Off Grid is a festival for those who categorise themselves more digger than dreamer, and vice versa…
Here at Off Grid HQ, we appreciate that off grid living is made up of many aspects. On one hand, a
Building demo at Off Grid 2014
big part of the lifestyle is the practical and physical work required to live in a way that is closer to the earth. That’s why a big part of the festival is dedicated to skill-sharing activities and practical demonstrations – ranging from making your own solar panels to sustainably managing your own woodland.
On the other hand, an awful lot of time is spent designing, planning and preparing for the lifestyle. It’s quite phenomenal the amount of paperwork involved in being able to live quietly on a piece of land!
imonWhether you are choosing, or considering, living ‘off the grid’ yourself, or whether you’re simply looking to build up your skill-base for DIY projects; renovate your own home or contribute to existing community projects, we will probably have something – or someone – for you!
Crafts, Eco Build and Tech Area
Our Crafts, Eco Build and Tech area has a fantastic range of practical demos and workshops on offer. One of the highlights is the Eco-build demonstration zone where you can take part in freeform cob building, straw bale construction and other building activities.
Other activities include:
- Treehouse Design
- Biochar making
- Coin Cutting
- Clay Firing and Potting
- Blacksmithing
- Knitting
- Green Woodwork
- DIY Solar and Batteries
- GEET Generators
- Natural Beekeeping
& more being added all the time….
Off Grid College
The College is a great place to grow your knowledge and skills in a series of introductory modules to many aspects of off-grid living.
Sessions include:-
- Micro-Hydro and Energy Storage Systems
- All the power you need for £100
- Composting and Waste Management
- An Introduction to DIY Solar water heating
- Wild Food Foraging
- Introduction to Permaculture
The Dreaming comes with the Digging
As we say, however, dreamers are also welcome at this festival. We believe that it’s necessary to
Theo Simon, long term activist, tells it like it is…
engage with the world rather than hide from it, in order to make the small differences than in total forge the beginnings of a new kind of society. We also recognise that in a small country like ours, there’s little choice but to engage on some level. As many of those presenting at Off Grid will tell you, it only takes one nasty neighbour and your best laid plans are thrown into chaos.
So if you’re thinking of living on land yourself, or doing anything that may require some meetings and negotiations with the local authorities, we highly recommend some of the following sessions:-
- Doug King-Smith: Sustainable Woodland Management at Hillyfield and Planning Update
- Merlin Howse: Steward Community Woodland: Planning Appeal and Community Overview
- Pedro Brace: Tinkers Bubble Community
All in The Plotting Shed on Friday 12th August from 9.30am
- Marcus Letts, Vera Hale & Nicola Lang: Community Housing Session
The Conference Barn, Friday 12th August from 2pm
- David Parkes: The Housing Game – A vision for community-led housing in Devon and beyond
The Plotting Shed, Sunday 14th August, 11am
- Charlotte Oliver: Land Matters – Planning for low-impact living
The Off Grid College, Sunday 14th August, 11.30am
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