Reconnect 23 Feb-March 13

l Helping your community stay connected by the things that really matter l www.reconnectonline.co.uk

FEB/MAR 2013 ISSUE 23

the green living magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and South Devon

FREE

Eco self-builds

Devon’s new affordable homes

please take one and pass it on

Renewables news

FESTIVALS GUIDE

Plug into our local energy update

Your FREE four-page pull-out

Wellbeing section

12 pages of natural healthiness

How to bee friendly

Put the buzz back in your garden ALSO INSIDE: Fairtrade fortnight l Organic gardening l Upcycled art l Seasonal eating

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

EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS

WIDE RANGE OF TREATMENTS

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

THE PRACTITIONERS:

MO MORRISH RSHom Homoeopathic medicine www.thehomoeopathicpractice.co.uk

Exeter Natural Health Centre Holistic healthcare in the heart of the city Here at ENHC we offer a wide range of complementary therapies provided by experienced and highly professional practitioners. The centre, which has been established for over 10 years, is also renowned for its excellence in training courses. Conveniently situated in the city centre, we have full reception cover and beautiful spacious treatment rooms for therapists to hire or, for bigger workshops, courses and classes, we have a well appointed large training room.

Please call for more details.

ANNA PARIS Ac.M.MBAC Traditional acupuncture, Toyohari 5 element & Manaka styles. email: amparis1@btinternet.com

LISA TATE Remedial, pregnancy and therapeutic massage, Myofascial release. www.lisatatetherapies.co.uk

JULIE BLADON Yoga, Lomi Lomi massage, pregnancy massage www.juliebladon.com NATALIE WILKIE Counselling and psychotherapy www.counselling-exeter.co.uk

KATHERINE JENKINS BSC(HONS)PSYCH, MNCH(ACC).

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 Exeter Reiki Institute & Reiki Rascals. Providing training and sessions for all members of the family.

07870 167701 LOUISA SHORNEY MBSCH Clinical Hypnotherapy & life coaching lshorney@gmail.com

THE DEVON SCHOOL OF REFLEXOLOGY Level 3 Diploma Spring/Autumn courses 2013 www.devonreflexology.com

BRITISH SCHOOL OF HOMOEOPATHY Now interviewing for our unique practitioner training course Call 01392 422555 & visit www.britishschoolofhomoeopathy.co.uk

SCHOOL OF BODYWORK Professional Massage Training. All diploma courses APNT accredited.

Myofascial Release Diploma cutting edge, invaluable techniques

Skill enhancement seminars £25 Fantastic range of CPD days £95

www.schoolofbodywork.com info@schoolofbodywork.com 07711 656 011

01392 422555 Centre Manager: Ali Morrish

HARRIET HOLLINGWORTH Louise Hay ‘Heal Your Life’ teacher, EFT practitioner, Holistic therapist. www.hollingworthtouch.co.uk JULIA COLLETT Psychotherapy & counselling 01837 840052

GEOFF GREEN Energy healing and counselling www.innerknowing.co.uk

SUE VAUGHAN DHH Kinesiology, Allergy Testing, Clinical Nutrition, Hypnotherapy, NLP. www.svaughan.co.uk TOBIAS TAYLOR Remedial Massage and Myofascial Release.

07583 354 211.

DEBBIE TREWIN Better Life Consultations & Reiki Treatments, Exeter. 01392 833003 MARION BEAUREGARD Sophrology practitioner 07929 056 135 info@vie-tality.com www.vie-tality.com

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

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

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

How to ‘bee friendly’ 9 Put the buzz back in your garden

South West Energy Centre 13 Its role in the low-carbon economy Community solar projects 15 Crunch time for two local schemes Natural building course 17 Schumacher at Embercombe

Welcome...

Fairtrade Fortnight - page 8

Inside this issue

COMMERCIAL EDITOR ADVERTISEMENT SALES adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Magazine

Fairtrade and anti-slavery 8 Anti-slavery campaign anniversary

Brought to you by...

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

www.facebook.com/Reconnect

Affordable eco builds 18 Exciting new South Devon project

FESTIVALS GUIDE 21-24 Four pages of festivals and shows

Seasonal eating 25 Carol Lee with late-winter yummies Going out diary 26-27 Things to do, people to see

Totnes work hub 28 Hot desks and warm atmosphere

Wellbeing 30 Natural health across South Devon Workshops & courses diary 41 Day-by-day for February/March

2000 Trees festival - page 22 Totnes Work Hub - page 28

Living on less... 42 Foster gets all dramatic

How to advertise...

THE DEADLINE The deadline for the Apr/May issue is Friday, March 8 - but get in touch now and we’ll do what we can!

Cover images: Anti-clockwise from the main image: Shoulder riding at WOMAD (page 22); strawbale eco home design from architects LED (page 18); SunGift Solar installation (page 14); YogaFest in Totnes (page 30); and natural beekeeping at Embercombe (page 9)

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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

THERE’S just so much great stuff in this issue I really don’t know where to start... and I don’t want to keep you from getting stuck into it.

I will first say though that, as the first buds of Spring start to push through the snow/floods/other extreme climatic debris (delete as applicable), we can finally start to plan our Summers.

So to make your life easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide of festivals and shows we think you’ll enjoy.

When we say ‘comprehensive’... if there are any others you think Reconnect readers will just love, let us know and we’ll get them in the next issue.

My Living on Less column (page 24) follows a similar theme as it looks at how much fun you can have in an empty room whatever the weather.

Finally, a special mention for the Land Society’s affordable self-build eco homes project - it’s just wonderful and I only hope it spreads all over the UK. Check it out on page 18.

So get out there and do stuff - and take Reconnect with you!

Harvest - page 7

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

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

BE PROUD OF YOUR WORKSPACE Our mission: We deliver supportive, professional learning opportunities that empower our learners to play a fuller part in life.

PROFESSIONAL, CLEAN, FRESH BRIGHT & NEW SPACES

TO R

ENT

We do this by offering training that is: • Innovative, flexible and responsive to need • Accessible and inclusive • High quality, but affordable.

Our vision: We support individual, organisational and community change by helping our learners to realise their potential.

www.exetercvs.org.uk/learn www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Set Up Your Professional Practice Here.

Welcome Your Clients To A New Fitness & Wellbeing Studio. Town Centre, Easy Parking.

Station Road Totnes TQ9 5HW (off fore street ) 01803 866 461

www.chapelhousestudios.com Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

3

Have you got news for us?

Local web hosting offers eco service THE internet can look a bit daunting to those looking to set up a website, but it is still possible to stay local where development and hosting are concerned.

Based in Exmouth, Ian Nicoll runs Divine Frog Web Services and prides himself on providing a personal and eco service, whether for hosting, site construction or to make your sites more effective.

His Eco Hosting is aimed at small businesses, charities and good causes, with servers running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year powered by renewables on a green energy tariff.

Ian is also keen to emphasise that many website owners are unaware of their ethical and legal obligations such as: l accessibility under the Disability Discrimination Act; l standards for the programming/coding of websites; l cookie law compliance and UK e-commerce regulations.

Many websites fail to conform to all or some of these important rules.

Said Ian: “I offer a free website health check which covers all these areas and I can undertake remedial work on websites that don’t meet the ethical and legal requirements.”

You can call Ian on 07981 057697 or email ian@divinefrog. co.uk, www.divinefrog.co.uk

Tree volunteers THE lovely people at Trees for Health have a couple of events planned for the coming weeks.

On Sunday, February 3, there’s a tree care and forest garden planning session with Larch in the Follaton Arberetum. It runs from 10.30am-3.30pm so take a picnic for lunch.

And on Saturday, February 16, they’re teaming up with Sharpham Trust to clear around fruit, nut and other native trees planted on Sharpham Estate by Transition Town Totnes and Trees for Health. This one runs from 10am-2/3pm and camp fire and soup are provided.

It helps them to have some idea of numbers, so if you’re planning to go, please contact them on 07765 631877 or email info@ treesforhealth.org.

All things vintage THE All Things Vintage & Lovely Fair will feature over 40 stalls, including clothes, furniture, homeware, crockery and more, plus live music, a catwalk and vintage makeovers, at The Palace Hotel, Babbacombe Road, Torquay, on Saturday, March 16, 10.30am-4.30pm. Contact 01803 213837 for more details.

4

Bereavement counsellor and artist Beth Hughes at work in her studio and, inset, an example of her Earth Vessels

Beth explores the art of holding cremation ashes THE older we get the more we are likely to discuss how we would like our departure to be handled.

But depending on who you choose to handle your funeral, if you choose cremation, you may or may not be asked about how your ashes should be contained.

Bereavement counsellor and artist Beth Hughes believes it’s an important decision.

For the past two years Beth has been developing a project called Earth Vessels and recently displayed her work in an exhibition called Making

It with Nature at Birdwood House in Totnes.

During January she was invited by funeral directors Green Fuse to create a window display for their Totnes High Street shop and they now stock her work.

Said Beth: “It is important for bereaved people to fully acknowledge and honour the loss of a loved one and to be able to do this in a unique and personal way.

“The act of choosing a container for ashes as a lasting memorial vessel or to be buried in the ground is an

important part of this process.”

Earth Vessels are unique handmade containers and works of art, made individually in Beth’s workshop in Dartmouth.

The vessels are strong, shatterproof and durable yet will biodegrade if placed in the ground. They do not require firing in the making process so have low carbon impact.

The Earth Vessels brochure is available in the Green Fuse shop and from www.earthvessels.co.uk.

Call 01803 834429 or visit earthvessels@talktalk.net.

New Steiner Academy starts to take shape THE start of the new academic year in September will be a landmark time for education in Exeter with the opening of the city’s first statefunded Steiner School.

The Steiner Academy Exeter will be occupying a temporary site at first which is yet to be announced - and will move to a permanent location closer to the heart of the city by September 2015 at the latest.

Initially the academy will open with reception, years 1, 2, 3 and seven - or kindergarten and classes 1, 2 and six for those familiar with Steiner education.

Details about location of the site and admissions will soon be posted on the Steiner Academy Exeter website and people will be able to contribute to the public consultation that will follow the announcement of the site.

The newly appointed principal, Alan Swindell, expects the interest to be strong and believes they could fill the academy three times over.

Alan has been involved in the Steiner movement for 30 years, mainly in South Devon.

He was education co-ordinator and

He added: “All Steiner class teacher in Schools are totally Totnes where he inclusive which is the had worked for 21 way of Steiner Education years. in other countries where More recently he they are part of the main has worked for the stream provision. Here Steiner Waldorf in the UK it is only just Schools Fellowship. starting.”

The Exeter academy Alan said the aims of the is the third such academy would be: school in the l to balance the country, the first creative, active and one having been academic; established in Hereford.

Alan Swindell l to introduce children to formal learning as It will be the city’s and when they are ready - formal first “all through” school - which learning begins later than in state means the children will complete schools; both their primary and secondary education at the same school, and l immersion in the main lesson between the ages of 6 and 14 will pupils will study the main subject for ideally be with the same teacher. two hours every day and for three to four weeks; Said Alan:” “We don’t have to deliver the National Curriculum - we l the curriculum is very carefully deliver our own curriculum and our chosen to give the children ageown methodology.” appropriate content.

He said that achieving Free School The academy can be contacted by status meant they could now be email on steineracademyexeter@ inclusive in a way that a privately gmail.com or by phone on 07411 funded school could not.

292493.

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...email details to us now at

Business for sale AN Exeter family is hoping to find someone to take over their fledgling business following a life-changing decision to go travelling.

Oliver Daly and his family run a small business making and selling seven different super foods and two types of superfood muesli.

The company was set up in 2011 and is run from the family home in Chudleigh. It supplies a number of local health food shops, but the scope for expansion is huge with the products appealing to a growing number of customers. Also there is opportunity to add or create new products.

The business is certified as organic with the Soil Association and the sale comes with all current customers, a website, all stock, rights to all brand artwork, labels and literature, all equipment and one week of handover from the current owner.

Said Oliver: “I had a job at Exeter Steiner School, running alongside my business but the school closed at Christmas and we have decided to make some big changes in our lives - one of which is to go travelling.”

If you are interested in the business call Oliver on 07743 066450 or email okdaly@hotmail.co.uk.

WE’VE heard from Hannah Bosence, PA to Head of Conservation at the Barn Owl Trust, who’s walking the 117-mile Two Moors Walk in April in aid of the charity. To make a donation, visit her fundraising page www.everyclick.com/ hannah-two-moorswalk, or call her on 01364 653026.

Animal film EXETER Friends For Animals are screening the Devon premiere of Tribe of Heart’s multi-award-winning documentary Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home at 8pm on Friday February 15, at the Black Box Studio of the Exeter Phoenix arts centre. Visit www.

PeaceableKingdomFilm .org for more info.

COCKINGTON Court has successfully bid for a grant of £27,420 from Arts Council England for the promotion of Art and Ceramics in Torbay, culminating in a twoday Ceramic Festival on May 10-11. Visit www.cockingtoncourt.org

Attik 360

THE South West Coast Path Association, who work so hard to maintain our access to local coastal walks celebrate their 40th anniversary this year.

To mark the event they are organising The Great South West Walk, split into 56 legs around the region. And Jonathan Dimbleby, above, patron of South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will be walking the six-mile stretch from Stoke Fleming to Torcross on Tuesday, April 16.

To join any part of the walk, register at www.

GreatSouthWestWalk.co.uk or call 01752 896237.

A COMMUNITY Platform evening of dance, music and film will raise money for Attik 360, a programme of dance for people with disabilities. The event runs 7-9pm at City College, The Goschen Centre in Plymouth, on February 26.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Exciting new course from green fuse We Need To Talk About The Funeral: The Course Say Farewell With Heart And Soul.

If you are curious about funerals and early bereavement, or want to be well-informed for your work, come on this fascinating course.

Book now for 14th - 16th February or 9th - 11th May Call us on 01803 840779 www.greenfuse.co.uk/weneedtotalk.htm Joint Funeral Director of the Year 2012 Good Funeral Guide green fuse supports you to create a moving and memorable funeral reflecting the life and values of the person who has died

funerals with heart and soul The Contemporar y College of Homeopathy

Homeopathy

-

Getting others better

1000 days VOLUNTEERS at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park and Living Coasts in Torquay clocked up more than 24,000 hours - equivalent to over 1,000 full days – and raised more than £72,000 in 2012.

Student treatments for £7 Marley movie THE Devon Academy in Exeter is looking for models for students to practice on and is offering a range of treatments, including aromatherapy, reflexology, sports massage stone therapy and Indian head massage, for just £7 a session.

Book on 01392 826033 or 07557680256, or find out more at www.devonacademy.co.uk. l More Wellbeing on page 30.

ne.co.uk

Owl walking

Court grant

Dimbleby to join walk

editor@reconnectonli

FOLLATON Community Cinema in Totnes is screening the decumentary Marley (about reggae legend Bob Marley) at Follaton Community Centre on Friday, February 22, at 7pm. Visit www.follaton communitycinema.co.uk

•Free open days •A four year part-time practitioner training Weekend introductory courses • 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

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

5

Local, seasonal and organic...

Local food

ALL the latest news of local seasonal and organic food, including award-winning wine, community store and foodgrowing projects, Fairtrade Fortnight and how to do your bit to bee friendly. Email us at editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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

5 Babbacombe Road, St Marychurch, Torquay, Devon TQ1 3SB Tel: 07751 156325 inapickle1@hotmail.co.uk

New home for Hazel’s pickles WHEN you’re creating a vast range of pickles and chutneys it’s no good being frightened that your creations may be too fiery.

There’s no fear where pickle champion Hazel Glaves in concerned. If you want it HOT! then you’ll find just the jar on the shelves of her shop in St Marychurch.

