About Us
We discovered permaculture in 2009 whilst on the steering group of a local transition town group. We continued to developed our knowledge and in 2011 became the stewards of Wishtree, a 5 acre deciduous woodland in North Devon. It became a land learner, permaculture demonstration project in 2014 and our off-grid home in 2015.
We spent 5 years demonstrating how to live off-grid, building resilience and doing outreach work with the surrounding communities, teaching permaculture. We developed Wishtree to demonstrate several examples of how forest gardening can be used in different land based systems, from a residential garden to a 5 acre smallholding. We also focused on supporting people's mental health.
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Wishtree was home to North Devon Permaculture CIC, the previous name of our social enterprise. In 2020, due to the effects of COVID on the business and a death in the family, we had to give up our off-grid life at Wishtree, moving back to Hertfordshire to be close to family, and renamed the business to Wyld Edges. Our aim was to adapt to change and continue the work we had been doing.
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The W.E in Wyld Edges is about the collective coming together to help build a better future for the next generation and to ensure the care and health of our earth. We achieve what we do, because of our commitment to this and because of the collaboration from those organisations and individuals we work with, this makes us a resilient social business. Wyld Edges continues to grow towards to becoming a community owned business.
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Visit our old Youtube channel to see more of what we did at Wishtree
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On this page you will discover the people behind Wyld Edges and who is part of our 'Forest Garden'. Each one plays a part in making the magic happen and helping our ethical business grow. We use nature as a metaphor for building our organisational social systems.
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Wyld Edges is underpinned by the ethics and principles of permaculture
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Wenderlynn - Co-founder and CEO
I took my first intro course in 2011 at Brighton Permaculture Trust and my Permaculture Design Certificate in July 2013. I have since continued with my professional develop, adding to my permaculture and non permaculture roles.
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I am a neurodivergent, with lived experience of poor mental health. I have trained with Mind as a Mental Health Peer Support worker, and I am a Board Advisor for Mind in Mid Herts.
I have recently completed my Level 3 Diploma in Hypnotherapy & Introduction to Counselling Skills and Level 4 Counselling Skills and Theory. I have also obtained my Gardeniser Pro License.This recognises a professional role for those working and facilitating community gardens.
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You can find out more about me on my educators profile and through my Diploma In Applied Permaculture Design. Wenderlynn is also a member of the Harmony Garden Steering Group.
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Iain - Co-founder and Director
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I took my Permaculture Design Certificate in August 2015. I have a number of years of hands-on experience of Permaculture Design, and regularly lead sessions on Wyld Edges courses.
I have trained with Graham Bell and Rakesh to take my Training of Teachers certificate in 2021
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I have trained with MIND as a Mental Health Peer Supporter worker, supporting others with their mental health. You can view my permaculture educator on the Permaculture Association UK. Iain is a member of the Harmony Garden Steering Group.
Nicky - Director & Community Engagement, Social Media & Resources Agent
I'm Nicky a cat loving Buddhist from Cheshunt. Permaculture has added a wonderful new dimension to my life, I think it's great. I'm learning so much it supports my mental health and I feel truly alive with nature. I go to the garden for the friendships, peer support to learn about permaculture to feel part of the community to have a purpose and just enjoy it.
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Nicky is a director of Wyld Edges. As a Harmony Gardener, she provides encouragement and support for the group, helping to build a strong peer support network, keeping people connected both inside and outside the garden. She is also a Harmony Garden steering group member and runs social media marketing support.
Ellie - Community Liaison Agent
I have inexpertly been planting things in every home I have had, even when I did not have a garden, but when I met Wyld Edges I learned to understand more about the connection between gardening and soil and mental health. So, when I was invited to join a project to reclaim a waste piece of Cheshunt it was a no brainer. Once unloved and overgrown this patch is now alive with life. We potter, we sew, we water, we weed. Wenderlynn and Iain guide us and do masses of work and somehow together Harmony Gardens has been created.
Ellie's role brings support through her environmental knowledge to both Wyld Edges and the Harmony Garden, liaising with local authorities and third parties to maintain local networks. She is also a steering board member of the Harmony Garden.
Pam- Head Gardener and Caretaker
I'm Pam, retired, from Cheshunt and enjoy gardening which got me interested in Harmony Garden. Wendy and Ian introduced me to Permaculture and have taught me so much in particular earth care,the social aspect, wellbeing and mental health peer support.
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Pam brings her many years of gardening experience to the design of the Harmony Garden, integrating this and her new permaculture knowledge, helping to provide support and training to the local community.
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She also keeps us on our toes making sure the garden looks tidy and well ordered. Pam is also a member of the Harmony Garden Steering Group.
We currently have the following volunteer vacancies:
Director (operations)
Secretary
Mental Health Support Worker ( 8 hours per week)
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If you are interested in any of the above roles please contact us for more details
Integrate rather than Segregate - permaculture principle #8
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-htcpermaculture.blogspot.com
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What We Do
We teach permaculture design and how it can be used in gardening, your home and work life. We introduce you to techniques and methods used in the permaculture design process and the benefits for physical and mental wellbeing and the environment.
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Using Culture Capital, we promote collaboration by working with schools, community groups and businesses to design and build strong, resilient communities, helping to promote effective communication.
We are advocates for stopping the stigma of mental ill-health and speak openly about our experiences and how we use permaculture design for emotional resilience.
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