A project on the Edge of Landscape, at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills in SE Scotland.
Our Place Pishwanton Wood is a Place “on the Edge” - of Landscape, of Life, of Science, Art and of Cultural Practice. It lies at the edge of what was once the Iapetus Ocean between two ancient continents. This landscape was the birthplace of James Hutton, the father of modern geology, and Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, both contemporaries of Goethe, and is today an area of sleepy undulating hills: the Borders Region. Pishwanton Wood, on the edge of the Lammermuir Hills is a place of constant transformation, housing numerous microhabitats, or landscape ‘rooms’. The Life Science Trust, the custodian of this land since 1992, has been working within these microhabitats over 21 years, to discover what each room wishes to express, how to develop thresholds between the habitats, enabling harmonious transitions to be experienced as one moves through the landscape. Translated into practice, we try to be conscious in everything we do of the past of the place before trying to transform it into its future. Does what I want to do fit here? Will the landscape be enhanced, be able to receive my intentions? Can I be open enough to “hear” its intention and give nature its own right? Such a conversation is the basis of our work on this land and our practise. While we are normally conscious of borders or thresholds in the physical world, we are less aware of thresholds within life/ developmental processes, or of soul/ spiritual atmospheres between places. At Pishwanton we explore both the inner and outer journey of discovering life and landscape, through the activities of perceiving, reflecting, and doing. We discover thresholds between humans and nature; between wilderness and cultivated landscape; between the past and future of a place. We then try to bring these experiences into a form that can be communicated further. The way of working with both one’s inner and outer nature simultaneously, and of raising to consciousness the processes of perceiving and reflecting as a precursor to action provides a meditative path of spiritual development and is practised in all our activities in the wood, with landscape, buildings, plants and animals.
Our Task…
"Nature always creates like an artist:: through rocks, rivers, the many coloured atmosphere; in plants or plant colonies; into forms and the movement of animals. Through all these appearances we can train our sense for the arts.” "If we want to experience this and move beyond a superficial, handed-down knowledge about the world, first we need to turn toward the visible world with a renewed interest. "When we tread a path with wide awake consciousness toward our own attitudes brought forth by the visible world, we become aware of the elements of earth, water, air and fire; and how the experience of life processes and spiritual expression speak to us through our own relationship to the outer appearances. We also become aware of borders and threshold crossings on the way”. "Learning to perceive all this, and the way the elements play together in a landscape, lends wings to our artistic imagination, where picture building capacities can be strengthened”. “Committed to such an inner schooling, one can work in a constructive and healing way for a truly human future. This implies the calling forth into manifestation the spiritual possibilities implicit in nature; those which nature herself has hidden, and which can be revealed through human activity in the Landscape. It is also through this process that the task of Pishwanton as a school will be made more and more visible.” -Jochen Bockemühl,
Our Aims Within the Landscape
How does a place come into being? How is it that we recognise the character of a place so easily? French, Swiss, Austrian and Scottish landscapes are unique, highly individual characters down to the very ground we walk on, to the trees, parks and buildings which give to each its colourful encounter. It might be possible to see clearly how landscape and people originally helped to form one another. Highly individualised landscapes have grown alongside the evolution of human consciousness, the relicts of which we often now seek to conserve, having come to a point in our own development where we are steadily separating ourselves from being embedded in the traditional landscape and culture of our forefathers. Nowadays, having achieved a sense of world citizenship, many people find living this way gives rise to chaos both in the outer landscape and in our inner lives. We are asking certain questions in the Life Science Trust, which will enable us to understand the processes in landscape formation, particularly as it relates to human consciousness: How can we develop the skills to perceive the processes and gestures (both within us and in nature) necessary for the creation of new landscapes of the future? What are the consequences of doing or not doing this? How can we integrate farms, gardens and buildings into the landscape in a responsible way? Is a careful individualized process of perception and what arises from this an antidote to the ‘sameness’ imposed on countries world-wide by globalisation? Further, how can we encourage and develop a) a science of the ‘invisible’ in nature, and b) the moral responsibility to care for our landscapes, plants, animals and places of the future?