Hazel recently moved her In a Pickle business Hazel outside her new In A Pickle shop from the top of Fore Street to the centre of St her Fiery Bengal Chutney. Another Marychurch, near the traffic lights. line that is proving popular among Part of the reason for her move was those customers with a preference for that she had previously been making spiciness is her Chilli Jam. her creations at home and delivering As usual, Hazel will be hitting the to the shop - which meant the shop road this year to take her creations to had to shut on Mondays to make way shows and events around the area. for cooking time.

Among those already booked are Now her cooking and serving are Bampton Open Day, the Charter Fair all done in the same place - 5 and Meavy Oak Fair.

Babbacombe Road.

Call her on 07751 156325 or email And one of her latest creations is inapickle1@hotmail.co.uk.

Part of the Taste of the West range

SackS wholefoods Sharpham toasts sparkling title

• 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

ENGLISH wines are increasingly earning international recognition and South Devon is right up there when it comes to awards.

Among a collection of trophies, Sharpham Sparkling NV recently claimed the Best International Sparkling Trophy at the World Sparkling Wine Competition.

However, it’s not just at Sharpham that sparkling wine has been on the tip of UK tongues.

There’s been an excited buzz in the wine community for some time surrounding the suitable soil and weather conditions for growing the perfect sparkling grape varieties.

Growers believe that 2013 is ripe to become the year of English wine.

Saturday May 25 to June 2 is English Wine Week, an EWP (English Wine Producers) initiative to promote English wine nationwide.

With the increasing emphasis on and demand for food with local provenance, what could be better than sipping a wine produced on UK soil?

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Many vineyards will be hosting special events, tastings and promotions.

At Sharpham Vineyard there is a tradition of turning the winery into an art space, showcasing local artists as well as holding live concerts.

Check their website - www. sharpham.com - nearer the time for 2013 event details.

Sharpham Vineyard has been part of the Devon landscape since 1981 when they started producing awardwinning wines and cheese from the banks of the River Dart.

After a sleepy winter, Spring brings a rustle of excitement and anticipation at Sharpham. The first sneak of sunshine gives a chance to take in spectacular views as visitors explore their way through the vines and along the riverbank - all designed to whet the appetite for a host of wines and cheeses available in the shop.

Email info@sharpham.com Tel: 01803 732203

... email us your local food stories at

editor@reconnectonli

ne.co.uk

City growing project bears fruit THE Exeter Harvest Project is celebrating its third birthday and reflecting on what effect it has had on the city’s gardeners.

The project was set up and managed

by Exeter Community Initiatives with a grant from the Big Lottery’s Local Food Fund with the aim of ‘spreading the growing bug’ in Exeter. Helping people to build skills and confidence through a variety of community-based food growing activities.

During its three years in being project workers Ellie Parker and Andi Tobe have run a wide range of activities around the city.

The team are working on a few more events and activities that will take place over the next couple of months of the project, including: a chance to have a go at milling and bread making on Tuesday February 19 in Belmont Hut, Exeter; a Seed Swap on Saturday March 9 at Sidwell Street Methodist Church; a pop-up café to highlight food waste and the launch of a series of ‘how-to’ guides to help people who would like to run similar activities in their own area.

Visit www.eci.org.uk/HarvestHarvest, call 01392 205800, or email andit@ eci.org.uk

Hemp milk on the doorstep

IF you thought the days of the milkman and his round were long gone – think again, writes Jon Stein.

Gavin and his team of milkmen may not have an electric vehicle to trundle around in, but that doesn’t stop them delivering to the folk of Totnes.

And we’re not talking silver top dairy product here, but Heavenly Hemp.

“Our fresh organic raw hemp milk is packed with omega-3, all 10 amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and best of all it tastes delicious,” says Gavin.

Gavin knows all about healthy drinks, having supplied the region with Kombucha (a type of fermented tea) for 12 years.

There are three deliveries of hemp milk each week and customers can also place an order at Seeds bakery in the high street.

To find out more, call Gavin on 01803 865 057 or email gavinshempmilk@ gmail.com.

Gavin’s deliveries

The Real Food store in Paris Street, Exeter

Putting the chicken before the egg

City community store celebrates great year THE Real Food Store in Paris Street, Exeter, celebrates its second birthday in March following a 2012 that many retailers can only dream about.

The community-owned store, bakery and café opened in March 2011, with the primary aims of providing Exeter shoppers with access to local produce, as well as giving local producers a city centre location to sell their products - and it seems to be working.

In September last year the store was named as a finalist in the Best Local Retailer in the BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards.

From a list of 900 entries, it made the final three, following a rigorous judging process, including a visit from judges Arthur Potts-Dawson of the People’s Supermarket and Simon Parkes of Radio 4’s You and Yours and The Food Programme.

The store was praised by both judges for its support of local producers, the quality and seasonality of produce and in particular the smell of Emma’s on-site baking.

On entering the store, Simon Parkes commented: “First of all, I’ve got to say, it smells fantastic.”

In addition to this high profile national exposure, the October opening of John Lewis saw a sharp increase in the number of shoppers at the top of Sidwell and Paris Streets and subsequently The Real Food Store and Café were buzzing with even more activity.

During the weekend of March 30, the store will mark its two-year anniversary with celebrations yet to be announced. Regular Meet the Producer events, local artist exhibitions and supper evenings are planned throughout the year as well as live music.

Visit www.realfoodexeter.co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

7

Local, seasonal and organic...

Local food

Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 is February 25 - March 10

Fairtrade is one victory in war against new slavery ANTI-SLAVERY International celebrates its 175th anniversary next year - and unfortunately the organisation has as much relevance today as it did when it was formed in 1839.

As the world’s oldest human rights organisation, it is constantly tackling modern day slavery and is now heavily involved in the Fairtrade movement.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 runs from Monday, February 25 to Sunday March 10 and is a time to celebrate and reflect on a great movement which has grown from nothing into a multi-billion pound movement.

Many towns and villages throughout the UK have added ‘Fairtrade’ to their names.

The movement enables people throughout the world to be paid a fair price rather than no price.

Sadly, Fairtrade products are mainly fruit, flowers, vegetables, sugar, chocolate, tea and coffee, which leaves the vast array of durable clothing, furnishings, carpets etc where forced labour (a modern day form of slavery) exists.

UK trading laws make it mandatory to show the country of origin or

manufacture of everything we buy.

Anti-Slavery International is a member of the ethical trading Initiative ETI (www.ethicaltrade.org).

The ETI is an alliance of companies, non governmental organisations and trade unions. Its goal is to ensure the working conditions of people producing goods for the UK market, meet or exceed international labour standards.

Graham Martin, chairman of the Exeter Anti-Slavery Group, describes modern day slavery as a scourge on 21st century mankind and he believes there is a lot people can do to tackle the problem.

He said: “We can write a letter to the headquarters of retail chains we use asking what measures the company is taking to identify, prevent and end the use of forced labour and slavery in their supply chain. Ask at the same time if the company is a member of the ETI, and if not, why not.”

To receive a world map showing the 29 countries and 50 product groups where forced labour is involved, or to become a member of Anti-Slavery International, phone Graham on 01395 274485.

Tasty inspiration for new city vegans IF you’re thinking of going vegan but are undecided, Exeter’s Vegan Pledge could be the prompt you need.

The pledge was launched last year with great success by Exeter Friends for Animals. This year the scheme will run again starting in the Spring.

The aim is to provide free help and guidance to anyone thinking of trying an animal-free diet, for whatever reason.

Pledgers follow a vegan diet for one

8

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month, and attend a workshop at the beginning and end of the month for cookery demonstrations, talks, discussions, nutritional advice and eat at ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Vegan’ lunches!

They are also assigned a vegan buddy’.

The workshops are on Saturday, March 2 and Saturday, April 13 at the St Sidwell’s Centre, Exeter. Call Kim on 07810 898440 www.effauk.org.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

edit or@reco nnec ... email us local your events local food stories tonline.co.uk local people local foodatlocal health local environment

How to bee friendly and keep all those hives buzzy IT’S been a tough time for bees over recent years - from pesticides to parasites, from loss of habitat to wet Summers.

So this Spring, as bees stir from their overwintering, wouldn’t it be great if each of us could find ways to say thank you for the sweetness of honey on our toast, the light from the beeswax candle and, most importantly, for the pollination which creates a third of our food?

Tim Hall and Jessie Watson Brown are natural beekeepers based at Embercombe and they have asked us to pass on some ways to ‘bee friendly’ and support the bees back to a place of health and resilience.

Habitat is the first issue.

Tim explains: “The UK has lost over 95% of our wildflower meadows and verges since the 1940s and this has had a huge impact on the availability of bee forage and habitat.

“By planting bee-friendly plants, like many of our favourite medicinal and culinary herbs including borage, lavender and lemon balm, and by allowing wild areas in your garden to bloom, you can help replace these precious food sources for them.”

There are more examples of bee-friendly plants online. And avoid using insecticides.

Is your food bee-friendly?

AroundAsh 3/2/12 03:05 Says Jessie: “ByFeb2012 buying organic and food grown free from pesticides we can support

bee-friendly farming practices.

“There are campaigns around controlling the use of neonicotinoids, the systemic insecticides that seriously affect bees and which are already banned or suspended in a number of European countries. Find out more at www.friendsofthebees. org.

The ultimate step towards really supporting the bees is to become a bee-friendly beekeeper.

“At Embercombe you can learn how to be a bee-friendly, natural beekeeper, which puts the needs of the bees as a priority over honey production,” says Tim. “Keeping and caring for the bees brings you closer to understanding and reconnecting with these extraordinary creatures, the environment in which they and us live, and ultimately how interconnected we all are.”

Weekend beekeeping courses will be held at Embercombe, near Exeter, Page in April,1 May and June. Visit www. embercombe.co.uk/bees.

Natural beekeeping at Embercombe, above - and, left, a sign to prevent innocent visitors inadvertently straying into some bee action

Honest Local Food at a Fair Price Now well established, Ashburton’s premiere, undercover, local produce market goes from strength to strength ... an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of goodies, our product range is expanding all the time. Come along and meet the people who rear it, cook it and sell it.

Tuckers Yard, Chuley Road, Ashburton, TQ13 7DG

Here for you Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm

P R O B A B LY T H E B E S T P R O D U C E M A R K E T I N D E V O N ! www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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Have you got a story for Reconnect readers?

Project saves food from landfill   ♦

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♦ ♦

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           

 

 

  

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DEVON is now well placed to ensure edible food is given to the needy rather than being dumped in landfill.

The success of the Devon and Cornwall Food Association hub in Stonehouse, Plymouth, which opened in 2011, has now given birth to two further hubs in Exeter and Torbay.

The Exeter hub in Sidwell Street opened in October and since then another hub has opened in Brixham covering the Torbay area. All hubs are staffed entirely by volunteers.

Every year in the UK 18 million tonnes of edible food end up in landfill. Food also gets thrown away before it even reaches the retailer, accounting for over one third of all

the nation’s food waste.

Manufacturers send huge amounts of food to landfill when it is still perfectly edible and nutritious simply because it has been mis-packaged or over ordered.

DCFA (Exeter) has already distributed hundreds of pies, pasties and other baked goods to shelters for homeless people, soup kitchens and supported housing projects around Exeter. It is also working with Exeter Community Initiatives’ Harvest Project (see page 6) to distribute surplus fruit from Exeter’s gardens to the same organisations.

Email dcfaexeter@googlemail.com, or call 07713631728.

Join car scheme to enter prize draw for full tank COMMUTERS have another chance to win a tank of fuel if they sign up to carsharedevon.com.

Following the success of a similar competition last year to encourage people to join the scheme, Devon County Council is launching a second prize draw. Anyone who registers with the website before February 28 will be entered to win a tank of fuel up to the value of £100.

Carsharedevon is a free service which allows people in Devon and across the South West to find others to share their journey, either taking turns with the driving, or giving someone a lift in exchange for a contribution to the fuel costs. It is commissioned by Devon County Council, in partnership with Plymouth and Torbay Councils.

More than 350 people signed up during the previous competition, which ran in October and November.

The lucky winner was Jayde Kirby, who works at the University of Exeter and shares with three others from Plymouth and the South Hams.

Jayde and her car share group are each saving well over £100 per month.

The carsharedevon website features

Join carsharedevon.com to save emissions and money a simple online calculator to work out your potential savings, just by entering your travel details such as mileage and how often you drive.

The University of Exeter launched a suite of car sharing incentives in November 2012. Benefits included only having to purchase one permit per car share team, preferential car sharing spaces and the assurance of an emergency travel home fund should a lift fail in the event of an emergency or unforeseen problem.

More details of the University scheme can be found at www.ex.ac.uk/ carsharing For more information go to www. carsharedevon.com

More playback from Tarte Noir ALTHOUGH we haven’t been able to experience the women-only playback theatre performances of Tarte Noir personally, we have heard great things about them.

They have four lined up locally over the coming weeks: at Bogan House in Totnes on February 8; at New Cygnet Theatre in Exeter on February 12; at the Arts Centre in Crediton on March 5; and St Lawrence Chapel

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in Ashburton on March 19. All performances start at 8pm and all tickets are £7/5.

Find out more at www.tartenoire. co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

... email us your news at editor@reconnectonline.co.uk One of High Nature’s four yurts and, below, the interior

Organic gardening RIGHT, let’s forget last year as a growing season shall we? It’s time to get going again and Joa at Growers has some great advice. Read on...

Low-impact High Nature IF you’re planning a low-impact holiday this year, the High Nature Centre in South Devon could be just what you’re looking for.

The centre is a rural enterprise located within the living working landscape of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where it promotes “the protection and preservation of the natural landscape and all those who live and work within it.”

High Nature is a five-acre smallholding (previously known as Wayfield Nurseries) on a coastal plateau 130m above sea level on the South Devon Coast, a short walk from a picturesque stretch of the South West Coast Path and spectacular sandy beaches.

The centre has four yurts, which owners Cat Middleditch and Doug Lane describe as: “Warm and cosy, beautifully hand-made, furnished and decorated to a high standard with unique textiles and furnishings.”

The main camping area consists of a field, with the sea located on the southern boundary, divided into four main circular spaces so visitors “can feel enclosed within their own private glade.”

“Wildflowers provide valuable wildlife habitat, fabulous for observing bees and butterflies and a large standing stone provides a focus in the middle of the field,” says Cat. “The evening sunsets and star gazing here on the

Just chittin'...

plateau are truly spectacular.”

High Nature is the result of more than three years of hard work as permaculture designers Cat and Doug learned about managing the land, growing their own food, introducing poultry, holding community events, running activities and courses, and developing their business plan.

“We are lucky to have the support of a number of experts and volunteers who are helping to guide and implement the project through its development stages,” says Doug.

As well as growing their own fruit and veg, Cat and Doug have found alternative uses for some of the other polytunnels on the site, including indoor games and yoga, craft workshop areas, solar showers and information area.

They are now taking bookings for the 2013 season – email contact@ high-nature.co.uk and visit www.highnature.co.uk.

One of the tunnels at High Nature

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WELL, after the wettest year on record here we are once again at the beginning of a new growing year – let’s all keep our fingers crossed that it’s better than the last one!

For those of you with greenhouses it’s sowing, sowing and more sowing, but don’t forget that doesn’t mean you have to sow a whole packet every time - most seeds will last two or three years if you store them properly in a cool dry place (a biscuit tin in the shed would be ideal).

Keep an eye on the forecast for frosts, though, because plants in an unheated greenhouse may still need extra protection.

If you’re growing seedlings on a window sill, remember that as soon as they start to come through the compost, you must turn the pots or trays every day to help stop them becoming tall and straggly.

Outside it’s time to tidy up. Remove any old and unwanted plants, weeds and canes and spread homemade compost or well-rotted (over a yearold) manure over your beds. No need to dig it in – the worms will do that.

