Meet Mrs Bilbo Baggins: Oxford graduate quit mainstream society to live a hobbit-style existence in mud hut in the Welsh hills

Her straw and mud hut looks more suited to Bilbo Baggins.
But unlike the wandering hobbit, Oxford University graduate Emma Orbach is staying firmly put.
The 58-year-old has spent the past 13 years living with no electricity in her self-built roundhouse, generating her own power and growing her own food.

 

Enjoying a night in: Oxford graduate Emma Orbach plays the Celtic harp in her hobbit-style mud and straw roundhouse in the Welsh mountains

 

Independent life: Emma collects firewood for her eco-home which lacks electricity and running water

Her daily chores involve tending to her vegetable plot and collecting fruit, looking after her three goats, seven chickens and two horses and chopping firewood.
She gets her drinking water from a nearby stream and only rarely ventures to the shops for treats like rice and chocolate.

 

Her evenings are spent in the glow of her stove, cooking her dinner and playing music on her Celtic harp.
The vegetarian then retires to her wool-stuffed mattress and wool covers at about 7.30pm.
Mrs Orbach said: ‘This is how I want to live. This lifestyle makes me feel really happy and at peace and this is my ideal home.’

 

 

Unassuming: The hobbit-like roundhouse has been named Tir Ysbrydol which means 'spirit land' in Welsh

Living off the earth: Emma has banned modern technology from her mountain home

 

 

The simple life: Emma keeps seven chickens, three goats and two horses at her eco-hut
Nestled in the mountains of West Wales, she named her home Tir Ysbrydol, which means ‘spirit land’ in Welsh.
When her children, who are in their 20s and 30s and live in  London, Bristol and Brighton, visit, they, like all guests at the roundhouse, are banned from bringing technology such as phones or laptops with them.
It is all a far cry from the conventional trappings of Mrs Orbach’s background. Her father was a violinist and her mother a librarian.
After graduating from Oxford  with a degree in Chinese, she  married architectural historian Julian Orbach.

Together they founded the Brithdir Mawr eco-community in the Preseli Mountains near Newport, in Pembrokeshire, round a 180-acre farm in 1993.

 

Animal care: Emma milks one of her three goats as part of her daily routine

 

One with nature: Emma gets her water from a nearby stream, chops her own firewood and only ventures to a shop to buy special treats such as chocolate

 

For five years they enjoyed a simple life, then a survey plane chanced upon the ‘lost tribe’ and they were plunged into a decade-long battle with officialdom.
Officials were unable to find any records, let alone planning permission, for the mystery hillside village surrounded by trees and bushes and insisted the eight grass-covered buildings should be demolished.
The eco-community endured a decade of inquiries, court cases and a planning hearing before their fight, backed by more modern support for green issues, finally ended in victory in 2008 when the roundhouses were given planning approval.
But by then Mr and Mrs Orbach had divorced and the commune split into three entities, including hers. Each community is independent and they co-exist as neighbours in a more traditional style.
Explaining why she set up her own home just before 2000, Mrs Orbach said she felt a ‘very strong pull to live life even more simply’.

 

Teatime: Emma makes a brew on her open fire, adding milk from her own goat

 

No stress: Emma relaxes in front of the fire in her hut before she heads to bed when it darkens outside at around 7.30 pm

 

She is in the process of building a sixth roundhouse there and has permission from the council to build four more, as well as a sauna, workshop and community building.
She runs a ‘healing and retreat centre’ on the site and usually has about five people living in the other roundhouses.
They pay her a donation, which covers her £63-a-month council tax payments, repair costs and supplies of grain.
She said: ‘I don’t miss anything at all about what is normally called reality. The quality of life, in my view, is decreasing and everything is speeding up and becoming  more stressful.
‘Once or twice I have joked about getting a takeaway pizza delivered here when I am tired after a long day. But I don’t think anyone  would deliver a pizza across two fields anyway.’

Grandfather, 68, dies after brutal attack as he walked to church to play the organ at Midnight Mass

An organist has died after he was attacked while on his way to his local church to play at Midnight Mass.
Devout Anglican Alan Greaves, 68, was found collapsed on the pavement with multiple head injuries late on Christmas Eve.
He suffered brain damage and died in hospital on Thursday night.
The ‘gentle and well-respected’  pensioner had been due to play the organ at Midnight Mass at St Saviour’s  Church in High Green, Sheffield.

