People of Beden
Leo, Lily, Tor & Spring
The first settlers and founders of Beden.
Leo (Founder of EatWorkArt), Lily (Founder of The Well Garden and Tiny Wilds), Tor (dirt digging rock imp, aged 7) and Spring (2 year old tu-tu wearing fairy).
Serena & Carlos
Beloved Elders and the next settlers of Beden, you’ll often find Serena and Carlos potting plants, digging rose beds and cooking up an Argentine asado in the garden. Carlos is also known for his spectacular taste in wine and pisco sours.
With a total of 9 grandchildren, the youngest members of Beden can often be seen curled up on Serena’s lap reading stories in the kitchen.
Sas & Dave
Sas is a sister of Beden and an early Beden settler. The worldliest, most adventurous soul, Sas has spent much of her life travelling and exploring new cultures and cuisines. A raw food specialist, master crocheter and life coach, Sas has many different strings to her bow.
Dave joined her after a couple of years and they are now a central part of Beden. Dave, an IT specialist, threw in the towel on a long career at the Met Office and together, they are now pursuing their dream business of creating trekking retreats abroad.
Reebs, Josh & Oak
Josh is a training osteopath and Reebs works on social change in Plymouth and is also training to be a psychotherapist. Along with their daughter, Oak (almost 6), they moved to Beden to find the perfect balance of private space and shared community experience. Beden is also at the heart of a whole valley, because of the wonderful Mighty Wilds school (which Oak goes to).
They love living at Gees Cottage at the bottom of Pew Tor, which is where the king of the pixies is said to live! In just a short walk down their drive, they suddenly then find themselves in a valley of ancient woodland, which is pretty special !
They love going for walks, having a sauna, cold water plunge, visiting the local standing stones, cooking and eat together with friends, dancing, and going to bed early!
Lisa, Sam, Aluna & Lyra
Lisa, Sam and Aluna moved to Dartmoor following a long stint in Ibiza and Colombia, where Aluna was born. After settling in Bristol for a while, they longed for a community of like-minded people with whom they could share and enjoy the rollercoaster of raising a young family in the wild when family often isn’t nearby.
Since moving to Beden, they have welcomed their second daughter, Lyra into the mix and have been busy working towards buying their own property just on the outskirts of Beden.
Sam and Lisa both have incredible skills and experience that have been a huge addition to life here. Lisa, trained as a chef and is passionate about organic, whole foods, often whipping up hearty, colourful salads and perfectly cooked meat in a matter of moments! Sam, a trained actor and very talented musician has appeared in a number of tv and film productions over the years but is also an excellent carpenter and tradesman.
Kristina & Ocean
Tiny Wilds teacher, cook and gardening queen, Kristina has been an integral part of the Beden family since moving here with her 6 year old son, Ocean. Kristina, originally from Cyprus but with strong family connections in London is the soul food queen of Beden. Her Greek routes of always wanted to feed and provide for others around her is one of the most wholesome things we love about her.
Kristina is also a talented musician, and has been doing 1:1 music lessons with the Tiny and Mighty Wilds children, teaching them piano, guitar and drums. They all adore her and she often steps in to cover lessons and support the other teachers with seasonal celebrations like Ostara and Mabon.
Laura
Keeper of the houses and animals, de-cluttering mastermind, we would be lost without Laura. Always smiling, always positive and laughing, Laura is the glue that holds the main house (and its occupiers and those who step through it) together.
Holly
Holly is Lily’s assistant and another integral part of the Beden puzzle. She keeps things running smoothly and makes sure the well oiled machine, including the school, teachers, land keepers, gardeners, residents and maintenance staff are all looked after and supported.
Nick, Keith, Harold and Harry
Ingenious Wood Wizard, Keith is a master carpenter, fixer upper-er and man of many talents. He has conjured and created a lot of the amazing interiors you will find in the Beden homes and also great at fixing things!
Nick is our land manager and without his knowledge and expertise on livestock and the land, we wouldn’t be able to do the amazing things we’re doing. Like produce goats milk and re-wild the amazing insect and flora we are.
Harold and Harry - or ‘the two Harry’s’ are our gardening duo. From tackling the never-ending bramble undergrowth to pruning fruit trees