You can place artwork across the centre fold but be aware that if these two pages are to be printed on separate sheets, some misalignment may occur

This little publication offers a glimpse into the lives of extraordinary people and the communities they have helped to create and sustain over more than half a century. It is also a window into an unusual way of life that is experimental and continually evolving: experimental in having life in common based on a shared economy; in interpreting traditional values in a modern context, and in seeking to nurture the spiritual in each other so as to give meaning and purpose to everyday life. The true pioneers of this radically different life-style are those whose needs presently challenge so-ciety in many ways. Far from being passive ‘consum-ers’, they are longing to actively contribute if given an appropriately sympathetic setting. In our modern competitive world in which the faculties of intel-lect are prized above all else, their gentler human qualities are often overlooked, and the loss is ours. To contribute in this larger sense means far more than making finely crafted natural products that are highly regarded and traded in their own merits, vital though this satisfaction is for self worth. It means being able to stand in the world without need of power, wealth or influence, simply as a human being able to give unself-ishly to others without expecting reward; to demand no more than is enough; to be not merely curious but genuinely interested in others, and to be blessed with a deep reverence for life. To some, these qualities may seem outmoded, naive or even child-like, but they forge the bonds of trust between people which are the invisible cornerstone of any truly caring community. The sometimes odd behaviour of extraordinary peo-ple is often simply and expression of their frustration with a world that has lost sight of the values they expect. But if their social environment embodies these values, it is remarkable how eccentricity falls away and the real person obscured by the mask of disability becomes visible. The key to this lies in our attitudes, not theirs. Moreover, the qualities we lack can be learned from them, which is their unacknowledged gift to the world.Camphill village trust communities hold these ethi-cal values in common but practice them in differ-ent settings so that a wide choice of lifestyle op-portunities, whether rural, urban, sheltered or semi-independent, has arisen. Today, the Trust compromises eleven communities scattered across the British Isles, from north-east Scotland to south-west England. Each is a special place built upon the unique qualities of those whom society once ignored.

Left PageTop Left: Peter Farm Master mucking outBottom Left Corner: Jessica making the morning rollsBottom Right Corner: The pottery they make for sale inthe craft shop

Right PageTop Right: Linden house living roomBottom Left Corner: Tommy Co-worker in the gardenBottom Right Corner: A basket made in the basketry

Everyone lives and works together at Camphill Trust’s- on farms and gardens, in different workshops making candles, pottery, wooden toys, dolls, paper crafts, woven baskets, bread, dairy products or works on the vital task of cooking, cleaning and mending. In short, providing for each other’s needs and fulfilling the demands of the wider world for its unique products. Work is a source of much needed income, but it is more that this: it gives purpose to life and is the bedrock of self respect.

Top Left: Jules in the seed store, harvesting fennel seeds from the gardenBottom Left: Andrew washing up in the bakeryOpposite Page: Tim in the woodwork shop, he is theexpert on the ban saw and can cut out amazinglyintricate designs

Top Left: Tom on the farm, mucking out the cowsBottom Left: Cherry in the potting shed, planting seedsTop Right: Adrian sorting out willow in the basketry, he is an expert at making beautifullog basketsBottom Right: Daphna and Brian Co-workers, digging up weeds in the garden

Top Left: Christine laying the table ready for lunch in Cherry houseBottom Left: The Grange Village tries to be as self sufficient as pos-sible, living on the food grown in the garden, the bread baked in the bakery and the meat and cheese from the farm, but there is not always enough to go around, so some food has to be boughtOpposite Page: Angela filling the water jugs ready for lunch in Albion house everyone helps out to get the table laid and cleared away afterPrevious Page: Lunch time in Linden house, everyone eats lunch together, it is part of living within the community

Of priceless value in any Camphill community is the ethic of work-ing for each others needs. And this ethic is complemented by the commitment to uphold a second principle: the recognition of a fun-damental human equality. This ideal can never be abstract when each person shares an extended family home with several others. It must be rediscovered each day through a preparedness to toler-ate, confront and enjoy one another. In the sharing of one’s living space, at the meal table, in communal events or on a household out-ing, lie the opportunities to practise and develop this sense of equality.

Opposite page: Jill unwinding willow in the basketryTop Right: Milk churns for all the houses lined up on the farmBottom Right: Mark and Jules enjoying a coffee and a ciggarette in the sun in their garden

Left: Mark and Jules in the garden, they have been together at camphill for ten years and got married their last yearRight: The Bakery team, every morning they make rolls and deliver them to the houses in the afternoonPrevious Page: Waiting for the bell to be rang for lunch time in Albion house, Fio-na on the left in her favourite chair, and Angela on the right reading a magazine

These interwoven ideals of working for each other, living with each other and encouraging growth in each other are a single, constant star to which we aspire in our communities. They inform our outlook and inspire our ap-proach to new challenges and thankfully, they continue to attract the inter-est and support which enables us to continue. The Camphill Village Trust centres, and their many sister ommunities through out the world, are qui-etly attempting to show that the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity of-fer uniquely practicle benefits in daily life. But most importantly, communi-ties like these testify to the fact that it is through special people, those with ‘learning disabilities’, that these ideals have achieved their fullest realisation since they were first proclaimed over two hundred years ago. Far from being old fashioned, these communities still lead towards a more human future.

To find out more about the Camphill Village Trust and how you can help visit their website. www.camphill.org.uk

Text provided by the Camphill Village Trust for this publication.

Pictures by Maddy Sharpwww.cargocollective.com/maddysharpphotography