Jake Sculthorp

About Jake Sculthorp

Posts by Jake Sculthorp:

Brownsea Island Shore Rangers

Jake Sculthorp Current Projects, News, Projects all inclusive, brownsea island, coast rangers, dorest wildlife trust, Dorset, economically challenged, education, equal opportunities, kayaking, Mental Health, mental wellbeing, national trust, nature walks, physical health, physical wellbeing, Plastic Pollution, Pollution Survey, Poole Harbour, shore rangers, Single-use Plastics, socially challenged, working together

Brownsea Island Shore Rangers

There are a number of young adults who can’t access the great outdoors. Some face social or economic challenges, some have learning difficulties and simply don’t get the opportunity. We want to help.

Oceans to Earth have partnered with Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Jurassic Watersports to open up the great outdoors to every young adult.

Shore Rangers is a kayaking conservation group for ages 16 to 25.

Come to Brownsea by boat before kayaking around its shoreline to enjoy a range of practical marine tasks, surveys and coastal / marine workshops.

The rangers mission

Our mission is varied… from coastal wildlife surveys & fun workshops to habitat-based tasks to get the blood pumping! Join an inspiring team & learn new skills with our rangers – all while having fun & making a difference. This is a great way to see what conservation is about and a stepping stone to nature-based careers.

Want to be a shore ranger?

If you’d like to be a Shore Ranger, send an email to jowen@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk and we’ll pop you on the list.

Download our Shore Rangers Guide and see if becoming a ranger is for you.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE HERE

Want to become a supporter of the shore rangers?

This project relies on the generosity of others. Could you help us continue the project for years to come? Send an email to hello@oceanstoearth.com, or you can donate HERE.

Funded By:

Supported by:

Project Partners:

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Brownsea Island Shore Rangers will address key issues including:

accessing the outdoors
equal opportunities
mental health and wellbeing
environmental issues
outdoor education

We believe that for an individual to care deeply for the environment, they first have to love it.

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Kevins 630 Mile Walk For Oceans to Earth

Jake Sculthorp Event, News 630 miles, awareness, charity, charity walk, Cornish coast, Cornwall, Devon, Devon coast, donating, donation, Dorset, Dorset coast, fundraiser, Minehead to Poole, ocean plastics, Oceans to Earth, Plastic Pollution, Raising Awareness, Somerset, Somerset coast, southwest coast path, walking for charity

This April Kevin will be walking from Minehead to Poole to raise money for Oceans to Earth. That’s 630 miles!

The Southwest Coast Path stretches a whopping 630 miles, starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing up in Poole, Dorset.

I have lived locally in Poole all my life and have always enjoyed being in the outdoors both on land and on the sea. I intend to walk the south west coastal path both as a personal challenge and as a means of promoting the outdoors to improve both physical and mental health.

Kevin Diffey

Kevin will be walking solo for a number of months with nothing but a backpack.

He’ll mix it up with a bit of camping, and on those especially hard days (which we’re sure they’ll be a few!) he’ll have a well earned rest in a real bed!

How can you sponsor Kevin?

If you’d like to sponsor Kevins epic walk on JustGiving, CLICK HERE or hit the donate button below.

DONATE HERE

A huge thank you kevin, you’re an absolute hero!

#Kevins630MileWalk

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A Big Thank You To Oly Rush

Jake Sculthorp Event, News 65 miles, awareness, charity, donating, donation, dorest, events, events dorset, fundraiser, isle of Wight, Jurassic Coast, ocean plastics, Oceans to Earth, Oly Rush, open water swim, open water swimming, Plastic Pollution, Raising Awareness, Rush, swim challenge, SwimIOW, swimming, The Biome Project, World Record

Turlin Moor community clean, October 2020

We want to say a big thank you to Oly Rush

We want to say a big thank you to Oly Rush for his donation to Oceans to Earth, having accomplished (and smashed) his 65 mile swim.

