Our Big Build!

We have lift-off! The remaining planning conditions have finally been discharged and builders are now on site. It’s so exciting, after all this time, to finally see (and hear) it beginning to happen before our very eyes. We are still on target for completion in January 2010.

A few nail-biting moments in March as various deadlines were met in connection with the build, the most critical of which was securing Housing Corporation funding to enable the Housing Association to pay for their properties. (see below)
We have also been deep in discussion with solicitors regarding the various legal agreements for the project build and the final lease agreements for both private and social units.

Nancy has successfully applied for a grant towards our photo-voltaic panels, and has also put in a bid for a biomass grant-involving a massive amount of work, for which we are all very grateful. We await the decision with bated breath and all fingers crossed – thank you Nancy.

And finally our Bat licence has arrived! This means we can call in an official bat worker to rehouse them.

As half the car park is being taken up with contractor’s vehicles (talk about boy’s toys, they are all over the place), our neighbour over the road, Kevin, has kindly allowed us to use his field for parking – thank you Kevin. So if anyone is coming to visit and cannot get into Cole St. Farm, just park over the road in the field on the left hand side.

Hohousing Association Residency – Open Afternoon 31st May

We are holding an Open Afternoon on Sunday 31st May, jointly with the Housing Association, from 2-4pm for potential Housing Register tenants. If you are already on the list, you will receive automatically an invitation from them. However, it would be advisable to check you are still on the list as they recently asked for re-registration as a result of changing to a new system (you should have received notification of this direct from them). If you are not yet on the list, and think you may be eligible, we recommend you contact North Dorset District Council housing department as soon as possible.
Their address is:
Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset. DT11 7LL.
Tel : 01258 454111.
You need to express your interest in living at the Threshold Centre when applying, and then the form will be passed on to the Housing Association. The form can also be downloaded from their website – www.north-dorset.gov.uk
Costs of units, information re leases, joining procedure, etc, will be confirmed on the Open Afternoon. Please let us know if you are not yet on the list but would like to come.

Garden News

We have a polytunnel!
Nothing happens for ages, then it’s all systems go. The plan to erect the polytunnel on the garden/work weekend was blessed with perfect weather. Much gratitude goes to Paul who organised it all, Muriel who dug holes on the Friday and to Andrew (who rented here for a while) whose experience in putting up a previous tunnel proved invaluable. Thanks to all the other willing helpers. There were enough bodies to do the work on the days, and the sun even came out to soften the huge length of plastic as it was manhandled over the frame..Michael caught the latter on film for posterity, so within minutes of finishing the task we could watch the picture loop and feel very proud of ourselves. Now comes the discussion time to work out the best use of our warm sun-filled space.
The clement weather means that we have been able to build and plant some more raised beds, and we plan to continue constructing.
Our next gardening weekend is 15-17 May and we have space for more volunteers. We manage to have fun as well as working, and provide bed and board in exchange for your labour. Come if you can (but let us know beforehand) – see Programme.
Alan has planted a willow bower in the orchard and first sproutings and blossomings of fruit trees have been observed. Lovely!
The emptying of the barns for the building work necessitated the erection of other storage areas, the main one being a splendid new shed (or should we say chalet!!) for our garden tools, built by Peter. Thanks to him for all his hard work.

Other News

We had a visit from Palden Jenkins for a few days, and he has re-vamped our website, for which we are most grateful. Still one or two additions to come, we are selecting from our range of photos to give a good idea of life here at Cole Street Farm. Palden is also a well-known astrologer, so gave us an update. We were reluctant to believe him in the early days when he said it may take four years or so to get our planning permission!

We say farewell and thank you to Paul, who has been resident in the house for some months and done a huge amount of work in the community garden. We will soon be welcoming Andrew, who is coming to stay with a view to joining us permanently in due course.

Lovely to have Michael back from India with his warm personality and colourful shirts! He is getting excited about his new unit and will be taking daily photographs of progress.

We are delighted that Alan’s partner, Linda, has come to live here with us. She is a qualified therapist, keen gardener and has lots of other lovely attributes. So welcome Linda. She and Caroline plan to start some evening classes in June for those interested to find out more about what is ‘Beyond the Obvious’. A flyer is attached.

We have just had another successful cohousing weekend workshop. There are still places for the one in - June 26-28. Other opportunities to visit are on our Garden/work weekends, Open Afternoons, Bring-and-share lunches or meditation. See programme below.

With best wishes from us all - Caroline, Jane, Gay, Alan and Linda, Michael, Amanda and Peter (& Monty!), Nancy and Vita, John. Not forgetting Muriel and Chris.

Program of Events – 2009

• Cohousing Workshops

These are residential and run from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. They provide an opportunity for individuals or groups to experience life in a cohousing community for a weekend, at the same time learning how to go about setting up a project. They are very popular, so book early to secure a place. 2009 charges: £130 for course, lunch and evening meal. B&B £25/£35 per night, depending on location. Remaining dates for this year -
June 26-28 : September 11-13 : November 13-15

• Gardening/Work Weekends

We offer bed and board in exchange for your help and it’s not all work! Arrive in time for Friday supper if you can, otherwise early on the Saturday. 2009 dates so far.
May 15-17: July 17-19 :

• Open Afternoons for Visitors/Enquirers

These take place on the Sunday afternoon of the work weekends. A chance for enquirers and potential joiners to have a look around, ask questions about cohousing and enjoy a cup of tea.
Sundays: 17th May, 19th July. 2-4pm

• Open Afternoon for potential Housing Association residents

Sunday 31st May 2-4pm – see newsletter above.

• Open Lunches

These take place on the first Sunday of each month, from 12.30-3pm. An informal gathering, chance to look around, and meet the residents. Please let us know if you would like to come, and bring vegetarian food to share.

• Meditation

We hold an open meditation on the first Thursday of each month, from 8-9pm. Meditation and visualisation techniques suitable for all levels of experience.

• Evening Classes with Caroline and Linda

‘Beyond the Obvious’ a series of classes for those interested in expanding awareness beyond our everyday physical experience. See attached flyer for details. Wednesdays for six weeks from 10 June to 15 July.

It is helpful to know in advance if you would like to come to either of these events.
Email - i...@thresholdcentre.org.uk (Click on the three dots to the left of the @ for full email)
Call - 01747 821929