Trebullom farm
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.
Courses for HE students at Trebullom would be elective and low cost and would be subsidised through funding streams aimed at encouraging Community Volunteering. Students acquiring craft and land skills in these residentials would be able to take these back into areas of social need, either rural or urban
To keep costs to a minimum, students would bring their own towels, linen and be involved in meal preparation as part of their courses.. 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. 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 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.
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