Back in August we gave you the inside scoop on Oly’s swim , and now we want to say a huge thank you for his £2000 donation to Oceans to Earth.

SWIM IOW

In August 2021, Oly swam the entire coastline of the Isle of Wight to raise money for ourselves, Clean Jurassic Coast and Turn the Tide.

He managed to smash the previous record of 26 hours, and achieved the swim in just over 15 hours!!

His next challenge will see him take on the Cayman Islands! CLICK HERE to find out more.

Have you seen ‘rush’?

‘Rush’ explores the life and philosophy of super-volunteer Oly Rush, who ditched his 9-5 job for beach cleans and record-breaking swims.

Oly is responsible for removing truckloads of plastic from the Dorset coastline, all whilst training for long-distance swims to raise money for environmental causes.

A film made by The Biome Project.

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We Are Looking For Passionate Volunteers

Jake Sculthorp Event, News awareness, climate change, Dorset, eco group, environment, environmental, events, events dorset, funding, fundraising, hiring, Litter Pick, making a difference, Oceans to Earth, opportunities, Plastic Pollution, Poole, Poole Harbour, Raising Awareness, recruitment, volunteers

We are looking for passionate volunteers

We have 3 great opportunities open to 3 passionate, environmentally conscious volunteers.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, running a community interest company is just like running any other business, but we do it for the love.

This brings about a very different working environment. One that’s fun, caring and creative, one where boundaries can be pushed and lasting friendships can be made with like minded people who really do give a…

If you’d like to be part of something awesome, and have a bit of spare time you can commit to helping your community and the environment, check out the positions we have available below.

Grants and Funding Lead:

⏰ Not contractual, part time

🌱 Not for profit Community Interest Company

👌 Unpaid, voluntary role

🚀 Home based

🌍 Internet access required

📆 As soon as possible

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and well organised individual to search for and prepare applications for vital grants and funding.

Events coordinator:

⏰ Not contractual, part time

🌱 Not for profit Community Interest Company

👌 Unpaid, voluntary role

🚀 Some home based and remote working

🌍 Internet access required

📆 As soon as possible

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and well organised individual to plan and host Oceans to Earth events.

Social Media Coordinator:

⏰ Not contractual, part time

🌱 Not for profit Community Interest Company

👌 Unpaid, voluntary role

🚀 Home based

🌍 Internet access required

📆 As soon as possible

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and social media loving individual to maintain and update our various social media accounts, measure success and liaise with other team members.

The role requires the person to operate from home, hours and days for the role are flexible but posts need to be timely and consistent, using scheduling tools to capture peak engagement times where appropriate.

This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (we will cover this cost).

Role expectations

Work with the team to create a social media strategy, helping to build and maintain a strong online presence for Oceans to Earth
Ensure our social media pages are kept up to date with our news, events and website updates
Create and post original and engaging text and image content, ensuring a consistent message is shared with our supporters
Develop an effective posting schedule, using engagement data as a guide
Identify and share relevant content from other groups and external sources
Collect analytics data and report findings to the wider team
Stay up to date with social media changes to ensure maximum effectiveness
Suggest new ways to engage supporters and increase organic reach
Volunteer within Oceans to Earths policies and abide by our volunteer code of conduct

Criteria

Essential

Self-motivated with the confidence to perform tasks independently and efficiently
Great written communication skills and experience in writing content
Experience managing multiple social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram as a minimum
A sense of creativity and vision
Access to the internet and a suitable device to access it on
An ability to use the internet and social media confidently, able to download, access and upload files
An interest in plastic pollution issues and waste reduction
A belief in Ocean to Earths aims and objectives and a love for the natural environment

Desirable

Really cool superpowers

For more information and how to apply

Send us an email at hello@oceanstoearth.com

If you’d like to apply, please tell us a bit about yourself, your experience and why you think you’re suited to this role.

Or, if you’d prefer to talk to us first, please send over a contact number and best time to call.

Can't wait to hear from you!

