Reconnect 19 June-July 12

l Win FREE tickets for HOME, Quest and Westcountry Storytelling festivals l www.reconnectonline.co.uk

JUNE/JULY 2012 ISSUE 19 BIG 48PAG E ISS UE!

the green living magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and South Devon

Building on the past Natural methods and materials

FREE please take one and pass it on

Power from above

Devon churches plug into PV

Big summer events

Reconnect diary - now also online

What's all this, hen?

Hatching plans to keep poultry

On top of the world!

14 pages of natural healthiness

Explore the new Reconnect archive www.reconnectonline.co.uk... local people local events local foodat local health local environment HoLiSTiC MEdiCiNE

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Consulting hypnotherapist www.hypnosisexeter.com kaTherine ukLeJa do rCsT Craniosacral therapy www.katherineukleja.co.uk LesLeY harPer nutritional therapy www.lesleyharper.co.uk susan QuaYLe Maternity reflexologist, fertility, ante natal, labour, post natal & baby, aromatherapy, massage Tel: 01626 862469 karin or PaTriCia Pregnancy yoga & active birth www.birthwise.net norah CaTherine MCCuLLagh Bespoke facials & skin care www.purefaceworks.com saManTha goddard reiki rascals - Pre & post natal treatments & teaching for mum, baby & child. 07870 167701 Louisa shorneY MBsCh Clinical Hypnotherapy & life coaching lshorney@gmail.com The devon sChooL oF reFLeXoLogY Level 3 diploma spring/autumn courses 2012 www.devonreflexology.com harrieT hoLLingWorTh Acupuncture & Chinese healthcare, reflexology, sports massage, reiki Master www.hollingworthtouch.co.uk JuLia CoLLeTT Psychotherapy & counselling 01837 840052 anna Paris ac.M.MBaC Traditional acupuncture, Toyahari 5 element & Manaka styles. email: amparis1@btinternet.com geoFF green energy healing and counselling www.innerknowing.co.uk Marion WaLLis Transforming Shiatsu 01364 643467 Tian kaLouLi Bowen Technique.

01647 432101 The BLueBeLL CenTre spirituality and Metaphysics www.bluebellcentre.co.uk adeLia TisdaLL holistic and Therapeutic Massage iTeC Tel 07835 516188 sarah FLoWer d.n dn Med d IrIdol Nutritionist, 07545 287816 www.sarahflower.co.uk JuLiane PeChT angel readings, energy healing, reiki www.healyourheart.co.uk

Exeter Natural Health Centre, Queens Walk, 83/84 Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3RP e: info@enhc.org w: www.enhc.org

Find out more about us on facebook and follow us on twitter @ExeterNaturalHC 2

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...and the latest news at www.facebook.com/ReconnectMagazine Welcome...

Local food 6-9 Community store’s £150,000 target FREE perennial veg books Claim your copy now!

9

Transition noticeboard 10-11 The Anglo-Spanish connection...

PAGE 13

EDITOR editor@reconnectonline.co.uk Martin Foster 01803 868455 45 Punchards Down, Follaton Totnes TQ9 5FD

Reconnect’s net gain 5 New online diary and archive

Inside this issue

Brought to you by...

Local energy 12-13 Churches harness ‘power of God’

Pete Hardy 01392 346342 2 Withall’s Gardens Lympstone EX8 5JH

Work in progress 14 Working towards your ideal job Eco homes 16-20 Stitch-in-time home maintenance Poultry contribution 24-25 Foster talks a load of cock (and hens) Events diary 26-27 All dressed up with somewhere to go

AD SALES ASSISTANT heather@reconnectonline.co.uk Heather Nicholson

Seasonal eating 28 Carol Lee gets the taste for summer

PAGE 20

COMMERCIAL EDITOR ADVERTISEMENT SALES adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

PAGE 31

Festival update 30-31 Free tickets for the taking Wellbeing 33-45 Complementary health latest

How to advertise...

Living on less 46 I don’t mean to sound ungrateful...

THE DEADLINE The deadline for the Aug/Sept issue is Friday, July 6 - but get in touch now and we’ll do what we can!

Cover images: The main image, of old farm machinery at Embercombe, is by Suzie Mumme. Read all about the Westcountry Storytelling Festival on page 31. The other images are: of Brad Richceour’s annual camp; the Thornleigh hens; solar panels on St Mark’s church in Exeter; and traditional woodworking skills on the Schumacher natural building course.

THE RATES 1/8-page - £93; 1/4-page - £148; 1/2-page £313; full page £522.

THE DISCOUNTS Book three issues, get 10% off.

Pay for a series of six, get one free.

PAY MONTHLY Book six issues and pay monthly by direct debit (and you get 10% discount). So, a 1/8-page is just £41.85 a month; a 1/4-page is £66.60 a month; a 1/2-page is £140.85 a month; and a full page is £234.90 a month.

AD DESIGN Just call and we’ll help with words (free of charge) and design (for between £10-£50).

CLASSIFIED See page 45 for details.

Call Pete or Martin NOW!

The small print PUBLISHED BY Reconnect Publishing, 2 Withall’s Gardens, Lympstone, EX8 5JH PRINTED BY Kingfisher Print, Wills Rd, Totnes www.kingfisherprint.co.uk WEBSITE Visit our website at www. reconnectonline.co.uk. And visit our Facebook page at www.facebook. com/reconnectmagazine

ECO ETHOS Reconnect is written, designed, printed and distributed locally, using materials from sustainable sources.

It is printed using vegetable-based inks and biodegradable fount solution. The paper is 75 per cent post-consumer waste and 25 per cent virgin fibre (from a sustainable source), chlorine-free and FSCaccredited (www.fsc-uk.org). All by-products of the production and printing processes are recycled.

Please recycle this magazine by passing it on to someone else after you’ve read it

PHEW! We’ve burnt so much midnight oil putting this MASSIVE (that’s capital letters MASSIVE) issue together that we’re worried we might have damaged the ozone.

We sincerely hope you enjoy reading this 48-page issue - it was just 24 when we launched three years ago.

And if there’s anything in these pages you particularly like, and would like to see more of, do let us know much as we love putting the mag together, it is ultimately for you.

To all our advertisers we’d like to say thank you for being so lovely to work with and we feel honoured to be playing a part in your success too.

But enough of the selfcongratulation - what else are we up to?

Well, on page 5 you’ll see there are some really exciting developments on our website, including an archive so you can browse all our past issues and an online diary.

But the magazine itself is, and always will be, our priority, with the website providing new ways of accessing our content. So get in touch now and help us make Reconnect even bigger and better!

PAGE 36

in

Mart

COPYRIGHT © Reconnect Publishing.

All rights reserved. No part of Reconnect can be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. But do ask – if you’re genuinely spreading the word, we’ll try to help.

The publishers, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services advertised or referred to in this issue, or any errors, omissions, mis-statements or mistakes in any advertisements or references

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3

Have you got a story for Reconnect readers?

Sporting the latest fashion WITH the Olympics and Euro 2012 on the horizon, sporting personalities will be all over our screens.

But how have clothing fashions changed for sportsmen and women and spectators?

Sports and Spectators Then & Now, 18802012, is the title of the latest exhibition at the Totnes Fashion and Textiles Museum in Bogan House, 43 High Street, from May 22-September 28.

The Collection includes clothing from c1650 to the end of the 20th Century and also features local heroes and a children’s quiz.

Jackie Taylor, one of the museum’s volunteers, said: “Visitors will see a range of costumes and also see (and perhaps purchase) some of the excellent contemporary textiles and clothing including upcycled items that local craftspeople are producing.” Email costumemuseum@ yahoo.co.uk

One for the earlybirds

The Camp Wild yurt village at Escot, and a bird of prey session, right.

prey sessions, rock pooling at Lyme Regis, fire making, bush crafts, pond dipping, a swamp walk, river play and a Friday afternoon campfire / barbecue party.

IF you were on the ball and got hold of this issue promptly, you’ve still got time to check out Beesounds on June 2-3 – two great days of music at The Underwood Discovery Centre in Beeson, near Slapton.

On Saturday there’s Jackie Oates and Jim Causley from 7.30pm and on the Sunday The Carrick Sisters, again from 7.30pm.

Tickets for both gigs are £12 (call 01803 866916) but there’s free music each day 11am-4pm from local musicians.

Visit www.underwood discoverycentre.com. l There’s loads more music dates in the Events diary on page 26-27 and the Festival update on pages 30-31.

The yurt village is also host to residential school programmes during term-time.

Kingsbridge opens up

Visit www.escotcampwild.co.uk, email campwild@escot-devon. co.uk or call 01404 822188.

THERE’S a chance to check out the wonderful Kingsbridge Community Garden, and a host of other gardens across the town, when they open their doors (or should that be gates?) for Kingsbridge Jubilee Open Gardens.

They’re open 1-5pm on the weekend of June 2/3 and tickets are £4 for adults (kids free) from Kingsbridge TIC and the town’s St Luke’s Hospice shop.

All proceeds will be shared between Kingsbridge Community Garden and St Luke’s Hospice.

Call 01548 714017 or email enquiries@ kingsbridgegarden. co.uk.

School hols with added adventure IF you’re looking for something different for your children to do this summer, Camp Wild promises “an adventurous and fun filled outdoor experience”.

Camp Wild, at Escot Park in East Devon, offers nature-based programmes for 6-12 year olds, with the choice of day camp and one, two or four-night stays during the first four weeks of the summer break. And a Halloween camp during October half-term.

Accommodation is in their yurt village where children sleep in bunk beds in girl and boy sleeping pods, eat meals with friends and enjoy a huge variety of activities which connect children to the natural world.

Activities and attractions include otter and wild boar feeding, maze, forest drop slide, team challenges, fossil hunting on the Jurassic coast, woodland exploration, scavenger hunts, private bird of

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Please go to our website: www.steineracademyexeter.org.uk to read more and sign the online support survey.

For more information please phone 07411 292493 or email: steineracademyexeter@gmail.com

4

Exeter Respect Festival - coming soon.

Three more great festivals THE festival season’s really hotting up now and we’ve details of three that haven’t yet featured in our Festival’s update (see pages 30-32 in this issue).

If you grabbed your issue quickly, you can catch the Exeter Respect Festival, a celebration of diversity on June 2 and 3.

There will be three stages in Belmont Park, featuring music from many different cultures, plus food and drink, stalls and stuff for the kids.

It runs from noon until 7pm on Saturday and until 6pm on Sunday. Visit www.exeter-respect.org.

The following weekend, June 9 and 10, there’s the popular community knees-up, the Freedom Fields Festival, part of The Mutley and Greenbank Community Festival.

Running 11am-9pm daily, it’ll be packed with local music, a dance tent, and a variety of activities for all ages. Visit www.mutleygreenbankfestival.co.uk.

Finally (here at least - lots more in Festival’s update and our Events diary on page 26), there’s the Teignmouth Folk Festival with a full line-up including Blue Jewel, Kimber’s Men and Kathryn Roberts. Visit www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

QT meet BI and gay men in the South Hams are invited to call in at the regular meeting of The QTs, the Totnes-based Queer Totties.

The social group meets every second Sunday of the month (June 10 and July 8) at 11am in the Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes.

More info at http:// queertotties.tumblr. com/.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...email us at editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Visit our new online diary and archive THE new Reconnect website is live!

Visit www.reconnectonline. co.uk right now (well, ok, read this first) and you’ll find some VERY exciting new features: ONLINE DIARY It’s true, the unique Reconnect diary is now also online so we can get events up there as soon as we hear about them, keeping you up to date with a comprehensive guide to the hottest events around.

All entries have live links to the organisers’ website so you can get more info or even book tickets instantly.

And the whole system is also linked to Google, so each entry will have a link to Google Maps so you can pinpoint the venue.

PLUS, if you’re signed up to Google (although you don’t have to be to use our diary), you can link any event to your own Google Calendar with one click.

Festival fans will be pleased to hear our hugely popular Westcountry Festivals Diary is also now online – again with all the above link features.

So if you’ve got an event coming up, send us the details now – you might also get a story here in the mag.

Send all the info to editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk.

And of course you’ll still find the events for the two months in each new issue.

THE BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE This is really exciting too. Just visit our site, click on ‘Back issues’ and you can browse through every issue of Reconnect - right back to

when we launched in June 2009.

And soon you’ll be able to search them too - just type in what you’re looking for and some clever technical stuff will point you straight to the story you need.

It will also be searchable through Google and the other big search engines so all you groups and organisations featured in the mag can expect to be visited by a lot more internet traffic – and that goes for advertisers too, of course!

ALL THAT PLUS… The site still features all the stuff that was there before – the current issue to read online (just click to the right of pages to turn over); a detailed list of outlets where you can find the mag; everything you need to know about advertising (prices and sizes and discounts); and info on the Reconnect team.

My pain started to decrease immediately. Friends were surprised mostly, then interested and amazed at the results when told of the very gentle treatment. Please try it, this is the route to take, I did and I’m glad.

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… AND FACEBOOK Keep up to date with all manner of events and gossip through the Reconnect FaceBook page at www.facebook.com/ ReconnectMagazine.

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5

Local, seasonal and organic...

Local food

FOOD plays a crucial part in the sustainability and resilience of any community. If you have a local produce story to share with Reconnect readers, you know where we are - editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Ide Community store is still in temporary premises - but they’re well on their way to raising £130,000.

Community on its way to £130,000 target

SackS wholefoods

IDE, a village of around 500 people on the edge of Exeter, has shown what community action can achieve.

In March 2009 the village opened its own community-owned store in a temporary building in a car park after the privately run shop closed.

Their plan to move into new premises meant they needed to raise an eyewatering £130,000. But, in just five weeks a share scheme has raised over £100,000 in investments and donations involving over 140 people – representing over 50% of Ide’s households.

The remaining £30,000 they need to purchase and re-furbish the new premises is to be raised by extending the share scheme and by accepting free offers of labour and skills.

Trevor Gardner, chairman of Ide Community Shop management committee, said the share scheme had proved an effective and growing way by which rural communities could galvanise around a common vision and come up with large sums of funding relatively quickly, with the added bonus of bringing people

together and working together for a common goal.

He added: “This is such an amazing effort for a relatively small village.”

“If there is a common vision, it’s amazing what there is under our noses. Creating this vision that everybody has signed up to has been really very powerful.”

The new premises are an old garage and store - “a perfect location” next to the village hall. The committee is currently negotiating with the owner.

Trevor said the share offer was not just open to villagers and that people all over the country had become shareholders in the shop and the offer.

If you want to invest call Trevor on 01392 439496 or email Trevor@ trevorgardner.com. l THE community-run shop in Broadhempston has won the Federation of Wholesale Producers’ My Shop is Your Shop Community Retailing Award. The award will be presented on Friday, June 8, to recognise “the unique contribution local shops make to the neighbourhood”.

Nominate your local food champions • Organic fruit and vegetables • Large range of herbs and spices • Green Lane herbal tinctures

• Bulk and case discounts • Special orders catered for • Established in Totnes 35 years

SackS SackS Too

80 High Street Totnes TQ9 5SN 01803 863263 6

The Plains Shopping Centre Totnes TQ9 5DR shop@sackswholefoods.co.uk

IF you’ve got a favourite foodie producer or outlet in the Plymouth area, here’s your chance to give them the praise they deserve.

The Plymouth Food Awards have categories for: Best community group, Best food champion, Best producer, Best restaurant and Best school.

Traci Lewis, Food Plymouth coordinator, said: “These awards have been created to celebrate some of the extraordinary efforts, skills and achievements of those

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

who are bringing delicious healthy and sustainable food to people in Plymouth.

“We want to hear who you think is doing the most to support the aims of the Plymouth Food Charter, so tell us about the good work they are doing and why they deserve to win.”

The winners will be presented with their awards on the main stage at Flavour Fest in August.

To make your nomination visit www. foodplymouth.org.

... email us your local food stories at editor@reconnectonline.co.uk Perfect addition to that roast beef dinner IF you’re a meat eater, you might think there’s nothing that can enhance the experience of the old British favourite Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding - but pickle producer Hazel Glaves dares to suggest a Polish recipe to set your tastebuds tingling.

Hazel, who runs the In a Pickle shop in St Marychurch, Torquay, will be doing the rounds of local fairs and shows again this Summer and one of her suggestions is a Polish recipe for beetroot and horseradish pickle.

Other yummy combinations she has

created for her stall is apricot and orange chutney, orange and chilli chutney and a sweet and sour relish.

Other big hits are apple and date chutney and chilli jam.

All the pickles are home-made to Hazel’s many recipes.

You can see Hazel at Meavy Oak Fair (June 16), Kingsbridge Show (Sept 1) and Widecombe Fair (Sept 11) - and many more, including apple days at Hennock, Marldon and Cockington.

Call 07751 156325, or email inapickle1@hotmail.co.uk

Experiments with forest techniques A SMALL business that grows ‘gourmet’ salad and soft fruit to sell in the local market is experimenting with a more structured form of forest gardening.

Salad Days, based at the Landmatters Permaculture Project, near Totnes, grows a wide range of salad leaves, flowers, fruit and herbs.

The main grower, Josh Zatz, said: “As well as our more conventional raised beds and glass cloches, we’ve also modelled a growing area on a more natural system. It’s multi-layered like forest gardening, but because we have to stay commercial and need to get to crops quicky and easily, we have more straight lines.

“We mix fruit trees and bushes with ground cover salad and strawberries.

And we grow a wide variety of salad

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leaves so if one variety fails, the other plants provide back-up.

“We also use other permaculture principles like raised beds, minimal digging, mulching and green manures.

The edible flowers are picked from a variety of sources - rose petals from the windbreak hedges, gorse flowers from wild bushes, rocket flowers from plants left to go to seed, and calendula petals from specially grown flowers.

“And it’s important to me that it’s all on a human scale - we don’t use mechanical rotivators and all the work is done by hand.”

You can buy the salad (and strawberries until mid-June) on the local produce stall at Totnes market on Fridays, or call Selena or Josh on 01803 732546.

HOME MADE PICKLES & CHUTNEYS Produced in St. Marychurch, Torquay using top quality ingredients with no artificial additives of any kind.

73 Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay Tel: 07751 156325 inapickle1@hotmail.co.uk

Part of the Taste of the West range

Over half remain vegan after pledge EXETER’S Friends for Animals group is celebrating the success of their recent Vegan Pledge when more than half those taking part said they intended to remain vegan.

Another significant proportion said they would eat more vegan food in future.

The first ever Exeter Vegan Pledge took place in March when participants were invited to try an animal-free diet for a month.

About 30 people of all ages and backgrounds took part.

Pledgers attended free workshops at the beginning and end of the month consisting of talks, films, discussions,

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nutritional advice from a registered dietician, cookery demonstrations, vegan cheese and chocolate samples and a vegan lunch.

They were also assigned a vegan buddy who they could contact with queries or problems.

The organisers say they are keen to repeat the pledge next year.

For help and advice contact Exeter Friends For Animals at mail@ effa-uk.org (website www.effa-uk. org). The Vegan Society, including an online Vegan Pledge, at www. vegansociety.com/become-avegan/.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

7

Local, seasonal and organic...

Local food

Herbal solution at health store

Licensed Cafe-Bistro-Gallery In the heart of Abbey Gardens on Torquay Seafront • Great Italian Brewed Coffee • Fresh Homemade Food • Fine Wines & World Lagers • Free Wi –Fi • Art & Handicraft Gallery We are committed to source locally where we can and use Fair trade products. We serve homemade, fresh wholesome food with an excellent choice of vegetarian dishes

Open daily from 10am—6pm One World Cafe & Bistro Abbey Park, Torquay Seafront, TQ2 5HP Tel - 01803 297797 oneworldcafe.torquay @gmail.com

Taste the Experience!

