The Wilderness Center, Mitcheldean.

Last weekend I packed my camping gear onto my bike and went to stay with a  friend of mine and a group of 'squaters' (although they choose not to use that title) in a place called The Wilderness. It use to be an education center teaching chidren about the wilderness until the council withdrew its funding. Until recently it was occupied by security staff until some activists requisitioned a couple of the buildings which include a barn and a mock saxon house. Their intent is to use the building for its original purpose and have been holding workshops like coppicing, wood working and foraging.

 

This is the common area where they hold talks and have tea. They are a pleasant bunch some of which are from the local area and some from Bristol. They seem to know what they are doing but they were having troubles when I arrived in the form of a strange vomiting bug that had gone around and a looming court appearance to get them evicted. Needless to say i didn't get to see them in their prime.

 

They hold sessions where they pass a stick around the circle and you're only allowed to speak if you are holding the stick and you are allowed to speak what ever is on your mind. Their is an air of silent tension as the stick makes its journey, at least I perceived it as tension.

 

The grounds of the complex are beautiful; there is a Saxon house which two people are sleeping in and a set stone monuments that had been carved during its time as an open education center. They said that the coucil plan to redevelop the area to 300 houses. I don't know how substantiated these claims are as its a steep outcrop of very old stone that I wouldn't have thought would have made good foundations but if it is true I wish these guys the best of luck, It's good to see squatting with a purpose.