Clément – the French touch at Bridgend
|
“Once, I was offered the chance to become a member of the board. I refused. Back then, all I wanted was to keep doing my stuff peacefully on the ground, without being associated with the strategic direction,” explains Clément Luciani, a 39-year-old French acoustician who has been volunteering at Bridgend Farmhouse for five years. His “stuff”? Participating in a wide range of outdoor workshops and activities. “That was my main goal in coming here, really. I wanted to help the community but also to learn how to make something with my hands.” |
When Clément started coming regularly in 2015, Bridgend Farmhouse was still a ruin. At that time, volunteers regularly would meet up in the main building to discuss what to do with the place. But then, the Farmhouse was closed to the public in order to be restored and a new place was therefore required to gather. “This is why, with a group of five people, we started to build a cabin from re-used material. The build was led by Mark, who knew what he was doing, as he had built a similar one in the past. I learnt a lot of things, it was a great experience”, says Clément.
As years went by, Clément participated in many workshops at the farm. While the workshop buildings were taking shape, he helped with the wood charring and cladding of the new builds. Clément got also involved in the planting of several fruit trees in the back garden and did various chores in the newly restored building. About a year ago, the Edinburgh-based man started coming to the farm on weekends to learn how to build a large straw bale eco-bothy.
In March, the farm had to close its doors due to the COVID-19 lockdown. All the normal activities were suspended but Eric Fernandez-Baca, the Food Support Worker at Bridgend, set up a new project to deliver food to local self-isolating residents and other people in need. “I remember I was there the first time he talked about it,” says Clément. At the beginning, working for the logistics team was discussed. But soon, it became too complicated: “I would have had to be available every day but it was impossible for me because I also had to keep working from home,” he explains. Instead, he ended up working for the packaging team once or twice a week.
But what about post-COVID? Clément intends to stay very much involved and perhaps now join the board after all. “Bridgend Farmhouse has become an important part of my life. If I had to leave Edinburgh one day, it would feel sad to leave these people and this project behind.”
As years went by, Clément participated in many workshops at the farm. While the workshop buildings were taking shape, he helped with the wood charring and cladding of the new builds. Clément got also involved in the planting of several fruit trees in the back garden and did various chores in the newly restored building. About a year ago, the Edinburgh-based man started coming to the farm on weekends to learn how to build a large straw bale eco-bothy.
In March, the farm had to close its doors due to the COVID-19 lockdown. All the normal activities were suspended but Eric Fernandez-Baca, the Food Support Worker at Bridgend, set up a new project to deliver food to local self-isolating residents and other people in need. “I remember I was there the first time he talked about it,” says Clément. At the beginning, working for the logistics team was discussed. But soon, it became too complicated: “I would have had to be available every day but it was impossible for me because I also had to keep working from home,” he explains. Instead, he ended up working for the packaging team once or twice a week.
But what about post-COVID? Clément intends to stay very much involved and perhaps now join the board after all. “Bridgend Farmhouse has become an important part of my life. If I had to leave Edinburgh one day, it would feel sad to leave these people and this project behind.”
This article was written by Freelance journalist Lou-Eve Popper. You can see more of her work on her website here: www.louevepopper.com
