Introduction

This Faculty deals with what is termed the Trust's work on Aracdia: the vision of Stephen Cox to create (in addition to the educational, charitable, and community projects and resources of his garden) a context and initiative in which can be explored and understood the philosophy in practice of humanity in harmony with wildlife and the environment.

It is, in essence, an ancient spiritual philosophy and one which has been largely lost over the millennia in our drive for progress, materialism, control, dominance, and of exploitation of the planet. We have become cut off from our own planetary home and our fellow creatures. And they, like us, have suffered as a result.

This spirit of balance, harmony, creativity, respect, interdependence pervades all aspects of how this garden was designed and built and how it is now managed and made available in its many projects.

Unity in Diversity

THE GARDEN OF: OPPOSITES IN HARMONY

This is a unique Garden and unusual charity that offers insights of the balance of opposites:

Hard & soft landscaping.

Man made & natural materials.

Formal & informal design.

Contrasting zonal rooms.

Inner and outer life.

Flowing & still water.

Rugged and soft planting.

Places for wildlife and for humans.

Modern and traditional.

Cultivated & wild.

Reflection & stimulus.

Loss and replacement.

Structured and unstructured.

At the heart of it all is the philosophy of Arcadia: a vision of man in balance with nature and the landscape. By creating a garden of opposites which still has an oneness it offers an image and focus of the potential for revitalising the individual and society/the inner and the outer/the micro and the macro environment in a flowing symbiosis. A much needed vision and teaching resource in today's world as we strive to solve the problems that beset us.

It's various workshops, courses, programmes include this principle in its teaching. Additional to its charitable teachings for the young unemployed, provision for young adults with learning difficulties, and residential study placements for young Europeans age 18-27 for between 4 and 12 weeks.

Stephen has been interested in this (dialectic) interplay since his teens. Gradually over the years it has emerged in his writings and in his art works. The garden and the charity is the clearest & most practical expression of it

The Arcadian Website

For more detailed information about the ethos/practice/projects of Arcadia please visit The Arcadia Website. Pages include:

Ethos.      Charity.        Education.       Wildlife.        Volunteers.     Your Garden.      Animal Rights.    Conservation.     Sacred/Spiritual.    Community Plans/Laws.    Writings.     Philosophy.     How To Help.    Bibliography.     Photo Gallery.    Bookings/Links.    

Conservation and Well-Being

Conservation & Well-Being: a place for harmony and renewal.

Uniquely created over many years, this garden and its themes, contents, opportunities, and projects are found nowhere else and based on the spirituality and philosophy of Stephen Cox- the vision and values of whom inspired and drives this charitable trust.

It enables one to become familiar with aspects of conservation, environment, ethics, landscape appreciation, wildlife care, empathy with Nature, and related topics. This is list of themes/activities indicating various workshops that you can apply to participate in.

1. Planting for bees/butterflies.

2. Habitats.

3. Wildlife code of conduct.

4. Non-human creature rights.

5. Standing water (ponds, wetlands, damp-lands)

6. Composting.

7. Irrigation.

8. Attracting wildlife.

9. Wildflowers.

10. Wilding areas.

11. Masking instrusive sound.

12. Perennials v annuals

13. Gardening & mental health.

14. Gardening & spirituality.

15. Gardening and physical health

16. Rooms, zones, micro-environments.

Also specific seminars are given on individual subjects. And there will be specialist group educational tours of the garden geared entirely to aspects of the above course. 

The Arcadia Project

(i) Background:

Stephen Cox created his garden born of his love for nature, the landscape and his concept of connectivity and balance and renewal in all things. This applies especially to Nature and the landscape and the way we treat it. It also applies to our need to change our ways as a species to cherish the planet and the ecosystem and better harmonise with Gaia. His garden strives to be a place of repose and a sanctuary for learning. This has so far resulted in many educational opportunities . And an international element: students so far have come from Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, U.S.A. and South Korea for residential study placements. A core principle of the philosophy of Stephen Cox when he created the Trust gardens from a small field, is that of his interpretation of 'Arcadia': the principle of humanity at peace with and in harmony with the landscape and Nature. To further develop this principle and at the same time continue the charitable objectives of the Trust (to advance education in horticulture and conservation) he proposes a dynamic and international opportunity to address some urgent issues. He invites educationists, specialists & scientists, innovators, companies and public bodies and especially students to contact him to discuss possibilities and to consider: a Proposal.

(ii) Introductory Statement

The achievements so far and the essence of the philosophy on which it is based (his version of Arcadia) and the urgent issues which are being addressed and needs to be further addressed and researched prompts the idea of the value of a modest research and visitor educational centre which can act as an hub for bring minds together in a neutral environment. Ongoing research in the fields indicated below would possibly benefit from some form of cross fertilisation and amicable contact to learn from each other, share ideas, find areas of collaboration, provide a peaceful and neutral environment for research and investigation., And additionally offer a facility for international friendship where variety is cherished and harmony engendered. It would in no way impinge on the projects or research of other individuals or companies or institutions, or work of our partners, or of individual researchers, or projects and courses of universities etc. Since it does not seek to be a specialist organisation or an alternative to the work being done in various areas. It would act as an add-on, a facility, a pod of reflection which can be accessed by a variety of institutions, companies, researchers etc.

(iii) The Proposal:

Bearing in mind the background above and what has been created so far: namely a unique fully functioning (albeit small 1/3acre) educational garden which receives visitors and a library and a Registered Charity (#1174239), it is worthwhile to briefly consider The Proposal. Which is: To greatly extend the Charity as it stands to establish an educational centre with its own building and gardens (which will feature aspects relevant to the core subjects of the centre). Some suggested areas of concern which it is felt would benefit from some cross-fertilisation and mutual understanding would be a facility for work, study, research, symposia including: Renewable Energy; Landscape Architecture; Environment & Energy; Conservation; Wildlife; Horticulture; Ecology; Traditions/development; Past innovations; Land & Society so far He invites educationists, specialists & scientists, innovators, companies and public bodies and especially students to contact him to discuss possibilities and to consider: