Project Update November 2019
We have been searching for the land for Tara Sanctuary for some time now, and keep coming up against a particular issue: the water table. The land needs to have a low water table, minimum two metres down, so that if burials are at 1m (the minimum), there will still be a metre between body and water table, which is what is required by the Environment Agency.
However, whereas the other environmental requirements such as groundwater protection zones can be readily checked via online maps, there is no such information on the water table. So for instance Cath and I visited a site at the Narth, Monmouthshire, Wales, which was absolutely beautiful. Perfect in many ways, with views, a small area of bluebell woodland, privacy, lack of near neighbours etc etc. We spoke to the nearest neighbours to inquire about the water table. One of them turned out to be a geologist, who was able to tell us that the water table there was extremely high, making it completely unviable.
So we’ve recognised that we need professional help and have made contact with a recommended consultant geologist at Fluid in Bristol.
We’re hoping they can train us a bit in water table issues, and also be available to advise on particular sites that we are considering.
When visiting the site in Monmouthshire we also visited Usk Castle Chase Natural Burial Meadow. It’s a beautiful place - see pictures - with a central meadow bordered by mature deciduous trees. There are no grave markers, but there is a small shelter for ceremonies, and when people are buried their names are carved into pieces of wood which are then slotted between the rafters.
Further project news: we have this new website, designed by Vajradarshini of Red Ladder Web Design. Thank you Vajradarshini, it’s beautiful and soulful, reflecting what we hope the Sanctuary will be.
We will shortly be launching our Land Bounty: a reward of £2k for anyone who can find us the land. More on this soon.
Usk Castle Chase Natural Burial Meadow