West Lexham, Norfolk
West Lexham, Norfolk
Background
For centuries West Lexham was a busy farm, raising both pigs and a dairy herd as well as growing a range of arable crops. Historically the farm employed most of those who lived in West Lexham.
This colourful period of its history came to an end about a decade ago when the farm was finally closed. Recently the Colville family have been trying to find ways of re-using the old agricultural buildings in a way that will provide a community resource, create local employment and secure a future for the old farm buildings. Planning permission has now been granted for an Education Centre at West Lexham!
What Now?
Preliminary conversations have been had so far with the residents of West Lexham and potential students from further afield. Now that permission has been given the time has come to explore more thoroughly how the buildings can be used to the optimum for the community. Issues have come up so far such as the lack of both a Pub and Post Office in the village. Also, the closure of the farm saw the closure of the village hall. The village hall can now be reopened and the community can once again use it for a venue for events and celebrations. It is also hoped that if the courses, broadly to be based on sustainability are a success, that they could support the opening of a village shop as well.
Courses on a broad spectrum of issues surrounding sustainability will be run. It is hoped that there will be a demand for these courses locally, but also cater for demand from further afield. For this purpose accommodation is to be built so students can stay for a weekend up to a fortnight.
The courses will include everything from vegetable growing, cooking of seasonal produce, eco building techniques, rural crafts, art, social enterprise start-up, business development to global environmental and political issues.
It is intended that the running and therefore the experience of West Lexham will be sustainable in every aspect. As much food as possible will be sourced locally, as well as many building materials and other goods and services that can be. For example the biomass boiler will be fuelled from wood chip from a farm ten miles away. It is hoped that as well as employing local people directly, the enterprise can also contribute to the local economy as far as possible.
Get Involved
We would love to hear form anyone who would like to become involved in the project. We need help converting the farm buildings, finding out what local people and those further afield would like from such a community resource, what you would like to learn and what you might be able to contribute. Every aspect is to be educational, so we are hoping to teach eco renovation skills while converting, so would like to hear from skilled tradesmen and apprentices alike.
Contact: Edmund Colville
edmund@limina.org.uk
