Hive update

Rocketing through the winter

Things are continuing to progress at the Hive, with the lower floor of
the office starting to become a cosy space thanks to a new rocket
stove heated bench! We've had several volunteers involved in crafting
this masterpiece, and look forward to having a new door for the
basement so that we can spend the chillier evenings inside being warm.

We are starting to put plans together for three periods of work on the
project next year - three weeks at a time with up to 6
volunteers. The work planned is biodiversity assessment in mid January,
topography in early February and construction in March. We hope to
get a lot of work done on both the office space and the end house of
the village for long term residents. So please get in touch if this
interests you.

Work continues in finding the funds for the January payment of 2000
euros - so far we have secured 50% of this payment plus 25% of our
running costs. We still have some way to go to reach the full amount
needed and as always, if you are able to help in any way, we would
welcome your support... Please get in touch as soon as possible if you
would like to be involved in this way.

Latest update is that in response to our post on the blog (
www.thehive-colmeal.blogspot.com) all previous ethical investors have
kindly offered more support to the project, (i.e., renewable energy
upgrade, a further 25% towards January payment & help with construction
costs for 2012.)
we a incredibly grateful for this support at this important time for us.

Looking forward to the New Year and the opportunities it brings.
Seasons greetings!!

Rocketing along

Rocketing through the winter

Things are continuing to progress at the Hive, with the lower floor of
the office starting to become a cosy space thanks to a new rocket
stove heated bench! We've had several volunteers involved in crafting
this masterpiece, and look forward to having a new door for the
basement so that we can spend the chillier evenings inside being warm.

We are starting to put plans together for two periods of work on the
project next year - three weeks at a time with up to 6
volunteers tentatively in early February and late March. We hope to
get a lot of work done on both the office space and the end house of
the village for long term residents. So please get in touch if this
interests you.

Work continues in finding the funds for the January payment of 2000 euros - so far we have secured 25% of this payment plus 25% of our running costs. We still have some way to go to reach the full amount needed and as always, if you are able to help in any way, we would welcome your support... Please get in touch as soon as possible if you would like to be involved in this way.

Looking forward to the New Year and the opportunities it brings.
Seasons greetings!!

Update

The Hive is now in its 3rd year, although its a very ambitious project we have managed to achieve more than could be expected. With only two payments left next year and 6 different people invested in the project we have reached 80% of the running and capital project costs; the majority (cash and responsibility) having come from myself.

Having had time away and a suitable distance from the project this summer, i realise that the biggest challenge is encouraging the right people to get involved and allow me to step back as it was never my intention at this point 3 years on to still be the person making the decisions. This is the thing that needs to be changed the most, to create an environment that encourages other people's ideas and input in a consensus manner.

In light of this shortfall, over the coming months it is our intention to strongly encourage people to visit or support the project in any way they are capable - fundraising, sorting out legal structure, teaching, permaculture design, community building, gardening, promoting, administrating and more - by opening up the project to support involvement by others.

A good example which has support within the local network is the idea of showing good practise in woodland management, to this end we are agreeable to set aside the largest article owned by The Hive for this purpose and assist with ideas and volunteers in creating a native community tree nursery. In the process it is hoped to set up a legal structure to ensure the longterm management of the woodland is guaranteed.

A key objective to achieve is having permanent Portuguese residents with similar interests involved at grass roots to help overcome the barriers in communicating with the broader community, with preference being a Portuguese couple. To this aim we are happy to make available and support the permaculture design as an example of how the rest of the village could bee. There also appears to be local support for having the first house completed quickly with offers of materials, volunteers and skilled labour within our immediate community.

We are putting this out there for other people to come up with their own ideas and solutions to help achieve these goals. Consider how you could be involved no matter where you are. Please get in touch.

Join us! Bee adventurous!

After having spent the last few weeks getting the village up and running again with outdoor kitchen, gardens, paths and everything else organised and ship-shape we are opening our doors!

So we are looking for volunteers to help at The Hive from now right through the winter.
Currently there are two people on site and a third due to come by December, and we have a lot of work for people to get stuck into.

Enthusiastic, self-motivated people with some level of simple living abilities are most desired; also a good sense of adventure and humour are a must :D
Experienced permaculture practitioners will get preference of course, but we welcome all.

In the third week of November we aim to host a Rocket-Stove workshop on-site - making a dramatic improvement to comfort levels in the head-quarter building.