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Borrow Our Litter Picking Equipment

Jake Sculthorp Event, News awareness, beach, Beach Clean, borrow, community, community beach clean, community litter pick, Dorset, facilitate, lend, litter, Litter Pick, loan, love where you live, love your community, Nature, Oceans to Earth, outdoors activities, Plastic Pollution, Single-use Plastics, taking care of nature, tips

Borrow our litter picking equipment

We want to provide you with the necessary equipment to host your own litter pick

We’ve shared tips on how to dispose of your beach waste, we’ve also shared tips on how to organise your own litter pick.

If you live within the Bournemouth and Poole area, and want to host your own litter pick but don’t have the necessaries, you can now borrow our litter picking equipment.

If you are outside of this radius, get in touch and we can see how we can help.

The Gear:

Adults and kids litter pickers
Adults and kids gloves
Adults and kids high viz jackets
Super cool Beach Clean Bags with straps
Bag hoops

Adult Gear

Kids Gear

Beach Clean Bags (with carry straps) & Hoops

All the Gear

Steps to making your litter pick a success:

Choose your location
Seek landowners permission
GET IN TOUCH and we’ll provide you with the equipment
You get your clean on!

It's that easy

All we ask in return is that you promote Oceans to Earth at your clean and give us a mention in any of your socials.

If you would like to use our insurance, please specify this when requesting the kit. Terms apply.

WANT TO BORROW?

GET IN TOUCH HERE

Funded By

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A Really Big Thank You To Parkstone Grammar School!

Jake Sculthorp Event, News awareness, climate change, Dorset, eco group, environment, environmental, events, funding, fundraising, grammar school, Litter Pick, non school uniform, Oceans to Earth, parkstone, parkstone grammar school, Plastic Pollution, Poole, Poole Harbour, Raising Awareness, school

A Really Big Thank You To Parkstone Grammar School!

We want to say a really big thank you to the students at Parkstone Grammar School, for raising a whopping £454.54! We are truly thankful.

Back in June Parkstone Grammar School held a non school uniform day in a bid to raise both awareness, and funds for Oceans to Earth.

We especially want to thank Katie Parry, Lizzie Sturdy and the schools Environmental Action Team.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM

Dubbed ‘the environmental action team’, a group of students have formed their very own eco group, to raise awareness surrounding the environmental issues we face.

The team host educational talks within the school, perform litter picks and also took part in our recent event, Square Encompassed (in plastic).

They were even brave enough to test out our Bin Boot Camp! A resource designed to help you understand your waste habits, and how you can reduce the amount of waste you produce.

A huge thank you again to you all, you’re genuinely amazing!

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Square Encompassed (in plastic)

Jake Sculthorp Event, News awareness, display, dorest, events, events dorset, festival, Jurassic Coast, ocean plastics, Oceans to Earth, planet purbeck, Plastic Pollution, Recycling

Square encompassed (in plastic) – planet purbeck festival

We are bringing the ocean to the square and compass!

This September we will be bringing the ocean to the Square and Compass, as part of the Planet Purbeck Festival.

Come and join us for a weekend of music, sculpture, projections and more, at one of the Jurassic Coast’s most amazing locations!

We want to spread awareness, educate and spark emotions through a series of instillations made from ocean plastic. Each installation will be created by a variety of people, from artists and sculptors, to schools and community groups. This is an issue we all face, so we need to tackle it together.

THE problem with plastic

Ocean plastics are one of the greatest dangers our oceans face. It impacts every single one of us on a profound level. Not only do we need the ocean to provide us with oxygen, to cool our planet, to provide a home for thousands of different species, many people also rely on the ocean to provide them with a source of food. But the plastic in our ocean is now making its way in to our food chain, and as a result, into our bodies.

Event details

When: Friday 24th September until Sunday 26th September 2021

Where: Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3LF

Time: 12 noon until 11pm

Tickets: N/A

Access: Wheelchair friendly

If you’d like to get involved and create something awesome to be displayed at the festival, GET IN TOUCH and we can send over further details.

