Dear all

I've been doing a stone carving nightclass at York College, and have
just finished my first ever "Green Man" - I've put a pic in the Photos
file.  I've enjoyed it so much I intend getting the tools so I can
work on things at home - so when I get set up, if you think it
appropriate, I'd like to do one for the Sentry Circle site...

Blessings all

Beth

Hello all,Well last weekends camp was my 1st at this site,but i had an
enjoyable time seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones.It
was fun working with everyone to create a cosy bunk/party room for
everyone to use,and to use a nail gun!.Thanks to everyone for there
efforts and hope to see you all soon.

For those who sadly didn't make last weekends camp just thought I
would let you know that you missed a good one. We sorted out the
barn and now have a kitchen, a dining room, lounge and large bunk
room. The artists among us enjoyed decorating the walls.
It was brill to see everybody pulling together to get the job done
and I really enjoyed the evenings entertainment. Some great
drumming, guitar playing, singing, chanting, curry (courtesy of
Wenham) and awful jokes. Just what camp evenings should be. Great
not to need a drum curfew too.
  There wasn't enough of us to make a stone raising viable but at
least we now have a wonderfully cosy space for winter camps which
will be useful in the summer too.
There was a real sense of community this weekend which was cheering
after the problems we have had on this site. Let's hope that we are
going to continue to grow in peace and harmony.
Thank you everybody who attended camp for your great company and
Thank you Derek for being such a great host.
Blessings
Jos XXX
PS. Some of us intend to spend New Years eve up there so why dont
you all come along and make it a real party?

Hi All.
Well the portaloo's are booked, fire wood arranged now all we need is
some fine weather for the weekend. Have enought spades for replanting
the Silver Birch but a bit short on brooms.
Look forward to see all who come at weekend.

Derek aka Madfarmer.

Hi all.
Plans for next camp weekend of 12/13th Nov.
As some of you may have noticed I have a Silver Birch Tree next to
my house drive, think it will be very nice to move it to the top of
the hill next to the circle and replant it in the corner of the
field. There is the fertility stone for any one to chip away at to
cut the hole though. For all of you who were not here that's the
stone that was pulled up the hill by human power.
Another of the main tasks is to start to clean out and modify the
shed that we used as a kitchen so that it can be used for sleeping
in etc.
Will we raise another stone? that depends on how many are here.
All who are coming please let me know then I can arrange the
portaloo's.
Plan to have a camp meeting in the ''Curtainsider'' at 10.30am on
the saturday to organize what we are all doing.
Have thoughts about camping field for next year, the field that has
all the thistles in am planning to clear it and use it as the camp
field for next year as it is more sheltered and cannot be seen from
the road as much. It also has the advantage that we can make a
portable toilet/shower block and tap into the farm sewage system in
that field.
Also idea's about holding a festival next spring, thinking caps on
please.

With all the leaves falling the ''Sentry Stone'' is now starting to
stand out and every time I look up the hill I think of all that
working together that put him there, magical.

Derek aka Madfarmer

Heilsa Vanadix - I remember you from Pf conference workshops and we met
at Dragonby WH Camp. Sad to see u here trying to justify yrself. What
happened to not getting drawn back into the bicca.Come back to
Freyashof where u know u r welcome. Bob now runs thorsfolk and we still
have the van. Will need help with next joint N&ERWH and experienced
volunteers always welcome. Now we have new name and addy will hear from
some more old friends & Idisia soon. WWSW Helen

Yep it's me again. Have put some photo's on the site, not as good as
Aussie's but it's a start. You will wonder why there is one of me and
my dog's next to the Sentry Stone, well it's so every body will know
what a MAD farmer or should that be crazy farmer looks like!

Derek.

Hi all. A quick date for next camp is the weekend of 12/13th Nov. We
may raise a stone or simply modify the building we had the kitchern in
so that it can be used for sleeping in, depends how much I can get
done myself before. Depending how many come we may get both done, who
knows what we can do when we all pull together, look what we achieved
this last weekend.

Derek.

Yep it's me again.
I would like to thank all our New Member's for joining our group and
please spread the word, Thank You.

Derek aka Madfarmer

some photos
just finnished uploading a selection of photos from the camp
enjoy

aussie
for the dagda
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dagdaaus/album?.dir=/de50&.src=ph&.tok=ph86AuDBIyJ2W_6t

Hi everyone

I have just finished viewing the photos and aren't they fantastic!

For a short weekend I am so pleased that the camp achieved so much thanks to everyone getting stuck in and getting tangible results to the planning. I am only sorry that we had to run out because of the time running out for us and that I couldn't get involved more myself although my hubby Dave really enjoyed the work - his muscles protested a bit at the exercise lol.

It was great to be there and I really felt the atmosphere of the camp changed this time to something more spiritual but I maybe just weird there :)

Anyway what a great weekend all round and it was great to see you all there covered in spiders on the sunday. I must again apologise for not closing on Sunday but I know that Derryn would do a fantastic job.

Now a couple of questions

As a newbie to stone raising camps is there anything next year that women with kids could do .. i.e I have heard about the making of clay bricks but have never tried and this seems like something the kid would love also. Any ideas or practicle advice?