Feed any Autumn-planted brassicas with liquid comfry or a general fertiliser and pick your purple sprouting broccoli regularly to encourage more spears you’ve waited months for it to produce, so you want the maximum crop.

Seed potatoes are now available.

Growers will have a selection of certified organic early and main crop at our nursery and on our market stall at Totnes market - and don’t

forget we are now at the front of the market next to the Olive Branch stall.

Chitting or sprouting potatoes is not essential but it does help them get off to good start. Place them in seed trays or egg boxes for a few weeks in the green house or on a window sill. The growing shoots should be nice and short and stocky, not tall pale and spindly - they would probably get damaged when you plant them out. And don’t forget to label which are your ‘earlies’ and which are your ‘main crop’. Early potatoes you dig up from July onwards, as and when you need them, and your main crop are for harvesting in the Autumn for using and storing over the Winter months.

Onion sets and shallots are also available now. After planting them out, keep an eye on them because birds have great fun pulling them back up. They can usually be deterred by a few shiny CDs.

Cloches and cold frames IT’S always tricky knowing how soon to plant out your newly raised seedlings or recently bought transplants (at Growers Organics we will have a good selection to choose from by the time you read this). The simple answer is that there’s no way of knowing because the weather is just so unpredictable.

There are various things you can do to protect them from frost, though, and probably the easiest is to cover your plants with horticultural fleece.

A simple cloche is also fairly simple to erect. Use rigid blue water pipe (available from all builders’ merchants) to create the hoops and cover them with polythene, to create a mini poly tunnel, or with fleece. Make the hoops at least 60cm high and you can use them with netting later in the year to protect plants from birds or butterflies.

If you want to get really posh you could try your hand at making a cold frame. For this you will need one or two old windows (try the recycling centre) and some good solid boards or bricks - again make it tall enough to accommodate taller plants throughout the season. Whatever you decide on, you will be sure to get your growing season off to a good start.

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. Visit www.growersorganics.com, or call 01752 881180.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

11

Power to the people... local people local events local food local health local environment

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were chosen by TTT to be the installers for their Transition Streets project which installed 140 PV systems within a year in Totnes and surrounding areas, including the Civic Hall.

As an independent, Beco has had the freedom to develop new products such as a battery back-up system that will enable a house or business to operate with its own electricity supply in the event of a grid failure.

The system could be tailor-made to power dedicated circuits such as fridges, freezers, lighting circuits or gas heating systems which still need electricity to run circulation pumps and boilers. It could even use a gridconnected PV system already installed to recharge the batteries in the absence of a grid connection.

The technology to do this has been available for years but recent advances in battery technology have reduced the cost of such a system to make it more viable for domestic use.

Call 01803 866329 or visit www. becouk.com.

Citizens Advice gives free energy advice

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of anything that I've ever dealt with…”

BEING in at the birth of a product can play a large part in a company’s success - particularly in areas of new technology.

One South West energy company is making use of its experience in off-grid electricity and has started installing electric vehicle charging points, with the first one at its own office in Totnes.

Nigel Brunton-Reed, director of Beco Energy Solutions, said: “The Government expects to see ‘tens of thousands of electric vehicles on the roads by 2015’ with independent forecasters suggesting hundreds of thousands by 2020. By being the first Totnes company to install charge points for electric vehicles, Beco hopes to become instrumental in this revolution.”

Beco began life 30 years ago and has been based in Totnes for several years. At one stage it was swallowed up by a big construction company but Beco is now back to being a local independent after a management buy-out by its original owner.

Well known in the Totnes area, Beco

THE rising costs of heating and lighting our homes means that finding the best deal from suppliers is becoming more important.

There are plenty of websites out there who are offering advice, but then many of them are making money out of the service.

But the Citizens Advice service, with the help of the Community Council of Devon, are spreading the word for nothing more than the knowledge they are helping.

The Energy Best Deal campaign started back in 2008 with support from the energy regulator Ofgem and six major energy companies.

It aims to help the vulnerable to shop around, reduce their energy bills and get help if they are falling behind.

Practical presentations are delivered

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by the Community Council of Devon to consumers - particularly those on low income - and to organisations who work with people at risk of fuel poverty.

Organisations such as clubs for the elderly or other groups with links to the vulnerable are asked to contact the Community Council of Devon to arrange a presentation.

In less than one hour you will get advice and tips on everything from negotiations with utility suppliers to accessing insulation grants.

Information is also provided on where to get further help on things like benefit entitlements.

For more information or to register an interest contact Greg Davies at the Community Council of Devon 01392 248 919 or email greg@ devonrcc.org.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

editor@reconnectonli ... send renewable energy news tolocal ne.co.uk local people local events local food health local environment An artist’s impression of the new South West Energy Centre

The centre of SW energy GREEN campaigners have long since argued that the future of energy production lies in renewables.

But for this to actually come about, it clearly needs to make economic sense for the energy industry.

And for that to happen, companies need to see the politicians, here and in Europe, laying the financial and legislative foundations of our future low carbon economy.

That all those elements are now starting to come together is reflected locally by the building of the £6.5 million South West Energy Centre (SWEC) at Paignton.

The new building, which will feature a range of high efficiency, energy saving systems, including computer-managed heat and ventilation and biomass boiler, is still under construction and will open in September.

But in the meantime, the SWEC is very much in operation and based at South Devon College, where centre director Patrick McNevin told Reconnect about their ambitious objectives.

“The South West Energy Centre will play a key role in the UK’s future low carbon economy – and be a cornerstone in South Devon’s economic recovery,” he said.

“It will be a regional training hub, combining state-of-the-art facilities with some of the industry’s most experienced teaching staff, to ensure the rapidly growing low carbon industry has the people it needs.”

And because the centre also runs training courses at all levels for people

already working within the industry (and the temporary SWEC base at the college is already home to one manufacturer’s own dedicated training lab), the students will work right next to people from the industry they plan to join.

The SWEC can also give tips on cutting commercial energy bills, help with applications for green grant, advise on the Green Deal and assist with R&D and developing new markets. Local businesses should contact business engagement officer Oliver Laity oliverlaity@southdevon.ac.uk.

And the SWEC isn’t only about working the industry. Community access is an integral part of the new building, which will give visitors access to viewing galleries and behind-thescenes areas.

Community engagement officer Brad Lewis says: “The centre will also give advice and information about green and sustainable energy to anyone who comes in to ask for it – and we will work with local schools and colleges to promote the benefits of renewables as a source of energy as well as a source of employment.”

The importance of the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings is reflected by South West Energy Centre plans to build a Passivhaus on-site, and a Level 3 Certificate in Sustainable Construction (Building Services) course starts at the college next month.

Find out more about SWEC courses below or visit www. southwestenergycentre.com.

Courses to green jobs in the industry THERE are good green jobs available right now, say energy industry experts at the South West Energy Centre (SWEC) – and they can provide the training you need to get them.

Current courses can lead to jobs as: Green Deal installer, Smart Meter technician, carbon reduction officer, biodiversity officer or renewable energy installer.

Courses starting in February include: Certificate in Sustainable Construction, Certificate in Environmental Conservation and Certificate in Understanding Energy Efficiency.

In September, the SWEC will run one and two-year courses for diplomas and certificates in: Energy Sector, Environmental Conservation, Renewable Technologies and

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Sustainable Construction.

And Simon Friend, Head of Science & Technology at South Devon College, says all those courses can also lead to apprenticeships in Smart Metering, Sustainable Management and Recycling, Electrical Power Engineering and Environmental Conservation.

“And if you’re unsure which course might be right for you, or what it might lead to, the SWEC invites you to call in for a free guidance talk. We have courses at all levels so you’re bound to find something of interest.”

New course dates are being arranged all the time so email info@ southdevon.ac.uk or ring 01803 540725.

Visit www.southwestenergycentre.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

13

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

Local energy

Solar firm offers loans

SunGift Green Energy Finance

Solar pays for itself No up front costs

HOW many of us look at PV solar systems and wish we could have them on our roofs - if only we had the money to fund it?

Now an Exeter-based company has teamed up with a bank to secure loans to fund domestic systems.

And there’s no selling off your own roof space to a third party and losing out on the tariffs. The SunGift Solar package means home owners will own their own systems and receive all of the tariffs.

Gabriel Wondrausch, the managing director of SunGift Solar, said: “These loans are a breakthrough for South West homeowners interested in solar PV but don’t have the initial capital to buy a system.”

The unsecured finance is available at a rate of 9.9% for between three and 15 years and for amounts between £1,000 and £50,000. SunGift spent more than a year looking for a finance partner that shared its ethos and ethical approach to customer service.

The monthly repayments mean the homeowner does not have to pay anything upfront. On some roofs it will be possible to have the total benefits from the FIT (Feed in Tariff) and savings on electricity bills covering the cost of the repayments, and still make a total profit of over £10,000.

The number of Solar PV installations in the South West has grown hugely over the past two years, rising more than a hundred-fold from 2.38 Mega Watts since the Feed in-Tariff was launched in April 2010, to 260 Mega Watts in April 2012.

Said Gabriel: “Despite recent cuts to the FiT, returns on investment for our typical domestic systems are still in excess of 10 per cent per annum, because the price of a full 4kWh system has dropped from around £20,000, when the FiT was launched, to between £6,000 and £7,000 today.”

To contact SunGift call 01392 213912 or go to www.sungiftsolar.co.uk

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‘TAKING Care of the Future’ is the motto of Exeter’s Montgomery Primary School in St Thomas, Exeter.

And after a year in their new state-of-the-art building, the school is living up to that motto by claiming to be the first school in Europe to be both Passivhaus and zero-carbon.

Its massive array of solar panels has proved so productive, the school has more electricity than it can use and has become a net exporter of electricity to the national grid.

The Centre for Energy and the Environment, which was closely involved in the design along with Devon County Council, says the school has been shown to be zero carbon in its use over its first

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year of operation. The scientists say the design performance of the school significantly exceeds the proposed zero carbon regulations that are not due to be implemented in this country until 2019 at the earliest.

The innovative, air-tight Passivhaus design means the school does not need a boiler to provide heating.

For most of the time, the building is warmed by the body heat of pupils and staff and the thick insulation keeps it cool in summer and warm in winter.

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...all on our new-look website at

www.reconnectonlin

e.co.uk

Village wind project seeks investors

Council to vote on community turbine project THE end is in sight for campaigners who have fought a two-and-a-half year battle to build two wind turbines near Totnes.

TRESOC, the Totnes Renewable Energy Society, will learn on February 13 whether their flagship project has succeeded. That’s the date when South Hams District Council will vote on the planning application for the two 2.3MW turbines to be sited south of Totnes.

The electricity generated by the turbines could meet the demand of 2,500 homes.

Jane Brady, Communications Director for TRESOC, said there had been many high points along the way.

“Hearing Jonathan Dimbleby eloquently and passionately urge us all to take urgent action, utilising the technologies available to us right now to combat emissions and global warming, made my heart swell,” she said.

TRESOC believes the Totnes Community Wind Farm is significant because, in addition to the project’s scale and contribution to national targets, it is the result of a two-year community/industry partnership, sending a message to government and industry that working with community is a model that works.

TRESOC wants to see community ownership playing its full part in the development of the UK’s renewable energy resources.

In addition to windpower, TRESOC continues to develop projects in various forms of biomass, hydro and solar power.

TRESOC recently unveiled its community-financed Leatside solar PV system - 114 solar panels on the roof of the NHS Leatside Surgery with a combined rated capacity of 27.4 kW. That’s 24,000 kWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the yearly electricity demand of about seven typical families. Most of this electricity will be consumed directly, reducing Leatside’s electricity bills by as much as 20% and reducing CO2 emissions by about 16 tonnes per year.

Ian Bright, TRESOC’s managing director, said: “What we find really exciting is the possibility of contributing to the local economy by creating high value skilled jobs across a spread of renewable energy projects and technologies”.

Visit www.tresoc.co.uk.

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SOON it will be the norm - villages generating their own energy via renewables. But until then it will take pioneers like South Brent to lead the way.

With a strong and vibrant sustainability lobby, South Brent was the ideal community to forge ahead with its own wind turbine project, and now the plan has been supported by the parish council who have agreed to invest, the future looks bright.

The South Brent Community Energy Society, which was established by members of Sustainable South Brent, launched a Community Share Offer to fund the installation of the turbine. The offer, which had been due to close on January 18, has since been extended to early March to allow further subscribers to come forward.

Edward Chapman, secretary of the society, said they had invited local residents, businesses and other organisations to join by subscribing for shares.

As Reconnect went to press the funding raised by the share offer stood at well over £195,000.

Said Edward: “We have had tremendous support from about 90 local people which gives us the momentum to go forward.

“We will be extending the share offer by another six weeks or so and will go all out to raise the

Sustainable Hockerton’s turbine in Nottinghamshire - similar to the one planned for South Brent

£420,000 needed, both from the share offer and from loans.

However, it will will be a close run thing and we encourage people not to let the opportunity to support a truly local initiative slip by.”

The plan is to buy a medium sized turbine (225kW) and install it at Marley Thatch Farm on high ground at the eastern edge of the parish this Summer.

The turbine would be expected to generate electricity equivalent to that used by about 100 homes, saving around 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

To subscribe to the share offer go to www.sbces.org.uk.

SBCES secretary Edward Chapman downloads met mast data on the South Brent site

In it from the beginning - and for the long term WHEN Guy Gillmore and Richard Moss started The Good Heat Company back in 2008, renewable energy wasn’t something most people were aware of.

Their first projects were installing solar thermal systems, operating from a farm in the South Hams.

Said Richard: “It was completely unprofitable but I worked part-time as a cycle mechanic and Guy did his farming to keep things together.”

Guy had trained as a plumber and by being diligent and careful they grew their business through recommendations.

The Good Heat Company was one of the first in the area to become accredited by the MCS (The Microgeneration Certification Scheme) and the partners progressed into designing their own hot water cylinders and thermal stores.

When the government announced feed in tariffs in 2010, the public perception of renewable energy changed.

“As we became busier and busier we were able to take on a couple of employees,” says Richard. “We have installed PV systems, heat pumps, solar thermal and woodburners all over South Devon.”

As Guy and Richard both have

On site at one of The Good Heat Company’s installations

young families they are keen to concentrate their efforts in South Devon and to remain committed to the local community.

One of the company’s current projects is a biomass installation.

They believe that biomass is the future for those currently using oil for heating, particularly in larger properties and businesses in the South Hams.

“PV is still a big part of our business,” Richard adds, “and the returns are normally still very good even with the lower tariffs.

Woodburners are extremely popular at this time of year and we are also working on smarter control systems

for complex heating systems.”

“The devil is in the detail, and I think attention to detail is something we are good at. Even the simplest system needs thinking about carefully in order to ensure it works effectively.

“We still get a lot of our work through recommendation, but we’ve started to advertise just to get our name out there. Whether you’ve got an idea for a system today, tomorrow or in a couple of years time, look us up - we’ll be here.

“We’re in this business for the long term.”

Call them on 01548 821045 www. goodheat.co.uk.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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Inspiration for a greener way to live...

Eco homes & building A REALLY rich and busy Eco Homes and Building section this time with traditional building tales from Embercombe, news of a very exciting affordable homes project (left) and two inside stories on furniture

The main building’s timber frame goes up with a little mechanical assistance

Artisans add talents to traditional linhay build

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WE always knew there would be many a fascinating tale to come out of the build of Embercombe’s Landbased Learning Centre – the local eco-build with a social mission.

Since our last installment, the timber frame for the main building has been raised by expert local woodsman Mike Gardener and much cobbing is scheduled (with many opportunities to get involved) at Embercombe’s Friends Working Weekends, happening each month up to the completion of the build in October this year.

