2nd april - 7.30pm Phone conference on Skype.
From The Star And Shadow Cinema Wiki
[19:53:07] Philip Neal says: anyone like a cupa tea?
[20:12:42] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: milk no sugar please, oh and a large slice of you yummy cake would be super duper
[20:13:08] Alan says: how delicious. any horlicks?
[20:13:17] Philip Neal says: tis beetroot cake at the moment
[20:13:40] Alan says: can tash chat now? - phil can you invite tash to chat?
[20:13:48] Philip Neal says: and horlicks never runs out, always keep a spare! 8)
[20:14:04] tash gordon says: oh are we here now
[20:14:11] Alan says: hi
[20:14:21] Alan says: phil are you off making tea?
[20:14:50] Alan says: ANYONE FANCY THE IDEA OF JUST SENDING ROUND OUR THOUGHTS ON THIS FORMAT?
[20:15:10] tash gordon says: yep no horrible noises...
[20:15:11] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: yes
[20:15:16] Alan added paul to this chat
[20:15:21] Philip Neal says: I'm trying to describe my picture, keep chatting, eat supper and put the kettle on,
[20:15:26] Alan says: SLENCE IS GOLDEN GOLDEN
[20:15:37] Alan says: ok groovy
[20:16:14] Alan says: can you write directly into the texting thing here instead phil?
[20:16:59] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: My picture tries to put the community space in the middle of the err... community.
[20:17:20] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: I think that eating together is important
[20:17:36] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: i'll have a slice of beetroot pie
[20:18:23] Alan says: and ...
[20:18:50] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: I' be happy to live in a cupboard if the communal space was nice. Maybe it's good to have the chance to decide how big our personal spacees should be
[20:19:51] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: I like in cities myself. Don't like suburbs so much.
[20:20:56] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: Vicky says I should let you know it's Sim here in case you think she's this slow at typing
[20:21:25] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: What does anyone else feel about location location location?
[20:22:33] tash gordon says: should we all describe our pictures and then discuss topics that come up i can keep a list or just discuss topics as they arise?
[20:24:36] tash gordon says: helloooooooooooooo
[20:24:39] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: aren't the pictures a reflection of our thoughts which we have already written down? perhaps since this is a slow way of doing the discussion we should pick one aspect and talk about that. just a suggestion Vx
[20:26:05] tash gordon says: its so wierd not being able to see peoples faces and wheres my cup of tea?
[20:26:19] Philip Neal says: Re-development of existing rural place, eg farm and stone out-buildings, which can be converted into a four to six self contained homes (probably by adding some eco-dwellings to the place) set within a few acres within cycle distance of a market town. Want to grow veg and have chickens, part of it collectively, but not to make any income from, purely for pleasure and our own tables, but I klnow I would never manage an allotment, need my veg beds outside my window and an orchard/fruit area. A small central community space, straw bale structure with a large room to fit everyone in and toilet plus laundry room downstairs, a bedroom and small kitchenette upstairs really just for our use. To do things for the wider community I would prefer to utilise exsisting community buildings within the market town. I'm more into living within our own bubble but it being too small for all our needs so that we have to go out into the wider community rather than bring the wider community home.I find my work is all going out and supporting others and love home enviroment being very solid, stable, private and supportive so that I continue to have the energy to go out into the world for work. That it is a nice town that meets social needs is important as I love not ever going to the big city but living within my locality but I do want good public transport links to the wider world. It is studley pike in the background because we really are putting down roots here and am not sure if I want to break them. Other major pointin picture is being able to walk into real countryside from my door because it's the hills and moorland that are the key to my sanity and happiness. Phil
[20:26:21] Alan says: i'm nearly there with my brief description. kirsty
[20:27:51] tash gordon says: the dotted line on my picture separates the community from the surrond area within a town/city. It is not a physical divide. Th community is built around a converted old building which is th communal area with kitchen eating space, hangin out space and space for use by the wider community and then there are allotments, outside tables, green space and kids playing hut(bottom right) the houses were all meant to be diffferent and different sizes with their own bits of green space too (you can dream...)
