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 and to Permaculture principles, which we share with Chickens, Cats 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 am a Master Composter and have spent more than a decade as a volunteer Community Compost adviser with Garden Organic and my local Council.
I'm a self employed Environmental Educator so I run workshops and events where I talk about compost, veg growing, chicken keeping, cooking, preserving and sustainable living. I also run crafts workshops and Forest School/outdoor play sessions in our wood.

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!

Monday, 18 August 2025

Blog party at Zoë's house

Went for a wonderful few days over in Norfolk to attend Zoë's blog party.

Excellent train journey to Norwich, then Zoe picked me up.

The party was fabulous, it was lovely weather and we were able to be outside. Great to catch up with other Blog friends as well.

Many thanks to Zoe and Mel for their hospitality, I had a lovely time!

Saturday, 26 July 2025

Guided tour of Arthur's Stone excavation

Brilliant afternoon over at Arthur's Stone, nr Dorstone, Herefordshire, for a tour of this summer's excavation.

Thank you Pamela Thom-Rowe , for a fabulous tour and to all the archeologists involved in the digs.

Today is the last day of the dig; tomorrow the back filling starts.

They were still finding new stuff when we left at 4 pm.

Such a wonderful, magical place.

Do go there, if you can.

This is what it looks like when it's not being excavated

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

RIP Chancellor

Very sadly, Chancellor the Serama cockerel seems to have been taken by something last evening. His mate, Fleck, was hiding on the wall in the ivy for several hours last night, and is still obviously traumatised today.

I suspect fox/buzzard.

Just doing what they need to do, though.

Rip Chancellor the brave.

Thursday, 15 May 2025

10 years ago ...

Gosh, 10 years since I went on the #biglunchextra training weekend at The Eden Project.

Seems a long time ago, now, and a totally different world.

I'm on the far RHS in the above photo 7 people in, I hate heights and really didn't want to raise both hands but I did, thanks to my friends around me!

It was an amazing weekend.

There are a series of posts I made,

starting with this one from the Fri

Happy times!

Friday, 25 April 2025

Mole pups!

Yesterday fun here at Compost Mansions.

Eeek!

Ian was digging bindweed out of a raised veg bed, out near the top of the Wood, and uncovered this!

We've covered them up while I go and seek advice

Update

I've just been on the phone to local wildlife place, The founder is a friend of mine and runs Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue, she's said if the mother hasn't returned by tomorrow morning, she'll take them.

But hopefully the mum will come back and rescue them.

Later update

Just went out to look (carefully) and there is a new tunnel at the bottom of the nest, and the mole pups are gone !

So Mum has moved them 💕