I also think that if its a working camp maybe we should set a camp meeting at 11 everyday so that we are all there and ready to move but also given time to recover from hangovers and trips to tescos?

It may be winter but this seems like a good time for fund raising .. I already said that I plan to run a raffle for the moot (any prizes gifted would be appreciated) but has anyone got other fund raising ideas? Mine is a small moot and may not raise much on its own but I reakon every little helps.

Also can we have a file for photos that everyone agrees can be shown around other bulletin boards etc so others can see what we have achieved this weekend and maybe want to get involved?

It was great to see you all there :)

Angela and Dave

Hi all,
What an amazing weekend. hope everyone has recovered from lugging the
stones up the hill. Great to see everyone old and new. Special thanks
to Dave and his team for building the raft and ensuring our safty at
all times and Oz and his team for getting the Centre stone up there.
For Dave W. (hi Dave) for helping me set up the Camp Kitchen with only
minor injury to his hairy arms (lol).
And is theres a morla of the story it has to be....

It's AMAZING what is achieveable providing everyone pulls together and
in the same direction!
Possibly a mpral for life.

Thank you all for making this possible, things can only get better!

Love, light and all good thoughts,
Sue

Hi All, what a weekend it has been. The talking stopped, the team work
began.We have our Sentry Stone stood watching over us, we have our
Centre Stone to work round. Working in unity and as a team we all
achieved a great deal, may it continue.
To each and every one a very BIG THANK YOU, for me such an emotional
time as I guess you all witnessed.
This morning at just turned 7.00am Ann and I walked up the hill to the
circle to Bless and drum it's 1st Dawn and contanplate what we had all
achieved: Magical Times.

To all, travel with Love. Take care.Thank You.

Derek.

P.S. Will have some photos on tonight for all those who could not be
here.

i am  new to this group but i recieved an email from jacq so i came to
have alook see and jioned

Hiya all, well the 1st delivery of Our Stones arrived this morning.
There is only 9 of the 11 purchased as 2 would not fit on truck, it
did look a bit over weight as it was. Should be able to get the other
2 on my truck and trailor to save on haulage costs.
The stones that have come include the ''Sentry Stone'', Centre Stone,
Gate Stones and 1 that is suitable to have a hole made in it for our
Fertility Stone + 4 more. I do believe the rest of the stones will
tell us where they want to be. There is pictures of the delivery in
photo albums under ''stone delivery''. As you will see if viewed that
we had a nice red machine to lift them off the truck and Frank &
Richard who own it have offered me the use of it to transport the
stones up the hill and if we decide to we can use it to lift any
stones into place. As for the digging of holes any one who would like
to help dig them please bring a spade/shovell as I am a bit short on
spades etc.
Look forward to seeing you all this week-end.

Derek.

Just had a call from Haulier to say Stones due to be here at 10.00am
ish in morning.

Madfarmer

Hi all.
After a few false starts with hauliers have now got organised for our
Stones to be brought from Mallerstang to here by Friday, what a releif!
Fire wood sorted, getting a couple of transit loads of 3-4ft lengths
that may need splitting, have wedge's and a sledge hammer if any one
needs to get rid of surplas energy! There will also be a charcoal
barbie for any one to use near the camp fire.
The curtainsider body that was on the green truck is now on the ground
near the camp fire to use instead of the marque that blew away last
time. It will be our camp office/workshop venue as well as a stage if
any one wants to perform !
One of our local agri suppliers keeps 25mm roap which is good news as
we may need quite a lot when hauling the stones.
Still have not found any telegraph poles to use as an A-frame so we
may have to fabricate some from the timber we have here, I have a
chainsaw Dave.
Will have a tractor on hand if we need it to move stones.

Derek.

hi all,
I've uploaded a printerable booking form and put it in the files
section of the Sentry Circle Yahoo Group Site.

Please print it off and send to Derek ASAP as he needs to order the
toilets and needs an idea of how many will be there.

If for some reason you are coming but can't pay before hand can you
please email Derek so that he knows how many loos to get.

Love, light and all good thoughts,
Sue

Well it's me again.
For those not sure how many Stones there is to be in the circle. There
is to be 14 in the Main Circle with 1 centre stone and possibley 1 may
be more outer Stone's. The main outer stone is the guardian warrior
stone. As we built the circle we may find that it decides it's self.

Derek

Well it's me again.
For those not sure how many Stones there is to be in the circle. There
is to be 14 in the Main Circle with 1 centre stone and possibley 1 may
be more outer Stone's. The main outer stone is the guardian warrior
stone. As we built the circle we may find that it decides it's self.

Derek

Hi all, it's me again.
Have managed to set photo album up with maps of where my Farm is and
also of the stones. The 1st one is the stone that I believe will be
our Sentry Stone and the last is the Centre Stone. The 1st stone is in
a trailor that is 10-11ft long and 6-7ft wide.

Bye for now.

Derek.

