Page 7 - C.A.L.L. #46 - Summer 2020

Old Hall Community, UK

David Hodgson
March 31st

The community's daily Coronavirus meeting is still going on. I missed the beginning, dipped in
for a while then dipped out again before the end. I’ll catch up with any decisions when the
minutes are circulated. It seemed well attended with members seated at various dining
tables or standing along the walls on the platform in the main kitchen. There seemed to be

about fifteen or sixteen attendees all spaced about six feet apart. As more attendees
joined, so the gaps between people reduced and so I did not stay too long. Agenda items
were the usual generic stuff. Community shopping, private shopping, cash and carry run, who
would do what and what was the best way to minimise the number of trips out of the gate
into the village and beyond. Then the more specific stuff. Government guidelines and the
variable levels of compliance given that we are more than fifty people who share one very
large house. The ongoing pressure being put on Friary Household finances and the need to
keep tabs on it. These daily meetings have been happening each day since before lockdown
and are invaluable.

A community in South East Queensland, Australia

April 22nd

We have chosen as a community to cease all courses, events and market days. The
accommodation and camping is closed to new visitors. Our regular Wednesday night oven

baked pizza event, Friday night sound lounge and Cafe are all closed. So our growing internal
economy has stalled temporarily It is a different place to be in - a lot quieter. We are,
however, reviewing our operations and maintenance jobs to be up and ready when restrictions
are lifted. We have,taken the recommendations seriously.

There is also lots of good coming through too. We started a weekly check in of neighbours
within our clusters to say hello and see if anything is needed. This has brought people
closer... with the 1.5m distancing of course. Also one person goes to town each Thursday to
pick up a number of family orders. The hardware delivers weekly and the Heath food Coop
also has a service. And one family picks up a large egg order and then sells them on via an
honesty box in their yard. This has meant people are helping each other more.

There is a lot more gardening and food growing happening. This is great to see. Some seed

and shoot swapping.

All in all, while there are significant changes, our community seems to be doing well It is
wonderful to be living in an Ecovillage at this time.

May there be lots of healing, laughs and good times across communities,
:)

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