The main contractor is the Embercombe Building Company (EBC) run by Phill Ireland, who says the project is attracting a good deal of attention from philanthropic organisations keen to see how his work with people needing a second chance can be replicated and expanded.

An eclectic range of artisans are also lending their talents to the project.

Plasterers who have worked on Buckingham Palace and Saville Row will be training the EBC team in selecting the most appropriate ways

Housing association’s eco homes IT is nothing unusual to see plans for affordable homes getting the go-ahead.

But four three-bedroom homes going up in Thurlstone will also be sustainable designs – and will be run in partnership with South Devon Rural Housing Association.

The homes, approved by South Hams District Council, will be built on former council-owned land at Parkfield.

They will be offered to local people “with a housing need to rent” at 80% of local market rents, and constructed to Level Five of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which requires them to be twice as efficient as an average house.

South Hams District councillor for

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Dartmouth and Kingswear district, Jonathan Hawkins, said: “This is an exciting project to provide local people with sustainable homes, one of our key priorities. It is particularly welcome in such a rural community that suffers from lack of affordable homes.”

Steve Prime, CEO of South Devon Rural Housing Association, said: “This is a very important development for the Association.

We have long held the view that sustainable affordable housing can be developed in rural locations - not as an experiment but as a template which can be replicated.”

Visit www.southdevonrural.com and www.southhams.gov.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

... send your eco building news to editor@reconnectonline.co.uk to attach laths for lime render (there are many ways to choose from, apparently). And the crew are also learning how to build a Tudor-style ‘herringbone’ pattern in recycled brick.

Phill says he’s come to some hard conclusions regarding sustainable building and taking a commonsense approach.

“Lots of people think we should avoid heavy plant at all costs,” he says. “But for the raising of the frames, for example, we had two choices: raise one frame in one day, requiring 40 men to travel to the site each day in cars - or hire a crane with three men and raise them all in one day.

“Its all about dualism: respecting where we want to be and where we are now. I think the technology is there, so we should embrace it - and recognise the ecological benefits it can bring to certain situations.

“Having paid with my own knees in the effort to dig 50 tonnes of soil by hand, I also recognise the benefits of the digger! I don’t think it’s realistic to do everything by hand these days.”

Although Embercombe doesn’t expect the new

workshop and kitchen facilities to be ready to use until March 2014, every step of the build is also creating learning opportunities for the EBC crew, volunteers and attendees of the new Embercombebased Schumacher Certificate in Natural Building. They have also now put out a call for specialist volunteers wanting to offer their skills to their building or education projects.

To volunteer your building skills at Embercombe, contact lezlie@ embercombe.co.uk. To volunteer on Community Build days, contact Wandia@embercombe.co.uk.

For details of digger driving and handling training, contact info@ embercombebuild.co.uk. l See right for more on the Schumacher Certificate in Natural Building at Embercombe.

New venue is natural for course FOLLOWING its successful launch last year, the Natural Building Certificate course is back for 2013 at a new venue.

Schumacher College’s truly hands-on course will this year be run at, and in conjunction with, Embercombe, the outreach and development centre hidden away in a beautiful valley near Exeter.

The course will run alongside Embercombe’s own natural build project, their amazing land-based learning centre (see left), and will also include the construction of a traditional timber-framed gardeners’ bothy, incorporating strawbale infill, and a combination of external finishes (timber cladding and lime render).

Students will also work on a cob compost toilet with a timber framed roof. Both will be built off a stone plinth wall and all materials will be very locally sourced.

The Certificate in Natural Building consists of seven week-long modules spread over six months from March to September. Each one tackles a different subject area and can be taken individually or as a series.

Schumacher College say their Natural Building Certificate is for beginners and established building professionals alike.

The course leader will be Duncan Passmore and contributions are expected from local experts Linda Lemieux, James Brown, Joel Hendry, Paul Barclay, Bee Rowan, Katy Bryce and Adam Weismann.

Visit www.schumachercollege.org.uk and www.embercombe.co.uk.

We are Kingfisher Print & Design.

No matter what the job, big or small, we’ll work closely with you, understanding and treating each project with individual care and attention. Working in an environmentally responsible way, we are FSC certified and this drives everything we do. Combined with our wealth of knowledge and experience, this allows us to deliver what we do best - beautiful print of the highest standard…

If you would like to speak to us about a project please feel free to drop us a line 01803 867087.

We take our business seriously…

Wills Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5XN 01803 867087 sales@kingfisherprint.co.uk www.kingfisherprint.co.uk

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Meet Stevie from production

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

17

A greener way to live...

Eco homes & building Affordable self-builds to create eco communities EVER dreamt of building your own eco home but didn’t have the funding or expertise?

Now, with the help of The Land Society and South Devon College in Paignton, your dream could become a reality.

The project is the brainchild of the Land Society, which is helping village residents to form a Community Land Trust (CLT).

The CLT then locates and purchases a suitable site, again with the help of The Land Society, which continues to support and guide the CLT through the planning process, working with the local authority – Teignbridge District Council is giving the project its full backing.

And to ensure the self-builders have the necessary skills, South Devon College plans to build a demo house where they will run a purposedesigned course.

The homes themselves are lowenergy two, three and four bedroom houses, built using strawbales and rammed earth.

The Land Society’s Erica Lewis explained: “Generally, the scheme is aimed at those who can’t afford to buy locally and who have strong local Footpath access to the homes will keep the site child-friendly - and cut out high roadbuilding costs

connections. We provide support, including the bespoke college course, and a unique house design embodying high levels of insulation and energy efficiency, using local natural materials.

“The participants’ labour ‘buys’ them a 25% share of the equity in their home, and they secure up to a further 50% either with a mortgage or, for people who would find securing a mortgage difficult at this stage, we are able to offer a ‘rent to buy’ option.

“The remaining 25% is held by the CLT in perpetuity to keep the houses affordable for local people.”

There are currently five projects in the pipeline in the Teignbridge District Council area (Broadhempston, Chudleigh, Dawlish, Kenton/Kenn and Teignmouth) and one in the South Hams District Council patch (Harberton/Harbertonford).

Teignbridge District Council has put £20,000 towards the cost of creating the demo home at South Devon College, which has set aside £45,000 and a further £29,500 has come from the Esmee Fairburn Foundation.

South Devon College principal Stephen Criddle said: “I am delighted South Devon College is helping to take forward this excellent initiative in support of selfbuild for the local area.”

Teignbridge District Council leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers added: “The construction of the eco-house represents the starting pistol of a long race to breathe new life into villages across our district.

“There is widespread support across the council to bring this scheme to fruition and I feel this may well become one of the real success stories of the future.

Refurnish calls for volunteers FURNITURE reuse charity Refurnish Devon has been providing residents of South and west Devon with safe, clean and affordable household goods and appliances for years.

From armchairs and aspidistra stands (they have sold one) to wardrobes and washing machines, their aim is to help people and reduce waste. But Refurnish also supports people by providing a range of volunteering opportunities within their charitable organisation.

Says Refurnish’s Karen Price: “Volunteering with Refurnish gives people a chance to gain new skills and self-confidence and to meet new people - it’s a fun and rewarding experience. Volunteers take on a wide variety of roles including admin support, retail

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assistance and the repair of small electrical goods. And we are now looking to recruit a number of volunteers to help us develop and grow our service.”

Refurnish receives items of furniture that need some TLC - a wardrobe door that needs re-hanging, or a table leg that needs re-glueing “We are looking for volunteers with carpentry skills to help us breathe new life into furniture that has been well loved,” said Karen.

“We are also looking for volunteers to help us manage the bric-a-brac resale areas of some of our shops, and to service donated bicycles so we can sell them.”

Call 01364 643661 or email volunteers@refurnish.org.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...find more at www.reconnectonline.co.uk The self-build eco homes will feature strawbale construction and a “passive solar sun space”

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

Craftsmanship with a female touch “The Land Society share our ethos of being committed to the aim of giving people the opportunity to build and shape their own destiny.”

The homes have been designed by Totnes architects LED. LED’s Andy Kirby said: “We were delighted to be approached by The Land Society for this innovative scheme to develop the designs for self-build affordable housing.

“Our expertise in energy efficient and ecological construction methods, and experience of working with local community projects, were well suited to this challenging, but exciting design brief.

“The low energy dwellings are designed to be highly insulated with strawbale walls, rammed earth floors, rammed earth internal wall (acting as a heat store) and passive solar sun space – all using natural, locally sourced materials.”

Each village development will consist of 6-12 units, with an edge-of-site parking area and footpath access to the homes (keeping the site childfriendly and cutting out roadbuilding costs), plus shared amenity areas, allotments and energy resources.

Says Andy: “We are aiming for Code For Sustainable Homes Level

5 (out of 6) for the houses and sites, which includes landscape design high in biodiversity. Each site should be self-sufficient with renewable energy produced and shared on site, including bio mass heating, photovoltaic panels for electricity, solar thermal hot water, rainwater harvesting, etc.

“This is a project about local people responding to local needs, and building the houses they want to live in, where they want to live. As environmentally conscious architects, we are very excited about the example it will set for housing in the UK.” Currently, the most advanced project is for six houses in Broadhempston – the planning application is expected to go in within a couple of weeks.

And as we go to press a CONTEMPOR public meeting is planned at Bovey Tracey ARY (in the Methodist Side Chapel at

7.30pm on Thursday, January 31) DESIGN with a view to creating a Community Land Trust for the area.

To find out more, email Erica Lewis at The Land Society (a Community Interest Company) erica_lewis@ btinternet.com, or visit www. teignbridge.gov.uk/selfbuild. Call LED on 01803 867377 and visit www. ledarchitects.co.uk.

Exhibition looks at ways wood works

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

CONTEMPORARY

DESIGN

FOR LOW IMPACT LIVING

DESIGN

A HUSBAND and wife business making bespoke furniture on Dartmoor is staging an exhibition to encourage us to think about the relationship we have with furniture and how it is made.

Glenn White and Kelley Hann of Whitethorn Woodcraft are staging Ways With Wood at Birdwood House in Totnes from Saturday, February 23 – Saturday March 2, with a private viewing on Sunday, February 24.

Glenn White in the workshop

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“We draw much of our inspiration from the Dartmoor landscape around us,” said Glenn. “Our whole ethos is about working with the natural world rather than exploiting it, so we use sustainably sourced or reclaimed timbers and prefer to work with hand tools and natural oils and waxes.”

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

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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editor@reconnectonli

ne.co.uk

Got something for Reconnect?

Simon’s dragon breathes new life into gas bottles THERE can be few things more satisfying than upcycling - the creation of something useful from an item which would otherwise have been thrown away.

And if that new object can also be beautiful, so much the better.

Enter Simon Nelder Bealey, the creator of (among many other wonderful things) a fire-breathing dragon from old gas cylinders.

Simon, who is known affectionately as Nelder the Welder, has been creating things out of scrap metal for over 22 years.

His most famous creation is the dragon wood burner that he takes along to events, festivals, weddings

and parties as a centrepiece where folk gather to keep warm.

It recently featured at the Exmouth Christmas Cracker event.

The dragon, which took about five months to construct, is made out of bottles and other pieces of scrap iron that Simon and friend Stu Gamble had collected.

The majority of gas bottles he used were found while walking his dog.

Said Simon: “I found 12 just thrown away in the woods. They had all had holes drilled in them.

I collected them up and took them back to my workshop so I cleaned up the woods at the same time.”

But Simon doesn’t stop at works of art. He has made lots of very striking furniture, including a giant chest with a leather exterior and heavy metal clasps made out of scrap metal and an old wooden cable spool. He’s also made a settee, and garden sculptures and furniture out of unwanted reinforcing bar.

Simon began welding while working on Exmouth Docks.

When the docks closed he moved to Exeter and now lives in the St James area with his partner Ebbie and two-year-old son Miles.

The amazing dragon wood burner, created

by Simon Nelder Bealey, below

Pic: www.stonefree.org He is trained as a bricklayer but his first love is welding.

He recently completed a memorial model to his late pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier Stan. The giant metal statue of Stan is known as Rusty.

You can call Simon for a commission on 07870 297852 email: nelderwelder@gmail.com and some of his work can be seen at the Exwick Barton Cottage Gallery Tel: 07821 796036.

You can also hire the dragon for an event by looking at Simon’s Facebook page nelder.welder.

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e t ag ou -p llur pu fo r ct ou e Y onn ec R !

Festivals & shows '13 SO many festivals, so few weekends! The 2013 calendar is already heavy with music, arts and lifestyle festivals. But when are they, where are they and which are the really hot ones? Relax party animals, we’ve done the hard work for you.

The next four pages bring together everything that’s hot - from trendy music festivals to traditional literary events. All you have to do is book your tickets and pack the wellies...

WE’VE poured a large tot of something warming, we’ve stoked the log-burner, we’ve hung heavy curtains at the door (or sandbags in some cases – our thoughts are with you).

But after all those long wintry months our thoughts are beginning to turn to softer skies, to making sunnier plans… to festivals!

We’ve gathered together all the hot ones across the region and a few from beyond that we think will make your rucksack bulge.

As we go to press, not all the organisers have finalised their lineups but we know you’ll want to start planning your Summer months and some of them really do sell-out so it makes sense to get your tickets booked.

Where details are a little thin, we’ll keep an eye on things and bring you the full rundown when it’s revealed.

And if we’ve missed a festival you know Reconnect readers would just love, you know what to do – email us now at editor@reconnectonline. co.uk and we’ll blab it all over South Devon in the April/May issue.

ANIMATED EXETER

Venues around Exeter February 18-23 ANIMATED Exeter is the independent

animation festival that attracts around 20,000 into Exeter’s city centre during the February half term.

People travel from all over the UK and beyond to check this one out, so if you live here, you’ve GOT to go (it’s the law).

Visit www.animatedexeter.co.uk VIBRAPHONIC Exeter March 8-23 THIS is a big one for local music fans – reggae, soul, urban, jazz, funk, blues, hip hop, drum & bass, electronica and experimental music at venues across the city and over two weeks.

A wide variety of artists and DJs are expected and there will also be workshops, demonstrations, dance performances, films and graffiti art.

Visit www.exeterphoenix.org.uk.

EXETER PRIDE Exeter Phoenix March 23 A day-long community event celebrating the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, including a parade, stalls, workshops, music and performances throughout the

British weather can of course be... variable.

Here one determined festival goer makes the most of things at last year’s 2000 Trees. This year it’ll be July 11-13.

And sunny, obviously afternoon and late into the evening across and outside the Phoenix arts centre building. Part of the Vibraphonic Festival 2013 Visit www.exeterpride.co.uk.

CREDITON FOLK WEEKEND Cheriton Fitzpaine, Crediton April 12-14 A FEAST of traditional singers, bands and dancers in small friendly venues – the first names confirmed include Steve Turner, Pete Grassby, Colin Pitts, Andy Clarke, Josie Lloyd and Tony Portlock & Owd Yer Osses.

A weekend ticket will cost you just £24 and just £12 for under-15s and pensioners – even camping is just £7 for the weekend.

Leaves you plenty of money for a pint or two of that traditional ale then…

Visit www.poppyrecords.co.uk.

NORTH DEVON AND EXMOOR WALKING FESTIVAL

Location, location, location - the breathtaking Eden Project is planning a series of Eden Sessions on June 3, June 29 and July 2

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North Devon April 27 – May 6 WHOLLY appropriately for a walking festival, this one actually moves around… it starts in the Ilfracombe area and after two days moves on to Lynton for another two days. It then moves on to Porlock for three days and finally to Dunster for the last three days over the May Day Bank holiday. This festival features 41 guided walks to choose from and each area starts with a welcome evening in a local pub, giving you chance to meet the guides.

Full details, including a video, on the website.

Visit www. exmoorwalkingfestival. co.uk.

