CAMPHILL BALLYBAY
“ The healthy social life is foundWhen in the mirror of each human soulThe whole community finds its reflectionAnd when in the communityThe virtue of each one is living ”
Newsletter 2014
CAMPHILL
LOOKING BACK, What you see now as Camphill Community Ballybay is very very different than it was twenty one years ago. At that time the insight and determination of a small group of parents and friends from the locality brought about the small beginnings of a Camphill Community. This group raised a massive £50,000 to get the community started. It did not even start on the present site.
The group of co-workers who pioneered the venture started out in a place called Nart. Afterwards they moved into the present site, which was given to Camphill by the Robb family, and they lived in Brighid House and Francis House, which were portocabin type buildings. Francis House was donated by Mourne Grange Community.Some people also lived in rented accommodation in Rockcorry, where the old Shirt Factory was, and there they had a Weavery,a Basket making workshop,and Candle making. Around this time, Glencraig Community donated Applegrove, another portocabin type house. The first building to go up in the community was the Hall. It could be divided in two by a curtain, and half was the Weavery and half was for gatherings, meetings, etc.Other projects around this time were an extension built on to Brighid House, the present Woodwork Shop, and the first farm building. It took a long time to get planning permission for Nuin House.It was built at last in 1996 and is a lovely example of a real Camphill house.Throughout this time, the co-workers were busy trying to convince the local HSE that they were a bona fide organisation.Meanwhile, in order to have some revenue, they took residents from other communities for holidays, both long and short breaks.
The next building project after Nuin House was the Workshop Building, which now houses the Bakery, The Candle Workshop,The Tea Room and the Office.Shamrock House was opened in 2004 and a couple of years later the present Farm building went up. Our latest projects have been the Roundhouse, the refurbishment of Brighid House, and a new garden shed. The first resident came at the end of 1994.Over the years the population increased so that we now have fourteen residents and eighteen co-workers. As well as that, we have four employees, five people from employment schemes and two from HSE.
At twenty one years, Camphill Community Ballybay has really come of age.Our workshops now are Farm, Garden, Bakery, Weavery, Candle Making, Food Processing, and more recently a Beauty Workshop for the ladies. This year we had our first monitoring inspection by HIQA, and we expect to have our Registration Inspection in January. All of us in the community have been working very hard to marry our Camphill ethos with the requirements of Regulation and Inspection. We are very lucky that we continue to attract a really great group of young co-workers every year, and it is no exaggeration to say that they are the mainstay of the community,bringing freshness and youthful enthusiasm into our daily life. Together with our residents we strive to live and work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and under-standing, and to enjoy our social life together.
Looking forward – we hope to have our Registration in the New Year, and that will be a big milestone in the life of the community.We want to upgrade the existing accommodation and facilities.Most of all we want to open up for our residents more and more opportunities for choice and fulfilment both within and outside of the community.Camphill everywhere is going through a time of change.In the future there will be less and less vocational co-workers and more and more people who are employed in the usual way. Every person who lives and works in Camphill is a co-worker, and we want to believe that whoever is in Camphill in the future will wish to keep alive those things which make a Camphill Community fundamentally special and worthwhile. Camphill Community Ballybay has always been a good place to live and feel at home, and it is our aim to make it even better. Anne Horan
EVENTS
FAMILY DAY
MOVING FORWARD
EVENTS
FAMILY DAYThe autumn ‘Family Day’ has come and gone yet again. How the years pass. An opportunity to meet all the souls associated with the Robb Farm community and network with our Camphill friends and acquaintances.
This autumn saw us lunch in Nuin House with my daughter Hazel and her Nuin house co-occupants. The courgette soup provided a major distraction - second helpings sought and much praise for the chef! This was followed by a particularly welcome strong cup of filtered coffee specially prepared (explained Bianco with a smile on her face) so we wouldn’t ‘nod off’ during the business of the day which was to follow in the meeting hall!
Accompanied by a notable background of humour and camaraderie, the matters of the day were then presented to the gathered group in the meeting hall. Progress within the community is relentless- new utility building for the garden; new workshop for the villagers, lobbying for the stalled water harvesting project; an upbeat report of the wider communities conference in Ballytobin; the struggle,with some success, to retain the special ethos of the community in a new era that demands regulation, account-ability,conformity and financial prudence- all to be documented under a sea of paper.
