Below is a web version of our newsletter. If you would like a printed copy you can download and print the PDF version or contact us to be added to our mailing list.

See also issue 1, issue 2 ,issue 3 ,issue 4, issue 5, issue 6 and issue 7

WORD FROM THE WOOD

The Steward Community Woodland Newsletter

Issue 8 - Spring 2003

The headlines -

PLANNING PERMISSION UPHELD - The High Court have dismissed the DNPA's challenge to our five year residential permission

PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE 4th - 17th August at Steward Wood (see bottom for more details

TREE PLANTING WEEKEND 1st/2nd March - Volunteers needed.

Steward Wood OPEN DAY 2003 Sat 14th June, Noon to 4pm - Please come along to see our gardens, low impact dwellings, sustainable technologies, hear about our future plans, and visit parts of the woodland not normally open to the public. And we'd love to hear your ideas and feedback. Refreshments and cake will be available around the fire.

The articles -

NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS REQUIRED
Do you want to live and work in a stimulating, creative and slightly muddy environment? We are looking for new people to join our community at Steward Wood. If you are interested in permaculture, woodland conservation management, are (or would consider becoming) vegan, and are excited by the project, why not consider joining the team here in the Wray Valley? Some experience of communal and/or low impact living might be an advantage - open mindedness and a good sense of humour essential!

New members will play a key role in the development of this integrated community venture and the management of the surrounding woodland.

The current community consists of six adults and one baby - ages ranging from 1 year to over 50 with most of us in late twenties/early thirties. We each pay £20 a week for food and other expenses - no capital outlay is required to join. We have a 3 month trial period after which you can become a company director and have an equal say in all our decisions, which are made by consensus.

Our planning permission upheld by the High Court
We are extremely happy and much relieved that a High Court judge has upheld the planning permission granted to us by a planning inspector last Lammas. The Dartmoor National Park Authority ('DNPA') was attempting to overturn the decision, but the judge ruled that the inspector was justified in finding that the sustainable project being carried out here at Steward Wood is worthwhile. We are greatly relieved that our planning struggles are over and that we can get on with the project with the security of 5 years' permission.

For details of the permission see our last newsletter (No. 7) or our website, but here are the key features:
- temporary permission for 5 years (till August 2007)
- permission for existing structures (mostly classed as 'operational development')
- no new structures to be erected on site without written permission from the DNPA
- a written report to be submitted annually to the DNPA detailing the activities carried out in compliance with our Business Plan, Management & Biodiversity Action Plan, and the 'Fifteen Criteria for Sustainable Development'

We hope now to establish a good relationship with the Park Authority, to work with them in the furtherance of the project's aims. Comments made by Graham Wall, the DNPA's chief planner, to us after the courtcase and to the media indicate that they are willing so to do.

The World Around Us
A few of us visited the Trident Ploughshares disarmament camp in Plymouth in Nov '02. The government is planning to overhaul and refit its Trident nuclear submarine fleet at Devonport for the next 8 years, which will mean lots more radioactive waste flowing into the River Tamar and more nuclear waste and reactors being stored in the centre of Plymouth. Also, it will enable Britain to help the US illegally threaten the rest of the world with weapons of mass destruction (much like Iraq is supposed to be doing). Not to mention the horror if one of the fifty odd missiles was actually used somewhere.

The camp took place over a long weekend, and included non-violence workshops, video screenings, lock-on practice, a multi faith peace service, leafleting, large planning meetings, lots of sandwiches, a mass blockade of Albert Gate, and plenty of banner making. The highlight was a citizens' inspection of the submarine currently being refitted at the dock by two of the protesters! For more information visit www.tridentploughshares.org, or the ever informative www.indymedia.org.uk.

We also took part in some street theatre in Plymouth based around the problems of rampant modern consumerism as part of the international 'Buy Nothing Day' celebrations (www.buynothingday.co.uk).

More recently we have been involved in the Moretonhampstead Peace Group, organising a peace walk and tree planting, running stalls and holding public meetings, as well as attending the huge London Stop The War marches.

Oak planting weekend 1st and 2nd March - Volunteers needed
Come join us in planting 200 oak saplings over the weekend of 1st & 2nd March - lots of hands are needed. You can simply turn up from 10am to 5pm each day, or if you would like to stay overnight please phone us and make arrangements - in any event, phone us if you need directions. Children will be able to plant trees too (with adult help) so bring them along! Please bring spades.