DART MUSIC FESTIVAL Dartmouth May 10-12 THE festival offers an eclectic mix of orchestral, rock, choral, blues, opera, folk, and jazz at indoor and outdoor venues across the town including two churches, the park bandstand, outside the castle, plus various hotels, pubs, and restaurants.

Visit www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk.

DEVON COUNTY SHOW Westpoint, Exeter May 16-18 WE all know this one, but if you haven’t been for a few years you might be surprised just how many local crafts and much local food you find there these days. The whole of Devon in one field…

Visit www.devoncountyshow.co.uk BASKETRY AND BEYOND Dartington Hall May 17-19 Spend the weekend discovering the art and the craft of basketry including the many varied ways to make a basket and the uses of basketry techniques, from housing bees to catching crabs. Highlights include a basket market, drop in workshops for children and adults, demonstrations of the craft by international craftspeople, a seminar to discuss basketmaking in contemporary practice, a coracle launch on the River Dart and much more.

Visit www.basketryandbeyond.org.uk

Continued over the page

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

21

R Yo ec ur on fo ne ur ct -p a pu ge llou t!

Wilderness Gathering, below - August 16-18

SUNRISE: ANOTHER WORLD Somerset/Wiltshire border May 30-June 2 EXCITING developments here. The award-winning Sunrise Celebrations team reckon it’s time for the event to evolve so as well as remaining committed to “best environmental practice”, they are also creating the very first festival Micronation, complete with the right to issue passports, currency, honors and operate an embassy.

Look out too for new venues within the festival and early bookings include Dub Pistols and The Beat.

Visit www.sunrisefestivals.co.uk.

LEMONFEST Newton Abbot Racecourse June 1 ONE-day music festival at the venue many of us know from Quest.

Smack in the middle of Reconnectland, it’s easy to get to by train and the line-up as announced so far includes The Skints, Tall Ships, Towns and Big Wave.

Visit www.lemonfest.co.uk.

EDEN SESSIONS Eden Project, St Austell So far… June 3, June 29 and July 2 EXPECT more gigs to be revealed as time goes on (FaceBook is a good bet for the latest news), but as we go to press they’ve booked Eddie Izzard for June 3, Kaiser Chiefs for June 29 and The xx for July 2.

Tickets sell out really quickly, though, so get on it – worth the effort though to see big names in such an atmospheric (and relatively intimate) venue.

Visit www.edenproject.com.

GOLD COAST OCEAN FEST Croyde, North Devon June 21-23 THINK surf and music. As well as major surf competitions, there will be beach volleyball, beach football, skate demos and lifesaving (competitions rather than for real, hopefully).

The programme is yet to be announced as we go to press, but the 2012 event

The wonderful Ways With Words festival at Dartington - July 5-15

included Newton Faulkner, Ben Howard and Dry The River, so expect a few big names plus a host of new and local acts.

Visit www.goldcoastoceanfest.co.uk GLASTONBURY Well, it’s Glastonbury June 26-30 WE all know what it is and where it is and how great it is – which is why it’s already sold out.

If you have got a ticket, you’ll see some of the world’s top bands (unannounced as we go to press but The Stones are strongly rumoured), plus new music and comedy and… let’s just get back to the ones you can still buy tickets for, shall we?

Visit www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

WAYS WITH WORDS Dartington Hall July 5-15 THIS is one of the THE big literary festivals in the UK calendar – we’re just lucky it happens to be on our doorstep.

The 2013 programme will be available in May (check out their website to get a flavour of things from the 2012 programme) but suffice to say it will feature talks and readings from the major names in fiction and non-fiction.

We guarantee there will be something there for everyone, including green politics and lifestyle but also popular culture and the more esoteric too.

And all in the wonderful, timeless setting of Dartington Hall and surrounding buildings.

Visit www.wayswithwords.co.uk.

2000 TREES FESTIVAL Withington, Cheltenham July 11-13 THIS family-friendly festival sets out to raise awareness of green issues and to be an ethical alternative to the more mainstream music events.

There is a wide selection of music with something for every taste – rock, metal and indie to folk, pop, DJs, and “the downright strange”.

The organisers promote various ways to become greener, promote a car sharing

scheme, have recycling stations and support a range of green charities and organisations to “inspire people to make small changes to their lifestyles and help reduce Britain’s carbon footprint”.

Visit www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk BUDLEIGH MUSIC FESTIVAL Budleigh Salterton July 12-20 ONE for lovers of classical music and opera, staged at venues across Budleigh Salterton.

No names as we go to press, but it’s a rare chance to see big name classical performers in a local, intimate setting.

Visit www.budleighmusicfestival.co.uk.

PARTY IN THE PARK Galhampton, Somerset July 13 ONE of the many small, family-friendly festivals that have sprung up in and around town and villages across the region.

What they lack in big names (although they often attract big names who live locally) they make up for by way of intimacy and sheer friendliness.

Definitely worth a day trip…

Visit www.galhampton.com.

CHAGSTOCK Chagford July 19-20 THIS is one of the big local small festivals (you with us on that one?), held on fields looking over the wonderful Dartmoor.

Usually features a couple of biggish names on their way up or down, plus the cream of lesser-known acts and locals – and designed to appeal to a wide spread of tastes.

This year the festival’s theme is ‘Everyone loves the circus!’ and if you’re quick you

might be able to grab some £55 early bird weekend tickets.

Visit www.chagstock.info.

BUDDHAFIELD FESTIVAL Blackdown Hills, Taunton July 17-21 LIKE many festivals, Buddhafield is about getting out of your head – but unlike most of them this is alcohol and drugfree and it’s all about getting back into the body and “the infinite possibilities of the present moment”.

As well as the more obvious meditation (plus teachings, discussions and study), there’s a huge range of other workshops plus music and crafts and kids’ area and permaculture and yoga and tai chi and dance… and a great many Reconnect readers.

Visit www.buddhafield.com.

QUEST 2013 Newton Abbot Racecourse July 25-28 THIS is the hot one locally – there’s a new team behind the event this year and they promise all the favourites and some exciting new stuff too.

You can expect a hall full of natural health and personal development stands, some great festival music and dance, inspiring talk and workshops – and Reconnect, of course.

You can find out more on page 24 of this issue.

Visit www.questuk.co.uk.

WOMAD Charlton Park, Wiltshire July 25-28 WOMAD (it stands for world of music arts and dance) was the first, and still is the best, big world music (and arts and dance) festival.

See the full story on Quest 2013 over the page - and find lots more events in our Going Out Diary (pages 26 22

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

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Festivals & shows '13

local people local events local food local health local environment Devon County Show, right May 16-18

Organic and fairtrade hemp clothing

10%

discount offer to all Reconnect readers Code RC244

Whether it’s a cosy hemp hoody for those cooler days, a smart casual dress you can quickly throw on, or a pair of funky wide-legged trousers to lounge about in at home, you can be sure you will find something that guarantees sustainability, comfort and style.

Check out the new Spring/Summer collection 2013 coming soon.

No acts are confirmed as we go to press, but you can be sure of around 100 artists from around 40 countries over seven separate stages and workshop areas.

There’s also a full programme of adult and children’s workshops (limited spaces available - turn up early), a cabaret tent, fun fair, comedy, DJ sessions, as well the normal festie fodder, and a huge market of world crafts.

A weekend ticket will set you back £145 but that seems cheap for a round-theworld ticket…

Visit www.womad.co.uk.

TOTNES AND DISTRICT SHOW Totnes July 28 EVERYTHING you’d expect and, increasingly, some stands you might not, reflecting what’s going on in and around Totnes. One for animal-lovers, for sure, but with an acoustic music stage and lots of local crafts too.

Visit www.totnesshow.com.

SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK Venues across Sidmouth August 2-9 THERE’S been a folk festival in Sidmouth in the first week of August every year since 1955 – and it ain’t about to change for 2013.

“A week filled with folk music, singing, dancing, pub sessions, concerts, and cream teas,” say the organisers.

And they’ve come up trumps this year with top acts already confirmed including Capercaillie, Show of Hands with: Miranda Sykes; Maddy Prior; Carthy, Hardy, Farrell & Young; Lau and The Peatbog Faeries.

A whole-week, all-in adult ticket is a bank-busting £248 but just imagine how much great music you can hear in a whole week…

Visit www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk BEAUTIFUL DAYS Escot Park, Ottery St Mary August 16/17/18 AS you might expect from a festival run by The Levellers, Beautiful Days features no corporate sponsorship and no branding – just a great line-up of top local and biggish-named national acts.

And they’ve held the prices for 2013 (£120 for adult weekend camping, £60 for under 16, £30 under 10, £5 under 5, campervan £40).

All very family-friendly, with six stages, a massive children’s area (that’s large, not for massive children), plus comedy and all the traditional festival trimmings.

Watch the website for the line-up announcements.

Visit www.beautifuldays.org.

WILDERNESS GATHERING West Knoyle, Wiltshire August 15-18 WITH the strapline ‘The Original Bushcraft Show, this one offers workshops in every wilderness living/ survival skill you can think of – and a few you might not.

You could come away knowing how to build a lightweight bivi, felt from raw fleece, shape out your own bowstave (look it up) and so, so much more.

There are competitions too, including extreme baking (how could you not check that out?) and bow drilling.

Visit www.wildernessgathering.co.uk.

THE DRUM GATHERING Tapeley Park, Westleigh, North Devon September 13-15 This UK drum festival is for anyone with an interest in playing percussion instruments to come together, enjoy workshops, share ideas, jam, perform, make merry and have a great time at the beautiful Tapeley Park, near Barnstaple. (www.tapeleygardens.com).

Please note you have to buy tickets in advance for this one, so get in touch now to find out more.

Visit www.thedrumgathering.info.

BUDLEIGH SALTERTON LITERARY FESTIVAL Budleigh Salterton September 20-22 THIS is a real gem for literary types – or even those who just enjoy a good read now and again.

As you’d expect for a festival in September, names are not yet released, but last year’s included Joan Bakewell, Michael Frayne, Douglas Hurd and John O’Farrell.

Visit www.budlitfest.org.uk

6-27) and our Workshops and Courses Diary (page 41) www.reconnectonline.co.uk

www.bohohemp.co.uk insight meditation in the buddhist tradition

www.gaiahouse.co.uk

embercombe

inspiring committed action for a truly sustainable world

Ever wished that you could change your world?

Embercombe exists to touch your heart, stimulate your mind and inspire you to committed action.

Coming up in February and March

Learn to “Facilitate Transformation”, the art of “Speaking Out” or dive in for five life-changing days and take “The Journey”.

“Catalyst” is for you if you are under 25.

Plus: Natural Building, Breadmaking, Beekeeping, Family Summer Camp.

www.embercombe.co.uk 01647 252 983 To find out more and to book your place: clare@embercombe.co.uk

embercombe

| inspiring committed action for a truly sustainable world

People and Organisational Development

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

23

13 Festivals & shows 20

New Quest owner adds twist to an old favourite QUEST 2013 Newton Abbot Racecourse July 25-28 QUEST, the natural health and culture festival at Newton Abbot racecourse, has long been established as one of the local calendar’s biggest festivals – and a major player on the national stage too.

Quest 2013, in its 18th year, is subtitled ‘A journey of self discovery’ and marks the beginning of a new chapter with new owner Julia Wright.

“Quest for me is like a magical paradise; it’s a break from reality to true reality,” says Julia. “It’s a place where everyone shows up in their best colours, making connections, shining with potential. A celebration of all that we are.”

Joining Julia on the organising team is Quest veteran Joyaa (aka Victoria Whelan), who has recently helped deliver festivals at Dartington, Embercombe, Bristol, and Stroud and is now adding value to Quest, a festival she knows and loves.

24

First stop is to refresh the programme, which will this year include a Dance and Movement Festival “We see dance and movement as a powerful metaphor to life and embodying our creative selves,” says Joyaa, “so it’s only apt that Quest hosts such an event.”

They are also looking at other ways of making the most of the huge racecourse venue.

Said Julia: “We are looking at having an international speaker in the second grandstand, which holds up to a massive 1500. We may not be able to get the speakers we want in 2013 but it’s earmarked for 2014.”

One of Joyaa’s personal missions is to create a village green.

“The site is unique with lots of indoor space which works if the weather is bad,” she said, “but it’s important to create a heart, a place where people gather as a festival.”

They’ve been working hard on the music programme too and festival favourites

like Sheelanagig and Seize the Day, and up and coming local talent Matthew & Me, will be joined by some top world music artists - Gambian Kora Genius, Sura Susso, Japanese duo Kuri, the exquisite vocals of Carrie Tree, and world class players Feral Katz.

See the next issue of Reconnect for more details, visit the Quest website, www.questuk.co.uk, and follow them on FaceBook and Twitter.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

JUST two acts from the Quest 2013 line-up, which as we go to press is not finalised but which already looks very impressive - this is Sura Susso, above, and Sheelanagig, left

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w.reconnectonline.co local people local events local food local health local environment .uk

Seasonal eating

OUR Seasonal Eating expert Carol Lee is full of anticipation for the Spring. But fortunately she’s left enough space for a few late Winter feasts - including a Vitamin C-rich potato and leek gratin LATE Winter seasonal eating can often seem hard work food-wise and can involve an awful lot of cabbage and potatoes! I also find the sense of anticipation of the burgeoning Spring, the increasing light, warmth and fresh air can lead to cabin fever. I always imagine it’s how a flower bulb must feel as it waits to burst forth with new creativity at the start of the energetic year.

I have been using my ‘bulb like’ feelings to ruminate on what is at the very root of seasonal eating.

On a simple physical level it is about eating food that can grow right now in our beautiful Devonshire land; the gorgeous greens, cabbage, caulis and kale, the roots, swede, carrots, beetroot and leeks. For me though, seasonal eating is about so much more than that; it is about acknowledging and trusting that nature really does know best and can provide us with exactly what we need for good health throughout the year.

So just as a fleeting reflection, in Spring fast growing leaves and spring greens can help cleanse our stuffed up livers from Winter indulgences. The showy ‘out there’ energy of Summer brings water-laden strawberries and salad crops like tomatoes, lettuce and cucumber to keep us cool, light and bright. The grounded productive voluptuous energy of late Summer brings the colourful harvest of round squashes and apples. Autumn provides a mass of immune-boosting berries and finally Winter brings us hearty sweet root vegetables, reflecting the

A free, state­funded Steiner school for Exeter, opening in September 2013.

An all­through school, from age 4 to 16.

Admissions to Kindergarten and Classes 1, 2 and 6 (Reception and Years 1, 2, 3, and 7).

Balancing the academic, creative and active.

The C food diet... deeper seasonal energy and the need for denser complex carbohydrates to keep us warm.

Seasonal eating is not just sensible, cheaper and more sustainable. It’s a way of honouring our connection to  nature and recognising how our whole being - body, mind and spirit - ebbs and flows in rhythm with the seasons.

So this February and March enjoy a last blast of calories and carbs before Spring cleansing time is here with this yummy recipe for potato and leek gratin. Leeks and potatoes are both full of vitamin C and so great to help ward off coughs, colds and winter bugs. Leeks are also a great probiotic food and support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut which in turn supports your immune system. Both are also packed with slow digesting, fibre-rich carbohydrates to help keep our inner-boiler ‘stoked’ for longer.

Potato and leek gratin (serves four)

Ingredients: 125ml stock; carton double cream;150ml milk;1 garlic clove, crushed;1 bay leaf; knob of butter for greasing; 800g potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced; 2 leeks, washed and thinly sliced; 175g sliced ham, chopped; 85g cheddar, grated Method 1. Pour the stock, cream and milk into a small saucepan, add the garlic and bay leaf and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat, cover and let the flavours infuse while you get on with the rest of the dish.

2. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4/fan 160C. Butter a 2 litre gratin dish well. Mix the potatoes, leeks and ham together in the dish, and spread out in an even layer. Pour over the stock mixture and tuck the bay leaf in the middle. Season and sprinkle with the cheese.

3. Stand the dish on a baking tray to catch any spills. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Test the potatoes with a knife - they should be just beginning to soften. Remove the foil and bake for another 35-45 minutes, spooning some of the stock mixture over every now and again until the potatoes are tender. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Reconnect’s Seasonal Eating is written by Carol Lee, who runs workshops and courses in nutrition, health and wellbeing. 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.co/naturalfoodschool

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

www.steineracademyexeter.org.uk

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            

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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february Saturday 2

FEBRUARY 21 MARCH 8

Events diary

There’s Reconnect news Facebook... local people localmore events local food localon health local environment RSPB walk, 2-3pm, RSPB shop, Darts Farm, Exeter, 01392 879438, dartsfarmshop@rspb. org.uk, www.rspb.org.uk Chocolate yoga workshop - Kundalini yoga and raw chocolate making, 10am-1pm, Harbour House, Kingsbridge, call Sara 01752 872960, sarahills@hotmail.co.uk, www.herbs-work.co.uk Wembury Story Makers.

Hear stories created

by Wembury School pupils with story maker Sara Hurley, Wembury Memorial Hall, 2-4pm, www.southdevonaonb. org.uk Matthew & Me - local band, 7.30pm, The Flavel, Dartmouth, www. theflavel.org.uk Tuesday 5

FEBRUARY 22

FEBRUARY 28

Clothes swap - Transition Town Totnes Skillshare event, plus refashion/ sewing guidance, free, 6.30-8pm, 22 Droridge, Dartington, 01803 847899, 07906 388644 or anna@ilovesewing. co.uk Women’s Playback Theatre - Tarte Noire performance (women only), Bogan House, High Street, Totnes, tickets £7/5, 8pm, www. tartenoire.co.uk Poetry conversation, hosted by Alice Oswald.

Take poem to read, perform or show.

7.30pm, Octagonal Room, Sharpham House, Ashprington, Totnes, www. sharphamtrust.org

Get in touch...

IF your event isn’t in here, it’s because you haven’t told us about it!

To be in the April/May issue, get the info to us (editor@reconnectonline.co.uk) by March 8.

We’ll also put it in our online diary! And all free!

We can’t give you free publicity for your courses or workshops, but we do have a section just for you in the classified section on page 41.

To advertise there costs just 90p a word for a minimum of 20 words. So go on, get in touch!

Permaculture and Transition - applying principles of permaculture to all aspects of life, with Klaudia Van Gool, Totnes Methodist Church, 7.30pm, 01803 867358, info@ transitiontowntotnes.org Friday 8 Makiwa (eight-piece band playing reggae and African music) in concert, in aid of Syrian Cause/Save The Children, 7pm, Totnes Rugby Club, Borough Park Road, 07896 246055 Saturday 9

techniques workshop with Helen Snell, 10am4pm, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, 01626 832223 or devonguild@ crafts.org.uk, www.crafts. org.uk.

Hedge laying - rural Skills Trust course, Wheatland Barn, Broadhempston, Maxine McAdams, 01752 863342, www. devonruralskillstrust. co.uk.

Monday 11 Until February 15 Go Green Week South Devon College, 01803 540457, Sarah.

Hawke@southdevon. ac.uk

RSPB family-friendly nature walk, from RSPB shop at Darts Tuesday 12 Farm, Topsham, and Women’s Playback see some wonderful Theatre - Tarte Noire wildlife, 01392 879438, performance (women dartsfarmshop@rspb. only), New Cygnet org.uk, www.rspb.org.uk Theatre, Friar’s Gate, The Strangest Thankyou Exeter, tickets £7/5, 8pm, - Richard Thomas reads www.tartenoire.co.uk. from his new collection Wednesday 13 plus acoustic set from Giant Johnson, 7pm, Blog writing workshop The Last Shop Standing, 5.30-8.30pm, Devon Plymouth, www.richard Guild of Craftsmen, christopherthomas.co.uk Riverside Mill, Bovey Plymouth LETS market Tracey, 01626 832223 exchanging goods and or devonguild@crafts.

Wednesday 6 services without money, org.uk, www.crafts.org.

2-4pm, Unitarian uk.

Adult drama and play Church Hall, Plymouth, Permaculture and class with Bil Rose, Transition with Klaudia Birdwood House, Totnes, 01752 706552, info@ plymouthlets.org.uk van Gool - an ethical 8-9.15pm, 01803 way of designing our Paper sculpture and 840286, pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk. cutting - paper sculpture Through until December 20 10am - 9pm lives modelled on nature,

7.30pm, Methodist Church, Fore St, Totnes, 01364 642893 naturaldecorating@ phonecoop.coop Adult drama and play class with Bil Rose, Birdwood House, Totnes, 8-9.15pm, 01803 840286, pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk.

Thursday 14 Winter wildlife walk with Devon Wildlife Trust, 10.30am-1pm, Saltram National Trust estate, Plymouth, 01392 279244, www. devonwildlifetrust.org Friday 15 Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home, premiere of film presented by Exeter Friends For Animals, 8pm, The Black Box Studio, Exeter Phoenix, www.

PeaceableKingdom Film.org, www.effa-uk. org. sharon.howe@ talktalk.net, 07796 581915 Saturday 16 Producer Fair - food and craft, timber products, free admission and free parking, Crocadon Sawmills (opp St Mellion Gold Club), Saltash Primary Colours - annual exhibition of artwork from 12 local primary schools, Harbour House gallery, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, 01548 854708 Team Xtreme - teenfriendly space for games, The Project Space at the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World, Haldon Forest Park, Exeter, 01392 832277, info@ccanw.co.uk Saturday Seed Swap, refreshments, 11am3pm, Birdwood House, 44 High Street, Totnes, 01803 867358, info@ transitiontowntotnes.org

The weird and the wonderful...

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

See his work online and make comment.

See Robin’s exhibition at: Otterton Mill, Otterton, nr Budleigh Salterton.

You can now buy online at:

www.robincurrie.co.uk 26

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

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www.

facebook.com/ReconnectMagaz ine local people local events local food local health local environment Sunday 17 Snowdrop stroll and a railway line remembered, meet Avon Mill Garden Centre, Loddiswell, booking essential, 07902 714291, joy.robin@ tiscali.co.uk Tuesday 19 Frankenstein! New play by Bill Scott, with lyrics and music by Tom Adams (Beauty & the Beast From Mars), 7pm, The Flavel, Dartmouth, www.theflavel.org.uk Wednesday 20 Cormac Russel Beyond development: creating diverse paths to wealth & wellbeing, The Old Craft Ed Building, Straw Bale Room, Schumacher College, 8pm, 01803 847070, www. dartington.org Thursday 21 Oysterband and June Tabor, bigname folk, 7.30pm, Exeter Cathedral, 01392 667080, www.harbertonfolk. co.uk (tickets: www. exeterphoenix.org.uk/ book-tickets) FRIDAY 22

Marley, the awardwinning documentary film about reggae legend Bob Marley, Follaton Community Centre, Totnes, 7pm, 01803 868455, www. follatoncommunity cinema.co.uk Saturday 23 And Sunday 24 Introduction to Permaculture Course with Klaudia van Gool, The Strawbale Room, Craft Ed. Building, Schumacher College, Dartington, 10am 5pm, 01364 642893

naturaldecorating@ phonecoop.coop Estuary safari - explore the SalcombeKingsbridge estuary by boat, meet at Whitestrand, Salcombe, booking essential, 01548 842276, ali@ sea-n-shore.com, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk Hedge laying workshop, Seale Stoke Farm, Holne, Buckfastleigh, 9.30am-4.30pm, £15 members/£25 non-members, book and pay in advance on 01548 821156 after 6.30 pm, www. devonruralskillstrust. co.uk.

Sunday 24 Prehistoric Plymouth Sound, five-mile circular route with Paul Rainbird, meet at Jennycliff car park, 11am, no booking required, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk Tuesday 26 Attik Dance event, dance, music and film fundraiser for Attik 360, the programme of dance for people with disabilities, 7-9pm, City College, The Goschen Centre, Plymouth, 01752 395134, www. attik.org.uk Wednesday 27 Adult drama and play Class with Bil Rose, Birdwood House, Totnes, 8-9.15pm, 01803 840286, pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk.

Thursday 28 Clay To Wheel - talk

by South Devon potter Richenda Macgregor who demonstrates making of bowl, jug and cup and discusses the significance of traditional craft, part of The Earth Talks, The Old Craft Ed

Building, Schumacher College, Dartington, 8pm, 01803 847070, www.dartington.org march Sunday 3 Take the vegan pledge cookery demonstrations, nutritional advice, films, talks and chance to take the Exeter Vegan Pledge 2013, 10am-2pm, St Sidwell’s Centre, Exeter, 07810 898440, mail@ effa-uk.org, www.effauk.org Tuesday 5 Women’s Playback Theatre - Tarte Noire performance (women only), Arts Centre, East Street, Crediton, tickets £7/5, 8pm, www. tartenoire.co.uk.

Exeter Corn Exchange, 01392 665866, www. harbertonfolk.co.uk Saturday 9 Moretonhamstead Festival of Food, Drink and the Arts - food and drink stands, giant jumble sale, cooking demonstrations, film show and food and farming debate, 9.30am4.30pm, at venues across Moretonhampstead, www.moretonfestival.com Anonymous art draw - fundraiser for Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World.

Chance to win work of art by regional, national or international artist. £50 tickets to be drawn on March 21 at 7pm.

Find out more at www. ccanw.co.uk

or devonguild@crafts. org.uk, www.crafts.org. uk.

All Things Vintage & Lovely Fair - 40 vintage stalls, 10.30am4.30pm, The Palace Hotel, Babbacombe Road, Torquay, 01803 213837, missivyevents@ aol.co.uk Wattle hurdles workshop, venue to be confirmed, 9.30am4.30pm, book on 01548 821156 after 6.30 pm, www. devonruralskillstrust. co.uk.

Producers’ Fair - food and craft, timber products, free admission and free parking, Crocadon Sawmills (opp St Mellion Gold Club), Saltash

Sunday 10

Sunday 17

Adult drama and play class with Bil Rose, Birdwood House, Totnes, 8-9.15pm, 01803 840286, pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk

Explore the farm in Spring, Collaton Down Farm, near Halwell, 2-4pm, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk

Thursday 7

Fresh Insights - the work of sixth form fine art, art textiles and photography students from Kingsbridge Community College, Harbour House gallery, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, 01548 854708

Saxon Stoke Point - archaeologist Paul Rainbird leads four-hour walk taking in Stoke Point and the historic settlement of Noss Mayo. Meet 11am at The Warren National Trust car park, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk

Wednesday 6

Jonny Fluffypunk stand-up poet and banjolele player on anarchy, peace and bicycles, 8.30pm, The Flavel, Dartmouth, 01803 839530, www. theflavel.org.uk Friday 8 Milling demonstrations at Cricklepit Mill, Commercial Road, Exeter, 10am-12noon, 01392 279244, www. devonwildlifetrust.org Dr Phil Hammond – Rude Health, GP, writer, broadcaster and comedian, 8pm, The Flavel, Dartmouth, 01803 839530, www. theflavel.org.uk Fairport Convention - more classic folk,

Tuesday 12

Wednesday 13 Adult drama and play class with Bil Rose, Birdwood House, Totnes, 8-9.15pm, 01803 840286, pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk.

Saturday 16 Meet the maker workshop with Anita Reynolds, drypoint printmaking demo and short film, 11am-4pm, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, 01626 832223

Tuesday 19 Women’s Playback Theatre - Tarte Noire performance (women only), St Lawrence Chapel, St Lawrence Lane, Ashburton, tickets £7/5, 8pm, www. tartenoire.co.uk.

Wednesday 20 Adult drama and play class with Bil Rose, Birdwood House, Totnes, 8-9.15pm, 01803 840286, pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk.

Saturday 23 Renewal - new works from local artists, Harbour House gallery, The Promenade,

Kingsbridge, 01548 854708 Sunday 24 Create a wildflower garden - practical tips on how to introduce wildflowers into your garden. Meet 12noon-4pm at Ash Tree Farm, Ash Cross, Dartmouth,booking essential, 01803 712437, www. southdevonaonb.org.uk Wednesday 27 Food Plymouth Expo.

Trade show for local food producers, businesses and buyers, Plymouth Guildhall, 10am-5.30pm, www. foodplymouth.org.

Adult drama and play class with Bil Rose, Birdwood House, Totnes, 8-9.15pm, 01803 840286, pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk.

Saturday 30 Storytelling - professional storyteller Wilf Merttens entertains young and old with tales of magic, myth and mystery, 11am12pm, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, 01626 832223, or devonguild@crafts.org. uk, www.crafts.org.uk Hedge laying workshop, Puddaven Farm, Moor Gate, nr Moretonhampstead, 9.30am-4.30pm, £15 members/£25 non-members, book and pay in advance on 01548 821156 after 6.30 pm, www. devonruralskillstrust. co.uk Rockpool Ramble guided tour of rockpools with Wembury Marine Centre, 12.30pm, 01752 862538, www. wemburymarinecentre. org

l Turn to page 41 in Wellbeing to check out our workshops and events listings l

Totnes Devon

international

MACROBIOTIC

www.macroschool.co.uk

school

Fundamentals of Healthy Cooking Saturday 2 February Learn how to create delicious Price: £75 and healthy food in one day! inc. lunch Friday 10 May

Looking After Your Health Workshop 5 to 8 March & 18 to 21 June Price: £445 inc. lunch & supper This is our most popular course! An indepth workshop learning how to transform YOUR health, emotions, diet and life.

Tel. 01803 762598 info@macroschool.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

SPREAD THE COST OF ADVERTISING I can't believe it's not expensive!

A 1/8-page advertisement like this will cost you just £41.85 a month if you book six issues and pay by direct debit AND we’ll help you write and design your ad AND we’ll write an editorial for you

Now you know which side your bread is buttered!

Call Pete on 01392 346342 or Martin 01803 868455 Or email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

27

Got apeople date for ourevents October/November diary? local local local food localevents health local environment

Professional funds with commitment

Repair service for all devices

ETHICAL financial adviser Chris Iles Wright looks at ‘boutique’ funds that combine an ethical stance with professionalism IT will be 30 years next year since the launch of the first ethical investment fund in the UK – the Friends Life Stewardship Fund.

This is not the only survivor from the early days, although other funds have come and gone. However, those life assurance companies who subsequently launched funds to which they had little underlying commitment have been caught out in the last few years as investors have seen through them and taken their money elsewhere.

Prudential, Marks and Spencer and Marlborough are among those in this category, all of whom have closed their ethical funds recently.

Meanwhile, a number of ‘boutique’ funds have started up - run by enthusiasts for ethical and environmental investment who have the professional background to match. These funds are not encumbered by large institutional structures and are able to respond more quickly to changes in the market.

WHEB, for example, launched their Sustainability Fund in 2009 under the guidance of Clare Brook who has been at the forefront of ethical investment for more than 15 years as a fund manager of a number of SRI funds (Socially Responsible Investment) for large institutions.

When, through the change of policy of another provider of SRI funds, a number of experienced managers and researchers became available in 2011, WHEB were able to recruit the best of them, adding considerable expertise to their operation. Getting the go ahead for that would have been much more difficult in a larger company.

In 2010 another smaller company, Cheviot, launched their Climate Assets Fund, which combines some innovative holdings with a structure intended to keep the fund as medium risk while other international funds can be a little too adventurous for most investors.

Independent financial advice is highly recommended in order to combine successful financial planning with investments that fit your personal values.

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.

