Moving to Wales
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Since deciding to leave our current home we’ve been under some pressure to find somewhere to live that is affordable, has land, possibly space for our neighbours (so we can share the load and not feel so isolated) and ideally a woodland nearby.
We’ve looked at a lot of properties, 100s online and then a fair bit of driving around Wales to physically view some which given our current location of Cornwall has meant some major miles. We’ve even got as far as nearly buying somewhere, spending money on surveys and lawyers but pulling out of the bidding – formal tender – process at the last minute.
Recently through a set of rather ‘small world’ interlinked happenings we found out about a community near Lanidloes, one of our target towns, called Old Chapel Farm. Initially we were dismissive as we didn’t want to live in another community but after speaking with someone who had been there it sounded right up our street as they were simply looking to rent out a holding around a mile away from the main site with 6 acres space for two families.
I went up to see it this week and was really taken with it all. Infrastructure-wise the main site is well established but in terms of a community it is early days. They have lots of plans and it’s clear the energy is there to implement them. Currently there are only a couple of full-time residents other than the family that owns the farm but they also have a constant stream of WWOOFers; they had 100 last year apparently.
The place we’ll be living is a mile or so away over mainly flat ground and is actually the house they first lived in before buying the bigger place. We’ll be left to our own devices with no pressure, other than self-inflicted, to get the land yielding. We will also be welcome to help out wherever we want such as the infrastructure jobs like helping to manage their brand new 20 acre woodland recently purchased off a neighbouring farmer.
The smallholding itself has the following features:
- Very rustic oak beamed house that is apparently the oldest house in the local area. it has a super-modern wood pellet boiler, a Rabyurn for cooking and a wood burner in the lounge.
- Large converted barn, currently open-plan
- Standard barn
- Workshop with two benches
- Large duck pond
- Half size polytunnel
- Loads of established growing beds
- A willow coppice
- Lots of small fields, one a hay meadow, another fox proofed and containing chicken houses
We’ve agreed in principle to move in March/April so now have the task of once again getting school places, packing and moving (both home and business).
We’re very excited especially as we feel we’ll be getting the best of both worlds with some aspects of community life still available to us but also having some distance and being left to our devices.
Posted in Bealers | Comments (10)
Tags: llanidloes | smallholding
Nate says:
February 27, 2010 at 9:44 am
Congratulations! This sounds ideal. The very best to you and your family :-)
Notes From The Frugal Trenches says:
February 27, 2010 at 11:45 am
That’s brilliant that you found somwhere! Thanks for answering my question a few posts back re costs.
Are there any forums, websites, yahoo groups you’d recommend for finding out more about homesteading, self-sufficiencey. I’m keen to “meet” other Brits doing this and learn more about where to look, how to find land, what type of land is needed, more natural living, energy sources etc.
nick devlin says:
March 9, 2010 at 9:40 am
Excellent news, I’m really pleased to hear there some movement. We’ve just instructed our solicitors, architect and structural engineers to get on with our self build. Our schedule is to start the foundations in mid june, have the frame up and water tight by mid to late august and then we, as the self builders are unleashed on the internals. If we pull our fingers out, could be completed by New Year.
good luck with it all. By the way, if you fancy a week down here, we all get together for a mini-camp/festival of about 20-30 families with kids on a local organic farm… its normally in early to mid august. I’m trying to tempt Casey with it too this year.
N.
Rachel Gill (was Shelstone) says:
March 9, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Hi, I am watching what you are up to with great interest especially since you successfully diagnosed me with Barnheart (hilarious!) We started last year with hens and some fruit and veg in our back garden – nowhere near self sufficient but we all have to start somewhere! Good luck with your project – it looks like a great adventure!! Rachel
Sarah says:
March 11, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Wow, sounds amazing!
Currently looking into the same sort of things as yourselves, only with myself and my partner and a friend, and possibly 2 other couples as well :)
If you dont want to hassle of finding new schools etc, theres always the option of Home schooling! :)
Good luck,
Sarah
Bealers says:
March 13, 2010 at 8:14 am
Hi Frugal Trenches,
Well offline there’s the magazines like Smallholder and Country Smallholding which are really good. Online if you’ve not already seen it then you really should check out selfsufficientish and there’s also Alan Beat’s Smallholders.org website that has a link to an online community and some local groups.
Hope that helps.
Darren
Bealers says:
March 13, 2010 at 8:19 am
Thanks and good luck with your search Sarah.
We did consider home schooling a few years back when we first left London. I think Cathie posted about it a few times in her old blog. In the end we didn’t feel it right for us. I also wonder whether there’d be enough time left to look after the land and livestock (plus run our business) if we’re also looking after the kids. It was certainly a short-term option between Easter and the summer hols, though.
Luckily the local school looks really nice and we’ve got places, phew.
Donna says:
April 3, 2010 at 10:59 am
I’ve followed your progress since ‘becoming domestic’. I wish you and your family all the very best of luck. I think you’re so focussed about what you want and I’m confident you’ll find your ‘home’.
mallica reardon says:
May 8, 2010 at 11:15 am
croesi cyru or qelcome to wales from aberdare south wales myself. you should enjoy. best wishes with your new venture. that cornwall thing sounded rather stifling to me anyway. find your happy medium. good luck
mallica reardon says:
May 28, 2010 at 6:20 pm
sorry that was croesio cymru . bad spelling there sorry.