2018
Summer
Editorial
Marie sets the scene for this first issue and explains what moves us to produce our Journal.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
In this first issue we are interviewing Angus Soutar who is the Principal and Founder of the Northern School of Permaculture. Angus has over 25 years experience of practising and teaching permaculture.
Summertime
Our regular contributors reflect on the summer season. They offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events reflecting on sunflowers, the heart and small intestine and luscious strawberries.
Showcase
The featured permaculture design for this issue is Teresa Pereira's Seasonal Wellbeing Blueprint
Here and There
Reports from the Permaculture Scotland Gathering with Pittarthie Farm and Adaptation Scotland. We here from Asmelash Dagne Daiko in Ethiopia, also some other brief news items.
Futures
A look at what is on the road ahead, with a glimpse of our plans for a practical skills training programme that aims to help those who want to become more involved in implementing permaculture designs.
Inspiration
A short review of the film "Inhabit" - an introduction to the gentle, steady and necessary transformation of our world through permaculture design.
Noticeboard
A place to distribute surplus and also ask for help. Features some information about developing our on-line resources for the School.
YourSpace
News, views and opinion, featuring a letter from Jane Wilding and correspondence about textiles with Maureen Boustred writing in about nettle yarn.
Autumn
Editorial
Marie writes about the importance of being connected.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
The interview with Angus Soutar continues, and we have a reminiscence with Maureen Boustred about land on the North Downs in East Kent.
Autumn
Our regular contributors reflect on connecting with the autumn season. Marie looks at the traditions of Samhain and All Hallows, Krysia writes about strenthening the intestines and suggests soups and fruit desserts. Edwina extolls the virtues of rosehips.
Here and There
Reports from the Permaculture Convergence in Manchester, last summer's gathering in Scotland, the visit to Incredible Farm and other brief news items.
Futures
A look at what is on the road ahead, our plans for this newsletter and for a practical skills training programme that aims to help those who want to become more involved in implementing permaculture designs.
Inspiration
Marie reviews a TED talk on the "hounourable harvest by Robin Kimmerer which is about gratitude for our food.
Noticeboard
A place to distribute surplus and also ask for help. Features some requests for help developing our resources for the School, together with some notes on security considerations and "open source" working..
YourSpace
News, views and opinion, featuring just a few of the fascinating e-mails that we have received recently. Chris Mallorie reports on the effect of fire on eucalypts around Coimbra in Portugal, Maureen B. on Degrowth in the suburbs, Nigel Stewart highlights "Graines et Vie" and we issue Chris Martenson's Peak Prosperity Resilience Challenge
Foundations
Krysia visits the site of the Maternity Home where she worked in Fife and reflects on the decline of local buildings and services.
Winter
Editorial
Let's work together to create the year that we want.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Winter
Our regular contributors reflect on the winter season and offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events. Simple celebrations, taking care of our kidneys and how to make fire cider vinegar.
Here and There
Graduation at Bury, Localism at The Eight Day, more work at Brindhurst Farm
Inspiration
Angus Soutar reviews J B Priestley's essays on "Delight", recently republished.
Noticeboard
A place to distribute surplus and also ask for help. Features some requests for help developing our resources for the School.
YourSpace
News, views and opinion, featuring Paul Crocker on "Natural Capital" and "Beach Buddies" in the Isle of Man, Nigel Stewart on sludge and the future of the planet, and Maureen Boustred writes in about music in schools.
2019
Spring
Editorial
Let's continue to connect and, through our actions, provide inspiration to others.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
Chris Gathercole talks to Angus Soutar about community projects, Transition Clitheroe, and the success of local projects in the Lancashire village of Whalley.
Springtime
Our regular contributors reflect on springtime and offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events. Marie celbrates Beltane, Krysia on how to care for our livers with recipes for spring. Edwina provides recommendations for the use of hawthorn, nettle, and cleavers and we do some seasonal gardening with Teresa on polycultures for spring.
