Volunteering Opportunities in Gardening, Permaculture, Woodland Skills and similar – in and near Totnes, 2012 Not an exhaustive list! Bowden House, near Totnes www.bowdenhouse.co.uk An eco-community with a focus on singing, gardening, meditating, celebrating and learning together (and with the wider community), within walking/cycling distance from Totnes. Volunteers welcome on the Community Action Days held every first and third Saturday of the month, from 10am to 4 pm (though singing starts at 9.30 am), with vegetarian lunch provided (though additions welcome). See newsletter/website for more info and please email before coming: info@bowdenhouse.co.uk
TTT Fruit and Nut Tree Project Tree Nursery and Forest Garden Project at Follaton Arboretum
http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/projects/nut-tree-planting-project Learn how to plant trees and take care of them, including pruning and grafting, at various times of the year, though most events are in November-March. An associated project is the tree nursery at Follaton Arboretum where a volunteer, community and skillshare session takes place the first Sunday of each month, 10 am to 1 pm, organised by Larch Maxey. A great chance to learn about tree care and forest gardening, as well as enjoy a friendly gathering. There may also be a summer action day, probably in August, for pruning the plum and almond trees already planted around Totnes. To join the mailing list, please contact Wendy Stayte on wendystt997@gmail.com or 01803 868305, or Larch Maxey if particularly interested in the Tree Nursery and Forest Garden: larch.maxey@plymouth.ac.uk or 01803 867512.
The Hillyfield, Harbetonford www.thehillyfield.co.uk A beautiful secluded valley with over 40 acres of diverse environment (woodland, pasture, stream, new orchard and more) being sustainably developed by Doug KingSmith (wood sculptor, musician, community catalyst) and friends as a community permaculture project. Volunteers are welcome on the second weekend of each month, from 10 am, and any work here will also be fun and a great learning experience. Check website for special events. Contact Doug on 07976 589927 or dougkingsmith@yahoo.co.uk.
The Althaea Herbal Healing Garden, near Totnes
www.greenlaneherbs.co.uk A working medicinal herb garden and permaculture site, with vegetable and salad gardens, meadow and orchard, surrounded by hedgebanks, green lanes and ancient woodland, powered by solar and wind energy. Lots more: check the website! Volunteers welcome every Thursday 10 am to 4 pm. Contact Frances Wright on 07720 440 866 or greenlaneherbs.frances@virgin.net.
Landmatters, near Totnes
www.landmatters.org.uk A pioneering off-grid permaculture cooperative managing sustainably 42 acres in Allaleigh, Blackawton – not far from Totnes – with self-built low-impact dwellings, renewable energy, organic food growing, various courses and events. Volunteers welcome (especially non residential ones): Contact Sharon Dismore on 0783398538 or landmatters@googlemail.com to discuss.
Sharpham Estate, near Totnes
www.sharphamtrust.org The Sharpham Trust promotes well-being and sustainable living through various educational activities and encourages values such as respect for the natural world, an understanding of the interconnection of life, learning through creative engagement and enquiry or the value of stillness and awareness. It is located in a stunning location. To volunteer in the walled garden , orchards, formal gardens or woodland gardens (usually on Wednesdays and/or Thursdays, 10 am to about 1 pm, but there is flexibility), please contact Head Gardener and permaculturist Jane Pickard on 075283 82296, 01803 732037 or jane.eleanor.pickard@gmail.com. Jane is also planning to start a gardening course at Sharpham. She recently ran a TTT skillshare session and showed her excellent teaching skills.
Lamb Garden (Gardening for Health), Totnes www.gardeningforhealth.org.uk See the website for info on this lovely project in the centre of Totnes. Volunteering at the Lamb Garden, for maintenance of the garden, is on a Mondays, 2 to 4 pm, fortnightly: May 7th and 21st, June 4th and 18th, July 2nd etc. (i.e. alternating with the Gardening for Health sessions).
Leechwell Garden, Totnes
www.leechwellgarden.org.uk Newly created community garden in the centre of Totnes, providing much inspiration. For info on monthly volunteer gardening days, please contact Roma Church on romachurch1@googlemail.com
Incredible Edible Totnes
www.transitiontowntotnes.org/projects/incredible-edible-totnes An exciting Transition project: growing veggies and and other edibles in public and unused spaces in Totnes, taking local food production in the heart of the community, with produce for the community. The planters near Steamer Quay have been some of the first places where this work started. To get involved – to get growing together with others – contact Wendy Stayte on 1803 868305 or wendystt997@gmail.com.
TTT Gardenshare, Totnes www.transitiontowntotnes.org/projects/gardenshare The Gardenshare project links committed, enthusiastic growers with local garden owners who are happy to share, and see their gardens being used more productively. More info from Lou Brown at TTT's office – 01803 867358 and transitiontowntotnes@goolgmail.com.
School Farm, Dartington www.schumachercollege.org.uk/news/future-farming-at-school-farm-dartington Veggie, fruit and flowers grown organically, with minimum tillage, by pioneer horticulturalist Nick Gooderham and his team. A 'Start Gardening' course is taking place on May 5th and June 9th. To join the volunteers at School Farm or enrol on the course, contact Jenny on 07898117890 or Mel on 07841658559 or getgrowingtotnes@gmail.com.
