordshire.

I hoped the House Insurance would pay for the replacement of the cover, as it is included under the insurance and was replaced when damaged by the Great Storm of 2002.

However the assessor has decided it wasn't snow weight damage but rather "fair ware and tear".

Am thinking about appealing this! 8 inches plus of snow frozen on the top weighs a lot and I have photos showing how much the polythene was sagging under the weight.

If we have to do it ourselves, anyone up to come to a polytunnel cover party in April/May 2018?

Sunday, 31 December 2017

A Happier New Year, I hope!

Well another Christmas week done.

I do hope 2018 is a better one for all of us here at Compost Mansions.

Certainly the last week of 2017 has lived up to our expectations of yet more bad stuff happening.

On Boxing Day Tom Cat had to have an emergency trip to the Vet because he had a urinary problem last night and has a history of serious bladder blockages so we are super cautious if he has pain and difficulty weeing. We had to leave him at the vets for a scan and treatment.

We came home, concerned about The Ledbury Hunt being in our area (they meet in town on Boxing Day so usually hunt around our area after

) so when we heard a shout and a bark, I rushed outside.

A neighbour walking her (unleashed) dog past our house, on the lane, the dog had entered our drive and killed Biggles the Serama cockerel, and Mille his hen was nowhere to be found. This was, as you can imagine, very distressing.

I then went to collect Tom Cat, he's got a uti and was very poorly,

I spent late Boxing Day afternoon looking for Millie, while shutting away other chickens and all three cats as the Hunt were very close to us.

Mille the Serama Hen re appeared in the lean to after dark, was v shocked and distressed.

I then spent the last of the daylight disposing of poor old Biggles.

HerHer to 2018!

Friday, 22 December 2017

A very merry Yule!

And the Wheel of the Year turns, and the light will return

Winter Solstice blessings to all, dear friends.