Page 23 - C.A.L.L. #32 - Summer 2010
P. 23
In addition to helping with the hay, I undergoing a period of re-evaluation
was able to help for a couple of days and growth (we hope).” The search for
with the picking and cleaning of soft a clearer, possibly more detailed,
fruit (blackcurrants, gooseberries) in common vision is time consuming and
preparation for bottling and jam not always easy. Furthermore, the
making. Again, this was done in a group, situation of being tenants rather than
so I had the possibility to chat quite a owners is one of the concerns with
lot, and ask and answer many questions which the community has been dealing
about communal life. I was also able to with for some time. Lack of living space
go with them to a beach party on the for more than one or two new members
Saturday afternoon, which was very is, at present, a limit to further
pleasant, relaxing and picnicking in the growth. However, despite some
sun. uncertainties about the future, I had
the impression that they were finding
On the Sunday, I went with one of the ways to resolve problems. Despite some
adults and some of the children to the conflicts, they seemed to care for each
Iron Age settlement at Castell Henlys. other, and I had the impression that
Two of the children are home schooled, they recognised that each person has
and I found them to be independent, “good” and “bad” sides and that you
intelligent and friendly young people have to live with each person as she or
who were integrated into community he is.
life, mixing with adults and other
children alike, and, in many situations, The question remains whether
learning by doing. intentional communities of ten or
twenty adults can be economically and
I felt very comfortable and at home at socially sustainable over long periods.
Brithdir. The members of the This may not even be their aim. The
community are warm, open and friendly. history of the intentional community
I felt that many were on the same movement seems to indicate that
wavelength as me. I like the fact that, larger groups have better chances of
on their home page, they describe long term survival than smaller groups,
themselves as a collective. I find that regardless of ideology and internal
“Community” is a very general term, structures. Of course, large
whereas “collective” more clearly communities also change and develop
describes the intentional “coming over the years, as we can see, for
together” of people for a common example, with the Kibbutzim in Israel,
purpose. I thank them again here, for but there are far fewer examples of
their hospitality. smaller communities continuing to exist
for more than a few decades. A
At present, Brithdir Mawr has less further question is whether small
than ten adult members. With founder intentional communities can provide for
members leaving and new members the needs of the members when more
joining, changes have taken place. and more of them reach old age. Again,
in this area, larger groups would seem
The community is quite open about to offer an advantage.
their current situation, “We are
23
