core group members (click the names to read details)
Jeffrey Gale Dip. Arch, Grad. P.C. Assoc. (UK) A.M.T.C.P.A,
Jeffrey initially trained in Fine Art and Architecture, and more recently in Permacultural Design and Spiritual Healing; He regularly does work in all these fields in this country and abroad, having travelled worldwide. He has a special interest in far-Eastern music and architecture, and has spent 6 years in India, living mainly by sale of his paintings and some architectural commissioned work – including sketch designs for the new Schumacher Institute of Appropriate Technology near Lucknow, UP.
More recently Jeffrey has designed a Holistic Hospital in Madya Pradesh, which is now expanding to include minor surgery as well as various complementary healings and medicines. Whilst in India he did much ground research into renewable energy systems, especially solar and biogas.
Jeffrey has been a pioneer in the field of Eco-architecture, designing projects since the mid-70s, and from an early age he has designed and built wood-framed buildings and furniture. In 2000, he founded the World Peace Gardens Network, which now has over 50 designated Gardens each displaying our Logo, bringing together Peace and Permacultural Principles wherever possible.
SHHECom was founded by Jeffrey, in 2002. (See also the documents Vision Statement and Aims and Constitutional Objectives, available on request or as a download from the SHHECom website.)
Jeffrey started the Totnes Branch of the Wessex Research Group in 2003, which hosts illustrated talks and workshops every month. He runs studio sessions in Intuitive Painting once a week at the Birdwood House Studio, in Totnes.
Earlier this year he designed and helped build a Permacultural garden, fountain and sculpture at Malvern Spring Garden Show (RHS-sponsored), and a larger one at the Permaculture and Sustainable Communities area at the Sunrise Solstice Festival, near Yeovil.
Currently Jeffrey is especially interested in developing his skills in Sculptural Eco-architecture, and how this can be related to his own theories of sacred geometry. His designs for an Intercutural Creativity and Conference Centre, in London, are based on two interlocking Golden Ratio spirals. He is also Hon. Secretary General of SHHECom Ltd., as well as an active member of Totnes & District Sustainable Futures Group, and Totnes Transition Town’s subgroup Eco-Building.
More recently Jeffrey has designed a Holistic Hospital in Madya Pradesh, which is now expanding to include minor surgery as well as various complementary healings and medicines. Whilst in India he did much ground research into renewable energy systems, especially solar and biogas.
Jeffrey has been a pioneer in the field of Eco-architecture, designing projects since the mid-70s, and from an early age he has designed and built wood-framed buildings and furniture. In 2000, he founded the World Peace Gardens Network, which now has over 50 designated Gardens each displaying our Logo, bringing together Peace and Permacultural Principles wherever possible.
SHHECom was founded by Jeffrey, in 2002. (See also the documents Vision Statement and Aims and Constitutional Objectives, available on request or as a download from the SHHECom website.)
Jeffrey started the Totnes Branch of the Wessex Research Group in 2003, which hosts illustrated talks and workshops every month. He runs studio sessions in Intuitive Painting once a week at the Birdwood House Studio, in Totnes.
Earlier this year he designed and helped build a Permacultural garden, fountain and sculpture at Malvern Spring Garden Show (RHS-sponsored), and a larger one at the Permaculture and Sustainable Communities area at the Sunrise Solstice Festival, near Yeovil.
Currently Jeffrey is especially interested in developing his skills in Sculptural Eco-architecture, and how this can be related to his own theories of sacred geometry. His designs for an Intercutural Creativity and Conference Centre, in London, are based on two interlocking Golden Ratio spirals. He is also Hon. Secretary General of SHHECom Ltd., as well as an active member of Totnes & District Sustainable Futures Group, and Totnes Transition Town’s subgroup Eco-Building.
Sophie Christopher (Network Secretary) RETA, CTAL, ILM, DIP Cert ED, City & Guilds
As well as being an excellent Network Secretary for SHHECom, Sophie also helps generally with our Work. She established our SHHECom website in 2007, which is now being independently developed. She is keen on sharing skills and knowledge in our Community context, and gives talks and workshops in Yoga and Green Sustainable Economics.
Sophie also takes active part in Conferences and Festivals such as the Big Green Gathering and the Festival Of Life, and helps with the World Peace Gardens Network stands at events.
Sophie also takes active part in Conferences and Festivals such as the Big Green Gathering and the Festival Of Life, and helps with the World Peace Gardens Network stands at events.
Martin Bowes (Treasurer) ACIB and Permaculture Design
Martin is our Hon. Treasurer. He is a qualified banker ACIB (Associate of Chartered Institute of Bankers) and recently qualified in Permaculture Design. He wishes to live in the Community with his wife Sophie (as above). He spent 35 years in a high street bank and spent some time as a business consultant before being head-hunted to join an Invoice Finance Company. He is hoping to develop his Permaculture skills further and to share his knowledge by running courses as well as overseeing much of the Community’s finance and administration.
