Read on Twitter
On Saturday 14th November, after driving past the @Newtonfarmfoods #Pumpkin Patch and seeing the many marooned pumpkins in the flooded field, CropDrop team member @PLUSFionaBell bumped into Farmer Hugh Gay at the farm shop. They agreed on a possible pumpkin rescue plan.
On Monday morning farmer Hugh visited the field and with his team retrieved 70 pumpkins to the field gate ready to share via CropDrop. He reported there were still many pumpkins and squash marooned and invited Fiona and CropDrop supporter Jenny to reconnoitre the flooded field.
In the afternoon Jenny and Fiona visited the field, carefully avoiding getting stuck in the mud, and agreed there were loads of pumpkin and amazing squash to collect and CropDrop could take on the challenge. The Pumpkin Picking Parade was ON!
We were intrigued by Cinderella's shoe in the field...
On Tuesday 15th, 9 brave and bold CropDrop volunteers report for duty at the field - suitably equipped with wellies, walking sticks, gloves, trugs and bags. They set to rescuing 32 varieties of delightful pumpkins and squash, by carrying them to safety on the edge of the field.
Thanks to volunteers Jenny, June, Yvonne, Dave, Sue, Derek, Emma, Bronwen and Fiona, many hundred pumpkins and squash were brought to the edge of the field in just 90 minutes... Yippee!
Only one near miss getting stuck... spot the person with mud up over her knees!
Tuesday midday James arrives to pick up the pumpkin piles from around the field and present them ready for collection at the field gate. What an abundance of plentiful pumpkins!
Wednesday 18th 10am
The sharing begins: CropDrop Volunteers Susan, Anne and Quita arrive to transport a share of the crop to Temple Street Canteen, the Bath Vegan Foodbank and the Community Larders at Paulton and Temple Cloud.
The sharing begins: CropDrop Volunteers Susan, Anne and Quita arrive to transport a share of the crop to Temple Street Canteen, the Bath Vegan Foodbank and the Community Larders at Paulton and Temple Cloud.
Allison and @PLUSFionaBell fill their boots (car boots) for @MercyinActionUK Pantry, Penny's Pantry and @Twerton_Infants School.
And the lovely chefs Jo Ingleby @tasteandseason and Genevieve @genevieveeats travel all the way from Bristol to collect a load to share with @ThreeWaysSchool and 15 Bristol FOOD clubs.
Later Helen washes her pumpkin and squash bounty - ready and gleaming for their photoshoot... and her 17 happy recipients at Bath Vegan Foodbank.
Here's a share of the squash crop arranged on the two shelves at the Community Larder at Paulton.
@PLUSFionaBell ends the morning's distribution by heading to Brislington Forest school with a bag of knobbly squash for reception kids to explore.
