Projects
Events
Throughout the year, Mellowcroft is privileged to host many small cultural gatherings and exchanges. In the summertime, the Cwmbach Festival, a medley of artists and musicians organized by Utrophia, a London-based collective, is amongst our favourite events.
We've also hosted African drumming, poetry and folk events, and are soon to enjoy our first wedding. Due to our ample and beautiful space for camping, most events at Mellowcroft enjoy the atmosphere of a small festival.
If you are hoping to run a memorable workshop or event, and seek the best place to hold it, please contact us.
Eco-Structures
The Yurt
This shelter is handmade in Radnorshire, in the Mongolian tradition. It stands on a dry wooden platform, and is made from local steam-bent ash. People with experience in felt-making, who might create a felt liner for the yurt from locally sourced fleeces, are very welcome to do so...
The Classroom
This is the jewel of Mellowcroft. For creative inspiration, for teaching and sharing, for workshops and music, mediation and art, this hexagonal building is the perfect venue. The Classroom is designed to provide community education groups in Radnorshire, and the UK, with an excellent low-cost space for good events. Please see Classroom to learn more.
The Wood-Fired Outdoor Bath(s)
A good hot bath is always a treat. At Mellowcroft we have refined the experience. Our side-by-side community baths use hand-pumped mountain spring water, heated by wood fire. This water is special; it is living, nutrient-rich, and naturally replete with the clay of the Welsh hills. You've never had a bath quite like it.
The Drovers' Cabin
For shelter from the elements, the drover's cabin is the perfect retreat. Built in the historic simplicity of the original drovers' cabins, once dotted all over this landscape, the cabin is a perfect self-contained hideaway. Whether herding flocks to field or market, or not, this simple room, with a log burner and double-bed, is a comfortable and grand place to wake up.
The Great Canvas Space
This canvas structure is perfect for any event. It can be put up in varied ways, to suit purpose and weather. There is room inside for a stage, a bar, a fire-pit, and up to 100 people.
The Eco-Folly
Set around 3 silver birches, this is a building of no fixed purpose. It was first built as a floating meditation platform, high in the trees, a place to be still in the moving winds. Then it came down to earth, with the ground floor being enclosed last of all. Each floor is independently and integrally secure.
Made almost entirely from recycled materials, this is a true eco-build, a nearly no-cost construction. The ground floor is a communal kitchen, with cooker, sink and water. The middle floor moves as the wind through the trees, a unique and restorative experience for a night's sleep. As a good folly, it is perpetually unfinished, but those wanting to work toward its completion are welcome to contact us.
The Woodland Campsite
No longer grazed by sheep, wildflowers have emerged amongst the silver-birch woods, and camping here is a beautifully grounding experience. Perfect for summer gatherings, outdoor seminars and workshops.
Future Projects
There are many projects unfolding at Mellowcroft. From the mundane - more compost toilets and small cabins - to the exotic - the Saxon village and the Stargazing Ziggurat - there is much going on. Volunteer working sabbaticals are designed for people to step forward and help make any of these things happen.
Also over the next year, we are creating a Washing Garden, with a sauna, a plunge pool, and various eco-showers, all using Mellowcroft's native spring waters. We also aim to introduce new animals to this small-holding - pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, and bees. If you've interest in helping make this happen, and the experience to be useful, please get in contact.
Conservation
Re-Foresting the Land
We've planted hundreds of trees, native fruit and nut varieties, Welsh oak and hazel and other hardwoods. We aim to plant thousands more. People with experience in establishing new woodlands, as well as people who just want to plant a sapling, are welcome to get in touch.
The Free Allotments
Originally this was a controversial issue in the local community. People felt that to give away land without financial benefits was unreasonable.
But with simple rules set (everything petrochemical-free) this project has been a tremendous success. Many local families have seized the opportunity to provide their families with a healthier diet, while turning their hands to sustainable agriculture.
The benefits for these families are clear, in terms of education, exercise, and diet. Other community benefits have become obvious too, in the knowledge pooling and resource-sharing that has evolved.
In sum, this small vegetable growing project has become very enriching for all involved, and has proven to us that new models of open land-use are possible in 21st century Britain.
We are always open to ideas and action toward better farming and growing. People interested in creating long-term permaculture projects, especially those aiming to evolve their plot by hosting courses and workshops, are welcome to get in touch. Mellowcroft has the land, if you have the dedication, focus and passion.
Renewable Energy
The basis of Mellowcroft's energy policy is sensible and appropriate usage. We are 'off-grid' and aim to remain so. Electricity is harvested from the wind and sun, with backup generators for heavier needs. We are currently investigating the potential for hydro-electric power here; anyone with experience in this exciting technology is most welcome to get in touch.
Likewise, people with knowledge of building bicycle generators, looking for somewhere to practise their valuable art should read our Sabbaticals page.
The Freshwater Pools
Fed by a freshwater spring, these two pools have two purposes - one for people and fish, and one for native wetland species. This division of waters is already a success. The lower pond is home to various newts and ducks, frogs and dragonflies. It is a pleasure to witness them thrive.
The Ridged Wildflower Meadows
Ancient Welsh farmers ridged the agricultural landscape, to give different elevations for different crops, for irrigation and for natural pest-control. Reclassified as 'wasteful' by post-war agro-science, these ridges almost disappeared from the Radnorshire farmlands. We are reinstating the cultivation-ridges of Mellowcroft, and we hope to provide a clear example of the benefits of this tradition.
Since being rescued from the sheep, the meadows of Mellowcroft are now shockingly rich with various grasses orchids, and other wildflowers. The speed of the land's transformation, from scrub moorland to lush meadow, has been miraculous, and we are glad to provide a crucial oasis for bees, insects, moths and birds.
The Wildlife
Humans are a minority species at Mellowcroft. This is home and breeding ground for various flora and fauna, and they were here first. We are very interested in documenting the increase in bio-diversity that is happening at Mellowcroft. The photographing, identifying and documenting of wild species is greatly appreciated here.