Pishwanton Today and our Aims for 2014 Today at Pishwanton there are few mature trees left and the wind sweeps though the southern fringes of the place. Within the wood there are sheltered areas, warm, sunny pockets resounding in peace. Pishwanton Wood, with its high diversity of habitats, is a place of constant transformation. For 23 years we have been “listening” to this land and trying to help the moods of the landscape rooms to express themselves further. We have planted thousands of trees where it asked to be wooded, created gardens in the heart of the place and buildings to serve our activities, which look as if they have “grown out of the landscape”. Our Aims for 2014 All activities at Pishwanton are founded on a Goethean Study and Consensus design process. Moving through the various inner and outer thresholds of this journey, revelations are transformed into creative actions, which may unfold in a variety of ways from medicine making, to garden design. poetry, art or an eco-building in the landscape. Our main focus for the last five years has been the development of a herb garden and a scientific laboratory with herb processing facilities. This is on-going, we now seek funding to complete the kitting out of the building and volunteers to weed and dig the gardens, harvest and process herbs. Our main aims are of research and education and in 2014 we are consolidating our education with a training course in Goethean Natural Science accredited at the Goetheanum in Switzerland. Key Project for 2014 is to build the student chalets, to expand our short courses and continue the woodland management.
"Beholding the Heart of Nature" A Course of inner development based on a year of encounters with nature
is a foundation year for people at a turning point in their lives or who want to bring something new into their life's work or deepen their profession. For those who cannot manage a whole year of intensive learning, the components lend themselves to be taken as separate modules - as a three month block on a particular topic - or as individual weekend workshops.
is a foundation for young adults who are seeking their life's task
is a sabbatical for people in mid career
is a reorientation for those seeking a new task / way of being in later life
is for anyone wanting to reconnect to nature in a deeply spiritual way
is for people who want to enhance another training
is a gap year for adults
The whole course forms a part of both a 2 year training in Goethean/Anthroposophic Natural Science accredited by the Goetheanum in Switzerland (see www.pishwanton.org for details) and a Biodynamic Apprenticeship Training and the two year long practical training in Biodynamic land management
Summary of Courses for 2014 - 2015 offered by the In between are the following courses :Life Science Trust at Pishwanton Wood Beholding the Heart of Nature week-end courses are Until April 2014 Week-end Dates Aries
25 - 27 April 2014
Taurus
23 - 25 May
Gemini
27 - 29 June
Cancer
25 - 27 July
Leo
22 - 24 August
Virgo
26 - 28 September
Libra
31 - 2 October/November
Scorpio
28 - 30 November
Sagittarius 26 - 28 December Capricorn 30 - 1 January/February 2015 Aquarius
20 - 22 February 2015
Pisces
27 - 29 March 2015
See our website for regular updates: www.pishwanton.org or tel. 01620 810259
Compost Making Medicinal Plants and their Meaning Medicinal and Culinary Herbs Growing Harvesting, Processing & Preserving Plants for Home Use Kitchen Pharmacy) & Cooking Plants in the Landscape Evolution Cookery courses Plant families and Healing Processes Study of Stars and Zodiac Sacred Architecture And alongside these we are running practical training activities throughout the year on :Green Building (See www.pishwanton.org) for details Exploring & Painting the Scottish Landscape Dyeing with Plants Weaving with Natural Colours Spinning and Felting Wool Various green Woodwork Courses
General Information: Application, Prices & Accommodation Application: If you would like to attend a course, an activity, or become a volunteer please complete the application form & send it by post or fax to: The Life Science Trust, Quince Cottage, Gifford, E. Lothian, EH41 4PL,UK. Tel./fax +44 1620 810259. The closing date for applications for courses is one week before each course begins. Cancellation: Cancellation up to 4 weeks before the beginning of the course incurs a cancellation fee of 20 % of the total amount, 50 % up to 2 weeks before. Cancellations should be in writing including your booking number. The entire amount is forfeited for late or unsuccessful cancellations. Course Fees: The course fees are detailed on each course sheet. A concessionary rate is often available for students, seniors and individuals with low income. We are able to host a maximum of 20 people, so early booking is advised. Course Venues: Daily workshops, as well as the lunchtime meal, will be held at Pishwanton Wood. This is a non-smoking environment. It is an alcohol, drug and mobile phone free environment. Meals: Communal meals are provided at lunchtime (12.30– 13.30). The cost for these meals is included. Breakfast will be provided in places of accommodation or self-catered. The meals will be largely vegetarian and organic. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know on your booking form or contact Deborah Betts, Co-ordinator at the Life Science Trust (office hours 9am - 1pm.). We will do our best to accommodate individual needs. Accommodation: The Life Science Trust can arrange self-catering accommodation in its hostel Greenbank Cottage in Gifford, Bed & Breakfast or full board in Quince Cottage at Baxtersyke near Gifford, or Craigie Lodge, Longformacus or camping at Pishwanton Wood, depending on the time of year. An accommodation list is also available with information on local B&B’s and hotels, if you wish to book your own. Transport: We will provide transport between accommodation in Gifford and Pishwanton Wood. Longer term participants or volunteers are welcome to bring bicycles for personal transport. We have some bicycles for personal use. Parking: Parking will be available at accommodation locations. Very limited parking is available at Pishwanton Wood. Please share transport whenever possible.
