Hello,
I thought you may like to hear a range of questions that have been put to me over the last month and read my replies…
Chris, is it true you are about to retire? No, it is not true. I have no plans to retire.
Did you find a new cook to work with your guys? Yes, very fortuitously one of our graduates (from 2017) saw the advert and applied. He is already a trained Chef and with all his previous experience here he is LandWorks to his core. So, a wonderful opportunity for us all and Mike will take over from the amazing work that Djamila started.
Can I buy a wooden reindeer, a chopping board and 5 books? Yes, you can.
How’s that young fella getting on… You know the man training in horticulture? Sam is doing brilliantly. He is becoming an expert on soils, working hard, and enthusing us all with his motivation.
What is going to happen to LandWorks with Dartington Hall Trust seemingly in such a financial mess? I’m not sure what’s going to happen to DHT, but we have a secure 25-year lease.
Oh, my goodness Chris is it ever going to stop raining? Yes.
What will happen to LandWorks when you retire? I’m going to be around for a while yet, but when I do decide to go, we have a clear plan and there will be a job role available that I am very confident will attract a lot of interest from many capable individuals.
From all you see at LandWorks is there one thing that really worries you? Hmm that’s a tricky one. There is so much that is not working within the criminal justice system. More recently I find I am increasing concerned about how isolated people are becoming. Perhaps more worryingly encouraged to become solitary… hybrid working away from people, social media, less contact and less just talking to someone. My worry is that this increased isolation feeds intolerance of other people.
Our community at LandWorks challenges this every day and our antidote to isolation is our Christmas lunch, I think we are 42 table settings this year.
Is the LandWorks Christmas shop doing well? Yes, it is. I believe Reindeer, chopping boards and books are all selling well.
I know it’s been a tough year, but what keeps you going? That’s easy, it’s the people who have been here. Nearly everyone stays in touch and hearing about these amazing journeys away from being judged as criminal is truly inspiring.
Is the LandWorks Christmas shop open? Yes, it is 8am-7 pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm weekends.
Chris
23rd November 2023