The Trelay Collective

Communal living isn’t just some hippy dippy revived communist concept for pot smoking school dropouts who couldn’t be bothered to commit to 9 to 5. It’s about trust, community and teamwork. Trelay Farm is an 8 year old co-housing community in Bude, Cornwall that practices harmonious sustainable living with others, interwoven with principles based upon freedom of expression; listening, discussing and resolving problems and issues in a way that ensures content and happiness all round.

The residents at Trelay Farm don’t want to live off the grid and disconnect themselves from society. They are seeking a refuge from the negative consequences and bickerings of society. Trelay Farm is a place where they can leave their front doors unlocked without having to worry about being burgled, a place where they could spend time in solitude as well as being a part of the extended family community. Trelay’s inhabitants seek solace away from the buzzing city humdrum but also want to put their own stamp on societal living.

Trelay’s newest inhabitant, Kev, an exexpert witness to the courts, is a man who had picked the short straw throughout his life and decided to leave the city, along with his problems, behind him. He had been at Trelay for just six months, and was in the middle of a trial period with the Trelay community.

The current residents assess the suitability of newcomers based upon how well they interact with other residents and actively participate and engage with the community, how willing they are to share responsibility of legal, health and safety and animal welfare issues, and if they can commit to a minimum of 5 hours a week to helping the community farm and garden. New inhabitants must also sign a convent that highlights Trelay’s community values; freedom and respect, love, care, consideration and community, wise use of money, sustainability, balance and stewardship.

His decision to live at Trelay Farm made sense as it became clear that he had a natural flair for handy work, spending the majority of his time helping to renovate and rebuild Trelay Farm. He reeked of a slight midlife crisis unsure of which path to take. Originally from the Midlands, Kev was always on the move having lived in South Wales, Oxford and London with his family before settling on his own at Trelay. 

After a difficult divorce, his family relationships breaking down and losing his job, Kev began to reconsider his purpose in life, realising that life wasn’t just about material possessions: “Is it about the size of my house, the quarter of a million pound mortgage and a flashy jaguar and all that sort of stuff?” Kev questioned. He decided to get rid of all his material possessions and turn to new pastures: “I thought I’d just go and start up a fresh, just walk off into the distance and find something new,” he said. Finding Trelay Farm filled the empty void in Kev’s life, finding companionship and a real purpose to his life through joining the community.

One of the longest residing inhabitants and founding member and figurehead of the Trelay Farm community is Jackie Carpenter. Having lived in a cottage with her partner in The Strand, London for 10 years, she found herself socialising with a group of green-fingered, eco individuals, who would often discuss the idea of communal living. However, nothing would ever come of these pipedream discussions. After her partner died of cancer, Jackie found herself in an unknown place: “It was quite an illuminating death. I learnt a lot,” she says. She carried on living in the cottage, renting out the spare rooms to students: “It was kind of like a little community with me, an old woman, living with lots of young people. I thought it was great! I loved it!” she exclaimed.

Jackie realised that she wanted to live in a community with like-minded people. With no partner, job or responsibilities, Jackie had the freedom to leave Strand, selling her cottage to move in with her daughter in Cornwall. It was here that she found a group of people that wanted to have a similar sustainable eco-friendly lifestyle, and who were willing to invest as a group in buying Trelay Farm and live together as a communal living group.

Jackie is the heart and soul of Trelay Farm; a matriarch that any of the inhabitants can turn to all hours of the day, who will lend an ear and open her arms wide to anyone. She is a leader (although she hates the term) who defines and personifies the main community values within the Trelay Covenant – to care about all people, welcoming diversity, empowerment and a sense of belonging whilst helping, supporting and nurturing others through trust and communication.