Permablitzing advance, will you join the dance? (Blog 14).

 

      'Detail of 'Elements', by Merav,' (Oils on board) ©

 In the vision of universal interpretation we have a basic insight into our relationship with nature. This vision is exemplified in the simile of Indra’s Net :

“High above in heaven, on the roof of the palace of the god Indra, there hang innumerable jewels interlaced in a great network. As the light reflects off these multifaceted gems not only does each jewel reflect the whole cosmos, but also every other jewel in the net, including all the reflections from all the jewels, the reflections of the reflections, and their reflections”.

 Woodland artwork by Claire Rhydwen.
"What good are trees when danger is near?
 well, they have a good bark!"

Phew! .., Eureka!  &…. Yeeehaaa! – looking towards the future now that Karuna’s planning application has been approved, (December 2011). Life is a little less stressful ,(but still cold and damp) knowing that our home is secure and that the Permie lifestyle and business that we have invested so much time and energy into will now be able to receive our full attention. It’s been quite a struggle developing the project these past few years mostly due to all the ‘bureaucrazy’ stuff. “The odds were against us but we have turned it round, it feels good”

It is by no means going to be easy for us to achieve the next step – building our ‘Low impact’ Affordable self build dwelling. We are seeking help with finances, assistance with building and further detailed design. (Donations and advice are most welcome, please click here to donate )

We’re well aware of our need to comply with building regulations. There is a clear distinction between our approved, ‘unusual’, low impact design and a conventional building design. Naturally we hope that throughout the building process flexibility and awareness will be applied. We hear that room is being made for new sustainable building solutions in some departments.We know that Lammas are pioneering changes. Barbara Jones of ‘Amazon nails’ has worked on so many straw bale buildings that she has lost count, she states… “we have never experienced any problems that couldn’t be overcome by discussion”.

A big thank you to all who have offered to come over and get involved at certain stages of the development where many hands will undoubtedly make light work (lots of fun and cider of course), we look forward to that.

At last we have experienced some forward thinking from within Shropshire county council and we hope that future dealings with the council will be met with mutual respect and understanding.

                Unfinished Straw bale Office In Shropshire.

This week we visited an interesting new build Straw bale office  just a few miles from Karuna at Plox Green. Ian, the owner kindly received us and discussed various aspects of the development with us. Ian didn’t find the building regulations too much of an obstacle, in fact he found the officer quite responsive to the buildings ‘Special needs’. Though not yet complete, the internal energy of building felt very comfortable, quite a pleasure standing just chatting and feeling the space.

Planning committee meeting.

We received an abundance of e-mails from supporters who sent their apologies for not being able to attend the Shire hall meeting due to work commitments. However all wished us well and promised to channel positive vibes in our direction that afternoon.

Again the parish council took all the trouble to turn up to speak out against the application along with an objector who represented the 7 objectors. Clearly these speakers did themselves no favors. Neutral members of the public and supporters expressed their astonishment at the aggressive tone, bigotry and prejudice of the objector’s speech. Quite inappropriate at such a serious council meeting.

Supporter Mary Napper represented the 102 people that had submitted letters in support of the application. Mary mainly highlighted the positive points from the case officer’s report.

The report recommended our application for approval. Mary came across as the genuine, concerned, sensible and intelligent person that she is. I also had 3 minutes to speak, a race against the clock. I tried to condense as much factual information as possible within the limited time span. I was feeling nervous sitting before the committee with my Red, Mohican hairstyle. One friend suggested that perhaps I should keep my hat on, but I removed it in case it was considered disrespectful. Besides, what difference should it really make? I don’t imagine that what either Mary nor I said made any difference to the votes, but it’s all part of the game that must be played out, so we both made an effort to do our very best, sincerely and with facts.

Plans for roundhouse at Karuna, by Philip Pool.

Extracts  from Janta’s Committee Speech.

We may not look like everybody’s Idea of a farming family, but our knowledge and experience of small scale multi functional farming systems has earned us respect from people who have taken a close look at our work and been inspired.
We merge best practice of many traditional horticulture methods, practices that actually helped bring villages like Picklescott into existence.
In the 1930’s Karuna used to be owned by Southams Brewery Ltd.
We have established orchards with over 90 varieties of apple at Karuna, we sell around 40 varieties.
We have a thirst to sell our cider to a few local pubs in the not too distant future. We enjoy partaking in the regeneration of local history.

