Update to Voirreys position at Schumacher College

Voirrey is an exceptional human being with an extraordinary attentiveness and energetic input to the needs of the students at the college and surrounding community. She is solid and anchors a very important oasis of real human care and quality of connection reminding us all of the important things in life. Her gifts are endless and her constant production of the most delicious bread and fermentation expertise is just the tip of a mountain of goodness. Thank you Voirrey, long may it continue. Jobee

Voirrey plays many important roles at Schumacher, she helps a great deal both practically, and on a level of pastoral support. She holds important information as well as sharing many skills such as fermentation and bread making. There have been many times during the constantly shifting scenes at Schumacher where I have been so relieved by her presence both at higher close and postern as she knows where things are and how they work when no one else is there! Aside from this her heartfelt presence, wisdom and continuous desire to keep learning and to be up to date with the current status of the world is an inspiration and helps support students here. She is a living example of the head, heart and hands philosophy and she teaches people experientially. She is therefore an embodiment of the colleges philosophy and the college would be a much poorer place without her.

On Voirrey’s last birthday, I was spending time with Ole and Titiane in Titiane’s house in France, thinking about what we could send her for her birthday. A few days before, we had visited two brothers in their tiny monastery, singing the Magnificat in their chapel as I had learned it in Taizé (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLM0GiihIbs) — a canticle that can be sung as a canon in up to four voices and that can be translated as ‘my soul magnifies the lord’. Thinking of Voirrey made us very very happy (indeed) and in this happy mood, we started fooling around and eventually came up with new lyrics for this song, turning it into a birthday song for Voirrey. Instead of magnifying the lord, our song was meant to magnify Voirrey, and this is how it went: Kimchi and sourdough, kimchi and sourdough, kimchi and sourdough gave birth to Voirrey! Unfortunately, we never recorded it and thus Voirrey never heard it (yet!), but we sang it for days and days to the French valleys and rivers and trees and couldn’t get it out of our heads. Another proof of how much Voirrey meant and still means to us! To cut a long story short, there are a few important messages in this birthday story: 1. Even thinking back of Voirrey makes us happy! Let’s not prevent future Schumacher students from this post-Schumi happiness booster! 2. What should people eat at the college in all the short breaks? Sure, cookies from the kitchen are great, but without Voirrey’s bread people surely wouldn’t be able to concentrate enough (energy & concentration generated from sugar uses up much quicker than from longer carbon hydrates as contained in Voirreys bread), so courses at the college would clearly not work as well as they do now. 3. Which smell in the kitchen could possibly replace that of Voirrey’s kimchi, attracting some, putting off others, and thereby inspiring crucial discussions with truly oppositional opinions? I could continue this list forever, for example: What should people drink at the c

Please support Voirrey and her irreplaceable work!

Schumacher college is one of the best places I know.

Voirriey is the embodiment of all that is good about Schumacher. Present. Creative. Living in touch with the mysteries of nature. Grounded. Limitless. How many times have I come down in the middle of the night to raid the fridge to find her concocting and baking, listening to the radio, musing. We talk, and after a while I go back up to bed, knowing that, yes, we're on the edge, but all is well for now. Voirrey is the embodiment of what Schumacher has been about for years. The last time we talked I said, "Voirrey, Schumacher would fall apart without you."

During my time at Schumacher Vorriey represented one of the voices I resonated with the most. Her determination, love for all things fermented and her way of speaking up when she sees injustice. to put it simple she is one of those people who lets action speak louder than words. Finding her in the kitchen round dinner eating steamed vegetables or late night after dark baking bread gave me many nourishing conversations to remember! Sending my love from Scotland down south to you Voirrey! I would say that the single word I would describe her with is resilience

Vorriey pressence at Schumacher is heartfelt. Holding a very speciel space, that No one Else could even see. But I felt it. The belongingness, and it helped me belong to, for the short period I was there. Finding her in the kitchen at Night, and my day was complete. All the best to Schumacher and Vorriey. "Bread is a matter of life and death"

Voirry is a vital link to head, heart, and hand learning at the Schumacher College. Her presence transformed a kitchen into a much-needed space for integrating thoughts and feelings while we learn a lovely & yummy hand skill. I am very grateful for Voirry's generous guidance, resource sharing, her precious stories of the College history. She is the only person I know who is playing a role to connect inside and outside the College as well as past and new students, volunteers and staffs EVERY DAY! Her dedication and contribution to the College are immeasurable. Please, we need Voirry!

