News from Camphill Devon Community

2008 has started with many changes within Hapstead. Three Villagers have moved into bed-sits and one has her own self-contained flat. The Lodge, now renamed “Guinevere”, is being refurbished to provide a home for three more independent people and at the time of writing they eagerly await their move. They have been busy choosing a new kitchen and decorations for it. This has been made possible by a very generous donation. The architect is working on plans for a new flat outside Merlin as well as a new house for older villagers, swimming pool refurbishment and barn conversions at Merryfield.

Villagers continue to get outside work. One has recently started working in the maintenance department of Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. The workshops remain busy and are preparing for the usual fairs as well as an Exhibition at Birdwood House in Totnes in early August. (see 'Events').

Lisa, Haim and family are leaving us in August to make a new life in Delrow. We thank them for helping in Camphill Devon’s development and wish them well for the future

Finally, thank you for your continued support, which makes our task so much easier.

John Southcombe

Spring-time News from the Farm

We started mid-March with the first lamb of the year and this was quickly followed by another forty. They are all very well and are currently enjoying all the lush green grass in the Merryfield orchard. Many adventures and lots of learning was had along the way, with perhaps the main lesson being never turn your back for one moment because without a doubt there will be a pregnant ewe asking some sort of question or needing assistance.  All of us at Merryfield were on 24 hour call and covered for each other and the general consensus is that we can’t wait for next year’s lambing time! One dark March evening it was noticed that one of the ewes still outside in the meadow was displaying the first signs of giving birth, or at least acknowledging she was pregnant. It was decided to come indoors for a cup of tea and give her space—non-interference is the best policy. After a cuppa we ventured out just to have a peek. By now it was very dark and the torch was shone up the meadow and picked out an extra pair of eyes. They remained transfixed on the torch beam as we made our way closer. Our worst fears were soon realized when we made out the shape of a fox! It was calmly stood next to the ewe, patiently waiting for the birth to begin in order to have a free take away. Well we told it to go away in no uncertain terms and brought the ewe into the safety of the barn.

During the wee small hours Mother produced our only set of triplets this year - 2 boys and 1 girl. Mother decided she only wanted two and chose the boys. There followed four weeks of wrestling with her (Mark and Colette mostly) to literally force her to accept the baby girl. It paid off. She has put on weight and is now nearly as big as her brothers.

No sooner has the last lamb been born when the first calf appeared—they are very much bigger than lambs! Again lots of adventures and learning and also lots of communication and connection with the animals.  On a more manageable level has been the hatching, both in the incubator and naturally, underneath the mother, of quite a few chicks. It has been wonderful to witness the new life in such abundance over the last few weeks.  A trio of goslings also appeared and grew rapidly.

Finally, there are the piggy wiggles—6 gorgeous little piglets have been showing us what life is all about.

And it never stands still—Dunster the bull has arrived for a summer holiday with the cows........

.

Hector, our lovely old Tup (Ram), is no more. We will soon find Hector the 2nd. And it will all be happening again—the lovely circle of life that we are all a part of.

Love from all on the farm. Xx    Roger

At Candlemas we were joined by Mr and Mrs Wooding for a remembrance of Thomas’ life with us. Many villagers and co-workers spoke fondly of their memories of Thomas. We then went to the memorial garden and placed a plaque in memory of him. This was followed by tea in King Arthur Hall which included Pringles and Cherryade—Thomas’s favourite food and drink. We all still missThomas’s infectious good humour and smile.    John

My Weekend Trip to Dorset.   By Havey

I went to Bournemouth to Mark’s Mum. Mark and I went on a 20 mile bike ride with Mark’s sister Louise.  We went from Bournemouth to Boscombe along the sandbanks and then back along the seafront. It was very warm. We had some lunch on the beach then cycled home and later on in the afternoon it rained heavy showers. On Sunday morning early on it snowed.

Glimpses from the Therapeutic Art Sessions

Therapeutic Art is one of a range of treatments in the system of natural healing based on the ideas of Rudolf Steiner and further developed by various artists.

It is an active treatment. Through guided exercises in painting, drawing, pastelwork or clay modelling, one’s own healing forces are activated. The medium used and the way of working are as important as the finished work.

Using a variety of techniques and materials allow the possibility to gain new skills. Harmonising what has become one-sided, as well as habits, are transformed by awakening new faculties of imagination. Mythology, fairy tales and legends provide rich sources of themes and can provide stimulation and a taste of different worlds.

We might look at the immediate environment and our place in it and/or take “journeys” in our painting to the environment outside Hapstead and what can be discovered there.

A more conscious connection can be made this way with the wider community. Inner qualities like stillness, reflection, concentration, out-breathing all help to restore our inner balance and are encouraged during the sessions. Some examples of various tasks undertaken by our residents are shown here.   Annemarie

In the Copper Workshop we have been making movies. Martin Camps made a film about his life when he was little. We scanned old photos and he recorded a commentary.

David Brown made a film about his holiday with his parents, using his holiday snaps.

Toby took photos and we videoed him working and he made a film about his life in Hapstead. His mum was very pleased to see it and took a copy home with her.

Sean made a short film about his life and we were able to show it to his social worker.

If you would like to see their movies come and visit us.     Verity.

Never mind climate change! The Galahad Group has been busy bringing summer into Bluebell, the room where we meet four afternoons each week. Johnny and Julian have glued and painted the most radiant sun, complete with sunrays, which takes the form of a very large lampshade. Even if the skies are grey outside, when we put the light on - out comes the sun! Susan, Julian, Johnny and Lizzie have created giant sunflowers which look down on us as they climb the walls and everyone is helping to hatch enormous ladybirds and other bugs which will soon be flying just above head height. Lizzie loves to keep the kitchen spotless for us and Bob enjoys sweeping, tidying and putting away for us.  Mary has made an exciting 3D collage and Johnny’s drawings continue to inspire us.  Sandy

Thank you - to Riverford. 

We are extremely grateful to Riverford Organics for providing us with surplus fruit and vegetables on a weekly basis. This has enabled us to have a virtually 100% organic diet, which is of great benefit.

If you would like to order top quality organic produce, please contact them through their website www.riverford.co.uk     John - for the community

Visit to an exhibition - “MARKS OF LAND AND WATER”

On Wednesday morning on the 23rd April, Sylvia, Verity, Susan Baldry, Kathy, David Pliatzky, Lizzie and Julian set off for Exeter to see an exhibition of work by the late Tony Wood.  Who?

Well many people will remember Tony because he ran the Pottery before Kathy came. Who? “Don’t be silly”. When Tony left Hapstead he lived and worked with Angela Holmes who was a house parent in Camphill for many years; and ran the Copper workshop here before Verity came. So, we arrived in Exeter and walked over an alarmingly bouncy bridge to the Quays where seagulls, pigeons and swans were having a hugely noisy bread fest.  A kindly lady gave Lizzie, Susan and Julian some bread so that they, along with Sylvia, could join in the fun.

Then we fluttered off to a café, where we settled seagull-like round an outside table to make short work of munchilicious muffins, coffee etc.

Angela welcomed us to the Gallery where Tony’s original pictures, ceramics and collages did indeed manifest “marks of land and water”. After a lot of looking, chatting and general “catching up” with Angela, we returned to Hapstead for lunch. Kathy