The Centre undergoing eco-renovation

Built in 1926 as a grocery shop which expanded into the Victorian house next door, much of the space has stood largely unused for nearly 20 years, while the accommodation upstairs continued to be lived in. We acquired the whole building in 2016 and are in the process of a sustainable renovation.

Homemade hempcrete mixer

We are using natural materials such a hemp, cork and wood fibre to insulate the floors, walls and roof
from cold, heat and sound, and lime rather than cement to maintain the breathable nature of the building and maintain healthy humidity levels. Triple glazed timber windows have been installed where windows needed replacing, and areas of concrete floor replaced with breathable insulated lime floors. Fully natural paints and wood waxes and oils will be used throughout, and furniture and decorations will be either second hand (such as our kitchen) or from natural sustainable materials such as hemp curtains.

The goal is a building renovated sympathetically to the various periods over which it was built, energy efficient, with carbon fixed in the form of wood within the fabric of the building,  comfortable to live in, with the beauty of natural materials and attention to aesthetics enhancing the experience of being here.

The garden is slowly being planted up following permaculture principles to create a small forest garden. Perennial plants, needing little maintenance, such as fruit trees, fruiting shrubs, grape vines, perennial herbs, salads and vegetables are being planted where previously there has been concrete and gravel. A large mature beech and a sycamore tree at the north end of the garden also provide a shady spot to relax in hammocks.

The building is also a home with Rosie and her two children living upstairs, where there will also be space when finished for 2 bedrooms for volunteers and visiting trainers, and possibly a dorm for small visiting groups.

On the ground floor there will be an open plan kitchen and dining area that can seat up to 15 people. Connected to the same space will be the meeting hall with a resource library. A separate tea making kitchen area will connect off this space and into the garden.