This is an archived news story, written on: July 1, 2009

It was fun in the sun all day at this year’s Open Day at Netley Marsh.

World Remix’s drummers entertain

There were a host of activities – a mix of old favourites and new ones. Among them, a display of classic cars, demonstrations of wood-turning by pole lathe and beekeeping, scarecrows and a myriad of stalls selling everything from Fairtrade goods to ‘tissue glass’, to pot plants. The music was provided by Vanessa’s Villains and Refugee Youth’s World Remix’s own unique brand of high-octane drumming and dancing.

Eddie the Bodger with Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East

Nutfield Gardens conservation group from Southampton has been working hard to restore and manage the meadow on the Netley Marsh site, which is home to over a hundred native species of plants and animals. Tours of the site were led by ecologist Phil Budd.

The day was attended by two local dignitaries – the Chairman of New Forest District Council, Councillor Leslie Puttock and the MP for New Forest East, Dr Julian Lewis.

Some of the classic cars on display

There were tours of the workshop throughout the day and refreshments aplenty on the tea stand. Thanks to World Remix for travelling up from London to help out on the day and to everyone else who worked so hard to put the day together.

Now the serious side – our projects in Africa will benefit to the tune of more than £800 as a result of the day’s activities. We were also presented with a pledge from Terry Hoolihan of TDI International to help with the costs of sending tools to the RUPAD Training Centre in Uganda.

Leo and Mayra of Refugee Youth with their One World in the Forest ‘open mural’