This planning application helps bring a balance and resolution to the difficulties both the council & ourselves have faced in respect of our caravan accommodation.

102 letters of support have been received for this application, 40 from residents in Shropshire, 2 from Picklescott. Many of the letters mention rewarding experiences gained at Karuna and most of them talk about why on site residency is essential to enable the project to grow in a rational way – by providing an example of ‘Permaculture in action’.
The achievements at Karuna have only been made possible due to our onsite residence. Living on site allows us to manage visitors, protect the site, physically work and care for our nurseries and poultry. It also means we can operate and respond accordingly to unpredictable weather, thus maximising productivity and minimising our ecological impact.

The AONB raise no objection to the dwelling. Their management plan supports..quote ‘Low impact forms of development’ especially where they are associated with sustainable lifestyles including low energy and resource use /small scale land management using sustainable approaches to food or wood production and with community or educational uses’ unquote.

Karuna- Ticks all these boxes, supporting Tourism, education & Small scale agribusiness.
Straw bale constructions create a lot of positive interest.
For example, Nottingham University have just completed a landmark straw building – one of Europe’s largest – with a value of 5.2 million pounds.

Karuna contributes to the well-being of us all whilst serving as a beautiful edible landscape destined to support research, education and local food production.

                                                                                ENDS.

*“To Kill an error is as good a service as, and sometimes even better than, the establishing of a new truth or fact” – a most fitting quote by Charles Darwin.

*The above seemed to fit perfectly, still I thought it could be a little distracting on this occasion, so I left it out.

Lively discussions followed between the council committee members .Councillors voting against our application ‘claimed’ we had been living at Karuna ‘illegally’ all these years. This was a false allegation.An attempt to have our eligibility questioned. The reality is we have been ‘funneled into’ & trapped within a lengthy appeals process, magistrates & high court appeal’s ‘n’ all. So this approach against us, which wasn’t even real, seemed to be their main point of objection. Some Councillors inability to grasp planning law demonstrated that…

A) They feel comfortable to discredit us/people and brand us/them criminals in public,(to sway votes). *

B) They have not properly even read and understood the application they are voting on. *

C) They are unfit to make important decisions that seriously affect people’s lives, in this case not just the applicants, but a community who wish to continue to benefit from the project. There’s a D), E), F) & G) there too…you can probably work them all out for yourself. *

Would it come as any surprise to learn that it was the Tory Councillors who voted against us?- Undermining the very idea their own party leader claims to champion. (Would a Blue Mohican have made any difference?, hey we’d have lost it!).

In reference to the big society Party leader Mr Cameron had said… “What this is all about is giving people more power and control to improve their lives and communities.”  & “We do need a social recovery to mend the broken society and to me, that’s what the Big Society is all about.”

Is Karuna not an example of social / rural recovery? We’re getting on with it, best we can, whilst their ilk merely pays lip service and tries to obstruct hard working people from getting on. I find such perverse contradictions enigmatic!

People were astonished that any Councillors would still actually be prepared to support the few NIMBY objectors at all, what with no reasonable, genuine objections and a history of  acts of criminal damage against Karuna.

With 102 genuine, relevant letters of support from experienced, intelligent, responsible -professionals, volunteers, farmers, academics, community group leaders etc, how the hell can half the council still vote against?… It just goes to show how ‘Rigged’ and ‘unbalanced’ these political games get to be, ugh!

What of ‘Local cooperation?’…sadly, they just don’t get it!

A friend said to me ‘When you are doing good in a broken but beautiful world you find you start stirring things up’…Mmm unfortunate, but true, reminds me of a quote by Orwell “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”.

But not all the Councillors have been unreachable. One of the committee Councillors said he just didn’t understand why our application had even been brought to council committee at all. Neither did we! Of course Karuna has a planning history but this is a fresh planning application, with tremendous public support and a recommendation of approval from the case officer.

So,….

Why Oh Why ???????????????????????????????????????

When it came to voting on the application the Councillors were split-4 were in favor and 4 against. So it was decided that the chairman would take a casting vote .At the end of the day wisdom and luck prevailed. Chairman Vernon Bushell voted to go with the case officers recommendation for approval and so…eh eeh!…we got it! Hoooray! And a great relief to learn they’re not all dirty rotten scoundrels.

“Anyway, politics just isn’t our bag at all, it’s great to have it all behind us and move on with far better things, like research and working compassionately and creatively with the land”.

