Prose and a Poem

Here’s a small taste of our set-up process, lovingly described by one of this year’s new volunteers, Rosie. She was also kind enough to write us a beautiful poem, which I feel truly captures what it’s like waking up on site each morning.

Arriving at G&A the day before setup I found a small kitchen tent, two caravans and an otherwise empty field; it seemed lost in the Worcestershire countryside. Now just over a week into set up and the village green is ringed with tents, marquees, domes and of course the yurt (not that I had ever put up a yurt before). But more than that, the people who have arrived since then have transformed the site. From the amazing interns and ever-working trustees already in residence, to the influx of volunteers all with their own inspirations and stories to tell, G&A has become a vibrant and exciting community. I have learnt so much, tried new foods and even participated in my first hen night (best wishes to you both for all the years to come). I have also made friends that it feels like I have known for much longer – it’s hard to believe that a group can become so tight-knit in just a few days. There is so much variation in where we have come from – which is so much more than birthplace or nationality – and what we have done before, however, none of that matters at here as long as you’re willing to give it a go. Don’t misunderstand, it is hard work and serious too. Just like any service provider Green and Away has a deadline to meet. We have to be ready to host conferences and provide all the facilities expected of us.

 

There is a routine and a rhythm that the site breathes by, that captures a sense of belonging and acceptance that is often lacking in the world at large. Working with the environment to get the best out of both people and nature, okay, so it may sound a little hippie-ish but I assure you it’s not, its common sense, sustainable and more importantly it works year on year.

Morning

In and out,

breathing.

The rhythm of the site,

other people, the plants,

living all around.

The rising sun mourning the loss

of the diamonds in the grass.

Which it sees but

for the briefest glimpse.

Then gone in the growing light.

Rejoicing, after, in the songs

soaring from the birds.

Echos of their wings

flitting between tent and tree

awash in new beginnings.

Stirrings, soon to emerge,

the steam off boiling water,

the feel of bread dough

beneath the hands,

the calls of morning greetings.

Setting up for Set-up (part 2)

Welcome back G&Aers! I hope you enjoyed howling at the moon and reading all about Yanna.

Now it’s time for us to meet Rob. I gave him the usual opening question:

I’m still trying to work out that whole who am I? question, but I’ve experienced some pretty interesting things along the way. After dropping out of med school after half a year, I switched to a philosophy degree, then took a year out in the middle of that to work as campaigns officer for the student union. Following that, I worked as a teaching assistant for a year, did a permaculture design course over weekends, ran the school allotment and played in a truly awful band. I then volunteered for six months on a volunteer exchange programme with the VSO – the first 3 months were in Eastern Sri Lanka, whilst the next 3 were in Burnley.

Wow, Rob, that’s seriously impr- …oh I’m sorry you’re not finished.

Upon returning, I worked for 3 months at Scope as a carer, then spent the next year studying for a ridiculously intense MSc, which involved cramming a psychology degree into a year, with a masters dissertation tacked onto the end. For 4 months I worked doing admin for Sure Start Centres, before volunteering as a team leader for a youth development programme in India for 3 months, which brings me up to now.

So how did your now end up at G&A?

I first heard of G&A when I met Clare Eddington during the 2010 Green Party election efforts in Brighton – she said that she was about to do an internship at a conference centre in tents in a field, and it sounded pretty interesting, but I didn’t think to check it out further at the time. Later that year I volunteered for 6 months, and one of the other UK volunteers was Claire Turner. We stayed in touch, and she came to visit my home in Brighton. When she turned up she was absolutely glowing from this amazing summer that she had just spent in a field near Worcester, and it sounded right up my street.

What would you like get out of this summer?

I think I am most looking forward to trying out a new way of living – not just one of camping, sustainable technology, or community-based living, but all three combined. Plus a mix of very interesting people. I’m sure the organisational experience in the office will be invaluable to the future, as will having spent 9 weeks living and working as part of a team.

Spending so much time on site is a challenge but very worth it. The rest of the world pretty much falls away behind the trees and we allow our little community to define itself by the people who arrive and what they bring with them. The often indefatigable rain can make such a long stint in the field a real effort, but the constantly changing mix of people is like a new weather front every few days. Who knows who will drift in next?

Unfortunately, dear readers, due to some unforeseen personal circumstances our friend Rob must delay his arrival on site for a few weeks. Our best thoughts and wishes are with him, and I know after that mighty intro I’m not the only one who’s excited to meet him as soon as possible. Until then we’ll be checking in, and I’ll keep our blog-&-away readers up to date on any and all breaking intern news.

So, as I mentioned in the last post, an early few of our trustees are at this very moment showing the new troops around the site. By the time the rest of us arrive we will be stepping into the lush, ceilingless home of a brand new community of friends, colleagues and family. Hopefully a few more of them will have time in their busy adventure to talk to me for a further blog. But with one of our longest ever seasons ahead, and a truly diverse line-up of organisations on the books, right now it’s time to stop talking and start doing.