Accommodation:
We have two more caravans available; one with a double bed, the other with a double and single bed. Both have wood burners for the cold nights - you will have to help collect wood of course.
We also have an outside kitchen/dining area, but can cook in the live-in bus when weather is not so good.
The Hive office has a spare laptop to use and wifi internet is available - all powered by renewable solar so there may be natural limits to usage in darkest winter!
Compost toilet and basic washing facilities - this is not the Ritz.

Work to do:
Gardening - can you help us grow our own vegetables, fruits and salads? And design/plan for next year?
Bush bath - we really want to be able to have long hot soaks here.
Portuguese research - we need a Portuguese speaker to find out and help set up an association or similar framework for a legal structure.
Native woodland - we are hoping to set up an area for growing native trees, help needed for organising and coordinating this.
Rebuild work - there are a number of ruins here which we hope to gradually work on making into usable space; possibly even one for housing a Portuguese family.
Events - we have a Full Moon social with pizza cooked in our stone bread oven with friends and locals; possibly you can arrange more?
General clearing - we have lots of land, steps, and paths that need attention.
Whatever you can suggest yourself perhaps? We enjoy hearing ideas and including everyone in the decision making process.


Normally, we expect 5 hours a day, 5 days a week in return for food and accommodation with a minimum expected stay of 2weeks.
Unfortunately the project budget is currently severely limited and we would appreciate a donation if at all possible.
(Current members have given 5euro per day for their time here)
This also puts a limitation on materials; so we try to use everything we can from the site, and have tools available.

If this all sounds like something perfect for you, then please get in touch!
Preferably we would like to have a chat, so send us your contact details.

The Hive
Mob: 00351 937 35 49 05
Tel: 00351 235 76 10 24
Skype: weirdbikeshow
Email: info@thehiveportugal.org

Plan BEE

After a busy spring with the office refit, poly-tunnel construction, creating new gardens, legal legwork and much more;
The Hive is finally having a well deserved rest, we are taking June to August off!
We won't be within contact until the end of August so please be patient if you try to get in touch.


However, we aim to come back in September with a bang!
The Hive is looking for lots of help in the three months to November; we'd like your help with the following roles:
        - volunteer coordinator : to organise invites and work for helpers
        - media moguls : to get the word out about what The Hive is doing
        - fund-raisers : to chase investment for materials, services and project costs
        - translators : most desired is Portuguese of course, but any language is helpful
        - project coordinator : have you got the ability to manage the resources for all ongoing projects?

Long-term help is crucial, and you will need to be self-motivated and capable to deliver on specific goals!
Our aim is to have at least 4 people on-site organising lots of events, courses and visits from the
start of September for next years finalising on the funds for purchase.
If you think this could be you then let us know.

As always we need investments of time and money, this year's final payment is due at end of this month (June).
With 40% investment in place, we immediately need a further investment of £1500 (or 3 of £500).
If you know someone who can help us then please pass this on, asking them to get in touch.

The right people are already stepping up to the challenge, and we're optimistic about the coming months.
Have a fantastically sunny summer!

Plan Bee

After a busy spring with the office refit, poly-tunnel construction, creating new gardens, legal legwork and much more;
The Hive is finally having a well deserved rest, we are taking June to August off!
We won't be within contact until the end of August so please be patient if you try to get in touch.
The fact that it coincides with the Festival Season is no accident - keep your eye out for Ray at Eden and Glastonbury.

However, we aim to come back in September with a bang!
The Hive is looking for lots of help in the three months to November; we'd like your help with the following roles:
- volunteer coordinator : to organise invites and work for helpers
- media moguls : to get the word out about what The Hive is doing
- fund-raisers : to chase investment for materials, services and project costs
- translators : most desired is Portuguese of course, but any language is helpful
- project coordinator : have you got the ability to manage the resources for all ongoing projects?

Long-term help is crucial, and you will need to be self-motivated and capable to deliver on specific goals!
Our aim is to have at least 4 people on-site organising lots of events, courses and visits from the
start of September for next years finalising on the funds for purchase.
If you think this could be you then let us know.

As always we need investments of time and money, this year's final payment is due at end of this month (June).
With 40% investment in place, we immediately need a further investment of £1500 (or 3 of £500).
If you know someone who can help us then please pass this on, asking them to get in touch.

The right people are already stepping up to the challenge, and we're optimistic about the coming months.
Have a fantastically sunny summer!

The Hive

Up to now , progress at The Hive has moved on, steadily creating more beds for planting and beds for volunteers.

