We’ve just heard that we’ve been shortlisted to receive £12,000 from the M&S Community Energy Fund – and it could be more if our project is chosen to be one of their flagships. We are still to receive details on the next stage of the project, but in brief, we will be invited to set…

£348,000 so far!  Our initial fundraising aim was £380,000 so that is an incredible achievement – 92% of the target raised! Many thanks to all our supporters. Unfortunately, costs have also risen.  A while back, we revised our fundraising aim to £460,000, which puts us back down to 75% achievement, but in fact the target will…

            Kuba has just sent me these two stunning visualisations of the new building.  The first, viewed from the South-East, shows the solar panels along the south roof, and the wonderful entrance staircase.  The second, viewed from the North-West, shows the link to the church, with the kitchen nearest.  Meanwhile Sally…

When we set out on this road to build Europe’s First Straw-Bale Church building – and possibly the largest straw-bale community building – it never really occurred to me what it meant to be a pioneer.  I just thought, this is it, and we’re getting on with it.  Now I know the truth! Hannah Jones…

It was always our plan to build with load-bearing straw walls. Our design team at Straw Works still believe it would be possible, but our Engineer at Renaissance has said “No.” Apparently, the 10m span across the hall would be too wide to support the upper floor and roof.  Instead, Helen, our engineer has designed…

What a process!  Getting planning permission was hard enough, but getting Faculty permission from the Diocese was tortuous!  Nevertheless, we now have both – albeit with a number of conditions to fulfill on Lambeth’s side.  These include providing a very thorough energy and heating strategy before any work is done above ground, and making sure…

Last week GEA came and dug four boreholes to check what our ground is like.  As expected, there were traces of building rubble in the first metre, but below that was solid clay. The company are now doing a closer sample analysis back in the lab, and will also return to check the water levels…

Just submitted our application to enter the Jewson Building Better Communities competition!  First prize is £50k in building materials & cash.  Will we be the ONE?  

A key aspect of our project is that it is a community self-build. So it’s great, even at this early stage to have people involved, sharing skills and time. Thanks to Kevin, who spent an afternoon making a topographic survey, and his friend, who transferred the data into a usable format. Thanks to Heath, who…