Here and There
Fun at Manchester Road, consultations at The Yard, Jas and Angus go to Burscough, international networking, David Harrison branches out, news from The Black Barn
Inspiration
Marie reviews Stefan Geyer's "Zen in the Art of Permaculture Design"
YourSpace
Maureen B makes Newman-Turner's work available again in the UK, Nigel picks up on some points after seeing Angus's conference interview with Dan Halsey and he traces built-in obsolescene to the 1933 book "Consumer Engineering".
Foundations
Paula Moses says that it's time that we stopped tinkering with "sustainability" in school curricula and started to remodel them for a more caring world.
Obituary
Angus Soutar pays tribute to Elaine Speakman following her untimely death.
Summer
Editorial
First networking, then action. With some guidance from Charles Eisenstein and David Holmgren (Retrosuburbia)
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
Chris Gathercole talks to Angus Soutar about the challenges of getting going with community projects.
Summertime
Our regular contributors reflect on summertime: the Lammas festival and starfish, caring for the heart and small intestine, medicine with summer herbs (rosebay willow herb, nettle, mugwort) and in general offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events.
Here and There
A return to Incredible Farm, Summer Design Festival at The Parsonage, Krysia visits David and Nicola McCarthy
Noticeboard
A place to distribute surplus and also ask for help. In this issue, we start our listings of "zero waste" and low-waste retail outlets that we like.
YourSpace
Nigel Stewart on the montado system in Portugal and we get some stirring advice from Chris Martenson
Autumn
Editorial
Marie reviews the nature of education and how we can integrate this with the patterns of life.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
Chris Gathercole talks to Angus Soutar about starting the Forest Garden in the Lancashire village of Whalley, sharing his experiences of community activity.
Autumn
Our regular contributors reflect on the autumn and offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events. Marie finds inspiration in spiders, Krysia writes about caring for our lungs and large intestines with nourishing soups.
Here and There
Back at the Parsonage for the PDC, reports from our Autumn "Open House", Lancaster ESTA events and the RHS Bridgewater pre-opening tour.
Enterprise
Two businesses moving in the same direction as we are. We talk to Jayson Byles of East Neuk Seaweed in Fife and Jayne Birkett from the La'al Burger Bar in Ambleside.
Inspiration
Krysia reviews the film "The Need to Grow"
Noticeboard
A place to distribute surplus and also ask for help. Features some low-waste retail outlets that we like..
YourSpace
Freddie Cannon gives us some observations from his bicycling tour of New Zealand.
Winter
Editorial
In the stillness of winter we reflect on the challenges that the next year will bring. Is this a time for "sublime madness"?
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
Chris Gathercole discusses his approach to community activity with Angus Soutar. Part 4 includes Ernesto Sirolli and enterprise facilitation, also Peter Checkland and rich pictures.
Winter
Our regular contributors reflect on the season and offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events. Marie - Imbolc and the era of the Wild Boar. Krysia - care of our kidneys and a recipe for aduki bean pie. Edwina - the power of deep roots, including the uses of comfrey and dandelion.
Here and There
Another successful PDC at Bury, Peter Fearon on mushroom trials and eucalyptus at Quinta Da Estrelinha, report from Asmelash Dagne Datiko in Ethiopia. With updates on Deborah Crook, Maureen Boustred and Freddie Cannon.
Inspiration
Marie reviews the recent (2019) William Blake exhibition at Tate Britain.
Noticeboard
Maureen Boustred offers some Newman Turner books. Also featuring some low-waste retail outlets that we like.
YourSpace
Correspondence from Helen Mary Braithwaite and Nigel Stewart
2020
Spring
Editorial
Marie reflects on the recent virus pandemic and what we can learn from it
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Springtime
Marie reflects on the interplay between the polarities of "masculine" and "feminine" energies during the design process and the transformation of our relationships with Nature. Krysia compares the polarities of "germ theory" and "terrain theory" in health and offers some tips on nutrition to help the immune system.
