Practicals
Place
FFS is place-based. That place is the Dyfi watershed, the lands where rainfall might drain to the Irish Sea through the Dyfi river. The post-ice age landscape was dominated by temperate Celtic rainforest, pockets of which remain in the watershed. The settlements of Ynyslas and Borth, where the watershed meets the sea, are likely sacrifices in coming decades to sea-level rise. FFS starts (and physically stays) in this place, but knows this place is ever-changing, a process that connects far beyond these bounds – the cameras we’ll use weren’t made here (or from here) after all.
The course is residential, camping on the hillside of Bwlch Corog, home to out co-hosts Coetir Anian, the Cambrian Wildwood. Coetir Anian are encouraging nearby refuges of temperate rainforest in the Llynfant and its tributaries to spread and reseed Bwlch Corog and beyond, restoring the Celtic rainforest which once dominated this landscape and can provide a powerful carbon-sink. The image in the background is from one such refuge. Bwlch Corog is part of the area’s open-access land and allows leave-no-trace wild camping. There is also a roundhouse, drop toilets, and a fire pit. Coetir Anian are providing tents for accommodation, living, and filmmaking.
Next-door Cefn Coch, run by ecologist and regenerative farmer Joe Hope, co-hosts us at his Barn Einion, which provides us with washing and cooking facilities, (renewable) power, plus beds and shelter if we want them.
FFS recognises the site geography restricts access to the course. We will work with applicants in pursuit of universal design solutions, and seek to offer equitable participation. Families / care networks are welcome to camp alongside FFS at Bwlch Corog, using their own equipment and resources, but we do expect that collaborator working hours are uninterrupted. We aim to provide care on site for those whose caring duties would otherwise prevent them taking part. Any carers engaged for the project will have their contribution recognised in our film work, credited as co-authors and owners.
Time
To minimise the requirements on-site, the FFS will take place over two weeks in September arriving on Friday 13th and departing on Friday 27th. Statistically, September is the month with the fewest rainy days (10) and the 3rd warmest month by minimum temperature (10.1ºC). September also has the advantage of being outside university term times, which will help us get equipment.
Working hours are scheduled with wellbeing in mind. This means that we’ll be working according to the 4-day week campaign’s 32-hour week, with regular breaks and rest days. During this rest participants can do what they wish. Collaborators will not always have their work hours at the same time. There will be opportunities to take part in helping grow ecologically healthy landscapes in the watershed, particularly at Bwlch Corog.
Food
Our caterer-collaborator is Altaea Fradley. She will provide us with three meals a day, with ingredients sourced from regenerative and low-carbon local ethical food providers. The food will be vegan-centred, with Altaea also offering sparing high-welfare animal products as lower impact than vegan substitutes. These include wild venison from Coed y Brenin (deer inhibit forest regeneration in the absence of natural predators); local regenerative mutton; Cefn Coch’s Highland cattle, and products from the ethical ‘calf and kid at foot’ Dyfi Dairy. She also promises us eggs from her own free-grazing ducks and chickens. Fully vegan options will always be available. Altaea’s contribution will be recognised in our film work, crediting her as a co-author and owner of that film.