LITTLE GATE FARM PROJECT OPEN
SussexFrom conception to completion this project might just be one of the longest in Wooden Spoon history !
The delays caused by Brexit, the Covid19 pandemic and the ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal meant that Little Gate Farm in Beckley, East Sussex had to wait nearly five years for their tool shed.
The Horticultural Pavilion was officially opened on 13th July 2022 by Guinness World Record holder Roger Davies. Roger and his wife Lesley took part in the Wooden Spoon fund raising trek to play in the highest ever games of rugby at over 6300m on 30th April 2019.
Little Gate Farm support young adults with autism and learning disabilities into paid employment and have an impressive rate of success. The project was founded in 2013 by Claire Cordell and has placed apprentices in hospitality, catering, house keeping, building maintainence, office administration, animal care, horticulture and woodland management. Trainees attend the farm two or three days per week building confidence and interpersonal skills whilst working closely with the Job Coaches.
Cut flowers and charcoal are sold by the trainees at local farmers markets and some of the Wooden Spoon donation was spent on a conditioning room for storing cut flowers before they go to the market. The centre is surrounded by woodland and charcoal making is another big project for the centre.
The event was attended by members of the Wooden Spoon Sussex Committee, representatives of Hastings and Bexhill RFC and East Grinstead RFC.
Photographs and report by Peter Knight
