Our Future
There are six aims of the campaign to give Woodhouse Farm a fresh and sustainable future
- Retain the land for farming
- Offer community access and involvement
- Provide education and training
- Produce and sell local food
- Protect the Environment and Heritage
- Showcase low input agriculture and renewable energy
The project is expected to take up to ten years and cost around one million pounds. It is being tackled in four phases by a team of professionals supported by dedicated volunteers.
Central to the plan is the renovation of the farmhouse and the creation of a Local Food Centre – to generate revenues and drive the long term restoration of the farm. It will consist of a classroom, a teaching kitchen and associated facilities to accommodate fee paying groups from the education, health and leisure sectors.
Friends and volunteers will assist trained staff in offering a range of indoor activities including cookery, floristry, art and handicrafts, while outside the land and buildings will offer scope for Bushcraft, Environmental Education and Play, Adventure Days, camping, fishing and hands-on skills training … bricklaying and carpentry, horticulture and agriculture.
This depends on initial funding of around £400,000 which will be raised by a community share issue, loans and grants.
- Phase 1
Refurbish the Farmhouse and convert the old piggery to a classroom and teaching kitchen with toilets and disabled access. - Phase 2
Convert some of the Grade II buildings adjoining the Wall for farming and food use: milking parlour, cold store, food preparation and kitchen areas. Restore the Mushroom House for storage. - Phase 3
Refurbishment of the Wall and conversion of the remaining Grade II buildings adjoining it to workshops, wood store, shop and office. - Phase 4
Orangery: Possible luxury weekend retreat/wedding venue. Maybe a national competition for its function and design.