Another glorious blue sky day (oh for rain) we returned to the wood with our homework: How to nurture a healthy pond? Frog life cycle? Fossils? Sap? Was Amber, a resin, sap? The jury was out on this, and despite trying for 2 weeks to study sap and listen to it rise in the trees,… Continue reading Elders 4 – Frogspawn, Fossils, Friendship and not much sap
What is budding in your life or around us, was our question. A great grandchild / a talk on sewing inspired me to make a day bed / chopping up cabbages in Findhorn / Last year I felt drained, but this year my heart is budding / Even the oak trees are starting to bud… Continue reading Elders 3 – spawn, land, bridge
On this day of equinox, we opened the conversation describing the balance in our lives. (Kally was in London looking at soil, and Gina came in her stead). Rachel began with the feeling of balance seeing her friend from the 1980's at the start of her working life, in her 20's, and seeing her again… Continue reading Elders 2 – Pond life, tree size
The Elders became Professors, Doctors of science today and embarked on our project to survey the land for a year. To observe the changes this year of plantation, when 6,000 trees were planted this January on a land which was once a field of wheat. Below we are preparing to go on to the land… Continue reading Elders 1 – The Scientists
Tom Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Sotterley Estate. Ex Chief Executive Officer at Green Light Trust. Reading rooms, Sotterley. Naming what my Why is Mell reminded us of our story: once upon a time: the dream of democratic education, Meeting Missing Kind, meeting Kaliwood, the two converging. Do you know where your income comes from? 80+%… Continue reading Working with Tom Brown, Sotterley
We waited for Sarah, before we opened the lid of corrugated. Were we completely mad, we asked? A sharp north wind, and there we were eating egg sandwiches under a parachute, hugging a fire, thankfully created and nourished by Peter, who arrived shortly after 9 to get the heat hot - such a pleasure to… Continue reading Elders 13 – The Reveal & end of term
We gathered in mist, ate healthful Lesley soup and then sun broke through. We shared our thoughts from the past week and how things had been. Then carefully wrapped and lay our clay creations in coffee grounds, bamboo plates, on a bed of coffee husk, a sprinkling of citrus peels and walnut shells… all to… Continue reading Elders 12 – the Firing
The clay was not dry enough to bisque fire, so we couldn't fire the pit, the weather was dull and damp, the day was not expected. Unexpectedly, therefore, the day turned surprisingly. We began with exotic and delicious cabagio/caravagio soup, transported over by Nicky, who had to leave shortly after delivery. Alisdair arrived with his… Continue reading Elders 11 – fire, air, water, wood
On December 3rd 2024, Kinda Wednesday tribe and facilitators helped to plant 4 Native Black Poplar on the land. As they enjoy their feet close to water (kids and plants), we planted on clay land in an area known to hold water, near the newly dug pond. At 10 meters part, mature trees grow to… Continue reading 2024 LAND Kinda planting Native Black Poplar on the land
It was one of those unexpected magic days, which just flowed. A day of creating and making, as we moved to the cabin to where the sun entered the wood, and with the sun on our backs, fire beside us, smoke away, we created our clay pieces. Inspired by Tamlin in the morning circle, we… Continue reading Elders 10 Clay 3 – Making
Kinda Elders in the woods 