In a small organisation, carefully managing and planning for changes is essential, not least changes in our team of staff and volunteers. This summer we said a very warm farewell to Leonora who has been with Bridewell for four years and welcomed a new member of staff to the team, Heidi.
Heidi has been volunteering in the gardens for over two years, so helps us keep the continuity and familiarity that makes the gardens a supportive place for recovery.
In our board of trustees we said an enormous thank you to Steve as he stepped down as our Chair after over 4 years. The board appointed our vice chair Andy as his successor. We also thanked Danie for her support as a trustee when she resigned in the summer.
Three new Trustees attended their first board meeting earlier this month. Good governance is as essential an ingredient in helping the gardens to thrive as the care and attention the team of gardeners, volunteers and staff give to looking after the site each day.
I have been supported, listened to, encouraged and learnt to accept and value myself. Thank you for being there for me and helping me with the next steps. Bridewell gave me the space to heal and find myself again.
September saw our last open day of the year with old friends and new visitors coming to see the walled garden and vineyard and find out more about Bridewell's recovery service. Thank you to everyone who took time to visit us and support our open days this year. We welcomed over 1000 visitors across the year, and look forward to seeing many more at our public events in 2026.
Grapes were harvested very early compared to previous years. And anyone with a fruit tree in their garden will know it has been a bumper year for most produce. Currants, apples, pears, grapes have been abundant.
Using produce that we've grown for cooking or to take home and share with family is an important part of the growing season at Bridewell. It won't be long before daily harvesting jobs are replaced with preparing wood and kindling, raking leaves and collecting seeds.