ACCOMMODATION ATTACHED TO PISHWANTON Quince Cottage B. & B., Holidays for people of all Ages and Abilities, Respite, Convalescence and Short Breaks Quince Cottage is a comfortable and relaxed modern Camphill style family home providing holidays, short breaks and accommodation for some students and co-workers in the peace and tranquillity of the Lammermuir Hillfoots. We can accommodate up to seven guests in twin and single rooms, with shared bathrooms; kitchen diner; dining hall and a telephone; sitting room with good selection of books, games, and a wood burning stove. Quince Cottage is a pleasant twenty minute walk from Pishwanton Wood and an ideal place to stay for participation on a course, for a recuperative holiday, to work as a volunteer or simply to enjoy the quiet country ambience. Quince Cottage love cooking and baking and try to use the best locally sourced and biodynamic ingredients for all meals. For bookings and further enquiries: Contact:
Quince Cottage
Tel: 01620 810891
4, Baxtersyke, Near Gifford, East Lothian, EH41 4PL.
CAMPING IN PISHWANTON is a wild and wonderful experience. Within the herb garden under birches in a dry bracken-filled space we have room for a few tents inhabited by careful people. Cost per person per night ÂŁ10 There is a compost toilet in the car park and spring water in the garden.
CRAIGIE LODGE
A haven of peace and tranquillity on the edge of Longformacus, the heart of the Lammermuir Hills. Craigie Lodge a for-
mer Manse of the Parish, is a small Georgian House with comfortable, beautifully proportioned rooms and stunning views south to Dirrington Great Law. The house is situated at the end of a farm lane in its own wooded grounds with an open outlook and a substantial kitchen garden. Time spent at Craigie offers: good clear air and wonderful walks directly onto well marked hill tracks with an abundance of hill forts, castles, ancient monuments, reservoirs to explore or simply places to sit and meditate or commune with nature in the quiet rooms and peaceful well kept gardens. At Longformacus we offer Retreat facilities, short courses, quiet or convalescent holidays and ‘bed and breakfast’. We are part of the Quiet Garden Movement. Craigie Lodge has fine, homely, basic accommodation with catering for Christian retreats on a daily basis, or up to 3 bedrooms (twin , double or single) for people who want to come on a personal retreat to rest, recover; write or simply be at peace. In the house and gardens there is a strictly no smoking policy. There is no television, internet facility or mobile phone possibility. To book contact Margaret Colquhoun : 01361 890246 Greenbank Cottage is the Trust’s hostel in the village of Gifford and let for short breaks and holidays. This provides comfortable accommodation in shared rooms for students. In the winter months it can be booked on a longer term let. Gifford is a quiet village in East Lothian. To book contact Deborah Betts: 01620 810259
Accommodation in and around Gifford B & B at Life Science Trust Properties - Quince Cottage, Craigie Lodge £45 per night £55 full board Self-catering in Greenbank—£450 per week (Sleeps 9). Wild camping in Pishwanton—£10 per person per night Goblin Ha' Hotel, Main St. Gifford Tel+44 (0)1620 810244 Fax+44 (0)1620 810708 Email:stay@goblinha.com Seven en-suite rooms which all have TVs, tea/coffee making facilities and hair dryers. B & B £59-79 per room. Single occupancy £53.10 - £69.12 Orchard House Chalets B. & B. Letham Mains, Haddington. Tel +44 (0)1620 824898 Fax +44 (0)1620 822678 Email: orchardletham@aol.com Web: www.orchardhousechalets.co.uk Carfrae Farmhouse B. & B. Mrs Gibson Tel. 01620 830242 Garvald, Email: enquiry@carfraefarmhouse.com East Lothian, EH41 4LP. Wild camping in Blinkbonny Wood from £10 per pitch 01620 825034
Tweeddale Arms Hotel High St. Gifford Tel +44 (0)1620 810240 www.thetweeddalearms.co.uk B.& B. £60-£90 per room per night Duncastle B. & B. at Eaglescairnie Mains Gifford Tel/Fax: 01620 810491 Email: williams.eagles@btinternet.com £42.50 per person per night £60 single occupancy. Double & twin rooms are available with ensuite /private bathrooms Discounts are available for stays of 4 nights or longer Mrs Gill Tait Redshill Farm Gifford Haddington EH41 4JN
Prices £65 - £80 B. and B. Discounts for more than 2 & more than 4 nights
How to Get to Pishwanton and Gifford?
