“Some people think they are in community, but they are only in proximity. True Community requires commitment and openness. It is a willingness to extend yourself to encounter and know the other.” David Spangler
Resilient communities are vital for our futures, yet many of us struggle to make this happen. We can live near each other, sometimes even liking each other yet don’t have anything tangible that will hold us together in these tough times.
This is why we need visions and shared projects that others can contribute to.
Today I want to share the inspiring story of my friend Elizabeth-Jane Baldry and her project for making resilient communities.
About how she dreamed, funded and made the longest recorded single oak table in her magical Pigwiggen Wood. A piece of land in a corner of Dartmoor where magic happens.
The project started a few years ago with the vision of an addition to her restored woods that would make it more of a place of gathering. Even though many parties, performances and celebrations had been held at this special place.
“It would be a 21st-century re-enchantment of the land: a rewilding with bells on because it brings in the element of human imagination and human flourishing, as well as nature restoration, to a wild space where people can gather to share food, friendship and lively conversation”. Elizabeth-Jane Baldry
She talked about her table plans often and put her ideas into action.
“In its own small way, I want this table to be somewhere hope can be sparked that we can tip the world towards joy,” she added. “It’s a micro-project but these micro-projects are what are going to change the dialogue about how we can all move into a happier future.”
She contacted all the saw mills in Devon in search of the perfect oak. It had to be Devon Oak not the French oak Elizabeth-Jane was offered. This was challenging as it had to be a big oak, meaning old and available. Not many oaks survive that long and those that do are protected.
“I knew it had to be oak, because there’s such a long tradition in British culture of oak as a great symbol of courage and endurance,” she said.
A year later and still nothing found, until a phone call from someone who had heard about the project. Telling about a 45 metre ancient oak that had fallen in a storm 15 years ago.
It had laid undisturbed all that time because the owner couldn’t bear to see it chopped up for firewood.
“I love to think of all the stories this mighty oak could tell: the animals that sheltered beneath its canopy, the people who gathered, the children who played, the lovers who kissed, the small creatures whose entire lives were lived out on its trunk, branches and leaves.” Elizabeth-Jane
From where it is now.
The next challenge was how to even buy this magnificent, fallen tree that was so perfect and worthy of this project. The transport costs and processing of such a tree were considerable.
How to fund Elizabeth-Janes dream was an issue , as even buying the woodland had stretched the family. Now this project required others to share the vision. Fortunately It did not take much convincing as some friends gave generously to get this dream started. But that was not enough to see the project to fruition.
What I haven’t mentioned yet is what an extraordinary woman Elizabeth-Jane is. A talented , professional harpist who travels the world giving concerts and accompanying Silent Films at Festivals. A film maker, bringing folk legends and tales of Dartmoor to the screen and audiences worldwide. The instigator and host of our Summer Music concerts to raise funds for our beautiful church and so much more.
Elizabeth-Jane is inspiring, in a quiet, often humorous way and she is deeply respected member of our community. She always applies herself to whatever she undertakes . Including having previously completed online courses on fundraising and getting grants.
This all paid off when designing and running a successful crowd funding to finance this project. Incentives were offered of special events, postcards and invitations.
£22,555 was raised to turn the 500-year-old oak tree into an 18 metre-long (59ft) Great Oak Table, capable of seating 60 people. Some people donated from across the oceans, and even though it’s unlikely that they will ever sit at the table. Amongst the many messages and good wishes people said they’d donated because “just knowing the Great Oak Table existed made them feel better about the world,” explained Elizabeth-Jane
“Over and over again the word ‘magical’ came up, an indication I think that we’re all so hungry for enchantment and a sense of belonging”.
The project was not completed until a special throne was designed and created. Another local friend is the very talented Alan Lee. The Oscar-winning concept artist for the Lord of the Rings films. He designed an elfin throne for the head of the table.
Elizabeth-Jane said: “I had this idea for a throne at the end, not for humans – because the whole thing about the table is that it’s a place where all are equal – but because I wanted to have the symbol of the larger world of which we’re all a part.”
The table is now finished and open for community events, such as parish picnics, immersion days for the local primary schoolchildren and quiet days when visitors can ditch their to-do lists and simply read, paint or relax in the dancing shadows of the leaves.
Many people asked Elizabeth-Jane why she wanted to do this and why she kept going over the years it took ?
I am a grandmother now, and I have come to believe that in today’s rapidly changing world, building resilient communities is one of the most important things we can do to ensure our children and grandchildren can thrive.
Long tables are evocative, the sharing of food has brought people together since the beginning of time. It’s how we make friends, nurture relationships, mend conflicts, restore faith in our common humanity and feel gratitude for life.
I know I am very fortunate to be friends with Elizabeth-Jane and be in such an inspiring community . I hope you have enjoyed the tale of the Great Oak table . Maybe some day you can join us here or create your own table project. It may not be so grand, but a simple kitchen table, a circle or shared picnic blanket can be just as magical and important.
All these spaces are essential to our thriving now. To the sowing of seeds for the future. They might be just dreams now but together we can make them a reality.
I will finish with the profound words of Beej Trigg the designer and the local carpenter who has spent two years on the project. He said it was probably the most special design he would ever create.
“It’s humbling to work on wood this ancient, for a project that’s so meaningful,” he said. “I started when my son was just a few weeks old. I hope the table will still be standing when his grandchildren are able to sit round it.”
These are the words of a Threshold Guide who like Elizabeth-Jane is thinking generationally in what they are doing now.
Let us know in the comments your thoughts , dreams and actions for community. Also any challenges past or present in creating community that can be shared and supported.
With love and solidarity,
p.s You can find out more and visit the great oak table with the details here
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