Voirrey has been amazing in responding to the requests for food & help for the refugees at Dartingon : I wish her my heartfelt best

Holding Space. Wise, wise, wise. Left in a void of uncertainty for years upon years Unquestioning dedication to the core meaning and ethics of the college. Voirry is infinitely more than a helper or baker or mere volunteer, Voirry hold the very fabric of life at Schumacher together in her very valuable and special way. On one occasion when unpacking Seatons books in the new elmhurst library - she held myself and a group of students and volly's dumbstruck at the depth and breadth of her knowledge of most subject matters. Again late into the night We'd gather to hear, lament, discuss and digest the latest topic du journal bought to the kitchen by the students but steered gracefully and with compassion back to the importance of the particulars by Voirry. One must question the sanity of the powers that be as to why such a valuable, pivitol ans key member of the faculty is continually left in limbo regarding her eligibility at Schumacher when it is plain as day that the heart head and hands would be utterly lost if Voirry were not kept in the heart of the eastablishment where she not only belongs but is very much needed...

Just to add another voice of someone who has greatly appreciated Voirrey’s presence at Schumacher. She brings an enormous heart, as well as brain and, informed by regular Guardian reading, brings the two together in talking about the world ‘out there’ which I sometimes found all too easy to forget whilst living at Schumacher. Thank you, Voirrey and I do hope things work out well for you soon.

For me Voirrey was an essential part of my Schumacher experience. She helped me to feel at home not only as a lovely flatmate but also as an nocturnal chat-partner. She always helped me out and never made me feel uncomfortable when I couldn't deal with a situation. I am more than thankful !

From all that I learnt at Schumacher College, Voirrey is the only person that can truly represents it. She and Faze were the two staffs mentioned in my dissertation acknowledgements, because their participation in my community life changed my perception of community. Thank you Voirrey for being available for any question, for every good-night, for your listening, and sharing. I miss your kind and tenderness. Love. <3

Voirrey is always there for students, not only physically in the kitchen, but also mentally close to your heart. Whenever you jump into the kitchen, she is always there with her gentle eyes and a big smile on her face, giving you a chance to fill your belly and to talk what is happening with your life in the college. This kind of conversation is vital for reflecting on your journey outside the classroom and for finding your home at heart. I firmly believe that she embodies what “Small is Beautiful” means. Such role she has been playing should not be underestimated.

During my short stay at Schumacher, Voirrey was a wonderful part of the experience and personality of place that is the College. My time in the kitchen, both "on duty" and during evenings and nights were enriched by her presence, her humble deep wisdom, quiet humor and insight, as well as her expertise in food (her sourdough was a highlight of breakfast :) ). I remember her very fondly, and wish her well warmly <3

What can I say about lovely Voirrey? First of all, your bread is fantastic, and that is no small compliment from someone who grew up with German bread. Second, I really appreciate your quiet, down-to-earth nature, your calm presence in and around the kitchen, and your gentle support to all who need it. You have immense knowledge of not only practical things, but also the inner workings of the college. And finally, I will always remember the fun we had, picking apples in the orchard: the photo on the left as I write makes me smile so much! Sending much love to you, Voirrey, for the paths your feet take you, may you always know and remember how much you are loved and appreciated.

Voirrey's presence in the college is one that was significant in making the place feel like home when I first arrived. Her calm and graceful essence really puts you at ease, and she quickly became the first person I was most comfortable being around - stimulating conversations, showing and sharing her craft/expertise, accepting and understanding who you are. Voirrey is most definitely central to my Schumacher experience, and I only hope everyone who walks through the doors of the college is blessed by her grace and amazing bread for as long as she lives. The college is lucky to have her as the personification of its ethos. Viva Voirrey!

8 years ago Featured

Voirrey is the soul of Schumacher. I learned a lot with her and her beautiful process of baking and sharing her skills with students. For me she represents the real meaning of what is to do things with hands, hearts and head :)

Bread, sweetness, care, love, presence, open heart, devotion, believe, a breath of purpose