In addition to the courses shown above, the Permaculture module of the Sustainable Land Use course - 21st Feb - 4th March 2011 - is also a full Design Course. For details click here.

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The Design Course is the classic permaculture course. It focuses on skills we can put into action in our own lives, in both town and country. It also looks at permaculture in its wider context, as a way of putting many diverse green ideas into a coherent whole. It’s suitable both for beginners and for those in relevant professions - gardeners, farmers, landscape designers, foresters, architects etc - who want to add a permaculture perspective to their skills.

A wide range of teaching methods is used, including talks, slide shows, discussions and exercises, both indoor and outdoor. The main focus of the course is a series of design exercises on the land. Participants can choose between a domestic garden or a smallholding for their permaculture design project. We make full use of the farm as a teaching resource, with outdoor sessions every day. There’s at least one session of practical work in the farm on each course. To get an idea of the full range of subjects covered by the course, please see the example timetable below.

There’s a range of optional evening activities, including a session on healing, campfires and hot tubs. A favourite activity on the weekend is canoeing down the River Wye amid the beautiful wooded scenery (cost approx £15).

The Design Course is recognised by the international permaculture community, and can lead to the informal Diploma of Permaculture Design. Our Design Courses at Ragmans Lane can also lead to a nationally recognised qualification, because they make up two modules of the five-module Sustainable Land Use course, which we also teach at Ragmans Lane.

Note

The courses start on the Sunday morning at 9.30. We ask all participants to arrive on the afternoon or early evening of the Saturday.

Special Offer!
The Earth Care Manual, Patrick’s major permaculture book, is available to Design Course participants at half price. It's the ideal companion to the course, full of detailed information on all the subjects covered. You can order your copy in advance or buy it during the course.

Tutors

The main tutors are Patrick and Cathy Whitefield.

Guest tutors include:
Sarah Pugh, urban and community permaculturist
Matt Dunwell, permaculture pioneer and the farmer of Ragmans Lane
Steve Pickup, expert in living willow structures

We also make two visits. One is to Architype, a firm of ecological architects, to see their newly competed office building and for a slide presentation by partner Jonathan Hines
The other is to The Grange Village, a Camphill Community, to see the excellent biodynamic garden, guided by the head gardener, Tony Carlton.

Venue

Ragmans Lane Farm is situated in beautiful countryside in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, on the banks of the River Wye.

The farm is presently in a state of transition. Formerly supporting a rich diversity of permaculture activity, in recent years this has been narrowed down to just two enterprises. One is mushroom log production - innoculating logs with the spawn of shii-take and oyster mushrooms and selling the logs as a source of fresh organic mushrooms. The other is organic apple juice production, and part of the farm has been planted up with orchards to supply the apples. The rest of the land is let out for grazing and the large vegetable garden is not used at present.

With the appointment of a new manager, Freya Davies, the farm is moving into a new phase of activity. One of her first priorities is to bring the vegetable garden back into production and the consideration of a Community Supported Agriculture scheme. Plans are also being considered to start actively managing the two woodlands on the farm.

The farm is also the home of the Willow Bank, which supplies a wide range of willow varieties and installs living willow structures. Many of these can be seen around the farm. In addition, there is an interesting range of ecological building styles on the farm, and there is both mature and newly planted woodland.

For more information on the farm, including a pictorial tour, see http:// www.ragmans.co.uk (Please note that you should use the booking form on this website, not the one on the Ragmans Lane site.)

Accommodation

This is in the bunkhouse, a converted stone barn with many ecological features. Accommodation is basic and there are no individual or double rooms, but if you want privacy you are welcome to camp.

The camping site, with beautiful views of the local landscape, is right beside the bunkhouse. Campers have full use of the bunkhouse facilities and there is no reduction in charge for camping.

Full vegetarian board is provided and the great majority of the food is organic.

Fees

The charge, inclusive of tuition, board and lodging is £750.

We’re able to offer a few concessionary places to people on low incomes. We don't have a regular rate but discuss it with each person as an individual. If you would like to apply for one of these please write to us with an account of your circumstances. We have never yet turned anyone away for lack of money.

If you are long term unemployed, ie for six months or more and actively seeking work, we may be able to get funding for you. Please contact us.

An initial payment of £350 is due on booking. The balance of £400 is due six weeks before the course starts. If your initial booking is within six weeks of the course you should pay in full with your booking. On receipt of the full payment we will send you joining instructions. Payments are non-returnable unless we’re able to fill your place.

What previous participants have said about our Design Courses:

“I have been satisfied beyond all expectations.” Daniel Kronenberg

“The wide variety of learning styles employed and well balanced timetable were unique.” Julia Groves

“Patrick is an excellent teacher and his dedication is inspiring.” Tom Mills

“I feel Patrick and Cathy complement each other really well and do a very good job.” Mandy Oasgood

“The course was taught extremely well - professional, yet fun and personal at the same time. One of the most amazing experiences of my life!” Alison Ensor.