Members and Volunteers site
Orchard Barn Environmental Education Centre (OBee) is managed by a Community Interest Company (OBee CIC) whose vision is to inspire people to reduce our impact on the environment, improve our quality of life, gain new skills, live in a healthier and more satisfying way, and discover the enjoyment of community through co-operative activities.
What is the project about? Orchard Barn, outbuildings and land provide a unique opportunity to restore a historic Suffolk farmstead, long-standing smallholding and small, traditional orchard, and to enhance this organic oasis.
By restoring the traditional barn and buildings to how they would have been historically, we will provide a fantastic example of what can be done using local materials. We hope to offer Master Classes that will provide training in traditional construction skills to local people. Our Environmental Education Centre will model sustainability in terms of energy, water and waste.
The barn and land will provide ecologically sound indoor facilities and green outdoor space for meetings - both educational and recreational.
Visitors will be invited to the centre to to learn about nature conservation and low impact ways of living. They will also be able to experience the diversity of the flora and fauna as they take time out from the busyness of the 21th century to relax and reconnect with nature.
About our name - there have been orchards in this area for at least 200 years. The Apples, Pear, Gages and Walnuts at Orchard Barn would appear to be one of the last remnants. Recent identification indicates that we have some very uncommon old varieties.
By restoring the orchard and opening it to visitors, we will demonstrate the value of traditional varieties and create greater connection with the environment. Longer term - we will help to reduce food miles by selling organic fruit and vegetables from our farm gate.
Some of the project that OBee CIC are hoping to undertake
The story so far - In February 2007, Sarah (who was to go on to become the Managing Director of OBee CIC) took a small but in retrospect, mammoth step. In order to secure the future of a small traditional orchard and preserve the biodiversity of the site, she re-mortgaged her house and bought a run down 17C barn standing in 1.5 acres of even more derelict orchard.
The initial plan? To convert the barn into a Yoga centre that will model sustainability.
Since then … the project has grown. We are recruiting Volunteers to participate in our 'Green Gym' approach to Nature conservation - clearing round the ponds and in the orchard. Quarterly green events - celebrations to mark the annual cycle of the orchard, are in the planning stage. We now have planning permission to repair the barn 'like for like' with local timber, and hope to be able to offer Master Classes in Traditional Carpentry as well as Cob and Flint wall restoration. East of England Apples and Orchards Project has offered to teach an Orchard Restoration and Progagation programme. A community vegetable plot is being planned. Day retreats to relax and learn from nature will be offered.
Our indoor educational space is going to take longer to restore than the outdoor space, but we are well on our way! Until such time as OBee Community Interest Company can raise the capital to purchase the barn and land, the company will lease the site for a peppercorn rent.
The Orchard Barn project has evolved into a much needed and requested Centre for Environmental Education. (Yes, this will include Yoga!)
NEWS page
Please contact Sarah if you would like to get involved in the project.
This project encourages and supports community in re-learning how to work, rest and play together - co-operatively with nature - for the greater good
www.orchardbarn.org.uk © 2007 Wildfire Designs
Photographs © Tony Mounter and Sarah Partridge
Orchard Barn Environmental Education Centre (OBee) CIC
Company Registration Number 6379982