Square and Compass map location:

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Inside Scoop: Oly Rush, Record Breaker, Awareness Creator – Isle of Wight Swim

Jake Sculthorp Event, News awareness, Clean Jurassic Coast, education, endurance, environment, Nature, Oceans to Earth, open water swim, plastic fight, Plastic Pollution, pollution, Poole Harbour, Raising Awareness, save our seas, say no to single use, swim Isle of Wight, Turn the Tide, Wellbeing

What’s it like to waTCH SOMEONE SWIM AROUND THE Isle of Wight?

By Kester Bailey

7:30 am – swim day.

Today, Oly Rush will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for swimming around the Isle of Wight in under 26 hours – and it’s my job getting him to the marina.

I pick Oly up from his at 7:30, he chucks various dry bags into the boot and jumps in the car. We’re also joined by outdoor sports coach – Craig Dooley, one of Oly’s trainers and now a member of his support team.

Conversation is light and cheerful as we trundle down the A31 in my Nissan Micra. I ask Oly if he’s nervous and he says at this point ‘I just want to get in the water.’

8:55am – Hamble Point Marina

We pull up to the marina not really sure what were looking for, but after driving around for a bit looking lost we find our man…

Scott Dawson was the last person to swim around the island, setting a record of 26 hours back in 2016.

I interviewed Scott a couple weeks ago and spoke to him about the challenges Oly might face on the swim. It became clear that as well as arranging much of the swim, support yacht and navigator he was willing to share all that he had learnt 5 years prior.

As well as resolving logistical challenges, Scott was able understand the mental strain such a swim can have.

But, perhaps the most insightful thing he told me was, ‘you can’t swim the island without a team.’

10am – Seaview Yacht Club

After a brisk ride on the rib from Hamble Point Marina to Seaview Yacht Club on North East side of the island we started to see the crowds gather and things began to feel real.

Up to this point it all felt familiar, as if today was just another training exercise in preparation for the actual swim. But no. Today is the day. You could feel it in the air.

The yacht club begins to fill with sponsors, reporters and spectators, all waiting in quiet dis-belief as a man will shorty walk down the steep slip way, plop himself into the water and stay there for what turned out to be just over 15 hours.

But before he does, I take a minute to observe to scene in front of me. It’s busy and exciting. I search for Oly in the mass of people and find him giving an interview to a reporter or it could’ve been a sponsor. It’s hard to tell.

He talks about why he’s taking on the challenge. How his love for the sea, animals and nature is what drives him. How he hopes by pushing himself to the unknown limits of his capabilities he can generate interest on a subject he cares about deeply.

The ‘why?’ is what this is all about. It presents an opportunity to talk about an important issue. The issue of habitat loss, pollution and the role of plastic consumption in our society.

Oly knows the significance of the swim and a world record attempt. It’s the sort of event that sponsors and news agencies love and it creates a platform from which he can spread awareness on the issue at hand.

Furthermore, this swim will be raising money for charities and community interest companies tackling the plastic problem, including; Clean Jurrasic Coast, Turn The Tide Cornwall and us.

11am – Start the stop watch

Oly walks down the slip way, raises his arms and turns to the 100 or so people gathered around him. They cheer as he gets into the water.

Their is one last fist pump from Oly as he turns, puts one arm in front of the other, dips his head into the water and is away.

19:52 – Approaching Bembridge

The sun is setting as we see Bembridge life boat station come into view. 9 hours in and it’s looking like Oly will beat the current record if all continues as planned.

Since departing Seaview, we’ve passed through Ryde, Cowes, Yarmouth, Niton, Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown. Along the way Brian Thompson has captained the Yacht – an experienced veteran in the sailing world and the man with the plan when it comes to tidal planning. A key component of Oly’s success.

Roy Beal – founder of Clean Jurrasic Coast and Oly’s right hand man/navigator, has kayaked thus far the entire distance that Oly has swim and continues to do so until it’s completion. He is also joined by friends of Oly who kayak alongside offering unwavering support and motivation.