Fine English wines & cheeses, produced from our Estate on the banks of the River Dart.

Tours are available which include a wine tasting.

Alfresco dining in summer.

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8

HEALTH food stores need to move with the times if they are to remain competitive and in St Marychurch, Torquay, Helen Stewart is ensuring her customers will benefit from the latest health regulations.

As Torquay’s only independent health shop, established over 30 years ago, Herbs & Honey has set up a new herbal medicine clinic and dispensary offering a unique service to customers.

The Hawthorn Practice of Herbal Medicine (www.torbay-herbalist. co.uk) will be able to prescribe herbal medicines following the government’s ruling that herbal practitioners must be regulated.

Without this service, customers of Herbs & Honey would not be able to continue buying traditional herbal remedies.

Said Helen:”This will ensure patients can continue to exercise their right to choose the form of medicine that best suits their needs and to raise the standards of the profession.”

Herbs & Honey focuses on speciality foods for restricted diets, natural toiletries and a wide range of vitamins and supplements.

The shop is all part of an holistic therapy centre which continues to

Helen Stewart at Herbs & Honey grow. Therapies available include shiatsu, acupuncture, homeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, counselling, hypnotherapy, hopi ear candling, Indian head massage, allergy testing and one to one yoga sessions.

On June 22, to coincide with the Babbacombe Festival, Herbs & Honey have organised a ‘Health Thyme’ day on Babbacombe Downs with stalls selling a range of natural products, a vegetarian cafe, taster therapy sessions, clairvoyance, mineral make up, pure toiletries and soaps, holistic music, iridology and nutrition, and much more.

Call 01803 314901.

All served with a local source TRANSITION Newton Abbot (TNA) decided to spice up a recent meeting by sharing a meal and really got stuck into the local sourcing challenge.

The greens were a combination of allotment produce and foraged plants (right), including wood sorrel, ransoms and dandelion leaves, with a dressing made from Kingsbridgegrown rape seed oil, cider vinegar produced by one of the team and local honey. Even our salt was sourced from Somerset – and all accompanied by home-baked bread with flour from Otterton Mill.

The mains were allotment-grown leeks and purple sprouting with Somerset spelt risotto and for the carnivores Occombe Farm beef stew, washed down with local beer, cider or apple juice.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

After pudding (local plum crumble and home-made fruit ice-cream, topped off with organic cream from Riverford), they burnt off a few calories by having a go at making butter armed solely with a hand whisk (below left).

They did have to go electric for the final churn but did succeed in producing some excellent butter to which they added some chopped ransoms to make garlic butter!

Said Helen of TNA: “The whole exercise makes you stop and think about what we buy and where it’s produced – it was a real challenge to source everything locally.”

If other groups are interested in talking about locally sourced meals, email postie@ transitionnewtonabbot.org.uk, or visit www.newtonabbotlocalfood. org.uk. l MORE Transition over the page...

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email us your local food at editor@reconnectonline.co.uk local...people local events localstories food local health local environment Apple and raised beds in the walled garden at Harbertonford.

Veg and rural skills courses Farming provided a start-up grant, A NEW local produce and rural skills project is up and running in an and “after a few months’ graft”, the garden has 12 large raised beds, a historic walled garden in the South 40ft herb border, water, shed, paths Hams. and outdoor toilet.

The kitchen garden at The Old Weekly classes run on Wednesdays, Parsonage in Harbertonford, near Totnes, created and managed by cook 1-3pm, and Saturdays, 11am-1pm, and cost £4 for adults and £2 for and gardener Apple Taylor, will be kids. home to basic twice weekly vegetable gardening classes and monthly Weekend courses cost £10-20 per courses in rural or country skills. session and include stone walling (June 9/10 and 23/24), poultry Apple was looking for a new keeping (June 30/July 1) and Dig growing space and by chance met and Dine Day on July 21 – “pick owner Marilyn Harvey, who was from the garden, cook in the kitchen happy to allow public access to her 1800s walled garden in return for a and share an innovative meal!” says Apple. Page 1 tidy patch and a supply of3/2/12 fresh veg! 03:05 AroundAsh Feb2012 South Devon Community Supported Call 01548 521519.

Perennial veg book could be yours FREE! YET another great practical title has been published by locally based Green Books – and yet again we have three copies to give away.

How to Grow Perennial Vegetables, a complete guide to this form of low maintenance, low impact gardening, is written

by Dartington-based Martin Crawford, director of the Agroforestry Research Trust, and pioneer of forest gardening.

This advice-packed new book gives comprehensive advice on all types of perennial vegetable (edible plants that live longer than three years), from ground-cover plants and coppiced trees to plants for bog gardens and edible woodland plants.

Part One looks at why and how to grow these crops, and how to look after them for maximum productivity.

Part Two features more than 100 perennial edibles in detail, both common and unusual – from rhubarb to skirret; Jerusalem artichoke to nodding onions.

How to Grow Perennial Vegetables (ISBN: 9781900322843) costs £14.95 from your favourite outlet (please support your local bookshop if you can).

AS promised, and thanks to Green Books, we have THREE copies of this great book to give away.

To be in with a chance of having one delivered to your door, simply email your name, address and phone number to editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk - and put ‘Green Books’ in the subject box.

The first three in the editorial inbox get the goodies.

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Transition

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Totnes Devon

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Bridge to Spain built on foundations of learning TRANSITION is all about building sustainable and resilient local communities but it’s also an international movement as this Anglo-Spanish connection shows

Delegates from Spain’s first national conference for Transition initiatives, held near Madrid, in April.

IT’S not often Totnes appears in El Pais, Spain’s national newspaper. But recently our very own homegrown Mr Transition Rob Hopkins was profiled in an article on Spain’s growing Transition movement.

The piece came ahead of Spain’s first national conference for Transition initiatives, held near Madrid, in April.

Totnes filmmaker Emilio Mula was part of the organising team.

He told Reconnect: “It was a great success! We got twice as many people as expected, and came away with hope to build the future we want.”

Spain currently has around 20 Transition towns and many more initiatives around the theme of sustainability. As their economic crisis deepens, the movement provides a voice and a focus for a growing number of Spaniards who are looking for alternatives.

But the links between Totnes and Spain don’t stop with Rob and Emilio. In Reconnectland we have a small but vibrant Anglo-Spanish community doing their bit for international relations.

Writer and musician Jon Stein travels regularly in Spain and has connected with various progressive projects in Andalucia. In March he gave an impromptu talk (in Spanish!) to the Transition Town of Coin near Malaga.

“When they heard there was someone

from Totnes at the meeting they all wanted to know what life was like in this magical town!,” said Jon. To develop this growing link, Emilio and Jon have now set up TASCA – The Totnes Anglo-Spanish Community Association.

“It’s early days,” says Emilio, “but we now have a face-book page (www. facebook.com/Tasca.Totnes) and hope people get in touch with their ideas and experiences.”

Jon believes that building a bridge between Totnes and Spain is part of a wider movement of cultural understanding.

“Looking at history, it seems people who share and learn from other cultures are better equipped to confront their problems.”

Emilio added: “The Spanish and the English have different approaches to community-building, but they are complimentary rather than contradictory.” Now, the pair are exploring the possibility of organising exchanges between the two countries.

Hal Gilmore of Big Green Canoe organises Transition Experiences and is open to the idea of an all-Spanish group coming to visit first.

He said: “So many people from abroad ask us to go back and see their country. With Spain though, it may be a little easier to take up the invitation!”

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Jon Stein, third from right, at a meeting of Transition Town of Coin near Malaga, where he gave a talk

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...email editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

noticeboard

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (right) at TTH’s Seedy Saturday

Learning free with Skillshare

THE Skillshares programme operated by Transition Town Totnes continues to spread skills and knowledge throughout the community – and all free, of course.

For those of you unfamiliar with the scheme, it’s simply a series of practical workshops where people pass on their skills.

Forthcoming events include Making Sushi (June 8), Mini Beast Safari - discovering insects (June 9), 24 Hours of Transition – A Festival of Possibilities (June 20), Cycling for Beginners and Rusty Bike Riders (June 20), Laughing For No Reason (June 20), Sing with adults and Bring your kids! (June 20) and Discover Hidden Corners of Dartmoor (July 8).

Call Annie Leymarie on 01803 762992 or email tttskillshare@gmail.com.

Green walks TRANSITION Exeter are offering the chance to explore the city’s biodiversity on their monthly Green Walks.

Led by Devon Nature Walk’s Nigel Pinhorn, they start from the Cathedral at 2pm.

For more details, email gill.b@transitionexeter.org, visit www.transitionexeter. org.

Exmouth Transition members ready to start planting

Exmouth members plant 45 trees EXMOUTH transition group members have been doing their bit to combat carbon emissions with a mass tree planting.

Transition Town Exmouth (TTE) member David Ireson came up with the idea about 18 months ago, according to TTE’s Elinor Scott.

“Then when we saw that the town council was offering free trees, we applied for some and got 45 between us,” she explained.

Other members had grown trees in pots so they were added to the total.

The trees were planted on a site which was formerly part of Dennesdene Farm, opposite Greenfingers Garden Centre in Pound Lane.

The site was suggested and approved by Mark Pollard, the district council’s parks development officer.

The land had been adopted by the council as public space to compensate for housing development.

Said Elinor: “The idea was to make the area more aesthetic, more beautiful and to combat some

carbon emissions. Obviously the more trees there are the better for the climate.”

TTE volunteers worked for nearly three hours preparing the ground, digging holes and then planting the trees, ensuring each one was staked and had protection from rabbit attack.

“I hope people will go along occasionally and have a look at the trees - and water them,” says Elinor.

“We are fortunate there’s a stream running through the site, so it’s not too difficult to get water to the trees with a bucket and a watering can.”

TTE chairman Sam Forder felt the tree planting was a tangible symbol of what Transition Town Exmouth represents.

He said: “It’s physical and environmental sustainability being acted out in time and space, and that’s great.

“As a community event it went really well. There was a good atmosphere, people talking to new people, lots of new faces, and I think everyone was very happy. When you walked around you could feel what you’d done. We need more of it.”

Hugh calls in and leaves with a box full of goodies TV chef and campaigner Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall popped in to buy raffle tickets at Transition Town Honiton’s Seedy Saturday – but of course he left with a bag filled with organic vegetables, plants and books!

The event was held to mark Climate Week.

Said Christopher Boyland of the TTH: “We gave away thousands of free seeds and ran a seed swap and lots of other stalls.

Children potted their own plants while parents and grandparents enjoyed a Fairtrade cup of coffee or tea and homemade cake.”

The local allotment association and Honiton Garden Club were also on hand with horticultural advice.

The TTH marked the Spring solstice with a tree planting event in the Glen, a town park in Honiton.

“The trees were donated by The Woodland Trust,” said Christopher. “We planted hazel, holly, hawthorn and dogwood. By the end of the morning 100 young trees had been planted in two rows to form a 30 metre hedge along a fence. Visit www.transitiontownhoniton.org.uk.

Projects win Prince’s £1000 award THOSE ever-industrious people at Sustainable South Brent (SSB) have won a Prince of Wales Award, which includes a £1,000 cash prize donated by the prince.

The award, presented each year by the Devon County Agricultural Association to community projects geared to sustainability, was presented to SSB at the Devon County Show.

The award judges said: “Sustainable South Brent stood out from among the finalists of this year’s Prince of Wales Award competition because of both the range of its activities and the agerange of its members.”

SSB was formed in 2006 as a community organisation and has gained charitable status and set up eight

working parties, each of which is responsible for a different area of activity.

More than 140 homes in the village have been helped with energy efficiency measures, large numbers of low energy light bulbs have been distributed, a guide to local services and products has been published, a thriving community composting site has been set up and, closely linked to that, the school vegetable garden has been created.

SSB’s Ross Kennerley said: “Sustainable South Brent has proved to be

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very effective at harnessing local enthusiasm and turning it into practical projects. As villages and market towns come under increasing pressure it is important that local individuals and groups can work together to make them more resilient.”

Find out more at www. sustainablesouthbrent.org.uk.

Sustainable South Brent volunteers working at the community composting project, above, and helping to create the school vegetable garden, left.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

11

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Communities go with flow DEVON’S rivers are being explored as a source of clean, renewable energy.

Several hydropower schemes are planned in the county, many of them at old mill sites where structures still exist, making development feasible.

Project Exe Hydro is one initiative of Transition Exeter, who are applying for grants from the Big Lottery and Energyshare to harness the River Exe to generate power for more than 500 homes.

As part of the project a feasibility study was carried out on six weirs - on the River Exe and the Creedy in Exeter, from Cowley Bridge Weir in the North to Exwick Weir, The Mill on the Exe weir, Cricklepit Mill, Trews Weir and St James’ Weir in the South - to estimate the hydropower output.

Clare Bryden, a member of Transition Exeter, said: “We are working towards an energy efficient future in Exeter and are now concentrating on St James’ Weir as the next step of the project. We are interested in any information anyone has about ownership of the weir.”

But Transition Exeter isn’t the only Devon organisation looking at harnessing the power of the county’s rivers. A new project currently being developed

by Ivybridge Town Council would use the River Erme to generate electricity.

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report by Jenny Calvert Research has been commissioned to evaluate the hydropower potential of a redundant former water mill known as the Ivybridge Aqueduct. It is believed it could supply 13 houses - or the power could be sold back to the grid.

Supporters of the scheme say that, although these small-scale projects can’t produce as much energy as large dams, they can contribute to community resilience by distributing the responsibility for energy generation.

To find out more, or to get involved, visit www.energyshare.com/exe-hydro/ or email exehydro@gmail.com. l Estimated potential output, below.

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... people send renewable energy news editor@reconnectonline.co.uk local local events local foodtolocal health local environment

State-of-the-art PV solar harnesses ‘power of God’ NO one can accuse the church of lagging behind when it comes to renewables and climate change. They may have some of the oldest buildings in the region but their energy sources are state of the art.

The South West Diocese of Exeter has been busy installing PV arrays on many churches and vicarages.

The installations are part of a scheme called EcoChurch South West, which is a partnership project between the Dioceses of Bath & Wells, Exeter and Gloucester working with Ecotricity.

Here in the South Devon area PV systems have been installed on St Matthias Church in Torquay and St Mark’s Church in Exeter, St Andrew’s Minster in Plymouth, Ipplepen Church Hall and parish churches in Lympstone, Newton Poppleford and the Boniface Centre in Crediton.

Vicarage roofs have also been used for PV arrays including those in Exmouth, Modbury, Paignton and Plymouth.

Martyn Goss, Exeter Diocese’s Director of the Council for Church and Society, said growing numbers of churches in the diocese were expressing interest in solar schemes and they hoped to install more in the coming months.

Some of them would be on listed buildings, but as temporary fixtures,

A solar array on the roof of St Mark’s in Exeter

they are positioned so as not to be visibly intrusive.

The projects are part of Shrinking the Footprint, the Church of England’s campaign to reduce its carbon emissions and to address global climate change.

Martyn said there could also be financial benefits to local churches and schools which receive free daytime electricity at a time of rising energy prices and through the payment of tariffs.

He added: “These are excellent examples of the church making a positive difference to both the climate and the community. In Christian terms, churches are able to take the power of God and offer it to the people of God for the benefit of all.”

There is a growing list of other churches interested in solar arrays and new systems are set to be installed in Plymouth, Bovey Tracey and Exeter in the coming months.

Solar firm supports African project THE same Solarsense employees technology that’s working in Ethiopia creating energy for South Devon homes is being used to improve the health of rural communities in one of Africa’s poorest nations.

A team of volunteers from the South West’s leading renewable trained key local people in how to energy specialists operate and maintain the fridges. has just returned from two weeks spent installing solar-powered Stephen Barrett of Solarsense said: fridges for storing vaccines at “We have installed solar energy remote health posts in a rural area systems on thousands of homes of Ethiopia. and business premises across the South West, and are glad to It is the latest direct support for be able to use our expertise in a charity project by Solarsense, helping communities in other parts based in Backwell near Bristol. of the world.”

Three staff from Solarsense travelled to a rural area west of the To find out more about Solarsense and its charitable work in Africa, capital Addis Ababa and installed India and elsewhere, visit www.

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13

Revisit all the Reconnect back issues and read our online diary...

TAKE a moment to imagine your perfect job… does it seem a long way from what you’re actually doing? There’s no need to feel stuck – change is not only possible but much easier than you think.

MARTIN FOSTER has been finding out why, how and even who…

Unhappy at work? Here’s how to start making some changes...

WORK, jobs and the whole complex world of employment have undergone some radical changes over recent years.

Not so long ago, we generally left education and started the Career (or even a single job) that would see us through to retirement. We were often described, or even defined, by our profession – you were A Teacher, A Bank Manager, A Journalist. Today, it seems, there are no rules.

We often make radical career changes, starting out in one

Careers coach Jeff Sleeman, right, practices what he preaches by getting involved in various projects - including producing a video with Exmouth-based director Steve Moles (left) and local singer Adelia.

profession and later retraining and veering off into something completely different. Neither is it unusual now to have a portfolio career with more than one strand of employment, perhaps combining a part-time job with running a part-time business.

But stepping out of full-time employment and making the first moves towards creating that ‘portfolio career’ is a mighty leap. Where do you start?

Fortunately, there are people who can help: people like Exeter-based careers coach Jeff Sleeman.

“Some clients come to me knowing what they want to do but needing help to achieve it,” said Jeff. “But most of them just know they’re unhappy in their current role and first need help to find that new direction.”

He starts by “challenging them to dream” about their ideal job or occupation – with no restraints, in an ideal world, what would they be doing?

He then asks them what experiences they would like to get out of their ideal job. This is a key question because there may be other ways of having

these experiences other than through the job they first think of.

For example, if their dream job is being a rock star (a deliberately extreme example), one attraction might be playing music with others – in which case, Jeff would suggest guitar lessons (if they were absolute beginners), performing at an open mike night, or jamming with other local musicians.

The touring might be another appealing aspect, so he would urge them to think of other ways they could see the world, without necessarily immediately giving up their current job (part time work as a travel courier, short-term voluntary overseas work or perhaps Wwoofing – see note at end). If fame is important, a video on YouTube might be a good place to start.

By breaking their dream job down in this way, clients see that they really can have some aspects of the lifestyle they aspire to fairly quickly.

“The important thing is to do something,” says Jeff. “It’s by ‘doing’ that we come up with ideas.”

On the other hand, if you do know what you’d like to be

doing, it might be possible to start part-time. And Jeff can provide support throughout the whole process.

“Just how regularly people see me depends on how fast things are moving for them,” he says.

“It’s what happens between our meetings that’s most important.”

Jeff is also keen to encourage people to explore less likely areas of employment.

He said: “As an example, I created and now run a Comedy Improv module for students at the Peninsula Medical School – an unlikely but highly successful way to earn from my drama background. They learn vital communications skills, develop their teamworking abilities and improve self confidence. It’s great fun too – for me as well as them.

“One way to get experience is to simply offer your services as a free volunteer – you get to work alongside someone who really knows their job and they get a free helper.”

If you think Jeff can help you, call him on 01392 811168/07977 272174, or visit www.happymondays.org. uk.

To find out more about Wwoof – World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms, visit http:// www.wwoof.org/.

Motorsport technology saves energy

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NO-ONE could claim Formula One motorsport was carrying a torch for eco living, but some of its innovations are being used in green energy.

Exeter-based company Ashwoods Automotive have this year won an Ecoinnovation Award for their hybrid system using KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System - to cut fuel consumption.

KERS is a new system, still in its infancy, used by Formula One teams to increase cars’ power by harnessing the power normally lost during braking and deceleration. But rather than creating extra speed, Ashwoods is using KERS to save energy.