[20:28:35] tash gordon says: i really am just going to make a cup of tea..
[20:31:40] Philip Neal says: Cath says
[20:31:53] Alan says: KIRSTY - this is the view from my kitchen window. from the inside i can see all the things that i have on my shelf! things that i have been making, but also ingredients for the times when i feel like cooking for myself, close family and visitors and choose not to be in the communal space.
outside there are lots of children playing - hop scotch!!!! there's a pond close by with frogs (yes, that's a frog!) and frog spawn. wanted to get across that there is a city/big town in the distance, but that there is also access to the country. there's a bus reflecting my need for good transport links. some one on a bike with trailer going to visit someone elsewhere and thet's OK!
there's a tree house on the right of my window with someone happily reading.
scale? not sure
[20:33:07] Philip Neal says: Cath says
[20:36:19] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: on the edge of a town or city with easy access to coutryside. i don't mind being within a town/city if i can get out easliy. Basically, I'm actually not too fussed as long as i can have easy access to countryside, i.e walking or cycling to it. lots of lovely space to grow stuff/animals etc. my own private space but a lvoely communal space. i sometimes need non communal evenings when i have been at work all day with other people, so need to be able to have this and feel fine about being private.
[20:37:11] Alan says: holLY:
My pic is in front of ME but not you (Sorry!)
There is an old house or mill which we start in, now it is a food store, a kids rom, creative space and big kitchen. Behind it Animals - a cow and a donkey and chickens. There is a big communal garden out the back by the river
There are children playing in the front. ROund this space curves a row of converted or new houses built together with a wod pile outside and a wind turbine. There are bikes and a separate area for cars at the edge.
There are terraced houses newrby implying a town or a city. The new houses have separate garden plots, slolar panels and there is space for more. There is a big tree with a tree house.
[20:38:24] Alan says: There are hills within distance too. I used green felt tip on A5 paper, the tree is on the left hand side and the hills at the top. You get the picture...
[20:38:41] Alan says: Christo says:
[20:39:32] Philip Neal says: the hills were the first things I drew.I really feel I need to live somewhere I can be close to nature ,somewhere beautiful, it gives me peace and hope and freedom. i like the idea of the communal space being in the middle, but i would choose the different dwellings to be dotted around it, not all next to each other. I think i would need that space physically and emotionally. Close enough to bump into people, but far enough apart to not have to see anyone if you didnt feel like it. i would like shared orchards and fruit and some veg. But i would also love my own gardening and green space, to do and be in as I choose. the garden is often my quiet time and i want to be the one caring for some plants from seed to harvest.
[20:40:29] tash gordon added chileverde to this chat
[20:40:31] Philip Neal says: Good public transport a must, both for minimal car use and ease of access for people visiting.
[20:40:53] tash gordon says: i havejust added paul to caht i think - paul we are chatting as audio has been a bit difficult
[20:41:08] Philip Neal says: that was cath by the way
[20:41:28] Philip Neal says: hello pressed return by accident so will finish...
[20:45:53] Alan says: Christo was saying...
[20:45:58] Alan says: In my dream community, the houses are on a hill. There is a main building - an old primary school, or n old communal building - actually a village hall is kind of the thing i am imagining, but perhaps less focused on the proscenium arched hal. I mean a kitchen, toilets, some rooms for doing messy things like ART or welding (not that they are mutually exclusive, and not that i have ever done welding either).
Next to his is a smaller house which is a garden and tool shed. In front of this garden shed is an allotment and garden - i like the idea of the allotment being shared really. In front of the large building there is a big lawn, great for lying on or playing frisbee or any sports in fact woo hoo SPORT!!!!. Also a couple of good benches.
