A Taste of Self Sufficiency

A Taste of Self Sufficiency Yolande and Andrew put people and planet before profit by living in a shared (non-monetary) economy.

'Taste of Self Sufficiency' is located on Howle Hill less than 10 minutes from Ross-on-Wye and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We're also less than 50m from the Wye Valley Walk (on route between Kerne Bridge and Ross-on-Wye). We live a simple, organic life by living as lightly as possible on the earth and sharing our time and energy with our local (and national) community - Andrew

volunteers his time by delivering talks on‘Ancient Woodlands in the Wye Valley’ for the Woodland Trust, as a Trustee for the Permaculture Association, and for the local parish council on the Neighbourhood Development Team. Yolande is the Vice Chair of the Wye Valley AONB Joint Advisory Committee and is the Herefordshire Councillor for Kerne Bridge ward.

Our first 5 days Clay Plastering course is underway here on Howle Hill in Herefordshire and we are making great progress...
25/08/2026

Our first 5 days Clay Plastering course is underway here on Howle Hill in Herefordshire and we are making great progress. It seems easier than I imagined because the clay is easy to work with and doesn't dry out quickly.

The course is organised by the School of Natural Building (https://schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk), led by Simon Lovatt of Calchcymru.co.uk and the clay bought from Will Stanix' company: https://www.clay-wall.co.uk

The second 5 day course starts on Monday 7th up to and including Friday 11th September.

Natural Building Projects; 5 day clay plastering course; ; Herefordshire Green Network; Dean Forest Food Hub; ; Magazine; Association

As we are 'growing the house', the plants in our 'self watering garden' are growing well despite the constant hot temper...
03/08/2026

As we are 'growing the house', the plants in our 'self watering garden' are growing well despite the constant hot temperatures.

During our tea breaks, we are enjoying watching the garden from the shade/shelter of the house, and are witnesses to a plethora of wildlife visiting or feeding on/around the 2 x ponds. The dragon- and damsel- flies are stunning.

This week, we were also thrilled to see a family of 4 week hedgehogs along with a family of red legged partridges with 9 chicks!

Nature provides all the visual nourishment and entertainment we need.

Permaculture Association; Permaculture Magazine;

The past 4 weeks have been very busy.The h**pcrete walls are up (thank you **pcretecymru; Hempcrete Cymru) and we have ...
03/08/2026

The past 4 weeks have been very busy.

The h**pcrete walls are up (thank you **pcretecymru; Hempcrete Cymru) and we have installed the floor insulation with 400mm of sheeps' wool ( ; Cosywool). Eric and Sam laid the floorboards so we have a great dance floor!

This week, Andrew and Eric are finishing off putting h**p batts ( ) insulation in the ceilings, laying the air tightness membrane and finishing off with Wood Wool boards ready for clay plastering to happen from Monday next week.

Hempcrete Cymru have been with us for 5 days and we hope to complete the h**pcrete walls by this Friday. With help from...
06/07/2026

Hempcrete Cymru have been with us for 5 days and we hope to complete the h**pcrete walls by this Friday.

With help from two volunteers (Leonie and Noah), we wet cast the first level + half of the second level.

It's dried very nicely over the weekend thanks to the above average summer temperatures we are experiencing at the moment.

Hempcrete Cymru; Permaculture Magazine; Permaculture Association; Natural Building Projects

A couple of weeks ago our roofer cut our porch post and rails out of larch. Mortice and tenon joints, scarf joints and w...
05/07/2026

A couple of weeks ago our roofer cut our porch post and rails out of larch. Mortice and tenon joints, scarf joints and wooden pegs holding it all together.

Last week and next week we're casting our walls in h**pcrete. It goes up really quickly, it's very energising and very s...
05/07/2026

Last week and next week we're casting our walls in h**pcrete. It goes up really quickly, it's very energising and very satisfying.

I don't think we have ever had such amazing tomato plants!! We haven't fed them or watered them by hand so if their siz...
01/07/2026

I don't think we have ever had such amazing tomato plants!! We haven't fed them or watered them by hand so if their size/robustness is the result of our self watering garden (a fully lined garden with filtration pond) then it is a very good result indeed!

Hempcrete Cymru arrived on Sunday and over the past 3 days, they have been putting up the shutters to cast our h**pcrete...
01/07/2026

Hempcrete Cymru arrived on Sunday and over the past 3 days, they have been putting up the shutters to cast our h**pcrete walls tomorrow!!

Hempcrete Cymru; ;

Jane Bottomley called in to see us on route to Bristol to bring us the original artwork of our house (the concept stage....
01/07/2026

Jane Bottomley called in to see us on route to Bristol to bring us the original artwork of our house (the concept stage.) that she created for Permaculture Magazine.

What a fabulous lady she is, and her husband Dave is just as lovely.

We gave them a bottle of homemade blackcurrant cordial to enjoy on their journey. Hopefully next time they call thru, we can share a glass of our 9yo Perry (very yum) or one of our homemade champagnes.

Jane is an incredibly talented artist who also does artwork for Ben Law's books.

Thank you to Maddy Harland at Permaculture Magazine for making this connection possible.

Permaculture Magazine; Permaculture Association;

It's been all go last week, and will be the same again this week.The Timber House Company are cracking on with the roof ...
21/06/2026

It's been all go last week, and will be the same again this week.

The Timber House Company are cracking on with the roof whilst we put in the floor: Eric & Andrew putting in the floor structure & Thermafleece, and Yolande installing the air tightness membrane + taping. It's a good thing we do yoga to keep fit and flexible!

Herefordshire Green Network; Natural Building Projects; Permaculture Magazine; Permaculture Association; ; Marches Energy Advice; Dean Forest Food Hub; Andrew De La Haye;

Address

Howle Hill
Ross On Wye
HR95SP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 9pm

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