We now have a contract with the Forestry Commission under the Woodland Grant Scheme providing us with a felling licence and an agreement to replant in felled areas with 60% oak, 30% ash and 10% hazel. Thus, during winter, we have been clearing an area of existing larch, sycamore and brambles (leaving the existing ash and hazel) to make way for the 200 oaks to be planted. The area is between the two green lanes running through the Settlement Area so the clearance has also removed some of the trees which may have fallen in high winds onto our dwellings. All the oaks are being supplied by the charity Easy Trees (see below) with tree guards and mulch mats to help them grow. Also, as they are in the Settlement Area, the risk of deer damage will be reduced.

Unfortunately acorns were very sparce this year and we were unable to find a local source of oaks, but we intend to grow and plant trees of local provenance in the future.

We now have an electric chainsaw running off the battery bank powered by water from the woodland streams (see page 7). This has made the task of processing the mature larch trees much quicker and easier. Otherwise, we use hand tools - bow saws, bill hooks, axes and a cross-cut saw.

An advert -

Sort of an advert -

Back to the articles -

LETS

A Local Exchange and Trading Scheme ('LETS') is a non-profit making association or club in which people, businesses and other organisations can trade goods and services using a 'local currency' instead of, or as a supplement to, sterling. As a member, you pay for services and goods (such as gardening, home-made food or babysitting) using your local currency. Your LETS treasurer credits the person providing the goods or services, and debits your account. When you provide goods or services your account is credited.

The advantages of using LETS currency

> There is always enough money in the LETS economy. LETS currency is created as and when it is needed.
> There is no interest to pay as there is never any need to lend or borrow LETS money.
> There is no debt. A negative LETS balance is a "commitment" to contribute something to the community when the opportunity arises.
> Value remains within the LETS community. LETS currency simply circulates amongst the members. It does not "leak out" as does sterling when we use it.
> Members can get work done for which they do not have sufficient cash.
> People can put their skills to good use to the benefit of the local community.
> Members can develop new skills through training and workshops which can be paid for wholly or partly in LETS currency.

North East Dartmoor LETS

This is the system we use in Moretonhampstead. For more information about it phone Juliet on 01647 432649 or Mike on 01647433464 , bearing in mind these are home telephone numbers.

Poetry Corner

World Out Of Balance

For the world's sake, open your eyes.
For the world's sake, open your hearts.
For the world's sake, dissolve all greed,anger, hatred.
For the world's sake, foster peace and love.
For the world's sake, let's live together in harmony, share the bounty of this Earth, and
the joy of life.

Focus On Trees - English Oak (Quercus Robur)

The oak is a tree of great longevity and imposing stature, taking some 60 years to produce its first crop of catkins, and gaining heights of 33 metres. There are over 400 species of oak in the world. The English Oak (known as the pedunculate oak) along with the sessile oak is native to Britain. England was once covered in oak forests - in the 1500's, one third of the land was still oak.

Oak provides a habitat for over 200 species of insect. Insects attract birds such as nut-hatches, warblers and woodpeckers to the tree, and its acorns provide food which attracts many forms of wildlife such as deer and dormice. The tree's shade encourages the growth of wild flowers such as bluebells, and on the trunk fungi and lichen grow alongside ivy.

The oak tree has long been regarded as a magical protector of rural England. The druids revered the oak above all trees because they believed it contained the energy, power and strength of their god Esus. When it accepted the mistletoe upon it, the oak became especially sacred, for the white berries of the mistletoe were seen to represent the sperm of the gods. Thus the oak was likened to the male procreative force of the universe.

Because it is so hard and close-grained, oak wood lasts for centuries. It is known for its enduring qualities and strength, and oak beams can often be found still holding up many old buildings. Ships were usually made of oak and it has long been a prized wood for furniture, because of its beauty of grain and texture and its rich colour after polishing. As oak wood is impervious to alcohol, it has long been used for casks to store liqueur. Many taverns and old pub-signs still express the ancient associations of oak trees, such as the 'Royal Oak', the 'Oak and Acorn' etc.

