Britain: An Entire Village Turns Against Supermarkets and Grows Its Own Food
April 17th, 2008Via: This Is London:
It was a sitcom that inspired many a household to live off the land.
And although it might not attract the likes of Margo and Jerry to move to the area, an entire village is trying its hand at the Good Life.
In a bid to become less dependent on supermarkets, the residents of Martin are working together to become as self-sufficient as possible.
The Hampshire village is now home to hundreds of real life versions of the characters played by Felicity Kendall and Richard Briers, who lived off the land in the 1970s BBC comedy.
They work on a rota system and raise their own chickens and pigs and grow potatoes, garlic, onions, chillis and green vegetables on eight acres of rented land.
Of the 164 families who live in Martin, 101 have signed up as members of Future Farms for an annual £2 fee, although the produce can be sold to anyone who wants to buy it.
The “community allotment” sells 45 types of vegetables and 100 chickens a week, and is run by a committee which includes a radiologist, a computer programmer and a former probation officer.
Nick Snelgar, 58, who came up with idea in 2003, said the project was gradually “weaning” villagers off of supermarkets.
