Summer time flies with the speed of light and we are already getting closer to the autumn hibernation period. We were busy here at Monimail.
Annual General meeting 2024
We held our AGM on August 29th. We now have 7 directors, Alison had to step down due to her other commitments but we hope to see her back next year. We presented the yearly accounts and yes we did spent more than what we earned but we also had a few large expenses recently like re-doing the electricity, re-pointing the tower and making the tower a safer place to visit. So money well spend. And part of the expenses come from your donations. So massive thank you for all of you who leave a penny or more after your visit. A reminder that we now have an online donation form here.
Architectural technicians at Monimail
The same day Becky Little from Rebearth run a workshop for architectural technologists from all over Scotland on soil sourcing and testing, different earth building techniques and traditions, how to repair and recycle earth and how to design with it, using hands on demos and experiments. Follow Becky on her social media if you want to learn more about her amazing work and stay updated with the workshops she runs. Here you can read about another workshop she run at Monimail earlier this year.
REMEMBER that Monimail area can be hired for any event (private, commercial, charitable etc) as long as the event matches our aims: sustainability, environment, mental health, well being etc. Contact us here if you are interested.
Drumming circles
We have now hosted several community drumming circles – lead by the enthusiastic & energetic Ali Taylor of Rainbow Warrior Wellbeing. Ali wrote: “A famous scientist once said ‘everything is energy and vibration’ and my goodness has the vibration been raised recently here at Monimail Tower”. Gathering in circle round a fire and drumming ignites something ancient and primal within us and give us an opportunity to reconnect with each other and with the land in a gentle but powerful way. It reminds us that we aren’t alone. And all the birds, animals and plants around the estate benefit from the positive vibrations too. But the science part is, drumming has a very positive affect on our brainwaves and nervous system too. It helps us release stress and anxiety and brings us more into a place of peace and calm with a strong sense of community and interconnectedness. Drum circles are monthly although not always held at Monimail. Contact Ali directly ( 07840 272 006) for more details or join her Facebook. Group – Rainbow Warrior Wellbeing. Twice during drum circles we have had huge rainbows in the same part of the sky; we have had masses of worms coming to the surface and last time we had a fly past of a huge flock of birds (geese we think). They just kept coming and coming. So everything is connected.
Doors Open Days
As you can read here, we hosted two Doors Open Days at 7-8th September. We had 104 visitors over the two days, thaaanak you a million !!!!. Together they ate several home baked cakes, drunk liters of coffee and bought ~30 jars of Monimal honey while chatting to us about the place.
Scything workshop
Rob Brodie from the Quieter times and the same Rob who organised the amazing gig last month @ Monimail run his scything workshop on Saturday 14th. The morning workshop was aimed at beginners and the afternoon one for the advanced scythers. Follow Rob’s website to stay updated about his courses.
Equinox bonfire
Last weekend we gathered around the fire (and cider) to say good buy to the summer and welcome the upcoming autumn. Before we sat around the fire and had an amazing feast, we fixed a bridge over the local burn and bashed a tens of meters of ivy.
And finally,
I would like to share with you a few enormous plants and crops which were grown by the allotmenteers and the residents. It is indeed a magic place.
