A Voyage With Cap'n Van Winkle - Tuesday 15/02/11

Up early Sunday morning to catch the low tide at Poppit Sands



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Foraging for Razor Clams - Pinch of salt, wait a few seconds, then grab the fleshy muscle as it pops up. All straight forward in theory, but got very complicated when we arrived...there weren't any.
Limpets and winkles it was. Oh, and a half dead baby octopus. Was fully dead when I placed him back in the water. His limp legs flailing and tangling in slow motion as the waves rocked his soft carcass along the ridged sand.
Stopped at an indoor car boot sale, was jammed full of the usual unloved detritus that clogs most peoples cupboard and loft space. Picked up an old set of Prinz 10x50 binoculars for £6, plus a 3 prong candle stick holder for Emma. Was hoping to find some bellows and a hand grinder/mill. I swear I've seen one or the other at every previous boot sale, but not todays...
Some top up shopping then back home to cook up a limpet and winkle stew. Limpets are rather rubbery when cooked and taste similar to kidney. Sadly, not a taste I like. Frances ate three but once she got one with a bit of grit/sand in it she gave up on the rest. Very please she tried them though.

Brewed up a Rice and Raisin wine I've named Cap'n Van Winkles Rice n Raisin Rum. Partly in honour of the day, but also to piss off nick whose friends think his new beard make him look like a fisherman.

The days catch.

Some sharks eggs aka Mermaids Purses.

The Legendary Cap'n Van Winkle Hisself...

Patience Kitty, It will ferment...

Monday - A long, hard productive day. Whilst dodging showers, some rain, some hail and some snow Kit and I managed to complete two sides of the building. Both the inside and the outside course. Working so low down really takes its toll on your back, but an hour of football and a shower soon cured that.

Today's meeting was very interesting indeed. Lots of emotion, background stories and underlying issues coming to the fore. I would invite all volunteers, visitors and shareholders to attend one of these meetings to really understand the challenges a settlement such as this faces.
I enjoyed being asked questions about my stay, how I view my role and presence. I especially enjoyed answering too! I often feel I talk, but am rarely listened to, probably because I'm just a volunteer. Some are more guilty than others in the same way some are more 'equal' than others. A sad reflection on this so called community comes with the next two scheduled days of consensus training. Despite being arranged months in advance and for the benefit of all residents, only four plots look set to attend. The others too busy with other things such as children's dentist appointments. Yet another sad day for Lammas and Tir-Y-Gafel.

M Jones

Barn Warming - Friday 17/12/10

Paul and Hoppi invited everyone to theirs for a house warming now their live in barn is completed and habitable. They have both done a fantastic job and are justified in their pride. Of course the opportunity to hang a door with Nigel and Cassie and engage in yet more carpentry was understandably Paul wished to pass on.
Laid out on the table were various sweet treats including stollen and home made chocolate nests, accompanied by mulled wine. Very nice indeed.
What was also nice, was to be able to meet and socialise with the community outside of an official meeting.
We went on to Simon and Jasmines to eat a pork casserole we'd cooked earlier that day. Once that hit my stomach, I was ready for bed!

The Finished Article

M Jones

Freezing My Barn Off - Thursday 09/12/10

The bitter taste of Tuesdays so called Committee Meeting has started to subside. There are still rumblings and grumblings amongst the residents, and I forecast further tremours and aftershocks following the next meeting, scheduled for this Tuesday.
Kit and I occupied our bodies and minds doing what little we can on a frozen but defrosting building pad. The lime sitting in two trugs is still frozen solid and unusable. This made brick laying impossible, so we had to satisfy ourselves by marking out the edges with fluorescent string and metal line pins. Even these put up a fight...
Am mindful the blog is being neglected as it is simply too uncomfortable to update whilst sitting in a freezing agricultural barn. So this evening I have been trying to do it in the luxurious warmth of the static caravan. Its taking a while....

