Over the winter of 2023 we encouraged organised groups of visitors to Hazelmead to wait until spring 2024 to visit, when we would be able to provide some facilities for visitors.
However, some groups have charmed their way past our defences. In early March we agreed a ‘bare-bones visit’ for a group arranged by Sustainable Bridport. They were interested to see what technologies we have incorporated to reduce the energy we need to enable us to live in healthy, comfortable homes; and how practices like sharing facilities from washing machines to cars are helping us reduce our consumption and car dependence.
It was a pared down visit as it did not include home visits and our Common House was not yet able to provide refreshments and facilities. It proved to be a small group, but Derek Fawell and Paul Crouch gave them the full tour of the site, ending with a brief look at the Common House.
In mid-March we were visited by a group of 12 Norwegian politicians and town planners, from a rural municipality in south west Norway. They wanted to see affordable housing in various settings in the UK.
As the building work in the Common House was coming to the end of one phase, we decided it was safe enough to use the Common House to host our visitors. We swept up lots of straw and dust, and put out a call to residents for chairs, plates, etc. Julian Brook of Bridge Farm Cohousing, South Petherton, joined us for the visit.
Judith and Monica spoke about Hazelmead and how it was achieved. Questions were asked about planning, finance and the community-led nature of Bridport Cohousing. The visitors were impressed with the design and quality of our homes and their energy efficiency. Some of the politicians have just begun their 4-year term of office and are very keen to tackle the lack of affordable housing in their area, especially for younger people.
Julian gave a presentation about Bridge Farm, a smaller developing cohousing project in Somerset, a bit like Threshold. This provided a good blend of information, and was followed by a vegetarian lunch supplied by a local business.
The housing quality was better than expected. Carbon footprint measures, insulation of houses and water drainage were particularly admirable. The journey has been long, but there was an overall lack of bitterness that impressed me.
Norwegian visitor
Their visit was short, otherwise we would have loved to learn more about life and housing in Norway. It was refreshing for us to hear about another culture’s experience of the growing need for affordable housing in a rural area. They gave us a book of stunning photos of their coastal area! You never know, we may get invited back!
They left us to be taken by taxi to Gatwick for their return journey home.
We have had some good initial feedback, and hope for more detailed thoughts and impressions from their feedback forms, in order to provide a useful experience for people on this sort of fact-finding visit.