Our 4.5 year planning saga has been both depressing and traumatic, a great cost to our health. Victimization & wearing procedures have affected the health of both Merav and myself, our amazing kids have suffered through it too. The lengthy procedures,  legal fees, on both sides is a total waste of public money.

     The above depicts how I have been feeling,from time to time
throughout our planning difficulties.
Churning & burning-Sincerely folks!

We have received several letters from people who view us as a great inspiration. In relation to our work on the land and our development of an educational resource… that’s great!, but *we do not  recommend that anyone follows our tortuous route via the Planning system.

Basically we became entangled, through forced circumstances and ‘naivety’ (Janta being a gigantic dreamer, much absorbed in nature and somewhat disconnected from Babylon, do you think I have some kind of illness?).

Obviously we believe that Low impact development is extremely important to the future.

During the AONB’s public consultation period In 2009 I submitted a 2 page letter along with a report on ‘Low impact policies for sustainable development’. CLICK  to download in four parts : part 1   part 2 part 3   part 4

Merav and I were delighted to see that a small part of this was embraced by the Shropshire Hills AONB. Note from my committee speech above, we were later able to use this small but important document to support our own planning application- What goes around- comes around!

Together we can create our future!

Wherever you live please consider taking action by contacting your MP, local Councillor, your Planning department your AONB manager etc . Discuss  ways of bringing  low impact policy into the local and national plans. As food prices soar ,food security is now at the top of the world agenda. Planning policy is an essential tool to help build up small scale, truly sustainable food supplies in the U.K., we need rapid change within a coherent framework.

England is way behind the times and badly needs a low Impact planning policy. Had such a policy been in place (as adopted in Wales) then much public money, time and energy could be saved. The planning system aught not go trying to stop people living truly sustainable permaculture lifestyles that take stress of the system and support  community , environment and the economy. Most people are not  prepared or able to dedicate themselves to such a lifestyle (though they may still support it, understanding the wide and wonderful benefits).In your local area there is probably someone trying to live Low impact / transition lifestyle and being put through hell by their local authority for doing so, please assist them. During the planning stage please lodge objections to any developments that threaten the community and support those who are genuine in their efforts to bring on positive change.

Public support has been one of our great rewards, through our struggle and our work we have come to know many good folk and become close friends with a broad spectrum of amazing, caring people. It’s really awesome to see the project develop, and to share the forest garden of Eden that we are creating.

Children of the GREEN Revolution…LAND group visit- Sat, 14^th Jan.

A group of people who are looking to start a Low impact Eco settlement visited Karuna.  Naturally they don’t wanna have to suffer the consequences of the outdated , ridiculous English planning system, it’s hard enough making transition a reality in your life without all that resistance stuff weighing you down. One member wrote the following in our visitor’s book…“Even in winter the productivity of this place is so clear and really impressive-can’t wait to come back and see it in the summer!”

Another member, Phil Wildcroft, announced;

“We’re a group currently looking for land in Wales to create an ecovillage under the Welsh Government’s One Planet Development policy. We’ll be using permaculture design and principles and will work with the land, the rain, the wind and the sun to build a low impact and sustainable community. We hope to inspire others to create their own projects in the same way that we’ve been inspired by the wonderful work done at Lammas and at Karuna itself.”

“We’re looking at land anywhere in Wales at the moment but the south west does seem to be the sweet spot – seasonal business, university towns, plenty of rainfall.”

Good luck to all of ya and  may your example inspire others to live lightly.

Karuna, Isle of the blessed.

Here’s to thee, old apple tree,!

Whence thou may’st bud, and when thou may’st blow,

Hats full, caps full!

Bushel-bushel bags full!

And my pockets full too! Hoorah!

(Old Wassailing song)

Through our challenges and times of extreme hardship many new friends have lifted us with their  friendship and support, we cannot thank you all enough.

The greatest strength of all has come to us from our  knowing that working compassionately with the land is the way into the future. Our ‘Inward connection’ led us to ‘insight design’, basically that is the ‘intuitional operation’ that is karuna. Being immersed within this blessed Island (Karuna), we receive helpful energy from the tree spirits. The land itself is an instrument of a most potent form of earthly and cosmic energy, an invisible magnet that drew us into it’s mysterious energy field. Was this by chance? This energy is now manifesting in the form of a tree based life support system that we  will continue working with. Trees have been planted at Karuna for many different reasons, we know their beneficial qualities lend support to our protection, our personal strength and healing, our determination, inspiration and transformation.