Innovation
Design in action during the current virus pandemic: the Community Mask Coalition from Suay Sew Shop and innovation at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Here and There
Angus Soutar "lectures" at Lancaster University. Asmelash Dagne visits Bury and is awarded his diploma. Bury PDC starts and promptly continues on-line. With more updates and a trip down memory lane to Wiston Lodge.
YourSpace
Peter Fearon tells us about his work with market gardens, biodiversity and more plans for Quinta da Estrelinha.
Foundations
Elsa Little writes a fond remembrance of her grandparents in Oregan, and highlights some of the important lessons they taught her.
Summer
Editorial
In the midst of a virus pandemic and a national lockdown, we can see signs of the dawn of a new era.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
Chris Gathercole discusses his approach to community activity with Angus Soutar. In Part 5 we discuss Transition Towns, John McKnight, and the Whalley Forest Garden team of Trevor and Martin.
Summer
Our regular contributors reflect on the season and offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events. Krysia continues her work on our internal "terrain" and looks at the magic of the process of giving birth. Edwina celebrates the wonderful elderflower plant.
Here and There
Northern School moves on-line, Rob Watson gets some chickens, Mike Kelly sends news of a housing project, the Whalley Wynnes celebrate a new arrival. And a trip down memory lane with a reminiscence of our first PDC in Chorley.
Futures
Where next for SARS-CoV-2? The latest policy statement from the Northern School of Permaculture concerning the virus outbreak, and a personal experience of face masks from Jennifer Wainman.
Inspiration
Paula interviews George Bate and they celebrate raised beds and low maintenance gardening.
Foundations
Sara Steeles finds delight at the edge, enjoying her pond and explaining the importance of Edge in permaculture.
Autumn
Editorial
As we progress through to the end of a challenging year, we prepare for change and look to enhance our resilience.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
Chris Gathercole discusses his approach to community activity with Angus Soutar. In this final part, we discuss how to go about establishing a community project.
Autumn
Krysia reflects on the ancient oriental descriptions of "soil" and "metal" energy and how, in health terms, this means care for the lungs and large intestine. She shares some reflections on language from the native American leader Tiokasin Ghosthorse. Finally, she provides us with an autumn-winter recipe for a meal from the store cupboard. Edwina offers us some herbal medicine for late Autumn.
Design
Suzanne suggests that peace of mind starts with the things that we carry every day.
Here and There
Northern School moves on-line, Asmelash escapes from Europe and we uncover some photos of the Native Oak Group PDC on the Isle of Man in 2008.
Futures
Angus reports on the latest discoveries about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and explains how these are informing the Northern School policy on how, where and when we can get back together. Maintaining a strong immune system is always the best line of defence and Angus includes some research on this important personal "policy".
Inspiration
Saleema reviews some of the positive reports about social eating during the coronavirus pandemic, including Pitsmoor Adventure Playground and Pulp Friction.
Noticeboard
Maureen Boustred offers some Newman Turner books. Also featuring some low-waste retail outlets that we like, wirh a short feature on Windmill Wholefoods in Liverpool.
YourSpace
Correspondence from Adam about the One Planet Development initiative in Wales and how he and his family want to you to join in.
Enterprise
Rob Squires shows landowners how they can benefit from contributing to the global drive for "one trillion trees" by taking advantage of the Woodland Carbon Code project.
Reviews
Once you have finished reading Northern Edge, the long winter evenins will still stretch out. The Northern School team offer their favourites for reading and listening over the winter.
Winter
Editorial
Reflecting on the challenges we are facing in the current pandemic.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Winter
Our regular contributors reflect on the season and offer some suggestions on how to connect with the natural cycle of events. Krysia reminds us to look after our kidney energy and gives some attention to the femine principle that is so important to many cultures. Edwina writes about the heavenly angelica.
Here and There
Northern School "down the line", Jakub Drew reports from the Czech Republic, Dr Dugdale has a new publication on education and sustainability, Sooty mounts a takeover bid.
From Sheffield
Saleema Imam reports from the city built on seven hills where there are many interesting community projects. In this issue she looks round Burngreave and Pitsmoor with their diverse family cultures and a common desire to improve the neighbourhood.
