I do actually have my own vision of how I would like to see Crossroads proceed into the future, and I will share that with you all.  Although you do have to realise that whilst this is the way I want it to proceed, I am fully aware of the fact that crossroads is a co-operative and needs to work for all of us, not just the way I want it to work.  Hopefully my vision for Crossroads will inspire other members and we can make it work for all of us.

The Vision:

I believe that as it stands, despite the issues of the past, the future of Crossroads would be much better if we can get the Guild Hall completed to a useable state, and then develop the top of the Hill out from the Guild Hall.

I believe that whilst the big picture plans are a fantastic goal, these will only take place with funding, and a significant input of funds by some people. Whilst I would absolutely LOVE to say yes, I’ll be in an a subdivision plan, here’s my $80K to $120K for the lot and here are my plans for building, the fact is I personally am a long way off being able to do that. My input to Crossroads is all going to be for the short term plans, and helping Crossroads got to a point that it can afford the subdivision and have an income that continues from there.
I believe over the next 5 to 10 years Crossroad should be focusing on turning the site into a viable Medieval Camping site with facilities, and possibly even a semi – regular income.
I believe that over the next 4 years Crossroads should be working towards getting Rowany Festival back, and in order to do that we need to develop some plans to deal with the issues of large events on site.
I believe we need to look into an automated irrigation system that is seperate from the potable water system as well as a means of getting fresh clean rainwater into the potable water tanks.
I believe we need to look into errosion control on the main creek through the camping area.
Basically I believe alot of things… These are the issues that I will be pushing for and would appreciate support for. Contact me if you want to help.

On-site facilities.

I would like to see either outdoor cooking facilities put in place on the top of the hill near the Guild Hall, or even within a small 10meter squared self contained shed type thingy (Prefer it bigger, but it’s all about developing slowly and within our means rather than out-stretching ourselves for the sake of Authenticisty).

I would also like to investigate the wheelie bin eco-friendly toilets used at Festival.  We have loads of room on-site and could hide away a storage/processing area out of the way of the main usable site.  Building small medieval looking toilet blocks that function similarly to the way that the festival ones work would be an easy weekend task for a group of 5-10 people.  These could be scattered around the site allowing camping close to toilets in a variety of places.

Leaseholds.

I would like to see Crossroads allow Members in good standing the opportunity to negotiate for a small plot Leasehold on the property my thinking on this is as follows…

A current fully paid up member can put forth a plan to develop a small plot of land. This plan needs to be approved by the board, obviously with all normal Crossroads rules for development being compliant (ie; is it period/medieval enough and so forth). That Member can then draft up a Land Lease proposal and submit that to the board for addition of the Crossroads conditions of Lease and then approval by the board. I’m suggesting that a 5 or 10 year lease be available, and that renewal of the lease be allowed by approval of the board. If a hugely significant improvement of the plot has been made in the 5 or 10 years of the initial lease, maybe a longer lease offer could be made by the board subject of course to how well the leaseholder has been sharing the plot with Crossroads (ei; If the leaseholder has been discouraging other people using the facilities, making things difficult for the board or the like.).

This plot of land then becomes that members responsibility to maintain AND develop. In all intents and purposes for the period of the lease it is theirs. I believe this will give people a reason to want to improve the plot and also a reason to travel 4 times a year to do so. If someone is keen enough to go to the trouble to get a leasehold they have obviously read the requirements by Crossroads and are willing to comply, otherwise risk loosing their plot.

The Crossroads conditions of lease I would suggest as the following at the very least (however too many would invalidate the purpose of this idea):

1. The plot MUST show progress each 3 month period. Progress in this case is defined as regular attendee’s to crossroads must be able to notice an improvement to the plot within a 3 month period (ei; “Oooo look, I didn’t notice that before!”).

2. Use (but not development) of the facilities is to be granted to other Crossroads members (standard coutesy prevailing), as well as use for hiring purposes if the plot is not being used by the Leaseholder at the time. The board will ask the Leaseholder if their plot can be used by a Site Hire at the earliest possible time (it is of course in the leaseholders interests to allow site hires to use their plot, as this may effect their chances of a renewal at the end of their lease.).

3. Crossroad may reclaim any undeveloped land from a lease holder should it be needed. Undeveloped land in this case is defined as land that has not had any significant additions. ie; Mown lawn and a fire pit do not class as a significant development, however the addtion of tree plantings, stone walls above 30cm or other permenent additions exceeding 30cm in height do.

4. The leaseholder must follow the plan as submitted to Crossroads, variations can be submitted to the board for approval, but in general, if the plan is to build a forge, then the leaseholder risks loosing their lease if they build anything different.

5. Work on a leasehold does not contribute to a members requirement to spend 1 day every 3 months working for the Co-op (though there is nothing stopping that member doing work around the Crossroads property during the time they are on-site working on their leasehold).

6. If any of these conditions are not met, the leaseholder voids their lease and the plot reverts back to common ground (and then someone else can apply for a lease to finish the project or re-develop if they like.)

7. The leasehold is subject to membership. If your membership lapses, the leasehold reverts back to common ground.

I for one would would like something like this for the Forge area, as it would protect my interests in the plot for the period of the lease. It would instill more of a sense of responsibility and pride, as well as give me incentive to at least make some effort to make an improvement every 3 months.

I also believe that it might help encourage new members if they are made aware that this option is available to them. A number of times I have heard from people who love the idea of Crossroads, but do not see it as beneficial to themselves to join simply because anything they develop is basically just owned and operated by Crossroads. A lease whilst not entirely changing that, but will give them some rights on that plot.

Not only that.. but this lease idea will formalise the Camping site arrangements, allowing an SCA group with a member of Crossroads to have a formal campsite which they maintain and develop. It also encourages them to develop it, rather than just leave it and it protects the developments they have made. Groups from further afar may be more interested in doing a pilgramge knowing that they have rights that aren’t completely subject to the board once they have had their development plans approved. Personally I believe this may encourage more new members as it gives them more of a reason to be actively involved at this early stage of Crossroads before the Sub-division. When it all comes down to it, this lease is just an agreement from Crossroads to allow that plot of land to be used by that individual, giving them an incentive to improve the site regularly.

* I believe there is a rough zoneing plan in place at the moment? It should also be stated that Camping is only Camping, and not residential.

to be continued…