The week before last passed pleasantly whilst stewarding at Green Earth
Awakening a Buddhafield camp in the Black Down Hills, Somerset (cue jokes about how hard can it possibly be to steward Buddhist punters at a festival with no bar!) This was a
great opportunity to meet people involved in a variety of community,
permaculture, environmental and craft projects across the UK. Besides GEA
Buddhafield hosts many different camps throughout the year, see www.buddhafield.com for info.
There were many chances to be creative – jewellery making
with scrap metal, willow basket weaving, metal forging, felting and knitting.
We got stuck in with carving our own spoons at Wayne’s Wood (an unbelievably
absorbing and addictive pastime!)
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| Spooning! |
There were workshops aplenty such as yoga,
meditation, Buddhism for beginners, drumming and kirtan (which gave Sarah’s
harmonium a few airings!). Talks were held on subjects such as ‘the benefits
of living in community’, ‘the work that reconnects’ based on the groundbreaking
writings of Joanna Macy, various aspects of permaculture including forest
gardening and sustainable design systems for growing and living.
We had a quick trip to Dartington in Devon for the launch of
the Biodynamic Land Trust shareholder offer. The launch involved a walk on the land and a gathering at the village hall - a short film of the event is on You Tube... http://youtu.be/SADEMM0Kmxs
The trust intends to secure
farmland at Week, Dartington for the development of sustainable farming
methods. Initially this will be leased to The Apricot Centre (currently based
in Manningtree, Essex where Bob works) to establish a farm using permaculture
design along with organic and biodynamic methods. The launch event was well
attended by locals from the area and there is much support for this venture
which will create biodiversity, produce, jobs and a hub for the local community
to meet and learn. Shares in the land start from just £100 bringing social, cultural and
environmental returns for yourself and future generations through the development of new and innovative farming. For more details see
www.biodynamiclandtrust.org.uk
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| Bob and Sarah McPeg on the lawn at Monkton Wyld Court |
We've just completed another two weeks of Wwoofing at Monkton Wyld Court, an education
centre for sustainable living in Dorset. It is a striking building in Gothic
style but only around 150 years old, set in beautiful countryside and sporting an
award winning compost loo with a view and it’s very own licenced pub in a shed
in the garden!
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| Smallest licenced pub in England! |
Volunteers help with the running of the centre and B&B so
tasks can include weeding or harvesting fruit and veg, clearing nettles and
brambles, bed making, food preparation, wood processing, grass scything, hay making
and cow milking to name a few. We learnt lots and it was interesting to be a
part of a small community of less than 15 people, a completely different
experience to the much larger community at Old Hall where our first Wwoof was.
To read more about staying, volunteering or studying at Monkton Wyld Court
visit www.monktonwyldcourt.org
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| The McPeg's admire the Dorset countryside... |
