The Coop >>
Year One
We made an offer to purchase the 35.4 hectare site and this was accepted, we were all able to put in some of our own savings to cover the purchase cost. Initially there were two other people in the group, with a family. They pulled out soon after the offer had been accepted, but the rest of the group were still able to cover the investment.
In Dec 2005 we met to agree on the form of organisation that would be suitable, and agreed to form a Workers co-operative, registered as a Company Limited by guarantee.
With the support of the Wales Co-operative Centre who helped us to establish our ‘mems and arts’ and rules of association, we established our constitution and Coed Marros Ltd was incorporated on 30th March of the same year.
Between that time and April 2006, when the land purchase was completed, a number of extended meetings took place in which the Aims, Objectives and Visions of the company were discussed. We also explored how it would be run, and funded while making the best use of the identified skills, resources, and experience within the group.
We realised we needed to gain further investment for our project and felt the Cydcoed criteria fitted in with our principles of engaging the community in managing the site. The application process for Cyd Coed funding commenced in March 2006 and the extensive work needed to complete its requirements resulted in further development of the group and making links with neighbours, and the local community.
Work on the
land commenced in May 2006 with clearing of the quarry, (a flat area with hard-standing
next to the track) to establish the initial camp area. A land warming celebration
was held at the start of June and guests helped with path clearing and compost
toilet construction, and they had the opportunity to see the land and project.
Since then many visitors from the neighbourhood and from other land projects,
or with shared interests, have visited us and given support building our confidence
in the sense that we are part of a strong community, and that we have both a
great deal of support, and to offer.
Site studies, surveys, mapping and basic infrastructure work continued through to the end of 2006. Designs were prepared for the barn and submitted to the County Planning Dept. and approved, quotes and costings for work and projects under the Cyd Coed funding application progressed until the funding was approved in Jan. 2007. 2007 started with a new years open planting day, many visitors came to help establish fruit bushes as the fist stage of our Forest Garden.
Our financial structure has been evolving initially with income from members
loans and investments, supported by grant funding where available gradually
being replaced by sales of timber from the site, and ‘Core’ income
from the company. This would later build up as satellite enterprises built up
around the core business.
