That was the year, that was

Well, I can definitely tell you that this year has not been the same as the previous year: 2006 has definitely been the year of adventure.

It started on January 2 with a new job based in a straw bale office, in charge of an ecological learning centre, surrounded by 33 acres of beautiful countryside. A big change from the highly-polished, mightily equipped, open plan offices of Easington Primary Care Trust I had just left.

The learning curve was a steep one, getting to grips with planning applications and building regulation officers. As the main eco building grew and became operational, I became familiar with the technical jargon used in the building trade and, more importantly, discovered the strange habits of builders.

The journey was a positive one, though. We now have one completed sustainable building, created mainly out of straw, lime plaster and old tyres, plus another large open-plan workshop which will offer a dry space for workshops for traditional craftspeople such as potters, wood turners and weavers.

Itfs also a perfect area for large parties, childrenfs activities, barn dances and wedding receptions.

On a more horticultural note, I designed and created a huge kitchen garden and working polytunnel.

Around 150 volunteers helped me, from 80-year-olds, right down to a five-week-old baby. There was a lot of hard work involved, but there was never a cross word among my companions, just frivolity and camaraderie.

Summer was a highlight, with the arrival of our residential volunteers.

The team-building exercise that was organised for family members of a large whisky company was the first of these wonderful ventures.

They built two bridges out of telegraph poles, chopped back nettles, laid weed suppressant membrane over 200 metres of woodland floor and then barrowed 40 tonnes of dolomite in order to build our nature trail. Thatfs what I call a good weekendfs work.

Shortly afterwards, we were joined by the international volunteers. We picked them up from Darlington station and brought them, dazed and tired from travelling, back to our secluded site. Their stay coincided with the start of the summer heatwave, which proved useful, as there was no shortage of volunteers to keep the polytunnel well watered.

They helped build an outdoor classroom in the woods, which again meant cutting down loads of nettles and brush. They also created three observation hides. One looked over the beck, where kingfishers and dippers zipped up and down the banks. Another watched over the muddy ox-bow swamp, which is filled with newts, toads and a million little birds. The third hide was much more secluded on an island close to where the otters play.

The guides came next and had fun making wooden pegs on the forest pole lathe, as well as learning all about tracking animals. They made full use of the camp fire in the evenings, toasting marshmallows and singing traditional tunes.

I had successes and failures in the garden. I had to sow two lots of tomatoes as the first ones succumbed to a mini-heatwave in April. It didnft really matter though, as the summer was so long there was plenty of time to get a good crop in.

Sweetcorn, pumpkins and courgettes all proved successful. The tastiest crop, though, had to be the beetroot. It was the sweetest beetroot Ifd ever grown, maybe due to the fact that they were growing in the cocooned warmth of my pioneering raised straw bale beds.

Carrots thrived too, as the rootfly was unable to access them through the walls of straw. I tried salsify for the first time, and was pleasantly pleased. It was easy to grow and provided a timely late crop with a taste similar to Jerusalem artichoke.

The brassicas proved troublesome.

Three varieties of butterfly timed the laying of their eggs with my two week holiday. By the time I came back, most of my plants had become skeletons. Next year I shall have to make sure to net them during July and August. I didnft lose everything though, as the sprouts have burst back.

My classes have been heartwarmingly rewarding. I have had groups of teenagers helping manage the orchard by mulching with sheepfs wool and cardboard; special needs children sowing mountains of vegetable by smashing shop-bought fruit and extracting seeds; schools creating nature-based textiles, carving home-grown pumpkins and making wreaths out of hedgerow materials and disabled adults mowing the fields and filling the beds with manures.

At times I have found it hard to believe that I actually get paid for having so much fun.

All this adventure was topped off at the start of winter by moving house to actually live on site. Most of my friends say I am quite mad, but I reckon they are a little jealous. How often do you get the chance to watch woodpeckers, herons, roe deer, kingfishers and badgers from your bedroom window? Where else in this area can you sit round a campfire in October with a bottle of wine, watch the sun set and listen to the owls sounding off around you.

I look forward to 2007 and hope that it brings just as many exciting opportunities and activities.

Brigid presents Ask about Gardening every Sunday on BBC Radio Cleveland 95FM from 1-2pm.

Questions will be answered on the day by e-mailing cleveland.studios@bbc.co.uk, texting 07786200995 or phoning 01642-225511.

Alternatively, send questions to brigidpress@hotmail.com or The Clow Beck Eco Centre, Old Spa Farm, Crofton- Tees, Darlington, DL2 2TQ info@clowbeckecocentre.co.uk