No Winners, No Losers

This is a documentary made in 1985 by Yorkshire Television about the Camphill community in the village of Botton, in North Yorkshire. The village, the first of the Camphill adult communities run according to the principles of Rudolf Steiner, was celebrating 30 years since its foundation. Through interviews the relationship between those with learning difficulties, the co-workers work and the world outside is explored, as well as the work and activities of the village.

The Camphill communities, now with more than 100 communities in over 20 countries under the auspices of the Association of Camphill Communities, were established by a group of refugees from Nazi Austria, led by Dr Karl König. Inspired by the ideas of anthroposophy, they set up the first school for children with learning difficulties in Camphill House, just outside Aberdeen, in 1940. The “curative education” that they aimed to put into practice was person centred, aiming to realise the full potential and self-determination of every individual, regardless of any disability they may have. Botton is run by the Camphill Village Trust, recently in conflict with villagers over the status of the co-workers.