FORUM

Now nigh on 2,000 members and 200 plus posts a day!
Latest - Project Pallet 2009, what can you make from a Pallet?
Go to THE FORUM now!

Down the Lane in the Media
A page showing recent articles and links from the media Click Here
Shopping Pages
Eco-Products
Gardening
eBay
Pet Products
Books & More
Click Here
New Page
The Eco Paper Logmaker
Save money, save fuel by using the Log Maker.
Review plus Down the Lane 'How to' Video
Click Here
Battery Hen Pages
Pages dedicated to this terrible farming method
Many people are now taking these poor creatures on as pets.
A friendly home is rewarded with eggs a'plenty!
The Battery Hen
Diary

Keep up to date with all things around Down the Lane in the Fortnightly Diary

New 2009

Tips from Down the Lane
Tips on loads of things from changing a Shed into a Chicken House to saving money on Laundry (frugal & green in mind)

 

 

Welcome to Down the Lane

A website showing, through personal trials and tribulations, the results of a downshifting experience.


Life takes you wherever you want it to go usually. For a large part of it you can be happy and content, then things change around you and it's not what you want it to be anymore.

This sums up how I was feeling in 1999. I had a good secure job, well paid and I didn't have to worry too much about paying the Bills. Then, in six traumatic weeks, everything changed and it became apparent that taking away certain parts of my life, there wasn't much left. I took stock of the situation and decided I could only have the quality of life I wanted by changing it and making my destiny through my own means.

Out went my Railway Management job and in came the self-reliant world. The last 8 years has taken me through Oddjobbing, Gardening Work, earning a bit on the Web through Surveys and Mystery Shopping etc. Now I'm lucky enough to have a summer job of Dressing Room Attendant for the Kent Cricket Team and spend the winter month's on other casual diversities.

Although still not earning half the amount I was 8 years ago, I have supplemented some of this by growing much of my vegetable needs and keep chickens for eggs (but they're pet's really!!).

Working on the "Do I need it and if I do, can I make it" principles, the frugal life has become second nature, the paying of Bills a challenge and the outcomes a sense of personal achievement.

I hope you enjoy the reading!

The Web Site


Down the Lane has grown from just 30 pages in late 2003 to over 600 pages as of now.
The Website is referred to quite regulary in both National and Local Press, major Websites such as the BBC and has been the subject of two TV Documentaries.
The Forum, which was refurbished in Spring 2007 now has just about 1,000 members and averaging 100 posts per day

In the last year......
Through much needed publicity about Chicken Battery Farming (campaigned about by Down the Lane since 2003), the Chicken Keeping Section has grown considerably to give help and advice to those thinking about having, or who have just started, keeping Chickens in their back gardens.

The Frugal Living Pages
Video's
Many pages now have 'how to' or fun Video's to add to the Sites diversity.

Extra's the Blog
This was started to give me a chance of going off topic, well more off on one is probably nearer the mark!
Subjects vary from the interlect to absolute dribble (but I like it!)

Shopping Pages
Over 30 Shopping Pages have been added which link through to carefully selected Suppliers. Categories include Eco products, Pet Medications, Gardening, Books and much more.

Growing up in the 50's and 60's
I wrote these 30 odd pages because, whilst carrying out my frugal duties, I continually found myself returning to my younger years when frugality was a way of life!

Richard Cannon

Topical Pages

Chickens in Hot Weather
Care for Hens during Summer

Rats and Chickens
No harm, but a nuisance

Chicken Keeping FAQ's
Some common questions

Growing up in the 50's and 60's
A new section which, for some reason, is attracting many guests

Tips from Down the Lane
Whole new section with money and time saving tips

Film and TV Extra Work
Earning extra cash all year round

New Down the Lane HQ
The long awaited second stage of the development has reached it's grand opening!

New Section

Visiting WW1 Battlefields
12 new pqges on exploring 1914 - 1918 history in the Ypres area of Belgium without spending a fortune

In The Blog
Over 130 articles about 'most things in life'.
From interlect to dribble!

Categories...
Thank You

To John at WebOne UK for hosting this website and providing me with much technical expertise! (visit his great Allotment site here)

 

Enjoy your trip around and down the lane. IT'S A BIT OF A MIXED BAG, BUT SO AM I!