Martin takes an active part in Conferences and Festivals including the Festival of Life, and is a Big Green Gathering and Lammas Community shareholder. Martin and Sophie founded The Ethical Business Club (www.the-ethical-business-club.co.uk) in Abingdon. He has a wide range of interests, including yoga, meditation and rowing.
Martin takes an active part in Conferences and Festivals including the Festival of Life, and is a Big Green Gathering and Lammas Community shareholder. Martin and Sophie founded The Ethical Business Club (www.the-ethical-business-club.co.uk) in Abingdon. He has a wide range of interests, including yoga, meditation and rowing.
George Marshall: Member (Res.)
George has lived in Totnes since 1989 and is a trained Horticulturist, Furniture-maker and Carpenter. He recently designed and built his art studio in his backgarden in Totnes, made of timber and glass. He is part of SHHECom’s Skilled Building Team*.
George was, for a period, Manager of the Barn Retreat Centre at Sharpham House (near Totnes), where he also practised Biodynamic Horticulture. He belongs to the Birdwood House Intuitive Painting Group, and he shows his works in the Group’s exhibitions at Birdwood Gallery.
George was, for a period, Manager of the Barn Retreat Centre at Sharpham House (near Totnes), where he also practised Biodynamic Horticulture. He belongs to the Birdwood House Intuitive Painting Group, and he shows his works in the Group’s exhibitions at Birdwood Gallery.
Anne Wirstad: Member (Res.)
Originally from Norway, Anne has wide experience in Networking and Fund-raising, which she now continues for SHHECom. At present, she has a temporary flat in London, but would prefer to live within our Community here. She is adept at IT and has proven herself adaptable to most tasks, including the planting and building of our Permaculture Gardens. Anne has 5 years’ experience as Marketing Manager for a Journal in London.
Chris Wilkinson
Chris has many years’ experience in Joinery, Carpentry and Furniture-making. He is a Teacher, with special qualifications in tutoring disabled and backward children. He would prefer tutoring retarded children and disabled adults in making furniture from locally-sourced sustainable woods. He joined our Community in 2002, and is part of the SHHECom Building Team, currently helping to build SHHECom’s 25-foot diameter Yurt.
Chris hopes that the Craft-teaching part of his work can continue at the existing Craft Workshops, situated behind Schumacher College. These interests and activities fit well with our need for furniture and fitments in the SHHECom Centre House, Café and Eco-Homes. He also practises Chi Gong and plays Slide Guitar.
Chris hopes that the Craft-teaching part of his work can continue at the existing Craft Workshops, situated behind Schumacher College. These interests and activities fit well with our need for furniture and fitments in the SHHECom Centre House, Café and Eco-Homes. He also practises Chi Gong and plays Slide Guitar.
Sheila Wilkinson
Sheila has been a Member of SHHECom since 2002, and is the Partner of Chris Wilkinson (see above) with whom she has daughters Rachel and Christy. She is a Teacher’s Assistant at Bidwell Primary / Junior School, Dartington. She did a Degree Course in Agricultural Science, and is keen on Organic Gardening and Horticulture.
Sheila also enjoys cooking and catering, and would like to be the Managing Chef of our Organic Vegetarian Café in our Centre House. She has a love of Music and is currently learning to play the Harp.
Sheila also enjoys cooking and catering, and would like to be the Managing Chef of our Organic Vegetarian Café in our Centre House. She has a love of Music and is currently learning to play the Harp.
Louis Yates
Louis is a fully-trained Skilled Carpenter with Joinery experience, currently using those skills on various Building contracts. Like most of our Members, he is keen to help build his own and other Members’ Eco-Homes with the SHHECom Building Team. He and Tabitha have 3 small children and currently share a small, rented flat in Totnes.
Tabitha
Tabitha is Louis Yates’ (see above) Partner and is keenly interested in a Sustainable, Eco-balanced way of Life, and has recently held meetings to restart the Totnes LETS (Local Economy Trading Scheme) with a new Website enabling skills, products and services to be offered and sought via the online Acorns credit system. She finds it stressful living in the nuclear family situation and would much prefer to live in a shared-vision Eco-community.
Christine Bangert
Christine is a self-employed Painter / Fine Artist and Jewellery-maker – with many other creative talents such as cake-making, and Spiritual Healing. She has a 14-year old son and lives in a rented housed in South Brent. She finds it hard to be a single mother and would prefer to live in a sharing Community. She regularly attends General Meetings of SHHECom.
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