Scoop

30/05/2026

A honey bee (right) and I believe a white tailed bumble bee buzzing in a poppy!

These busy bees are gathering their food and you can be like a bumble bee by popping into scoop and doing things the more 'natural' way.

These marvellous creatures bring their own bags by way of leg sacks for the nectar - you can bring your own tubs, bags and pots to us!

28/05/2026

And so it starts... salad with homegrown veg for dinner dins (only 2 of us eating hence the small portion). Many more in the pot still 😀

Are you growing anything?

27/05/2026

Today held a real mix of feeling!

This morning I found a badger cub entangled in a goal net. 😠😡

The poor thing was exhausted and dehydrated. It tried to be feisty and growly and fight me but it didn't have much strength. With the help of a friend, I managed to free the badger from the net but we didn't want it to run off for 2 reasons. We wanted to be 100% sure that it was free of netting from around it's neck/ feet but also because we didn't know if it were more injured than it appeared. 🥲

Therefore we cut it free but didn't entirely release it from it's binds so that we could get it some help without it biting us! Check out the photos to see it's claws!!! It's teeth were twice as sharp 😆

It felt like a real privilege to be so near to this beautiful creatures and it seemed to know it was being helped so besides a few attempts to fight back, it sat fairly still.

We had a couple of local gents arrive who gave the same assessment. Tired and dehydrated but not injured and so after releasing the last of the netting from around it, Nick took (what we now think is a female) home to provide her water and food and sleep! 🥰

And sleep she did!

However, she is going to be released at sunset where she was found and is now a bundle of energy! She can't wait to get back out into the world! What a joyous ending!!! 😊

BUT it might not have been. She was lucky I happened to look under the branches of the tree. PLEASE put away footballs nets. PLEASE consider gardening netting. PLEASE be mindful of our wildlife. This could have been a very different story!

Thank you everyone who helped today.

27/05/2026

Many baby birds are currently not surviving. Not only if the heat a factor but the fact is that there simply aren't enough caterpillars. We are clearing nettles and other wild flowers from out gardens in favour of less native planting which the butterflies cannot lay eggs on...

I have recently been working on increasing my offering of caterpillars friendly plant to help the birds out.

Did you know that a single baby chick needs 1000 caterpillars a day!!!!!

Check out how you can help:

By growing the right plants, we can boost the butterfly population.

24/05/2026

What a glorious Sunday! Enjoying everything that nature's provides as always. We hope you are too 😀

23/05/2026

ALL I CAN HEAR IS MACHINERY!!

So many are making the most of this georgeous weather and are out in their gardens tidying it up. This weekend some lives will be lost as not everyone knows, or is willing to check the long grass before cutting it. DON'T cut right to the edge of the grass, hedge or border as hedgehogs and other innocent creatures will be resting there. Please spread the word x

23/05/2026

This is a slate at the Eden Project...

It echos my thoughts exactly.

Every choice we make is one that effects our own futures.

If you haven't been to the Eden Project, it is worth a visit. It's a wealth of information and knowledge. I simply fear the number of people who read the shocking stats and ignore them because they feel like our actions make no difference. However, every action no matter how small has a knock on effect.

Choose to shop local.
Choose to shop sustainabily and to last.
Choose to reduce waste and plastic.

Why not pop to your highstreet and see what is around. When did you last visit a highstreet coffee shop or the market or us even?

I can guarentee a cool shop to hide in! 😀

17/05/2026

Anyone else who would like to join a guided nature walk tomorrow morning?
If you have always wanted to know the names or more plants or perhaps how to use them in food or which ones to avoid or perhaps learn about some associated folklore? PM me for when and where 😀

Also watch Mediterrean with Simon Reeves on U&Dave at the moment... it is eye opening.

15/05/2026

Ok ladies and Gents... impromptu (kind of) offering...

Unrelated to Scoop what so ever except that I am offering it here...

On Monday, I am going for a nature walk. The plan is to be out for 1 to 2 hrs and, should anyone be interested in joining me, I will share some of my foraging / plant ID / folklore knowledge.

I will be accepting cash donations (50% of which will head to the 1st Crookham Scout hut rebuild fund).

Of course, I cannot have the world turning up as it just wouldn't work. Therefore, should you wish to come along, please pm me and I will send you the details of where I will be. However, please understand that once the capacity has been reached, I will have to turn you down for now. Depending on demand, I may go on another walk.

15/05/2026

Supplier highlight...

The Cold Pressed Oil Company

Based in Crondall, a mere 5 miles away; Charlie and his team grow and press rapeseed in a beautiful setting.

We love working with these small businesses because they are genuine people with great quality products. The yellow 💛 color of this oil is testament to how pure and great tasting it is!

If you havent tried it, perhaps now is the time?