On a recent visit to one of my favourite cities, I came across a tribe of filmmakers, artists, gardeners, farmers, a cross-dresser named Delores and around 30 other shiny happy people doing great things – of all places – by a bridge!
A sign by the gates of a disused plot of land by Kew Bridge is inviting: “Welcome to our Eco-Village – please come in for a cup of tea” it beckons. How could I refuse such a charming invite?
What I found inside was pretty incredible. Part community garden, part music and arts festival, there are constant workshops hosted by people who come and visit – not only from the local area but around the world, bands play there, seed swapping days are held where the locals are encouraged to stop by and share their ideas about what to do with the land, as well as having the chance to plant vegetables.
Their gates are always open and everyone is welcome. Which basically means there’s never a dull moment – journalists and musicians and artists are always stopping by – some decide to move in and stay, there is definitely a Woodstock feel about the whole place and I love it! Sipping my English tea, I chatted to Delores, who was wearing a mini-skirt that made me blush and a wig that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the 18th Century French Royal courts!
This merry group come from all walks of life, young and old, they are a melting pot of cultures and experiences from all around the world but what brings them all together is their shared vision to create a completely ecologically sustainable community within a city. Their motto is Ghandi’s “be the change you want to see”.
Over the last year they have built a clothes swap shop, a kitchen, library, shower, toilet and are digging a well – they plan to develop an irrigation system, using water from the River Thames, to grow their plants. Local businesses donate wood and other building materials as well as food – nothing goes to waste here! Cans get turned into chimneys for their tents, plastic bags get weaved into welcome mats!
This place is an oasis of calm, good vibes and has a real spirit of positivity. As Simon one of the founders told me: “It’s about showing that you can live a simple life and be happy.”
So after eating cake like Marie Antoinette, putting the world to rights with Delores and not so subtly admiring a Polish prince with the cheekbones of a model and beautiful blue eyes you could swim in 
I’m starting to think the simple life seems very appealing!