The power is stored in a battery and then reintroduced into the drive train of the car. This has been shown to cut fuel consumption by as much as 15 per cent and to cut emissions.

Ashwood’s Hybrid system consists of a generator/motor, belt-driven from the rear differential and an Intelligent Power Pack Module (battery and software) sited underneath the vehicle.

An LED driver display indicates whether the system is charging or assisting, as well as suggesting gearchanges for optimal performance.

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...just part of our new-look website at www.reconnectonline.co.uk YURT HOLIDAYS

Stories of homeless

Chris Salisbury who will be working with homeless.

BIG Issue vendors are being given the chance to tell their stories at this year’s Westcountry Storytelling Festival.

Artistic director Chris Salisbury, who is also a professional storyteller known as The Spindle Wayfarer, will be running workshops in Exeter for any vendors of The Big Issue who would like to take part.

Said Chris: “The aim is to provide some basic understanding of storytelling, to examine what makes a good story, to teach technique and how to draft a story.”

Chris will concentrate on traditional tales of nomads, wanderers and homeless enabling the Big Issue vendors to “bring out the narrative of their individual stories and build confidence in these stories.” l More on The Westcountry Storytelling Festival on page 31 or visit www. weststoryfest.co.uk.

Steiner school campaigners in discussions with DoE THE long battle to develop a Steiner Academy in Exeter reaches a crucial stage as Reconnect goes to press.

Campaigners met with Department for Education representatives in London on May 31 to put their case and to present their petition.

If the academy team is successful, they will be allocated a named contact within the department to support the development of the school.

The academy team has been busy collecting signatures from parents expressing a commitment to send their children to the school.

In the run-up to the interview

Contrasting work in new exhibition THE work of 10 South Devon artists, ranging from oil and watercolour painting and printmaking to glass and ceramics, will go on show in July.

The Consortium of South Hams Artists’ annual summer exhibition will be at the Market Hall in Kingsbridge, from July 2-7.

A wide range of paintings will include oils by Allan Green, watercolours by Tony Henderson and pastels and oils

by Lesley Meir.

In contrast, Brian Harris works in a contemporary style, and printmaking and mixed media will be represented

by Maggie Smith, Emma Cook and Alison Veazey.

David Roberts works in fused glass, and Penny Hegenbarth will show ceramic and raku items alongside Sheila Hegenbarth’s hand-made greetings cards. l Alison Veazey’s Harvest Green, top, and Harbour Scene by Brian Harris, right.

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campaigners were out and about across the city with their petition.

Parents with children of primary and secondary school age who are yet to show their support can still visit www. steineracademyexeter.org.uk/petition. html and complete the form.

The academy team is also in the process of identifying suitable premises in Exeter. If approved, the school will open in 2013 with places for 130 children, rising to 624 when it reaches full capacity.

Visit www.steineracademyexeter. org.uk and www.facebook.com/ steineracademyexeter, or follow them at twitter: @SAExeter Tel: 07411 292493

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External woodwork - probably the best example of stitch-in-time philosophy.

‘Stitch in time’ repairs can save you time and money WE all recognise the importance and value of preventative healthcare for ourselves. So why do we wait until our homes are sick before paying them any attention?

Carrying out a health check on our property during the summer makes sense on many levels: l It’s the perfect example of the ‘stitch in time’ principle – if you don’t discover that minor job now, it could become a major job by the time it makes itself more obvious; l Any necessary work can also be carried out at your convenience – again, it’s much more practical and comfortable to carry out, or have carried out, repair work during decent weather. l And summer work can be so much cheaper too – if you need to have scaffold erected, for example, you’re less likely to end up paying for it while the builders are rained off. l And finally (although you can probably think of some more reasons), it is most definitely the greener way to work – smaller jobs use fewer resources, and are less likely to require the ‘big gun’ chemical-based solutions.

So can you give your home a health check yourself? Well, we’re certainly not suggesting you get the ladder out and crawl over your roof (solicitors please note), but there are checks you can make if you know where to look.

And one local builder is offering a FREE inspection – but more on that below.

ROOF You can probably see a good deal of your roof from the ground – asking neighbours for access to their gardens or even if you can have a look from their upstairs windows might help.

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IF you want to avoid big repair bills this coming winter, give your home a summer health check - or call the experts in to do it for you. A stitch in time saves… a great deal of hassle and money Dodgy slates or tiles are the most obvious here and you ignore broken or dislodged ones at your peril – it could just need one replacement, or a new fixing, but leave it and water could do all manner of damage.

Always ask your builder to reuse tiles and slates where possible and steer clear of temporary repairs – they may be more temporary than you think.

It’s also worth a quick look from the inside if you have good loft access – look for any light shining through and signs of damp.

Take a look round the roof timbers too, particularly if you live in an older property. Accurate diagnosis here requires specialist expertise but it’s worth having a look for fungal or insect attack, sagging or broken timbers and open joints caused by movement.

Check out your loft insulation too while you’re there – see www. energysavingtrust.org.uk for advice.

CHIMNEY STACKS Again tricky to check, but while a cracked or leaning stack might not be dangerous, if you can see problems from the ground, you need professional advice. If your roof is thatched, chimney condition is obviously of particular concern.

GUTTERS …and downpipes and gulleys. The priority here is to keep them free of

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...people, techniques, materials, technology, skills leaves and other material likely to cause a blockage – if you’ve already got a build-up you’ll see water cascading out of the gutters during heavy rain and in dry weather you’ll probably also notice stained brickwork or render.

Check for broken brackets and endcaps and ensure all the junctions are watertight (again you’ll notice leaks during rainfall) – and don’t forget to fit a waterbutt (or two) to your downpipes (www. southwestwater.co.uk).

EXTERNAL WALLS Don’t be tempted to just repaint outside walls before tracing the cause of any damage or discolouration – it’s often down to water penetration, which in turn is the result of cracked render or poor pointing. This is not one to ignore because it will only get worse (sorry to nag) – especially when the frosts start again.

And beware too of some cleaning methods – chemicals, abrasives and even waterjets can cause damage and might not be necessary anyway. If in doubt, get professional advice.

Remember too that if you live in an older house, it might need a traditional (usually) lime-based render that lets it ‘breathe’ – if moisture can’t evaporate through the render it will accumulate behind it and may then travel to the inside of the building.

EXTERNAL WOODWORK This is probably the best example there is of a relatively small maintenance job that can turn into major repair work if ignored. Your external woodwork might just need some simple preparation and a few coats of paint now but leave it over

Clear out those gutters now before bad weather causes any damage. the next winter and the rot will really set in – literally.

That’s all we have space for this time – in the next issue we’ll be looking at some interior checks you can make. l IF you want a professional health check for your home, local building company K2 are offering Reconnect readers a free assessment of their property.

Said K2’s Tanya and Kevin: “Your appraisal will be specific to your building and your needs and can be a ‘whole building’ approach from an ongoing maintenance perspective or with specific requirements in mind - such as mysterious damp issues, considering future alterations, improvements, eco refurbishment, etc.”

To find out more, call Tanya and Kevin at The K2 Partnership on 01364 631415 or email hello@ k2ltd.co.uk.

Atmos gathers momentum COMMUNITY campaigners are celebrating after a proposed eco project passed an important milestone.

Atmos Totnes have for five years been working on a project for mixed residential, commercial and amenity development on the former Dairy Crest site next to Totnes railway station.

In recent months they have upped the momentum of the campaign, resulting in a meeting between Dairy Crest and Atmos Totnes in the offices of Dr Sarah Wollaston MP in Totnes.

The official statement agreed by all parties reads: “It was a very constructive meeting which looked at all the options, and Atmos Totnes were invited to submit a proposal in the coming weeks which Dairy Crest will be treating very seriously.”

This means that Atmos Totnes can now prepare a request for an Exclusivity Agreement, which would mean the site

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would be withdrawn from sale, to give Atmos Totnes the time and confidence to prepare a masterplan for the site, site valuations and so on. The decision will then go before Dairy Crest’s July board meeting.

Whitethorn Woodcraft

Traditional and Contemporary Designs in Wood All wood from local/ sustainable sources Commissions taken

07546 552880

whitethornwoodcraft.co.uk

Wild is Home

Nature therapy with Stefan Batorijs Friday, July 6th.

Venue: Dartmoor. Cost: £35.

Exploring your intimate relationship with Nature through a gentle, experiential day.

Learn how to connect at a deep level with the ultimate source of healing and well-being.

This is not a bushcraft course, It’s a finding your wild heart with joy day.

Stefan is a Nature guide with a lifetime’s experience of being in wild places.

He is a qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, Mountain Leader and Countryside Custodian.

Stefan lectures in Nature Therapy at both Exeter and Plymouth Universities and has run the highly successful Ecotherapy Project in conjunction with Plymouth NHS.

For further details contact Stefan on 01364 652162 Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

17

Explore a greener way to live...

35 years experience in all aspects of building and design RepaiRs: major and minor alteRations: internal and external

Craftsmanship with a female touch

Renovation woRk: traditional and modern tanya & kevin 01364 631415 The K2 ParTnershiP LimiTed www.k2ltd.co.uk

Eco homes

Savings pay for eco work

IT’S a vicious circle!

Homes that don’t have the money to spend on insulation and renewable systems will cost more to run.

Those that have the money to invest will save money.

Now the government has announced its Green Deal where the money to fund improvements such as loft and cavity wall insulation will be funded by the savings their introduction has achieved - makes total sense!

The Green Deal means that consumers pay for the improvements through the savings on their future bills - say over 25 years.

As usual the government is leaning on the energy companies to help deliver this new initiative with something they have conveniently called the ECO - the Energy Company Obligation – which starts this Autumn.

In homes where Green Deal finance is not ideally suited the ECO will come into play.

There are some doubters in this. The Consumer group Which? claims that, while the Green Deal ‘Golden Rule’ promises that consumers will not pay back more in their regular payments than they end up saving on their bill from using less energy, no one is guaranteeing this and there is no

redress if consumers end up paying more than they save.

They want the savings to be tailored to a home’s actual energy use not on estimates.

Which? is also concerned that the ECO subsidy will be coming out of everyone’s energy bills - something that has already made renewable tariffs unpopular among consumers unable to install them.

The new ECO will now target the poorest of households with funding worth £540 million. The ECO will be looking at insulation for solid walls and hard to treat cavity walls and accompanying this with other measures such as glazing and draught proofing.

The energy companies will be helping around 270,000 low income and vulnerable households to tackle fuel poverty by 2015. l More energy stories pages 12/13.

Cohousing plans are open to visitors AN Englishman’s home may well be his castle, but in some cases it can be more of a prison.

It’s so refreshing to see cohousing schemes taking off around the country, not least in Devon where the Baltic Wharf project in Totnes is gathering pace.

Further open days are planned for June 23 and July 28 when it will be possible to examine the plans, talk to group members and tour the site.

Cohousing communities are created and run by their residents.

Each household has its own self-contained private home but residents join together to manage their community. The aim is to combat alienation and isolation and to recreate neighbourly support.

The Baltic Wharf phase 1, which is due to start later this year for completion in 2013, includes a community vegetable garden and an orchard.

The group is looking to increase its group of active members and

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The proposed Baltic Wharf development is particularly keen to hear from families looking to buy 2, 3 and 4-bedroomed homes.

Visit www.balticwharfcohousing. org and for the national picture visit www.cohousing.org.uk. Email totnescohousing@gmail.com or call Pat Sykes on 01803 431206 or 07817708535.

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...people, techniques, materials, technology, skills CONTEMPOR ARY

DESIGN

CONTEMPORARY

DESIGN

FOR LOW IMPACT LIVING

DESIGN

Whitethorn Woodcraft’s burntwood bed - and, below, Glenn creating the effect.

Woodworker’s hot new model in range WHEN Kelley Hann, partner of traditional furniture maker Glenn White, saw him outside his workshop burning the surface of a beautiful handmade bed, she did hesitate for a moment…

“But I’ve got used to just waiting to see what he comes up with,” said Kelley. “He’s always produced something wonderful so far!”

The result this time was this burnt wood bed, the latest addition to their Whitethorn Woodcraft range.

Glenn prides himself on using local/ sustainably sourced wood and the Douglas Fir he used to make this bed had been destined for the firewood pile until he saved it – which makes its eventual fate rather ironic.

“After burning the surface,” explains Glenn, “the timber is then meticulously scrubbed back to bring out the contours of the grain.

“The result is a gorgeous light and dark effect combined with a smooth ‘driftwood’ texture. Finally, the bed is hand polished with natural waxes and resins to create a warm, lustrous finish.”

This bed is now for sale - and there’s a whole new range in the pipeline.

Visit www.whitethornwoodcraft.co.uk or call 07546 552880.

Please contact: Andrew R Kirby RIBA 01803 867377 info@LEDdevon.co.uk www.LEDarchitects.co.uk

TOM HILLIARD

ltd

the craft of building excellence

Transition group shares the knowledge A UNIQUE bank of information and advice about saving energy in the home is being made available by a local Transition group.

The eco data was gathered by Ashburton Futures in a Governmentfunded initiative called Making Ashburton-style Homes Fit For the Future (MASHFFF).

Now the information is being made available “in a bid to spread best ecopractice as wide as possible.”

A set of punchy short films has been made illustrating the issues relating to a number of audited properties in the Ashburton area – and the practical eco-improvement steps that can be taken by lots of us living in similar properties.

The films and information include: l Better ways to control central heating; l Advice on cutting your utility tariffs; l Draught-busting tips; l Quick and easy insulation ideas; l Advice on open fires, chimneys, woodburners and gas fires; l How to use air ventilation properly.

Said MASHFFF’s Andy Williamson: “We’ve created lots of information

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about saving energy, and now we need residents, householders and property owners to dive in and apply the results to their own buildings.

“We suggest you go to our website, choose the house that most resembles yours, then explore the Energy Audits to find out how best to make cost and energy-saving improvements.”

MASHFFF received £24k from the Department of Energy and Climate Change-backed Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) to investigate how a cross-section of properties could save money on energy bills, and become cosier too.

They commissioned Anahat Energy (www.anahatenergy.com ), a Totnesbased independent energy consultancy, to undertake energy audits on properties from council houses to listed buildings as well as public buildings.

The audits looked at where heat and energy was being wasted – and advised on how those energy leaks could be plugged – through reducing draughts, improving insulation, or switching tariffs to cut bills.

Visit www.ashburtonfutures.org.uk to find out how to make your building cheaper to run and cosier.

• renovation / refurbishment / extension • contemporary & traditional materials & techniques • conservation / eco technologies - biomass, solar • high standards contributing to a sustainable future

01803 762807 | info@tomhilliardltd.com

w w w. t o m h i l l i a rd l t d . c o m Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

19

Eco homes

Send us your news and views...

Cleaners’ clean bill of health

A future built on tradition A UNIQUE natural building course, featuring hands-on building projects, has had a hugely successful first year – and looks certain to run for a second.

The Schumacher Certificate in Natural Build on Dartington Estate will soon be recruiting for January 2013.

The first structure to go up at Schumacher College has been an impressive timber-framed cob barn, built exclusively from local materials.

Course administrator Lou Rainbow said: “Our students are working alongside local natural builders using low-energy, traditional and, above all, local materials.

“We are using Devonian limestone from a quarry here on the estate, the cob is from clay-bearing subsoil in nearby fields, the straw’s from our local farmer and chestnut timber has been cut from the woods.

“The most recent project has been for the students to hand-shave 40 localoak pegs which will eventually hold the roof structure together.”

There’s also a refurbishment going along in parallel with the new-build – adding insulation to an existing building with straw bales, hempcrete and home-grown Red Cedar.

The team of local builders and craftspeople deliberately combine big-build

moments with more intricate craft activities such as basket weaving and they carve everything from plates to coracle boats – in which the students will drift down the River Dart at the end of the course.

The emphasis is on the technical knowhow and confidence to undertake a build or refurbishment, while teaching skills that can be taken home for everyday use. And there’s also a feeling of learning from the traditional back-to-the-earth techniques our notso-distant relations would have used.

Local natural builder Robert Somerville says: “We are giving a fresh appreciation of traditional materials and techniques in how we use them in the future”.

This is an apt theme for Dartington, set up in the 1920s as an experiment in

YOUR family’s health could be governed by what’s under your sink, according to Devon eco distributor Spencer Hodgetts.

Eco cleaning is becoming more and more popular as modern household cleaning chemicals are increasingly seen as being hazardous to your health.

Spencer is an independent Wikaniko distributor in the South West and runs the website devonecostore.co.uk.

Spencer also offers people the opportunity to start their own eco cleaning service using Wikaniko’s eco cleaning products that can help reduce allergies and illness.

He said: “With your own We Can Eco Clean business not only can you tactfully educate customers how to clean their homes properly without damaging their health, but you can, as a distributor for Wikaniko, offer your customers over 850 ecofriendly products giving you an excellent commission.

“Plus, as a distributor for Wikaniko, you can take on cleaners all round the country and earn commission on the products they use and sell.”

Call Spencer on 07745 652 487 or Huw on 07989 475 478.

education of land-based skills and rural regeneration. The founders would have loved the fact that the materials for this new incarnation of their dream have been taken from the surrounding land.

The Schumacher Certificate in Natural Build is one of a suite of vocational qualifications being offered at Schumacher College. From September 2012 there will be college-specific and nationally recognised qualifications in ecological design and natural building, green wood-working, sustainable horticulture and food production.

Visit www.schumachercollege.org.uk.

Ready for a Change?

Schumacher College

Join us for part-time vocational courses for a hands-on sustainable future

Dartington Certificate in Sustainable Horticulture Level 2 Diploma and Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (in association with Duchy College) Experience how to grow in a new way on the pioneering land-based projects of Dartington Hall Estate - low carbon, organic, ecological.

Starting September 2012

“I can’t think of a better skill in these uncertain times than being able to sustain oneself and others by growing the soil.”

Level 2 Sustainable Horticulture student

Schumacher Certificate in Natural Building Using local builders, craftspeople and materials this is your chance to get involved in the natural building and making techniques of the past and consider how we use them in the future.

Starting January 2013

“The joy of this course for me is to be working alongside local craftspeople who are so passionate about working with natural materials - it’s so inspiring” Natural Building student

www.schumachercollege.org.uk 20

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...email us today at editor@reconnectonline.co.uk City newsletter A NEW online community newsletter in Exeter aims to spread the word on community activities in the city and provide a place for people to share their stories and experiences.

Exeter Spring is the brainchild of a group who met on the Community Volunteers Service’s Active Citizens course that encourages participants to identify a local need and create a community-focused project.

To contribute, email exeterspring@gmail. com.

Yoga festival NINE different styles of yoga will take over Birdwood House and Bogan House when YogaFest Totnes hits the town on Saturday, September 15.

The event will include a cafe with free chai, chanting and bhajans.

Day tickets are £20 for adults, £3 for children.

Call Maite on 01803 8623330 or email maite_alonso@yahoo. com.

100 acres in just 10 years MOOR Trees, the Devon-based charity that plants native trees across Dartmoor and South Devon, is celebrating its 10th birthday this year.

And in those 10 years it has planted 100 acres of wildlife-friendly and sustainable forest.

They also have a tree nursery in Dartington and in a little over two years have produced thousands of trees of nine different native species for planting out.

Said director Graham Burton: “We are always looking for volunteers to help raise and plant trees and for landowners seeking to turn over some of their land for woodland.

“The nursery work is also a great opportunity for volunteers, with roles for people who have skills in carpentry, plumbing and horticulture and maybe positions of more responsibility. You don’t need specialist skills or qualifications, but any gardening experience would be greatly appreciated.”

To volunteer call Michelle on 01364 649277, or email michelle@moortrees.org. If you are a landowner, email graham@moortrees.org or visit www.moortrees.org.

Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life Career coaching, courses and events to set you free For details please ring 01392 811168 / 07977 272174 or visit www.happymondays.org.uk

Axe throwing at Woodland Olympics APPARENTLY the Olympics are happening soon somewhere up in London village, but we’ve got news of the Woodland Olympics 2012 – and it’s just up the road!

It’s being organised and hosted by Hillyfield, a Dartmoor woodland project, managed with the help of volunteers.

Said Hillyfield’s Doug King-Smith: “This is an opportunity to meet other lovers of woods, craftsmen, woodsmen and saw-millers.

“It’s Free and Fun and fingers crossed there will be sun!”

Events will include axe throwing, log

splitting competitions, the great lake log-rolling competition, the snail sack race, with super entomologist Duncan the Bug-Man, charcoal burning “and lots more fun”.

It’s on Sunday, July 8 (with set-up and camping on Saturday, July 7), and there’s more information, and directions, on the website, www. thehillyfield.co.uk. l Hillyfield have also just received a £3,000 grant from Defra to go towards new equipment to help build up their growing firewood business.

The new firewood processor will be shared with neighbouring landowners to spread the benefit.

WOODLAND ADVENTURE CLUB

EXCITINGN

EW

OUTDOOR HOLIDAY CLUB

NEAR EXETER THIS SUMMER UR YO RT A RE ST NTU VE D A

for 6 - 11 year olds

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

19/03/2012 14:00

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There’s more local Reconnect Facebook... local people eventsnews localon food local health local environment

DEVON YOGA

FESTIVAL 10-12 August 2012 Embracing the holistic practices of yoga!

WHAT better classroom is there than the great outdoors?

For one morning a week in term time parents, carers and children from 2-5 years of age meet in Killerton Woods on the edge of Exeter.

The Woodland Parent and Child Group is run by Exeter Steiner School and is overseen by Helen King.

In association with The Devon School of Yoga.

A not-for-profit celebration of Yoga.

For more information

Outdoor space for parents and children

She says the group has been The Devon

School

Yoga Call 01392 420573 www.devonyogafestival.co.uk of

running for three years and is intended to “give parents and children a space to explore in an unhurried, undistracted way, the wonder of nature all around them.”

At the group, children make things, explore, cook food over the fire, sing songs and tell stories.

The group currently has vacancies to join call 01392 427200.

How to get to grips with scythes IT’S great to see the humble scythe being rediscovered and used in gardens, on allotments and smallholdings not just for managing tall grass but also for smallscale crop harvesting.

Editor Foster says they’re soon planning to get to grips with them on their land - but not before they’ve had some proper instruction from a real expert; in this case, Alastair Inglis.

Al is running taster sessions, workshops and demonstrations right across South Devon.

His June and July dates are: beginners’ scything course at Sharpham, near Totnes on June

9; beginners’ scything course at the Exeter Community Agriculture field near Shillingford St George on July 7; a beginners’ course at Growers Organics in Yealmpton on July 15; and a small-scale haymaking course at the Exeter Community Agriculture field on the weekend of July 28-29.

Call Al on 07796 805453, or email al.inglis@yahoo.co.uk.

Taiko festival beats the drum in Exeter SOME of the top names in British and international taiko, the Japanese art of drumming and movement, will perform in Exeter at taikofest8 from June 29-July 1.

On the Friday, youth taiko groups from the UK will fill the Northcott Theatre, with a special appearance

by Californian college group Stanford Taiko. The following evening, Exeter’s Kagemusha Taiko and London’s Taiko Meantime appear at the Northcott.

During the day on Saturday and Sunday, Exeter Quay will shake to the sound of drums as groups from

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around the UK perform free concerts, joined on Saturday by Wadaiko Makato from Paris and Odaiko Sonora from Arizona.

Kagemusha Taiko organises the taiko festival and its youth group will be a highlight of Friday evening. Finalists in the Next Brit Thing, a national talent contest backed by the BRIT Awards, Kagemusha Junior Taiko has also performed at the Schools Prom at the Albert Hall the last two years running.

Visit www.taikofestival.org.uk. For Northcott tickets, call 01392 494493 or visit www.exeternothcott.co.uk.

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...visitlocal www.facebook.com/ReconnectMagazine local people local events food local health local environment

Organic gardening WE won’t keep you long - there’s so much you need to be doing out in the veg garden! Check this out first, though - Joa and Charlie have some useful tips...

OH my goodness, it’s summer already! I hope you’re all spending lots of time on your vegetable plots - it doesn’t seem to matter how much time you spend out there, you could always do with a bit more...

Early June is a good time to direct sow some of the more tender crops. Direct sowing simply means straight into the ground, rather than into pots or trays. Prepare your soil by raking it until the soil is loose and crumbly.

Courgettes, squashes, outdoor cucumbers, maincrop peas and beans can all be sown in this way.

Carry on ‘earthing up’ maincrop potatoes. If you’ve been plagued with the dreaded blight, remove all the affected leaves and bin them (but not in your compost bin) - you will still get a crop, it just might not be quite as big as you were hoping for. By removing this foliage, you may also stop it reaching your tomato crop which really couldn’t survive being stripped of its leaves.

While on the subject of tomatoes, don’t forget to continue tying them to their stakes or supports - you don’t want any accidents at this stage of their growth.

Also keep looking out for side shoots that will need removing. These are the small shoots which grow immediately above a leaf and are not to be confused with the flower trusses which appear half way between one leaf and another.

Now is also the right time to increase feeding your tomatoes - and most other plants. Always water first

Another rider rushing to the Whackjob Lounge...

Lounging about in the hills

Shooting gallery... before adding a liquid feed so it doesn’t just run straight through organic fertilisers are expensive (or will have taken you a long time to make using nettles or comfrey).

Isn’t it good to see all the butterflies about? All except the cabbage whites, that is! Be vigilant and remove their small bright yellow eggs or caterpillars, which appear on the underside of brassicas leaves, as soon as possible. Protect your crops with a fine meshed netting.

Towards the end of July you may want to start thinking about your winter vegetable crops, such as leeks, winter cabbages, kales and of course my favourite, purple sprouting broccoli. Plan where they will go as you harvest and clear the beds.

Give the brassicas plenty of distance between plants, (approximately 30-45cm) so you can interplant with lettuces or kohl rabi (a particular favourite in the Grower family). These will then be picked long before the kales and broccoli are ready.

DEVON eco clothing company Whackjob has been on the road with the new Whackjob Lounge.

Specialising in eco friendly sports clothing made from bamboo, the company has set up a portable lounge to take to events where riders can meet and greet.

The first outing for the lounge was at an event near Bedford but the next event will be closer to home.

Jan and Joel Teague, who founded the company exactly a year ago, said the event and the lounge were both big successes.

Said Jan: “The sun shone, lots of mountain bikers, photographers and videographers turned up and had a fine time performing and capturing images.

“The Whackjob Lounge proved to be a great place for like-minded people to hook up and chew the fat in a comfortable and fun environment; old acquaintances were met and new friends were made - a very fitting celebration for our first birthday!”

Visit their website, www.whackjob. co.uk.

25th-29th July

Early harvest HARVEST time is here (well, for the early crops anyway). Start digging your early potatoes as and when you need them, just like digging up treasure. Kids love helping with this job.

Don’t forget early spuds won’t store, so it’s time for lots of new potatoes and salads because by now you should have plenty of lettuces, chard leaves and spring onions to pick. And don’t forget young freshly picked broad beans are delicious raw, in a salad.

Peas and mangetout are just like flowering sweetpeas - the more you pick, the more they will produce. And they make a great snack when you’re pottering on the plot! Hands up how many of you actually manage to pick peas and get them all to the kitchen uneaten!

Garlic will be starting to die back towards the end of July, so try and harvest before the tops disappear completely or you might never find them until they start popping up next Spring when its too late.

Right we’re off now, to pick a few peas!

Crafts Campfires Cooking Tranquillity Time Space Fun Feasting Family Are you ready for the Summer Holidays?

An opportunity to look at your parenting in a beautiful and safe environment.

Reconnect’s Organic Gardening column is written

by Joa and Charlie Grower of Growers Organics.

Meet them in person at Totnes market on Fridays and Saturdays from March 2012. Visit www. growersorganics.com, or call 01752 881180.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Join this unique Summer Camp and learn new skills to use in raising your children, whilst your children are expertly cared for and have magical adventures in nature.

For more details visit: www.embercombe.co.uk/sustainablefamilies call: 01647 252 983/5 email: info@embercombe.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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There was more about Thornleigh in the local June/July issue... local people local events local foodSaddle local health environment

Introducing Buff Rock Bill and The Thornleigh Girls...

Jamie Perree at Sharpham

Volunteers on awards lists TWO volunteers from The Sharpham Trust, near Totnes, were shortlisted as finalists against stiff opposition in two separate award schemes.

Stuart Murdoch, a long-term volunteer working with the Sharpham Outdoors team, was shortlisted for the Marsh Award, a collaboration between the Heritage Crafts Association and the Marsh Christian Trust that recognises and celebrates exceptional individuals.

Jamie Perree, a trainee gardener on the Sharpham Estate, was shortlisted in the final three for the Learning Against the Odds Award, awarded by the Torbay Development Agency for examples of learning achievement by individuals in difficult or adverse circumstances.

Stuart works as a mental health distress (MHD) mentor on the Ecominds project, which recognises the positive benefits that spending time outdoors has for people’s mental health.

Sharpham Outdoors manager Jack Skuse said: “We are delighted Stuart has been recognised in this way for his efforts. It is a highly prestigious award against some of the country’s most gifted crafts people, and he fully deserves it.”

Said Stuart: “The team at Sharpham have made a huge difference to my mental health.

“The outdoor environment is so inspiring and crafts are my passion so it was excellent to be able to combine the two.”

Jamie, who works in the extensive gardens on the Sharpham Estate, said: “I want to show other deaf people we can achieve. I want to show other hearing people we are the same.”

Head gardener Jane Pickard said: “Jamie’s constant positive attitude and sheer willingness to work inspires his colleagues and the volunteers on the project. Jamie has significantly increased the amount of work achieved here and we will be growing more food this year because of his work.”

Visit www.sharphamtrust.org.

24

WE agreed to compromise. Everyone involved in the landshare wanted poultry – hens to produce eggs (and marvellous compost-activating muck) and ducks to again supply us with eggs and manure but also to help out with the gardening. More on that in a moment.

The compromise came about around the naming, or otherwise, of the birds. The question we asked ourselves, as anyone probably should if they’re keeping poultry, was ‘are they pets or livestock?’

The answer was definitely ‘livestock’. But we are animal lovers and some hens are just full of character and… well, cute.

We want to produce enough eggs for our own use, with a surplus to sell to cover at least some of our costs, but we’re not planning a massive unit – so we will get to know individual birds (which is great for their welfare but does also mean it’s hard not to have favourites).

Hence the compromise – no individual names, but collectively they will be known as The Thornleigh Girls. Oh, and the cock’s called Buff Rock Bill.

Part of the ethos behind Thornleigh Saddle is to spread the word about permaculture and sustainable living (here through Reconnect and soon through courses and workshops too – watch this space), so for anyone thinking of keeping hens, these are a few points you should consider:

Housing Opinions differ, but reckon on something around 2-3 square feet per hen (remember they only go in to roost and to shelter from extreme weather), but the more space the better. We’ve got 20 hens and an 8ft x 5ft shed - but they are regularly moved onto fresh pasture.

We built ours by cutting down a much larger but much rotten shed we were given, but there are hundreds of different types on the market. We’ve just bought a smaller chicken house (for maternity/ nursery use) from Egshell-ters near Newton Abbot. Details elsewhere on this page.

Obviously the chicken house needs nesting boxes (preferably easy to clean – we’ve used cut-down plastic storage boxes in the larger shed and they’re already provided in the smaller one) and perches.

The most important thing is to keep them sheltered and dry – wet and cold is bad news for hens.

IN our latest visit to Thornleigh Saddle, the landshare project near Totnes, editor Martin Foster introduces us to their first livestock… enter The Thornleigh Girls Fencing If you simply want to keep the hens off your prized brassicas, wire netting will be fine, but if like us you’re visited by foxes and badgers, whether rural or urban, you’ll need electric net fencing, an energiser and a 12 volt battery to power it.

Not cheap, but a necessary investment.

You can find secondhand equipment on eBay, but prices aren’t much cheaper than new. Always keen to support local companies, we went for equipment from Hotline in Newton Abbot – see below for more information, or visit their website, www.hotline-fencing.co.uk.

The hens The main choice here is traditional breeds or hybrid big layers. We’ve gone for a mixture of the two – traditional breeds like Marans, Legbars, Welsomers, which we can expect to lay 150-200 a year depending on age) and Goldlines, which have been bred for egg production and can top 300 a year.

An online search will reveal plenty of breeders across the Reconnect area.

The cock A male chicken is called a cockerel until it is 12 months old, when it is known as a cock (rooster in the US).

Hens don’t need a male to produce eggs, so you can keep a few hens in your garden quite happily. For larger flocks, though, a cock does keep things in order and prevents too much squabbling between the hens.

Buff Rock Bill (Buff Rock is the breed) rules the Thornleigh roost.

And the rest…

You’ll obviously need to provide fresh drinking water and a balanced, nutritious diet – layers’ pellets have all the right stuff in them, although we’re mixing our own (sorry, secret recipe!). They also love

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Ladies that lunch, above, and Buff Rock

greens and fruit from the garden – we gave them kale plants after they’d gone to flower (even after we’d finished picking over them for salads).

There are loads of chicken drinkers on the market – a regular supply is vital and the drinkers keep it clean.

Future plans

It’s early days for our hens. Some of them were bought as ‘point of lay’, and haven’ yet started to produce eggs.

We also plan to set up a small breeding unit, so we’ll be incubating eggs to produce chicks to add to the layers and to sell.

And we’re working on putting together a workshop so keep reading Reconnect for more details.

And the ducks?

We’ll tell you a little more about the ducks next time. We’ve got five Indian runners (which are hugely popular with all visitors to Thornleigh Saddle) and there’s nothing they like more than feasting on the slugs and grubs in our veg garden.

Just don’t ask if they’ve got names…

Hotline fencing IF you must have toys, at least have useful toys… This is our solar-powered energiser from Hotline (based in Newton Abbot).

Their range also includes simpler energisers, that run off a 12-volt leisure battery, various lengths of electric net fencing and a really good value starter pack.

Check out their website, www. hotline-fencing.co.uk, for details of their range and a list of local dealers.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...read it in our www.facebook.com/ReconnectMagazine local people localarchive eventsatlocal food local health local environment

Are these green mortgages just a gimmick?

BARCHESTER’S mortgage expert Tim Bradford takes over our new green money column to explain how to buy a house AND make a positive impact on the planet...

k Bill keeping guard, below.

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e

m ’t

s

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Eggshell-ters WE’VE bought two houses from Eggshell-ters near Newton Abbot – one for the ducks (see left) and one we’ll be using later for hens.

They’re really well-made and solid (and heavy!) and range from around £70 for a small house to £150 for a larger (3ft x4ft-ish) house pictured. And that includes local delivery too.

Email your requirements to Mike at superdupercoops@ gmail.com.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

GREEN mortgages are currently offered by a few mortgage lenders, but are becoming more popular.

The environment is very high on political agendas and in public consciousness, but how much good can a green mortgage really do?

In today’s financial climate, are clients more concerned with getting a mortgage in the first place? And, how do these mortgages actually match with individual clients’ green or ethical criteria?

Green mortgages aim to reduce negative impact on our environment.

Lenders that offer this package will make contributions to charities that support the environment or the welfare of the less fortunate. Some will lend on houses that are seen to be environmentally sound, or a certain level of energy efficiency, so you may want a Green mortgage, but can’t actually have one.

A green mortgage benefits the environment in several ways, and to different extents depending on the nature of the lender and the mortgage itself. Some lenders plant a certain number of trees per loan to offset its carbon footprint or by donating to the environment. There are currently just a handful of lenders who market a ‘green mortgage’ but their offerings do vary, as do their rates and lending policy.

By taking into account your circumstances, aspirations, the property, and your requirements, green, ethical or otherwise, Barchester Green will research the whole market on your behalf so you don’t have to.

Many of the green mortgage products are priced higher than standard mortgages. You may feel it’s financially viable to have a competitively priced mortgage or to consider a mutual lender.

Either way, this would allow you to redirect any savings you make on the mortgage to a chosen charity or a good cause. Barchester Green also donates a percentage of its net profit each year to good causes.

The donations are made from the company’s net profit as a whole, and not just from the mortgages we arrange.

TO find out more, call Jackie Adams on 01722 331241 or see the back page. Barchester Green Investment is the oldest firm of independent financial advisers in the UK specialising in ethical and environmental investment.

In 2008 it was purchased by advisers and staff working in the business.

British School of Homoeopathy Patient centred learning Founded on principles Grounded in experience The School has a permanent home in a beautiful integrative health care centre in the heart of Exeter.

Open for study & tutorials five days a week, with eleven teaching weekends a year.

CALL NOW

TO FIND OUT MORE AUDE SAPERE – DARE TO KNOW Established 25 years Principal Mo Morrish

British School of Homoeopathy Exeter Natural Health Centre 83-84 Queen Street, Exeter Ex4 3RP T: 01392 422555 E: bsh@enhc.org www.britishschoolofhomoeopathy.co.uk

Your course combines academic rigour with a commitment to training to ensure that your students have the practical tools to make homoeopathy practice pay and be a proper job.

Society of Homeopaths Recognition Report

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

25

Events diary

Got local a date for our August/September diary? local people events local food local healthevents local environment JUNE

Scything workshop: Saturday, June 9

Saturday 2 AND SUNDAY 3 Beesounds, music at The Underwood Discovery Centre in Beeson. Tickets for 7.30pm gigs £12, free music 11am-4pm, www.underwood discoverycentre.com.

AND SUNDAY 3 Kingsbridge Jubilee Open Gardens, including the town’s community garden, 1-5pm, £4 adults, kids free, 01548 714017, enquiries@ kingsbridgegarden.co.uk.

Michael Frayn at Ways With Words: Friday, July 6 - Monday, July 16

Cafe Etc, free event, local art, live music and stalls from TTE, Exmouth LETS and Createxe, The Grapevine, Victoria Road, Exmouth, 11am-4pm, www. transitiontownexmouth.co.uk Stone walling course with Sandy Backus, Woodah Farm, Doddiscombsleigh, 01647 277230, www. devonruralskillstrust.co.uk.

Consortium of South Hams Artists summer exhibition, Market Hall, Fore Street, Kingsbridge.

Miles Jupp: Saturday, June 30

Sunday 3 Discover Wild Nature, with Trees for Health, booking essential, numbers limited, info@treesforhealth.org, 07765 631877, www. treesforhealth.org.

Dartington Food Fair, 50 producers, demonstrations, live music, Dartington Hall, www.dartington.org/shops/ food-fair Skillshare/Work/Play Session, free family-friendly event,

Community Food Tree Nursery (behind Council House walled garden), Follaton Arboretum, larch.maxey@plymouth. ac.uk, 01803 867512, www. transitiontowntotnes.org Big Lunch Local Food Feast, discuss ideas, learn about Totnes food projects, Leechwell Garden, Totnes, meet 12 noon to eat 12.30pm (bring local food to share), TTT food group, www. transitiontowntotnes.org, simacutting@gmail.com.

Discover wild nature, collect wild food and cook a wild lunch over a fire, with Trees for Health’s Liz Turner. Meet East Prawle village green, 9.30am-3.30pm, £25 adults, £1 kids, booking essential - 07765 631877, info@ treesforhealth.org.