Schumacher College, Dartington www.schumacherccollege.org.uk Within the Dartington Estate and adjoining Martin Crawford's Forest Garden site (see Other Contacts, below), Schumacher College promotes holistic learning, sustainable living and community participation. To volunteer in the garden and forest garden, please contact Bethan Stagg on 01803 847218 or bethan@schumachercollege.org.uk
Foxhole Community Garden, Dartington http://foxholecommunitygarden.wordpress.com/ and www.dartington.org/abundant-life/foxhole-community-garden Created within Dartington Trust's Abundant Life project on the Dartington Estate, this aims to be a place for the entire community to enjoy. Joining the garden costs £10 a year to help cover the running costs of the garden. "New friends, new experiences and improved health are all thrown in for free." Volunteer days are mainly on Wednesday afternoon and some Saturdays. For more information contact Michelle on 01803 847049 and foxholecommunitygarden@gmail.com or Joan Barlow on 01803 663 688.
The Husbandry School, Bickington, near Ashburton
www.husbandry.co.uk Carole and Jonty Williams explore and teach ecologically-sound land management on their land in Bickington, near Ashburton. Volunteer days are on the first Saturday and Thursday of each month, 9 am to 5 pm (May 3rd and 5th May, June 2nd and 7th, July 5th and 7th, August 2nd and 4th, etc.). Lunch provided – made from produce from the land. Activities vary from ground preparation, planting, picking and preparing produce, hedging and terracing, building with straw and cob, weaving willow, building irrigation systems, seed saving, harvesting flowers – and include sharing skills and ideas. Please contact the School if you plan to come: info@husbandry.co.uk, 01626 821145, 07980 253677 or 07806 563373.
Trees for Health
www.treesforhealth.org Trees for Health aims to help foster healthy communities and healthy ecosystems by revitalising our use and knowledge of woodland. Volunteers welcome for many scheduled events, which take place throughout the year, and sometimes more. Check website for events and contact Liz Turner on 07765 631877 or info@treesforhealth.org.
Beenleigh Meadows Farm, near Totnes
www.beenleighmeadowsfarm.org.uk/ The farm is dedicated to the principles of sustainability, resilience, education, community involvement and celebration. It is run with sustainable principles and incorporates food growing, education, the arts and applied conservation. It hosts open days, short courses and volunteers days. Also offers farm allotments. Contact catcoxuk@yahoo.co.uk or 01364 72708.
Moor Trees
www.moortrees.org Moor Trees' mission is to restore natural and native character woodland around Datmoor and in South Devon, involving community groups, local businesses and volunteers, who play a crucial role for the charity work. Moor Trees welcome volunteers of all ages, who can give anything – from one hour of their time to a month or more. By becoming a member you get all relevant information. Check the website for more details!
Underwood Discovery Centre, Beeson, Kingsbridge www.underwooddiscoverycentre.com Based in a converted barn, this delightful centre is located in woodland on an organic farm with land overlooking Start Bay and running down to the coast at Beesands. Its aim is to demonstrate how to farm and live in a sustainable manner whilst reducing our carbon footprint. It hosts many educational and fun events, including some free ones for volunteers. Check the website for more info and for contact details.
Embercombe www.embercombe.co.uk Some 20 miles from Totnes, the fantastic Embercombe project exists "to touch hearts, stimulate minds and inspire committed action for a truly sustainable world". Volunteering is at its heart and there are many opportunities, residential or not. The Friends' Working Weekends (about once a month) are particularly recommended. See website for more info and to book.
Occombe Farm, Paignton www.occombe.org.uk Occombe is a working farm with shop, cafĂŠ, nature trail and educational facilities, including the CSA run Occombe garden "where the growing of fruits, vegetables and flowers are mixed together with history, education and cooking". Volunteers welcome on a one-day (Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm) or regular basis. Next dates are 12 and 26 May, 9 and 23 June , 7 and 28 July, 18 August and 15 September. Check website for more info.
West Town Farm www.westtownfarm.co.uk Through the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, this working organic farm 3 miles west of the centre of Exeter runs a range of educational activities and supports a rich diversity of wildlife . Its 160 acres are all accessible to visiting groups and individuals. On its website you can explore the Farm Trail, look out for events and volunteering opportunities and check the associated website of www.organicarts.co.uk, which runs
many projects, visits, workshops (with clay, wood, etc.) and other activities linking the arts with rural issues and creating a bridge between city and farm.
Steward Community Woodland, Moretonhampstead
www.stewardwood.org Further afield but well worth a visit, this is another pioneering community living and teaching principles of permaculture and sustainable living, which welcomes volunteers. Check the website for more details.
Home Grown - Community Owned (HogCO)
http://www.hogco-devonrcc.org.uk/ This project works with rural communities across Devon to support local food projects, help them network and develop skills. It provides free advice and professional help (to find land and start-up funding, for instance), and connects volunteers with existing groups. It also organises training session for members – check the website!
Totnes in Bloom www.totnesgardenclub.co.uk Previously 'Totnes in Bloom'. Organising the Totnes Garden Competition 2012. Aims to enter 'South West in Bloom'. Looks after some public spaces, such as the nowfamous roundabout with the blue gnomes sponsored by China Blue. To volunteer, contact the Totnes Town Council on 01803 864275.
SOME OTHER CONTACTS
Martin Crawford runs the widely acclaimed Agroforestry Research Trust www.agroforestry.co.uk Martin Foster, Editor of Reconnect magazine (www.reconnectonline.co.uk) and co-owner of permaculture site Thornleigh Saddle – 12 acres near Totnes: editor@reconnectonline.co.uk Lizi Jamal for permaculture and 'Tend the Land' project with Sky Chapman from Eden Rise (www.edenrise.org): lizi@infoaction.org.uk Carol Wellwood collects info on gardening training courses and the use of public spaces for food production in Totnes: cwellwood@macace.net.