Our eco history and latest credentials
Welsummer was built on the understanding that the environment was at the centre of our vision. Many of our projects are the product of careful thought about our environment. Most of our buildings and structures are built with either sustainably sourced, local or recycled materials, and our development of the site takes the natural environment into consideration first and foremost.
Just some of our efforts:
2005 Decision to use zero chemicals on grounds. We practice solely organic growing. None of our grass, plants or trees have ever been subject to chemical fertilisers or weedkillers, and the same goes for our smallholdings and private areas. In 2020 we continue to use eco-friendly cleaning products.
2007 Planting of fruit and native trees and hedgerows encouraging wildlife corridors and enabling organic growing.
Coppicing in 2015 and 2017, sensitive to sustainable coppicing methods advantageous to good regrowth and wildlife corridors.
2015 build of Oak Tree Shelter taking into consideration the life of the tree, the shelter was built with poles from our own woodland, worked by hand and using zero chemicals. We have bugun ‘chinking’ the roof with traditional caulk made from our own mud!
Our wood burning stove provides hot water for the whole site meaning we are using renewable sources, our system was revamped in 2016 to ensure an efficient provision of energy and meaning any excess of energy is not wasted!
2016 rain water collection tanks. Although this only flushes the loos when the tanks are full, the amount of piped water is greatly reduced!
We line dry our linen and use handtowels in the bathroom to save on ‘disposable’ products such as paper towels.
2016 Move to provider of 100% green electricity.
2019 Move to the more sustainable rubber roof coverings on our builds.
2020 Solar panels installed directing more home-grown sunshine into your hot showers!
2021 We are so proud of Med who has achieved his Masters in Business Sustainability. This will inevitably help to inform our efforts for a sustainable business, not only in terms of the environment but also in building a socially, economically and ethically sustainable future.
Responsible Camping
What you can do:
Most importantly, clean up after yourselves and don’t leave plastic bags and rubbish to fly around in the wind.
Bring your food in reusable plastic containers. This will keep the amount of film and packaging safe at home where it can put safely in the bin.
Use our recycling facilities! It’s not because you’re camping that you should sacrifice sorting your waste. Please sort it at your camp kitchen so that you are not tempted to put it all in the non-recyclable bin.
Use this opportunity to teach your kids about plastic pollution and ask them not to spit out the plastic bits of a drinks carton when they open it with their teeth! Plastic straws from single drinks cartons and pouches are probably the most common piece of harmful waste that I find around the woodlands here. Most of you are really good about leaving the place clean and tidy, but there is ALWAYS work to do!
Following a period of re-wilding at Welsummer in the Spring of 2020, we ask you to be particularly vigilant of your impact on the environment.
Please DO NOT bring with you:
Loom bands. Although they are fun and keep the kids busy inside the tent, I don’t think I need to outline how much damage these might do to birds and how easily they will be swept away to the sea for many years to come.
Water balloons. Hot weather does encourage water fights and water balloons are a lot of fun. We will try and provide ways of cooling off but water balloons really must be left at home or in the shops. Despite all of your efforts to pick up every single balloon, unfortunately, this is often overlooked once the fun is over and we really can’t take the risk. They WILL get into the environment harming birds and getting onto that seaward journey.
‘Wet wipes’. These are extremely damaging to wildlife, not at all biodegradable, and they really mess with our septic system too! We will be proving single-use flannels, hand towels, cloth wipes and cleaning sprays for cleaning in all of our shared areas.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!
