Communities Volleyball Tournament 2023 at Laurieston Hall

What is it about volleyball that so many intentional communities seem to find enjoyable?  Certainly, a lot of energy is involved and the more cooperation that can be mustered the more successful the team will be.  Good humour and a generosity of spirit also seems to pay dividends.  It appears that it’s possible to find out quite a lot about people when they play this game.  It’s not just the lithe sporty looking people who end up being able to play successfully – there are plenty of other ways to have fun and achieve good results. And in any case who really cares? 

The Bank Holiday weekend in August witnessed about eight or nine communities from around the UK turn up at Laurieston Hall in South West Scotland to take part in this year’s Community Volleyball Tournament.  The standard of play was high, and all the teams improved greatly as they progressed through the weekend.  The Laurieston Hall community proved to be the most perfect, welcoming, generous hosts with superb organisational skills.  There was excellent food provided and they had arranged almost non-stop sunshine in the magnificent setting.  The Birchwood Community volleyball team narrowly prevailed in the final on Sunday afternoon and will hold the quirky, carved trophy for the coming year.

The weekend was a celebration of all that is good about living in a community.  There was genuine interest in the ways that people in other communities go about their lives. Penny Clark, from Diggers and Dreamers, ran a short seminar during which people from many of the communities represented were able to share their concerns. Hey! Not all communities run without problems - but do you know what, there are also so many wise people around to listen and support members of these communities with a wealth of experience and wisdom.

Below is a picture of the Sheffield contingent, mainly from Shirle Hill Cohousing who kindly incorporated two oldies from On the Brink into their supporting team.  Most of those pictured played in the tournament and all had a rip-roaring good time.  

Several Cohousing communities said they were keen to host the tournament next year so hopefully On the brink will put together a full team to take part in this annual event that has become such a celebration of the joys of living in an intentional community.