Monday 4 Transition Exeter food talks, Jury’s Inn, Western Way, Exeter, 7pm. Details TBC. transitionexeter.org

Wednesday 6 Pondemonium, explore underwater world of Coleton Fishacre, admission fee applies, meet Coleton Fishacre reception, 2-4pm, www.southdevonaonb.org.uk.

Saturday 9 Sustainable Crediton Community Market, Market Square, Crediton, 10am-1pm, www.creditonlocalproduce. co.uk.

Beginners’ scythe course with Alastair Inglis, Sharpham, Totnes, 07796 805453, al.inglis@yahoo.co.uk.

Plymouth LETS Market, Unitarian Church Hall, Notte Street, Plymouth, 2-4pm, info@plymouthlets.org.uk.

Sunday 10

A Charity Fundraiser

Saturday 23 June 2012 Midday til Midnight

West Town Farm, Ide, de Exeter, EX2 9TG kindly sponsored by

AV EV ENTS

www.avsevents.co.uk!

Adult £12 /Child (3-12 yrs) £5 Under 3s free Camping £5 per person Booking tickets essential Tickets available from: Exeter Steiner School office Tel: 01392 427200 Capital Taxis, St David’s, 01392 433433.

26

Visit our Facebook page ‘FESTIVAl@THE FARM’

Featuring: The Arlenes FOS Brothers Audio Razor Mae and the Midnight Fairground Steve Perrett/Sojo Soul ...and many more!

Live music, good food & beer, stalls, crafts, workshops & theatre performance...

The QTs, social group for bi and gay men in the South Hams, 11am every second Sunday of the month, Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes, queertotties.tumblr.com

Tuesday 12 Poetry Conversation with Alice Oswald, take a poem to read, Sharpham House, 7.30pm, suggested £5 donation, www. sharphamtrust.org.

Get to know your sewing machine, Totnes Artisans workshop, Coombe Park, Ashprington, 11am-1pm, £12, 01803 867411, handmade@totnesartisans. com.

TTT film night: Black Gold, film and supper, venue tbc, 7-10pm, edap.totnes@ transitionnetwork.org, www.

Wednesday 13

Saturday 16 NVC training with Vajrasara Rankin, nonviolent communication expert, Friend’s Meeting House, Wynard’s Lane, Exeter, 10am, £30, book at g.parfitt424@ btinternet.com.

Daisy Day Beading, Totnes Artisans workshop, Coombe Park, Ashprington, 11am1.30pm, £14, 01803 847847, rosies8@talktalk.net.

Cob building day, course with Jill Smallcombe, Burrow farm, Drewsteignton, 01647 241145, www. devonruralskillstrust.co.uk.

Transition workshop from the University Transition Project, open to all Transition groups “learn, play and collaborate”.

10am-4pm, £3 towards cost, transitionexeter.org.

Monday 18 Blowing hot and cold, wind power debate chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, The Great Hall, Dartington, 7-9pm, £7/8, www.dartington.org.

Wednesday 20 Skillshare: Laughing for no reason with professional laughter facilitator, venue and time tbc, orangekes@ googlemail.com, 01803 862551, www. transitiontowntotnes.org.

Skillshare: SING with adults, BRING your kids! with Selena Merrett (www.medleymusic. co.uk), Birdwood House, Totnes, 1.15-2.30pm, 01803 732546, 07904-218461, selenalea@yahoo.co.uk.

Begin to Felt, Totnes Artisans workshop, Coombe Park, Ashprington, 11am-3pm, £18, 01803 847847, rosies8@talktalk.net.

Skillshare: cycling for beginners, for adults and children, Totnes venue and times tbc, Julian Burn on 01803 863878, charpentier@ sailoar.co.uk, www. transitiontowntotnes.org.

SUNDAY 23 Festival @ The Farm 2012 West Town Farm, Ide, Exeter - see page 28. £12 adults, £5 kids, 01392 427200, emilington@gmail.com.

Make a bag in a day, Totnes Artisans workshop, Coombe Park, Ashprington, 10am4pm, £25, 01803 867411, handmade@totnesartisans. com.

Sunday 24 Return of the Rockery, clear weeds, drink tea and eat cake at rockery near Rugby Clubhouse, Borough Park, Totnes, 12noon3.30pm, amberponton@ transitionnetwork.org, www. transitiontowntotnes.org

In Your Skin, film premier and fundraiser for In Your Skin, Katheryn Trenshaw’s multi-media project (see page 35), The Barrel House, Totnes, 7.30pm, ktrenshaw. com.

Green Walk organised by Transition Exeter and led

by Devon Nature Walk’s Nigel Pinhorn, meet at the Cathedral, 2pm, gill.b@ transitionexeter.org, www. transitionexeter.org.

Skillshare: Voiceplay! Free Skillshare session, workshop in improvisational singing (www. medleymusic.co.uk), Birdwood House, High Street, Totnes, 7.30-9pm, 01803 732546, 07904 218461, selenalea@ yahoo.co.uk.

Avon River – bugs and beasties, Avon Mill Garden Centre, Loddiswell, free, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Tuesday 26 Earthwalk with Mark Jefferys, meet carpark

behind Craft Ed Centre, Schumacher College, Dartington, 8-10pm, www. transitiontowntotnes.org.

Wednesday 27 Walk the hedgerows with Sara Hills, medical herbalist and teacher, with a view to making wild medicine, Growers Organics, Kitley, Yealmpton, £20, booking essential on 01752 872960, email: sarahills@hotmail.co.uk.

Friday 29 UNTIL SUNDAY, JULY 1 taikofest8, international taiko drumming festival, at Exeter Northcott and Exeter Quay, 01392 494493, www. exeternorthcott.co.uk.

Saturday 30 Comic Miles Jupp tells how he bluffed his way onto an Indian cricket tour as a commentator, The Flavel, Dartmouth, 8pm, www.theflavel.org.uk.

Music on the Farm, at Ullacombe Farm Shop, with The Sounds of Sirens, Nicky Swann, The Kirkwood Brown Trio, Jimmy B, Jerry Tremaine, Honey Sol, Cat in the Hat, Makiwa with Wendy Herman and more. Free during day, after 5.30pm £10 for adults and £1 for kids.

JULY Sunday

1

Discover Forest Foods, Underwood Discovery Centre, Beeson, 10.30am-4pm, free if you attend for whole day and help, info@treesforhealth. org or 07765 631877, www. treesforhealth.org.

Monday 2 UNTIL SATURDAY 7 Consortium of South Hams Artists - summer exhibition, work from 10 local artists, Kingsbridge market hall.

Tuesday 3 Poetry Conversation with Alice Oswald, take a poem to read, Sharpham House, 7.30pm, www.sharphamtrust.org.

Saturday 7 AND SUNDAY JULY 8 Clay oven course, with Sam Wight and Paddy McKensie, Growers Organics, Yealmpton, near Plymouth, 07796 805453, al.inglis@yahoo.co.uk, www. growersorganics.com.

Beginners’ scythe course with Alastair Inglis, Exeter Community Agriculture field, Shillingford St George, Exeter.

07796 805453, al.inglis@ yahoo.co.uk.

Sunday 8 The QTs - social group for bi and gay men in the South Hams, 11am every second Sunday of the month, Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes, queertotties.tumblr.com/ Natural and local history of Galmpton Creek with Nigel Mortimer, AONB estuaries officer, adults £4, kids £2, meet at Dartside Quay, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk

Thursday 12 Transition Exeter celebration with poet Matt Harvey, band

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Email your local details to:local editor@reconnectonline.co.uk local people local events food health local environment Reconnect events diary - now online!

AS you might have read on page 5, the unique Reconnect diary is now also online!

We’ll still run two months of great events here in each issue but the new online version offers you some exciting new features: l Instant listing - well, ok, when we get round to putting it up there, but it does mean you don’t have to wait for the next mag. l New comprehensive format - going online means we’re not limited on space so we can publicise events months in advance

to give you plenty of notice. l Google maps - most entries will have a link to one of their maps (sometimes quite useful!). l Calendar link - and if you use a Google calendar, you can link up to us for regular updates. l And of course it’s all free!

So email us now at editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk and tell us the name of the event, the venue, the date and time, contact number, email and website - plus a paragraph of other info and we might run a story in the mag too!

Email us now: editor@reconnectonline.co.uk Spin2, Invent More Theatre and others. Boston Tea Party, Exeter, 7pm, £8/5, 01647 24789, transitionexeter.org.

Saturday 14 AND SUNDAY 15 Beginners’ scythe course with Alastair Inglis, Growers Organics, Yealmpton, near Plymouth, 07796 805453, al.inglis@yahoo.co.uk, www. growersorganics.com.

Plymouth LETS Market, Unitarian Church Hall, Notte Street, Plymouth, 2-4pm, info@plymouthlets.org.uk.

Saturday 21 UNTIL SUNDAY 29 Love Parks Week, www. loveparksweek.org.uk.

2000 years down on the farm, explore a 500-acre farm with views over Burgh Island, adults £4, kids £2, meet at Mount Folly Farm, Bigbury-on-Sea, www.southdevonaonb.org.uk.

Monday 23 Messy Monday art workshops, for 9-11 year-olds, The Flavel, Dartmouth, £7.50 per child, www.theflavel.org.uk.

Wednesday 25 Yealmpton show, www. yealmptonshow.com.

Pondemonium, explore the underwater world of Coleton Fishacre, admission fee applies, meet Coleton Fishacre reception, 2-4pm, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk.

Saturday 28 AND SUNDAY 29 Small-scale haymaking with scythes, with Alastair Inglis, Exeter Community Agriculture field, Shillingford St George, Exeter, 07796 805453, al.inglis@yahoo.co.uk.

Sunday 29 Totnes show, one of the biggest one-day country shows in the UK, Berry Pomeroy, Totnes, www. totnesshow.com.

Green walk, organised by Transition Exeter and led

by Devon Nature Walk’s Nigel Pinhorn, meet at the Cathedral, 2pm, gill.b@ transitionexeter.org, www. transitionexeter.org.

Monday 30 Messy Mondays art workshop for 9-11 year-olds, The Flavel, Dartmouth, £7.50 per child, www.theflavel.org.uk.

FESTIVALS JUNE FRI 1-SUN 3, Ashburton Blues Festival, national and international big-name blues stars plus local artists.

Find out more at www. ashburtonbluesfestival.com SAT 2-SUN 3, Exeter Respect Festival, a celebration of diversity, music on three stages, kids’ activities, food/ drink, stalls, Belmont Park, Exeter, www.exeter-respect.org.

SAT 2, Exmouth Festival, annual arts, music and community festival, including Cafe Etc... with stalls from TTE and Exmouth LETS, www. exmouthfestival.org.uk.

SAT 9-SUN 10, Freedom Fields Festival, part of The Mutley and Greenbank Community Festival, music, dance and other activities for all ages, Freedom Fields Park, Plymouth. Find out more at www.mutleygreenbankfestival. co.uk.

SAT 16-SUN 24, Golowan Festival, music, dance, crafts and much more at venues across Penzance. Find out more at www.golowan.org.

WEDS 20, Stonehenge Summer Solstice. Find out more at www.stonehenge. co.uk.

THURS 21-SUN 24, Sunrise Celebration, ethical living and music festival. Find out more at www.sunrisecelebration. com.

FRI 22-SUN 24, Teignmouth Folk Festival, feast of folk names at venues across Teignmouth. Find out more at www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk.

JULY FRI 6-MON 16, Ways With Words, literary festival. See www.wayswithwords.co.uk and page 30.

WED 11-SUN 15, Buddhafield, meditation, great food, workshops, healing and bodywork, www. buddhafield.com.

WED 11-SUN 15, Larmer Tree Festival, diverse music, comedy and theatre festival, Salisbury, www. larmertreefestival.co.uk FRI 13-SAT 14, South Brent Folk Festival, Jackie Oates concert on Friday 13. On Saturday, dance and music performances and workshops - and a ceilidh in the evening, www.southbrentfolk.org.

FRI 13-SUN 15, Quest, wellbeing, music and dance festival, Newton Abbot racecourse, www.questuk. co.uk. See page 32.

FRI 20-SAT 21, Chagstock, ‘family friendly festival’, Chagford, www.chagstock.info

AUGUST

ULLACOMBEDAYOFMUSIC.WEBS.COM

THURS 2-SUN 5, Green Gathering, ‘all things green and esoteric’, Piercefield Park, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, www.greengathering2012. co.uk FRI 3-FRI 10, Sidmouth Folk Week, at venues across the town, www.sidmouthfolkweek. co.uk.

FRI 3-SUN 5, Cornish Folk Festival - it’s folk at a festival... in Cornwall - Wadebridge, to be precise. Find out more at www.wadebridgefolk.co.uk.

FRI 17-SUN 19, Beautiful Days, small family-friendly music festival, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, www. beautifuldays.org FRI 24-SUN 26, Aeon Festival, ‘boutique music festival’, www. aeonfestival.com FRI 24-MON 27, Westcountry Storytelling Festival, Embercombe, in conjunction with Reconnect, www. weststoryfest.co.uk - page 31.

FRI 31-SEPT SUN 2, End of the Road Festival, ‘intimate music festival’, Tollard Royal, Salisbury, www. endoftheroadfestival.com

SEPTEMBER SAT 15, YogaFest Totnes, nine different types of yoga, Birdwood House and Bogan House, Totnes. Day ticket £20, children £3. Plus chanting, mantra, cafe, free chair. Maite Alonso, 01803 862330 maite_alonso@ yahoo.com

Turn to our festivals update on pages 30-31 www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Profits from this year’s event will go to Dartmoor Rescue and to Gardens for Gambia. Entry is free during the day you can make a donation. If you stay for the evening you will need to buy a ticket and numbers are limited. Camping is available. Tickets are available from the farm shop 01364 661341

Producer Fairs At Crocadon Farm Traditional Courtyard Setting Food & Craft Producer Markets & Fairs Timber & Timber Products Direct from the Sawmill

3 r d Saturday of the Month 9 am – 3pm

Coming Markets: 16th June & 21st July

Fresh Meat, Fish, Quality Foods, Local Art & Crafts, Plants & Pet Supplies, Café, BBQ and More ..

Buy Direct from the Producers Free Admission ~ Free Parking

WWW.CROCADON.CO.UK Opp. St Mellion Golf Club, Saltash, PL12 6RL

01579 350096

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

27

Seasonal eating IT’S time to put away the duvet and get out the hammock as we welcome the lighter energy of summer. Our nutritional expert Carol Lee tells us how to bring lightness and coolness into our diets...

AFTER the manic energy of Spring, Summer feels much more chilled, soft and blooming marvellous.

I love it when the energy softens, the flowers are out, the weather warms up and we can enjoy ‘hammock and deckchair’ days rather than ‘duvet’ days.

The energy of Summer is light and fun. In Chinese five-element philosophy this is fire time and is linked to the heart meridian, making us feel more open hearted, benevolent and sociable.

Hopefully, the weather is starting to heat up so we also need to look after our triple heater meridian, our internal thermostat, so we can keep our cool.

Have you noticed just how juicy lots of summer foods are? Cucumber, courgettes, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries... all beautifully packaged for keeping us hydrated through the hottest months of the year.

Remember for health we need to create harmony between what is happening in nature and what is happening in our bodies, and the food we eat is critical in making that link between the inner and the outer.

The key to eating in tune with the summer season is to bring lightness and coolness into your diet, so simple foods and plenty of fluids.

So this is the time to: l Avoid heavy carbohydrate foods and go instead for lighter grains like millet and quinoa (technically a seed). l Eat more vegetarian and vegan options, including plenty of salad and

Keep up to date on FaceBook...

Festival’s winning formula FIND a good central venue, invite some top performers and you could be in for an annual winner.

The Exeter Steiner School believe they have come up with the ultimate combination with their Festival @ The Farm 2012 at West Town Farm, Ide, near Exeter, on Saturday, June 23.

The fundraising event kicks off at midday and runs until midnight featuring a long list of top bands with a mixture of genres.

Emily Miller, one of the organisers, said the festival was created to give people the opportunity to experience a value-for-money mini-festival in a safe family-friendly environment.

“It’s about bringing the community together to have fun and simply enjoy some of the incredible talent Devon has to offer,” said Emily. “We

have a fantastic line-up of bands and solo acoustic musicians spread across two stages.”

The main stage line-up includes: Colourful Genre, Matt Calder, Mae and the Midnight Fairground, Exeter Samba, Andy B, The Arlenes, FOS Brothers and Audio Razor.

And on the acoustic stage: Kate Knight, Fiona Riches, Chris De Graal, Kate Hubert, Kneace Daly, Lazy Mouse and Annie Rew Shaw.

Other attractions include bouncy castles, stalls and a selection of locally-sourced foods including clay oven pizza and a BBQ. Tickets are £12 for adults, £5 for children (under-threes free) from the school office on 01392 427200 or email emilington@gmail.com.

Camping available at £5 per person.

Respect your elders raw foods; this is also a great time to forage and find food for free. l Try making some lunar or solar teas. Elson M. Haas author of Staying Healthy with the Seasons talks of making solar or lunar tea by steeping aromatic leaf herbs or flowers in water and placing either in the sun or the moon light as we come up to the full moon.

This is what he says: Place dry or fresh herbs in a clear glass jug of clean fresh water.

Put it in the sun/moon for one or two days/nights- then drink or refrigerate. Aromatic leaf herbs or flowers work best, including peppermint, hibiscus flowers, lemon grass, red clover flowers, chamomile flowers, any green herbs, rosemary, orange or lemon peel.

If you want something a bit more traditional, you could try this lovely recipe for Elderflower cordial…

Elderflower cordial 250g elderflowers, cleaned; 1.1L water; 900g caster sugar 50g citric acid; 2 lemons and 2 limes BRING the water to the boil, pour the boiling water over the sugar. Stir to dissolve and let it cool completely. Wash and cut the lemons and limes in quarters and add to the stock syrup.

Pick the elderflowers and remove any dead bits and leaves. Place the elderflowers in a colander and wash under cold running water. Let the elder flowers drain while the stock syrup cools.

Once the stock syrup is cold add the elderflowers and the citric acid, mix and place the mixture in a deep container in the fridge, place a layer of clingfilm directly on top of the mixture. Let the cordial infuse for 48 hours; stir a couple of times during this period.

Pass the cordial through a fine sieve and pour into sterilised bottles. Keep refrigerated. Makes approximately 2 litres of elderflower cordial Now you just need to find a shady spot and a deckchair…enjoy!

Reconnect’s Seasonal Eating is written by Carol Lee. She offers one-to-one consultations at the Well Being Centre in Crediton and Exeter. She also runs workshops and nutrition courses. Call her on 01363 82794 or visit www.naturalfoodschool.co.uk . You can now join her on Facebook for seasonal tips, recipes and nutritional information www.facebook.com/naturalfoodschool

28

Having a great holiday, naturally...

LOOKING for something a bit different for your children this summer? School holidays can be boring - but not when they’re wild...

The Woodland Adventure Club offers the chance to explore the great outdoors in a safe, supported environment.

The new holiday club for 6-11 yearolds is run by local team Hannah Standen, John Elsworthy and Louise Webb in beautiful private woodland near Exeter.

Said Hannah: “Together, the children and expert Woodland adventure club staff will have the opportunity to discover new things in nature - playing and exploring in the woods, enjoying the meadows, pond and learning cool woodland skills!”

And there’s a free taster day on June 30. They also host birthday parties, with cooking over the campfire and building your own den on the agenda.

Visit www.atouchofthewild.co.uk.

Classes at new artisan studio THE creative duo who ran the Artisans Markets in Totnes in the run-up to Christmas have set up a craft studio, where they run classes and sell local crafts.

Rose and Bridget are now based at their new studio at the Coombe Park rural business centre near Ashprington, Totnes.