Our new poly tunnel is up and functioning, and we have had visitors from many countries, giving their help, inspiration and thoughts.

Our plans for the coming year include restoration of some of the buildings, new structures, and the ongoing Permaculture projects, including workshops of Introduction to Permaculture, natural building materials, renewable energy, and many more.

We are looking for more volunteers to join us in long term or short term capacity, we have had many short term visitors, but feel that the project will progress further and more consistently with people who are committed to coming and residing long term within the project.

We encourage people who are visiting to bring fresh and new ideas that will enhance the ongoing project.

We have been embraced by the local community, who have enthused and participated in the revitalization of the village Rossio.

Since the Hive has been running, it has attracted other permaculture projects within the local community.

We are looking for people to share the responsibility of the project, up until now it has been financed from a finite single source and are now looking for ethical investors, who would appreciate living and working within the project.

If you feel you could have any constructive influence within the project, i.e. web design, fundraising, design and construction, volunteer co-ordination, etc, please get in touch via email or phone.

The current project manager is returning to the UK to raise awareness and fund raise for the project, and we are looking for a dedicated self motivating person who feels they could manage the project for a period of time.

At present Andy, who has been with us for the past two years, is taking responsibility for the works and daily runnings of the project.

Information for Volunteers 2011

The Hive is located near Colmeal in the abandoned village of Rossaio which we are currently renovating.

It has several ruins and many fertile terraces which are slowly evolving into permaculture gardens. There are many trees including olive trees, chestnuts, cork oaks, pines, walnuts and lots of fruit trees. We are constantly adding different varieties to increase diversity and establish a forest garden.

Our aim is to bring this area back to life, according to Permaculture design.

If permaculture and sustainability is your main focus you are most welcome!

So far we've had over 30 volunteers in the first year. Over the coming months we're hoping to expand and develop the garden in the surrounding lands. With the office HQ up and running we now have steadier connectivity on the web which is facilitating organising future happenings. We're particularly excited about the program of workshops starting in March next year, including several introduction to permaculture courses and a series of six weekend workshops on natural building and construction.

Our main focus until the end of the year is the olive harvest which we have started but need more help with. This will include picking olives, pruning trees and clearing of the land for an extensive topography map which is needed for design purposes.

In the coming year there will be opportunities for you to be involved in such tasks as; building a bush bath and solar shower, clearing terraces, building new structures such as green houses and tool sheds, pruning trees, maintaining vines, admin such as fundraising, promoting the project and legal structure investigation, setting up 12V renewables and just enjoying the natural beauty of the place.

What you need: head torch, water proofs, a sense of humour and, most importantly, enthusiasm!

What the Hive Needs: Down to earth, real people who are self motivated, have knowledge of permaculture principles, are interested in low impact living and sustainability and are able to share their skills with others. We're now looking for skilled long term volunteers (min 2 months) who are willing to work on their own ideas and capable of supervising the short term volunteers; and short term volunteers (min 2 weeks) with enthusiasm to learn, get involved and get your hands dirty.

We are only in our second year so we are still improving the accommodation, currently we have three caravans (see photos), lots of space for tents, compost toilets, shared kitchen, bread oven and solar showers on sunny days!

We have a lot of skills, knowledge and resources to share. If you want contribute your energy, spend time with the land and share the experience with us please get in touch.

If you are interested in coming to help us during the rest of this year please get in touch as soon as possible. We like to speak to all our volunteers on the phone before they come so please include a skype ID or phone numbers and an idea of the best time to contact you.

If you are interested in volunteering next year please contact us again before the end of the year.

The Hive's first olive harvest

We need your help

Our main focus right now and which we need a lot of help with is the first olive harvest at the Hive. With only three people currently on site and potentially more than 200 trees to pick we are asking for help with this ambitious task from now until the winter solstice on 21^st December. We are hoping to enlist anyone, with or without experience, who wants to help whether only for a day or as long as you can. Please bring wet weather clothes, any relevant tools you have and food to share. If you would like to stay longer we have tents and two caravans. Please contact us in advance so we know we have room for everyone.

This Saturday, weather permitting, we will be kicking off the picking and having a full moon gathering for those who want to come and join in with the harvest. We will be firing up the bread oven and making pizzas so please bring your favourite topping ingredients and any drinks you would like.

Where we are: The Hive / Rossaio, Colmeal, Gois 3330 073

We look forward to seeing you. Please get in contact either by email info@thehiveportugal.org or preferably give Raymundo a call on 937354905

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