Great Rural MoneySaving Hunt

lostinrates

downshifter wrote: »

Here (Pennines) I'm not part of a village, and houses are quite a way from each other. However after a few years the milkman and binman started waving, then occasionally locals did, but never more than that. However this awful winter there was a bad crisis at one of the hill farms, and suddenly, out of nowhere, tractors, snowploughs, neighbours, hay bales,bags of feed, men with toolkits, people who had trudged up the hill with shovels were gathered in the afflicted farmer's kitchen and the crisis was sorted out within a few days. Everyone then returned to their various firesides, and we are now back to the occasional waves and carlight flashes, as before.

I thought it was the most amazing coming together at a time of need, and I feel really proud to be part of the community, even as a newcomer (been here nearly 10 yrs now) that is like that. I don't for a moment believe that would ever have happened in a town. No 'Council' or other authorities were brought in - not that they could've got up here anyway - but people are self sufficient and don't feel the need to call in anyone like that. I couldn't help but wonder, however, if they'd taken the self sufficiency thing a bit too far when a salesman who had been hanging around a bit was seen off with a gun after outstaying his welcome! Cold comfort farm has nothing on life up here!

I was one of the people on standby in our village during ''the weather'', pulling people out of hedges and ditches in the landrover and making trips out for doctors, hospitals, and food for puppies (and people). In fact, the snow and ice was the busiest I've been for years! I can off the road once too and within 15 minutes a farmer had come out to pull me out...mainly because I knew who to call. I guess its finding those people to call which needs to happen to feel ''part'' of the community.

Davesnave

Although I was joking around earlier on, the skittles thing is true for where we live, and the pub is a real focus for social activities. For example, anyone who went in there for the cheap St George's Day lunch would have met a good number of villagers, who are not 'stuffy,' or even local in many cases.

There are regular events that go on: like the Panto, the Harvest Supper, the Flower Festival etc, and if one attends or volunteers to do something for those, another network of people is revealed. Then there are the clubs, like the gardening one, which is actually in the nearby town.....and so on. On the whole, it's the ladies who do much of the networking and the men are 'roped in' as appropriate!

Be warned, though, becoming involved comes at a price; my DW lost about two weeks making panto costumes, and I lost all of yesterday making posters and newsletters etc!

On the plus side, we found our digger driver from a skittler who was having their garden landscaped, and he led to our fencer, who is also cutting for silage and putting sheep on our fields in a deal that will save us hundreds of £££. Another contact also led to the chap who renewed our drains some years back, and he's agreed to do some work on the barn when he is less busy....and so on.

They are all out there, somewhere, and the good ones are all busy too. Recession? What recession?

Lotus-eater

I suspect villages are very different from each other.

If you really want a village where there are lots of things going on LIR, find out about it first, talk to people, they should be happy to welcome you in as a possible mover inner. They should tell you all the different things that are going on and try to get you involved.
If they are don't and you only get grunts and unhelpfulness, I would seriously consider about moving there if you want a integrated village.

I've lived in both types, where I live now is great, lots of things going on, I don't get involved with them all and I'm never going to be the king pin in the middle who always sorts everything out, that's just not me, but it's your neighbours and the life around you, that makes, not just a good place to live, but a great place to live, and we are blessed with great neighbours and things going on in our village.

lostinrates

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I suspect villages are very different from each other.

If you really want a village where there are lots of things going on LIR, find out about it first, talk to people, they should be happy to welcome you in as a possible mover inner. They should tell you all the different things that are going on and try to get you involved.
If they are don't and you only get grunts and unhelpfulness, I would seriously consider about moving there if you want a integrated village.

I've lived in both types, where I live now is great, lots of things going on, I don't get involved with them all and I'm never going to be the king pin in the middle who always sorts everything out, that's just not me, but it's your neighbours and the life around you, that makes, not just a good place to live, but a great place to live, and we are blessed with great neighbours and things going on in our village.

LOL, to late, I'm rally not starting to look again! Its not the things going on really (tbh a lot of those things fill me with horror, although some are fun). Its the network of who to call. e.g. the small amount of land we are buying is going to need cutting and baling. I'm grateful for this, I think there will be enough for me to sell a bit. But I have to find a good local farmer or contractor, and preferably the former, who will charge a fair amount but less than a proper contractor. If that were here and for some reason my guy couldn't d it I'd know who to call, not to do it, but to tell me who to approach first ...as it is I think I'll have to try and introduce myself to the tenant farmer next door ASAP and hope for the best.

mardatha

My village is 2 small streets of ten houses in each, plus lots of farms. We have a panto & lots of stuff in the village hall but we dont get involved in it, the hall is a 2 mile trek up a twisty narrow road and there's not much parking. WHen we young and fit we were both working nights, and now we're retired, we haven't the energy or health to get up there !:)
I was amazed to hear the school has almost 50 kids in it - god knows where they come from. My daughter just moved to the next village, and their school has 14
We have no shops and no pubs, is about 15 miles to the nearest pub and 12 to the nearest wee village postoffice/shop. But we have miles & miles of hills & moors, covered in sheep and hawks. Is magic.

lostinrates

mardatha wrote: »

My village is 2 small streets of ten houses in each, plus lots of farms. We have a panto & lots of stuff in the village hall but we dont get involved in it, the hall is a 2 mile trek up a twisty narrow road and there's not much parking. WHen we young and fit we were both working nights, and now we're retired, we haven't the energy or health to get up there !:)
I was amazed to hear the school has almost 50 kids in it - god knows where they come from. My daughter just moved to the next village, and their school has 14
We have no shops and no pubs, is about 15 miles to the nearest pub and 12 to the nearest wee village postoffice/shop. But we have miles & miles of hills & moors, covered in sheep and hawks. Is magic.

Sounds idyllic!

mardatha

as long as you've got woolies and thermals !

Davesnave

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I suspect villages are very different from each other.

They are. New residents get a welcome pack when they arrive in ours. However, if they want to keep themselves to themselves, they are left alone. I don't think many of those in the nearby barn conversions (we are outside the village) have a clue what goes on, but they may gravitate more towards the nearby small town, I suppose.

As you will not be in a notorious tourist area, lir, your chances of finding a similar local social life to the one you have already look pretty good. The worst places are coastal and 'chocolate box.' One or two lovely villages close by though!;)

Lotus-eater

lostinrates wrote: »

as it is I think I'll have to try and introduce myself to the tenant farmer next door ASAP and hope for the best.

I would and I'd do it before you sign as well.

You don't want to accidentally end up next door to a complete nut job, who chucks things on your land, or get annoyed because you do things in a way he doesn't like, I've seen it only too often.

harryhound

Always a good idea to check out you neighbours, especially where boundaries and land rights date back generations. Beware of invisible easements or non documented rights (Old Nelly has been walking her dogs over your land since time immemorial - you might need her help when you want to stop Old Fred doing the same with his tractor).

You can start on the land registry web site to make sure you are talking to the engineer not the resident grease rag.