Our Vision
We have a global vision of a world where people live in harmony with their natural environment, with non-human animals and with each other. A world where we fully understand the social and environmental consequences of everyday actions.
As a project, Abbot’s Mill aims to be regarded as the UK examplar for sustainability and social justice. We want to fulfill this through education and research, and by incorporating renewable technologies into our actions.
Our Mission
The mission of the Abbot’s Mill Project is to develop an urban hub of sustainability, compassionate living and social justice, powered solely by non-centralised, renewable energy. The project will re-instate a water wheel into the old mill race on the site of the former Abbot’s (Denne’s) Mill in Canterbury and use the energy to power an education and research centre on an adjacent site.
The centre will also incorporate a section on the importance of the River Stour in Canterbury’s past, present and future, a vegan community café and a community-led woodland and wildlife garden based on permaculture principles.
The Abbot’s Mill Project will provide a platform for cutting-edge environmental science and newly emerging sustainable technologies from across the UK. The project will aim to be a peaceful, welcoming and accessible place for all.
Our Aims
The project aims to build the water wheel and to build and run a low-impact sustainability centre powered by energy from the water wheel. It also aims to run the surrounding garden and woodland along permaculture principles.
It also aims:
- To offer a comprehensive education programme of tours, courses and workshops for the general public, tourists, schools, environmentalists and local groups.
- To provide a platform for cutting edge environmental science and newly emerging technologies from across the UK.
- To involve and attract people who would not otherwise be involved in sustainability and social justice, as well as people who are already keen enthusiasts and want to learn more.
- To develop training courses, work placements and apprenticeships for people disadvantaged in the labour market, including people with learning difficulties/disabilities.
- To employ people from the local community and, wherever possible, engage local contractors and suppliers.
- To work in partnership with local residents and community groups.
The project is unique because:
- It is urban. Most projects of a similar nature are in remote, rural settings and certainly not in the centre of a city.
- It is aimed at encouraging and supporting people of all backgrounds to reduce their ecological footprint. We believe that this approach is more effective than making people feel guilty about their current lifestyles.
- It focuses on the importance of the river and neatly links the past, present and future so that we can learn to benefit future generations.
- It focuses on the human impact on our environment and respect for, and interaction between all species.