Step aside September, October is (nearly) Upon Us!

OUR CAFÉ IS OPEN:  WED - SUN 11am – 4pm (last orders- for hot meals: 2:30pm; for hot drinks: 3:30pm) Delicious scones, cakes, hot meals, drinks. Daily specials. Vegetarian and vegan options available.

ONSITE PARKING:  IS LIMITED TO BLUE BADGE HOLDERS AND OUR LESS MOBILE CUSTOMERS: 
Please come by foot, bike, or scooter or on public transport if you can. The 24, 33, 38, & 49 buses stop just outside.
Cameron Toll Shopping Centre has parking only a few minutes’ walk away.
TO HELP MAINTAIN LOCAL GOODWILL PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE RESIDENTS’ PARKING NEAR THE ROADSIDE GATE, OR THE LARGE ALLOTMENTS ACCESS GATE.

THE BIKE WORKSHOP IS OPEN FOR HIRES, SALES, REPAIRS & OTHER MAINTENANCE AND BIKE DONATIONS WED, FRI, & SAT, 11AM-4PM]. We are currently looking for bikes in good plus condition, ready for resale bar very minor fixes.
For drop offs/ appointments/ enquiries, please contact [email protected] / 07591 882 779.

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SPECIAL EVENTS: AUTUMN 2024
 
SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER: No booking rquired for

 APPLE PRESSING – In the Allotment Barn, 11am-4pm
Bring your own apples to be pressed into delicious juice, buy some of Bridgend's own apple juice, go on tours of the allotments, or take part in the "bug hunt" (1pm). This annual event is always very fruitful!
BRIDGEND FARMHOUSE CBS AGM - in the Marquee. 3-3:30pm.
Formal notices have now been circulated to shareholders. This is our members' chance to ask questions, make suggestions and elect board members for the following year. Non-members are welcome to attend but don’t have voting rights.
We are also being treated to musical entertainment from Morag Brown and Lewis Powell-Reid on fiddle and bouzouki(?) in the marquee 1:30pm-2:30pm, followed by the Rolling Hills Men’s Chorus [barbershop group] 2:30pm-3:00pm to ease us into the AGM.
The "Woodshed Café" will be selling take-away teas and coffees so you may sit out and listen in. The main café will close early, at 2:30pm to accommodate AGM attendance.
OPEN DOORS DAY – Farmhouse Site Tours – 11am-4pm
MINDFULNESS GARDEN LAUNCH/ OPEN DAY – in the Mindfulness Garden. Access from the carpark- all day [11-4] –share your ideas for its rental/ use.
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WEDNESDAY 9TH OCTOBER: FROM 5:30PM: COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS- DISCUSSION GROUP
The first in a series of  facilitated discussions. All Welcome

TUESDAY 15TH OCTOBER: 2PM - 3:30PM- STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Features the stories and legends of Craigmillar and The Inch  - tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1020411637677

SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER: 5:30PM - 8:00PM: HALLOWE'EN PARTY
Another terror-ific family event  - tickets via  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1022653412887 from October 1st.

WEDNESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER: FROM 5:30PM: LAWRIE JOHNSTON BOOK SIGNING AND TALK.
Lawrie as a local author and Bridgend participant. £3 charge payable on the day. Book via [email protected]

OTHER DIARY DATES

STAINED GLASS WORKSHOPS: 10am-~3:30pm – STANDALONE SESSIONS 
DATES: September28th [1]; November 16th [2]; December 7th [1], 14th [1].  
Make your own agate & stained glass tea-light holder.  Booking essential via [email protected]
Aimed at adult beginners.  £25 standard fee, £20 neighbours rate. 2 slots per session.


GARDENING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES     
For either set of sessions - first timers/ visitors/ workers sussing us out, etc should arrive between 11:30am and noon only please.
                                                                                                                    
GET GARDENING:
TUESDAY AND / OR FRIDAY, 10.30AM – 3.30PM
We welcome gardening volunteers to help us manage our gardening allotment plots. Come and join us Tuesdays and / or Fridays between 10.30am - 3.30pm. Lunch provided. To register interest please email [email protected] or [email protected]. No session Friday 16th August.
 
