PARIS – here we come! (1st - 5th July 2009)

One resident and three members of staff will be cycling from London to Paris (approx 300 miles).

They won’t be totally cycling through the Channel Tunnel but the rest of the journey from London to Paris will be pedalling all the way for our four intrepid cyclists from Pepenbury.

Chris Gearing, Adam Starritt, Guy Apps and Maciej Andrzejak have started a gruelling training programme with the help of volunteer David Vaughan and Fusion Fitness Centre in Tunbridge Wells who have kindly given them all free short-term membership.  The cycle ride is over 4 days from 1st July to 5th July averaging 70 miles a day on the saddle – hard work in more ways than one!!

They will arrive in Paris on 5th July to be greeted by fans, including resident Chris Gearing’s Mum and, hopefully, a group of us from Pepenbury.

They need all the sponsors they can get so please donate generously.

To download a poster please click here

Donate Now! To make a secure online donation click here

Please complete and return the sponsor form by downloading here.

The Pepenbury Pigs

Welcome to Pepenbury's first pigs! They arrived on 9th December and by Tuesday evening at 8pm chose to escape thier compound. After valiant efforts by Mike Giles, Phil Edmunds and Martyn Gibson they were eventually captured and returned to their place of safety! They have been named Scary, Posh and Ginger.

Plant Sale

Pepenbury grows a wide range of good quality plants, grown by people with learning disabilities and all available for sale to the public and organisations.

The Sun Shines on May Fair!

It seems that deciding to opt for a later than usual date for our annual May Fair was a great decision on this occasion.  The sun had been shining for several days and the weather was made for eating, drinking and playing games!

Usual attractions like the sale of our home-grown plants through to Smashing Crockery and Whack the Rat were still popular but so was an excellent exhibition of trial bikes, three great bands (including our Pepenbury Band) and Line Dancing.

Three burger barbecues and a hog roast sold well and for those with different tastes, the Coffee Shop was in great demand for hot & cold drinks and cold snacks.  We hope that those who enjoyed the food and the views will come back and enjoy a full café service 7 days a week.

Special thanks must go to those who organised the day and particularly to all volunteers, without whom the day would not have been the success it was.  We made £3,200 with a further donation of £200 yet to be received!

White Water Rafting or Kayaking

A White Water Rafting Event is being organised at the Nene - White Water Centre near Bedford on Sunday 12th July 2009.  The event is being organised by Sigi Lester to raise money for pepenbury towards swimming pool equipment. 

If you wish to take part or want to know more, please speak to Sigi on 01732 838038.

Moving On

Kevin, Mark and Jonathan are the latest residents to move from Pepenbury into their own accommodation. It has been a very exciting time getting the accommodation ready and many thanks go to John and the maintenence team who worked the whole of the weekend of 3-4th December to decorate the rooms and get everything ship - shape and ready for the 'big move'.

Plans are now also well advanced for another three bedroomed home to be opened in Pembury and two residents from Pines will be moving on after the Christmas holiday.  Anyone interested in the third room should speak to Roger Gibson as soon as possible.