GRITH FYRD . CAMPS [To the Editor of Tim SPECTATOR.] Sm,--Unemployment
is leisure ; and leisure is an oppor- tunity to do many excellent things which employed people have but little time for ; Grith Fyrd Camps is an organiza- tion that enables young men to make use of this oppor- tunity by educating themselves in various qualities for which there is the greatest need in the world today.
The course lasts eighteen months. Young men are enrolled and go to camp, where they co-operate in production of as great a proportion as possible of their own needs. They grow much of their own food, keep livestock, build their dwelling-places as much as possible from materials found on the spot, and supply other needs by cobbling, weaving, carpentry and other crafts. There is as yet only one camp, established in March, 1932, at Godshili, near Fordingbridge, Hants, but further camps with not more than fifty members in each will be established in other districts as fast as our progress and financial considerations will allow. The Ministry of Labour supports us by allowing unemployed members to continue to draw benefits and pay them into the scheme. While not restricted to unemployed, the movement naturally appeals most to those unable to find work. Others pay E1 a week, and it is confidently hoped that as the movement becomes firmly established, and its educational and other advantages appreciated, more members will conic in on this basis. These payments by members do not cover the cost of the movement while it is in its early stages, and still expanding, but "generous subscribers have 'enabled the work to start, and' it -is' hoped they "will" enable it to spread.
Grith Fryd claims • to .give the very training that our schools- do not give. For the- first six months members work .for the camp's self-Support: During the second"- six monthS this productive •work continues, and,. in addition,,• small groups equipped with light-weight camping - gear :fare -forth to see all they can of England : the beauty of its country and many- of its cities, and the casual sordidness that has resulted- in other places front lack of town-planning and fore- sight : the bad conditions under which So many people live and the efforts that are- being made to . improve these con- ditions. . By the time "the last six months arrive, many will have gained a desire to share in this `task of improvement, and they will be given as much -time for this as our position as regards self-support will allow. Voluntary workers are wanted in all fields, and more fields will open. The move- ment can supply helpers. for unemployffient camps, or for seaside camps for children: ; "-there is hardly a town or village that could not be made more beautiful ; derelict industrial sites want clearing -and 'slag heaps planting over ; land :utilization surveys and archaeological work await the doing.
. - • The purpose of Grith Fryd training will perhapi now be
understood. The work which occupies -the first six months, and persiSts at intervals through the remainder of the course, forms a basis in the second period members gain not only an appreciation of what needs doing, but some idea of how to do it ;. the third period' affords an opportunity for the practice of citizen service.
At the 'present time the movement claims attention chiefly as affording an alternative to membership of the industrial system. Such an alternative is clearly required when there are in this -country over 2/ million more work-seekers than there are jobs ; but it must recognize the value of work and discipline, and look forward to the future. Grith Fryd does this by educating its mernbers in leadership, and making them more fit to occupy any position, whether as employee or employer, but most particularly by giving them a chance to become used to rural life. All particulars of the move- ment may be obtained from the Hon. Sec., Grith Fryd Camps, Toynbee Hall, London, E. 1.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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