This is a new and exciting place to develop your creativity. We aim to provide an enjoyable learning experience specifically for creatives doing it for themselves. No formal qualifications are expected. Graduates looking for creative experience are equally welcome to apply.

At this point we just want to give you a flavour of what to expect. Please share with us what you think of the project. If you want more information or simply to ask a few questions, just drop us a line at cre8iveplaces@gmail.com or use the message box.

We offer an alternative to formal education. Learners choose to study their way at an affordable cost. Why not consider following a different learning pathway? It could be right for you at this time. Learning is completely flexible. So why not think differently?

You can receive personalised guidance and support along the way if you want that, particularly on how you can develop a creative learning process. You can become your creative best in the areas that you choose. This is a place where dedication to improving skills is expected to run parallel to the development of creativity. Many ideas come and go in moments. The best ideas leave an impression and we begin to work on them. If it is worthwhile it should become a compulsion - this is when ideas evolve into something of value through the creative process. CrE8ive Place can really be the difference as it provides a great environment and a supportive culture. Working on the best ideas takes extraordinary effort and collaboration to become something special. Everything around you has to be right. Only then can creativity flourish and the required focus be sustained. Focus is what Daniel Gardner called the “hidden driver of excellence”. We can support training on the development of focus should this be required.

CrE8ive Place - Where? The spaces?

The property has currently has 11 bedrooms (including two apartments) with 22 beds. The barn 6.8m x 4.8m is to be converted into short-term bunk accommodation (stays less than one month) 10 beds. Adjacent properties can be purchased and converted to a further 28 beds in 2025 equalling 60 beds in total. There is one larger family room (4 beds). There is a large, extensively equipped games room. Externally, the is a swimming pool, a writer’s cabin, a lawned area, and separately, an organic vegetable garden.

The mill has a six-metre deep turbine chamber fed by a 1.5 metre tunnel that runs from the 35 acre adjacent lake. Rights for generating electricity are in place with the potential to generate enormous power from a new hydro-generator. Plans are in place to purchase this and to have it fully functioning within 3 years.

There are five large creativity rooms (each having an area of 80 square metres!) in the mill itself which will highly flexible in layout and there will be music/recording and arts facilities on site. The functioning of the mill creativity rooms can be changed - each is modular in design and can be changed according to need. Three are shown in the plans opposite.

Sustainability

Hot water and electricity for the site will be generated from the new hydro-turbine to be fitted in the next three years. Electricity can now be generated from south west facing roof solar panels (water kept warm through the hydro –electric heating of reserve tanks). A Zanussi Solar Thermal Tube Hot Water Collector Panel Evacuated Tube will be used to generate 70% hot water is an alternative to conventional solar electrical panels.

A substantial air source heat pump has been fitted with new efficient boiler. All waste will be recycled or re-used.

People travelling to the centre via public transport, cycling or walking will receive a discount at the World Cafe.

We would aim to provide organic food. All residents can access the organic garden for sustainable food production.

Freelearn?

Here you can develop your skills and build your creativity - your way - working alongside others who can add value to what you are doing. Study as you want by accessing unpaid online courses using Youtube/Freetube as millions are doing right now, but part of a dedicated focus and an energising community.

Modular for me?

You can access paid modular online courses such as those offered by individual tutors, Masterclass, Maestro, FutureLearn (OU), Udemy , The “Creative Revolution” and others. You should be able to find a course well-matched to what you can achieve in the CrE8ive Place learning community. Of course, you could shout, "I can do that at home thanks!" Well done, that's fine. Carry one. Truly, good luck to you on this journey.

However, you just might get so much more from a supportive culture and an enabling environment where you can thrive - where you can focus - where you can be your creative best. And here we can support you through this. You will find a wonderful community here. Try us for a week, a month, or a year. That’s up to you. Why not?

Feeding my chosen course or going in a new direction?

Remember that although CrE8ive Place is principally an environment for non-formal learning. We do not shun formal

education, far from it. Work done here is relevant to formal education institutions and employers alike. It will be entirely

relevant to link your learning to a preferred course which you may wish to do later at the Open University, LIPA or any

other university It could form part of a gap-year. It could be just after uni - taking a creative direction. Finding your element.

There is but one life, and it is short. Non, je ne regrette rien.

Creativity is the business difference

If you want to develop creativity as part of your business choose CrE8ive Place. Richard Branson said, "A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts." Why not here? Away from the cauldron of work, a positive creativite expreience results in increased motivation and morale, a new competitive edge and increased productivity. All this can flourish at CrE8ive.

Do we really appeal to all these different groups? Absolutely! Every one of these, apparently diverse groups have the similar needs. They need to be their creative best to thrive and to compete. They all need a vibrant culture and an environment where the creative process permeates.

Why France, why Brittany? Why not UK?

The property is in excellent condition and would cost more than double to purchase and run in the UK pushing rents high.

We are always looking for opportunities in the UK and Ireland so please let us know if you see something viable. The site offers superb access to local amenities and activities. It is not isolated. For all the the locality has to offer try the "Craic page" next. There will be plenty of adventurous and fun activities to explore in the wonderful locality and all it has to offer.

CrE8ive Place? Feasibility - completion expected Spr 24. Answering a few questions would be much appreciated at this stage.

mutual respect and understanding required

Back home - index

Provision - You will not be a super-consumer. You will contribute to an environmentally conscious community unlike any other - a relaxed learning place aimed at developing creativity and clarity of focus. You will be in control of your learning pathway in a unique setting. There is complete flexibility. Stay for a week, a month or a year.

This is a joyous, experimental place (Joie ce Jour) where you will have access to:

talent clusters, mixed learning groups or solo spaces - YOU choose!
a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience concentrating on creativity, innovation and focus
one or more areas* of study (e.g. music and comedy)
uninterrupted spaces where you can focus on practicing skills to expert level.
rooms at a sustainable cost with further discounts available through a bursary* subsidy system to lower rental costs
theatre / performance room / dance / arts / music and recording rooms
performance evenings, music, film nights
sports, adventure and leisure activities (see the craic) and access swimming and sports and games rooms on site
a contemplation garden and meditation spaces and quiet low stimulus learning spaces
support for your learning and personal health. Access is for all - be wonderfully different? You're welcome. Get in touch.

Opportunities to develop skills, focus and creativity:

intensively practice your skills to a high level (the foundation of creative experimentation and application)
develop your capacity to focus and develop a creative process (the E8 competencies of creativity)
explore and build upon your creative skills in a way that suits you
choose what to focus on and how you do this
have open access to what you may need improve focus, creativity and to progress
extend learning into new areas and develop thinking (experimenting, inventing and diversifying)
work toward, publication, production or performance if you want this – perform and make mistakes
have a great time and create memories for a lifetime

We don’t live in a bubble. Ideas are put to work. You can choose your gateway to formal learning.

Community

be comfortable in a healthy, happy and productive working culture
build lifelong friendships and associations and share ideas
grow, harvest and cook and eat and adventure together
find quiet times for study and creative thought
live in a net zero* low impact environment
make a positive impact on place community
have a great time, energised with new experiences and new learning
understanding and compassion for self and others
option to learn French

*Hydro and solar developments paid from profits – see three year plan for net zero