They have four courses planned for June: Get to know your sewing machine with Bridget on June 12

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

(11am-1pm - £14); Daisy day beading with Rose on June 17 (11am-1.30pm - £14); Begin to felt with Rose on June 20 (11am-3pm - £18); and Make a bag in a day with Bridget on June 23 (10am-4pm - £25).

Spaces are limited so book (£10 deposit required) with Bridget on 01803 867411 and with Rose on 01803 847847, or email handmade@totnesartisans or rosie8@talktalk.net. And visit the shop to buy great local crafts.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...find us at www.facebook.com/ReconnectMagazine

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

29

Festivals update

And don’t miss our unique events diary...

Jeremy Hardy

Ways with Words AS you’d expect, the 2012 Ways With Words festival at Dartington is creaking with big names: Michael Palin, Charley Boorman, John McCarthy, Jeremy Vine, Joan Bakewell, Jung Chang, Julian Clary, Rosie Boycott, Penelope Lively, Timothy Spall, Alex James, Tariq Ali, Simon Armitage, Fay Weldon, Jeremy Hardy (above), Roy Hattersley, PD James, Arthur Smith, Michael Frayn, AC Grayling... and lots, lots more.

It runs July 6-16 with talks, discussions and films on all matters literary.

Check out the detailed programme online at www.wayswithwords.co.uk.

Music on the farm

HOME, Dartington Hall, June 22-23 THE sensational West African music and dance troupe Ballet Nimba is the latest addition to the HOME line-up.

Led by the irrepressible Guinean-born choreographer and performer Idrissa Camara, Ballet Nimba interlocks musicians and dancers originating from across West Africa in a captivating and dynamic display of dance theatre with potent musicianship and outstanding percussion and rhythms.

Ballet Nimba will appear on the Saturday in a late afternoon performance and will also host a dance workshop.

See them in action at www. balletnimba.org.uk/#/ videos/4542103341.

Headlining the HOME festival in Dartington Hall will be

Westcountry favourites Show of Hands (Saturday) and Tibet’s exiled Tashi Lhunpo monks (Friday).

And the exquisite Japanese pianist Ryoko Nuruki will be making her UK debut at HOME on the opening evening.

Young fiddle player Jackie Oates, a big hit at last year’s festival, is back this year with her band on the Saturday.

See the full rundown of the HOME festival at www. dartington.org.

Win a pair of weekend tickets worth £117 HOME tickets are £20 for the Saturday and £45 for the Sunday.

A weekend ticket costs £58.50.

Reconnect has a pair of weekend tickets to giveaway!

Simply email us at editor@ AWARD winning young fiddle player Jackie Oates will appear at both HOME and South Brent festivals, see above and right

reconnectonline.co.uk with your name, address and phone number - put Home please in the subject box!

First to fire an email into our inbox takes the tickets!

Jackie headlines village line-up A NEW date for the local festival diary – the South Brent Festival on July 13 and 14.

This new folk festival kicks off on the Friday with a concert in the village hall headlined by Jackie Oates (pictured left) and band with supporting acts Jim Causley and Si Barron.

On Saturday there will be various folk activities, including dancing, singing and instrumental sessions around the village. The event will end with a ceilidh on Saturday night.

Tickets are on sale from Artworks and The Mare and Foal Centre in South Brent.

Find out more at www. southbrentfolk.org

South Brent Festival, June 13-14

BANDS will be descending on Dartmoor from far and wide on June 30 when Ullacombe Farm plays host to its annual Day of Music.

The event, near Haytor, starts at midday and runs until midnight with performances from Jerry Tremaine and Wilco Johnson; local solo singer/ songwriter Nicky Swan; Makiwa playing African reggae; The Johnson Blues Explosion; The Kirkwood Brown trio with original country rocks and local band Cat in the Hat featuring Bill Birks, to mention just a few.

An African drumming workshop is being hosted by Africussion and you can dance the night away to Eat the Rich and South West Indies.

The farm yard is ideal for children and you can enjoy browsing the local food and craft market stalls and the farm shop. Real ale, cider and Pimms is on sale at The Cow’s Udder Bar and there’s a hog roast and BBQ planned.

Profits go to Dartmoor Rescue and to Gardens for Gambia. Entry is free during the day - you can make a donation. If you stay for the evening (there’s camping too) you’ll need a ticket - on sale at the farm shop (01364 661341), The Cromwell Hotel in Bovey Tracey and at Naturally U in Ashburton (07877 863 745).

HOME is where the heart of music is...

The weird and the wonderful

Take a journey through the strange and magical ceramic world of Robin Currie.

Check out his website to see more of his work, leave a comment and find out how to get a little magic into your life.

www.robincurrie.co.uk 30

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...now online too!

A once upon a time of your life festival!

Westcountry Storytelling Festival Embercombe, Exeter, August 24-27 WHETHER you’re looking for entertainment, relaxation or inspiration, you’ll find it all at the Westcountry Storytelling Festival, in association with Reconnect magazine.

In 20 venues across Embercombe’s beautiful 50-acre site, over 70 artists, including bands, musicians, poets, theatre companies, puppeteers, jugglers, craft facilitators, and, of course, internationally-renowned storytellers, will deliver 150 performances and activities for all ages.

The transformative magic of storytelling, around campfires and in yurts, will mingle with live music and activities such as archery, bush-craft, film-making, song-writing, bread-making, scything, crafts, walks and giant sculptures – all inclusive in

the ticket price.

You can develop your own storytelling and singing, too.

There’s so much to do, it will be difficult to choose - from early morning Tai Chi and meditation; archery and Robin Hood stories in the woods; talks, walks and games; workshops and music jam sessions through to fire ceremony, ceilidh and dance in the evenings.

Delicious hot and cold organic food will be on sale including pizzas from the outdoor ovens and Embercombe’s own salads and mouthwatering cakes.

A range of luxury yurts and tipis are available for hire, as are pre-pitched tents.

For full details, visit the website: www.weststoryfest. co.uk.

l IF you’d like to book a stand in the Festival Green Market, or the East Yurt Round House (for healers), email Sophie Cook at sophie@weststoryfest.

You could take a cover shot for Reconnect

Win a free family ticket worth £240 A WESTCOUNTRY Storytelling Festival adult early bird ticket is £75 (child £25), including free camping from Friday to Monday - and they’re going fast. Buy online at www. weststoryfest.co.uk.

Reconnect has a family ticket worth £240 (for two adults and two children) to give away. Simply email us at editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk with your name, address and phone number - put Embercombe please in the subject box.

First to get an email in our inbox takes the ticket!

THE Westcountry Storytelling Festival is run in association with Reconnect magazine and we’ll be there again running our cover photograph competition.

When you’ve taken some great shots of the festival on your camera or phone, just pop along to our stand and we’ll upload them onto our computer.

After the festival we then choose one for the next cover of Reconnect and our pick of the rest inside.

We’d also love to hear what you think about the magazine and how it should develop in the future. See you there!

Appearing this year...

Ben Haggarty Jan Blake Nick Hennessey Frankie Armstong Martin Shaw Holly McNish Sheila Stewart Chris Salisbury Caitlin Matthews Clive Fairweather “this festival is as near to perfection as it could be” “a five star festival!” “a marvellous magical weekend”

Adult ticket Child ticket

£85 £35

Earlybird, group & concession discounts available

w w w. w e s t s t o r y f e s t . c o . u k www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

31

Festivals update

Look out for more festival local newsfood in the August/September issue... local people local events local health local environment

Small enough to be huge IT’S a fine balance – but Quest has got it just right.

As we’ve said before, Quest is small enough to feel friendly and intimate, which makes it perfect for some of the acoustic acts that appear here and for the many families that can safely make the most of the space.

But it’s also big enough to attract the big names.

On the musical side of things that includes Carolyn Hillyer and Nigel Shaw, Kora Colours featuring Ravi, Dragonsfly, Chris Ellis and Celeste Lovick, Pearl, Blue Jewel, Tribal Groove and Cherry Rain.

But it’s the unique range of talks and workshops that make Quest so special and this year they include Jacqui Newcombe, Ursula James, Sandy Newbigging, Todd Acamensis, Cate Mackenzie - plus David Wells, Tim Freke and Barbara Micklejohn-Free are all back after a few years break.

QUEST, Newton Abbot Racecourse, July 12-15 And then there are over 100 exhibitors showcasing local therapists, authors, artists, craftspeople – and the Reconnect team. Stop by and say hi!

The sweat lodge returns and after many years a firewalk is back too.

Embercombe is offering a dedicated space for crafts and enjoyment for adults and children, The Red Tent is a sanctuary space open all day with a programme of meditations and sacred work suitable for aged 13 and above, and The Wise Moon Marquee is back with a theme of nourishment for all the family.

There’s also delicious, local and organic food available all day, camping and free parking on site and good local transport links.

Find the full story at www.questuk.co.uk.

Win two family tickets worth £178 QUEST tickets are £27.50 for the full event. A family ticket (two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, plus camping) costs £58.50.

Reconnect has TWO family tickets to give away!

Simply email us at editor@reconnectonline. co.uk with your name, address and phone number - put ‘Quest please’ in the subject box!

First to get an email in our inbox takes the tickets!

green fuse funeral directors green fuse supports you to create a moving and memorable funeral reflecting the life & values of the person who has died.

All styles of funeral – contemporary, green, jazz, traditional, whatever you choose.

Highly qualified staff (FDFS Bath University).

Free funeral planning service (with or without prepayment) “Jane Morrell and Simon Smith work tirelessly to improve the standard of funerals.” Good Funeral Guide Visit our funeral centre at 7 High Street, Totnes or visit our highly informative website www.greenfuse.co.uk to find out all about funerals and bereavement.

Call us on 01803 840779 (24 hour service).

funerals with heart and soul 32

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Reconnect’s guide natural health wellbeing local peoplecomprehensive local events local foodtolocal health localand environment WELCOME to Wellbeing.

TAI CHILDREN... World Tai Chi Day brought together young and old. Find out more on page 36...

Relaxed and effective

Albie McMahon of Hands-on Health

AFTER 20 years of nursing, Louise Pritchard is very aware of how the holistic approach to health can be more effective and enjoyable.

As a Bowen Therapist, Louise says she enjoys the relaxed approach to healing without the rush of the NHS. She says: “Being a nurse and a Bowen therapist keeps me in a position where I am maintaining a balance between the conventional and the complementary approaches to health and well being.

“Bowen therapy is a very gentle holistic hands on treatment using rolling type moves over muscle, tendons and ligaments. No bone manipulation is involved. There are many conditions that respond well to Bowen therapy.”

Louise is now building up clients in her practice in a peaceful location near Sidmouth, about 30 minutes from Exeter, Exmouth and Seaton.

Call her on 01404 813537 / 07800 777272 email: louisepritchard@aol. com.

Visit www.thebowentechnique.com.

Owners Manya and Albie McMahon have realised their vision of a healthy, calming environment in the heart of the community and are gaining a reputation for their team concept.

They offer a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care, where people can benefit from therapies including massage, reflexology, myofascial release, acupuncture and nutrition, and also take part in pilates, yoga, tai chi and TRX classes.

Albie, a massage therapist and TRX instructor, says: “Once patients start feeling better, they often want to improve their fitness and diet to change their lives completely.”

As well as having expanded the team and introduced new classes

SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC BED & BREAKFAST WITH EN-SUITE WELLBEING. GLORIOUS VIEWS & GARDENS.

PLUS: ACTIV8ATE • Nutritional Naturopathy consultation • Five-hour workshops/lectures. on four Mondays in September

Heather Nicholson Norwegian Wood, Babbacombe Fest - June 22 Hollicombe Lane, Quest - July 12-15 Preston, Paignton TQ3 2DT Exhibiting at the following:

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Team at heart of community EXMOUTH’S eco-friendly health and fitness clinic, Hands-on Health, celebrated its first birthday in May.

Norwegian Wood

www.organicbedandbreakfast.info

THE following pages bring together complementary therapists and personal development practitioners from across South Devon.

It’s the ONLY place to find the latest news on natural health and wellbeing - the full story behind the names and advertisements.

If YOU are a therapist or practitioner, and want to appear in these pages, just get in touch and we’ll make it easy and affordable for you.

A regular 1/8-page, like those below, can cost just £41.85 a month if you book a series of six and pay by direct debit.

We’ll even help you write the words free of charge and our designer will put it all together for a nominal fee.

And we can write an editorial for you to tell the full story - just call for a chat.

You can speak to Pete on 01392 346342 or Martin on 01803 868455 - or email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk.

01803 528575

- including yin and ashtanga yoga - Hands-on Health has involved itself in community projects. The clinic has adopted Stallcombe House, a charity and residential community for adults with learning disabilities, and is engaging in fundraising projects including a sponsored weight loss and fitness programme for Richie Evans, who is well on his way to losing a quarter of his body weight and hopes to raise £1000.

Several Exmouth community groups use the clinic facilities for meetings, and the clinic’s latest project involves nutritional therapist Lesley Harper and Lucienne Kidd, chef at The Grapevine in Exmouth, who are beginning a regular blog and tasting event showing how people can make their meals healthier without spending lots of time and money.

Visit www.hands-onhealth.co.uk, call 01395 224207.

Unique ceremonies for weddings, namings, funerals and all special occasions in the South West with singer and celebrant Danu Fox. T: 01736 786267 M: 07870 634421 www.heartsongceremonies.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

33

Complementary health and personal development... local people local events local food local health local environment The Rise Up Singing camp on the edge of Dartmoor

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Learn to relax Improve health Improve posture Meditation and enjoy your life.

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Holistic Birth Hub Mondays & Wednesdays in and around Totnes Pregnancy, postnatal and mother's circles New! Father's MeeAngs Baby massage course Complimentary therapies Birth Trauma Healing Doula support Info & resources Affordable lunches

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Dartmoor singing camp chimes a chord WITH many people looking for more from their holidays, eco camps and yurt breaks are becoming increasingly popular.

The Rise Up Singing camp, July 2129, now in its 18th year, is held in a meadow on the edge of Dartmoor.

Organiser Daverick Leggett says Rise Up Singing provides more than just an affordable and eco-conscious holiday.

He said: “The desire to sing together is as ancient as human civilisation.

Combine this with the recent media interest in community and amateur choirs (BBC’s Military Wives, for example) and voice camps chime a contemporary attractive chord.”

Call Daverick Leggett on 0845 456 1852, or email daverick@qigongsouthwest.co.uk

College advises on first African project A FOUR year relationship between a British college specialising in homeopathy and a project in West Africa began earlier this year.

In February, Nicky Gibney RSHom, a registrar at the Contemporary College of Homeopathy in Bristol, travelled to Kasoa in Ghana on behalf of CCH to begin setting up a homeopathic college there.

Nicky, accompanied by CCH’s Lin Lester, held meetings with the college principal to advise on the start up process.

CCH was chosen as the mentor institution for the project to take it through its accreditation process for the new college – the first of its kind in West Africa.

During their time there they taught students subjects ranging from anatomy and physiology to remedies and philosophy of homeopathy.

Lin and Nicky also visited a clinic run by the students and college staff, observing interesting cases and

Lin and Nicky during their trip to Ghana. witnessed an elderly woman being treated successfully for a gangrenous foot.

At the British college’s new premises on Clifton Down in Bristol, one year and four year courses are under way along with a weekend first aid course.

Anyone interested in homeopathy is invited to visit the new premises and sit in on lectures and the busy low-cost clinic which runs every month.

For information contact Kate or Mike on 01275 877083 or email info@ conhom.com.

THERAPISTS WANTED

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'Holistic Family Holidays' Gathering Totnes, Devon 20 -­‐ 23 July 2012. A nurturing space for families to play, learn and share.

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...please mention ‘Reconnect’ when you contact practitioners

Digestive Health & Emotional Wellbeing Revealing our inner stories A NEW social art project, designed to “spread authenticity and happiness”, is already gathering momentum, with plans for a book, an art show and a documentary film.

The driving force behind the In Your Own Skin Project is Katheryn Trenshaw, Totnes-based artist and founder of the Passionate Presence Centre.

She said: “The whole project is based around one simple but profound question: ‘What is true of you that is not obvious to strangers?’”

Katheryn asked that question of 100 people from around the world and worked with them to distill it down to one word or phrase, the essence of their “hidden treasure”. That is then captured and revealed in their portrait.

“We live in a world where we expect to know everything about a person from a first impression,” said Katheryn, “but as In Your Own Skin reveals, there is a lot more to each one of us than initially meets the eye.”

Some of the 100, like local poet Matt Harvey, Grammy award-winning producer Jamie (One Giant Leap) Catto and Afro-European singer Cecilia Kankonda were invited to take part.

Others came about through chance encounters. Said Katheryn: “I met a wonderfully joyful Swedish woman called Moa while waiting for someone else to turn up for their appointment and she revealed she had suffered 15 years of

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

paralysing depression - the two words she chose for her portrait.”

At the lighter end of the emotional scale, one young boy chose to have the words ‘odd sock wearer’ on the soles of his feet.

The next stage of the project is fundraising - Katheryn needs around £30,000 to make the film. She is already putting together a proposal for crowd funding (collective online fundraising) and is staging a fundraising event at the Barrelhouse in Totnes on June 13.

“We will be screening the premiere of the In Your Own Skin film trailer, there will be a special appearance

by Juliet Russell, singer and coach on the BBC’s The Voice, and there will be music from bands After The Rain and Madrum, members of which are also working on a musical score for the film “Stand-up poet Jackie Juno will also be on hand as mistress of the raffle .”

Find out more about In Your Own Skin on FaceBook or call Katheryn on 01803 863552.

4 Colonic hydrotherapy 4 Digestive health advice 4 Emotional Freedom Technique Holistic help for common chronic complaints

Aly Whitley RMN Dip (ITEC) EFT adcert

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

35

Refer to previous Wellbeing sections in back issues...

Summer camp offers families a time for rest and reflection

Aching joints and muscles?

Painful knees?

Shoulders stuck?

First session FREE… Mary Caffrey Bsc(Hons) NAMMT Rm Hendrickson Method Practitioner

Specialising in remedial and orthopaedic massage to mobilise your body and bring relief from pain.

Call me on 07877 863745 for an appointment

EMBERCOMBE - the small secluded Devon valley between Exeter and Dartmoor - is the idyllic setting for a Sustainable Families Summer Camp.

From July 25 to July 29 the focus will be on supporting parents in their everyday life by giving time and space for them to rest and reflect on how they are relating to their children and what values they are consciously and inadvertently passing on.

Joanna Watters, a facilitator for the camp, said that Embercombe was dedicated to encouraging and enabling parents to raise the next generation ready to be leaders in the emerging world.

She added: “As well as being willing to live in a sustainable environment, this sometimes requires us to also acknowledge and release old inherited parenting styles which belong to old paradigms which no longer serve. We offer the guidance and the support to do this.”

Each day the children will have activities appropriate to their age while

parents have focused time, individually and in pairs and in a group.

In the afternoons there will be time for families to be together, to rest and to get involved together with gardening, crafts and cooking.

There will be talks on aspects of parenting in the evenings and stories and baby-sitting for the children.

For more information visit www. embercombe.co.uk/summercamp

The Contemporar y College of Homeopathy

Homeopathy

-

Getting others better

•Free open days •A four year part-time training •Weekend introductory courses practitioner The four year course is ideal for those •A one year foundation course either looking for a vocation, or those in homeopathic medicine

A free clinic for patients (either •GP referred or independent bookings)

considering changing their existing one. The course runs ten weekends a year with directed home study

Courses run at Engineers House, Clifton, Bristol For more information please phone Kate on 01275 877083 or visit www.conhom.com The College is accredited by the Society of Homeopaths and all major homeopathic organisations

36

Living Movement’s Barbara Morris leads a group from Age UK.

