Around Corbenic we have a lot of gravel stones. Stones allow drainage and so provide a robust surface for feet and vehicles. However, over time, these surfaces become clogged with decaying plant debris. This acts as barrier, preventing drainage. Puddles form.

Adding a new layer of stones on top is a quick fix. But it is expensive. Is there be another way? Something that would align with our sustainable values? What if we could clean the stones and extract the compost? What we need is a Shoogler!

A shoogler is someone or something that shoogles. The verb to shoogle is defined as:

---

‘to shake, sway, or rock back and forth’

---

Our shoogler has two trays. The upper tray has a mesh that will let the stones through. The lower meshes has a fine mesh to allow composted material through but retain the stones.

By having the sifting tray suspended on ropes, shaking the Shoogler can be done easily. Shoogling becomes an accessible task.

Attendees from several workshops will be able to bring a wheelbarrow with stones that need cleaning and add them to the input pile. This pile will be used by the Shoogler operator to slowly feed onto the top tray. A wheelbarrow underneath will catch the emerging compost, which can be added to output pile 1. The cleaned stone can then be tipped into an output pile 2. A wheelbarrow of cleaned stones can be taken away.

Independent working

We all benefit from being given autonomy. None of use like to be micro-managed. The intent behind the Shoogler is to provide tasks that can be completed by residents with a sense of autonomy and with genuine purpose. The process provides clear outputs – revitalised stones and a source of composted material.

What does Shoogle success look like?

Success will be if at least one resident or day service finds a fulfilling task shoogling. We do not yet know how well this will work. We expect to have some feedback and have snagging to do.

Keep checking back in to see how the Shoogler develops!