Futures
Angus reports on the latest discoveries about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and explains how these are informing the Northern School policy on how, where and when we can get back together. Those who can should maintain their own strong immune system as the front line of our defences.
Noticeboard
Maureen Boustred offers some Newman Turner books. Also featuring some low-waste retail outlets that we like.
YourSpace
Maureen writes about the Maori and Boyd muses on water as a currency and floating homes from a 3D printer.
Reviews
Once you have finished reading Northern Edge, there is still lots out there to feed your appetite for good writing. The Northern School team offer more of their favourites. Robert Harris, Murray Bookschin, and Vivian Tuffney on nettles.
2021
Spring
Editorial
A time to renew?
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Springtime
Edwina introduces us to the potent medicine; Ground Ivy. Krysia reflects on the work of Masanobu Fukuoka and gives us a light springtime recipe for noodles and wild garlic.
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, Jakub Drew sends new of progress at Třemešek, and more news in brief.
From Sheffield
Saleema Imam reports from the city built on seven hills where there are many interesting community projects. In this issue she looks at Sheffield Environment Weeks, the inspiring Heeley City Farm, the delightful Greave House Farm Trust and the beautiful Crabtree Ponds.
Futures
Angus reports on the latest discoveries about the SARS-CoV-2 virus, explains how these are informing the Northern School policy and shares guidelines for evaluating risks in meeting rooms.
YourSpace
Bernadette Jordan shares her diary for April 2020 with the blackbird as a central figure.
Inspiration
Angus Soutar reviews David Goodhart's book "Head, hand and Heart" and offers some thought on its relevance to permaculture designers
Opinion
Abigail Woodman explores the power of a 'Yes' campaign that is mobilising a local community in East London
Summer
Editorial
Marie writes about the tasks ahead of us - to repair and regenerate the things that we love.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Pioneers
Maureen Boustred remembers arriving on the North Downs in Kent - another in the series of reminiscences on a "sustainable" country life in the 1960's
Cosmology
Krysia takes at a more broadscale view of "the seasons", linking the precession of the equinoxes to changes on the planet, including human history and culture.
Design
Our abandoned coal mines hold an important source of heat that could be of great benefit to local communities.
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, Jakub Drew sends photos from Třemešek, Leona Johnson reports from Live Wild and more news in brief.
From Sheffield
Saleema reports from South Yorkshire
YourSpace
Elizabeth Lomax looks back on an unusual year, applying permaculture where it counts - at home.
Review
Nicola Talbot reports on a training programme that highlights different ways of organising and the use of new technology.
Autumn
Editorial
We attend to the basic things in life and create the future with our own hands.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Autumn
Krysia reflects on the human microbiome and serves us an autumnal recipe with apples and nuts. Edwina provides us with some herbal options for natural cough medicine.
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, including the current permaculture design courses and the Northern School social events. Jakub Drew sends more photos from the new terraces at Třemešek
Futures
Angus asks if we are underestimating the threat to our autonomy and well-being that arise when we use the internet.
From Sheffield
Saleema gives us some diversions for the long winter evenings ahead.
YourSpace
Deborah Crook goes on an adventure and finds what she is looking for - in Finland.
Winter
Editorial
Winter is a time to rest and reflect on our way forward.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture.
Winter
Krysia reports on the Blue Mind narrative of Wallace Nichols and looks at the importance of water in our lives.
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, including the current permaculture design courses. Sara Steeles praises the qualities of observation and patience in Permaculture.
Noticeboard
An invitation to learn about community publishing on the Internet.
2022
Spring
Editorial
Time to reconnect with old friends and to make new ones.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture, Spring 2022
Springtime
Krysia captures a few hours of spring sunshine observing nature and neighbourhood life from her garden chair. She also gives us a seasonal recipe for wild garlic and asparagus tempura.
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, including graduation from the current permaculture design course in Bury. a report from Warland Farm and an invitation to speak at the University of Cumbria alongside Micahel Hallam of Lancaster ESTA.
Noticeboard
An invitation to learn about community publishing on the Internet.
