Get involved with The Share: national off-grid DF centre

May 22, 2012 by Sam    No Comments    Posted under: Events, Span That World, Sustainability, The Share, The Share

If you could design a national centre for Woodcraft DFs, what would it look like?

Ideas so far include renewable energy, a veg patch, compost loos, hammocks, a pirate ship, a ball park and a moat. An “obligatory out of tune piano” currently has three times as many votes as an “obligatory in tune piano”. DFs have already suggested a name: The Share. The Share is an ambitious DF and Kinsfolk project to build the best off-grid residential centre in the UK. DFs and Kinsfolk will help to plan, design, build and maintain The Share, as well enjoying the finished site.

From its roots as a good idea, the Share is fast sprouting shoots as a reality. At Annual Gathering 2012, Woodcraft members from around the UK voted to instruct Woodcraft’s leadership to “support the District Fellows Movement in developing The Share”. A similar motion looks likely to be passed at the next DF Althing business event. So, armed with great ideas and institutional support, the next steps for The Share are fast approaching.

There are four next steps:

1. Funding

We are applying for funding for training trips and materials for training DFs and Kinsfolk in off-grid infrastructure, such as compost loos, fruit and nut tree planting, renewable energy and green building.

2. Planning green infrastructure for a Woodcraft Folk centre

We are asking Woodcraft Folk Centres to sketch out the better, greener infrastructure they want. For example, Lockerbrook or Cudham may want compost loos or solar water heating.

3. Training DFs

We are organising training courses this summer for DFs and Kinsfolk interested in off-grid infrastructure such as green building. We have built links with other low-impact centres including Lammas, a highly researched and carefully planned Pembrokeshire eco-village. This summer, DFs will learn skills such as veg growing, green building, compost loo and solar shower building, ready to be put into practice at Woodcraft Folk centres.

4. Putting in green infrastructure at a Woodcraft Folk Centre

With funding for materials, a specialist to facilitate the build, and hoardes of enthusiastic trained DFs, we will descend on a Woodcraft Folk centre and make it greener by adding off-grid faciliaties such as compost loos, fruit and nut trees and green buildings.

The Share is a grassroots project led by you. We need your help to make it happen! Take on a role to co-ordinate ideas, funding, training, building or strategy at our glittering Facebook group and let us know how you’d like to get involved to make The Share a reality.