Good Morning from Wakelyns Farm!
Spending August at this agroforestry farm has been a personal journey of regeneration and reconnection, not just with the land but also with my roots and aspirations.
A Morning Ritual
Each morning, I embark on a 30-minute circular walk around the farm, immersing myself in the sounds of this thriving ecosystem. As the first light of dawn touches the land, I find myself enchanted by the rhythm of nature here. My walk begins as I step out of my pod and meet the rows of hazel, just about my height.
As I get closer to the huge oak trees and quiet hedges, the height and density of the trees are comforting. I find a little bridge where I sit for 20 minutes in silence. As I become still, the birds and insects go about their usual routine unaffected by me.
Today, I disturb a tawny owl, its majestic wings spreading wide as it takes flight. I encounter deer and hare as I quietly step into their territory. I hear the woodpecker tapping and a family of wrens chatter in a hedge of blackberries. Wood pigeons coo as I listen for the turtle doves. Their numbers decline nationally, but a pair found a home here five years ago, and now they are four. The robins and blackbirds, ever busy, add to the morning symphony, enriching the tapestry.
Biodiversity
Later in the day, the hot sun brings out multiple species of butterflies, bees, and dragonflies. Their presence is a testament to the rich biodiversity fostered here at Wakelyns. After concerns about the declining insect populations, seeing them thriving in this sanctuary is heartening. Wildlife is a treasure in the UK and our protection of their habitats is linked to the thriving of us all.
Just across the hedge is the neighbour’s farm, which looks like a desert with its treeless monoculture. It feels like I am standing in an oasis.
An Oasis of Connection
Wakelyns is more than just a farm; it’s a legacy of sustainable farming practice and a hub for learning and community. Established by Ann and Martin Wolfe in 1992, it was a research farm when this kind of farming was considered oddball. It is now considered a place of inspiration due to it’s resilience, diversity, and innovation. As one of the oldest agroforestry farms in Europe, Wakelyns Farm is a model for a new era in UK farming.. tree planting targets are now the UK government’s official strategy to meet net-zero targets and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, so Wakelyns is no longer the oddball.
With more time, I would tell you more about the people’s lives here: the enterprise stacking, Sappling Harvesting, the first Willow Crop, The Bridge and Pond Restorations, Bob’s Beds, RSPB grants, Till and Fred’s birds, the onsite bakery and vegetable rows, the fruit trees and the Farm Scrap Art Projects.
The Legacy
Following the passing of Ann in 2016 and Martin in 2019, David Wolfe and Amanda Illing have been pivotal in evolving Wakelyns. From adding new crops like hemp and integrating animals like sheep to establishing various enterprises such as the Wakelyns Bakery and WakelynsVeg, they have made significant strides in maximising the productivity and biodiversity of this 23-hectare farm. The Willow Weavers and Holistic Therapists are part of the community culture here.
David and Amanda are joyful people committed to diversity in people as well as the land. It was no surprise then that they held the only Dal festival in the UK for the second year running last weekend which was a joy for me to participate in as a volunteer.
Food and music are ideal ways to bring a diverse group of people together and I tasted Dal from Nigeria, North India and South India to celebrate the heritage and diversity of British citizens. I made a little video here or you may have seen it already on Linkedin. Perhaps you have been following my farm adventures with my videos on Instagram.
David and Amanda work in London as well as being half-time at the farm. As Lawyers. You will know Davids’s firm MATRIX from his work with Friends of the Earth, George Monbiot and Chris Packham. They live from values of deep care for people and this planet. They are family to us, but that is a long story for another time.
Community and Collaboration
Wakelyns thrives on collaboration, hosting numerous research projects and educational opportunities. Partnerships with NGOs, universities, and local communities have transformed this farm into a beacon of sustainable practices. The Wakelyns Farmhouse and Ley Alley Pods accommodate those attending community events, courses, and NGO retreats, making it a gathering place for minds passionate about food, farming, and the environment.
My husband Tom and I stayed in a pod for the first 14 days, and it was absolute heaven! It’s glam camping with comfy beds, a sink, and a toilet inside, but with the added magic of stepping out each night under the stars and waking to the morning bird calls. It has struck me here that as a child, all I saw at night were the stars. Now, I see the extraordinary chains of Elon Musk satellites moving across the sky, and the ever-present lights of airplanes.
We move into the 500-year-old farmhouse this week, so our transition to London next week will be smooth. However, it could be too much of a shock to go from pod to city flat later this month.
Reflecting on My Journey
Spending time at Wakelyns is a profound reminder of connecting with the land which is also a deeper connection with myself. It is a very nurturing environment. The principles of sustainability, community, and innovation are ever present on Wakelyns Farm. It all blends together, creating a model for the future of regenerative business and farming.
Your Invitation and The Business Retreat 2025
I’ve been wondering how this place could ignite your life and business.
I will be hosting The First Annual Regenerative Business Retreat here in Suffolk at Wakelyns Farm in May 2025.
With time for personal and business exploration, the land here will be our teacher and guide your immersion in the wisdom of nature.
The three-night retreat will support you as an existing or aspiring regenerative business owner with intimate guided walks, campfires, silence, storytelling, and insights from pioneering guest speakers. If you are willing to meet the deep silence of quietude that awaits you here, you will hear the land’s whispers, guiding your next regenerative steps.
More on that soon!
