OUR VISION
Read the report from the Visioning Workshop Event in July 2022
Our ultimate goal is to create a regenerative land based eco village. A community of skilled craftspeople and land workers here in the Forest of Dean, running apprenticeship programmes and building a real, workable local economy.
In Britain the vast majority of land is owned by a small minority, and we are loosing our rights to roam, as well as our right to dwell on the land.
Supersized commercial farms with large machinery damages the land by compression, soil is left barren and bare, as harmful chemicals such as glysophates are used readily, killing off much of our biodiversity.
Small scale, low impact dwellings and small holdings can actually increase biodiversity, soil health, and improve the wellbeing of those subsiding there. People can produce enough to meet their own needs plus surplus, on just a few acres, whilst building soil and bringing the land back into balance.
Access to land is a barrier to the health and wellbeing of people and our landscapes. People need the land and the land needs her people - integrated, and working in harmony, with traditional skills and new techniques. Together we can regenerate and live in balance once again.
to make this happen We Are:
Inviting donations of land to be held in a Community Land Trust; which we will run as a workers co-op on sociocratic principles for regenerative living, working crafts, growing, and venue space.
Creating a workable and transferable business plan to enable us to make a ‘Community Share Offer’ allowing our supporters to invest and see a return on their investment.
In the meantime we are:
Continuing to manage a number of sites around The Forest of Dean:
Running Kensley Sheds Craft Centre with open access workshops; providing tools, equipment and work space for members.
Providing facilities for green woodworking, tanning, blacksmithing, coppice crafts, ceramics and textiles.
Continuing to run affordable courses and sessions for all ages, workshops and events promoting and building skills in traditional crafts and rural skills.
Supporting the planting of more edible landscapes using agro-forestry/agro-ecology/agro-regen principles.
Promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all using a sliding-scale system for fees.
We Want
Better access to woodland for coppicing, forest schools, foraging, ancestral living and survival skills.
To promote outdoor learning and sustainable organic practices.
To create employment for local crafts people, land workers and communities.
To be a hub; a place to learn new skills, share ideas, meet new people and feel part of something exciting.
What you can do to help
Join us as a member
Come along to a craft workshop
Buy your friends and family craft workshop vouchers
Tell people about us.
Get in touch with us.