Well Hi all again.
Have been to see ''Steve the Stone'' today to view our 1st stones
and there is 10 plus the centre stone.None of the stone has been
quarried, it's all from the surface, hence it has not been torn from
the ground and broken apart and it's all the same colour.Weight wise
it 's from about 1.25 Tonnes to about 3.5Tonnes, the shortest piece
is about 6 ft. and the biggest about 10ft. The biggest stone I do
believe will be our ''Sentry Stone'' due to it's size. Will have to
sorce a thinner stone to cut a hole though for our Fertility Stone
as the big stone is 2ft thick, quite imposeing. Now have to arrange
delivery this week. Due to the weight and qualtity will have to use
a Telehandler to unload them so my thoughts are to transport them to
the top of the hill on the telehandler but leave 1 at the bottom of
the hill near the camp fire so it can be hauled up to the top by
human power if so desired. Please can I have all your thoughts on
that subject.
If I can work it out will post some picture's of the stone's on
group site for all to see.

Take care all.

Derek.

Hi all.
This is a thank you to Martin for offering to lead the Rituals at our
next camp, however when we had our very 1st camp back in May it was
decided that as we all have our own beliefs and traditions that we
would share Leading the Rituals to reflect that. With that in mind
Angela and David will lead the Rituals at our camp at end of month. So
again thank you Martin for offering.

Derek

Hi All.
Had a call from ''Steve the Stone'' yesterday to let me know that he
had 5 Stones yes 5! including our centre stone waiting for us so on
Sunday I shall give the Kawasaki a blast up the dale to see them
(good excuse for a burn up). The biggest stone is 10ft or so tall
and weighs about 3 tons so I will need to organise transport as they
are to heavey for my truck. Shall get a truck with a Hiab on, that's
a crane to the unenlightened and leave them at the base of the
steepest part of the hill some where near the campfire site.
Now all you digger's and puller's can start getting fitend up for
the next camp.Will have some modern power on hand just in case.
Nearer the time will post a message saying what we may need that I
have't got like extra rope's and chain's. I shall buy some 5Ton
slings as I can use them here, I also have a number of 5 Ton Ratchet
straps and big towing chains. Have to sorce some poles for A frame
yet, if we can borrow or have some donated it would be better than
haveing to buy some.

Now composting toilets again, suggested new site by me and that is
at the bottom (no pun intended) of the field near the hedge under
the holly trees backing onto the road as there is no water course
near and the tree's can use the nutrients. The hedge and trees will
shield them from the road and the ground is level as well.

Camp protocol, at our meeting when we discussed camp protocol and
the bit about clothes ''wearing of'' I would like to modify the
guide lines if possible to say ''please wear cloths in front field''
that's where we had the camp and up the hill to the Stone
circle.Have to think about my Mum who lives in farmhouse and we do
not want any adverse publicity. The Far Pasture / Magical field is
secluded and there is no problem there. Hope you all understand why
I have suggested that we modify the guide lines, Would like your
comments please.

Derek.

Hi all, this is just a quick info mail for any one who was not at
the last camp re facilities, camping site's, contour of land etc.
Camp facilites equate to basic, portaloo's and water with composting
toilet's in future, sorry Martin we are going to have to move the
one that you have started on due to a water course 20 metres away
(spring water) but I will re dig them for you or you may wish to
change design.Do we have shower's, only if it rains. One camp site
is quite exposed to the north wind and that's where we have our camp
fire with our covered stage near by.This field is slopeing but
Truffles the pig lives in her large pen there as well, as the
children and adults know, she doe's like to be petted and have her
tummy tickled. The other field which I call the Far Pasture or
Magical Field is more shelterd and leveler but has some logistic
problems getting there especially if wet.
Land contour's, well we are on a hill and the only level ground I
have is concrete and it's a problem trying to hammer tent pegs into
concrete. Where the Stone Circle is being built is at the top of a
very steep hill and at a height of 100 mtrs above sea level, the
Celtic Labrynth is to be cut into the turf on the hill leading to
the circle. The Round house is to be built in the Far Pasture field.
Some one suggested growing some long strawed corn for thatch,like
the idea but sorry it's a non starter at this point in time.
Now hope every body met my dog's Bly and Madmax as well as Truffles
the pig, Charles and Camilla the ducks as well as the sheep and
hens, well I now have a new pet in the form of Selene who is a jet
black kitten and was so named by Seleneos7.
Look forward to seeing you all in the future and will keep you all
posted of events.

Derek {madfarmer)

P.S. Any body needing a lift to camp please use message board and
state where you need a lift from please.

Hi every one, have been away for a day or so and come back to find a
mass of e-mails. Have read a few, some of them with issues that I will
reply to this evening but please all of us mind our language when
using the message board as we don't want Yahoo closeing us down do we?

Stone update: shall have the 1st stones here in 10-14 days, our centre
stone is coming fron ''Steve the Stone's'' own farm near Pendragon
Castle with it's Celtic root's. Our gate stones are 1 big stone split
into 2 using the old ways to do it.
About ''Steve the Stone'' he like me is a farmer and we have a very
simular Ethos on life plus when talking we found we had a number of
tyes. In the future I believe he may well become part of our community.

Derek [madfarmer]