Flax weaver Jacqui Banks at Livelihood shop opening

Land-based livelihood

and the development of ‘The Livelihood Shop’

by Cassandra Lishman, resident

One of the main reasons I wanted to be a part of the ‘Lammas Project’ (as it was then known) was to test how viable it was for me to make a good portion of my living from the land.

Once the land was bought in February 2009, I took the risk of establishing a willow coppice despite the fact Lammas still hadn’t received planning permission. I was willing to take this risk as I had an established local business running living willow workshops in schools, and knew I would use the willow no matter what happened. Luckily, in August that same year, planning was granted.

Now 7 years later my business has developed further, and in addition to workshops for schools I also run wider community workshops in basketry & sculpture. Of course, it wouldn’t be a ‘low impact livelihood’ if the willow I used weren’t my own! So this year I have planted another large willow bed, as I am finding I still need yet more good quality basketry willow to fulfil the needs of my little business here in the Ecovillage.

Alongside all of this, I have a strong interest in co-operative working, and in promoting handmade, beautiful arts & crafts, not just my own, but others’ as well. I sell my work in a local Artists Co-operative in Carmarthen, of which I have been a member for 8 years, and am always looking for new venues to help promote my work.

So far I haven’t been involved in managing the Lammas Community Hub, but early this year when meeting with others about the Hub building, it seemed the time was right to push forward the idea of a Livelihood Shop. A couple of meetings later, and taking some tips from the management of other craft collectives, we had quite naturally formed a small group of artists & craftspeople willing to support this little project.

If you come on a tour of Tir-y-Gafel aka ‘the Lammas Ecovillage’ - you will find one of us in the shop in the Community Hub building. Every Saturday from April - September between 10.30 - 3.30 you can find a lovely selection of wood carvings, spoons and bowls, handprinted cards, willow baskets & sculpture, beeswax products and woven flax flowers. You can also buy jams and vinegars, as well as Lammas T-shirts!

We believe our the Livelihood shop is unique, supporting people like myself that are trying to change - in our own small way - the value that people put on land-based products. By buying from the Livelihood Shop, you are supporting economic change on a micro scale, ensuring the continuity of small rural enterprises, and contributing to a more sustainable future.

You are welcome to contact me via my website www.plas-helyg.co.uk or you can look up Lammas Community Hub on Facebook for photos and news of our upcoming events.