Nathalie Nouvion - US

I began my apprenticeship in September 1990 and finished in August 1993. Originally I had hoped to do it at Emerson College. To begin at Emerson , one had to be aged 21 or over so I was encouraged to look at the apprenticeships around the country. When I heard about Oaklands Park it sounded amazing . When I came to visit Oaklands , I was knocked over by the welcome from everyone and the garden was absolutely impressive.

 Earlier in my teens I wanted to study social work and this combined my interests in a living experience . Tyll was the master of all this and such a master in many ways . Tyll was very generous with his teaching of the practical things but also constantly trying to raise our awareness of philosophical questions and thoughts . One point he would ask : "Do we work to eat OR do we eat to work ?" He treated us like royalty . 

When giving us the job list he would say : Could You just ...and continue with a list of about 7 jobs !!  that one might just about manage . Or he would say : If You could be so good to do x,y,z plus a, b ,c .... He was so regal himself arriving with the tea break on a tray wearing the  shirts , hand made by Sybille ,  and then regaling us with further tales and wisdoms . He was very fun . Though he could poke fun at others he equally laughed at himself or put himself in the firing line . 

I think we were privileged to have the light of his inspiration . My experience in Oaklands  was one that I wanted . I thought it was an ideal situation . It wasn’t so easy for me but the apprenticeship helped me to keep focus . As I lived in the house with Tyll , Sybille and their children plus the members of the house community , Sybille also made a huge impression on me. She also taught me many life skills and supported me in my growing . Living and working together with the people we called Villagers seemed to me an ideal of how we could live in the wider world . 

I have been gardening more or less since I left Oaklands . I was responsible for  the kitchen garden at Camphill Ballytobin  (Ireland) for some years . For the last 20 years, I worked with my husband Eamonn Wallace on our market garden . Our 3 children grew up with this . Combining with poultry and orchards we have been selling our produce at farmers markets for many years . We had a steady supply of WWoofers and agricultural students . Some people came from various care homes   to help out once a week , have a change of scenery and meet some different people . As we are winding down a bit , we have been looking at doing Social Farming once or twice a week . Since 2 years I work part time in Camphill Callan . This has raised my awareness again and put me more into contact with the people who live in Camphill . I am grateful that I could be part of the Garden Team at Oaklands . We were blessed to be taught by Tyll.

Nathalie Nouvion, Ireland  29.10.20

Nathalie and Eamonn