Happy Days

Sunny Sunday playing with my plants, potting on those that have outgrown their pots, having a trim and de- head, ah so nice to have my hands in the soil and absorb the colours and energy of nature's gifts......
an update on the refugee in Edinburgh
Dear All;

We have had some good news - the removal has been stopped. We still have
much work to do on the case and everyone's support is still required.

The legal team today confirmed to me that the removal proceedings have
been stopped following the petition to the court of sessions for a Judical
Review. It must be noted that this is only the first hurdle in the
process to keep Rene in Edinburgh. Sadly Rene has been moved to the
Colmbrook Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow but we hope to have him
back in Scotland soon.

The next part of the battle, and one which still requires everyone's
support, is the petition to appeal against the original decision to refuse
his asylum application 7 making a fresh application. This will be an
ongoing battle and the work that everyone of you have done so far has been
invaluable.

Please keep supporting Rene's case!

Rene and his close friends would like to thank everyone who has helped
throughout this whole ordeal - your support has kept Rene's hopes alive
through these difficult times.

I will supply further updates as and when I have them, please also keep an
eye on the Edinburgh Evening News who are following the story:

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=684692007

THANK YOU!!

Ben Rogers

In keeping with my gardening

Hand In Hand With Nature - Healing Gardens

Time spent in nature's embrace is a soothing reminder of the fact that we also are

products of the natural world's ingenuity. We feel at home in a quiet forest and are
comforted by the pounding surf of the seaside. In both the sunny meadow and the
shaded waterfall's grotto, stress and tension we have long retained melts away.
Finding opportunities to reconnect with nature to enjoy its healing benefits can be
difficult, however. Planting and tending a garden allows us to spend time with
Mother Nature in a very personal and hands-on way. We work in tandem with nature
while gardening-honoring the seasons, participating in the life cycle of various
organisms, experiencing the unique biorhythms of our environments, and transcending
all that divides us from the natural world. As we interact with the soil, we are
free to be ourselves and reflect upon meditative topics. Fresh air invigorates us,
while our visceral connection to the earth grounds us.
Though you may plant a garden to grow food or herbs, or for the pleasure of seeing
fresh flowers in bloom, you will likely discover that the time you spend working in
your plot feels somehow more significant than many of the seemingly more important
tasks you perform each day. Whether your garden can be measured in feet or is a
collection of plants in pots, tending it can be a highly spiritual experience. You,
by necessity, develop a closer relationship with the soil, seeds, water, and
sunlight. Nurturing just a single plant means cultivating a deeper understanding of
the mechanisms that permit it to thrive. A true healing garden is simply one where
you feel comfortable plunging your hands into the earth, lingering over seedlings
and plants to observe their growth. And yes, even caressing and talking to plants.
Creating beauty through the creative use of space, and giving yourself over to awe
when you realize that you have worked hand in hand with nature to give birth to
something, is truly wonderful.
The partnership that is formed when you collaborate with Mother Nature through
gardening is wonderful in that it provides you with so many opportunities to be
outdoors. You will be reminded of not only your connection to the earth but also of
your unique gifts that allow you to give back to the earth.