Commune: A commune is a shared living group, a local government unit, or a deep mental connection.
There is a park full of office blocks near Stratford that has appeared on the market. Ryon Hill is known to me as a couple of my friends were based there for work.
You can read the full details here.
It's a nice place, with some 80s-style buildings, and I think it would be perfect for a commune.
Not some hippy-dippy rubbish, or the sort of place where everyone falls under the spell of a svengali, and all end up being abused and killing themselves.
No. I'm thinking of a community of people who like making things. Craftspeople. People like those who read this blog. People who celebrate creativity.
My completely unfunded plan, is that the upper floors of the buildings would be converted to modest apartments. Personally, I reckon I need something about four times the size of a Premier Inn room for a bedroom, kitchen, living space, bathroom, and a small office. Couples and families will need more space, but we can work on that. There's a lot of space on offer on the site.
The exciting stuff is the downstairs. You only get to live in the commune if you are an active participant in a hands-on hobby or craft. Thus, I'd have space to put up some model railways and a separate studio for making things.
Other crafts would enjoy the same facilities. I'm not sure if these should be shared, or private. Probably a mix of the two. The classic car restorers could have the parking area under one of the buildings for welding, grinding etc. For safety alone, it's probably sensible that they enjoy a share garage. Arguably, part of the area should be split off for model engineers - with space for up to a 2ft gauge track running around the site.
We'll also have retail space for people to sell their wares, and buy others. Look out for a branch of something that looks like Beatties! That's alongside art supplies, wool, material and all other types of shop that people like us enjoy a rummage through.
I'm assuming that most of the occupants will have other "proper" jobs, so a shared workspace (there is already the remains of a Costa) would be wise. That way, you can do your job during the day, and your passion at evenings and weekends (stop sniggering at back). I'd like to see a library and pub too. Just because I like those sorts of places. Maybe a museum as well, with restoration people on-site. I could happily donate a load of exhibits for the railways and Isle of Man galleries.
I'm thinking as well as railway modellers, engineers, classic car restorers, the place would be home to bakers, artists, gardeners, potters and pretty much any other practical hands-on creative activity.
My dream is that all these enthusiasts will be lovely people, so peace and harmony will reign. We'll have regular exhibitions to appreciate each other's work, and share ideas. I'm sure the retail will attract custom from nearby Stratford-on-Avon and further afield.
Some sort of governing board will be needed; I'm not proposing this as me in charge. I want more time for modelling anyway! We'll all be required to help out for a day a month around the site, keeping it tidy and assist the gardeners with the plant life. That serves to look after the grounds, and ensure everyone feels ownership of the place.
You're probably thinking this is one of my madder posts, but I dream of something like this. A place where people can enjoy their hobbies and share that enthusiasm with others. Am I the only one?
If I'm not, and you have a large amount of money burning a hole in your pocket (or you are phenomenally rich and want to offload what is loose change to you), then please get in touch!
1 comment:
G'day Phil,
"Your probably thinking this is one of my madder post. Am I the only one?"
Monaro Meadows
NO, you are not the only one!
Over a decade ago a mate & I came up with this idea.
(Holden Monaro is an Aistrslian produced coupe that won the Bathurst endurance motor race of 500 miles, (1000kms from 1974) 2 years in a row, 1968 & 1969.)
The idea was for generally retired individuals/couples with classic cars (any brand) to live in a commune with small self contained accomodation with their vehicles.
There would be a large W/S with working garage for maintenance, repairs & upgrades.
A spares part shop where you can purchase & lay buy desired parts, like that Mad Max supercharger you always wanted & you see it often keeping the desire to install it.
A restoration W/S for the commune to finish their own or puschase project vehicles (I'd love a traction engine) & complete for use, auction or sell within the commune.
A communal kitchen & great dining hall having a Wurlitzer Jukebox with booth seating along the walls for gatherings, meetings, to host family visits etc & mothly themed Saturday night dancers promoting period dress ups.
One side red & white with the other side being black & white tuck 'n' roll finish.
A retro games room with pool table, ping pong, pinball m/cs, video arcade m/cs, card/mahjong tables etc.
A retro outdoor kids/big kids play area with slippery dip, see saw, roundabout (tug n turn), monkey bars & a 3 storey high red rocket that you climb to each level made of wire bar so you can always see through it (they were quite common in Australian playgrounds, I know of 1 at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, NSW)
An onsite race track for events, cruising etc.
Located along the Monaro Highway between Canberra (Australian Capital City) & Cooma, in the south east of New South Wales.
Cooma has a heritage railway station (1 of the most complete heritage railway yards with buildings, signals, explosive van for building the Snowy Hydro back in the day, etc) & Tin Hare (vintage railmotors of 42' long each) train rides (Standard Gauge) is located at the foot of the snowy mountains of which is good for snow skiing in winter, hiking in spring/summer with Australia's highest mountain (on Google maps you can look out from the peak) nearby river, dam & beach fishing/fly fishing & home to Flynn's Wrecking Yard, the largest vehicle wrecking yard in the southern hemisphere (look for it on Youtube with 2 Aussie blokes hamming its sale up, it's hilarious).
A 3hr drive to the south coast beaches.
A bi-annual car show, local markets etc.
Canberra has heaps with plenty to suit anybodies taste.
Like a 5" ride on model engineering club, a couple of model shows a year, a model village with 7¼" ride on train.
Home of Summernats, the largest modified car festival in the southern hemisphere hosting a 4 day car show, driving events, horsepower Heros for who has the highest horsepower.
Also occupants would bring their own skill set being it from mechanic to gardening to whatever they do or wish to contibute like building an onstie lake for model boats with outdoor railway or airport for model planes & light aircraft etc.
Monaro Meadows Model Railway Club
Above the communal kitchen/great dinning hall is the model railway club rooms of all indoor scales.
Cheers Woz
Sydney, NSW, Australia
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