Behind the central space, and therefore up on the slope of the hill that this larger building is in the valley of, are the houses - smallish houses which are maybe more like wee chalets. Nice bit of Swiss style Please so we can feel like were on a skiing holiday. Trees create privacy between the houses, and little stone stepped paths interweave - a bit of a jumble of landscape and architecture. These buildings would be newly built - I just helped out a little bit on a self build and it is a HUGE ammount of work - maybe we could do a single building that we all help build, and others that are built by professionals.
Cars are off site on the right hand side, and at the bottom of the posh lawn is a stream deep enough to lie in, and perhaps you can wander down the stream to find somewhere to jump in. one love
[20:45:59] tash gordon says: I want to be able to get to the country easily but think if we were a smaller (10-15unit) community it should be in an urban environment to meet all our needs (social, political etc) and not be invtroverted or too intense.
[20:46:20] tash gordon says: oh and i was getting confused chileverde is olly where paul was yesterday -
[20:48:34] Philip Neal says: my picture also showsaccess to a nearby town,somewhere sound where I can buy local and organic, do yoga, do good stuff with Sam, very interested in steiner kindergarden until7. I dont miss the city, it overwhelms me these days, so i dont need to live next to it. i hope to work in the wider community, some of which may be in a city,. I am happy for my work to be all about giving, but at the end of the day be able to go home somewhere beautiful and be with my family and friends. Maybe that is a bubble, I dont know. But maybe that would give me the strength and belief to keep giving.I love seeing hills and trees everyday xxx
[20:53:55] Alan says: Gosh. Here we go.
My picture has people of all ages and people with less limbs (representing different abilities, physical and other).
The funny animal in the middle is a lovely cat.
People dancing at the odd occassional party.
A washing machine - just one of the shared resources.
We're in slighty urban area, or maybe full-on.
We've got a wind gene.
i'm asleep in the house with kirsty sleeping (preparing ourselves to do other things).
People playing games.
Plants growing, but mainly fruit.
The design helps us have equal opportunites to interact. This helps keep the communal space, and us all, happy.
The sun is shining.
[20:55:46] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: vicky - all the discussion of city is making me think what a city is. i couldn't imagine myself living in a large city say Manchester but am liking living in a city at the moment as oxford is a lovely pleasant place to live. If I think of a big city, it is not for me, but a small one or a town (like todmorden) is more my thang.
[20:56:05] Alan says: phil - you're lookin extremely cute in your wee icon...less so tash! (c informs me its called an avatar!) holx
[20:57:05] tash gordon says: hass everone described there picture now?
[20:57:23] tash gordon says: i have changed my headwear hope it is more appealing
[20:57:34] Alan says: i propose a campagn of terror launched on sarah, barry, and all theneighbourly folk of cath and phil an sam's terrace...then we move on in there and woopee! (i = holly)
[20:58:07] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: me second that
[20:58:30] Chileverde left this chat
[21:01:53] Alan says: holly and i were at the Land of Roots helping with the house raising - a truly inspirational experience. Interestingly it is totally rural feeling when there, but within cycle distance of Durham, and then clse to Newcastle too. I think the Tyne valley is another area where this is the case. The problem with a market town compared to a city is that market towns have good things that villages dont have, but they dont have the good things that cities have. I often find market towns a bit conservative, and gossipy, whereas cities are not. - christo.
[21:03:43] tash gordon says: i think it is gonna be hard to balance a desire to find something that will fit for everyone but without people comprimising on stuff that is really important to them and that i for one need to learn that if to say i cant see some of what some people want making me happy i need to be honest and hope it doesnt cause offence.
[21:03:56] tash gordon says: i cant spell
[21:04:48] Alan says: you can get the good things like local organic food, and sometimes book shops, but you less often get the urban cultural manifestations that i love like punk rock music, world cinema. Mind you sometimes you get good college outposts (like newcastle colege in hexham) and the education opportunities that presents are exciting for me
[21:04:58] Alan says: That was christo
[21:06:06] Alan says: Yeah, tash. I think respect and love for our differences is obviously really important. And we need to understand that might hurt or come across wrong at times.
