We want to use the opportunity to undertake this work in a way which:

is in keeping with our own commitment to peace, simplicity and  equality reduces its impact on the environment to the lowest possible extent within the capabilities of currently available technology is sympathetic to the building and the beautiful location is fit for purpose (including the capacity to take disabled people) can act as a stimulus for change through education and example

In the long term we want to contribute to meeting our commitments to reducing energy use and to wider commitments to reducing carbon emissions, thereby reducing damage to the environment.

In the short term we want to re-establish Worfolk, as a place of spiritual retreat with access to the wonderful resources of the National Park, as soon as possible.

By providing a beacon of sustainability we want to enhance knowledge and awareness of the link between human activity and the quality of the environment, especially within the context of the National Park.

We expect that users and others will be inspired to take further steps to reduce their ‘carbon footprint’ and to live with greater sensitivity to the natural world.

Pickering and Hull Monthly Meeting decided in March 2005 to commission the refurbishment of the property. Part of the Minute reads:-

‘We think that special thought should be given to environmental issues….in order to create a lighter ‘footprint’.

The Worfolk Development Group was formed to oversee the process.  A key issue was the appointment of an architect sympathetic to what was needed.  Andrew Yeats’ name came to us at precisely the right moment.

Since then, plans have been developed and permissions sought and granted.  Builders under the guidance of David Lee our project manager moved on site in March.

Dennis Parker, together with his wife Angela, have for many years been at the heart of the care of Worfolk. Dennis kindly agreed to 'cut the first turf' for the redevelopment. This took place in the presence of about 15 Friends including members of the Development and Management Groups, on a very cold afternoon, 16.3.07.

Introducing Dennis, Tony Collinson referred to the sterling service which Dennis and Angela had given over the years. He presented Dennis with the key to the old 'coal house door'. The coal house was being demolished to make way for the new disabled extension.  Dennis gave a brief history of the Quakers' long involvement in the property before cutting the turf .

Click here to view the photos in the gallery.

We aim to create a beacon for a sustainable future through our development of Worfolk Cottage. The building will be rennovated to the highest standards of environmentally sound building practice using currently available technology.

All materials will be chosen on the basis of the lowest impact on the environment in their manufacture, their ability to be used in a pollution free way and wherever possible will be sourced as near to the site as possible (i.e.timber for window frames).

We hope that the provision of energy generated on site, together with high standards of insulation, will mean that we will not only produce all the energy needed to run Worfolk but will be a net exporter of energy to the National Grid overall.

The refurbishment will be the first fully ‘carbon- neutral’ development within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The design, by Andrew Yeats of Eco Arc (the architect for the project), will include energy saving and sustainable features.