And so the day’s business finished in a most positive and upbeat fashion followed by more coffee (and oh! -those wonderful cakes and tarts) to sustain us on our drive home-lots of ‘craic’ with Hazel and her pals and then it’s the end of another autumn gathering. Oh my goodness- how the years pass!
Mr. Davis
Vision Day in BallytobinWe had a talk about vision day in another camphill near Dublin.I talked about the farm and the garden. Paul Flynn was there.Thomas and Anne at different tables. John O’Connor is from another Camphill and he was there as well. We had lunch together,we had soup and it was good. Also we had tea break and I ate some cake.We had a second meeting after lunch.A lady from another camphill wrote notes on a piece of paper. We also had a Eurythmy presentation. I made new friends there. I was very happy to be there.If it happens again I’d like to be invited to it.
I started working here in September.Im from Co.Cavanwhich isn’t too far away. I work in the office with Anne and Colin. Time flies here in Camphill Ballybay and so far I am really enjoying working here. At the end of September I really enjoyed being involved in the Michaelmas celebrations and thought the harvest altar was beautiful. I am really looking forward to seeing the Camphill Ballybay Christmas tree,I hear it is unique. Everyone here has been very welcoming to me and I hope I will be here for many years and to write in newsletters to come.
I lived in Duleek in Co.Meath and I came to Camphill in December 1994.Camphill Ballybay was very small when I came. There were 12 people living in community and 4 co work-ers. I lived in Rockcorry when I came first and I moved to Fran-cis house in November 1995.My first workshop I did was ma-king baskets. In 1999,I moved to Nuin House and in Sep-tember 2004 I moved to Shamrock house.I like living in Camphill Ballybay. I am 20 years in Camphill.Last May 19th I went to a conference in new Lanark in Scotland with Samuel and Hazel. We flew from Belfast to Glasgow and we got a train to Lanark.We reached our hotel by bus. I enjoyed the journey and the hotel was lovely. We went for a walk around new Lanark and we saw a river and big buildings. In the evening we had supper in the hotel.After a goodnight sleep we got up early and had breakfast.We went to the Hall for the conference. We listened to a talk about different communities which I enjoyed. In the afternoon we had workshops and my favorite was the film making.The food was nice. On Friday we went back home.I had a good time!
Brendan
Raymund
Darina
“The potter watches the clay rising from the silent wheel.Eyes intend, elbows bent,unassuming, enduringLifting up the clay, calmly, in the thinking of the fingers,curving the contradictions into one.”
We would like to start a little clay-pottery-work-shop. We have already a wheel and a small kiln in the art room up in Shamrock. However, we are still looking for some materials and tools. An old paint mixer (blunger) would come in handy. Lid-ded buckets and storage containers of all sizes are always welcome.We would also be looking for a clay extruder and a de-airing pug mill. If anyone could help us, please contact us.
Sigi
NEWS
I have a new workshop this year and its called “Hazel Beauty Salon”. I started in August it went very well. I do it once a month on Friday. The beauty stuff I do is nail painting,hair,massages and make up.I decided to have this workshop as something new for me as I love all beauty stuff and other ladies like it as well. Last week on Thursday the 30th October 2014 was a Halloween theme workshop. Im very happy with this workshop and it was my idea to start this.I will be continuing this workshop from now on with other themes like Christmas,Valentines,Spring, St.Patrick Day, Summer, Parties and Halloween. I am excited about my workshop and its lots of fun.
Hazel
Trick or treat? Here in Camphill Ballybay we gather together every year for a big Halloween Party. We decorate the hall,carve pumpkin lanterns,prepare some finger food, dress up and roll the ball until late. We finish the party in a very special way by singing Happy Birthday for Raymond. Definitely many treats for everyone.
Edi
Thursday afternoon: SWIMMING!Every Thursday afternoon a full mini bus of CamphillBallybay goes to Monaghan swimming pool. Aidan our star swim- mer! By the way, Aidan is also part of the special olympics swimming team of Monaghan. The others of our group have discovered the jacuzzi and be-came great fans of this facility. The afternoon is usu-ally rounded off with a tea break.
Kristina
BALLYBAY FAMILY
SOME PEOPLE LOOK FOR A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, OTHERS MAKE THE PLACE BEAUTIFUL . . . .
CO WORKERS I’m Jasmin, originally from Germany, and have just recently arrived in Camphill Ballybay to be a co-worker and farming apprentice.Shamrock house and the farm are going to be my new home for the next while and I’m eager to get to know everyone and everything around this place. I have lived in a Lifesharing Community in Quebec, CA before and truly enjoy this way of living and working together.
