Selfsufficientish.com

Just wondering if there is anyone with some land to rent in Wiltshire or Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire borders near Swindon. This is my first post but I've been lurking on here for a couple of years. I started a smallholding last year, after 30 years of wanting one, found some land to rent and have already been moved off once.
The present land is sub-let to me but the landowner suddenly decided he didn't like what I'm doing. A smallholding seems to offend a lot of people! But a lot of people also enjoy seeing the land being used...anyway I have no-where to go, have knocked on doors, advertised and not found anything (this is nearly 2 months of trying). Its looking as though I'll have to sell/rehome my animals. I've dug up all the veg and fruit I had growing
I have chickens, kune kune pigs, a few sheep, and ponies which are being trained for harrowing etc. I'm being harrassed by the landlord to get out and new neighbours have also got nasty so its becoming desperate!
My longterm plan is to set up a community farm/smallholdings so I need to rent for only a year or two.

Hope someone can help

Helen

Can't help, I'm afraid, but wanted to welcome you to Ish

Hope you manage to find something soon.

There's a website somewhere that tries to link up people with spare land who'd like to see it used for growing, and people who want to do the growing. I can't remember what it's called but hopefully someone else can.

Landshare by Channel 4... www.landshare.net
Good luck! Hope you find something suitable soon.

Hi Helen
I've pm'd you as well.

Have you tried placing an ad at somewhere like Toomers (the pet food/garden centre place in Lydiard Millicent)? They have a lot of customers with small holdings and horses who may be able to help, even if just with temporary homes for the animals.

Also, have you tried speaking to Lower Shaw Farm? They may know of someone who can help temporarily.

I will also ask around my farming friends for you.

Good luck with your hunt.

Zoe

Thanks all I've almost given up but will give it a bit longer.. I've found grazing for my ponies (which is a lot easier) and hope to keep my chickens if I can find a small plot somewhere. I'd like to keep a couple of my piggies too but may have to accept they'll have to go.
Thankyou Zoe, I haven't tried Lower Shaw but they may have some contacts.
I'm on landshare

How many sheep do you have? we may be able to help there.