28

The Totnes Work Hub - a great office environment, just when you need it

At the Hub of things SOMETHING like 85,000 people in Devon work from home (that’s around 26% of the working age population).

But for all its advantages, a home-based office has its problems too, including family noise, lack of space and, for some, a feeling of isolation.

The Totnes Work Hub, which opened its doors in August offers what for many is the perfect compromise - all the advantages of an office environment, but only when you need them.

The Hub has a bright and friendly but businesslike work area, with high-speed wireless internet (54MB), desks and meeting rooms that can be rented by the day and a superb coffee machine around which you can meet, chat and network with fellow business people.

Work Hub manager Celia Minoughan said: “Before funding the project, Devon County Council conducted research to discover peoples’ priorities for a work hub like this – a good coffee machine came out at number two!”

Naturally the Reconnect team went the extra mile for our readers and after several cups of research can confirm their bean-tocup machine is superb.

But it’s the desk space facility that’s at the heart of the Hub’s operation.

“We have around eight regular users,” Celia explained. “But you can just pay as you go – some call and book a desk the day before they need it.”

Under the Hub’s opening offer, the first day is free and then hot desking costs just £15 a day, including access to printing, coffee, meeting rooms (subject to availability) and fast wi-fi.

The Hub also has three, self-contained lockable offices, which are available to rent under three and six-month agreements.

The Hub’s meeting rooms are available to hire by the half or full day and again offer modern, businesslike facilities at affordable rates. The Ground Floor Meeting Room has a boardroom-style meeting area, with large table and seating for up to 16 people, plus an adjoining ‘breakout’ café area, and costs £30 per half day

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

(£25 for those with a £50pa associate membership), and only £20 to voluntary, community and charitable groups.

Upstairs, there’s the smaller Hub Meeting Room, perfect for meeting clients, which is just £20 per half day (£15 associates, £10 voluntary/community).

For those looking for a more formal business address, the Hub offers a Business Start package (registered business address, mailbox access and parcel receiving service) for £18 a month.

There’s design support on-hand too. Rick Lawrence of Samskara Design is based at the Hub and offers a range of start-up design packages from logos (£150) to a complete logo, stationery, A5 flyer and A4 poster package for £380.

He’s running a free introductory advice session, Meet The Designer, at the Hub on February 26, from 10am-1pm, when he will offer free advice and explain what he can offer. This is just one of a range of free or low-cost workshops aimed at new businesses – see the website for details.

Said Celia: “We try to offer a complete service to small local businesses – desk and meeting space, superb new media and general support and advice, including introductions between businesses of a similar nature.”

Call Celia on 01803 861080 and visit www.totnesworkhub.co.uk.

WITH so much technology at our fingertips there’s so much that can go wrong - and that we don’t know how to fix.

Sometimes the cost and/ or hassle factor of such a repair means it’s often easier to throw them away and buy new.

But not any more. Now there’s a new team in South Devon who are on hand to repair any of your gadgets, be they computers, games consoles, phones, laptops, tablets, etc.

What’s more TeamK offers a ‘No Fix, No Fee’ policy so on the odd occasion it’s not economical to repair a device, you will be advised and there will be no charge.

You can then either have your device returned or it can be broken down into component parts for recycling.

TeamK is a familyrun business based in Torquay and offers a collection service to areas including Plymouth, Exeter and many of the major towns and villages in between.

TeamK is experienced with all devices such as Nintendo DS, DS Lite, DSi, Wii, Sony PSP, PS3, Microsoft XBOX 360, Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Visit 14 Newton Road, Torquay, call 01803 213157, or email enquiries@teamk.co.uk.

Go Green STUDENTS at South Devon College will be celebrating Go Green Week (February 11-17), the annual national week of action and activities relating to climate change and sustainability, with a week-long schedule of activities providing information and learning opportunities for students and local schools. Visit www.southdevon.ac.uk.

Film makers EXETER Phoenix Digital, the digital film making unit, has a range of opportunities for local film-makers, including a scheme for four short film commissions. Find out more at www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

edit

or@reconnectonline. ...email the local details to local health co.uk local people local events food local environment Community play gets go ahead at last

Training to help you in changing society IT feels like Exeter Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) has been around for ever (they were established in 1947), but an organisation offering training to groups and individuals can only survive that long by offering exactly what people need.

“As the needs of the community change,” says Exeter CVS’s Jo Armstrong, “we provide learning support for people to adapt to that change.

“Our IT and employability skills training offer individuals opportunities to up their skills base, with topics such as developing personal self-confidence, time management, interview techniques and writing CVs.” Their Exeter CVS Online Basics course offers free supported learning on how to use a computer and access the internet, and Employability Skills courses combine personal development with practical skills training.

One learner described going to Exeter CVS as “like entering a secret garden” where there are so many different opportunities.

“We support learners at every step of their journey,” says Jo, “wherever the journey may take them - into further learning, volunteering, employment or active citizenship.”

To find out more, vwww.exetercvs.org.uk or call Jo Armstrong or Fiona Carden on 01392 202055.

THE community play Time Stood Still, specially written for Dartington Playgoers, is planned to be performed by the Playgoers at the Ariel Centre in Totnes from April 10-13.

Originally scheduled for last June, to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee, it had to be postponed when preparations for The Taming of the Shrew meant they couldn’t assemble enough men for the 14 male parts needed.

Theatre writer and director Nick Stimson created the play after being spurred on by ideas coming out of several ‘devising workshops’ back in October 2011 and last February.

Time Stood Still concerns a feud between two families in Totnes over three generations, starting from around the end of the Second World War, and includes period songs.

Anyone interested in acting, helping backstage or otherwise getting involved should contact director Richard Clark at rsmaclark@ gmail.com or visit www. playgoers.co.uk.

One Billion Rising

Our chance to join in with the ONE BILLION RISING. “Take the day off and dance.”

Thursday, February 14. This is a day event starting at South Brent Village Hall 9.30am to 11.30am for a luscious dance session. ● 12.30 meeting up with V-Day Totnes on The Plains for silent walk to Civic Square. ● 1-3pm Civic Square for poetry, music, dance, stalls. ● 5-7pm In the Civic Hall with DVSA. ● 7.30 to 9.30pm Civic Hall for a concert.

To find out more about this global event visit: www.onebillionrising.org

Join us at ‘One Billion Rising-Devon’

Eve Ensler of the Vagina Monologues is calling for one billion women (and those who love them) to ‘Strike Dance Rise’ - on 14th February 2013.

The idea is for so many people to be seen to act together, that attitudes change.

Eve believes it will show the existence of a movement that is demanding an end to violence against women and girls!

For more info contact: kaydancedelicious@hotmail.com

Kalikalos Holistic Centre “Painting Freedom” Workshop 7-14 June with Len Lofts €400 A painting holiday by the sea in Pelion, an unspoilt area of Greece. This retreat is for beginners or anyone wanting to explore themselves as an artist.

Develop your own style and talents, the images you want to create with guidance and help from experienced artist and therapist Len Lofts.

Len uses his art as a therapy and to encourage everyone to be creative.

Book online now via www.kalikalos.com or contact Len Lofts: T: 01548 559372 • M: 0753 113 5691 • E: len.lofts@gmail.com www.lenardart.yolasite.com • www.matierlofts.com

Free Training Workshops at the Totnes Work Hub Budding entrepreneur, got a good business idea or just starting up?

Turn up heat for early crops!

Training Workshops for 2013

HOT beds are nothing new. The Victorians and even the Romans realised that if you create a garden frame and dump a load of horse manure (or similar material) in it, the soil you put on above will benefit from the heat it generates.

By reviving and modernising this ancient vegetable-growing method, Jack First produces healthy plants that crop at least two months earlier than conventionally grown vegetables, even in his native Yorkshire.

Now Dartington-based Green Books have published a practical, illustrated guide in which Jack tells you everything you need to understand about how to utilise this highly productive, low-cost, year-round, eco-friendly gardening technique.

Available from all good local bookshops (and as always we ask that you support them with at least some of your book purchases), the full colour paperback costs £9.95.

New Business Start up

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Monday 11th February, 10am - 4pm Monday 25th February, 2 - 4pm

Hot desks available

Meet our Designer – free graphic design consultation

First day

Basic Bookkeeping for small businesses

then £15 per day

Financial Planning

Tuesday 26th February, 10am - 1pm

Monday 11th March, 2 - 4pm

FREE

IT Clinic for Small Businesses Thursday 21st March, 10am - 12pm

l The lovely Green Books people have given us three copies of Jack First’s Hot Beds to give away.

Just email your name, address and phone number to editor@ reconnectonline and the first three to hit our inbox will get a copy free through the post. Do it now!

work hubs

Flexible workspace for business

Totnes

To book a place or find out more email info@totnesworkhub.co.uk or phone 01803 861080 www.totnesworkhub.co.uk South Devon House, Babbage Road Totnes TQ9 5JA

Supported by:

H O U S I N G A S S O C I AT I O N L I M I T E D

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

29

Have you got local a story for Wellbeing local people events local foodreaders? local health local environment WELCOME to Wellbeing.

WELCOME to Wellbeing, the one big truly local guide to natural therapies and personal development across South Devon.

If you’re a practitioner and want to spread the word, get in touch.

An 1/8-page in the Wellbeing section, like those at the bottom of this page, can cost just £41.85 a month when you book six issues and pay by direct debit.

And there’s free editorial too to ensure you get the full message out there.

We’ve got a small but perfectly formed team of journalists and designers who will help you every step of the way.

Reconnect does NOT do the hard sell we simply believe in helping you to do what you WANT to do.

Call Pete on 01392 346342 or Martin on 01803 868455.

Len’s great Greek retreat ARTIST and psychologist Len Lofts is running a weeklong Painting Freedom Workshop in the Greek village of Kissos in the Pelion Mountains which, according to ancient mythology, was the home of the fabulous Centaurs.

To find out more, turn to page 38.

The YogaFest is back again AFTER the resounding success of last September’s YogaFest in Totnes, it’s back – this time in March.

The core team is the same - Maite, Karamroop and Nikki – and they’re planning another feast of yoga on Saturday, March 2.

Repeating the format of a whole day of taster classes, in Birdwood House and Bogan House near the town’s Civic Square, the second YogaFest will see some new styles to sample.

Says Maite: “Along with Dru, Kundalini, Scaravelli , Shakti dance and yoga Nidra, we will offer Mindful Hatha, Kum Nye, Naad yoga, Indian head massage and Sivananda yoga – something for every taste. “ The Kitchen Table will again provide delicious healthy food, tea and snacks in the cafe, where you can chat with fellow students and teachers.

And, says Nikki: “You can stay on for the evening chanting session for an uplifting

end to a perfect day of yoga travels.

“YogaFest is also a demonstration of working from the heart. The teachers work in co-operation rather than competition, the prices are kept low and a slice of the proceeds goes to the Guru Ram Dass Project charity, which helps people struggling with addiction and homelessness. It’s a feel good event and

Norwegian Wood

ORGANIC & FREE RANGE, SUSTAINABLE B&B WITH EVENING MEAL £45 PPPN FNTP awarded 6 CPD credits Nutritional and naturopathic /iridology workshops. Five hour workshop to include organic lunch £65. With B&B £90.

Families, practitioners, young and mature, acute and chronically ill.

Heather Nicholson 01803 528 575

www.organicbedandbreakfast.info

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April 27 & 28, 2013: Yoga, nutritional naturopathy and iridology CPD 6 credits weekend workshop package - £120 www.yogatorbay.co.uk

Norwegian Wood, Hollicombe Lane, Preston, Paignton TQ3 2DT

a chance to connect with our bodies, our hearts and our community.”

For information, email Nikki at earth_ sky_yoga@yahoo.co.uk until February 9 and for info and to book from February 9, email kaurkaramroop@gmail.com, or call 07894 444 506.

And remember, the last event was a sell out.

YogaFest organisers Maite, Karamroop and Nikki (above) will once again be leading a team of yoga teachers offering a whole day of taster sessions

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.

Workshops and 1:12 sessions available.

Breath and Laughter full-day workshops 23 Feb and 23 March

Transformational Breathing Les Elms • les@breathsouthwest.com www.breathsouthwest.com

07828 566553

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

editor@reconnectonli ...email at local ne.co.uk local people local events local us food health local environment A bell tent at Nature’s Ashram and, below, wild camping and woodland, bottom

Psychotherapy in Devon Lucia Capaldi (UKCP) BA (Hons)

Confidential sessions for individuals and couples.

Free initial meeting.

Living in natural meditation AN ashram and eco centre in North Devon is offering personal retreat space for “serious yogic/ spiritual seekers”.

Nature’s Ashram near Bradworthy is nine acres of field and woodland, with natural water spring, compost loo, solar shower, fire pits and fruit and veg growing.

“The fields and woodland are quite wild and we have deer and all kinds of wildlife,” says Pranava, who runs the ashram.

“Its primary purpose is to offer wooden floored bell tent accommodation where serious yogic/spiritual seekers can do their own practice undisturbed, supported in a natural and positively charged environment.

“The ashram, which is vegan and does not allow the use of any chemicals, will also be hosting Unifying Yoga Camps and wild camping, and will be available for venue hire for others to host their workshop events.”

In the future, Pranava hopes to set up up a community allotment for the local village and to offer eco/environmental projects.

Call 07776367965, email 2pranava@gmail.com and visit www.naturesashram.info.

•

Psychotherapy can help with: Relationship difficulties Anxiety Depression Low self-esteem Addictions Bereavement Stress

•

•

•

•

•

Supervision at reduced rates

•

(While undergoing supervision training)

New: Personal Development Group (Co-facilitated with Rachael Thomas)

Building A Practice Workshops for psychotherapists/ counsellors/ complimentary therapists (please call for dates) Please contact me for further details....

Bridge Farm Offices, Harberton, Totnes Tel: 07809 441 519 or 01803 840424 email: luciacapaldi@yahoo.co.uk www.luciacapaldi-psychotherapy-devon.co.uk

Workshops aligned with Celtic festivals A WEEKEND workshop aims to align participants with nature “both within and around us” using crafts, energy work, herbs, ritual and inner journeys.

Imbolc – The Stirrings of a New Life is the first of eight seasonal events, each aligned with the Celtic festivals.

Geraldine Finnon, of the Craft-Wyse School of Earth Magic, who is holding the workshops at The Craft Workshops at Bowden House in Totnes, said: “As we move out of our dream-like inner-world to the activity of the outer world, this is a good time to consider what has meaning for us, what truly brings us alive and to give our time and energy to growing this!”

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

To be held over the weekend of February 9/10, the first workshop is divided into four three-hour sessions, each focusing on, and featuring experts from, specialist areas, including: herbs for healing, cleansing and nourishing; Wheel of the Year; mandala making; and incense making.

The workshops can be booked individually or as a complete weekend, including “seasonal, herby and delicious” lunches.

See the Workshops and Courses Diary on page 41 for details of prices, etc, or call Geraldine on 07594 065148 or email ladi.green@yahoo.com.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

31

Check out thelocal Wellbeing in past local people events stories local food localReconnects... health local environment

Workshop designed to cleanse body and mind

VOUCHER

FOOT CLINIC DO YOU NEED ORTHOTICS? • Foot and lower limb consultation and examination • gait scan analysis • Report of findings including pictures of your feet.

Only £25 with this voucher (worth £110) • Valid only for December and January.

• Limited discounts available - book now.

39 Devon Square, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2HH • Tel: 01803 814 329 align.limited@gmail.com • www.alignyourhealth.co.uk New Exeter practice: 51 Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3SR Please book all treatments through Newton Abbot office or email

We look forward to seeing you at ALIGN! LEN LOFTS

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Working with adults, children, couples and families.