All ages join global tai chi day TAI Chi enthusiasts from all over the South West - from under-nines to over-90s – joined forces in Exeter to celebrate World Tai Chi Day. The event was organised by Dartmoor-based Angus Clark, an internationally acclaimed tai-chi instructor, author and founder of Living Movement Tai Chi. World Tai Chi Day involved tens of thousands of people in hundreds of cities in over 70 countries. It began with groups in New Zealand, and then quietly spreads time-zone by time-zone across the globe, to finish with the final events in Hawaii.

In Exeter, several different Devon groups shared their tai chi art with the public with free classes and demonstrations. The day started at 10am on the Cathedral Green with over 100 people of all ages joining in to celebrate the theme of ‘one world, one breath’.

Angus Clark said: “There was such

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a good atmosphere - it really felt like we were part of the global pulse of goodwill that was travelling around the world that day from New Zealand to Hawaii.”

Tai Chi is now recognised as an exercise that creates wellbeing for an exceptionally diverse range of people and this was reflected in the demonstrations, which included a group from Age UK led by Barbara Morris of Living Movement and two children’s groups, one from Living Movement and one from Tai Chi Nation and the Exeter Steiner School.

Ross Fitzsimons of Living Movement Tai Chi said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better turn out or outcome.

Today we saw people of all ages, men, women and children coming together to practice an exercise that’s becoming more and more relevant in playing a positive role in our society today.”

Visit www.livingmovement.com.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

... check out our new archive at www.reconnectonline.co.uk Beverley Bird explains her analysis to a client.

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Our blood must reach every cell in our body to provide it with nourishment and oxygen and to remove carbon dioxide, so analysis of live and dry blood can reveal the overall state of a person’s health.

A nutritional microscopist can look into a microscope and identify irregularities in red and white blood cells and interpret what lies in the surrounding plasma.

The founder and owner of Live Blood UK, Beverley Bird, is a certified nutritional microscopist and a clinical nutritionist. She also has a diploma in raw and living foods.

Beverley focuses on chronic long-term ailments that conventional medicine is unable to treat, including digestive and gut problems and boosting of

the immune system, joint pain, weight loss or gain and improving diet for increased vitality and to aid recovery.

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“Blood analysis shows the client what their diet is doing to their body at a cellular level and it is an educational and motivational tool used alongside nutritional therapy.”

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She said: “After having my blood analysed, the results made me change the way I ate and drank.

“I was shown my individual red blood cells on the computer screen magnified x1000 and microorganisms in the plasma that should not have been visible. Beverly showed me how healthy cells should look and explained all this was because the acid levels in my body were out of balance.

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

37

Complementary health and personal development...

Rhythmic Healing transforms body’s memory by physical expression development THE connection of Rhythmic between Healing, which wellbeing and she describes movement has as “a unique long fascinated healing process Ruth Noble, guided by right.

Spirit”.

Having worked “Rhythmic with groups Healing and individuals unwinds and since 1981, transforms Ruth Noble memory held has extensive in the energy experience of body, through the relationship spontaneous between body, dynamic mind and spirit physical through study, expression,” experience and said Ruth. “It teaching. rebalances She has masculine practised as a and feminine psychotherapist energy and and movement aligns to one’s healer, and natural rhythm run dance and in harmony movement Ruth Noble with Earth’s courses in the rhythm.”

UK and New Ruth is holding introductory Zealand. She is also a founder workshops in Rhythmic Healing member of The Association for across the region - in Totnes on Therapeutic Healers (affiliated June 16, in Exeter on July 14 and to the Confederation of Healing in South Brent on November 16, 17 Organisations). and 18.

But it was in particular her To find out more, call Ruth on professional and personal 07775396236, or email ruth. experience in Eastern and Western noble@rhythmichealing.com. therapeutic practises that led to the

Psychotherapy with Lucia Capaldi (UKCP) BA Hons

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workshop for psychotherapists, counsellors and complimentary therapists

“Mindfulness In Relationship”

A two-day introductory workshop to Core Process Psychotherapy

Please get in touch to arrange a free initial meeting or for dates of upcoming workshops and groups

Bridge Farm Offices, Harberton, Totnes. Tel: 07809 441 519 or 01803 840424 luciacapaldi@yahoo.co.uk www.luciacapaldi-psychotherapy-devon.co.uk

38 38

otherwise be unable to afford.

Ali Morrish, clinical director of the school, said: “Patients can come to the clinic and be seen in a professional environment by either a qualified tutor or a fourth year student working under supervision.

“In times of recession this is an invaluable opportunity to have low cost treatment with high quality care and is an equally invaluable learning opportunity for students as they embark on their training to be a practitioner.”

To make an appointment or to enquire about training call Ali on 01392 422555.

01566 88 00 90 www.liveblood.co.uk www.therawretreat.co.uk Consultations at THE OBSERVATORY PRACTICE, Plymouth £55 until 30.06.12

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...please mention ‘Reconnect’ when you contact practitioners A space for men at Birthing Hub WHILE mums and babies have been receiving head or feet massages and exploring Steinerinspired early years at the Totnes Holistic Birth Hub, the men have been spotted waiting outside (occasionally in light rain) for their beloved family.

A husband creche was suggested but in the end Chris Hand offered to hold regular fathers’ meetings in the room next door at the Eden Rise Retreat on Mondays and on a weekday evening for those who can’t make Mondays. Call Chris on 01803 226140.

The Hubs will be closing during the Summer holidays but families are welcome at the Holistic Family Gathering, again at the Eden Rise Retreat, from July 20-23 to play, learn and share.

Transform your thoughts, feelings and behaviours jCreate confidence and motivation jHave less anxiety and stress jAchieve your goals and get results jNo more phobias jGet healthier jEffective communication jSolve difficult relationships

Activities will be on offer for parents and children separately and together, and accommodation is available in the beautiful barn conversions.

The price starts at £90 for the 3 days. For more info call 01803 226127 or visit www. birthingwisdom.co.uk.

Lyn Price NLP Coach and Hypnotherapist provides one-to-one coaching and workshops to help you take control of your mind and make change happen

Tel: 01803 866312 or 07779127965 !

www.lynpricehereandnow.com

Persephone Institute of Psychophonetics International “All human challenges are opportunItIes for ! personal development”

Psychophonetics is a new form of holistic counselling, coaching and psychotherapy. It is a unique method of enhancing self-awareness and renewing the whole human being - body, life energy, soul & spirit.

The 3-year part time Professional Training Course, taught in 4 ✕ 8-day blocks is starting with the Psychophonetics Foundation Year on 24 July 2012 in Stroud, Gloucestershire

A day for budding bodyworkers SPEAK to any complementary health practitioner and they’ll tell you therapy training is just the beginning of the journey and support is required to turn that qualification into a successful, ongoing business.

If you think massage and bodywork could be the career for you, don’t miss the School of Bodywork’s open day at Exeter Natural Health Centre (in between Queen St and Gandy St), on Saturday, June 16.

The day is an opportunity to visit the centre, meet the tutors and see them in action giving demonstrations of a variety of massage and bodywork techniques.

The School of Bodywork’s Emma Gilmore said: “It’s a great

opportunity for past, present and future students to chat with tutors, re-cap, catch up, network and gain valuable CPD points by attending.

“There will also be reductions on course fees, free taster sessions and equipment for sale on the day.”

And for any practitioners looking to boost their client base, Therapists Marketing Solutions will be on hand to run a workshop called Building your Practice, Maximising Impact , 1-4pm.

The open day is free, the afternoon workshop costs £40 and places must be booked.

Contact: uk@psychophonetics.com tel: 079201 00794 www.psychophonetics.co.uk

~The raw power of nutrition~ Bee Pollen

~ Strengthen ~ Cacao Nibs

~ Energise ~ Maca Powder

~ Rebalance ~

Visit www.schoolofbodywork.com, or call 07711 656011.

Healing Circles with Matthew Manning The world’s most scientifically tested healer! £25 per person per circle Venue near Totnes 2012 dates: June 29, July 27, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 30

Goji Berries

~ Purify ~ Spirulina Powder

~ Revitalise ~ Wheatgrass Powder

~ Cleanse ~

www.matthewmanning.net Enquiries/to book: 01803 322535 catherapy@hotmail.com www.reconnectonline.co.uk

www.awealthofhealth.co.uk Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

39

Complementary health and personal development...

Take control of your health and happiness!

Trinity Holistics offers an extensive range of body, mind and spirit therapies and classes: Nutritional Therapy (including mental health, weight management, allergies, inner and outer health, children’s diet, nutrition education) l Tarot and Angel Readings l Angel Therapy (Virtue ACP) l Energy Healing - human and animal and more One to one - Workshops - Events - Parties In person - by phone - by email Clinics in Plymouth and Torquay www.trinityholistics.co.uk / 07841 344934 Check out therapies, parties and events, plus free subscription.

Bring a little magic into your life every day!

Would you like to employ Sherlock Holmes on your health case?

Try the next best thing and consult an experienced homeopath with a sense of humour and 3000 remedies to find your perfect match.

Put us all in the same place at the same time and the results could be unimaginable!

Whatever your health dilemma, give Homeopathy a whirl in 2012 Jacki Becker RSHom Totnes Clinic of Homeopathy t: 01803 867747 m: 07792 059 867

RIQTA

For Professional, Accredited Counselling Courses TRAIN TO BE A COUNSELLOR Level 2 – Foundation Commencing 8th May & September Level 3 – Certificate in Counselling Skills

The newly refurbished Leatside Surgery in Totnes.

Therapies at busy surgery AFTER 11 months in temporary accommodation, the Leatside Surgery is now back and settled into its newly refurbished and extended premises in Babbage Road, Totnes.

And that’s good news for local complementary health practitioners and their clients as well as for the 14,000 patients on the books of its 10 GPs. Part of the new premises is a nonNHS wing that includes a suite of rooms available for rent or lease by qualified and insured natural health therapists.

So as well as Boots The Chemist and the newly arrived Newsome Opticians, the NHS doctors now share their premises with homeopath Jo Crocker, chiropractor Gareth Noble, sports injury therapists Jenny Pullman and Julie Veal, Bidwell Osteopaths and care in the community specialist Hestia Care, a community interest company.

Facilities include clinical rooms suitable for

consultations, ‘softer’ rooms ideal for talking therapies, entrance lobby signage, well appointed waiting area, and extensive parking.

The surgery is open 8am-7pm, Monday to Thursday, until 6.30pm on Friday and Saturday mornings by appointment. The rooms are priced at £11.50 an hour, plus VAT, and longer leases are available.

To find out more, call the practice’s strategic business manager Janine Payne on 01803 860304 or email Janine.payne@nhs.net

The waiting area in the new non-NHS wing.

Commencing September Level 4 – Diploma in Counselling Skills Commencing 19th May Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Commencing June Specialist Diploma in Counselling Children & Young People New courses starting soon - Enrol now!

CONTACT 01803 315075 www.riqta.co.uk

OR

Info.riqta@btconnect.com

We also offer low cost counselling to the public - please enquire.

40

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...call 01392 346342 or 01803 868455 to be featured here ‘We are what we absorb’ FUEL efficiency is a familiar concept in relation to our homes and vehicles and a Paignton-based therapist believes we should apply similar principles to our bodies.

“There’s a lot of talk about how we are what we eat,” said Heather Nicholson, “but in fact we are Heather Nicholson what we absorb.

“Most people today know about healthy diets, but it’s crucial we are healthy on a cellular level so we can absorb all those nutrients effectively.”

Heather is a nutritional naturopath and uses a combination of diet and supplements to allow the body to restore and maintain health naturally.

She uses an eight-point programme called Activ8ate to work on a cellular level – a principle she employs with individual clients, on a phone-in on Radio Riviera, and at her workshops.

“Most of us are not given the chance to achieve our full genetic potential,” said Heather, “mainly because of suppression of genetic toxins by vaccination programmes, antibiotic and steroid medication, mercury amalgam dentistry, nutrient deficiency and pesticide additive loaded foods.

“Activ8ate can change all these negatives into positives so you can experience physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.”

Visit www.organicbedandbreakfast.info, or call 01803 528575.

FOR someone who has made every effort to live a greener, more sustainable life, it would seem natural to want to create a greener funeral too.

For some, that might be a woodland burial, but there are many other factors to consider that can make even a more conventional funeral a more sustainable affair. Green Fuse came up with the following advice: l Make your choices and let those left behind know exactly what you want – it’s easy for them to be swept into making conventional choices you may not have made. l Choose burial rather than cremation, perhaps in a cemetery that’s reusing old graves, in a woodland or a natural burial site.

It’s perfectly legal to have a burial on private land.

Think about a greener funeral now - and tell those who will be left behind

Funerals can be green too

l Don’t be embalmed - think of those you leave behind. The process uses formaldehyde, which can cause allergic reactions, mental disturbance and is linked to several forms of cancer. l Choose a natural, biodegradable coffin made in the UK – if you go for something plain, your family and friends have the option to decorate it with water-based paints. l Or use a shroud instead - wrap the body in a thick material, or buy a beautiful natural felt shroud (www.bellacouche.com).

l Reduce the fuel needed for transport. Green Fuse often use a diesel MPV instead of a conventional hearse - or your family car. You can hire a bus to transport mourners. l Use local stone for the memorial, if possible – some is imported from as far away as India and China. l Ask the florist not to use cellophane, or use flowers and foliage from the garden when available.

l Make a carbon offset from your estate – a contribution to the Woodland Trust or other treeplanting scheme is a great legacy.

Find out more at www.greenfuse. co.uk, or call 01803 840779.

Nutritional Therapy Training in Bristol with the Institute for Optimum Nutrition

Looking for a change of career or a new challenge?

Become part of an exciting and rewarding profession at the leading edge of healthcare for the 21st century, working with people to address their health issues and optimise their health through nutrition and lifestyle management.

ION is the leading Nutritional Therapy training provider in the UK, with more than 25 years’ experience and an international reputation. We are now offering the opportunity to train in Bristol:

Nutritional Therapy Diploma Course starts October 2012 Fully accredited professional training course Part-time study over 3 years Monthly Saturday attendance in Bristol Come and meet us at our Open Day in Bristol on Saturday 14th July Find out more at www.ion.ac.uk or call 0208 614 7815 The Institute for Optimum Nutrition, Avalon House, 72 Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond TW9 2JY

Bristol Advert_189x132.indd 1

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

14/05/2012 15:38

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

41

Complementary health and personal development...

‘A thoughtful approach to emotional issues’ communication is key

Professional and experienced counsellor qualified to help with: ● Relationships ● Anxiety/Panic Attacks ● Stress and Anger Management ● Self-esteem Issues ● Loss and Bereavement

Rosemary Pell’s Counselling Practice MBACP (Member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)

Healing Code fights depression STRESS wreaks havoc on our health.

For Dr Alex Loyd his wife Tracey’s clinical depression was a spark to the discovery of what he calls The Healing Code.

Since that time, 12 years ago, his wife has been symptom-free.

British healers Jack and Anne Stewart are coming to Evolution in Fore Street, Exeter on June 23 to teach how to heal yourself, your family and friends, pets and clients.

The following day, Sunday June 24, they will be presenting the Success Code, which uses the Healing Code system to “dissolve blocks to achievement and turbo charge motivation”.

Said Jack: “The Healing and Success Codes are an incredible opportunity to learn how to transform your health and realise your dreams.

Each workshop costs £67.”

Visit www.thehealingcodes.co.uk, or call 01925 479257.

01647 253264

www.rosemarypell.co.uk 1 Walnut Gardens, St David’s Hill, Exeter EX4 4DH

Bodymind Attunement Introduction to Rhythmic Healing with Ruth Noble

l Totnes, June 16th l Exeter, July 14th l South Brent, November 16th/17th/18th At its essence Rhythmic Healing unwinds and transforms memory held in the energy body through spontaneous, dynamic, physical expression, rebalancing masculine and feminine energy; aligning to one’s natural rhythm in harmony with Earth’s rhythm.

“To release people from the anchor of their shadow” These are CPD accredited courses. To book email: ruth.noble@rhythmichealing.com or phone: 07775396236

Waterloo Wellbeing Centre, Plymouth ‘When we have inner peace we can be at peace with those around us’ Dalai Lama

Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy for health and wellbeing Courses and workshops for 2012:

• 23/24 JUNE - FOCUSING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: WEEKEND INTRODUCTION FOR PRACTITIONERS • 7 JULY - DREAM WORKSHOP FOR PRACTITIONERS

• SEPT - TWO YEAR MINDFULNESS-BASED COUNSELLING DIPLOMA (CPCAB ACCREDITED) • SEPT - EIGHT WEEK MINDFULNESS SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

THERAPY ROOMS TO RENT Would you like to be part of an expanding therapy practice and work in a tranquil setting alongside other professionals. To find out about rental availability at the centre, including weekends, please contact Julie Jeffs for further details.

Tel: 01752 560002 www.psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk 191 Devonport Road, Stoke, Plymouth PL1 5RN

42

Nandita’s dream - live!

AUTHORS Sarah Patterson and Jacqueline Lawes could not have forseen the impact their inspirational children’s story would have.

From their ideas for a magical children’s adventure came the book, followed closely by a CD of the music and finally an interactive website.

The only thing left was for a real-life event, and that comes on August 5 when Embercombe hosts a book launch with a difference.

The women wrote the book, Nandita’s Dream, from Sarah’s home on Dartmoor taking readers on an adventure travelling with Nandita in her dream as she journeys deep into the jungle with the children of The People Tribe, to swim with dolphins and to climb to the crystal cave and meet the whistling shaman in the rainforest.

The book and the journey are infused with a love of nature and a blend of the ancient and tribal. Both women are well travelled and their experiences have had an impact on the book.

Totnes Devon

Authors Jacqueline (left) and Sarah.

And, above, the website.

Music plays a big part in the story and there is an album of songs and world music that goes with the book featuring work from Black Umfolosi, Sheema Mukherjee, Tommy Blaize, Julian Marshall, Sura Susso and the Rainbow Children’s Choir.

The Embercombe event will include workshops, performances, dream tattoos and a children’s council when children will discuss their dreams for the world they share.

Visit wwwnanditasdream.com.

international

MACROBIOTIC

www.macroschool.co.uk

school

Introduction to Macrobiotics Day

Friday 6th July Learn how to create delicious and Price: £75 healthy food in one day!

Sat 27th October

Looking After Your Health 4 day intensive July course dates - please see website Price: £395 inc. lunch & supper 27th to 30th November

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Learn a new understanding of how to look after your total health and wellbeing.

Tel. 01803 762598 info@macroschool.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...please mention Reconnect when you contact practitioners The main meditation space at Gaia House.

Kate Harris Life Coaching & Self Esteem Specialist Using cognitive behavioural therapy and life coaching to help you release your inner confidence ‘Kate’s compassion and empathy, and her ability to share and support, made a huge difference to my progress and my continued success’ Paula, Devon By phone (including Skype) or in person in a relaxed farmhouse setting near Totnes

Silent majority on retreat IT’S reassuring during these times of hardship to hear that an organisation dedicated to a set of values unrelated to income is thriving.

And Gaia House, the world-renowned meditation centre near Newton Abbot, is certainly thriving.

It’s running at what director Andy Power calls “close to capacity”, with retreats attracting visitors from all over the world and most of them fully booked months in advance.

But not all meditation retreat centres are doing as well. So what sets Gaia House apart?

The Gaia House meditation centre.

“Gaia House is unique in that we possibility of building solitary retreat maintain silence here,” said Andy. huts in the grounds and we want to “That silence is broken only for arrival, do more outreach work, facilitating when we’re explaining how the retreat networks to give more support.” at the centre works as a whole, and at Andy also attributes their success to the end of the retreat when there is an the high quality of teaching they offer. opportunity for brief discussion and “We work hard to broaden the appeal to prepare for the transition back into of our courses,” Andy explained. mainstream life.”

