Brithdir Mawr
| Brithdir Mawr | |
|---|---|
  Brithdir Mawr Brithdir Mawr shown within Pembrokeshire | |
| OS grid reference | SN073373 |
| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
Brithdir Mawr is an Intentional Community in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Community
The community is based on a 85-acre (0.34 km2) farm. It is currently home to 13 adults and 5 children who live in individual family flats around the farmyard. The land is farmed organically (although not certified, partly due to cost, mostly due to the belief that chemical farmers should pay for certification to show their food is safe rather than traditional, organic food growers incurring financial penalties) and the community is off-grid for supplies of water, electricity and wood for fuel - used or heating & cooking. People work both locally and on-site to manage the farm and earn a living. The aim of the community is to live an environmentally sustainable and ethical lifestyle. Our three pillars are community, sustainability & education. In 2017 we have four horses, three goats, four geese, four ducks & three beehives. To save Brithdir Mawr as a community we need to raise at least £1/2 million by 2020 as otherwise the landlord will sell the property. We are currently looking for investors, income generating ideas & new members. We have a website www.brithdirmawr.co.uk & a facebook page.
History
The community had been quietly set up by architectural historian Julian and wife Emma Orbach in 1993 in the foothills of Mynydd Carningli (Angel Mountain), near Newport, Pembrokeshire within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park without planning permission or publicity. The Orbachs initially renovated a rundown farmhouse and moved in with their three children. Other buildings including a roundhouse, later to become known as That Roundhouse with a turf roof, a wooden marquee, wood store and workshop had been built. The community in 1998 consisted of 12 adults and 10 children who were mainly vegetarian, grew their own crops and lived off the land.[1] The settlement of five straw bale buildings and one wooden geodesic dome was spotted from the air in 1998 and was reported to the authorities.[1] The authorities identified fourteen infringements of planning regulations, including the lake, the cycle shed, the Dome, and the roundhouse. All infringements, except those relating to the Roundhouse, were solved or resolved. The cycle shed is still without planning permission.[2]
In about 2001 the land was split in three parts, with ownership of the land around the disputed roundhouse being transferred to the Roundhouse Trust. Julian moved into town, but retained ownership of about 80 acres (320,000 m2) including the old farmhouse and outbuildings, which was leased to the Brithdir Mawr Housing Co-op. Emma adopted the rest, which is known as Tir Ysbrydol (spirit land), which also became involved in planning negotiations in relation to new and existing strawbale round huts and structures.[3]
In 2015 Emma featured in an episode of Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild. In 2016 the community was notified by Julian Orbach, the current owner, of his intention to not renew the lease from 2020. The community members have been offered first refusal to purchase the site at a price of £1 million. This has led to many of the longer term members leaving but new members are actively pursuing methods to raise the funds in order that Brithdir Mawr can be held in a Trust, which will guarantee the site will continue as a community for the benefit of existing & future members and continue to act as a positive beacon of sustainability, education & community living.
See also
References
- 1 2 "Secret village to be pulled down". BBC News. 1998-10-23. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ↑ "The story so far - Part 1". That Roundhouse. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
- ↑ "History". Brithdir Mawr. Retrieved 2009-04-12.