Manure Collector rendered Lyrical

One of our recent Food4Macc manure collection trips evoked this poem:-

Quirky Turkey : A Labour Of Love

The turkey glided proudly by, fanning out its tail,

A stately Spanish galleon sedately in full sail.                                 

Plumage mottled black and white, it ushered by its mate,

Relishing its status as one of those who dominate,

Even though it sailed upon a “sea” of horse manure

And we were there to see the status quo did not endure.

“I’ll have it in a verse”, I thought, “Before this day shall end.”

“I’ll have it on my plate”, said Bill, “I trust I don’t offend.”

But Bill’s was only banter. His blue eyes brightly twinkled.                

The turkey’s glare was fierce, his wattle pink and wrinkled.                    

One finger of a rubber glove, it dangled from its beak,

And wildly danced each time the turkey griped in Gobble Speak. 

As bag by bag we took away, the turkey’s realm receded

And several times our efforts he purposely impeded.

He fought a losing battle, his Armada at Cadiz,

And we were quite determined that we would do the “biz”:

Like a hydra-headed Moses, who was parting the Red Sea,

We went about our Augean task with something close to glee.

We dressed like Harold Steptoe (whose horse was “Hercules”)

And carted off this bounty for potatoes, beets and peas.

The yard was cleared. The heap was gone. We were tired but relaxed.

Our job was done. We’d finished here, so lyrical I waxed

Whilst Bill, content with biscuits, had the turkey left to thank,

But, deflated by this pillage, its heart and tail both sank.

©Phil Poyser, Macclesfield, 13^th./17^th./29^th. March, 29^th. and 30^th. April, 2012

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Lunch

Deb and Sara were pleased to be invited  to the Mayor's celebration lunch for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Macclesfield's Tytheringon Club.

They used the opportunity to make sure that the Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor George Walton was familiar with Food4Macc's aims and activies.

Lambing at Ladderstile Farm

For a second year running Food4Macc Direct members were invited to see Lambing Time at Ladderstile Farm near Bosley. The farmers, Peter and Rose Brocklehurst, were very welcoming, and clearly took pleasure in answering questions and showing us how lambs were delivered. The children particularly enjoyed seeing the new-born lambs at close quarters.

Christ the King School.

31^st March 2012 – Christ the King School.

Teachers, parents, children and Food4Macc volunteers descended on Christ the King school to move 10 tons of top soil from a heap in the car park to the four new raised beds built by Food4Macc in the school grounds.

Some 15 adults and 6 children helped to man a convoy of 9 wheel barrows to move the soil and everyone worked really hard to complete the move.

The school provided refreshments which were most welcome. Thanks to all who came along to help.

Heritage Walk, St Patrick's Day Planting

Starting Young
The enthusiasm of the youngsters and the teamwork of the parents taking part in the Saturday morning planting at the Heritage Walk garden, was an excellent example of how working together inspires pride in our town as well as creating a place of increasing beauty and interest.

Food4Macc were joined by the Macclefield Guild, RSPB Wildlife Explorers, and Macclesfield residents and their children for a magnificent morning of achievement; and despite the intermittent scary black clouds the weather remained dry and sunshine enhanced the scene of activity.



We planted a mixture of wildlife friendly trees plus bulbs, herbs and perrenials.
The garden now has a terraced area for fruit with red and black currants, gooseberries and rhubarb; and a screened section for our tools and compost bin.
The children involved particularly enjoyed planting the wildflower 'bombs' and labelling trees with their own names.

We would like to give hearty thanks to EVERYONE involved. To the volunteers who prepared the site by removing huge laurel roots; to all those who donated plants and delicious nibbles; and to everyone who helped organise and plant on the day.
Special thanks to our friends on the Council team who planted the conifers and lent us equipment; the Woodland Trust, Men in Sheds and Topps Tiles for the pallets and continuing to store our steps.

For our first event of 2012, on Sat 25th Feb some members of Food4MaccDirect went on a trip to visit E.Oldroyd & Sons Rhubarb farm in Carlton near Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

They are the largest grower in the infamous 'Rhubarb Triangle' region selling both the early forced varieties, which are grown in candle-lit sheds, and then in Spring the outdoor main crop.


The tour included a history of Rhubarb, its origins, medicinal qualities and cultivation.

There was also the opportunity to purchase it as well as various rhubarb products such as jams, chutneys and vinegar. As you can see from the photos we didn't go away empty-handed!

Visit their website .

Heritage Walk Site Work

A HUGE thank you to all members of Food4Macc who have helped prepare the site at Heritage Walk and the Triangle on Churchhill Way.

This very special area in town has become a haven of peace and beauty since begun by energetic, inspired visionaries of the Macclesfield Guild and the Parks Department.

On Saturday morning the work was much enhanced by the Wildlife Explorer groups of our local RSPB group.
It was wonderful to see the youngsters so engaged in the many tasks completed by them with such enthusiasm under the equally enthusiastic leaders and volunteers.

Thank you very much RSPB Wildlife Explorers for your hard work!!! And thank you every one who supplied donations of plants and items for the insect hotels.
You can see more pictures of this work on the RSPB Wildlife Explorers website

We are also grateful to The Woodland Trust for providing trees for planting, and to Topps Tiles for supplying pallets and offering safe storage of our equipment.