This month we are joined by Christine Wiltshire. Thanks so much for sharing Christine. As ever we are incredibly proud of our humble, hirsute and hard-working team
Christine Wiltshire, Introduction to Permaculture teacher and team co-ordinator.
Which permaculture principle do you have to remind yourself of the most?
‘Integrate Rather than Segregate’ Particularly in relationships and segregation in society at many levels is everywhere. Its so easy now not to get involved.
I am living in Worthing and help run two social groups, they were at first a commitment that I had to really work hard at, with some difficult people at times. When you are volunteering your time this can easily make you want to retreat and batten the hatches, but 5 years since moving here, I feel I have established much more satisfaction and social belonging from taking an interactive role.
Which permaculture principle is always popping up in unlikely places? Such as?
‘The Problem is the solution’ ‘Apply self regulation and accept feedback’ ‘Create no Waste’.’Use small and Slow Solutions’ In-fact I could probably not move and entertain myself with these principles all day! I am a obsessive up cycler and can regulate my consumption of unnecessary items by the problem they create as they mount up. I then turn this problem into a useful or beneficial item by ‘Creating a Yield’ (getting a bit nerdy now) This is done without any time pressures so there is plenty of space for creative energy.
Name your permie hero? Bryn Thomas
Why them? For people who don’t know, Bryn is Brighton Permaculture (acting) CEO who with a number of other committed characters formed BPT providing the environment and opportunity for anyone who would like to learn about Permaculture and inspiring so many others with his community orchard planting . So he’s my local hero because without his commitment hundreds of people including me would not know about permaculture or have the opportunity to have experienced the magic of an orchard.
Best example of permaculture in action?
My ‘Orange skirted slug’ string puppet made out of an old sock and twigs
Next course you are attending/teaching?
I am co-teaching -:- The Introduction to Permaculture on 17th and 18th of February with the lovely Stephan Gehrels.