Hi, my name is Carl, I’m 24 years old and from Karlsruhe, Germany. Since August I live in Brighid house and I enjoy the work there very much. Most of the time I’m working in the garden and in the bakery. I enjoy the daily work with the villagers and co-workers from all over the world. I’m glad to have to possibility to spend this year in Ireland and appreciate everyday.
Hi, I’m Sujin from Korea and 20 years old. I’m a student, studying English educa-tion in Korea. First of all, I would say that I’m so glad to be here as a coworker. I’ve experienced and learned so much from here. Actually I’m still learning. Camphill Ballybay is amazing place I’ve ever been. This place means a lot to me. I would like to spend the rest of my year with lots of amusement and happiness like always.
My name is Marie and Im living in Camphill Ballybay since the 1st of November. I live in Shamrock house. I am 23 years old and come from Germany. My plan is to stay here until October 2015. I am really happy to be here in this beautiful country and to live together with so many lovely people. I am looking forward to the time that is ahead of me and I am very exited to get to know evryone better.
Hi, my name is Johanna, I’m 18 years old and from Oldenburg,Germany. Since the beginning of September I’m living in Nuin House and I really like to share my daily life with all the other coworkers and residents. My workshop is the garden, I have to say that I enjoy being outside, doing different kind of things. I hope that I can make many new experiences and I’m looking forward to the next months!
My name is Bianco. I am from Zimbabwe and am entering my second year here at Camphill Ballybay. I am in the food processing and candle workshop. I really like it here as the community is friendly and welcoming. I enjoy working with everyone in the community and I look forward to experience more during my second year as I have experienced a lot during my first year.
Hey I am Josi from Germany and I very much like living and working here in Camphill Ballybay! Especially Shamrock house and all the farm work together with the farm team. One of the many amazing things here is the amount of responsibility you can take. Take part and take action, that is wonderful.
Hello! I’m Xz from Philippines. Im living in Nuin House and working in the weav-ery. Its a great opportunity to be here, surrounded by wonderful people. Its my first time to live and work in community and I find it such an amazingly beautiful place to live in. You will learn a lot of new things everyday. Im enjoying my stay and looking forward for the coming Christmas celebration and making good memories with all the people in the community!
CO WORKERS
My name is Alco Singo and I originate from Zimbabwe.I am new to Camphill life but so far I find it interesting.it is peaceful here and the community is very welcoming and friendly.I work on the farm as I am comparing the differences in African farming to European farming.I hope to learn a lot during my stay here.
Hi! my name is Emmanuel. Im 19years old and from Brazil. Im always happy here,I lived in Bridgid house.Camphill taught me the art and way of life which I can apply to my future and this is the important thing for me.I enjoyed working in the garden with Aidan and the group.
Hi my Name is Kristina.I am living in Brighid House.My workshops are the weavery and the garden. I really enjoy being here, you always feel comfortable becauseeverybody accepts you as you are. I came here right after I finished school so this is a huge change for me and many others that did it just like me. I think coming here was the best desicion I made after going to school almost my entire life. It is really different from what I was used to and I still have a lot to learn.
Hello I am Theresia. For years it has been clear to me, that I will leave Germany after my graduation from school for at least one year. I am glad to spend my gap year here in Camphill Ballybay as I like the many different workareas, enjoy to bake bread and to work in the garden because there is always something to do. Since I am here I learned something new every single day both about others and myself.
Hey,my name is Johannes ,I am like the most of the other volunteers from Germany. I arrived last August and wanted to stay for a year.I came here to experience some-thing new, to see something different. I live in Nuin House and work in the Garden.
My name is Elena and I am from Germany. I started to work here in September and I’ll stay for one year. Most of the time I work in the garden but on Monday and Tues-day afternoon I also join the candle workshop or the food processing. Before I came to Camphill I didn’t know anything about gardening and cooking. But since I am here I gained many new experience. I really enjoy my time in Camphill and I am looking forward to the next eight months.
I am originally from Belgium I moved to Camphill Scotland in 1992. For 2 years I was a coworker in Murtle Estate near Aberdeen.After 2 years I moved to Cam-phill Community Glencraig where I was for 20 years.I was teaching in the train-ing college.The last few years I worked also at Pinewood Pottery.This summer I moved to Camphill Ballybay. Here I have the privilege to work in Nuin house and the garden.I look forward to get involved in the cultural realm of the community. Sigi.