‘With the Apple tree it is possible to create paradise!’ The Neolithic and bronze age paradises were called Orchards. ‘Paradise’, is a Persian word which literally means ‘orchard’ or ‘stand of trees’.

We place special attention on food producing trees at Karuna. The apple is the most suited fruit to the British isles, so it makes sense to concentrate on this most precious species of tree.

The wild crab –apple is Britain’s only indigenous apple tree. It belongs to the rose family, along with hawthorn, wild pear and blackthorn. Apples were first introduced here during the Roman occupation. The Romans had discovered the art of grafting and budding and cultivated new varieties from the east. These probably spread through Europe with the occupying forces and ultimately, it is believed, came to England. But it was not until the medieval times that fruit culture became firmly established, monasteries introduced new apples from France, both for production of cider and desert. Only several varieties were established, the Old English Permain recorded in 1204 was the main desert apple in England. The period of prosperity during the thirteenth century was cut short in the early 1300s by successive droughts, the Black death, and the wars of the roses. Apples were then imported for those who could afford them and that continued until the reign of Henry VIII, who instructed his fruitier (Richard Harris) to bring over the best varieties from France. This was an important turning point for fruit growing in England. Think I’ll end the history of apple development here. But I’d like to mention the seasonal ceremony of Wassailing, a tradition whose roots go back into the midst of time.

In Celtic times apples were considered the food of the gods, and by tradition apple trees have been Wassailed over the centuries by Druids and country people to ensure good crops. To encourage them to fruition a toast was drunk to the spirit which inhabits them, songs and poems were performed, and generous libations of cider were poured onto the roots for nourishment. Toast was placed on the fork of the trees to attract Robins, which are seen as the guardians of the trees. At winter solstice and Twelth night Wassailers called back the sun to aid the growth of blossom and fruit upon the trees. In autumn the trees were thanked for their harvests. There are two main kinds of ceremonies. In house with a kind of trick or treat approach towards the lords of the land and another in the orchards, where the wassailers merrily sing and hail their songs, bash pans ’n’ cups, ’n’ shoot guns up into the trees to scare away evil spirits.

Recently Merav and I attended a Wassailing down at the Bridges, one of our local pubs. To make the event a whole coach load of folk had arrived from Bishops Castle, a small, funky nearby town in the hills, We thought we’d probably just observe , however some of the songs felt quite good and we ended up joining in here and there. ‘Anyone want to organise an orchard Wassail at Karuna next year?’

Apples and health. Today I learned that in earlier days the destruction of apple trees bought the penalty of death. And no wonder, the apples is highly valuable, the fruit has powerful healing properties. The mere presence of apples heals our spirit and the trust our ancestors placed upon them for their health of mind and body was later proved when it was realized what they contain; Apples are filled with strong therapeutic agents: sugars, amino acids, vitamins, malic & tartaric acids, pectin and mineral salts. they can be prescribed for infections of the intestine, constipation, mental and physical overstrain, fatigue, hypertension, rheumatism , gout, anemia, bronchial diseases, urine retention, demineralisation, gastric and kidney conditions, hoarseness, coughs and excess cholesterol in blood. Best taken first thing in the morning and last thing at night, when they encourage sleep.

Bach Flower remedies use crab apple for curing self- dislike, despondency, obsessions, over-anxiousness, getting stuck over details, fussiness and as an internal cleanser.

Apple obviously helps us find harmony within ourselves and within the world. So may many come to celebrate upon the isle of compassion…Karuna.

Karuna will be hosting a LAND project ( Permaculture Association), skill sharing and networking event on 7^th July 2012. The event is aimed at LAND managers and LAND learners, but all are welcome. Camping is available the night before and on the night of the event. Keep an eye out for details   www.karuna.org.uk

Please contact Karuna if you would like to lead a workshop or speak.

And finally it’s a Rap, especially for those who are ignorant of Permaculture and the power in Poo- this is for you! Click below..

Permaculture Rap link

               Visiting ecogroup at Basho's pond,Karuna.
 "What matters is how far we go?" his scaly friend replied.
 There is another shore you know upon the other side.
 Will you, wo'nt you,
 will you, wo'nt you ,
 will you join the dance?

 Kwak! Quack! Quaaaaack! 

             ~~ ~~    }>>))> 8

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