We are eager to provide services to the local community and Caplor rents affordable workspaces onsite in order to support local rural enterprise in the community. Besides hosting an Eggs and Veg business we are proud to host talented local artist Alan Ross, who specialises in metal Garden Sculpture. You can read more about Alan’s work here -
I have been making sculpture as a hobbyist for some time now and over 2008 I have taken on a few larger commissions which has left me needing more space.
I moved into the workshop at Caplor Farm at the end of August this year this has been a great help in allowing me to develop my work, giving me space as well the option of taking on various jobs around the farm, such as fabrication work and repairs etc. I had been searching for a workspace for sometime and was constantly being offered spaces that were far to big for my needs or too far away from my home in Ross on Wye.
I am trying to establish myself as an artist and set myself up with a small scale sustainable business producing handmade metal sculptures. Being based on the farm is proving to be a great help in my aims, allowing me space to develop my works with access to more recycled materials which can be incorporated into pieces of sculpture making it a more green initiative than would otherwise be possible. Another positive aspect of being based at Caplor Farm is that it is within cycling distance of my home which helps to minimise my carbon footprint as well as keeping me healthy.
In the current financial climate I would definitely not be able to look at developing and expanding my work without the help and space I have been offered at the farm.
Testimonial: Bridget Drakeford Porcelain
I am writing as a close neighbour to Caplor Farm and as a self-employed artist.
As an artist I know that young makers/artists find it extremely difficult to find a place to start up their businesses – it is essential that they can make a start in the world of work and by offering affordable accommodation and workshop space to those early on in their career Caplor enables those with drive and enthusiasm to make a good start. I know personally Alan Ross who has recently started work in a workshop at Caplor – he is an excellent example of an artist with innovative and imaginative work who needs space for his work, and Caplor Farm was prepared to offer him the chance of a workshop to fit his needs.
We have in Herefordshire the best artist/blacksmith course in the country, however it offers no accommodation to its students – again Caplor Farm has provided a need for reasonable accommodation for these young artists. Until some sort of student accommodation is available on site at the college, a cheaper alternative to renting a flat or house is needed – and Caplor provides this.
Finally, I applaud the young people who have had the foresight and energy to develop a vegetable business there and even though I grow my own veg I do buy produce when I need to supplement my own.
