by Mark
December 18, 2011 in Food, Marina, markets, Uncategorized
Mmm! Love the sharpness of those organic Blackcurrants in this delicious pudding. Marina celebrating at Duke of Cambridge @dukeorganic
by popmoc
October 22, 2011 in apricot centre, Food, local economy, Marina, markets, organic, organic orchard, peak oil, reskilling, reskilling project, sustainability, The Great Reskilling, transition town initiative, transition valley, Uncategorized
Hello, I thought I’d let you know how the ‘electric pony’ aka Wallace and Edward 3-wheeler milk float renovation project is going. As you may remember the Electric Pony was conceived during a ‘Ways and Means’ walk through the Dedham Vale as part of the Reskilling Project in March 2010. I was inspired by Val Belsay’s (Green Lanes) description of how produce and resources were moved through the valley and marketed in years gone by, using; green lanes, packhorse and ponies for transporting fruit and vegetables as well as other important resources. 
They seemed also to have the networking role of sharing news across the valley also.
This led to the idea for an ‘electric pony’, a retro-modern vehicle, to move and market local seasonal foodstuffs through Dedham Vale and the surrounding area. Later that year we found a 1946 Wallace & Edwards 3-Wheel Electric Milk Float. The float was purchased from a farm just off the M25/A12 when it was found on Ebay.
The vehicle is looking much the same, however we have done alot of work stripping down the components and having them tested. The good news is that it is mechanically sound, and even the electric motor is working! The downside, which was expected is that the lead batteries are no longer working, and this will be the most expensive thing to replace.
This year (2011/12) the Apricot Centre has collaborated with other organic producers and sellers in and around the Dedham Vale and is working on the Dedham Vale Food Hub researching the possibility of providing a wide range of organic foodstuffs (the whole basket), educational visits, seasonal celebrations etc.. And the Electric Pony is planned to play a role in delivering to local venues, schools etc.. reaching out to local communities from the hub.
We hope to gain some further funding in January 2012 towards completing this project and bringing this delightful vehicle to fulfill the dream of linking up local communities with local organic food, and local news.
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by Mark
December 2, 2010 in Food, Jam, markets
Our sugar order came today so we can make jam for our customers in London. We were very surprised to hear he had come from Halifax, and he came with his snow shovel. We had to meet him on the main road in a blizzard, to transfer the goods. 
We weren’t expecting a delivery today. We appreciate his dedication.
Thanks ‘Suma Man’
by Mark
September 12, 2009 in local economy, markets, reskilling project
The Great Food Swap was a great success with people coming from all walks of life to share their harvest and foods they had made such as cakes, crumbles, jams, glutney chutney, elderberry cordials, and more!
Members of the community with produce were invited to register when they received a number to put on their food and also the same number to display on their shirt. About a 1/2 an hour later the bartering was opened and wonderful interactions took place with adults and children discussing what they might exchange their foodstuffs with others. Conversations like a young boy saying “how many eggs will you give me for my large baking potatoes?” “Who will swap me this bunch of carrots” and so on.. The bartering, exchanging, discussions about food, jokes, observations about the warm dry summer and it’s effect on growing fruit and vegetables took place for the next half and hour or so.
At the end of the event there was no produce left on the table and many people remarked what an interesting community event it had been, and how they had made some good swaps and were taking their new goods home with them.
This was a particularly interesting event for it’s community interactions and sharing, as well as the way it made young and old think about the value of what they had grown and produced.
Several younger children have afterwards expressed an interest to create a similar event for swapping toys with other young people. The Great Toy Swap will take place in nr. Manningtree either October or November.
by Mark
September 6, 2009 in community, Great Food Swap, local economy, markets
The Great Food Swap was a great success with people coming from all walks of life to share their harvest and foods they had made such as cakes, crumbles, jams, glutney chutney, elderberry cordials, and more! Members of the community with produce were invited to register when they received a number to put on their food and also the same number to display on their shirt. About a 1/2 an hour later the bartering was opened and wonderful interactions took place with adults and children discussing what they might exchange their foodstuffs with others. Conversations like a young boy saying “how many eggs will you give me for my large baking potatoes?” “Who will swap me this bunch of carrots” and so on.. The bartering, exchanging, discussions about food, jokes, observations about the warm dry summer and it’s effect on growing fruit and vegetables took place for the next half and hour or so. At the end of the event there was no produce left on the table and many people remarked what an interesting community event it had been, and how they had made some good swaps and were taking their new goods home with them. This was a particularly interesting event for it’s community interactions and sharing, as well as the way it made young and old think about the value of what they had grown and produced. Several younger children have afterwards expressed an interest to create a similar event for swapping toys with other young people. The Great Toy Swap will take place in nr. Manningtree either October or November.
by Mark
September 4, 2009 in Great Food Swap, markets
22/08/2009
Originally uploaded by popmoc
The Great Food Swap – Manningtree – Saturday 5th September 10.30 – 12 noon
We hope people will come and help or swap food tomorrow at theGreat Food Swap. We will be there on or near the beach with a stall by 10 am. Registration happens from 10.30 and then the real swapping takees place between 11 and 12.
The Great Food Swap will be taking place in Manningtree as part of the Manningtree Beach Bash. You will find us near the centre of Manningtree.
Swap – Come along and bring the produce that you have made, grown, picked or found to swap with others.
Made – Preserves, Pickles, Jams, Cakes, Yoghurts, Breads.
Grown – Fruit and Vegetables
Picked – Herbs, flowers, berries, eggs, nuts.
Found – Mushrooms, wild food, fish
We look forward to seeing you there.
by Mark
September 4, 2009 in community, Great Food Swap, local economy, markets
The Great Food Swap – Manningtree – Saturday 5th September 10.30 – 12 noon
We hope people will come and help or swap food tomorrow at theGreat Food Swap. We will be there on or near the beach with a stall by 10 am. Registration happens from 10.30 and then the real swapping takees place between 11 and 12.
The Great Food Swap will be taking place in Manningtree as part of the Manningtree Beach Bash. You will find us near the centre of Manningtree.
Swap – Come along and bring the produce that you have made, grown, picked or found to swap with others.
Made – Preserves, Pickles, Jams, Cakes, Yoghurts, Breads.
Grown – Fruit and Vegetables
Picked – Herbs, flowers, berries, eggs, nuts.
Found – Mushrooms, wild food, fish
We look forward to seeing you there.
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