The Year at Menter y Felin Uchaf

With only two years since we purchased the farm, and having spent the first year on planning and honing our original vision, the whole landscape has been wonderfully transformed. The field verges are planted with broad swathes of deciduous woodland, the willow coppice and silver birches have shot up some three feet over summer, the new wildlife pond is teeming with sticklebacks and is already a heron's favourite spot and the new hedge banks have displayed the colours of flowers lain dormant until their seeds were disturbed by the digging.

We have hosted many open days and volunteer work weekends. Local schools have made good use of the Centre as an outdoor classroom, and thanks to volunteer help, all fifteen thousand trees have been planted, mulched and protected from the resident hares. These times were very enjoyable - a chance for newcomers to get stuck into teamwork within a friendly atmosphere and the regular volunteers to meet socially whilst carrying out a tremendous amount of work. The days were punctuated by welcome refreshments and a shared meal.

But best of all is the golden hat of reed thatch that rises above the new meeting space - the Earth Roundhouse. It has been a labour of many hands, some as big as spades many as small as oak leaves; an extraordinary testimony of cooperative working by committed and enthusiastic volunteers. The atmosphere inside is truly inspirational yet this is only the beginning. This winter will see the interior sculpted with beautiful cob-earth walls and lime washed with warm colours. The open air performances enjoyed under starlit skies this summer will now give way to the telling of tales around the winter fire under a snug thatch roof.

Menter y Felin Uchaf is an educational centre based in Rhoshirwaun, Lleyn, exploring ways of living and working in creative partnership with each other and our environment. The centre's Educational Project Manager post, is supported by an Environment Wales Management Grant.
To find out when the next volunteer weekend is coming up, visit the website www.felinuchaf.com or ring the office on 01758 780 280.