Between the yacht and the kayakers Scott bounces about on the rib, relaying information and supplies as he goes.

A well oiled machine springs to mind.

12:15 – finishing line in sight

Roughly 13 hours at sea was starting to take its toll and I can’t talk for Oly – but I was starting to get tired. Not even coffee was helping.

Needing waking up I precariously climbed off the yacht and onto the rib in search of some excitement. We shot off into the darkness to find Oly and the support kayakers, knowing they would be approaching an area of strong tidal currents.

The only light at this point was that offered by the gracious moon, beaming contently looking quite full, and the occasional blink of a lighthouse in the distance, perched on a rocky out cropping.

The tidal planning was correct and as the rib rocked somewhat violently, for the first time during the day I was aware we we’re at the mercy of mother nature. You only had to find the horizon and witness what looked like a wall of water rising in the distance to tell that we were in for a rough ride.

Scott relayed this information to Roy on the kayak who took action and guided Oly confidently through the tumultuous patch water, safety to the other side.

around 2am – finish

What a feeling coming into Seaview. In the darkness of the night all you could see what the little lights of the houses looking out onto the water. The cumulative point of the experiences made even sweeter by the faint whoops and cheers from the shore line, as some hardy souls stood doggedly determined to see Oly walk up the slip way he had descended only 15 hours earlier.

The water was choppy and I watched as the kayaks struggled to dock on dry land, Oly however kept going. He finds his footing and for the first time since that morning stands up on two feet looking victorious but somewhat oblivious to what he has just accomplished.

Kayakers now on land, people are gathered, family and friends. Oly hugs his mum as the camera crews and reporters bustle and tussle for a sound bite. A young lad hands Oly a beer – maybe not the best post 15 hour swim supplement, but well deserved I think.

As the crowds dissipate and a quietness engulfs the slip way, there is a lovely sense of calm. A feeling of job well done. I say goodnight to Oly and Tess – his supportive partner, and make my way to the rib so I can catch a ride back to the yacht.

Skimming across the water feeling tired but happy. I can’t help but think this is what it’s all about. People working together for a cause greater than themselves, getting high off a feeling of adventure and helping to educate our fellow humans in the best possible way, leading by example. Money was raised and awareness was spread.

Thank you Oly for conceiving this adventure and letting me be apart of it. I’m sure I can speak for everyone in saying this was an experience I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Inspired?! Message us HERE to find out when our next beach clean is.

Don’t worry you can still donate! Just use this easy link

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Worbarrow Bay, Beach Cleans & AimHi

Worbarrow Bay beach clean with AIMHI

By Kester Bailey

still Half asleep but excited

Around 10:30am on a slightly grey Sunday morning in Tyneham, a number of people begin to arrive in the carpark near the crumbled buildings of the now abandoned seaside village.

Although still half asleep I’m looking forward to what the day has in store, because today is the day of the Oceans to Earth x AimHi beach clean of Worbarrow Bay.

Aimhi?

For those who aren’t familiar with AimHi yet here’s a quick run down:

AimHi is the nature-first, curiosity-powered online school on a mission to make world-class live learning accessible to everyone.

You only have to check out the names of some of their guests to understand that these guys know what they’re talking about, featuring; Jane Goodall, Chris Packham, George Monbiot, Jo Jo Metha and Sam Lee.

Producing original and interesting content, AimHi try to provoke curiosity and a desire for discovery in as many people as possible, empower critical thinking, to act on the basis of evidence, and to be wiser and kinder stewards of our biosphere and communities.

AimHi take a progressive approach to e-learning, unafraid to confront big questions that will inevitably need answering in the not so distant future. They provide educational courses and content exploring questions of; carbon, tipping points, simple solutions, soil and the future of food, as well as population, pollution and finding a balance. Asking ‘How do we fix this? Making the impossible possible.’

