Othona Community Bradwell media release
“Food lies at the heart of good community living”

A longstanding Essex-based charity which promotes the benefits of bringing
people together from diverse backgrounds and cultures has appointed a
new catering lead and cook to further advance its heritage of communal organic
food growing, preparation and sharing.

The Othona community was founded in 1946 to promote peace and reconciliation
and in addition to its initial location where the River Blackwater meets the North Sea
at Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, has another centre in West Dorset.

As an inclusive community, based on Christian values but open to those of other
faiths and none, Othona Bradwell organises a wide range of themed residential
weeks and weekends (everything from music-making to birdwatching, Christmas
together and family fun at half terms), as well as the chance of people just to get
away from it all to “Simply Be” and recuperate from the challenges of modern life on
the off-grid site (most of the power used is generated by solar and a wind turbine).

Offering dozens of rooms, plus yurts and caravan pitches, everyone who is ‘in
community’, whether that be for a few days or as in the case of the small team of
staff and long-term volunteers, joins in together with tasks that keeps the place
ticking over. In addition, community members are encouraged to join together in
short acts of worship, usually in the nearby and very atmospheric seventh century
Chapel of St. Peter.

According to Jenny Thurston, Acting Warden at Othona Bradwell: “food and how it is
grown, prepared and eaten together is one of the key elements of being in
community. Communities are made and sustained by sharing together these
important elements of day-to-day life. We believe Othona offers an alternative way of
living compared to many aspects of contemporary society.

“We are all thrilled that Ian has taken up the role of catering lead & cook at this
unique site.”

Ian has enjoyed a long and varied career in media, psychotherapy and as an event
and retreat chef. He said: “According to the people I work alongside, we create a
great vibe, have lots of fun and create great food.

“I came to Othona to experience all the faiths and energies alongside the amazing
people that work and come through here. The community aspect is really exciting,
and I am so very blessed to be here.”

ENDS
Notes to editors
An image of Ian is included in this media release. Please credit Othona Community Bradwell.