Hello my name is Jinkyeong Kim from Korea but you can call me Veronica that’s my christian name. I've been 1 year and 6 months in Camphill. When I first arrived here I thought I would only stay for a year but as it turns out "I'm still here and I love it".The past year I met so many people and learned a lot. I'm sure I made the right decision to stay lon-ger.I think it is wonderful,one can be happy from small things.This place is filled with love.
The FarmAbout 10.000 years ago at the birth hour of Agriculture former hunter gatherers started to settle down, cultivate crops and to herd animals so as to sustain their families and communities. By doing this a new consciousness evolved in the people of that time; they no longer had to hunt for food or roam to different places to gather it, but by breaking up the earth they grew the crops themselves and over time animals were domesticated to assist in draught work and simply to use their animal products for food (meat and milk) or clothing (leather). Settlements were established whereby groups of people or communities, by caring for plants, animals and their natural surrounding, could flourish.Exactly 21 years ago when Camphill first set foot here in Corraskea it was clear that with the 14 acres given to them that they would engage in farming and gardening in order to have their own produce. Cattle were kept to graze the fields and to give milk, some of which was made into soft cheese. Different kind of poultry including chickens, geese and ducks were brought in and a number of pigs were kept in order to dig up the garden. Besides all the building work to create spaces for people to live and work in, trees, shrubs and hedges were planted to transform an open, exposed site into a more protected settlement in which a community could grow and thrive. Although the farm has gone through quite a few changes in terms of size and buildings (the first over wintering place for cattle was the Byre at Edgar’s cottage which has since been transformed into a guest house) we are still working with the same organic principles and practices as those Camphillers two decades ago. In the Camphill Movement there has always been a strong emphasis on the land and the animals and the produce coming from the land. It was very common to sit at meal times and to have near enough only ones own produce on the table as one knew that it was healthy, fulfilling and delicious. Besides that there was the pride one had in being as self sufficient as possible.
However the Camphill model as it has existed up until today is at the moment going through structural changes of many kinds and this has the potential of the importance of agricultural activities being lost. -Why bother with the cost and time of keeping cows which need to be milked and land that needs to be maintained for a few litres of milk per day when the supermarket down the road offers plenty of it at next to nothing? Those of us who are responsible for farming and gardening in Camphill have the task to safe-guard the many acres of fields which have been farmed organicly/biodynamicly for so many years and to bring the land ethos which is part of Camphill’s life into the future.We here in Camphill Ballybay are convinced that we are doing our bit so that the farming and gardening remains at the centre of the Community and that the people here in 21 years time can reap the fruit which we have planted; as we have done with what others did here 21 years ago. This year we have been building a new garden shed which when complete will provide a work space for cold and wet winter days. It will also provide storage for seeds and tools. We have also expanded our diversity of animals by bringing in a small flock of sheep and a sow which produced a healthy litter of 12 piglets at the end of summer. Shortly after this our new farm apprentice Jasmin arrived. Besides being a co-worker in Shamrock House Jasmin will be learning about bio-dynamic farming. The whole farm team is very engaged in daily work on the farm and a great interest is shown by all which lets us look forward to a new year in which we know that our actions taken today may have positive effects for the farm and the community in years to come. Rene
The garden workshop in Ballybay is a busy place and group of people all year round.With two greenhouses, two tunnels, the actual garden and the DerryVally field we have our hands full of work,all year around.It is a pleasure to grow our food from seed. Shelter the first tender shoots.Carefully tend to the small plants till they are strong enough to be moved outside into the carefully prepared beds; row on row of cabbages, salads, carrots etc.
Sometimes at mid-summer time when the growing forces are at their strongest, there is often a panic stricken effort of weeding and weeding and...weeding..but many hands and a strong will can do wonders.After how many months of caring for the earth and its fruits we can finally harvest and share with the commu-nity. This year we were lucky with our crops. To give but an example; we harvested tomatoes from June till mid-November.During the high summer our food processing workshop even made lots of Passata.
As we are an organic farm and garden, working to biodynamic principles, we also have flowerbeds in our garden to attract the bees who help with the pollination. Thanks to this years brilliant summer weather, we had the most colourful flower display one could imagine. Judging by the taste of our honey, the bees must have loved it.