A Woodland Baby (by Beccy)

Rowan has recently celebrated his first birthday having spent a year here in the woods. After a bad start, he finally got over his colic (at 9 months) with the help of a homeopath and is now really healthy and happy.

He weighs 23lb, is sitting up, he's very inquisitive, smiley and is able to make a variety of sounds including Dada and Mama!!

Allthough he didn't start solid food until 7 months, he is now, with the aid of five teeth, eating everything we eat, but his favourite is still breast milk.
After bouncing in his bouncer, he most loves long walks through the woods in his backpack, pulling my hair for entertainment. As well as splishy splashing at the swimming pool with his friend Georgia, he also enjoys seeing his friends at Little Bees toddler group.

It's been a year of ups and downs which has passed very quickly. It's amazing watching how fast he grows and develops.

Renewable energy update
(By Merlin)

We have been using energy from our stream all winter for lighting, computers and even for an electric chainsaw. We purchased a 5.6" diameter pelton wheel and connected that via a specially turned shaft to an old washing machine motor. The water coming down a length of re-used polypropelene pipe (only about 1 litre per second and hence our power limiting factor) and through a 0.8mm jet, (actually an old 13mm socket) turns the pelton wheel at around 1000rpm. The 25-30w of power generated by the permanant magnet washing machine motor then travels up a length of wire (again salvaged) to a 12v battery bank consisting of six old folk lift truck 2v cells (for which we paid £6). The power from our solar panels, although low over winter, also goes into this battery bank.

From the battery, through a fuse box from a scrapped car, we can directly run 12v lighting, dry cell battery charging, computers etc. With the use of a 240v inverter, we can run mains appliances from kitchen gadgets to the electric chainsaw kindly donated to us before we moved on. This has made processing larch much easier. More information, pictures and diagrams will be available on the website. If anyone knows of any long lengths of 2"+ diameter (preferebly flexible) pipe free or cheap please let us know ;-)

We have learned how to live using a very small amount of power here at SCW (max 40w for 6 people at present) due to the fact that the supply is limited. The best way to make a real difference to the amount of CO2 produced and minimise nuclear use is to conserve power. By turning off one light or replacing two bulbs for energy efficient ones at home, a person can save more energy than our renewable energy system currently produces. The biggest energy eaters are heating devices. For example a 2 bar domestic heater uses 2Kw. That's 50 times what we produce! To give an idea how much power this is in human terms, the average person when on a cycle generator can produce a constant 50w (so you would need 40 people pedaling to keep your heater going). If you have no alternative but to run an electric heater, it's best to heat only the room where you are and use it sparingly.

Biodiesel

We now run our van on recycled vegetable oil known as biodiesel. Use of fossil fuels is the most significant cause of global pollution, and is in no way sustainable, which is why we also don't use petrol chainsaws, bottled gas for cooking or heating, or fossil fuelled forestry vehicles or machines. We are instead working on a woodgas fuelled sawmill and a biodiesel mini tractor, and use wood as a fuel for heating, cooking ,cleaning etc.

2 Week Permaculture Course at Steward Community Woodland

"Woodland skills, permaculture and community living.
Non profit, low cost - bursaries available for low incomes.
In association with the WEA.
Permaculture Association and Open College Network accredited course."

This summer we are hosting our first residential course. Starting on the 4th of August and running for two weeks, Devin Ashwood (Dip.Perm.Des.) - a former community member - will be teaching a 90 hour permaculture design course. Students have the option of staying in one of our visitor dwellings, camping on the land or using other local accomodation. Food will be provided by us. If you are interested, please call Devin on 0845 456 1246, or if you have any accomodation/food enquiries phone us at the woods.

For more information or to get involved - Contact us to be added to our mailing list (either email or postal). You’ll receive newsletters and information about upcoming courses, workshops and work parties etc. Donations to cover costs would be appreciated.

You are welcome to take a walk in the woods at any time. If you would like to visit the community (for either a short tour or a long stay) please phone us first.

To contact us...
Tel: 01647 440233 Fax: 07050 674467
Email:

Check out our website
www.stewardwood.org

This newsletter was brought to you by Affinity Woodland Workers Co-operative, set up to encourage and enable environmental awareness and solutions by providing examples of sustainable land use. We manage and live at Steward Community Woodland on Dartmoor where we try to practice a low impact lifestyle, utilising renewable energy, growing our own food and building our own homes.