M Jones

The Regrettable Strike Of Ms Anonymous - Wednesday 24/11/10

Once again, there is trouble in paradise. 10:00 Tuesday morning began another Lammas Committee meeting. All very routine until the last agenda item. "Long term volunteers : financial/legal/privacy and how do we get rid of those who do not want to leave?"
A valid agenda item as it is written. Pertaining to another volunteer who wouldn't cook for themselves (privacy issue for the leaseholder) was of foreign nationality (legal?) broke (financial) and now didn't want to leave. Unfortunately, thanks to someone who I shall kindly allow to remain anonymous, it morphed into a debate when said person randomly brought up that Kit intended to allow us to inhabit a static on his plot. In my opinion this was most regrettable. Obviously Ms Anonymous had motives...
First off, yet again, there were wild inaccuracies, very few facts and subsequently fearful speculation. The same recipe for disaster that occurred not a month prior.
Secondly, this arrangement does not exist yet. Far better would be to find out exactly what is being proposed, gain clarity and move forward. Most interesting was the fact that despite Ms Anonymous knowing the facts, us having confided in her on this matter, she failed to elaborate to the group. Preferring to slink back and allow the mess to erupt.
It was proposed that all volunteers sign a contract with an end date. A residents meeting was suggested in order to discuss the matter and ascertain what exactly should go on the next committee meeting agenda. Despite us being one of the areas of focus of this residents meeting, we were not invited to attend and provide our side of the matter.
The residents meeting, I believe to be a sensible thing. But we couldn't help coming away feeling stabbed in the back, unvalued and unappreciated. Just disposable items ready to be replaced.
That is probably due to not being in a position with any form of power. Therefore our reaction was to reach for that which is in our power. The ability to stay, or rather, leave.
As the dust has settled, so have emotions, but an uneasy air hangs like a mist in the valley. The committee asked that things be put on hold for two weeks. What they don't know is that we have already postponed the caravans delivery three times, Following the verdict, we delayed twice more and now the vendor is understandably wanting to know what to do. With this in mind we've agreed to delivery next Monday. This has already prompted the question from Ms Anonymous "Why have you not waited, at least until after the residents meeting?" This is unfair and unjustified in my opinion for the following reasons.
It is wrong for people to assume we have any power. Let alone, the power to engage in any activity that does not carry the consent of a plotholder.
It is unfair, in light of the many previous occasions we have already postponed and waited.
The other factor to consider is that we are not out to be defiant, undermine, or upset people. We have simply been presented with a wonderful and generous opportunity to better our current situation, our hearts and intentions are pure. I have faith, that all considered people will see truth and reason, and see us for the valuable asset we are. Kit seems to...

M Jones

The Glorious Complexities - Tuesday 09/11/10

10:00 I saw various faces walking past the caravan to Ayres'. It wasn't until the third person that i remembered today was a committee meeting that i had resolved to attend. Those that also attended included Jane (Plot 1), Katy (Plot 2), Ayres and Marianne (Plot 3), Jude (Plot 4), Myself, Kit, Paul W, Simon D, Justin (Volunteer) and Nigel.
The matter consumed 4 hours related to one incident. This incident however had many far reaching ramifications. These areas encompassed - law, policy and procedure, professional and personal conduct/misconduct, Lammas as an organisation, Lammas as Tir Y Gafel village and many other issues. I say it consumed 4 hours, in reality it will probably be more after reviews have taken place and been discussed at the next meeting.
By 15:00 i was feeling both mentally and physically drained. But what a valuable experience.
The question that could be asked by residents is "Why did Mike attend?" The answer to that is this.
Many people that visit Tir Y Gafel see a very idyllic life, lifestyle and setting. For the most part, this is true. What fascinates me and what i witnessed first hand today, is the glorious complexity of humans co-existing. In mainstream battery hen living, i for one, had a minuscule input into the running of the community and settlement i was residing in. Here, people are having to organise and discuss all the same issues councils do. And a whole lot more.
Of course, here you also have those that attend most if not all meetings, as well as others who only do so when issues directly affect or pertain to them.
I feel in this environment and structure, it is far easier to have your say and make a difference. That said, the daunting myriad of rules, issues and protocol could seriously make one NOT wish to reside in a community if ANY description. In my opinion the benefits far outweigh this and i empathise with those in this community who wish to place trust in others to wade through the quagmire on their behalf.
An important proposal was raised and agreed to, which was the fostering by Lammas of another low impact settlement using the template of Tir Y Gafel.
There is a feeling inside me akin to being present at the birth of Christ and bearing witness to the beginning of an extremely important movement. I am also the bearer of a terrible sadness when i realise money currently prevents my entry into this incredible life. As our stay continues, I foresee expansion and the opportunities that brings, melting away as those with the cash leap frog their way in front of us. The pain of this would be crushing and the fear of this alone could be enough to make me want to leave, just to avoid that possiblity.
I will not be ruled by fear. With that in mind i feel if we can spend two more years here, providence will provide a doorway.

M Jones

Woe betide the man who disturbs the pregnant beast.