The view from Buckshead

Today (May 10th) Martha and I visited Buckshead – an old cottage that is being sympathetically renovated to provide environment conscious holiday accommodation on Brynmawr Farm, an isolated organic farm about 7 miles from Clun.  The location is nothing short of spectacular and the views from the cottage are breathtaking.

Track up to isolated cottage

The Wheelers (Trevor, Sue and son Paul) definitely have the right credentials.  A traditional farming family, who decided on organic conversion after Trevor suffered bad health as a result of spraying the potato crop, they are well known at the local farmers’ markets where they sell organic potatoes, leeks, swede, carrots and parsnips.  Their organic Hebridean lamb is available at www.graigfarm.co.uk and is grazed on nearby Rhos Fiddle SSSI (www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk) along with their herd of Highland cattle.  Organic barley and oats are also grown on the farm to feed and litter the animals.

Trevor at the door

Buckshead cottage has not been occupied since the early 20th century, when it was part of a 13 acre smallholding.  It has never had electricity or water and to preserve its splendid isolation the Wheelers have piped water from a nearby spring and erected a 3.5kW turbine to provide power.  Solar panels heat the water and there is a Clearview stove (made locally at Bishops Castle) to keep it snug in winter.  This has created a wonderfully energy efficient house that stands independent of any external energy input.

Renovation of the building is sensitive and in keeping.  The stone flags in the kitchen and sitting room are being preserved and traditional plastering techniques employed (Keith plastered in the ecocabin too!) The windows, doors and internal woodwork have been beautifully crafted from oak by a local joiner (Keith’s brother incidentally!).  The floors in the two bedrooms upstairs have been made from wood sourced from alder, ash and oak trees felled locally.

The garden to be

Work is still in progress, but when completed there will be a charming sunny but sheltered garden, including a vegetable patch and a raised seating area so visitors can soak up the panoramic views.  To keep informed of events and proposed completion date (hopefully later in the summer) see www.clunvalleyorganics.co.uk or telephone 01588 640298.