Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust
(General information lower down page)
Courses 2011
The following courses are being held at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust in South West Wales, led by experienced mower and Scythe teacher Philip Batten.
Sharpening and Peening Workshop
The key to relaxed, easy mowing that is gentle on your body is a REALLY sharp blade.
Learning to peen and sharpen well will transform your mowing experience. Bring along your blade to this hands on workshop to learn how to get it into the best mowing condition, with expert help on hand.
Subjects covered include in-field honing, setting up and using a peening station and an in-depth exploration of free-hand peening and blade repair
As far as we know, the only course in Britain dedicated to the sharpening and repair of your blade!
Saturday 9th July 10am-4pm : Cost £40
…………………………………
One Day Introductory Scythe Courses
All you need to know to get you started using a scythe! The course will look at set up, mowing techniques, sharpening and peening. Learn how to mow a lawn, cut a hay meadow, control brambles and scrub and much more.
Saturday 28th May, Sunday 25th June or Saturday 13th August
10am-4pm : Cost £40
…………………………………
Two Day Intensive Scythe Course
This course, for the more experienced mower or the adventurous beginner, will allow us to go into more depth on all aspects of scythe use. The first day will be spent looking at preparations for mowing, with a detailed look at subjects such as scythe set up and free-hand peening. The second day will focus on mowing, looking at areas such as mowing techniques, tai chi style mowing, blade selection, teaching and mowing with groups and hand hay making.
Weekend of 16th /17th July Cost £100
…………………………………
Bespoke Courses
We can run bespoke courses at the Trust on any aspect of scything, for groups of up to 8 people. Please contact us for details.
Camping space is available for all courses if you are traveling from further afield.
We hand make hay by hand from July onwards, as weather permits. Volunteers welcome to come for up to a week at a time to help and learn.
For more details on all courses:
email scythecymru@yahoo.co.uk or phone Michelle on 07813 464990
…………………………………
What is Permaculture?
- An Ecological way of Living
- Designed by Observing and Co-operating with nature
- Encouraging Creativity, Resourcefulness and more Self reliance
- Showing how “Sustainable Living” can work in practice
- Helping to find Solutions to many local & global problems
Permaculture Ethics
1. Earthcare – caring for the Earth’s Environment and natural resources
2. Peoplecare – providing the basic needs of food, shelter, education, human contact and fulfilling work
3. Fairshares – contributing to a more equitable world by limiting resource consumption and sharing surplus
Permaculture Principles in Practice
While their application depends on local conditions, the key principles are:
- Use biological resources
- Recycle energy and other resources
- Design for energy efficiency
- Think about which things go best together and where
- Plan systems of diversity
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
- Make things multipurpose
- Create Space for Wildlife
- Create small scale ‘intensive’ systems
- Be imaginative and creative by turning problems into solutions
- Incorporate places where different habitats meet
The Trust Farm
A 20 acre farm, at Bach y Gwyddel, straddling the hamlets of Cwmpengraig and Penboyr, has been farmed organically for 30 years. Set on a hillside, it looks out south and west with stunning views across a wooded valley and up to hill pasture and scattered farms beyond. The farm comprises wildflower meadows and mixed grazing pasture bordered by mature hedgerows (particularly laburnum), 3 acres of woodland, a tree nursery, pond, sheep, bees, fruit and vegetable growing areas, a multi-purpose wooden pole barn, retreat and camping areas, compost toilets, earth oven and solar showers. Bats, badgers and buzzards find a home here in this very peaceful rural setting.
How the Trust works
The Trust has had a home at Bach Y Gwyddel since January 1995. It is owned by 50 members, overseen by trustees, run by a management committee; with the day-to-day workings carried our by a Farming & Conservation Group and an Education Group. The Trust manages the land sustainably; sells yellow rattle seed (a pioneer wildflower species that suppresses grass) to support the development of new wildflower meadows; hosts educational visits & courses that empower people to live & work in a more sustainable way through learning & practising new skills; as well as providing space for local people to grow food & set up small livelihoods.
Making Ends Meet
The Trust is a not-for-profit enterprise registered with Environment Wales and a Permaculture Association member. The Farm derives a small income from produce (such as wildflower seed, hay, trees and cuttings), letting space for allotments and bee keeping, as well as educational visits/courses (such as woodland crafts), recreational events (such as LETS fairs and parties), camping and retreats. Other income comes from membership fees, donations and grants (which in the past have included Society for Environmental Improvement, Environment Wales, Coed Cymru, Carmarthen County Council and the National Assembly). It currently receives a 10 yr Tir Gofal grant for sustainable Land Management (through the National Assembly).
Our plans for the future
- Wildflower meadow management using sheep & Dexter cattle.
- Coppice development and Hedgerow management
- Harvesting and selling Yellow Rattle wildflower seed
- Developing Tree Nursery products and services
- Developing a local rural skills training club with Symud the local community development organisation Symud Ymlaen
- Developing innovative approaches for Interpreting the site
- Green Electricity and Rainwater catchment for the fruit & vegetable gardens
- Development of personal and group Retreats
- Making Artist Charcoal from willow
Getting involved with the Trust
Visiting on one of our Monthly work days is a good way of getting to know us, but you can also:
- Get involved with activities here by joining either the Farming & Conservation Group or the Education Group (or even set up a new group to help implement our future plans)
- Take part in an Education Visit Day or Course
- Camp or come on Retreat
- Hold your own Event or Course here
- Rent Organic Allotment space
- Buy willow cuttings or Trees grown from local seed
Making contact with us
For Education – Michelle and Philip – Tel: 07813-464990
For Camping & Retreats – Jono – Tel: 01559-371427 – jonogaunt@aol.com
All Other Enquiries – Marc – Tel: 01559-371424 – marc@bachygwyddil.fsnet.co.uk