[21:06:31] Philip Neal says: I think that's a valid point christo, market towns don't have thje things a city has to offer so it SHOULD be a market town because there is more scope to make a difference and enable a market town to offer what it is missing... (sun)
[21:06:56] Alan says: But I hope we can remember that we have great, precious friendships. Let's work them. :D A x
[21:07:33] tash gordon says: 8-|(music)(wasntme)(hug)(^)(pi)
[21:08:09] Alan says: i hear ya phil.
[21:09:20] Alan says: i think the potentially big differences are: 1. where on the rural/urban spectrum; 2. scale; 3. how much outward looking / introverted. Alan
[21:09:31] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: i think honesty is important and no-one is going to feel bad towards anyone for being honest. Now we all have put down our ideas, how about we say how flexible we feel towards them. i.e if all of us are definately not going budge from our ideals then it would be hard to start a co-housing project.
[21:09:57] Alan says: Can people say what they understand by 'outward looking' or 'itroverted' because i dont totally understand it.
[21:10:13] Alan says: c
[21:11:30] Alan says: (beer)
[21:11:46] Alan says: we're getting some
[21:12:12] tash gordon says: seem to be 2 things to comment on. In terms of flexibility re location any project will need it as we will have to see what oppotunities arise but i wouldn't want to do a rural project. I could do city - edge or in, or in reasonable large town (particularly if good access to city - e.g. halfax close to leeds).
[21:13:26] Alan says: what is rural? What's the difference between "The Land" and a suburb? Both are on the outskirts of a city. But are very different.
[21:13:54] tash gordon says: not usre about the trems introverted or outward loking, but i would like to be part of a cohousing project that gave something of itsef to the community around it, e.g. by offering space for meetings, having kids activites, showing films, having parties, housing destitue asylum seekers - maybe some rather then al of these!!!
[21:14:38] tash gordon says: i cant type either, can i have a (d)
[21:14:46] Philip Neal says: PHIL I really do see the potential of htis project being amazing, the scale is a tricky one for me, I don't oppos it being a big project with upto say 16 units my problem with that size is having difficulty believing how it would be possible in respect to me (less budgeable needs) needs to be rural and with LOTS ofgreen space, shared and private. It just feels like a huge development site would be needed but tf this we're possible the scale wouldn't daunt me. I feel that doing something rural would be easier on a smaller scale, that to do something big would need more of a brown-field urban site. But this is all gut feelings, if have no research to back up why I feel this.
[21:15:09] Alan says: Yeah, maybe "introverted" isn't the most helpful word. you are getting to it, tash. It's about how much we interact with the spatial community around us. A
[21:16:15] Alan says: I really want to interact with the wider community in which i live.something about springhill felt uncomforable for me in that respect.
[21:16:20] Alan says: K
[21:17:10] tash gordon says: :P
[21:17:27] tash gordon says: sorry have to amuse my self as no one lese herre....
[21:17:27] Alan says: Christo: (emo)
[21:17:39] Philip Neal says: Also, the horse shoe idea is very interesting so that no-one is on the fringe, and no-one in the centre, but doesn't allow scope for people who prefer being on the fringe, or prefer being in the centre of things.
[21:18:35] tash gordon says: (ninja)
[21:18:58] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: Sim - We spoke to some folks who felt left out at the edges of Springhill even though they'd chosen to be there. There's something about wanting to be the same as everybody else...
[21:19:54] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: this is the only face I can do :(
[21:20:14] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: How does it work?
[21:20:37] Philip Neal says: Wouldn'y having our own MEGA community art/cinema/workshoppsace etc etc mean we don't need to go out into the wider community because we can put on club nights sunday afternoon movies and never leave our castle? (mm)
[21:22:41] tash gordon says: how do we take this forward? it feels quite difficult for me right now not being able to do the non verbal communicaion as well and that it is hard to focus on one point
[21:22:56] Alan says: yaeh, that seems quite different to some folks' images of dotted, spread out houses- kinda like a village/!! with shared space in centre ...in answer to sim about how flexible we are with these points - as to sahpe of it, i think there's a point in sharing dreams casue that's how we know what they are, but as to shaape and layout i really am flexoble as to i just want to work within whatwe can, (holly in response to phil's horse shoe comment - just so slow at this typin larke!)