Pandemic
Angus Soutar takes us through the recent coronavirus pandemic month by month as the Northern School of Permaculture get tossed around by the storm.
Obituary
Krysia Soutar pays tribute to Edward Esko for his contribution to the future well-being of both people and planet. She highlights his research into "bearded" grains, published in his last book "Lightfood". Also, there is a link to his work on energy from algae.
Summer
Editorial
Facing up to an uncertain future.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture, Summer 2022
Summer
While Krysia enjoys the warmth of a hot summer she reflects on energy and how important it is for us to capture sunlight. She is inspired by the work of Jairo Restrepo and his partnership with Ragmans Farm. Krysia also includes a recipe for strawberry jelly made with agar flakes.
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, including this year's permaculture design course in Bury, a report from Warland Farm and "News in Brief" from some old friends.
Futures
A new surveillance society has already arrived. We look at some of the strategies that Big Tech uses to captunre personal information and ask if we really understand the threats that they pose to our way of life. (Part 2 of a series).
Noticeboard
An invitation to learn about community publishing on the Internet.
Autumn
Editorial
Autumn is the time to prepare for the winter ahead. This year, there is a also bigger challenge - to prepare for a posssible economic winter.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture, 2023
Here and There
We report on recent activities at the Northern School, including this year's permaculture design courses in Bury and in Broadbottom. We have a project running at Wardley Hall and there were visits to The Land and also to the University of Cumbria.
inspiration
Angus Soutar looks through his archive and finds a Bill Mollison article on burnout.
Obituary
Sorrow at the loss of a friend that gave great support to permaculture in Northern England.
Winter
Editorial
Facing up to an uncertain future.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture, New Year 2023
Winter
In the calmness of deep winter. Krysia reflects on the revival of textile growing and manufacturing in northwest England
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, including this year's permaculture design courses in Bury and in Broadbottom. He also visited sheep farmer Tom Collinge with Ella Wynne's film crew.
Design
Mike Alty looks at the role of designer when over-faced with complexity and gains inspiration from the work of Christopher Alexander.
Inspiration
Rashid discovers the mathematician Paul Lockhart and finds some insights into teaching and learning.
Noticeboard
An invitation to learn about community publishing on the Internet.
2023
Summer
Editorial
Death is Mother Nature's way of telling you to slow down? Angus Soutar contemplates the road ahead.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture, Summer 2023
Here and There
Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, including this year's permaculture design courses in Bury, Todmorden and in Broadbottom.
Futures
Teresa Pereira goes on an adventure with Slow Travel in an attempt to be more caring of the planet and finds that the inconvenience and the expense makes the alternative of air travel seem attractive.
Opinion
Angus Soutar writes about Net Zero, Net Zealotry and other Climate Policies and asks whether current "targets" are mere fantasies. Part 1 of a series on a permaculture approach to motoring.
Autumn
Editorial
Angus prepares for the coming winter by reflecting on the rapid changes that are happening and suggests that we need to ask more questions, not fewer, as we make our plans during the dark winter months.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture, Autumn 2023
Autumn
Krysia wites about the importance of the microbiome and acknowledges Bill Mollison's early work on nutrition and fermentation. She also makes some general suggestions for autumn.
Here and There
We have some news from the ever-busy Asmelash Dagne and Angus Soutar reports on recent activities at the Northern School, including this year's permaculture design courses in Bury and Todmorden.
Futures
Teresa Pereira reflects on her Slow Travel adventure and offers some advice for other travellers
Opinion
Angus Soutar looks at the current state of vehicle design and asks whether the vehicle industry can be in any way sustainable.
Obituary
Barbara Bristow and Angus Soutar give tributes to Saleema Imam following her death after a short illness this summer. She will be missed.
Winter
Editorial
This issue is currently being laid out and more articles will be available as soon as Northern School of Permaculture business allows. Notifications of publication will be sent to those on our mailing list.
What's On
Details of up-and-coming courses and events with the Northern School of Permaculture, New Year 2024
