My vision for Roosland
Roosland 2024 reflections and projections for 2025.
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Many thanks once again for your help and support in 2024. It helps me to keep the project going, especially on the darker, self-doubting days. The reassurance from like-minded people is invaluable, It helps with the collective “We,’ rather than the separate I”.
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I have a mantra that helps me when my mind is scattered and I’m looking at the inevitably unachievable number of tasks I’ve accumulated! This being due to my stunningly optimistic nature and childlike unrealistic expectations.
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“Start where you are,"
“Use what you have,"
“Do what you can.” ..
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So on that note:
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2024 was a good year for the land, we introduced the next-door farmers sheep and cattle again to fertilize and open up the soil. The evidence from this happening last year was finding some different plants growing this spring, chicory, plantain where a couple that where noticeable. The Docks that had been raging when I brought the land, were less this year, they are a Lovely edible, medicinal plant but can take over in Roosland's fertile soil.
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The “Get on my Land days” continued to gain interest and volunteers. I am always learning and growing from the interactions personally, professionally and as a project. We received a grant from Recovery Devon ( my now employer) to help pay for the food we provide, tools, support from another on the day.
The days found people wanting to get stuck into the practical tasks, some wanting time to slowly unwind and find some peace in the woods. The fellowship was always evident when it came to lunch time! We welcomed new volunteers which has been a real blessing. We now have two clear paths with steps, another wood store, 4 raised beds, area cleared for a container to hold to tools etc.
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The Barefoot creative movement weekend in September was such a rich and soulful time despite the rain again! We had some money from the community pot to pay for the food etc this year, which really helped, A big Thank you to the funders.
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We also had the local village children on the land to learn the basics of; learning about fire making, gathering edible plants and cooking over the fire. It was a delight to watch them explore, learn and play together, and be open to learning about the land they walk on every day. My thanks to dear Hannah for her beautiful support and expertise.
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The cabin has also had a face lift, thanks to Jack and Jim’s help. ( and of course countless other people who have been part of the discussions and input) It like me, is work in progress, and I have to be patient with both! It does however mean there’s now accommodation for another or couple if slim, to stay along with a comfortable space for me to work in finally.
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So 2025.. What next?
Weather, health and life permitting!!!
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January will hopefully see the addition of the Container; we are waiting for a few dry days to get the ground work underway which will also extend the parking area. The container will also help me to store and organise my own belongings which has been on the cards for 4 years now!! Phew nearly have all my bits in one base.
Finishing off the cabin will be a high priority. Alongside filling the raised beds ready for spring planting out of veg and furthering my fruitful relationship with the Roosland, and slug population!
Along with erecting the Solar panels that are currently hiding in my shed!! It will make life easier to have some lighting and recharging points.
The “Get on my land” project will continue with the practical monthly land days, with the addition of another days of creative, soul nurturing days. Letting us drop into natures holding to create and heal. Ali has offered to come along side to help and support the work, looking at pots of funding and on the land days. to put energy into the days and make them sustainable.
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I am also working with Lauren, from the Flourish in nature project at Together, who provide the drug and alcohol service in Devon, to come up with “Get on my Land days” to support individuals recovery.
I hope to host another Barefoot Creative campout in time, if when and support allows. So watch this space for more to come.
As it has been so well received by the dance community, which is fantastic It would be great to offer it out to others but this needs careful thought and discussion with members.
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On February 22nd Roosland is hosting the Devon Rural land Skills day of Hedge laying. Where traditional skills are transferred to others with a hope that these skills will continue on.
If you or if you know of any others that may be interested, please take a look at the link below.
https://www.drst.org.uk/pg/course/coursedet.aspx?id=174
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The Orchard plans of 2024 didn’t materialise but hopefully this year will see this happen, but I did receive some beautiful individual trees from kind folk like( Katie) which are seeing the winter out in their new homes.
Planting trees takes time to think about… as you have to imagine what the effects of their placement will be when they mature. We need to think about; What they’ll be shading.the Impact on bird, insect, animal life, how close to others? the line of sight in different seasons, etc, this all plays a huge part in knowing how to treat them.
We lost a few smaller trees in the woods in the storms lately, and a couple of the larger Beeches split, So I have some sawing and sorting to do this winter. I need your hands, Get On My Land!
I think that’s it for now…I’m Keeping a handle on my realistic expectation list for 2025, but you know me!!
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As always, I welcome your support be that, practical, energetically or any other way you can give.
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Any ideas of land skills, therapy, movement offerings please get in touch on 07960125901, or email roocarter64@gmail.com.
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If you wish to come and spend some time here on your own that is also very welcome, it’s a beautiful healing peace of land.
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Thank you for 2024, and here’s to growth in 2025
I look forward to seeing you on the Land sometime,
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Much love and health
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Roo x
Roosland community update and plan for 2024
Many thanks for all your support and encouragement in 2023. Whether that was in person practically helping, coming along to the barefoot weekend we had in September or by generally sending good vibes to the community project.
Last year was quite a deep processing year for me personally being expanded on many levels. The land held me well as I retreated to her wisdom.