[21:25:25] tash gordon says: (clap)
[21:25:46] Alan says: (dance)
[21:26:12] tash gordon says: that does actually look like alan dancing!!!
[21:27:32] Alan says: Another thing about community is how much is it for "our community", ie our mates. How much about random people phyciscally around? How much is it for people with the same community of interest?
[21:27:39] Alan says: A
[21:28:09] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: Sim -- yes that's good. Do we want to lock our doors when we leave?
[21:28:24] Alan says: More questions than answers!
[21:28:35] Philip Neal says: I have a lot of respect for the ideal of offering lots to the wider communty, but i also want home to be just home. But maybe it is just that it all feels too much to consider to begin with. Maybe it would work for me to create the space, homes and the community. Then once that was established consider ways to reach further out ???!!!! feel very confused?unsettled by my mix of opinions on some of these issues cath
[21:29:07] Philip Neal says: Alan, don't understand your last point about community of interest? P.
[21:30:07] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: Sim - Alright, I would like a communal space, unlocked, with lots of people around, and lots of eyes on the shared space. People would then be free to lock their own space.
[21:30:17] Alan says: yes cath, i echo the confusion but for me i thik it's cause i'm actually really at odds about that insdie mesel !
[21:30:26] Alan says: H
[21:30:44] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: what is insdie mesel?
[21:30:50] Alan says: Community of interest: eg, yoga community; anarchists, gardeners, etc.
[21:31:55] Alan says: (beer)(d)arrived. yum
[21:32:47] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: i think i would be happier at first keeping the space for the co-housing group and seeing how things feel, then expanding to the wider community if it feels right. One step at a time. Vxxx
[21:33:36] Alan says: insdie mesel is a type of mongolian porridge
[21:33:56] Alan says: don't you know?
[21:34:13] tash gordon says: porridge is always the answer
[21:34:49] Alan says: Where shall we go with all this? Maybe looking to wrap things up? Next steps?
[21:34:53] Alan says: A
[21:35:26] Alan says: Can everyone confirm they can make 11 June - day after newc green fest
[21:35:28] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: i see the wider community within my work and may or may not feel happy bringing the community in to my housing area. i am not sure i know the answer to this but at the moment, feel my home space is good being seperated vx
[21:36:12] Philip Neal says: If I am honest I am struggling with how flexible I am. Really liked Christos description.So maybe I want more rural, but that doesnt have to be isolated, just means trees, space... In that environment maybe my thoughts become more open and flexible. Bit frightened of it getting too big and maybe ending up with people i didnt like so much. That doesnt mean i am oppposed to it. For me importance of size linked to level of communilality desired.
[21:36:48] tash gordon says: where are we gonna stay after mels wedding. reckon we should book caping some where nie , ulverston or nearish - will everyone have bikes?
[21:36:59] tash gordon says: i will be there on the monday after green fest
[21:37:08] Alan says: Alan: I think part of our difficulties is that to some extent we are all living in part of the co-housing dream we all want.
[21:37:56] Alan says: A: I think this is most evident for you C & P. Which is wonderful. You've already got lots of what the rest of us are striving for.
[21:38:09] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: i will be there at green fest and hopefully sim. Vx
[21:38:31] tash gordon says: i dont think i am totally flexible on location to be honest, rural wouldnt work for me, i want ot be somewhere with good transport links where i can go and off and do my own thing with out worrying about how to get home or havign to go too far.
[21:39:02] Alan says: how about we have 2 co housing projects, one for the winter, one for the summer!!!
