Practical experience:
Setting up and running Middlewood Trust Centre and adjacent Backsbottom Farm since 1980. This has involved building a low energy study centre, alternative energy production, growing vegetables, planting orchards and a forest garden, running organic livestock, creating a labyrinth, woodland management and coppice crafts. Recently a low impact community has started to become established on the land. Recent
diversification projects include setting up a kitchen to make chutneys
using a wood fired rocket stove, sawing and drying our own sustainable
timber using a solar heated kiln and setting up a small on farm shop.
Teaching:
Started teaching Permaculture in 1982, numerous introductory courses,
and full design courses, an advanced design course
Other courses run include; dowsing, Council for All Beings,
Ecological building design, organic gardening and native trees - uses
and folklore.
Since going on Skye's advanced Permaculture teachers course in 1997 I have been introducing more full body learning of Permaculture and getting away from information teaching. This helps to fully empower groups to able them to expand their learning and make great friends and have the confidence to go on to practice Permaculture in all aspects of their life.
Design work:
Permaculture designs have been carried out for private houses, environmental study centres, small backgardens, small holdings and larger hill farms and a caravan park.
Other Consultancy:
Over 100 hill farms advised on how to convert to Organic with the Organic Advisory Service.
Healing:
Using muscle testing and dowsing I work with homeopathic and other flower remedies to help farm animals and people. I am experimenting with using it for treating plant diseases as well. I also use simple pressure points to aid healing.
Fees:
Fees for teaching and consultancy depend on the clients ability to pay.
I aim for an average of ?120 per day + travel costs.
