Community Farm

Shelter, warmth, food...

These three words form the basis of our 'hierarchy of need'.  Without them, our lives would be destitute, impossible.

Family, belonging, community...

These three words, perhaps not quite so dramatic or intense come next in the list.

And, as social creatures their importance weighs heavily upon the way we interact with each other in a day to day, season to season, generation to generation way.

Around two years ago, whilst listening to Radio 4 an article, about a village and its' allotment farm, somewhere in England, so simple and yet with so many positive outcomes caught my imagination.  If only we could use it here!

Well...now we can!

The aims of North Elmham Community Smallholding (NECS) are as follows:

1.          To invite into and provide a community based farm for; all people young and old, and of any belief or creed.

2.          To create an ethical, moving towards organic, co-operative farm based around the principle of voluntary contribution of shared labour skills and knowledge.

3.          To farm in such a way so as to reduce 'fossil fuel dependency' and reliance upon the petrochemical industry as a whole.

4.          To provide the opportunity for people to learn new skills, create a connection and maintain a healthy balanced relationship with nature.

5.          To grow fruit and vegetable produce amongst the members of the co-operative, and to help create profitable returns on produce sold outside the group thus allowing for future growth.

6.          To look toward and contribute to any new ideas and technology that could help our village become environmentally sustainable and self-sufficient, i.e. medium scale wind, biomass or riverine power, helping toward the local power demands of our, and maybe even surrounding parishes.

Obviously, the idea sounds utopian to say the least. So obviously again, an idea such as this can't possibly work.  Hippies, hey!!!!

Or could it?        Well.  Here's your chance to find out.  As the first proactive meeting and work day will be on October 31^st.  Our first task is to begin the restoration of 'The Bramleys', an orchard within the grounds of The Elmham House Estate, kindly tenured to the NECS by Mr Robin Don and his family.

If you and your families are interested in volunteering a little time helping to reinstate the orchard and having an autumnal day out with a crackling bonfire, pumpkin pie, baked potatoes and of course roast apples, please come along.

It would be handy for us to know who's interested in helping out and also to arrange a work program that benefits all involved.

So, please phone me for details on 01362 667209, or 07768063775.

Lastly, thanks for taking the time to read this.

Mark

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