Last night at our Annual General Meeting, David Moreton made the following announcement about stepping back from his role as General Manager at Oak Tree Farm Rural Project.

In 1986 a group of parents and teachers of young people with learning disabilities got together with the idea of setting up an alternative to the town based day centres that were available at that time. This idea turned into reality and I agreed to spend a year at the emerging Oak Tree Farm Rural Project whilst the initial facilities were completed. That was 35 years ago and in that time the charity has grown and now has all the elements envisaged by that first group of people, a nursery growing plants, gardens, crafts, a tea room, a pottery and much more.

The time is now right for me to step back from lead role on the farm and retire as General Manager. I am not going away however; I will be here during the transition, be more than willing to share what I have experienced and learned over the years, will continue at the farm in other ways as a volunteer and maybe a Trustee at some point in the future.

My time at the farm has been interesting, satisfying, hard work, fun, challenging, humbling, heart wrenching – most of all a pleasure. I have really enjoyed being with my Team Member, staff and volunteer colleagues, we are a family that will endure. I have been privileged to develop and care for the farm, it’s facilities and land, and pleased to hopefully leave it in good heart for future generations.

I trust that the people that follow me at the charity will lead it with empathy and kindness and nurture the freedom of Team Members to be themselves and thrive as I have tried to do. I would encourage a new generation of parents and others to drive the organisation on behalf of their family and friends with learning disabilities as those people did in 1986.

All the best

David

Chair of Trustees, David Folkes said.

"David’s contribution to Oak Tree Farm has been outstanding. Whilst many people have contributed to its development, David has been at the heart of everything.  He has led the charity with great skill, enthusiasm, dedication compassion and kindness. Whilst we would love him to continue forever, we recognise that is not possible and respect his decision to step aside. We are delighted that he will continue to be part of the Oak Tree family. The process of recruiting a successor is underway.”

Come and join us for a quiz night in our Oak Leaf Tea Room.

Teams of up to 6 people, £5 per head

Booking required, contact Oak Tree Farm Rural Project to book your place.

Bring your own alcohol, if required.  Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cake will be available to purchase from the tea room.

The Annual General Meeting of Oak Tree Farm Rural Project Limited will be held in our Oak Leaf Tea Room on Wednesday 17^th April at 7:30pm for the following purposes:

1. To receive a presentation on the work of 2023.
2. To receive accounts for the period 1^st January 2023 to 31^st December 2023.
3. To set the level of Members subscriptions for 2024.
4. To elect Directors of the Company Charity.

This is an opportunity to hear about what the organisation has been doing over the past twelve months and about some of our future plans.  The meeting will be followed by refreshments. We do hope you will be able to join us.

From Monday 17^th to Friday 21^stJuly our Team Members all enjoyed taking part in our 2023 Bike a Thon. 

Using static exercise bikes they cycled a total of 387 miles over the week and raised just over £1700 which will be split between Oak Tree Farm and local charity, The British Wildlife Centre.

Thank you to everyone who supported us during the week either by cheering us on or by giving a donation.