 

Police have begun a murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses
Last night Mr Greaves’s wife Maureen, who spent Christmas Day praying at his bedside, said she was devastated by the ‘evil’ murder of her husband of 40 years.
‘We are bewildered and we are struggling to understand how this has  happened,’ she said.
‘Alan was soft and caring and would have avoided confrontation at all costs.’
She described her husband as ‘a gentleman, a godly man and a fantastic granddad’ who was ‘loved by many’.
‘Every Christmas Eve he would bring me a huge bunch of flowers, they are still inside,’ she said.
‘He put on his coat and hat and said, “Bye love” as he always did, and they were the last words we spoke together. It’s completely tragic, I’m devastated. Our family are still in shock.’

 

Police hunt for clues near the murder scene on Greengate Lane, Sheffield where Alan Greaves was killed

 

Police say they have no clue as to what the motive for Mr Greaves' murder may be but are not ruling out robbery

Detective Matt Fenwick, left, and Superintendent Shaun Morley, right, said the motive for Mr Greaves' murder remains a mystery

 

 

Local residents lay flowers at the scene in High Green, Sheffield, today where Mr Greaves was found collapsed on the pavement

 

 

Police believe the attack may have been a robbery gone wrong or a case of mistaken identity.
Mrs Greaves, 63, said she ‘wants justice, but not vengeance’ over her husband’s death.

‘Life sometimes produces things like this. It’s a shame but you have to look for the good,’ she said.
Mr Greaves, a retired social worker, leaves four children and two grandchildren.

He had been an organist and lay preacher at St Saviour’s for nine years.
He also regularly played piano for the children at a local primary school and, with his wife, had set up a food bank and community project in High Green.
Mr Greaves left his home at about 11pm on Christmas Eve for the short walk to the church.

 

 

Mr Greaves was on his way to St Saviour's CoE Church in High Green to play the organ when he was attacked

 

Local reverend and friend Simon Bessant said the community in High Green is 'deeply shocked and traumatised' by the murder of Mr Greaves

 

 

Grandfather Alan Greaves, 68, had left his house on Greengate Lane and was walking to St Saviour's church when he was set upon

 

Locals have been leaving floral tributes at the scene where Alan Greaves was found collapsed just 300 metres from St Savior's church where he was heading

Fifteen minutes later, with the canon and congregation becoming increasingly concerned, he was found collapsed across a kerb outside a primary school by a pizza delivery worker.
He was taken to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and had four hours of emergency surgery but never recovered.

Police are yet to determine what weapon was used by his attacker.
Rev Canon Simon Bessant, from St Saviour’s Church, said the community was ‘deeply shocked and traumatised by the news’. He described Mr Greaves as a ‘gentle soul... a teddy bear of a grandfather’.

 

 

Alan Greaves, right, was a well-known figure in the community often playing the piano at church events with his wife Maureen Greaves, left

 

 

Grandfather Alan Greaves, 68, had been walking to St Saviour's church where he played the organ when he was attacked

A murder investigation has been launched after Mr Greaves was found collapsed with severe head injuries near a primary school

 

Police speak to members of the local community which has been described as 'extremely shocked and traumatised'

‘He was a good man and this was an evil act. It was a senseless, wicked attack,’ he said.
‘I don’t think he could have had an enemy in the world, he didn’t have a violent bone in his body.
‘I had a phone call at 8am on Christmas morning, and I spent most of Christmas Day with the family in the hospital.
‘They have a strong faith but that doesn’t mean you don’t feel the difficulty. It was a hard vigil by his bedside, watching him struggle.

His wife is not embittered but obviously she wants this person to be caught.’
Mrs Greaves, an evangelist with the Church Army, said she and her husband met in 1970, when both were training to be childcare officers.
Family friends said Mr Greaves was pacifist who ‘believed in forgiveness and understanding’.
Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick of South Yorkshire Police described the murder as a ‘brutal attack’.
‘Alan Greaves’s family were looking forward to spending Christmas together but instead, they are distraught,’ he said.

 

Mr Greaves was found collapsed on the pavement on Greengate Lane just 300 metres from St Saviour's church where he was heading on Christmas Eve

 

Friend and colleague Reverend Simon Bessant from St Saviours C of E Church lays flowers where Mr Greaves' was murdered

 

Mr Greaves has been described as 'a gentle giant' who 'didn't have an enemy in the world'

Wacky mother-of-three who painted her ENTIRE house pink has to have it re-decorated in blue after she gives birth to a boy

Everyone has a favourite colour, but one woman was so addicted to pink that she painted her entire house with the rosy hue.
But after giving birth to a little boy she decided to re-decorate her whole house in blue to make him feel more at home.
Wanda Matthews, 25, was so addicted to pink that everything in her life from her hairdryer to washing up gloves had the same pinky tint.

