News from Talamh Life Centre May 2008 The Housing Co-op held Radical Routes and Big Blether events here this month. TLC was involved in helping out, providing tours of the land and hydro. Thankfully the weather was amazing and made it enjoyable for all.
Meanwhile the gardens still needed working on... 
February 2008 A very successful Tree Weekend. A big thank you to everyone (45 at least!) who came along and volunteered.
Below is a photo of hedges and willow sculpture along the road by the entrance to Talamh.
Autumn 2007 We've missed having the polytunnel this summer. It took until October before we had the right combination of sun, no wind, and willing helpers to put the skin on the completed frame. 
Spring 2007 These 12 year old planted trees look great in spring sunshine!
22 March 2007 Spring Gardening Weekend 
A very nice Gardening weekend has just finished. Lots happening in the gardens and terraces from mulching strawberries and weeding to compost turning.
The polytunnel (which was damaged in the winter gales) is being completely rebuilt bigger and better. Preparation trenches were dug all the way round for the new polythene cover.
17 March 2007 Leadhills Village Association were having their own "Leadhills Tree Weekend". Some hardy TLC folk went down to help out on a cold and wet, windy Saturday. Meanwhile back at Talamh the "Tree nursery" was having a tidy up before spring. 11 February 2007 
Another successful Tree Weekend. With the forecast for hard and icy ground we concentrated on fruit tree pruning and willow cutting. Some of the willow is for local basketry making, and includes beautiful colours with species such as Bleau, Brittany Green and Flanders Red. Willow sculptures planted in previous years were tended to, and kids activities happened in the library.
3 December 2006 
We have had a very successful time with our Tree Weekend. The hedgerow alongside the dual carriageway was extended and gaps filled in. And there was hedge-laying of a row planted several years ago. Some native Scottish trees in the shelterbelt were planted, and we'll be planting more here in the spring. 6 September 2006 For several years Talamh Life Centre have been helping manage a beautiful old Clyde valley plum orchard. This is the time of year that the plums ripen for picking. The plum season is very short, just two weeks, so it's all hands to the orchard. These small orchards are not financially viable and would be grubbed up without voluntary labour. Any profits to the charity. 22 August 2006 We are pleased to have 10 foreign volunteers working here with us for two weeks. They are with the IVS scheme and from many different countries around the world. They've been very friendly and helpful and have been busy on many jobs around the place. We've cleared large areas of Rosebay willowherb and Ragwort (invasive species) and are removing overgrowth from around last years planted trees and hedgerows. 28 July 2006 First tomato from the polytunnel today. Also peas, courgettes, broad beans and gooseberries (with their vicious thorns). 14 July 2006 Lots of our own fruit, salad and veg. There is so many redcurrants, blackcurrants and raspberries that we may not be able to pick them all. Delicious strawberries. All organic! 20 June 2006 Thanks to our garden workers, the bottom garden and polytunnel is bursting full of veg. We're not into full production yet but there's plenty of lettuce (at least 3 varieties), perpetual spinach, chives, parsley, radish, cabbage, peas and more. 1 June 2006 
Hurray! The microhydro is producing electricity!!!
Sadly, so it's only a fraction of what is should be, but it's enough to power the TLC office equipment and provide a fascinating demonstration. (Derwent Hydro have agreed to return and improve its output towards the predicted 4kW.)
The fundraising was obtained by TLC, and some of the work was carried out by TLC members and volunteers (as part of the funding agreement). Thanks to everyone who's helped so far with this project. Some building work still needs to be completed – the turbine would have been too large to get through the door, so it was lifted into place and generating power even before the walls and roof were put on.
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