(All of the above is covered in their ‘Climate and Nature Course’ which is returning September 2021)

Anyway, back to the beach clean

After all the introductions – of which there were many – we grabbed our bags and litter pickers and began the 15 minute walk from the carpark down to Worbarrow Bay.

People chatted and continued to get to know each other, talking about interests, work and backgrounds. Maybe it’s the fact that we’ve all been stuck inside for so long with little to no social interaction but it was a welcome change to chat openly with a mix of new and like-minded people. Something I’ve definitely missed.

Calm before the storm (clean)

Reaching the top of the bay we stopped for a quick safety brief before being unleashed onto the unsuspecting rubbish below, clearly quivering with fear at the thought of being properly disposed.

Both the AimHi, Oceans to earth team and volunteers rolled out onto the beach with litter pickers gripped between their teeth looking to get stuck in. It was a sight to behold and one I hope to get used to with so many out in force for the reason of removing pervasive litter and waste. It’s empowering to see strangers unite.

What’s the point?

But then, and it’s clear to see that this isn’t just about removing litter and waster from a beach, it’s much more than that. It’s about fulfilling basic human needs of socialising, exercising and learning.

People chatted and new friendships were forged, facilitated by the fact that everyone present has a common interest in nature and could unite over a common cause in the protection of it. Not to mention the location in which we found ourselves. It’s hard to be moody when you’re surrounded by such tranquil settings.

There was a definite air of curiosity about the day, people from a variety of employment and industry backgrounds shared their insights as everyone present was open to hearing what the next person had to say. I heard conversations about nurdles, fossils and the different types of plant found in the UK from which a fibrous type of rope can be produced. There are apparently 3.

And let me just say, for all the fun and enjoyment taken from the day, it is no walk in park combing a large section of shingled beach back and forth and then having to transport any waste found back to a designated removal point. Anyone looking to get their steps up should definitely come along to the next one!

Time to head back

Feeling sufficiently tired after hours of chasing down fly away crisp packets, collecting microscopic nurdles and cutting away rope and fishing wire trapped by immovable rocks* (*boulders). It was time once again to scale the path leading back to the carpark, except this time lugging bags of rubbish and walking up a marginally inclined gradient (inclined none the less). Feeling tired but fulfilled we reached the carpark, disposed of our rubbish and set down for a well earned lunch on a wonderfully placed garden bench – just beneath the trees.

Despite a perfect day there was an un-easy silence as the lunch spread was laid out upon hungry eyes, however I think this was more to do with a genuine excitement at the meal to come rather than any ill feeling.

And what a meal it was! I could think of no better way than to end the day with a spread of veg, breads, dips, sweet treats and cheese and marmite pin rolls (yes that is a thing – email for recipe).

Goodbye for now…

After eating we capped the day off with a group photo and after some long farewells we said good bye to one another and departed – promising this would be the first of many.

So that my friends is how the Oceans to Earth x AimHi beach clean went. What we did that day probably won’t reverberate around the world and induce mass social and environmental change but in the little pocket of land down on Worbarrow Bay, just off Tyneham you could really feel the love. Which as I would argue is one of the most powerful and transformative forces of all.

Interested in what AimHi offer? Click here for the full range of services!

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Living The Off Grid Dream?

Jake Sculthorp Event, News carbon neutral, commune, eco, eco village, go green, grow your own, healthy living, living honestly, living off grid, Nature, Oceans to Earth, off grid, off grid living, self sufficient, sustainability, sustainable, zero carbon, zero emissions

Is Living off grid really the dream?

We wanted to know what’s motivating people right now, to take the plunge and live the off grid dream?

Written by Jake and Phil

Ask yourself, could you give it all up, every creature comfort you’ve grown to know and depend upon, and go and live purely off the land?

Could you produce your own food, create your own power, source your own water, and essentially live each day to survive, the old school way?

Over the past year, there has been an increase in people wanting to live off grid.

Communes across the country have reported a surge in people contacting them, wanting to volunteer, or to find out how they can be part of what seems to be a rapidly growing movement.

