Bryn Gweled (Welsh for “Hill of Vision”) is made up of a diverse group of people who share a way of life. We are young and old families, single parents and individuals who have chosen to live together in our wooded oasis and to work cooperatively to maintain the place we call home. There are 81 two-acre leaseholds, 78 with homes, on 240 collectively-owned acres in Upper Southampton, Bucks County. Our woods are habitat for foxes, owls, deer, hawks, rabbits, raccoons, and many other species of wildlife. We share an organic community garden, a community swimming pool, tennis courts, a soccer field, and a Community Center where many activities are held. All of these are enjoyed and maintained by our members.
BG is a not-for-profit corporation owned by its members, each of whom is expected to contribute in some way toward the maintenance of the community. Each member is encouraged to serve on at least two volunteer committees, the names of which show the many ways we work together. They include Grounds and Planting, Health and Welfare, Children’s Activities, Community Activities, Property and Utilities, Roads, Community Center Maintenance, Swimming Pool, Environmental Stewardship and others. The elected officials of the community include a Board of Directors and three committees. The President and Vice-President are elected from the Board. The Secretary is appointed by the President. The Treasurer is a long-term position, usually filled by a committed volunteer when it goes vacant (the present Treasurer is the fifth in 81 years).
One of our elected committees, Membership, meets with prospective members and introduces them to the opportunities and responsibilities of living here. The committee oversees the arrangement of small gatherings in members’ homes for the applicants to meet and learn more about the community and their prospective neighbors, and for both the applicant and community members to decide on mutual compatibility. Our membership process gives prospective members plenty of time to consider that BG is a good fit for them. The applicant(s) must finally be approved for membership by a 4/5 majority of the members.
Our other two elected committees are Housing and Nominating. Housing oversees home ownership transfers and works with Membership on mutual concerns. Membership and Housing are key to the functioning of the community because only leaseholders are members. While homes are individually owned, the owner of the home must also be the leaseholder of the lot on which it sits. We consider all members our neighbors, even if they live at opposite sides of our community.
We are fortunate in being an ideal size for such a community; large enough to have a rich social and cultural fabric, and small enough for everyone to know each other. Although large projects such as road repaving are done by contractors, the community does not employ anyone except summer lifeguards, legal counsel, and an accounting firm to audit our books, so all of the work of managing our multi-million-dollar corporation is done by volunteers.
The first Saturday of each month is the best time to visit and see Bryn Gweled in action. Visitors and available members are welcome to join in a work party from 9:00 until noon. Typical work party projects include maintenance of the buildings and roads, clearing invasive plants on common land, planting trees and shrubs, and managing our deer population. In the evening we gather for a covered-dish supper, sometimes called a potluck, and after that a business meeting. These meetings democratically cover the operation of the community and include a wide range of topics including fun things such as celebrations to strictly business such as budget priorities. There is often heated debate, but issues are usually resolved by compromising in good community spirit. Sometimes there is a short “closed” portion at the beginning of the meeting to discuss membership issues, but otherwise visitors always are welcome.
Since Bryn Gweled began in 1940, we have committed ourselves to being an open and diverse community.
Our focus is on being great neighbors and stewards of the earth.
Our focus is on being great neighbors and stewards of the earth.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of Bryn Gweled must attend two business meetings (the first Saturday of each month, unless that is a holiday). After that, the Membership Committee meets with the applicants and guides them through a process which includes small group meetings, or visits, at members’ homes. We encourage applicants to attend work parties, covered-dish suppers, and other community events to become familiar with what it means to become a community member. After these formal and informal meetings, the applicant becomes accepted with a 4/5 positive vote by all community members. Applicants become full members by signing a 99-year renewable lease on a lot. If a house occupies the lot, the transaction includes the purchase of the house.
Phone, write, or email us. Visitors are especially welcome on Bryn Gweled meeting day, usually the first Saturday of the month, but visitors may be received at other time by arrangement. There are no overnight accommodations for visitors.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Join fee: $4000
Monthly fees/dues: $110
Labor: Encouraged or suggested
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes (some debt)
While the community has many social aspects, all members are stockholders in what is essentially a land holding corporation. As part of owning a house (and other improvements on a lot in BG, you purchase a “C” Certificate (a.k.a. a capitalization certificate). This is your share of acquiring the land and the major improvements. This amount is based on the outlays at the time the assets were acquired. Currently it is about $4,000, which most banks allow to be rolled into your mortgage. (At current land prices and building costs this would be exponentially higher.) You must sell this back to BG without interest when you leave the community.
Garden(s), Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area, Internet
Residential areas outside city centers but within metropolitan regions.
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