Straw Bale Walkabout

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…

An amazing £10,000 (including Gift Aid) has been raised through Richard’s marathon, thanks to generous sponsorship and commitment by all the runners. A number of donations came in the post from people we didn’t know at all.  One of the most amazing was from an elderly lady who had read about our project in the…

Following the visit of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) on 28 January, our straw bale project is moving full steam ahead! The DAC spent a morning with Richard, Barbara Jones from Straw Works, a representative from English Heritage and members of the project team. After inspecting the site and asking lots of questions, Stephen Craven…

Our first bid for funding has been successful. The Church of England’s Church and Community Fund has awarded us £15,000. We bid on the basis that the process of self-building will increase community cohesion and enhance the church’s mission. We need to spend the allocation within two years. Thank you CCF – we’re making a…