Caring For Life

Quite a few Enemies, But Many Many Friends!
by Peter Parkinson

<< previous articles

We had been grateful that for over two months we have had no further instances of vandalism, and were hoping that the perpetrators had decided they had done enough and that they were going to leave us alone. Then on Wednesday 8th of April, whilst Judith, Esther and I were away undertaking support and training with the team and our initial group of volunteers in the USA, another attack was launched against us.

Jake has been busy building dry stone walls for many weeks now, assisted by some of our faithful volunteers and some of his own CFL team. He had completed two fine sections on both sides of the entrance to our new land, facing the road, and another lower section to the left of the new lane up to the cattle grid. Chris had returned to see to a sheep that was lambing, and when leaving the farm around 7.30pm he was unable to get out of the lane, because someone had demolished the main walls, carrying them to block the way out of the farm. Some of the stones were extremely heavy, so a lot of energy was expended in this wilful and unpleasant act.

On the advice of the police, who have been so helpful during this time, we erected some security lights in our car park, which will enable us to be able to see and record any vandalism in the future, and provide a deterrent to potential burglars and vandals. The second day they were up, they failed to light, and we discovered that someone had cut the cables disabling the lights.

These discouragements have been both a nuisance and of course costly, but at the same time we have much to be encouraged about.

But whilst it seems we have those who intend us harm, we have others who intend just the opposite.

Asda headquarters in Leeds, have adopted Caring For Life as their charity again this year. The first group of volunteers to arrive set about rebuilding the walls that the vandals destroyed, and they did a great job! Maybe not quite a Nehemiah's sized job in Jerusalem, but still a great job!

Others worked very hard in our gardens and everywhere now has a definite improved look.

These, much appreciated volunteers from Asda, joined our wonderful band of regular volunteers here at CFL. Whenever we feel discouraged, all we have to do is to reflect on our volunteers, some of whom join us here every day. This month we have had volunteers from London, Liverpool, Darlington, The Lake District, Scotland, Lancashire and of course lots from West, North and South Yorkshire.

They more than compensate for those who are so unkind, and enable our discouragement to be replaced with gratitude and joy.

But then it seems as though our heavenly Father tries to encourage us in the wonders of nature around us, all declaring his glory and his praise.

All nature is trying to encourage us here. As the days lengthen, each new morning greets us with the wonderful songs of the numerous birds who have adopted Crag House Farm, with its fields and hedgerows as their home.

Every nest box has been occupied, with the usual disagreements as to which family will occupy which box. Without doubt, next year we will be putting even more boxes up to accommodate our ever-increasing population.

The hedgerows continue to be a delight, with the first blossoms fading but new ones bursting into life. They all promise a good and prolonged harvest of berries for lots of birds, as well as ingredients for some of our very special hedgerow preserves which have proved so popular in our small farm shop.

The Granary continues to be a very popular venue, and is providing a much-needed source of income in these extremely difficult times.

Your prayers we value, but we look at God's amazing goodness to us and we can truly declare that He is indeed good.

He, who has brought us to this day, will carry us forward and give us numerous encouragements every day, and we do believe that he will supply all our needs. Thank you for coming to our web site, we hope you will know the peace of God and his wonderful provisions day by day.


	Quite a few Enemies, But Many Many Friends! *by Peter Parkinson* << previous articles We had been grateful that for over two months we have had no further instances of vandalism, and were hoping that the perpetrators had decided they had done enough and that they were going to leave us alone. Then on Wednesday 8th of April, whilst Judith, Esther and I were away undertaking support and training with the team and our initial group of volunteers in the USA, another attack was launched against us. Jake has been busy building dry stone walls for many weeks now, assisted by some of our faithful volunteers and some of his own CFL team. He had completed two fine sections on both sides of the entrance to our new land, facing the road, and another lower section to the left of the new lane up to the cattle grid. Chris had returned to see to a sheep that was lambing, and when leaving the farm around 7.30pm he was unable to get out of the lane, because someone had demolished the main walls, carrying them to block the way out of the farm. Some of the stones were extremely heavy, so a lot of energy was expended in this wilful and unpleasant act. On the advice of the police, who have been so helpful during this time, we erected some security lights in our car park, which will enable us to be able to see and record any vandalism in the future, and provide a deterrent to potential burglars and vandals. The second day they were up, they failed to light, and we discovered that someone had cut the cables disabling the lights. These discouragements have been both a nuisance and of course costly, but at the same time we have much to be encouraged about. But whilst it seems we have those who intend us harm, we have others who intend just the opposite. Asda headquarters in Leeds, have adopted Caring For Life as their charity again this year. The first group of volunteers to arrive set about rebuilding the walls that the vandals destroyed, and they did a great job! Maybe not quite a Nehemiah's sized job in Jerusalem, but still a great job! Others worked very hard in our gardens and everywhere now has a definite improved look. These, much appreciated volunteers from Asda, joined our wonderful band of regular volunteers here at CFL. Whenever we feel discouraged, all we have to do is to reflect on our volunteers, some of whom join us here every day. This month we have had volunteers from London, Liverpool, Darlington, The Lake District, Scotland, Lancashire and of course lots from West, North and South Yorkshire. They more than compensate for those who are so unkind, and enable our discouragement to be replaced with gratitude and joy. But then it seems as though our heavenly Father tries to encourage us in the wonders of nature around us, all declaring his glory and his praise. All nature is trying to encourage us here. As the days lengthen, each new morning greets us with the wonderful songs of the numerous birds who have adopted Crag House Farm, with its fields and hedgerows as their home. Every nest box has been occupied, with the usual disagreements as to which family will occupy which box. Without doubt, next year we will be putting even more boxes up to accommodate our ever-increasing population. The hedgerows continue to be a delight, with the first blossoms fading but new ones bursting into life. They all promise a good and prolonged harvest of berries for lots of birds, as well as ingredients for some of our very special hedgerow preserves which have proved so popular in our small farm shop. The Granary continues to be a very popular venue, and is providing a much-needed source of income in these extremely difficult times. Your prayers we value, but we look at God's amazing goodness to us and we can truly declare that He is indeed good. He, who has brought us to this day, will carry us forward and give us numerous encouragements every day, and we do believe that he will supply all our needs. Thank you for coming to our web site, we hope you will know the peace of God and his wonderful provisions day by day.		Jake re-building the wall Chris with newly born lamb and mother Lights in the car park Volunteers from Asda helping with the stones One of the Asda volunteers building the wall back up! Signs of God's beautiful creation is all around us! The Granary is enjoyed by a good number of people