Sadly, in the middle of the harvest time we had to say goodbye to Derek who has been working in the garden for the past 4 years. For the coming year some exciting new developments are planned. First of all, our new garden shed is taking shape. “Shed” is somewhat of an understatement; one can call it a proper landbuilding and we are looking forward to use this new inside space.
WORKSHOPFrom furrows dark in light-filled airGreen leaves growingIn all we eat from light we feedRipened in sun’s glowingThe fruits of earth to liveWe need gratitude showing
The Garden
Sigi
Painting and drawing are very important activities for the emotional and spiritual development of every human being. I am grateful to be able to work in a bright,warm and colourful place such as our Art Room,where different ideas arise everyweek from our group.I support them in their choice of materials, technique and the topic. This year we had different projects, first drawing animals and more specifically Hazel draw her own pets. Secondly we did a clay model of our community representing our daily life; workshops garden, farm and everything that makes our life in the community a joy. Not to forget the Credit Union Art Competition in which Alan got the second prize at the national level last year. We have submitted more entries this year and are looking forward to see the results. Veronica
Here at camphill we have a food processing workshop that is done mostly during the summer time.We process a variety of things including making plum jam, black currant jam, juice, chutney,passata,pickles but mainly jams and passata which is from our garden.In summer especially, we had great chance to have plums,strawberry and logan berries to make various kinds of jams. Those were really lovely with our bread. We do this workshop with some of the residents who help as well during processing. John, Hazel and Alan really enjoy to make this product. In winter time the food processing is closed so we do candle workshop with the same food processing team. We make various shapes, colours and sizes of candles and even scented one, that we also sell during open day and craft sale.
WEAVERY
FOOD PROCESSING
Bianco & Sujin
ART GROUP
BAKERY
CANDLE WORKSHOP
The world is full or colour!‘ Tis autumn once again
And leaves of gold and crimson. Are lying in the lane....
- Adeline White
WEAVERY WORKSHOP
This is the wall hanging we made in the weavery for an exhibition “75 Years of Camphill”. It’s an exhibition of 75 wall hangings travelling around Ireland. The exhibition will be shown in Omagh, Bangor, Belfast and Newry between 21st September and 6th November next year & in Dublin 10th November-3rd December. I hope everybody has the oppor-tunity to visit.
We made the hills of county Monaghan. I used some weaving from Kevin for the hills, Veronica helped Hazel with the friends, Raymond weaved a beautiful sun on a bicycle wheel, Alan designed a tree, Aileen made the birds and Sujin felted them. Natasja
I think it is very nice in the bakery and I enjoy every day. I re-ally enjoy to oil the tins and mop the floor. Theresia, Sujin and Carl are great bakers and they try to make the best bread in the world everyday.I like the silence and there is no loud noises in Bakery. John Robb
BAKERY
CANDLE WORKSHOPIn November we opened the candle workshop again. Since then we have made many different kinds of candles in different colours and sizes. Alan really enjoys being part of the candle workshop. He is a very creative person who has many ideas of how to combine colours and patterns. Aidan likes to prepare the wax crumbs which we use for special effects. But also Hazel and John enjoy making candles for different uses like morning gathering or craft sale. Elena
Any donations will be most gratefully received and you can send a cheque to the addres below.You can also make a once off donation into our account or set up a standing order.
Our bank details: Bank of Ireland, Main St. Ballybay, Co.Monaghan.Sort Code: 903234. Account number: 16154290
A/c Name: Camphill Community Ballybay Development For more information about the community, activities and events please contact us.
CAMPHILL COMMUNITY BALLYBAYROBB FARM, CORRASKEA
BALLYBAYCO. MONAGHANTEL. 0429748197
Email: [email protected]: www.camphill.ie
Camphill Community Ballybay would like to thank all our families, friends and neighbours and many people in the locality for all the wonderful support you have given us over the past year. The shops and traders in Ballybay who gave us almost everything we needed for our Summer Open Day. We would like to say a special thank you to – Northern Sound, Dublin Sponsored Cycle, Tran-sition Year Our Lady’s Secondary School Castleblaney, Table Quiz Ballybay, Mini-Marathon, The Lions Club, Josie’s Race Night, Barbarrie Ducks, Paul G. Kelly, David and Ellen Duly, J. van der Flier, and Terry and Shane Comiskey, pictured below who did Croagh Patrick for us.
With the help of this generosity, we are able to continue the refurbishment work on Brighid House, and also to build a proper garden shed at long last.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT US?
