January
After the buzz of Christmas, wintry January has settled in. With challenging weather ranging from frosty temperatures to fierce storms, the New Year has started with plenty going on. Visitors have enjoyed a chilly star-gazing experience at Ambersham Polo Fields, where they needed to wrap up warm, but were able to enjoy a magical crystal-clear starlit night sky and a warming hot chocolate! Those brave enough also participated in Wim Hof Method Experiences at Cowdray Hall, which finished with an ice bath.
There was also an Immersive Wedding Showcase at The Walled Garden where newly engaged couples explored the wedding venue with the team on site to answer any questions, and a popular Cowdray Farm Shop Café Evening Dining where the Cowdray chefs served a delicious seasonal feast inspired by local ingredients.
Behind the scenes, Cowdray gardeners and the forestry team had a lot to keep them occupied. Winter is an especially busy time for the gardeners with pruning, chopping and maintenance being the focus.
The forestry team had three storms to contend with: Henk, Isha and Jocelyn and the subsequent heavy rain. The team very efficiently cleared fallen trees and debris as well as their everyday tasks.
The conifer harvesting for the year finished ahead of schedule in January so the team moved into hardwood thinning of some mature beech. Other works including ground clearance, plantation maintenance, planting and moving timbers to the sawmill.
Trees were felled by hand in the bluebell wood to keep vehicle movements to a minimum in order to protect the forest floor. The forestry team also extracted all the brash and small branches to help the farm make environmentally-friendly compost.
Above – Foresters felling trees by hand in a Bluebell wood on the Estate.
With February here, Dry January can be left behind – it is time to start planning Valentine’s Day and enjoying slightly longer evenings!
Here are some dates for next month:
Cowdray Farm Shop Café Evening Dining – Friday 23rd February, Cowdray Farm Shop Café – Click here to find out more.
Wim Hof Method at Cowdray – Saturday 24th February, Cowdray Hall – Click here to find out more and book tickets.
Sunday Carvery – Every Sunday, The Griffin Bar & Grill, Cowdray Golf Club – Click here to find out more.
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