The Land

We treat our land with the same respect and care that we foster each other; we work the land through the rhythm of the seasons and we are guided by the Bio-dynamic principles given by Rudolph Steiner. An annual Bio-Dynamic Seminar is run by Camphill in Northern Ireland and this part-time introduction course is available to anyone working in one of our land-based workshops.

Farm

Seamus and Connor help to milk our dairy herd of 12 cattle every morning and John brings the churns around in a trolley to all the houses in time for breakfast. The chickens give us eggs from the orchard run and we enjoy a steady supply of organic meat from our beef cattle, pigs and small flock of sheep. The farm is run by a dedicated team of people who prefer to work manually together, with not so much emphasis on heavy machine work. Part of the farmland is given over to grain production -mainly for use as foodstuffs.

Our extensive gardens grow both field and garden vegetables with many different varieties cultivated according to the season. A large group works together to cultivate, plant, weed and harvest our year-round crops - culminating in our annual Autumn Harvest Festival. The vegetables are harvested weekly and delivered round our houses every Friday. We also have a "box" system for several friends in the wider community.

Our orchard extends to fully 4 acres of mature fruit trees and bushes. In autumn the trees hang heavy with apples, blackcurrants, strawberries, redcurrants, gooseberries and raspberries cry out to be picked! What fruit is not used fresh in our houses gets taken to our Food Processing Workshop where it is turned into delicious jams and juices.

Estate

Our large 150-acre estate requires constant maintenance and a small group of enthusiastic workers mow the lawns and keep our shrubs and flowerbeds in order. Tree pruning, path clearing and leaf raking all form part of their general maintenance work. When time allows, the estate team is also very active in new landscaping and planting projects.

Craft workshops

LYRE WORKSHOP This large, well-equipped woodworkshop produces very high quality musical instruments. Around 10 people work together in this craft workshop forming and creating these instruments which are used for traditional, classical or modern music. They are also used widely for music therapy and many of our residents are taught not only to build them, but also to play. Click here for full Lyre Workshop Information. WEAVERY This quiet and colourful workshop specialises in traditional handloom weaving and has nine full size working looms. Traditional methods are used and we also spin the wool from our own flock. Items produced and sold in our craft shop are wallhangings, rugs, waistcoats, shoulder bags and guitar straps.

POTTERY Our small, but fully equipped working pottery provides work for around 5/6 people. Various methods of this ancient craft are practised here and the many beautiful products find their way into our gift shop and can be regularly seen at craft fairs around the area.

Each week the Laundry is piled high with bags of washing from our 16 house communities. Sorting, washing, ironing, and sending it all back clean, involves a dozen residents and a variety of skills. Julia irons shirts and sews. Ann folds the towels while Ian takes the delivery trolley back and forth - there is a task for everyone in this sociable workshop, warmed by the busy banter and the fresh smell of Pauline's newly ironed sheets.

The smell of newly baking fresh bread fills the air every day as the bakers carry out their daily task of baking organic bread for 144 hungry mouths in the community. Very much a "family" bakery and as full of life as the yeast itself - they also manage to produce delicious organic cakes for sale in our coffee shop and fresh biscuits daily for everyone's tea-break; and they are also known to produce the odd pizza now and again!!

Just to keep everyone busy -they also offer a first class delivery service.

Store

As you would expect from a "village" community we have our own village store -well stocked with everything a household would need - organic cheeses, juices, jams, cereals, pasta, rice, and a million other well presented items! Christoff and Connor serve you with a smile and Lynn will deliver to your door with her well-oiled trolley!

Food Processing

This is our newest workplace and is a very well equipped workshop reaching the very highest environmental health standards. This workshop works in close co-operation with our land teams. Freshly harvested fruit is processed here into many varieties of jams and juices. Meat from the farm is also processed and packaged here. In the near future there will also be cheese and yoghurt produced.

Craft and Coffee shop

Our craft and coffee shop are open to the public and as well as serving coffees, teas and other home made organic produce the shop also displays a vast array of beautiful craft items. Crafts produced in the community are complemented by the work of many other local craftsmen and women. The warm welcome and friendly atmosphere attracts many visitors throughout the year.

Housework

A very important workplace in the community is within our houses. Whilst many people go out to work on the land or in one of our craft workshops - some others have the very important task of cooking lunch or cleaning our common rooms. Every morning a few people in each house lovingly prepare a fresh, well-balanced lunch (mostly from our own produce) and set the table ready for us coming home. Hilary cleans the vegetables for Shirley to chop and put in the pot. Vroni oversees the cooking and, to finish, Hilary lays the table and Shirley puts fresh water in the jug. Poor Colin has been busy cleaning the toilets and nearly missed tea break!