PETER BROWN AND TABLEHURST FARM

Tablehurst Farm as it is today wouldn’t exist without the dedicated work of Peter Brown. Peter and his late wife Brigitte arrived here in 1994 with their three children. Totally com-mitted to biodynamic and sustainable agricul-ture, Peter had the strong sense that Tablehurst needed to be a community farm as well as providing a home for adults with learn-ing difficulties.

Under the stewardship of Peter during the past 21 years Tablehurst Farm has become:

a biodynamic & organic farm safeguarded for the community for generations to come

a farm dedicated to the wellbeing of the land, plants, animals and people

a source of wholesome and delicious food and a meeting point for the community

a place where young farmers want to learn, work and live

Over the years Peter has had to move home several times into different farm properties and now that Peter is stepping back from the day-to-day farming of Tablehurst, the new generation of younger farmers and their fami-lies need these spaces.

The time has now come to provide Peter with his own home on the farmland that he cares for; which is why we are launching this appeal for funds to build an eco-house for Peter at Tablehurst Farm.

This new house will be Peter’s own home for the rest of his life and will help to ensure that his experience and expertise and are retained at Tablehurst and within the biodynamic movement for many years to come.

To achieve this, we need to raise £100k with help from the community.

THE TABLEHURST HOUSING APPEAL

This appeal is being launched at Midsummer 2015 by St Anthony’s Trust in association with the Tablehurst & Plaw Hatch Community Farms Co-operative Committee and Tablehurst Farm and will conclude one year later.

Building will begin as soon as we have raised £40k. The total cost of building the eco-house is estimated at this stage to be around £80k – the remaining £20k will go towards improving other housing on the farm for the benefit of farming families, as will any monies raised over and above the appeal target.

THE FARM LAND AND FARM BUSINESS

Tablehurst and its sister, Plaw Hatch Farm, are “owned“ by two bodies. The land and build-ings of are owned by St Anthony’s Trust, a charity whose aims include the encouragement of biodynamic agriculture, education and com-munity work.

The business activities are owned by the Tablehurst & Plaw Hatch Community Farm Co-operative which is owned in turn by nearly 700 shareholders, or “farm partners”. The Co-op raises funds to help the businesses of both farms in their continuing development through the sale of farm shares.

Historically the farm’s capital expenditure has focused on its farm business which allows it to keep pace with the changes and improvements needed for its work. To build housing from the farm’s income is not possible. The money and help needed has to come in other ways, which is why we are asking your help.

THE HOUSE WE WILL BUILD

Peter’s house will be built overlooking the pond in the garden of Mill Cottage.

Whilst the design of the house is yet to be fi-nalised, we can confirm it will be a two bed-room property, with living room, kitchen and bathroom.

The property will be built using sustainable eco-friendly materials, be energy efficient and will contain a high level of insulation. Central heating and hot water will be provided by a wood burning stove, which will use wood from the farm. For added charm and insula-tion, the building will have a green roof

As with all the other farm buildings, the house will be owned by St Anthony’s Trust and be eventually available to house other farm staff.

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

Practical Help: Our intention is to carry out the work with a combination of labour from the farm, as well as professional and volunteer help from within the community. If you have building, plumbing, electrical or other helpful skills and would like to be involved with the building, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Oliver Fynes-Clinton on:

07904 095175 or email

tablehurst_farm@talk21.com

Financial Donations: The Tablehurst Hous-ing Appeal intends to raise £100k to provide Peter with a home for life on the Farm and to improve housing for the other Tablehurst farmers and their families. Please donate to make this a reality.

HOW TO DONATE

Donations will be channelled through St An-thony’s Trust, which as a charity is able to claim Gift Aid from HMRC. This will, if you are a taxpayer, make a significant addition to your gift. You can leave your donation with Tablehurst Farm shop or post cheques to St Anthony’s Trust c/o Manningtons Chartered Accountants, 39 High Street, Battle TN33 0EE, cheques should be made payable to St Anthony’s Trust.

Please complete the enclosed Donation and Gift Aid Forms.

Here are some examples of how we could raise our target total:

250 gifts of £50 = £12,500

150 gifts of £10 per month for 1year = £18,000

20 gifts of £500 = £10,000

10 gifts of £1,000 = £10,000

4 gifts from trusts and foundations = £20,000

Events, auctions and misc donations = £17,000

Gift Aid on £50,000 = £12,500

Total £100,000

Enquiries:

Jeremy Smith jeremyess@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to celebrating the comple-

tion of this project with you in true Tablehurst style!

ORGANISING COMMITTEE: Oliver Fynes-Clinton, Rachel Hanney, Suzanne Hillen, David Junghans, Rachael Pereira, Jeremy Smith

On behalf of St Anthony’s Trust, Tablehurst & Plaw Hatch Co-operative & Tablehurst Farm

St Anthony’s Trust Registered Charity Number 264626