Shrub Family

Our communal name and address is misleading. We are not a farm, don’t live in a cottage and if the ‘family’ brings images of Californian style cults … we’re not a family! We have tended to be a practical, secular, dirty-handed, music-playing, screaming kids community, though right now we are low on numbers – so there’s the potential to become something different! Individual interests range from midwifery and politics to fine arts and drugs legislation. We don’t have any particular communal ideal although we follow a pragmatic quest for sustainability and the hope of, one day, developing low-cost, eco-friendly, self-build housing. We share a rambling 17th century farmhouse with room for a maximum of ten to twelve members. We are too small to accommodate communal businesses and most members earn their livings in conventional jobs. Although we are surrounded by beautiful countryside we are close to a busy road and motor-racing circuit. Our mainly organic garden and polytunnel give us an increasing level of self-sufficiency in vegetables. Planting trees, large flower beds and herbs is a passion. We share communal costs and dedicate a day’s work a week to the house and grounds. We welcome visitors.