Courses and Events

We are excited to announce the first module of an Intergenerational Permaculture Design Course at Fort Road Community Forest Garden, Newhaven. Open to participants aged from 8 to 108, this Introduction to Permaculture will run over two days, Saturdays 7th (Module 1A) and 14th (Module 1B) November from 10.00am to 4.00pm each day. If you cannot attend both days this time, there will be a chance to take the other half of the Module (1A or 1B) next time we run it.

Facilitated by Lexington Love and Herby Corkery, we will explore how the Ethics and Principles of Permaculture have already been applied to the design of the garden so far, and also how they will be used to shape its future. All who join us will learn new skills and put them into action in the garden. We aim to build a vibrant community around Fort Road Garden and hope that some course participants will go on to become Garden Guardians.

All modules will will follow the PDC Core Curriculum in an embodied, creative and interactive way with practical hands-on activities, shared learning and design skills, all based in and around Fort Road Garden, but applicable to many other settings.

Fees are on a sliding scale from £0-£60 per day, with all money going to the maintenance of the garden, so we ask you to be as generous as you can afford to be. To find out more or book your place email: fortroadgarden@gmail.com

Details of other modules will follow very soon. Topics will include: Soil; Water; Plants and Trees; Design Skills; Social Permaculture and more and will be facilitated by a diverse range of tutors with many years of experience in their fields.

You will be able to complete each module independently, building up to a full Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) once you have completed all of the required modules. This is an internationally recognised qualification, accredited by the Permaculture Association UK.

There will soon be an opportunity to take some modules with us at Fort Road and others further afield, once the Permaculture Association UK rolls out its Modular System. This course will be part of that pilot.

Tutors

Herby

Annette Corkery (Herby) is a Certified Educator with the Permaculture Association UK and has completed the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design as well as two Permaculture Teacher Training courses, one with a focus on children. A Children in Permaculture Practitioner, Herby also has a Masters in Education, focusing on integrating art across the Primary School curriculum and is currently a Heritage in Schools Specialist who helps children and school staff explore their local history, biodiversity and heritage with a view to designing and transforming their outdoor spaces into interactive learning labs with a focus on nature connection and edible plants. Herby is an artist and storyteller and was co-founder of Creative Ardagh/Scéalta Beo (Living Stories) which was based in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre, Co. Longford from 2011 to 2024.

Lex

Lexington Lovesmyth (Lex) is a creative facilitator, movement & visual artist, musician, permaculture designer/teacher & yoga teacher who designs and delivers projects worldwide with their unique, fresh, fun and creative style, They have worked in forests, woodlands, gardens, arts centres/galleries, businesses, hospitals, schools, prisons and retreat centres.

Lex has an MA in Puppetry, 4 years training in 3D design with distinction, 6 years deep study in yoga & yoga therapy plus 32 years of continual practice, 27 years of practising Permaculture with various qualifications, including Social Permaculture (Cultural Emergence) with a focus on people care, regenerative farming & worldwide wildlife corridor link-ups.

Current projects include – 

• Artist in residence/creative director on a large multi-faceted intergenerational permaculture project in Newhaven Fort Road Community Forest Garden.
• Creating a touring show/kids online programme called ‘A Tiny Drop Of Magic’ which is a modern-day folktale about biodiversity and belonging, aimed at marginalised groups touring in a travelling greenhouse with puppet/mask show, birdbox sounds system and cinema 
• CEO of Fionnlocha Wild Nature Sanctuary – Regeneration project in Ireland focused on land, people & culture 

Lex is GenderQueer and uses they/them pronouns. They regularly lead LGBTQI+ meditation retreats. Lex is passionate about inclusivity and diversity; they are a Level 3 BSL (British Sign Language) communicator, Mental Health First Aider and an Emergency First Aider.