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I am bobbing up again this new year with renewed vigour to keep the Roosland project very much alive.
This year I very much welcome individuals/ groups to use the space. It's ideal for group holding in the quarry, in woods around a fire, or a movement space in the field as well.
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Or if you are wanting to work with individuals in an eco environment you are very welcome.. We can now provide warm inside space and field and wood outside space, parking, cooking facilities, fresh water and composting toilet.
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Give me a call to run your ideas through 07960125901 or email me roocarter64@gmail.com If you know of anyone who may be interested please pass my details on.
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Also, importantly, if you would like to come and retreat for a while, sit or explore the 12 acres of land and wood land in peace please do. It is partly a temperate rainforest so I found out recently, because of the rainfall here, air clarity and extensive growth on the trees.
We hope to have another barefoot creative weekend in September, so if you are interested in running a workshop or want to get involved in the planning, please give me a shout.
We will also continue with the two days a month “meet the land” volunteer days.
2024 Project maintenance and growth plans.
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Create a more useable footpath to get to the woods and quarry bowl. Maintain existing paths.
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Put up more bird boxes to encourage variety.
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Replace trees that have fallen.
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Plant a variety of fruit Trees in the autumn to increase wildlife diversity.
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Improve and expand vegetable plot so the pickings from this can be shared with others.
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Repair and clad existing cabin, extending the roof for solar panels, shelter and an outside kitchen. Clearing and improving the interior space to gather in the warm.
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Create more log storage and fill with felled ash
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Install another lockable shed or container for tools
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Have a barefoot creative weekend in September
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Bring in groups or individuals to use the amazing space.
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Doing the Admin and promotion thing well enough! and asking for help with this.
I hope for us all to enjoy the unfolding of this plan in the coming year.
If you would like to get involved, please do contact me:
Roo Carter on 07960125901
Opportunities to share
and learn new skills!
"The plan is to bring conservation, farming and education together
with community, wellbeing, dance,
creative expression and fun."
If you would like to get involved
Please do contact me:
Roo Carter on 07960 125901
Get involved!
We are having monthly
“meet the land” days to get a feel for what’s wanted and needed and to work on practical projects.
Next one is:
to be confirmed
A typical Community Day starts around 10am, with a welcome and friendly chat, then a conversation about what we could do (where you decide what you would like to contribute), then we get stuck in. There are breaks for drinks, and a lovely homemade hearty soup for lunch, and a nice afternoon break for cake. You’re welcome to come and go as you like. If you’d just like to sit in the woods with the wild flowers and listen to the birds, then that’s fine too.
We have running water, shelter, a composting loo. It is a simple and rustic set-up, but is practical and clean.
“I love being at Roosland - sitting in the woodland listening to birdsong and the gurgle of the stream was so calming”.
I am asking for help and support in whichever way you can. Getting stuck into practical projects, Advice and planning for workshops. Workshop leading, being a follower of the lands progress, or being someone to talk through ideas with.. its all welcome.
The project is an unfolding as I go with a lot of faith and optimism for a new future that is arising..
“Its great to come and help do something practical - and the lunch was well worth it too!”
Roosland plan for 2023 ...
As some of you will know I am developing a land project just outside Black Dog village in Mid Devon. The plan for the project is to bring Conservation, Farming and Education together with Community, Wellbeing, Creative Expression and Fun.
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I have acquired 11.9 acres of pasture and woodland to look after, mostly woodland, which is a mixed Broadleaf wood with accessible rides and a public footpath that runs through part of the wood. There are a lot of birds and wildlife within the woods.
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There is also a quarry within the wood, which is bowl shape for a fire and a deep holding space for groups. I’m hoping to flatten it further to create a music and dances area.!
The pasture has two areas the Top by the road which has good access and hard standing is to become an orchard, food producing garden and a social area as I have a porta cabin on it with a locally built wood burner in for keeping warm, drying clothes and cooking. The plan for the field further down the plot is to have the Devon hedge layed and fenced for animals, camping and of course dancing!
Luckily so far, I have local
support and wish to involve
the local community as much
as possible.
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As you can imagine it’s a big
vision but I believe an
achievable one, health willing.
Part of the gift of having the
land is to share the space with
others, even though I accept
my responsibility as custodian
of the Land.
So I am asking for help and support in whichever way you can. Getting stuck into practical projects, Advice and planning for workshops. Workshop leading, being a follower of the lands progress, or being someone to talk trough ideas with.. its all welcome.
We are having Monthly “Meet the land” days to get a feel for what’s wanted and needed and to work on practical projects.
They are the second Saturday of the month (this can be changed if weather is really unsuitable).
I am used to holding groups outside and bring many years of coaching experience, farming experience and a big heart for community communication and healing.
I have a lot to learn about woodland skills, and current land management but am up for giving it a go. I learn from experiencing things first hand through my body as a lot of people do and I welcome that. I do however need people with other skills, so I am always grateful for participation. The project is an unfolding as I go with a lot of faith and optimism for a new future that is arising..