The Horizone Eco-site is a rural convergence centre in Stirling, Scotland. It hs been estblished in response to the meeting of te G8 leaders at the nearby Gleneagles Hotel.

The camp site provide a focal point for activists protesting at and around the G8 summit in various local actions, as well as demonstrating how people and communities can co-exist and organise themselves efficiently and sustainably.

The Hori-Zone site comprises a campsite organised in "barios" representing various affinity groups, kitchen and food service areas, meeting spaces, social spaces and information centres such as the Indymedia centre which provides real time information about the G8 resistance.

A short walk around the site will reveal all kinds of colourful characters using innovation to demonstrate a more sustainable way of life.

Roy and Michael from Murrayshire in North Scotland are building composting toilets for users of the eco-site. Michael told me how he worked with American activist Starhawk in the consultation with Stirlingshire Council which led to the sites creation. Together they gained approval for the building of composting toilet along with the greywater system.

"A composting toilet consists of a raised platform and a wheely-bin", Michael explained. "When the user has finished with the facility, he or she then pours the sawdust provided into the toilet and leaves."

The site organisers have reached an arrangement with a local farmer whereby the wheely bins are stored for a set period of time, after which the nitrogen in the "humnure" and the carbon in the sawdust react to form a great compost which can be used as fertiliser for crops and gardens.

A little further on we came accross a traditional horse drawn bow top wagon owned by Jimmy Smith. Jimmy has lived in this modest but comfortable home for the "best part of 20 years", he told us.

Welcoming us into his home, Jimmy and prtner, Heather, showed us their combined kitchen and living areas complete with wood burner where a pot of tea was brewing.

"We're here to lend our support to the cause," he said. "We've been overwhelmed by the wonderful reception we've had here {Hori-Zone} from people from all over the world."

Jimmy enthused that the horses had been a source of amusement and awe for the numerous children on the site. "Horses make people smile," he added. "They might slow the traffic down now and then, though". He didn't seem to think this was a bad thing.

Metres from Jimmy's horses we encountered the "1 in 12" tent. "1 in 12" is an autonomous social centre in Bradford etablished in the eighties and so named because at the time it was reported that 1 in 12 people in Bradford were committing benefit fraud.

The 1 in 12 people were busily prepring their kitchen which has, for the last few days, been serving food for 200+ people per day in exchange for donations.

Jane from 1 in 12, looking up as she washed a jumbo sized pot said of Hori-Zone: "It's an excellent example of how people can pull together and do stuff for themselves".

Despite the fact that "1 in 12" have been stopped 4 times and searched twice by the police whilst bringing food into the site, Jane maintained an upbeat demeanour as she excused herself to finish preparing lunch.

Amongst the other people we met were Kate from "Wimmin Space", the Glasgow based organisation. They are a body of women to take action against the g8.

So far they've had a good response from other women on the site, who are interested in creating blocades and other forms of direct action.

They have a big female only tent, which also provides facilities for mothers including kids toys, paint and banner material.

we also met Jennifer, Ben and Jolene who are apart of Queer Barios who provide a welcoming space for gay activists on the site. They also run a kitchen with the Wimmin Space tent and have fun and games, inlcuding Twister, line dancing, singalongs and even give massages!

These are just a handful of the things going on in the Hori-Zone which is proving to be a runaway success.

Ta