We don’t doubt there are a number of factors influencing peoples decision to seek an alternative way of living, but we wanted to know what exactly is driving people to go and live the off grid dream?

What does it take?

I have always been fascinated with a different way of living. There’s without doubt something deep inside me, that seeks another way of life. So for me, I can relate to the reasons behind making such a move.

Never the less, here I am, sat on my laptop, in my centrally heated, double glazed, fully insulated flat, writing this blog before I make my way to bed, to get some sleep before I have to start work tomorrow at 9am.

I’m nowhere near my off grid dream!

So what does it take to grab those… and actually do it?

We asked one of Tinkers Bubble residents, Phil, what it was that motivated him to make possibly one of the biggest decisions of his life, to pack it all in, and go off grid?

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

In physical form I am 34, 6`3″, skinny with an imperial nose. If you were to meet me you would probably find me quiet and reserved unless we were engaged in activities I have a passion in, in which case you may find yourself overloaded with information.

I can never squeeze enough hours out of the day and love to spend them in metalwork, music, working with animals and building/fixing/riding pushbikes (the weirder the better).

How long have been living off grid?

I have been off grid since August last year (2020).

For a good ten years or so I had been reading and researching off grid living and lives lived more sustainably.

Unfortunately despite all my reading and research I never believed it was possible. I suppose I thought it the realm of landowners.

I remember now every story I read described a city-dweller converting to sustainability with the aid of substantial savings or inheritance, something I was unlikely to ever see.

In all honesty, mainstream life was grinding me down at the beginning of last year.

I felt increasingly distant from my food sources, living in a terrace made me itch and I had no-one around me to whom I could talk to about the importance of sustainability and our impact on our environment without hitting a wall of resignation (“what difference will one person make?”).

In one evening of frustration I booked myself on to the Tinkers Bubble forestry weekend, for an escape if nothing else.

Its funny to think now but I so nearly didn’t come.

I was tired. A tiredness more than physical and I wanted to hide from the world, I didn’t particularly relish the idea of a busy weekend with lots of new people.

I won’t spoil how good these weekends are but on the Monday, I got back from the weekend, I gave in my notice to work and to my landlady.

I decided I would pack my life onto the back of a bike and set off to throw myself into this new world I had discovered.

What were you doing before?

Before here I lived up in Harrogate, Yorkshire. I rented a house that kept me close enough to work so I could walk or cycle.

I worked 9-5 as a mechanic at a local family run garage. I spent my weekends cycling, walking my dog in the gorgeous Dales or doing something creative with metal.

I would occasionally get an escape further afield; bike packing in Wales, a winter escape to the Cairngorms or a family gathering in the Lakes.

I was a mechanic for 6 years, before that I ran a café, cleaned schools, worked in hotels, the usual mix of small jobs.

I could do well in academic life, I had A-levels and went to University to study music and I loved to read anything from Plato to Iain M. Banks. And in all that time I never came across what I have here. Purpose, maybe? meaning?

What motivated you to choose an ‘alternative’ way of living?

I’m not sure I would say I chose this life.

I could choose to go back to a mainstream existence but I think I ended up here because, like a scalextric set, I slotted in and some magnet within me keeps me on track (we’ll see what happens at the first sharp corner!).

A life lead closer to the surrounding environment and with a great deal of awareness of the wider environment and conditions was something I always admired and the auxiliaries of life: a job, owning a house, more money, bigger car, overseas holidays never really attracted me.

I had a job to pay for the house that I only chose because it was near work and I don’t like cars (I know, a mechanic that hates cars!).

I liked the idea of travelling abroad but then I would spend a weekend in the dales, just me, my bike and my dog and the clearness of mind that came with that closeness to the earth and the presence of being in the moment was overwhelming.

The motivation, then, must have been an initial push from a life I didn’t believe in but my motivation now, to keep me with the land is an ever increasing understanding of the importance of humans in saving not only the physical environment and the beauty so easily portrayed in a nature documentary, but also a culture that is quickly evaporating.

