Info, news & debate

08/2018 posts

Cooking with stored energy: how to build an off-grid solar slow cooker

We learn from our resident retained heat cooking specialists Jane and Seggy Segaran about how to build an off-grid solar slow cooker. Read more

In London and grow grapes? Join a community wine-making scheme!

Craig Bayne of Organic Lea | 28-Aug-2018 | 0

Calling all London grape growers – you’re invited to join the Community Wine Making Scheme run by OrganicLea. Read more

What might buildings, settlements and even regions look like through the lens of Permaculture design?

Paul Jennings of Criafolen | 26-Aug-2018 | 13

This is the transcript of a talk given by Paul Jennings to the recent SBUK Big Straw Bale Gathering. Paul has built his straw-bale family home on a ‘One-Planet Development’ smallholding in Wales (costing £12,000). Read more

Wood durability guide: timber durability chart & database

Our woodworker friends at Gate Expectations have put together this great chart of timber durability for anyone working with wood (1 is most durable and 5 is least). Over to Rob from here. Read more

Jo’s Mini Meadow Part 5: new arrivals in the orchard meadow

Jo Cartmell of Nearby Wild | 21-Aug-2018 | 1

In Part 5 of Jo Cartmell’s mini meadow series, she shares news of a surprise in the mini meadow and new arrivals in the orchard meadow. Read more

The future of land ownership: interview with Oli Rodker of the Ecological Land Co-op and the Landworkers’ Alliance

This week we’re talking with Oli Rodker, founder director of the Ecological Land Co-operative and the Landworkers’ Alliance, about his work, and how we might change the nature of land ownership in the UK, where 0.06% of the population own 50% of rural land in England and Wales, according to the Country Land & Business… Continue reading The future of land ownership: interview with Oli Rodker of the Ecological Land Co-op and the Landworkers’ Alliance Read more

What the fuss is all about: wild swimming in France

On a low-impact holiday this summer, Kate Williams takes the plunge wild swimming in France to discover why so many prefer it to an indoor swimming pool. Read more

How to make your own scallop shell candles

Richard Phillips of The Soap Kitchen shares how you can make your very own scallop shell candles at home with just three simple ingredients and a bit of elbow grease… Read more

Living together 4: how to turn a row of terraced houses into a housing co-op

This week we’re talking with Rick Watson, who has been a member of Fireside Housing Co-op in Sheffield since 2010. They’ve purchased and co-operativised 5 adjoining houses on a terraced street. Read more

My mutual credit journey (and how you can join in the fun)

Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 08-Aug-2018 | 3

I often trawl the web just speculatively looking for new people or new ideas, clicking on links from interesting sites. TEDx talks are a favourite. A few years ago I came across an intriguing TEDx talk by Professor Jem Bendell called ‘the Money Myth’. Read more

Living together 3: company limited by shares – Martin Prosser of Sunflower Cohousing

This article is the result of a discussion with Martin Prosser of Sunflower Cohousing in France. It’s the third in a series of articles about setting up alternative, co-operative living arrangements – cohousing, community land trusts, housing co-ops, intentional communities etc. Read more

The catapult as a hunting tool

In the minds of many people a catapult is nothing more than a child’s toy, or one of the weapons used by the “Beano’s” Dennis the Menace to terrorise the softies (for those of us old enough to remember). Few people these days would ever consider using a catapult for hunting, but not too many years… Continue reading The catapult as a hunting tool Read more

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