大象传媒

While not a new idea, families living together in communal houses still raises an eyebrow or two. But in the days of rising costs of living, it might be the sensible way forward.

One such place is the Old Hall Community at East Bergholt in the Stour valley which was built in the 16th Century as a manor house. It became a Franciscan Friary right up until 1974 when it was bought by the original 14 community families for under 拢100,000.

Its official title is the Unit One Suffolk Housing Association. People who want to live there can buy 'units' of varying sizes. These are their private living spaces, but they also buy in to the communal kitchens, living and dining rooms as well as the 70 acres of land.

Richard Kings has lived there for 13 years: "We aim to be largely self-sufficient. We try to produce as much of our own food and fuel as we can.

One of the vegetable plots

"Our roles are wide and varied. People try and find what they like to do for the community and stick to it, and occasionally they have to do stuff they don't like to do.

"It could be picking the potatoes, clearing drains or repairing roofs - the maintenance of the place."

Cooking is communal, but family units aren't split up. Members say there's no particular communist or co-operative philosophy, but they have shared aims of being environmentally-friendly, self-sufficient, organic and committed to recycling.

Members have to commit to 12-15 hours of work a week for the benefit of the community.

What's the damage?

Anyone can apply to become a member [visit the Old Hall website for details] and buy a unit - the cost of which is subject to the fluctuations of the housing market. One room would be around 拢35,000 (December 2008 estimate).

"The maintenance costs are fairly high, but shared among 40 adults it's very reasonable," said Richard Kings.

Hazell Bowles added: "My family [partner Steve and five children] pays 拢350 maintenance a month for our unit. That includes electricity, gas, water and food, but you also get the use of the 70 acres.

"I also only have to cook around once a month."

Old Hall Community

"There is a steady turnover of people but they have to buy their unit spaces in the hall. It's quite a commitment so people tend to buy and stay for significant periods of time," said Richard.

"Before my time there was a period of collapse because so many members left in one go, but it stabilised and kept going.

"It is difficult working with 40 adults and the kids and accommodating everyone's viewpoints and requirements. But when all these people get together and decide to do something, they really decide to do it!

"The sense of pride in a job well done and the creativity of the group is tremendous -听 that's worth it in itself. Apart from having access to 70 acres of Suffolk with hedges, a stream and views of the Stour valley."

The good life

Most of the food is grown at the hall - vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens and geese.

"We could survive if we were cut off. We'd have plenty. We're working on more efficient electricity generation, but we can generate our own heat using a wood-chip generator," said Richard.

Hazell said: "We've got three people who make butter, but they're away, so I've had my first go today. The only rota is for the kitchen - part of your 15 hours a week (commitment to the community) is your 3 hours in the kitchen."

Bad neighbours

Richard said not everyone gets on all the time: "We do have a legal framework all written up in the 'yellow book'.

Hazell Bowles and family

"It's happened a couple of times when a couple of people have had to leave due to popular consent. But when they're under that scrutiny, they tend to leave anyway before we have to resort to the law."

Hazell sums of the whole alternative lifestyle:

"It's just very different to living on your own. It's a different experience.

"We have 10 freezers instead of 40. If I'm ill, there's someone else to cook for the kids.

"And if we want to go out, there are plenty of potential babysitters!"

Peace and quiet threatened

East Bergholt is nestled in the heart of the Dedham Vale - still known for its relatively听 peaceful air. It's the sort of area which the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) wants to save from over-development.

CPRE tranquillity map

The CPRE has published a 'tranquillity map' which contrasts the noisiest urban areas (red) with the quietest rural areas (dark green).

大象传媒 television has made a special programme filmed at the Old Hall and also at Flatford Mill which looks at the CPRE's Tranquillity campaign. "In Search of England's Green and Pleasant Land" will be broadcast on 大象传媒1 on Monday 13 April 2009 at 1830hrs.

Further details

For more pictures and for information about volunteering or joining the Old Hall Community visit their website using the link on the right.

The Old Hall Community featured as part of the Family Matters series on 大象传媒 Radio Suffolk's James Hazell show. It's broadcast 0930-1300 weekdays.