A culture of symbioses between human and Earth.

We look after her, she’ll look after us.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

When I first read that question my reaction was “pah, ain’t a challenge” but I’m looking back with relief, some challenges have already been completed.

The biggest challenge, and this may be more so for people reading this, was the severing of that life I had lived for 33 years. It wasn’t just that I packed a bag, jumped on my bike and rode into a gorgeous album-cover sunset.

I remember getting in the car to leave the Bubble after that forestry weekend. I did not want to go home. I now had this iron conviction for the direction of my life but I had a life already.

Thinking about it overwhelmed me at one point and I had to pull over and just cry it out.

Getting home I had to hand my notice in at work, a place I really did enjoy working at, and we were a close knit team, I would call us a family. I had to break up with my girlfriend of the time as this was a very different direction to where we were heading. This was also one journey I couldn’t undertake with my partner in crime – my Patterdale terrier, Patty – who now lives very happily with my parents.

And after all that I had to downsize my life to a bike and a bag.

All credit goes to my parents who know me better than I do and weren’t surprised in the slightest. They have always been and always will be the epitome of support.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue a similar lifestyle?

Just do it!

Get out there and meet people, get involved in projects and trust in the cosmic slot-car race.

I could have spent years planning an off grid life, saving and researching and deciding how I wanted to do it but within months the plans would have to be changed or adapted. All the time spent working for money is less time spent working on your skills.

I remember a story I was told back ‘Up North’ about a chap who bought a bit of land to grow some veg for his family. Very commendable but he couldn’t understand why the tractor rep on the end of the phone couldn’t stop laughing. She had asked how much land he had in acres. He said “1”. She said “what, 1000?”. “No, 1 acre”. He still spent tens of thousands of pounds on a brand new tractor.

If you are reading this then you are already interested enough to have the drive. As with all the life I am surrounded by it all starts with a little seed and, if you’ve read this far you know one person does make a difference.

Written by: Phil from Tinkers Bubble

Tinkers Bubble

South Somerset's Hidden Gem

A place that’s incredibly close to my heart!

Photographed above is Mike Zair, one of Tinkers Bubble’s founders. Back in 1993 Mike and a few other forward thinking, ambitious nature lovers set up a 28 acre commune, based in Little Norton, Somerset.

The residence live a low carbon existence, and build homes using wood directly from their woodland, cut in their super cool saw mill (powered by a steam train!) and by up-cycling materials many would consider waste.

If you would like to find out more, click the tab below to visit their website.

Visit Tinkers HERE

Tinkers Bubble needs our help!

Built in 1937, at the heart of Tinkers Bubble is their old Marshall Britannia steam engine.

This old engine powers the saw mill using steam produced by cogs that have been turning for 84 years, and may be the only remaining commercial portable steam engine in the country.

But she is in need of a bit of TLC.

Please could you help the residents of Tinkers Bubble keep their engine going? If so, please click HERE to donate.

In memory of Mike Zair

Mike wasn’t just the founder of an awesome commune, Mike also taught me a lot throughout the years. I got to know Mike through my mountain biking.

I was 14 years old when I took a shovel up to the woods to start digging mountain biking trails.

It was Mikes land! Whoops!

But I wasn’t met with a frosty reception, but a want to educate and work with me.

From that day I would visit Mike at the Bubble, I’d see him at the village fates, I’d see him at the pub sharing one shot amongst the group (very rarely might I add), I’d see him everywhere.

He was a very well known member of the community 🙂

The last time I saw Mike, he was struggling with a back pack full of supplies, a few miles from home. I of course gave him a lift, and made arrangements to visit him seeing as it had been such a long time!

Life got in the way, and I couldn’t visit him, I’d left it to long!

Mike passed away Christmas 2019.

I hadn’t appreciated until afterwards how much Mike had impacted my life, so I guess this is an ode to Mike, and a nudge to everyone reading, don’t leave things…

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