A6137 to the Sea A1 to Berwick on Tweed and Dunbar
A1 to Tranent and
By Rail: The nearest Railway Station is in either Dunbar or Edinburgh. Bus services X6/X8 run east from Edinburgh to Haddington and west from Dunbar to Haddington. Bus service no. 123 runs from Haddington to Gifford. By Car: From the South east: -take the A1 towards Edinburgh and exit at Haddington. All other Routes: - From Edinburgh, take the A720 City Bypass toward Berwick-on-Tweed (A1), and turn off at Haddington. From Haddington: - Follow the High Street through the town centre, turn right at the sign to Gifford. At the edge of town, turn left onto the B6369 to Gifford and follow signs to Gifford town centre. By Air: To Edinburgh airport. Take an airport bus to central Edinburgh and then bus no.s X6/X8 to Haddington (For transport from Haddington, see “By Rail� above).
Haddington
Edinburgh
B6369 to Haddington and A1
B6
35 to 5 Pe Ea nc st ai Sa tla l nd tou an n d Tr an
B6355
en
Gifford
To Duns & Longformacus
t
Baxtersyke
To Haddington & the sea To B6368
To Humbie and A68
To Duns
Longyester
Pishwanton
HOW MAY I HELP IF I AM UNABLE TO WIELD A SPADE
Join the Friends of Pishwanton Make a donation - with or without Gift Aid Sponsor Land Care or Education Gifts for specific aspects of the project e.g. The Community Garden The Goethean Science Building The Student Chalets
www.justgiving.com www.pishwanton.org
HOW ELSE CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED AT PISHWANTON? VOLUNTEERING We feel privileged to be custodians of this land and we want to share the experience of caring for it with a wider community. There is an immense variety of opportunities for volunteers of all ages and abilities to join in all the year round. Under the direction of staff members, volunteers have accomplished an enormous amount of remedial land and building work. The nature of the work at the project is very labour intensive, by design rather than by accident. This is ongoing work, which can only be achieved with the help of volunteers! You may find yourself working with the land group in clearing gorse and bracken, thinning birches and making woven birch fencing, tree planting and aftercare, digging ponds, maintaining the All-Ability Trail and the informal network of paths. There are opportunities to help in the biodynamic gardens or with the animals. You could also find yourself working alongside young people in creating an ecologically sympathetic water system bringing fresh water to animals and people and returning it, organically purified, to the landscape. To volunteer - please contact : 01620 810259 Corporate agencies use our services regularly as a “day out� or as a team-building experience.
Application for a course or to stay at Pishwanton Wood 2014 Personal Information:__ Ms.__ Miss__ Mrs. __ Mr. Surname ……………………………………………….. First name ……...………………………………………. Street and number .……………………………………. City/ District……………….. Post Code…………... Country………………… Tel ………………………. Fax ……………………….. Course: I apply for Course Title: ………………………………… Dates: …………………………………………………… Additional Information: Please indicate any special needs, diets, requests e.g. transport, or questions you may have ………………………...…………………………... ……………………………………………………. Accommodation :I would like to camp at Pishwanton I am booking my own accommodation
Payment Information: Please pay in Pounds Sterling or Euros and indicate form of payment. Cheques & money orders can be made payable to the Life Science Trust. Direct Debit: Bank account & routing number/ sort code: …………………………………………………………… __ Cheque __ Payments by Bacs: Life Science Trust c/o Bank of Scotland, Haddington, UK. Acc. No. 00559417 Sort Code: 80-08-23 ——————————————————————— I would like to book a holiday/respite/convalescent space with the Life Science Trust. Please send me further information I would like to book a place in Life Science Trust accommodation. Craigie Lodge Quince Cottage Greenbank Cottage
CONTACT ADDRESS:
The Pishwanton Project Life Science Trust Quince Cottage 4 Baxtersyke, Gifford, East Lothian EH41 4PL Scotland Tel. +44 (0)1620 810259 Email: admin@pishwanton.com www.pishwanton.org The Life Science Trust Registered Office : as above
an environmental educational charity (Charity No. SC 020705) A member of the Camphill Association & The Quiet Garden Trust Movement