 

 

Out with the old: In her kitchen her pink cleaning products, toaster, kettle and washing up gloves were all thrown out to make way for their perfect blue replacements

 

Pink palace: Wanda Matthews was addicted to the colour pink and decorated her whole house in the rosy hue
But when she discovered she was pregnant with son Kaiden she decided it wouldn't be fair for him to grow up in her pink palace.
Wanda's cerise wallpaper in her living room was swapped for a flowery sky-blue print, the hot pink wall paint was covered over with navy, the rose rug was replaced by a teal one and the crimson coloured cushions on her sofa are now different shades of aqua.
In her kitchen her pink cleaning products, toaster, kettle and washing up gloves were all thrown out to make way for their perfect blue replacements and even her previously girly bowls, plates and scissors are now hidden at the back of the cupboards while their indigo rivals are on display.

 

Wanda even featured on TV show Snog, Marry, Avoid? and had a make-under due to her outrageous style and make up.
She was addicted to buying clothes, make-up, wigs, accessories and spent a fortune on her appearance every month, often spending hours at a time getting ready for a night out.
But since giving birth to her son and becoming a full-time mother, those days are far behind her and she has even dyed her hair too.
Wanda, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, whose son is now eight months old, said: 'When I found out I was having a boy my first thought was what was I going to do about all the pink.

 

What a difference: Wanda's famous pink loving days are far behind her

 

 

Feeling blue: The mother-of-three finally added the colour blue into her home once she discovered she was pregnant with a baby boy and realised he couldn't grow up surrounded by pink

 

'I just thought to myself he can't be around all that pink, I couldn't do that to him.

 

'I was thinking about what it would be like when he was older and looked back at all his baby pictures and saw how everything was pink.
'The pink was fine when it was just us girls, but not for him. It did take me quite a while to warm to the idea though.
'The first thing I did was his bedroom and I made it yellow and then I started to add a few blue bits and then more and more.

 

 

Blue baby: Wanda didn't want son Kaiden looking back on his photos and being surrounded by the colour pink, but her and her daughter's rooms are still pink

 

'I think the yellow was to ease myself into the idea of getting rid of the pink.
'And then around Christmas time I started to do the living room blue. I decorated it completely, wall paper and painted it.

Little by little: She began by painting some parts of the house yellow to ease herself into getting rid of the pink and it slowly all became blue

'I got a new blue rug and a new couch and cushions.
'I've always wanted to have a boy but I was sort of expecting a girl, because I'd already had two.
'I wanted a boy, but I didn't want to get rid of the pink.'
When Wanda became a mother to two daughters she remembered how as a little girl she had dreamed of one day having an all pink bedroom.
And she quickly decided she didn't want her girls to ever miss out on anything and from that moment began planning every little girls dream - a completely pink house.
But after a brief relationship Wanda discovered she was pregnant and was shocked to be told at her 20 week scan that it was a baby boy.
Instantly the mother's mind raced as to how a little boy would cope growing up in her bright girly home.
Now, that the pink has gone Wanda desperately misses her 'loud' home but believes it is a sacrifice she has to make for her son.
The mother has however kept her own bedroom and her daughter's room as girly as possible with every single item being a perfect shade of pink - their own little 'girly piece of heaven.'
Wanda added: 'The girls were asking me where all the pink had gone, I think they were a bit upset too.
'They did love it but I explained I got the flowers on the wallpaper just for them and they were happy again.

 

Unexpected: Wanda had always wanted a boy but expected another little girl after having two already

 

 

More subtle: Wanda admits that she misses the happy, 'in your face' pink hues but likes the darker and more subtle look

'Everyone has said they like the new look better, that it's much more toned down but I'm still not sure myself really.
'There's still bits I need to finish off as there's still the odd bit of pink around but I'll be really sad to see it go.
'I do miss it, it's such a big difference now, before it was bright and happy and in your face, whereas now it's a lot darker and more subtle.
'I think it will just take some getting used to.
'I did prefer the pink but I think it's important for him, I can't be taking pictures of him with pink everywhere in the background.
'My bedroom and the girls' bedroom is still pink, it's our little safe heavens.'

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EXCLUSIVE: Home for the holidays: Rihanna rents a $21 million beachside home in Barbados - but will Chris Brown join her?

Superstar Rihanna will celebrate Christmas in style - after renting a sprawling, $21.8 million beach-side penthouse for the holidays.
The 24-year-old singer, who has a net worth of $72 million, always returns to her native Barbados for Christmas and this year, she will stay with her mother Monica Braithwaite and younger brother Rajad at the luxurious One Sandy Lane
And her volatile on-off lover Chris Brown is set to join her as well, according to friends on the island.