“One of our retreat leaders, for The teacher will talk on a particular example, is Noah Levine, a former US subject in the evenings, and there is gang member and author of the book sometimes space for questions and Dharma Punx – different teachers answers, but meal times and rest attract different people.” periods, as well as the meditations But ultimately, spending time at Gaia themselves, are held in silence.

House is really about how you spend For the first time since it first opened your time after you leave. its doors in 1997 (the building “What people take away from our had previously been a monastery, retreats helps them in their daily lives,” although back in the Thirties it was said Andy. a retreat centre for the Diocese of Exeter), some Gaia House courses To find out more about Gaia House are this year being run outside of the (and to access more than 1,000 talks centre, at nearby Seale Hayne. given at Gaia House over the years), Said Andy: “We’re also looking at the visit their website, gaiahouse.co.uk.

Cancer Lifeline South West A local charity working to help you move forward following treatment.

We provide, 3 day residential breaks, at no charge, in the beautiful surroundings of Sharpham.

Our breaks are designed to help you reflect on where you are now and how you want to move forward.

For information about our August break, or other dates throughout the year call Jane on 01392 432984 or email: office@cancerlifeline-southwest.org

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

t: 01803 847674 m: 0777 949 6240 www.kateharris-lifecoaching.co.uk

tai chi qigong rivers moorland community good food good fun

chi camp with angus clark and friends

8 - 12 august NE dartmoor

0845 125 9731

livingmovement.com

Hélène Demetriades

Experienced Transpersonal Psychotherapist & Counsellor MBACP Snr. Accred.

Metamorphic Technique Practitioner & Teacher Counselling & Psychotherapy I help you to move through patterns of self-rejection to come home to yourself.

“Hélène works with infinite compassion and patience, listening on levels which I could never begin to imagine myself. She becomes the most magical mirror in which I can see myself more clearly” Metamorphic Technique A simple practice in which I use a light touch on the sides of your feet, hands and head, acting as a catalyst to your life-force.

“The philosophy of the Metamorphic Technique of bringing about one’s potential in life has manifested itself in mine in a profound way within the last year.”

For courses please see website.

Location: Dartington www.helenedemetriades.co.uk Tel: 01803 868 655

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

43

Complementary health and personal development...

PETER ZEALLEY

Labour of love creates ‘magical’ retreat ND DO

CRANIOSACRALTHERAPIST

25 years experience working with adults, children & babies.

A gentle hands-on therapy inviting tissue presence to encourage the expression of health, function, vitality & wholeness. The ideal treatment for the release of stress, trauma, pain & stiffness.

Exeter u Topsham u Exmouth

www.peterzealley.com

e-mail: peter@zealley.com

freephone: 0800 970 6153 or text: 07979 721 227

FEELING YOUR BEST AT THE DESK and improve your posture at the computer

I provide a highly effective Alexander Techniquebased approach for preventing back & neck pain and RSI combined with expert advice on setting up your workstation to suit your individual needs.

AN EIGHT-YEAR labour of love is at last bearing fruit for a professional couple who left city life in the Netherlands to create a retreat in the Bulgarian mountains.

Varvara Valtchanova and Markus Laubscher moved to an off-grid abandoned farm to improve their quality of life and to “transmit eco-literacy” to their two young children.

During summer volunteer camps over the course of eight years they renovated the farm to create Rahovitza Slow Tech Campus.

They now offer weekend seminars and retreats for people who want to combine tourism with self-reflection and learning.

They also had a desire to contribute to local development by cleaning up and protecting the mountains and

For home or business contact: MIcHAEL BROwN on 01364 654398 or 07775 528876 or email info@michaelhbrown.co.uk www.feelingyourbestatthedesk.co.uk

at the same time creating work for locals and rural refugees who would otherwise be forced to move to the cities for jobs.

Varvara is an architect specialising in ecological building and is on a mission to popularise the use of natural building materials in her native Bulgaria. Markus is a physicist and sustainability manager “trying to take grand theories and make them work.”

The couple are inviting small groups to benefit from the magical place and the knowledge of local craftsmen and artists.

They are also looking forward to collaborating with visiting teachers/ guides who are looking for an exotic, yet affordable retreat location to take their groups.

Visit www.rahovitza.org.

1200 visit healer at town clinic

is back...

The Totnes surgery is now in its newly extended and refurbished premises at Babbage Road.

THE world-famous Mexican healer Maestro Constantino visited Newton Abbot in May. He saw 1,200 people at Align, the chiropractic, posture and wellness clinic.

Clinic founder Catherine Crane said people travelled from Bath, Bristol, London, Edinburgh and Europe.

“One lady was able to walk without using sticks,” said Catherine, “another disabled lady stood and walked without

her wheelchair. Others reported benefits including feelings of peacefulness, better sleep and improved mood.”

Maestro has now returned to Mexico and a meditation group has been set up at Align on Sundays at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

It is free to attend and all are welcome, but they ask that you call to confirm attendance.

Visit www.alignyourhealth.co.uk, call 01803 814329.

Sharing the airy new space with the practice’s 10 GPs are:

• Gareth Noble - chiropractor • Boots the Chemist • Jenny Pullman and Julie Veal • Newsome Opticians sports injury therapists • Joe Crocker - homeopath • Bidwell - osteopaths • Hestia Care - at home CIC …with space for new practitioners!

There is still some office and clinical space available to rent or lease.

To find out more, call Strategic Business Manager Janine Payne on 01803 860304 or email Janine.payne@nhs.net.

Take a deep BREATH...

Learn how to use the power of your own breath to overcome stress and re-energise your body. Improve your health and help clear emotional blockages.

Based in S Devon but offering workshops and 1:1 sessions in South West.

Transformational Breathing Babbage Road, Totnes 01803 862671 leatside.surgery@nhs.net

44

Les Elms • les@breathsouthwest.com www.breathsouthwest.com

07828 566553

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...callevents 01392local 346342 or 01803 to advertise local people local food local health868455 local environment BOWEN THERAPY

COUNSELLING

Bowen Therapy

Cathrin Wildwood Sexuality Therapist

Nr Sidmouth

A gentle, safe, holistic therapy, suitable for all ages.

Counselling individuals and couples for any issues related to sex, intimacy and relationships

Louise Pritchard, Cert ECBS RGN email: louisepritchard@aol.com

www.sexualitytherapist.co.uk hello@ sexualitytherapist.co.uk Tel: 07870 888141

t: 01404 813537 m: 07800 777272

Pat Hoare

COUNSELLING

Therapeutic Counselling Supervision Hypnotherapy and Stress Management

PAT HOARE. DIP. COUNS. B.A.C.P. ACCREDITED COUNSELLING

HOUSING

Look into the eye of the Dragon and Discover the Fire of Life

Totnes HOUSING

Explore the powerful energies of Attachment, Separation and Loss.

Deepen awareness, understanding and transformational potential through these experiential workshops.

Friendly, co-operative neighbourhood for families, individuals. l Recruiting

new members now. l Interested in buying? l Some private rentals possible. l Homes built to minimum level 4 code for sustainable homes.

July 19th and July 21st 9.30am - 5pm Call Emma: 07814 243632 for details + booking £80 for single day and 10% discount on booking both Emma Meadows. BA(Hons)Ed, Dip RS DevPsych, Adv Dip Couns, Cert.SWPsych, Cert.F ArtThpy MBACP

w w w. b a l t i c w h a r f c o h o u s i n g . o r g

MASSAGE

REIKI

Holistic massage, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Indian head massage

Sara Jennett M.A. MTI (Massage) ITEC (Aromatherapy) now in Plympton and Waterloo Wellbeing Centre, Stoke, Plymouth

www.easenflow.co.uk

SPEECH ALCHEMY

SALES

!

Speech Alchemy Transforming Communication with Carmella B’Hahn Heartwood Bowden House, Totnes

5 small-group workshops for deep work

June 9th, July 14th, Sept 15th, Oct 13th, Nov 10th Including: Stepping out of Ego, Authenticity, Blitzing Habits, Speaking from Presence.

Email: carmella@solacealchemy.com

01803 867005

FOR HIRE

CHI CAMP with Angus Clark and friends. NE Dartmoor 8-12 August.

08451259731 www. livingmovement.com PROPERTY

PRETTY two-bedroom semi-detached stone cottage in quiet hamlet in rural Brittany, with Attached stone building for possible 2 bed conversion and large barn set in 2 acres. £52,000. Contact Martin 07896123473 or abhayajit@ buddhafield.com.

COUNSELLING

David Oxley MA Fully qualified Accredited BACP counsellor and psychotherapist.

Psychosynthesis and Core Process. Working with relationship, depth, integrity and soul. Central Exeter and Plymouth. www. davidoxleycounselling. co.uk, or call 07876051093.

WENDY HEARD MBACP Qualified counsellor working in the Plymouth area.

For more information email wendy.heard@ virginmedia.com or call 07780685329.

‘Massage to ease the body so your life can flow’

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

OUR classified ads are the perfect way to put your green or sustainable living products or services in front of Reconnect readers.

The single and double column advertisements, left, are £55 and £98, respectively.

Lineage ads, like those below, are 90p a word, with a minimum of 20 words. And you can include a photo FREE OF CHARGE! Just email your ad for the Aug/Sept issue to adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk (with a phone number) and we’ll contact you about payment.

The deadline for the Aug/Sept issue is July 6.

TAI CHI

24a Gandy Street Exeter EX4 3LS Tel: 01392 410090 Email: pat@pathoare.eclipse.co.uk Web: www.caseconfidential.com

Over 32 years’ experience - offers confidential therapeutic counselling for individuals and couples.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

ROOM FOR RENT

THERAPY room for rent in Kingskerswell, hourly, half day or daily. Free parking and waiting room available.

01803 873746 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

DO YOU have a vision to be financially free?

Then we have the solution. I’m creating a network now. Call Melanie 07715952896

STUNNING 20’ yurt available to hire.

Erected at your choice of location, with or without furnishings. www.yurt-iz.co.uk HANDYMAN

QUALIFIED carpenter available to complete or assist with those small jobs around your home and garden. Do you need help with any general repairs, maintenance tasks, decorating, alterations, storage solutions, etc? See the K2 ad in the Eco Homes section - contact Tanya and Kevin to discuss your neecds. 01364 631415.

FOR SALE

VW T4 TDi van with partial camper conversion with and tinted side windows, full double futon and folding frame for use as bed/sofa. View online at www.ebay.co.uk/ itm/180814483899, or call Steve on 07584 582599 (Exeter).

Pottery Workshop

MEET new friends and discover your inner artist at Sanctuary Pottery. We offer affordable courses for beginners and rental space for the more experienced. Call us on 07896068024.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

45

Get in touch: editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Living on less...

Yes, please, I’d (probably) love it (maybe)...

I’VE got to admit I rather like good manners. If that’s all right with you.

Thanks.

It might make me sound a bit old fashioned (or perhaps I could apply that popular all-purpose label of justification ‘postmodern’), but I find everyday pleasantries like openhearted (and open-armed) welcomes and farewells to be life-affirming.

LIkewise, ‘please’ and ‘thank-you’ seem to me to add a little sociable lubrication to what can otherwise be life’s dry and friction-causing transactions.

There are times, though, when it can all become a bit too much and excessive lubrication (I’m not taking this analogy too far, am I?) just gums up the works.

Take, for example, what is becoming known as the gift economy. No, go on, do take it. Please, I insist..., By gift economy or gift culture I mean the simple act of giving and receiving goods and services free of charge.

You’ve got something you no longer want, you just hand it over to someone who does.

Now this obviously fits beautifully into my ‘living on less’ philosophy (and such generosity and sharing warms my heart), so I tend to be drawn to any examples of it, organised or random.

The most obvious and most organised examples are websites like FreeCycle, Freegle and Streetbank, all variations on the ‘organised gifting’ principle – you sign up and then offer and receive.

We’ve found Freecycle to be brilliant (if a little over-keenly policed) and we’re just exploring Streetbank now. We’ll be looking at them again in Reconnect soon but in the meantime check them out yourself - weblinks at end.

IT’S wonderful that the ‘gift economy’ is flourishing, says MARTIN FOSTER - but don’t let politeness get in the way of ensuring the transaction really works for both parties...

No strings attached And then there are the many LETS (Local Exchange Trading Systems) schemes around the country, where people trade their goods and services using a locally created currency. Visit letslinkuk.net to find yours.

I’ve also recently come across two book swap websites, Bookmooch and Readit Swapit - I haven’t used them yet, but let me know what you think about them if you have (again, address at end)...

Another very established, effective and thriving example is open-source computer software, so called because the source code, usually reserved for copyright holders, is provided, allowing anyone to use, and even change and improve, the software free of charge.

Current online stats show open-source software saves consumers (and, therefore, keeps out of grabbing corporate hands) around £40 billion a year.

‘Open source software’ in your favourite

search engine will open up all manner of opportunities...

But while these organised schemes are wonderful, it’s the individual acts of giving that I find most moving.

Driving through Ashburton recently, for example, we saw a huge stack of used wood, doors and other building materials piled up outside of a private house. Just what we needed for chicken sheds and a hundred other projects on the land (see page 24). So we called in to ask if it was being thrown out – and yes, it was, and we were welcome to take anything we wanted.

They then helped us load it into, and onto the roofrack of, our car – and invited us in to look round the restoration project that had generated all the wood. They even made us a cup of tea!

Now admittedly, we did rather cheekily ask if the wood was up for grabs, and it would otherwise have ended up in a skip. But the delight and grace with which it was so happily handed over confirmed we had been right to ask.

Not that it always works out like that.

We should remember that for some people, giving something away can just be a very convenient way of getting rid of goods or materials that are not actually worth anything to anyone – and might even end up being a liability.

Logically, of course, the solution is to check out the goods before you take them away, but this is where we stumble in an awfully awkward British way into all that politeness stuff.

Yes, no sooner does someone devise a perfectly good system of exchange then the rest of us get all awkward about the protocols and manner of using it.

Maybe the problem is in the

terminology we use. ‘Gift culture’ or ‘gift economy’ does imply some great virtue on the part of the giver and the need for gushing gratitude from the receiver.

To refuse the ‘gift’, whether on the grounds that it’s not quite what is required, or even that it is faulty in some way, just seems so ungrateful.

But if you’re offered something that at first seems wonderful, just ask yourself if you really want it, if you can collect and store it if necessary – and then check it out before making the final decision. It might not be easy when you’re being offered something for nothing, but sometimes you really do need to say, “Yes please, it sounds great – but can I just check it out first?”

It might feel like you’re being ungrateful, but it will all get far more awkward if you first say yes and then have to go back on it later.

Of course if you’re going for something on Freecycle or similar, the only way to get the goods is to commit immediately - hesitate or ask questions, and it’ll simply go to someone else.

So maybe the answer is to accept that sometimes it won’t be quite what you expected, or exactly what you required. And that you may have to put it back up for grabs on Freecycle - but perhaps with a more accurate description.

There really is such a thing as a free lunch – but it is worth checking out first if it’s entirely to your taste… l And, finally, those website links: freecycle.org ilovefreegle.org streetbank.com letslinkuk.net bookmooch.com readitswapit.co.uk

2012

Passionate Presence events with

Katheryn Trenshaw “Come unwrap your magnificent life and purpose.”

Are you ready for real freedom? Dare you step into your deep connected power and really be here now? Are you ready to open your heart and love?

There is nothing to change. Come live in your own wild and precious skin.

Upcoming: Sunday evenings at Edenrise nr Totnes, June 3, July 1 • Residential weekend June 6-8 • In Your Own Skin, Film premiere at the Barrell House, June 13.

01803 863552 • info@ktrenshaw.com www.ktrenshaw.com 46

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...please mention ‘Reconnect’ when you contact advertisers JUNE Every Tuesday

QIGONG at the Exeter Mint Methodist Church with Brad Richecoeur, 5.30-7pm. Suitable for all levels. 0845 3305086. www. qigong-southwest. co.uk.

Every Friday

QIGONG at St John’s Church Hall, Totnes with Brad Richecoeur, 10-11.30am. Suitable for all levels. 0845 3305086. www. qigong-southwest. co.uk.

Saturday 9

ECKHART TOLLE - A New Beginning for the South West. A Day of Presence with Sally Chaffer at Sharpham House, Totnes. 10.30am, Saturday, June 9. £40 before May 1 (conc available) christopher. clarkeETproject@ gmail.com SAT/SUN 16/17

FIVE ANIMAL qigong with Master Zhixing Wang at Dartington Hall, South Devon.

0845 3305086.

Wwwqigong-southwest. co.uk.

Saturday 16

OPEN DAY at the School of Bodywork at Exeter Natural Health Centre. Meet the tutors giving demonstrations of massage and bodywork techniques.

Free: taster sessions, posture checks, homecare advice and refreshments available.

WANT to boost your client base?

Building your Practiceworkshop 1pm to 4pm. Maximising Impact. Presented by: Therapists Marketing Solutions. £40. www. schoolofbodywork. com. 07711 656011.

SAT 21-SUN 29

RISE UP summer camp on Dartmoor with Helen Yeomans, Gavin Frank, Roxanne Smith and friends. Sing your heart our from dawn til dusk in our beautiful Dartmoor meadow.

0845 4561852 www. riseupsinging.co.uk.

Saturday 23

THE Healing Code. Six minutes to heal the source of any health,

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

WORKSHOP AND COURSES DIARY success or relationships issue. Evolution Fore Stree, Exeter. !0am to 5pm - £67.

01925 479257 www. thehealingcodes.co.uk.

for all levels. 0845 3305086. www. qigong-southwest. co.uk.

HANDS-FREE Techniques - School of Bodywork workshop at Exeter Natural Health Centre. 07711 656 011, www. schoolofbodywork.com.

QIGONG at St John’s Church Hall, Totnes with Brad Richecoeur, 10-11.30am. Suitable for all levels. 0845 3305086. www. qigong-southwest. co.uk.

saturday 30

INTRODUCTION to greenwood furniture with Peter Lanyon.

Learn how to make and take home a small stool or a side table.

Growers Organics, Kitley, Yealmpton, £90, booking essential on 0795 438 4355, courses@ growersorganics.com.

JULY Every Tuesday

QIGONG at the Exeter Mint Methodist Church with Brad Richecoeur, 5.30-7pm. Suitable

Every Friday

Friday 6

WILD is Home. Nature therapy with Stefan Batorijs. Explore your intimate relationship with Nature through a gentle, experiential day.

Dartmoor. Cost £35.

Tel 01364 652162.

438 4355, courses@ growersorganics.com.

Tuesday 10

INTRODUCTION to massage & bodywork, School of Bodywork workshop at Exeter Natural Health Centre.

07711 656 011, www. schoolofbodywork.com.

SAT 14-SUN15

INTRODUCTION to Scything with Alastair Inglis. Two day course learning how to use an Austrian Scythe.

Growers Organics, Kitley, Yealmpton, £90, booking essential on 0795 438 4355 , courses@ growersorganics.com.

Wed 25-Sun 29

SUMMER camp for families at Embercombe. Crafts, campfires, cooking, tranquility. An opportunity to look at your parenting in a beautiful and safe environment. 01647 252983 - info@ embercombe.co.uk.

AUGUST Fri 3 – Sun12

QIGONG summer camp on Dartmoor with Daverick Leggett, Brad Richecoeur and friends. A profound life changing experience that nourishes the heart, revitalises the body and refreshes the spirt. 0845 3305086. www.qigong-southwest. co.uk.

SAT 7-SAT 8

CLAY Oven Course with Sam Wight and Paddy McKensie. Learn how to make a clay oven in this hands-on course, Growers Organics, Kitley, Yealmpton, £100, booking essential on 0795

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

47

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