[21:39:21] Alan says: Christo
[21:39:35] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: V - i'm flexible but not inner inner city. the winter one could be in florida
[21:39:36] Alan says: A: what about the summer one in the girl's tree house
[21:40:47] tash gordon says: can we have a microbrewery (beer)
[21:40:53] Alan says: Isnt Florida the Neo COn Capital (Lots of bad bush's inflencing thing) and it sometimes gets VERY WINDY... C
[21:41:17] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: Sim - am going to bed soon. Wind is good for power
[21:41:17] Alan says: Cath & Phil are you going to be at the green fest?
[21:41:34] Alan says: Kirsty's wind is good for power too!
[21:41:50] Alan says: Do you fancy a Duth Oven sim?
[21:41:59] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: Sim - I'm in my pyjamas, what are you wearing??
[21:42:06] tash gordon says: if only things could be smell powered then alan could power the whole project
[21:42:09] Alan says: (devil)
[21:42:24] tash gordon says: (flex)
[21:42:35] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: Sim - Night Night
[21:42:44] Philip Neal says: yeah maybe so, maybe that is why it sometimes feels frightening, the risk of losing what I already have and have chosen. But there is still something extra I want to fulfill, which is whydespite the fact that for me alot of the cohousing thinking has felt very emotionally charged for me, I am trying to stick with it, and try and explore and be open??
[21:44:31] tash gordon says: my eyes are going funny shall we stop now???
[21:45:13] Alan says: yes..phil .... - and i appreciate that. it does take so much emoyional energy doesn't it and hard jumpin around from present to future .....nihjt night sim
[21:45:27] Philip Neal says: We wernt planning on coming to green festival, but it feels important for us to get together with everyone. We would need to be home mon evening, so because of sam would need to leave early afternoon. Any poss of mon morning. Or even sat morning??????
[21:46:37] Philip Neal says: just so you know it was cath writing about emotional energy
[21:47:17] Alan says: mon morn was the plan as then folk could get home so let's do that.i'll cook breakfast or smmit (Holly again ) s thnaks forthe emotional correction x
[21:47:18] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: sat morning good idea. will it be summer hols by then??? if not then just thought can't do mon monring (here we go again!!) - v
[21:47:30] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: sorry
[21:48:16] Alan says: ok - we four here can do sat morn if that works best for folk ...?
[21:48:35] tash gordon says: i think i can too
[21:49:17] Alan says: Sim & Vicky do you fancy the naked cycle ride thing on the Sat, after our lovely meeting? A
[21:50:05] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: think my brain has gone or squelchy - great for sat morning. been lovely chatting to you all and hearing all your thoughts. will it just be us two and you alan? yeppidy do, why not.
[21:50:51] Philip Neal says: sat morning works best for us three, we shall definately be there then as to see faces and hear voices feels important, but can we bring cut out smiley face masks to hold up to bring emotional aspects into disscusssion :*(doh);)
[21:51:49] tash gordon says: (inlove)sounds good
[21:51:53] Alan says: Christo here..Night everyone. I have thoroughly enjoyed this - i thnk it worked out well using the chat rather than talking because it gave us lots of spcae to read and think over what each other said and will no doubt spark some really good discussions when we meet up. Yup, thats all. x Is it?
[21:52:22] tash gordon says: yep off for more tea and less computer screens....
[21:52:27] tash gordon says: love tash xxx
[21:52:35] Sim Richards Vicky Beardall says: night everyone, sweet dreams xxx
[21:52:52] Philip Neal says: Thank you. i know no major decisions been reached but I feel more connected with it all and like everything I feel isnt completely different to what other people think swwet dreams cath
[21:52:56] Alan says: i think that this has been wonderful - though a little overwelming - we are so lucky to have this group, whatever happens. really appreciaate everyone's contributions xxxxx kirsty
[21:53:13] Alan says: Holly sends us her love too.
[21:54:01] Alan says: Thanks everyone. We're getting there. We understand each other better, I think. And it's a fun way to "do" our friendship. Lots and lots and lots and lots of love, A
[21:54:28] Philip Neal says: Lovely jubbly a marvelous night of most portly talks. love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxx phil
