On Saturday 10th September 21 members enjoyed a thoroughly fascinating, visit to the Steward Wood Community, situated about a mile South of Moretonhampstead.
It consists of 13 adults, 4 teenagers and 5 children, and their key aims are to demonstrate how a small dedicated ecologically minded group of people can enrich the social and natural environment of an area as well as being financially viable.
Their houses are made from naturally produced products and are primarily constructed of timber with straw bales for walls with a layer of lime giving added insulation.
Daniel gave us a brief history of the 32 acre site and we were shown all the key areas including the community growing area, the wash house/bath room, electrical power house set up and the “long house” communal area. He also explained about the various trees growing in their lush mixed woodland.
After our tour we all sat by their communal fireside drinking tea and eating their home-made cake and discussing their future which is at present going through a rather turbulent period due to their recent application of permanent planning permission being refused.
The Dartmoor Society wish them well for the future and in particular at their forthcoming Public Meeting taking place in Moretonhampstead Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20th September.
Going forward they will be encouraging support for their petition to the National Park Authority to help reverse their decision and one of their activities is a “march” to Parke.
More information can be found about Steward Wood Community on their website.