Current News
2010-06-25 - People needed at the Rossport Solidarity Camp
This camp exists to publicise and take direct action against Shell which plans to drill 80 boreholes in the Sruth Fhada Chonn estuary in Ireland, a EU Special Area of Conservation. Shell is starting a massively damaging scheme of work shortly and people are needed to help! Campaign websites: www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org/ www.shelltosea.com/
Licence application and more details from Shell and other stakeholders at www.corribgaspipeline.com/index.php...
2010-06-25 - Open Day 2010
A big thank you to everyone who made this such a sociable event this Saturday. About 70 people came to enjoy the sunshine and woodland and take a tour around our dwellings which were open for the day. We hope it was as interesting for you as it was for us - thank you for sharing your enthusiasm, ideas and constructive criticism, and for your donations. We hope to see everyone again soon.
2010-04-22 - Incinerator and landfill proposal
An incinerator plant, ash treatment facility and landfill (in planning jargon, a "Resource Recovery Centre") is proposed to be built by the company Viridor, sited on the banks of the River Yealm, two miles from Ivybridge (pop. 15,000). The centre will handle 275,000 tonnes of waste a year, transported by HGV. The access road will be built through ancient woodland. For more info see the Viridor proposal at http://www.viridor-consultation.co.uk/index.php?contentId=162 and read about the potential impact at http://www.riveryealm.com/ This site also has links to the Facebook protest and info pages.
It is not too late to express your concern to Devon County Council. Address your correspondence to the planning officer Sue Penaluna, Re: Application Reference DCC/2975/2010 "The New England Recovery Centre". You can email your letter to sue.penaluna@devon.gov.uk or by post to The Planning Officer, DCC, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QW.
An expensive incinerator that must burn rubbish to justify its existence will not encourage solutions to the underlying problems of resource consumption, over-packaging and inbuilt obselence. Waste can be managed efficiently by a community company, creating opportunities for community building and education, demonstrating methods of reducing and recycling waste. It encourages local economic development, by offering employment, skill-sharing and networkng. Proper Job in Chagford is an excellent local example and this could be replicated across Devon.
2010-04-11 - Mobile Sawmill Arrives at the Woods
Chris & Owen have purchased a LT15 Wood Mizer mobile sawmill and it has already been put to good use, sawing up the Scots Pine that was felled, cut and stacked over the winter. We now have lots of stacks of seasoning sawn planks.
2010-03-26 - Launch of Exeter permaculture collective
The forthcoming launch of the Permaculture and Organic Growers of Exeter - POGOE. Everyone who would like to see more growing in Exeter - whether it be of food, communities or green spaces - is welcome to come to network and be inspired. Wednesday 7th April, Global Centre, 17 St. David's Hill, Exeter, 6-9.30 pm. Launch begins with a showing of 'Farm for the Future' at 6. From 7.30 the space is open for informal discussion. www.pogoe.org
2009-08-18 - Successful Permaculture Course
Another successful Permaculture Course was held at Steward Comminuty Woodland from the 1st to the 16th August. 16 students attended and all have gained a permaculture design certificate. The course was tutored by Peter and Aranya with some sessions by community members.
2009-08-12 - Comedy Night success
We raised nearly £250 towards are planning appeal costs on a great comedy evening held at the local pub, The White Horse, on 10th August. The acts included Craig Campbell, Lee Canterbury and Aaron Custance and they went down a treat. I haven't laghed so much in a long time!!
2009-06-06 - Open Day 2009 - A success despite the weather
Despite the awful weather we had on Saturday the 6th of June we had about forty people come and visit to see the community, our dwellings, gardens and renewable energy systems (and of course for the tea and wonderful cake!). Thank you everyone for coming and braving the rain and thank you for the donations made on the day. We also had a small celebration in the evening after the open day to celebrate our planning success.
2009-06-01 - Planning appeal successful - 5 yr permission granted
We received a phone message this afternoon from Andy Goldring, one of our planning appeal witnesses, telling us we might want to check our email. On checking the email, we were delighted and overjoyed to find the decision from the Planning Inspectorate granting us permission. We have been granted temporary planning permission for 5 years (until 30th June 2014) with conditions. Read the press release or more on our planning pages.
2009-04-30 - Planning Inquiry takes place
Our Planning Appeal Public Inquiry took place from 28th to 30th April 2009 at the King George V Sports and Community Centre in Moretonhampstead. We felt our case was well represented. More details here.
2009-04-23 - New website is launched
We have finally given the website a major overhaul making it more functional and up to date. We now have a system in place to make it easier for our non technical people to update the website. Feel free to browse around. If you have any comments on the website please let us know.
2009-04-20 - The planning situation
The planning situation is on going. We have submitted all the paperwork for the public enquiry. More information on our planning page.
2009-03-24 - A big welcome to Isaac
Steward Wood's newest resident is baby Isaac, born on the 24 March weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces. Congratulations to mum Mel, dad Seth and brothers Ash and Finn.
2009-02-01 - 2009 - 2010 course programme for Steward Wood released
We have released a programme for the courses of 2009 - 2010. We are running a lot more courses than in previous years now that infrastructure has been improved on site. Courses are mainly run by residents of the woodland however some involve external tutors. Please have a look.