Permaculture Design Course November 2013

[Charlotte]

Blowing in on the autumn winds is news of a Permaculture Design Course on 
Dartmoor in November.  There are a couple of places left, and it would be 
really great if you could send this email through your networks so we can make 
up a full house.

Top teachers and a beautiful setting.

Many thanks
Charlotte
PS The photos can be seen on the Designed Visions website. 




High Heathercombe Residential Permaculture Design Course 
High Heathercombe Centre,
Manaton, Devon
(90 hours over two weeks)

2nd - 17th November 2013


Tutors: Aranya & Klaudia van Gool 

Permaculture is about solutions. There are plenty 
of things to worry about, but permaculture helps 
you to focus on the things that you can do to 
make a difference."
Andy Goldring
Come and find out how....
 
"It was the best two weeks of my life" *

This practical course will bring the possibility of significant and positive 
life changes. Although permaculture is most commonly thought about in 
connection with gardening & farming, its principles, ethics and design 
methods can be adapted and used in each individual's own work, 
interests and home to bring about a more harmonious & sustainable 
lifestyle. Permaculture offers a perspective on all aspects of building a 
sustainable future. Permaculture encourages us to use our individual 
skills, knowledge and interests, whilst drawing on traditional wisdom, 
science and our innate ability to observe and learn from the world 
around us.
Course participants will be awarded the Permaculture Association 
(Britain)'s internationally recognised Certificate in Permaculture Design.

"I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and informal teaching styles" *

The High Heathercombe Centre is situated at 1250feet, high in the 
Dartmoor National Park, backing onto the open moor and adjoining 
Heathercombe woodlands. The centre looks out over the valley 
towards Easdon Tor, providing a beautiful, tranquil setting for a 
variety of activities and courses throughout the year. We offer self-
catering facilities to youth and community based charities, and run 
a wide public programme of courses and events, including Creative 
Family Weeks, Retreats, Arts and Crafts Courses, Permaculture 
Training and Volunteer Weeks. The developing vision for High 
Heathercombe incorporates permaculture principles, sustainability, 
arts and crafts, forest school and an embryonic organic vegetable 
garden. The Centre is run on a charitable basis by the High 
Heathercombe Trust. 

"Inspirational" *

 
Learning outcomes:
 
To observe patterns in nature & apply what we learn to create guiding 
principles.
To use permaculture ethics, principles & design tools to create sustainable 
systems.
To understand the importance of caring for soil & water, & to know techniques 
for doing so.
To start using permaculture in your own life, towards creating a more 
sustainable lifestyle.
To understand how to apply permaculture design to both land-based & non-land-
based systems.



"I'm amazed by my change of thinking" *



Subjects covered:
Spirals of erosion & points of intervention ~ Boundaries & 
limiting factors ~ Observation skills ~ Site surveying ~ 
Permaculture ethics & principles ~ Design methods ~ Soil 
conservation, types, texture & factors in fertility ~ Green 
manures & dynamic accumulators ~ Kitchen gardening ~ 
Integrated pest management ~ Water & sewage treatment ~ 
Fruit tree growing ~ Agroforestry & Forest gardening ~ Trees & 
their Microclimates ~ Permaculture & future generations ~ 
Patterns in nature ~ Food choices ~ Ecological footprinting ~ 
Sustainable economics ~ Urban permaculture ~ Green 
architecture ~ Bioregionalism ~ Non-land based design ~ 
Accelerated learning techniques ~ Seed saving & plant 
propagation ~ The Permaculture Association & Diploma WorkNet 
~ Where next? & lots more......

"Eye opening" *



We use group work, discussions, videos, slide 
shows, observation, guided walks & practical 
activities as learning methods. These are 
supportive of different learning styles & for people 
with learning difficulties. We will also be visiting 
projects where permaculture theory is being put 
into action. Planned site visits include trips to 
Steward Community Woodland, the Agroforestry 
Research Trust, Landmatters Permaculture Project, 
& the Proper Job Recycling Project.
Design courses are not just about imparting 
information to the students, there is plenty of 
knowledge out there, the important thing is 
knowing how to use this & feeling confident to do 
so.



"I've enjoyed the positivity and enthusiasm on the course" *


Empowerment is the essence of the course. We will be using 
practical and theoretical teaching methods to create a fun, 
lively & inclusive course. The course culminates in the main 
design activity that helps to consolidate all of the learning & 
empower students to take permaculture back into their own 
homes, lives & community. As a group we will benefit from 
collaborative learning & from having fun together. We don't 
expect any previous knowledge & recognise that everyone 
has their own unique skills, knowledge & areas of interest to 
bring to the course.

"Learning should always be like this" *

* Comments from previous years' course participants.

Investment:
Full rate: £760*. Fee is fully inclusive of tuition, food, accommodation, site 
visits, handouts, end of course CDROM & one years' membership of the 
Permaculture Association.
Concessionary rate: £525* (available for those on low incomes / means-tested 
benefits but limited to only four places).
* Non-residential rates (includes lunch & evening meal): £670 full fee / £435 
concessions.
Booking: To reserve your place, simply download the relevant version of the 
course booking form on the website (www.designedvisions.com), fill it in & 
return to us with a £100 deposit payment (full details of how to do this are 
on the form).
PDF version (for printing & posting to us, together with a cheque / postal 
order). 
Microsoft Word version (for typing into & emailing to us) - please contact us 
to arrange deposit payment. 

For more details & booking (residential places limited to twelve, so book 
early) please contact: 
Mel: 01326 251302 / 07768 193848 or email (bookings and course content) via 
the Designed Visions website.
High Heathercombe Centre: 07791 601737 (venue or catering)