A new chapter in the story of Common Ground has being in writing since Spring 2022. The renewed vision is for community ownership with a combination of brotherhood and sisterhood working together to deepen the collective healing that is so needed at this time.
This is a ‘community of interest’ with members from all over Northern Ireland, Ireland, the UK and beyond. There will be a simple egalitarian governance structure based on sociocracy, including a group of individuals holding the centre by living and working together here on the farm. In the next twelve months the farm will pass from private to community ownership. Like-minded people from all over the world will be able to buy shares and become members in an offer that will be launched in Summer of 2024.
The community as a whole will support the refurbishment of the buildings, the ongoing rewilding of the land and be invited to participate in all the activities that will then become possible. You may recall that there is planning permission for an Ecotherapy, Education and Retreat Centre that will include the current old shop, garage, byres and what was the old dairy and storeroom.
Common Ground N.I. as a Community Interest Company will continue to be based here and will be part of what evolves – as a subsiduary to the larger community organization – Common Ground Community Benefit Society.
The community can be seen as an ecology in which each of us will find our niche – including people living on site, individuals in a new governance structure with circles responsible for different aspects. For example a group dedicated to preserving the amazing biodiversity on the farm, another to to organize eco-therapies and community healing events and yet another to manage to development of the buildings.
There are members locally who come on site regularly to volunteer or attend events, courses, workshops. There are investors and members who support from further away coming to the farm once in a while and those who are unlikely to visit yet are inspired to support from a distance.
If you are interested in learning more about these developments, would like to get involved or simply be kept informed of developments then use the contact page to register your interest.
For up to date news go to our facebook page – Common Ground
To get a taste of Common Ground – have a look at the following video.
[otw_shortcode_button href=”http://www.commongroundni.org/contact/” size=”small” icon_type=”general foundicon-star” icon_position=”left” shape=”round” color_class=”otw-blue” target=”_blank”]Contact Us[/otw_shortcode_button]
Please tell your family, friends, neighbours and the world via your networks and social media:
Congratulations on the beautiful website!
Powerful and touching words, Robbie!
What an irony and paradox is this life indeed. We come from the same place, we have similar needs, what we seek is peace and happiness, yet instead of these bringing us closer, it is making us farther apart…
Dear Sepi – thanks for your wise words. I hope you are interested in one of our events? RB
What a beautiful poem, full of truth. It expresses perfectly our equality and the nature of life – those possibilities presented by nature and the universe, that we need to be open to listen to and embrace. Your project is so wonderful.
Hi Jackie – thanks for your lovely feedback – you are welcome to Common Ground. RB
Hi Jackie – Thanks for your enthusiasm and support. Do revisit site and register your interest in specific aspects. Hope to greet you to Common Ground one day. RB x
Great words brought together to help us go deeper into the experience of living!
Yes Noreen -thanks for visiting and commenting – to deepen our experience of living is what the project is about – come again…