Description of the partner organizing/hosting the project:
Picture a place where ancient buildings, music, nature and non-formal education meet and mix... The 19th century walled farm of Verjeat, will soon become, thanks to you, a third-place dedicated to music and craftsmanship, home to concert rooms, a restaurant, cottages, a craft brewery... The project was created by Grosso Modo, a local organization that promotes contemporary music. Here is a video of the project presentation : https://youtu.be/0xfvXeV46wQ
By participating in this workcamp, you are interested about sustainable cities and communities (SDG11) and about resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation (SDG9).
Work:
The walled farm of Vergeat is to become a cultural third-place : first it needs renovating on several barns and ancient houses. Missions during the workcamp will be focused on one hand on the little stone cottage at the entrance of the farm : getting it ready for insulating and roof renovating ; on the other hand, vaulted rooms also need to freshen up before they become part of the recording studio. These renovating tasks will be carried out by your volunteering team, with the help of a technical coordinator, and with ecological materials in a sustainable and resilient way (floors, insulation and walls will be renovated with lime and clay). You get the chance to discover traditional and ecological building techniques, in a peaceful and lively envrionment, by renovating these buildings steeped in history.
Accomodation and food
You will be housed in individual tents, either on a shaded area five minuytes away by walking from the farm, with sanitary on the site (individual showers and dry toilet), or in individual tents; inside of one of the barns, in a cool atmosphere. Shower is also available inside of the main house as well as a washing machine, for the volunteers to use freely. A big summer kitchen will be settled in the barn, where you can all cook together, with organic and local ingredients (this workcamp is offering a low amount of meat dishes, in an eco-responsible spirit). During these two weeks, you will be supported by a technical coordinator for the renovating tasks, and a daily life facilitator. The work part of the camp will be set in the morning, so you don't have to work in the hot afternoon. You will have the opportunity to meet and live with artists and musicians, who carry the mission of the organization. During the second week of the workcamp, they welcome a group of young musicians and take them on a three-day concert tour in the nearby villages. You will have the chance to make an impact on the region intangible and tangible heritage, discover life in a community, witness the birth of a major cultural project in a rural environment.
Location and leisure
The hamlet of Vergeat is very close to the peaceful village of Saint-Arcons-d'Allier, composed of typical Haute-Loire houses. River Allier and its little beach are reachable by foot from the farm to take a walk or a dip on hot summer days ! Everywhere around, the gorges of Haut-Allier are sheltering ancient abbeys, hidden nature oases, whitewaters and kaya/raft spots, castles... The nearby villages are very lively during the summer and often offer concerts and farmers markets.
Directions to meeting point
Nearest airport: Lyon Saint-Exupéry or Clermont-Ferrand
Nearest train station: Langeac train station
Meeting Point and Time: Langeac train station from 4:00pm on 27/07
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project name: From an ancient walled farm to a cultural third-place : renovating with eco-materials