 

Soaking up the sun: Bikini-clad Rihanna recently shared a holiday snap. She's hired a $21 million apartment for the holidays in her native Barbados

 

The star surprised her mother with a five-bedroom home in Barbados earlier this year. However, the family will stay on the shores of the crystal-blue Caribbean Ocean for the holidays
Rihanna - who just splashed out $12 million on a new home in the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles - will join a raft of celebrities who traditionally decamp to the island, including X Factor supremo Simon Cowell, Top Shop billionaire Sir Philip Green, as well as a host of music executives.
Last year, she was paid $2 million to perform at a party in Barbados held by Ashley Tabor, the British boss of Global Radio, whose father Michael Tabor owns One Sandy Lane.

 

More...

• Plush pad: Rihanna buys brand new $12million Pacific Palisades mansion

Michael amassed a fortune from bookmaking, horsebreeding and property, and helped bankroll the £545m double purchase of GCap Media and Chrysalis Radio that created Global's broadcasting empire.
Number One Sandy Lane is just down the beach from the famous five-star Sandy Lane hotel.
There are only eight, 10,000 sq ft apartments within the opulent complex that is just a walk on to the beach, each featuring five en-suite bedrooms that boast their own private terraces and dressing rooms.

 

Luxurious: Rihanna and her family will stay at One Sandy Lane in Barbados

 

Beachside views: The apartments boast private terraces that look on to the Caribbean Ocean

 

Elegant: One of the five bedrooms inside the apartment at One Sandy Lane

While private elevators and underground parking come as standard, perfect for Rihanna.
One Sandy Lane boasts that it is run like a boutique hotel. Even when nobody is staying there, a private staff of 34, including gardeners and security staff, keeps everything shipshape.
The security system works on biometrics, which mean residents can pass between different areas in the building without carrying anything as old-fashioned as a key, but non-residents will be instantly detected.
Rapper Chris Brown is planning to join Rihanna, according to friends on the island - although one said: 'Their relationship changes day to day, hour by hour.'
The couple have made it no secret of their increasing affection for each other in a series of pictures posted on Twitter and a string of recent public appearances.

 

Volatile: Rihanna with on-off boyfriend Chris Brown, seen leaving Adagio Nightclub in Berlin in November

 

Reunited? Chris Brown posted a picture of him with Rihanna earlier this month - alongside the message: 'What would music today sound like if these kids didn't exist?'

But their reunion may be scuppered as singer Christina Milian recently claimed he's back with former girlfriend, model Karrueche Tran - with the pair pictured together in Paris earlier this month.
In response, Rihanna let loose with a stream of angry tweets, writing: 'Goodbye, muthaf***** #takeoff,' followed by, 'You give, you get, then you give it the f*** back.'
She then sent the message: "Never underestimate a man's ability to make you feel guilty for his mistakes' to her 37 million Twitter followers, swiftly followed by a picture of herself half-naked by a fireplace holding a glass of wine.
Rihanna then put up a screen shot of a description of women born under the astrological sign of her star sign,  Pisces, that said Pices women are 'generous and sweet but don't cross her', that she captioned 'I don't wanna give you the wrong impression.'
The couple broke up four years ago following Brown's brutal assault on the superstar, which left her hospitalised.

Chandelier: The spacious hallway at One Sandy Lane

 

Bathe in style: A spacious, all-white bathroom at One Sandy Lane

 

However, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in August, Rihanna broke down in tears as she admitted:'We love each other and we probably always will, and that's not anything that we're going to try to change.'
She called the rapper her 'first love' and in October, Brown announced he had ended his relationship with Karruche, declaring: 'I have decided to be single to focus on my career. I love Karrueche very much but I don't want to see her hurt over my friendship with Rihanna.'

 

Doting daughter: Rihanna surprised her mother with a five-bedroom house in Barbados during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in August

 

Family: Rihanna kisses her brother Rajad after surprising her mother Monica Braithwaite with a new home

Rihanna - real name Robyn Fenty - returns home every year for the holidays.
In 2010, she was pictured frolicking with friends on the beach, and enjoyed lunch with Universal music chief, Lucian Grainge, as well as Philip Green and Simon Cowell.
She then gave Oprah Winfrey a tour of the island during her interview in August and the TV star also stayed at One Sandy Lane.

 

Lunchtime companions: Rihanna joined Topshop boss Sir Philip Green, Simon Cowell and Universal Music chief Lucian Grainge in Barbados in 2010

 

Back at Sandy Lane: Sir Philip Green relaxes in Barbados after arriving on Sunday

Sir Philip 60, has already arrived in Barbados for his annual jaunt with his wife Tina - flying in on their gulf stream jet which costs £40,000-a-trip. Their daughter Chloe is due to join them.
Cowell, 53, is also due out soon to take his month-long break in the Caribbean.