ABOUT OUR PLACE: The VALLEY is a beautiful woodland garden situated a 15 min walk from the sea and the fishing resort of CROMER on the coast of North Norfolk. lt is maintained using 'bio-dynamic' principles. The environment is rustic in character; a mixture of wild and cultivated areas with various planted gardens such as winter, shrub, herb and rose. The woods consist of mature oaks, chestnut, beech, pine, acer, hornbeam, hazel, rowan and birch, plus rhodo pontica.
Workaways need to be independent minded and willing to work well, either on their own or with others on site. l also work in London and so am not always on site. When on site l provide the evening meal (not breakfast or lunch). lf l go off site l leave food supplies for dinner. The amenities here are very basic. lmportant...you need to be good with DOGS as there are 2 intelligent, calm, well trained ones on site. Work months are from April to end of September only.
ABOUT THE AREA: The beaches here are amazing as are the cliff tops and coastal walks. This coastal stretch is a protected nature and bird reserve and a painter's and writer's paradise. Cromer town has an annual Carnival week in August and during the summer months there are excellent bootsales and local feats.

Cromer, North Norfolk

The work is variable and constantly changes with the seasons; the busy time starts from April. From then on work includes fern pulling, rhodo grubbing out (clearing and pruning), renovation to wooden huts, tree surgery/maintenance, strimming, fencing, weeding. Also needed: a timber-framed workshop, railway sleeper steps, a stone grotto, rose arches, a tree-house maybe, a yurt (lots of hazel here).
l am open to eco-incentives and ideas for creative projects. It is a retreat in that it is totally private and peaceful. l am happy if artists/writers/musicians want to help out in the Valley whilst getting on with their own projects so long as the set out hours are fulfilled. Some of the work requires carpentry, construction and chainsaw skills (if you have them its a great bonus). We welcome people who: respect the environment, work conscienciously and get along with whoever is around. Excessive drinking is out, and there is a no-smoking indoor policy. A sandwich lunch and a cooked dinner are included. When l am on-site l am happy to provide and prepare the evening meal; workaways have to supply their own breakfast and lunch.
The work is 5 hours a day for 6 days a week with a Sunday off , but days off are flexible. Stays are negotiable: from 2 weeks to 1 month usually. Sometimes longer stays can be arranged.
lf l go away on work projects (l am a documentary film and radio maker) then kind and reliable dog-minders are SOMETIMES needed to stay for these periods which can be from a week up to 3 months duration. During this time the dog-sitter-workaway gets to stay in my wooden house with the dogs. The Valley a laid-back, special sort of place. l can send u more pictures by email.

English

Accommodation is basic but atmospheric ... either in a wooden summer house accommodating single, couples or 4 friends sharing OR a caravan OR a small wooden hut. You are also welcome to bring your own tents.

l am currently looking for one or 2 guys to build a wooden workshop on site. lt needs to cover the foot-print of the old workshop to stay within planning permission which l have obtained. For those who are experienced and skilled at timber frame buildings on concrete stilts this is a great project. A summer stay from May/June onwards would be necessary, 8 weeks needed to complete the project. A commission rate to be negotiated.