THE BIG WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY SESSIONS:
SUNDAY AND / OR  WEDNESDAY, 11am – 3pm
These volunteers’ activity sessions are outdoors. Expect tasks from gardening, to re-building walls, & everything in-between. There will also be a supervised, coached, woodwork offering. Lunch provided. If you haven’t been before, please phone 0131 564 0068 or email [email protected].
 
 
CYCLING RELATED ACTIVITIES: BOOKING ESSENTIAL

WHEELY FUN FRIDAYS with ‘A Wee Pedal’. At, or starting at, at Bridgend Farmhouse! Supported by Cycling Scotland, and Paths for All. Suggested donation per activity in brackets [£]
Booking essential via [email protected]
 
INCLUDING… GUIDED BIKE RIDES 2-4pm until 25th October. Pace is gentle and social on mostly flat, off main road, routes. Destinations vary- they’ve been to the Meadows, Portobello Beach,  and more.  Hire an e-bike [£5] or borrow a pedal bike for free [Helmets included].
 
AND… BASIC BIKE MAINTENANCE Monthly sessions on the last Friday of the Month, April – October, 10am – noon in the marquee [£5] . Bring your own bike to practice on, or use one of ours.  Each session is a standalone class covering all of the basics safety checks and fixing a puncture etc. so one should do the trick! Next session: 25th October – still spaces available.


OTHER REGULAR WEEKLY ACTIVITIES 
 
Most of our regular activities are free but we accept donations from those able. Our ‘Neighbours' Card’ is still available for collection in the cafe or office, with proof of EH16/17 address, and provides discounts on some activities/ events.
 
TUESDAY

1:30pm - 3pm: "WORDS FOR WELLBEING" CREATIVE WRITING GROUP.  
Create and learn with Ellie Weir from Word Well. Current term runs through to 10th December less the schools half term [15th & maybe 22nd October]. [Cost £6/£5 per session].

2pm – 3.30pm: “TALK TIME” WELLBEING GROUP. Our regular drop-in providing a space to come and chat about how you’re doing and listen to others in a relaxed, supportive environment. Open to all.  You can let us know you are coming via [email protected] or just pop along.  
 
WEDNESDAY
 
10am – 11am: WALKING GROUP: Meet at the farmhouse. The group goes on short, local walks at a relaxed, chatty pace, led by trained Health Walk leaders.
 
10am-noon: NATURE PLAY: In the bothy/ play space with Trees and Seas
Book via their website for assorted child-led outdoor activities from crafts and construction, to bug hunts and bushcraft. For children 6 & under and their carers.  See Trees and Seas’ website for more info and bookings.
 
11am – 12pm, Alternate weeks, W/shop 3: WELL BEING WOMEN’S GROUP: This group is an opportunity to chat in a friendly, welcoming environment over tea and biscuits, no subject is off limits. The group next meets on Wednesday 25th September [note there's no need to book for 'normal' meetings].
 
2pm - 4pm: ARTS AND CRAFTS WEDNESDAYS: Suitable for all experience levels. Informal - bring your own projects & get some ideas, hints, & tips from your fellow participants. This is a facilitated session so assistance would be available.
 
5pm – 6pm: COMMUNITY MEAL: Our weekly, home-cooked community meal for anyone wanting good food and company.
 
5.30pm – 8.30pm WOODCRAFT with Oliver   . FREE! Learn wood working skills with an experienced woodcarver, in workshop 4. Booking now required due to high numbers - [email protected]
 
THURSDAY
 
10am-1pm: Making for the Market Group
Reuse materials to create items for sale in our café and at external events. Products include fabric crafts, cards & jewellery. Tea‘n’biscuits & cheery chat provided. Proceeds from sales go directly to further farmhouse’s work & aims of self-sustainability. Contact [email protected] for more info.
 
6pm - 8pm Thursday Craft Club Workshop 3   £4 per session Bring along your own craft project to sit with likeminded crafters who enjoy a cup of tea, a bit of cake and a bit of banter in a casual relaxed atmosphere, swapping crafting tips.  Spaces are limited so please book via [email protected]
 
FRIDAY

1:30pm – 2:30pm ADULTS’ YOGA: [2pm-3pm whilst the Cameron Toll roundabout is again under partial closure due to gas works.] Whether you are new to or familiar with yoga these classes will help you develop balance, strength & flexibility through movement & stretching. Book via [email protected] and pay on the day [£4, or £3 with neighbours’ card].