Stories from the Barn

A hive of activity in the Hampshire Down lands.

Wellbeing

Spending just two hours a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing and so many of us have found ourselves being uplifted as we reconnect with the natural world whether it has been a walk in the park or woods, enjoying being by the sea, strolling along a river bank or working in our gardens. Research has shown that our mental and physical wellbeing has been given a major boost by these activities. At a time when touch has been limited how wonderful it has been to have our senses stroked by the song of birds or watching insects at their tasks. To marvel at beautiful wildflowers or simply feel the touch of wind and rain on our skin, all these experiences has the power to reduce stress and make us feel happy.  Share with us your photos of uplifting wellbeing moments using social media and tag it #honeybeebarn @honeybeebookbox

Plant a Tree for the Jubilee

Plant a Tree for the Jubilee. ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ is an initiative to mark Queen Elizabeth II platinum jubilee, when we will be celebrating her 70 years…

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listening to the sounds of nature

Soundscapes Wellbeing Project

The Soundscapes Wellbeing Project is a collaboration between Exeter University and the BBC. For many of us getting out into the countryside is not an option at the moment. Living…

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Butser Hill

A Sense of Place the Downlands

A Sense of Place Seeking a sense of place, a home, is something many of us strive for. When the eminent nature writer, Robert Mcfarlane wrote in his book ‘Landmarks’,…

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The Importance of Gardening For Our Wellbeing

The Importance of gardening. There can be no doubt that the British are a nation of gardeners. Even if we don’t have a garden of our own to attend we…

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Let Nature Be Your Teacher

Let Nature Be Your Teacher. The poem by Wordsworth ‘The Tables Turned’, urges us to leave our books and look to nature to teach us. While so many of us,…

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Study the animal tracks, trails and signs for detail

Animal Tracks Trails and Signs

Walk out to check out animal tracks, trails and signs. Advent Calendar 7 How can you turn a family walk in Winter into an exploratory adventure? Get everyone looking for…

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Sloe Gin

The Progress of the Sloe Gin

Sloe gin, from bush to bottle. It’s still not too late to gather the sloes from the Blackthorn bushes. They have had a couple of frosts so are perfect for…

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Trees can inform us about the geology beneath our feet

Slow Down For Trees

Slow Down for Trees. Most of us love a walk in woodlands. The swell of woodland birdsong in Spring, the smell of woodland decay in the Autumn, the noise of…

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Creating a wildflower meadow

Hoping for a Wildflower Meadow

To cut or not to cut? Every year I find myself in a right old pickle. We grow a two acre field of grasses and meadow flowers, not for hay…

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Importance of bees

The Importance of Bees

The importance of British Bees. The importance of bees and the need to call a halt to their current demise is a complex problem. It will have escaped few peoples…

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