This is a pilot project to develop teaching and learning resources in a residential rural environment suitable for students at the University of Plymouth. The project aims to develop a specific resource at Trebullom Farm which will be fully active by 2008, coinciding with the closure of the Exmouth campus and relocation of the Faculty of Education to James Square in Plymouth.
There is an evident need for students (and tutors) living and studying in a predominately urban environment to develop their understanding about sustainability and community by spending time together in a residential learning environment, not only studying but also being involved in activities such as preparing food, house-keeping, composting etc. The idea of developing small-scale residential Sustainable Learning Communities for HE students was generated through spending a residential week with a third year cohort of Steiner students at Schumacher College. It became clear that the student group developed a fine social awareness through being together and sharing practical responsibilities over a number of days with a quality of their learning which could not be achieved through normal campus meeting and study.
Trebullom Farm is a well-equipped rural centre near Launceston with residential facilities for up to 20 students, bio-dynamic agricultural and horticultural resources, wood-fired bakery and resources for the teaching of land-skills and crafts. It was initially developed in the 1980’s by Peredur Trust to meet the needs of a community of adults with special needs. Peredur’s work has been based on Steiner-Waldorf pedagogical and social principles. Since then the community has reduced in size, the founders have aged and the Trustees are keen to see the resource developed into the future in ways commensurate with their ideals and principles. The original community of adults with special needs is now resident in Basill Manor, a separate centre about 4 miles from Trebullom. The Trust also runs a bio-dynamic farm of about 170 acres near Launceston, has its own 12 KW hydro-electric system and water supplies from bore-holes. It grows its own wheat and has a small dairy and beef herd together with fully-equipped workshops for weaving, pottery and carpentry. The Trust has spare capacity at Trebullom and is keen to further links with the University of Plymouth, particularly in the field of Education towards Sustainability
Two voluntary organisations, Bowhill Educational Trust and Peredur Trust, owner of Trebullom, have agreed to work together to explore the development of Trebullom as an educational centre where higher education students can access sustainability education programmes in a ‘hands-on’ environment. Bowhill Trust is Exeter-based and works to develop Steiner-Waldorf initiatives, particularly in the South-West. The involvement of the University of Plymouth students and staff is seen as important in realising the project’s aims although the wider involvement of HEI’s is also viewed positively.
John Burnett is Programme Director of the University of Plymouth’s BA in Steiner Waldorf Education. He is also Chairman of Bowhill Trust and is hoping to use an appointment as a part-time Centre Fellow with the Centre for Sustainable Futures to develop the potential of Trebullom as a residential centre where approximately 20-25 students and staff can study together for 2-3 days in a communal rural environment dedicated to the sustainable management of resources through production of food, craft activity and the arts.
Courses for HE students at Trebullom would be elective and low cost and would be subsidised through funding streams aimed at encouraging Community Volunteering. Currently, Bowhill Trust and Peredur Trust are making bids to Higher Education Action in the Community (HEACF) and Awards for All (£10,000) to subsidise a series of residential workshops. To keep costs to a minimum, students would bring their own towels, linen and be involved in meal preparation as part of their courses. The scheme has the interest of Melanie Lonsdale (Widening Participation) who is visiting Trebullom in mid-September to run a workshop on Community Volunteering. Courses will not be directly related to programmes taught at the University of Plymouth but are seen as complementary and a practical encouragement to volunteering work in the field of Education for Sustainability. It is envisaged that students attending the courses planned at Trebullom will do so as ‘community volunteers’, acquiring skills they can then introduce into community groups linked to schools, youth clubs, care units etc. The idea is being developed of a skills programme involving crafts such as basket-making, felt work, clay and bread-making as well as land-skills linked to horticulture and agriculture. The range of possibilities for courses goes far beyond this and could include cultural activities such as music but, as a start, the idea of a ‘Crafts in the Community’ project centred at Trebullom is one that seems workable.
The current (provisional) plan is to develop the following courses for approximately 20-25 participants at Trebullom Farm:
September 2006
Introduction to Community Volunteer Work
Half-Day Workshop with Nigel Hillier (Bowhill Trust) and Melanie Lonsdale(HEACF)
December 2006
Community Volunteering and Education for Sustainable Development
2 Day Residential Workshop with Nigel Hillier (Bowhill Trust); Melanie Lonsdale (HEACF) and Roger Cutting (University of Plymouth)
February 2007
Crafts and the Community: acquiring basic skills
Teaching staff from Hiram Academy (Education through Crafts)
March 2007
Landskills and Environmental Awareness Course
Alan Dyer, Roger Cutting and Colin Trier (University of Plymouth)
May 2007
Crafts in the Community Festival
Public workshops at Trebullom offered by local crafts people and student volunteers and the Peredur Community. This would be a celebration and presentation of skills developed through the year combined with the involvement of the local North Cornwall community. Student volunteers would be encouraged to take these skills back into their resident urban community
Interest has also been expressed in the idea of an ESCALATE-sponsored residential to be run at Trebullom in the new year. This would involve members of the British Education Studies Association (BESA) the CSF and others from HEI’s with an interest in embedding Sustainability into the HEI curriculum. Currently, conversations are taking place with Tony Brown (ESCALATE; Bristol)
For further information or to express your interest in the project contact:
John BurnettTel: +44 (0) 01395 255475Email: j.burnett@plymouth.ac.uk
