Leach Press and Oakist Press
Newsletter – Issue 4
22 June 2026
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the fourth Leach Press and Oakist Press newsletter.
The aim is simple – once a week, I'll send a short update covering new books, new videos, events, projects and life at Oakwood.
Thank you for subscribing and supporting independent publishing.
Happy Solstice!
New Oakist Press Books
Three new books have recently been released through Oakist Press.
Living on the Road, Waterways or Off-grid in the UK
Dicky Dread
A practical guide to alternative living in the UK, covering vanlife, boats, off-grid living, traveller culture, legal realities and the many different ways people choose to live beyond conventional housing.
Nature Boy's Magical World
Steve Andrews
A personal testimony of a life shaped by a profound and enduring connection with the natural world. Steve reflects on nature, spirituality, creativity and the experiences that have shaped his remarkable journey.
Physics, Consciousness & Reality
Dicky Dread and Nigel Adams
An exploration of some of the deepest questions in science and philosophy. Drawing together ideas from physics, cosmology, consciousness studies and systems thinking, the book examines the relationship between mind, matter and reality itself.
New Leach Press Book
Paddy's Lost His Stash
Dicky Dread
When Paddy loses his legendary festival stash, the Cuckoo Crew launches a wildly chaotic international search spanning festivals, airports and continents – discovering friendship, madness and misadventure along the way.
New Videos This Week
Living on the Road, Waterways or Off-grid in the UK
Three new episodes were released this week:
- The hidden rules that control vanlife and boat living
- The real reason they tell vehicle dwellers to move on
- The truth about owning land in the UK
These episodes explore the realities of canal life, off-grid living, planning law and the continuing challenges faced by travelling communities in the modern UK.
Physics, Consciousness & Reality
Two new episodes were released this week:
- How do we measure consciousness?
- What if separation is the biggest illusion?
These videos continue our exploration of consciousness, altered states, perception and the nature of reality.
Off-grid Skills with Dicky Dread
- Can You Really Live Off-Grid With Solar Power? | The Truth About Solar
- How I Find Cheap and Free Solar Panels
- Battery Sizing Made Simple for Off-Grid Living
Oakwood Rewilding Project
Work continues at Oakwood in Llanbrynmair.
More mulch has been made with Cheeko the Chipper, and the young tree saplings have been topped up.
Erika is working hard in the polytunnel and it is blooming with life. Something is chomping on the leaves, though – probably slugs, but we need to investigate.
The meadow areas are getting long, but they are also becoming increasingly diverse compared with previous years. The new paths have provided some fun for bike and quad racing.
We need to keep an eye on the dock and chop the seed heads off in early July to prevent it from spreading too much.
We have also started sourcing trees for a cider orchard.
More work has begun on digging the lake at last, although there may be an issue with the overflow running onto our neighbour's land. That still needs to be resolved.
We are also planning the installation of a six-metre yurt for Erika's therapy practice and are currently waiting for a quote.
We managed to get hold of a free abandoned caravan, which will be stripped out and turned into an art space for Erika.
Upcoming event
Oakwood Rewilding Day
Saturday 11 July 2026
Erika and Dicky invite you to join us for a community day of rewilding at Oakwood, Llanbrynmair.
Starting time: 1:00 pm
Meeting place: Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Llanbrynmair
Activities include tree mulching, woodland path work, dock management, habitat improvements, species logging, wildlife surveys, nature discovery activities and bug hotel construction. A simple vegan meal will be provided in the evening.
DJ News
One new mix is available online:
The Dicky Dread Solstice Show
20 June 2026
Listen on Mixcloud →
I'll also be playing live at a show in Newtown on 25 July – more information next week.
Coming Soon
Work continues on a number of current and future projects, including:
- Further episodes of Physics, Consciousness & Reality
- Further episodes of Living on the Road, Waterways or Off-grid in the UK
- Further videos on off-grid living, continuing with solar power and charge controllers
- New Oakist Press releases
- Resources and the Future – An Anarchist Perspective
- Crime, Justice and Punishment – An Anarchist Perspective
Stay Connected
Thank you again for your support.
Until next week,
Dicky Dread
Leach Press & Oakist Press