Counselling, consultancy, support and therapy including ART THERAPY.

l Over 25 years experience in the UK,

Canary Islands, Spain and The Netherlands. l Diplomas in Individual Analytical Psychotherapy - London and Amsterdam. l Diploma in Art Therapy. l Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

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l BA(Hons) Psychology. l Diploma in Family Psychiatry. l CQSW (Certificate of Qualification in

Social Work).

l RSA Voc Prep Tutors Certificate. l MBA

See websites below for details of therapies offered. We also provide ‘Your Vision’ workshops and ART workshops in the UK and abroad.

Sessional fees are sensible and backed up by email and telephone support when required.

Tel: 01548 559372 mob: 07531 135 691. Email: len.lofts@gmail.com.

Psychotherapy: www.matierlofts.com - Consultancy/Social Care: www.famaracareconsultancy.com.

O LA CH I R O P R ACTI C

A UNIQUE new workshop aims to cleanse body and mind to “dissolve the physical and psychological debris which keeps us stuck”.

EFT therapist Sapphira de la Terre is running Detox & Dream over two Sundays plus a Tuesday evening in between.

“The Sundays will Sapphira is running the Detox & Dream workshop focus mainly on “The combination of cleansing the uncovering who we body and mind simultaneously with are and what we yearn for, using EFT and simple detoxification is EFT to dismantle the limiting beliefs extremely powerful, helping us to that stifle our dreaming, and then make the shift from ego to essence.” exploring our truth about ourselves Detox & Dream is in Dartington on and our lives using art, visualisation, Sundays March 3 and 10, and the writing and sharing. evening of Tuesday March 5, and “As a participant of a recent costs £60 for all three dates (or workshop said: ‘It really did help £45 if paid in full by February 20). me to experience a tangible shift in Numbers will be extremely limited, energy towards clarifying my inner says Sapphira. world, and bringing to the fore my Sapphira is also offering a free truest deepest desires’.” introduction to EFT on February On the Tuesday Evening, Sapphira 16, 2-5.30pm as part of the TTT will explain how to do a simple Skillshare programme. See the TTT home-based colon and liver cleanse. website for details.

“Keeping these organs cleansed is For information and to book, call essential for good health, vitality and her on 01803 862628 or email general youthfulness. sourceress@hotmail.co.uk.

G ift Voucher worth £32

Spe cia l I ntr oductor y O ffe r

£50

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This offer includes: • Full health history • Blood pressure, nerve tests, lung tests and orthopaedic tests • Digital SPINAL SCAN with state of the art NASA designed technology • An introduction to Network Spinal Analysis Care (NSA) • Written report of findings

A dedicated space for yoga MO DERN C HIRO PRAC TIC C ARE FO R THE WHO LE FAMILY "Network Spinal Analysis represents the epitome of body work in our time" Professor C andace Pert

Please telephone to arrange your appointment in our newly refurbished chiropractic centre in the heart of Totnes.

01803 862565 Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or voucher Please bring this voucher to your appointment

O la C hiropra ctic C entre, 5a Fore Street Totnes Devon TQ 9 5DA www.totneschiropractic.co.uk

32

C H IRO PRAC TIC

YOGA Torbay, in St Marychurch, Torquay, is a dedicated space for the peaceful practices of yoga, relaxation and meditation.

The centre hosts a number of teachers, from different traditions and with various styles, many of them having qualified with the Devon School of Yoga.

Virginia Compton, who manages the centre, a Yoga Alliance and Independent Yoga Networkregistered teacher and a member of the Register of Exercise Professionals, also takes referrals from general practitioners in the Torbay area through the Fitbay scheme.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

“My focus is on the psychological as well as the physical effects of yoga,” says Virginia, “and I use this therapeutically within Yoga Therapy classes or on a one-to-one basis.

Classes at the centre include Kundalini, Vinyasa Flow, holistic and restorative, yenga, an eight-week beginners’ course and yoga for back pain, as well as regular workshops “Yoga Torbay has something to suit all levels of ability,” says Virginia.

“All you need to be able to do is breathe and relax to benefit from Yoga at Yoga Torbay.”

Call Virginia on 07875217970 or visit www.yogatorbay.com.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

... all our back issues are online at

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e.co.uk

“

Training centre runs new The Butterfly Model The Ultimate Gift to yourself Gestalt Therapy course A SOUTH Devon counselling and psychotherapy training centre is offering a new diploma for 2013 focusing purely on Gestalt Therapy.

Leigh Smith, director of The Heartwood Centre on the Dartington estate, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for counsellors and psychotherapists who wish to learn more about this dynamic and radical approach and to integrate new creative techniques into their existing practice.

“As counsellors become more experienced it is natural to seek out new approaches to broaden and enhance their current knowledge and explore new ways of working therapeutically.

“The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists also encourages counsellors to undertake continual professional development and this is a chance for them to bring something new to their work.”

The course will draw on the work of Perls, Zinker, Reich, Satir, Yontef, Buber and Houston and show how these tried and tested methods can

be adapted into modern therapeutic practice “to allow a deeper clienttherapist contact, even in short-term therapies”.

Added Leigh: “This is an experiential training, with specially designed exercises to deepen understanding and fully embody the Gestalt concepts. Mini lectures, group discussions, demonstrations and handouts will be used to aid learning.”

The 10-session course will be taught by Leigh Smith who has over 10 years’ experience as a Gestalt therapist and counselling trainer, holds up-to-date qualifications in counselling, psychotherapy, supervision and teaching, is a BACP member and runs a private practice.

Said Leigh: “We are now taking bookings for all September 2013 courses - ask now for an application form because the courses are usually oversubscribed.”

For more information call 01803 865464, email heartwood1@ btconnect.com or visit www. heartwoodcounselling.org.

Touching all aspects of life WE can all live more fully, love more deeply and dream bigger and brighter dreams, says the woman behind a new workshop programme.

Live Love Dream was created by Jacqueline Lawes in response to the “big changes we are going through both personally and environmentally”.

Jacqueline says: “Our programme covers all aspects of life, from what we eat to how we move, what inspires us and how to make our dreams happen.

“Day One, Live, is a life review, Day Two, Love, is all about relationships and Day Three, Dream, is about visioning, dreaming and setting goals.”

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Participants can take a single day workshop or the three days together, which make up the complete Live Love Dream programme.

The workshops are held at Church House in South Tawton, and are facilitated by three practitioners who each have 20 years’ experience: Jacqueline Lawes (energy and body worker, yoga teacher and movement therapist); Louise Page (psychotherapist and Journey therapist); and Adam Griffin (nature guide and conservationist).

Call 0800 233 5094, visit www. livelovedream.co.uk and follow Live Love Dream on Facebook and Twitter.

Set yourself free, be the best you can be, get away, let go, relax, revitalise and enjoy

A Wonderful, Weekend, Workshop You will be taught: Transformational Personal Development Skills that can change your life utilising the art of NLP Totnes Glastonbury

27th & 28th April 2013 13th & 14th July 2013

Deborah de.Mornay Penny

BA (Hons), PGCE, NLP Master Practitioner (INLPTA) IFL member 01458 835946 www.rapportaccord.co.uk

Dartmoor Centre

Counselling & Psychotherapy In Newton Abbot Community Interest Company Not for profit - no 6846069 Courses for the New Year

Please visit www.safespaceforcounselling.com 01803 867744 Ken Rabone Director of Training Email : office@safespaceforcounselling.com

Advanced Diploma Counselling

The professional training to work as a therapist.

The course develops a creative process of inquiry into our life experience. We offer small groups, two tutors - a safe space. Begins September 2013

Creative Diploma in CBT

10 days - practical and career enhancing - compassion focussed. The course is suitable for therapists, social workers, and health professionals of diverse orientation. Begins April 2013

Diploma Sandplay

This deeply symbolic therapy provides a bridge between verbal therapies and the expressive therapies - 10 days of exploration and inspiration.

Certificate in Counselling

Skills for career enhancement and personal growth Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

33

Do you want to advertise in Wellbeing? devon

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Shiatsu Discovery weekends 2013 23rd & 24th February 8th & 9th June Our Shiatsu Discovery weekends are practical and experiential

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• Reconnect with your inner self • Learn a simple full body shiatsu • Experience healing energy in your hands, body and mind

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LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER? Three year professional training in: Vegetarian Wholefood Cooking & Health Coaching Two years: Cook & Health Adviser Three years: Specialist Cook & Healing Guide Next first year starts: April 2013

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Learning the art of facilitation AT heart, facilitation is about the process of helping people to explore, learn and change.

It’s about letting others change themselves, change others and change yourself.

There are few skills as powerful in enabling change than facilitation providing it is deployed with real competence and courage.

Mac Macartney, one of the founders of Embercombe, the outreach and development centre in South Devon, says: “Facilitation is not a passive activity - it is a form of leadership.

It can reveal a pathway where none was known to exist. It is one of the few activities that can allow us to access the wisdom that all groups hold.”

To help others in achieving this, Mac is offering a programme at Embercombe this February that will be highly experiential and will focus on enabling the participants to develop practical applied skills.

The emphasis will be on keeping it

real. Mac says: “At various times within the programme we expect to be dealing with emotionally charged situations that are as real as those we encounter from time to time in any work with people. In this sense we will have the opportunity of meeting ‘real’ situations with ‘real’ facilitation and not only rely on role-play.”

He found that the result of this approach for previous participants to be extremely powerful.

Mac has facilitated a vast range of groups in his career, from WWF to Unilever, and his approach is informed by his professional experience as a management consultant and his 20 years of training with Native American ‘Metis’ people.

Facilitating Transformation will run from Feb 26 - Mar 1.

To find out more or book, visit www. embercombe.co.uk, email suzy@ embercombe.co.uk or call 01647 252 983

Trevor’s life of guided intention HE really wasn’t sure if he was being “stupid or brave” when, in September 2012, Trevor Ebdon left his safe, wellpaid job in the NHS. “It was paying the bills, but I was no longer fulfilled,” explained Trevor, pictured right.

Trevor had been a student and practitioner of the law of attraction for more than 25 years and had been experimenting with something he called “guided intention” which he says is like planting seeds.

So in November, using his guided intention technique, he planted the seed that some extra money to get through to Christmas would be handy.

“That afternoon I had an email asking me if I could consider taking on an urgent and very lucrative writing assignment,” said Trevor.

He then planted the seed that “having enough money to take us into the new year would be lovely” – and another email revealed that the client needed more writing… almost five times more.

34

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

But that wasn’t the end, says Trevor.

“I’d often spoken about what my ‘dream job’ would look like. One day, I received an email from an agency I’d signed up with 10 years ago asking if I’d be interested in… what amounted to my dream job!”

The interview went well and the job was perfect but Trevor was honest at the interview and said he was concerned a full-time job would mean no time for his own work, spreading the word about the law of attraction.

A few days later he heard back form the company offering a job four days a week, so he could continue with his own project.

Says Trevor: “A series of lucky breaks?

Well, you can think that if you like - but just look at the timing of every one of them!”

To find out more about Trevor’s private coaching and workshops, call 01392 861134, or 07866 842331, or visit www.wizardofwisdom.com, or search for him on FaceBook or Twitter.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...email us at

Night running wakes the senses CERI Rees, who founded the Totnes-based social enterprise wildrunning. co.uk last year, has teamed up with fellow runner and cyclist Ben Tisdall of triathlon.co.uk to launch the Petzl Wild Night Run. The run, which starts and finishes in South Brent on Saturday, February 9, is sponsored by leading headtorch manufacturer Petzl.

Ten tough miles will take participants across varying terrain, nearly all off-road and “with plenty of climbing”.

The organisers say participants should be prepared for rocks, mud, moorland, bogs and a little tarmac. Headtorches (“preferably from sponsor Petzl”) are compulsory because the entire race is in the dark.

Preparing for off-piste running

Ceri and Ben hope the race will become an annual event.

Ceri said: “Off-piste night running feels different from running in daylight because your senses are awakened. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to interact with Dartmoor, this amazing natural resource we have on our doorstep.” £1 from the £15 entry fee goes to Shelter, the housing and homeless charity, and there is also a 7km Mild Night Run for under-18s and less experienced runners.

To find out more and register, visit www.wildnightrun.co.uk.

Author launches stress clinic with a relaxing 20% discount “ZPB also helps THE author of a new ebook called Don’t with accessing a Face Your Fears is natural biorhythm now offering a stress of the body called clinic in Totnes and the Valsalva Wave, Plymouth. a blood pressure rhythm induced by Robin Hemmings, breathing and it is also known locally by synchronising as the Waterman, is our breathing and the pioneer of the ZPB technique which our heartbeat that he says is extremely we can experience effective for dealing its balancing and with unwanted calming effects. states of panic and Following this wave anxiety. The ebook Robin Hemmings maximises our and the clinic centre heart’s coherence around the practice of Zero-point and HRV. This in turn dramatically Breathing (ZPB). reduces levels of stress.”

Robin says: “ZPB dramatically Each consultation lasts about an reduces our tendency to overhour and includes: a biofeedback think - in just one consultation recording of your HRV, including a you will learn the skill you need printout; a blood pressure reading to eradicate sensations of stress, and a free copy of Robin’s ebook, panic and anxiety that are caused Don’t Face Your Fears. by too much worry and mental To find out more or to make activity. It can easily be used an appointment, call Robin on anytime, anywhere and in any 01752 895381 or visit www.zerosituation. pointbreathing.co.uk.

“I prove the effectiveness of ZPB Reconnect readers can claim a to my clients by using a noninvasive biofeedback device, which 20% price reduction by taking measures heart rate variable (HRV), along Robin’s advert from this an accurate indication of stress. magazine.

Kundalini yoga - with raw chocolate WHAT could be better than a session of uplifting Kundalini yoga?

Workshop is at Harbour House in Kingsbridge on Saturday, February 2, 10am-1pm.

A session of Kundalini yoga with raw chocolate making?

Call Sara on 01752 872960, email sarahills@hotmail.co.uk and visit www.herbs-work.co.uk.

Yes, the Chocolate Yoga

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The Leafcocoon is a soft coffin made of wood and wool, for a gentle and comforting return to nature.

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Holistic Birth Hub

Mondays & Tuesdays in Totnes Pregnancy and postnatal Mother’s circles and Yoga Father’s meetings Birth preparation and Hypnobirthing Baby massage course Birth Trauma Healing Doula support Info, resources and lunches

www.birthingwisdom.co.uk 07921516918 / 01803 226127

FEELING STRESSED, HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING OR FULL OF ANXIETY AFTER A ROUGH DAY ?

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Get 30% off with our discovery session find out more about Sophrology on www.vie-tality.com Contact us on 07929 056 135 or email info@vie-tality.com

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

35

Have you got a story for Wellbeing readers?

Restore-me Therapies

Holistic Therapies for the Mind, Body & Soul . . .

Body Massage (Swedish, Aromatherapy, Therapeutic) Indian Head Massage Reflexology Hopi Ear Candling Holistic Facials Reiki Special Offers

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CALL NOW to receive £5 off your first session To find out more, please call or email:

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MOST PEOPLE WILL SAY THIS AD IS RUBBISH The rest can master the law of attraction I quit my secure job - & prospered. I used the Law of Attraction.

Most people will say it was just luck.

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But... if you’re one of the rare open-minded action takers, I’ll show you how to turn your dreams into reality. Book private coaching or a place on a workshop For my full story, booking details, cost etc, email: trevor@exetersuccesscoach.co.uk or leave a message on 01392 861134

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THE INITIATORY JOURNEY 2013 www.cultureofhonouring.com

Count to 10 when life’s tough FINDING life unbearable? Try counting to 10.

Counsellor Ruth Jenni says she uses a simple breathing technique.

“I first came across it in a book called The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris,” explains Ruth. “At the time I was experiencing extreme levels of anxiety and feeling desperate. All other relaxation techniques felt useless or impossible, but this simple gem somehow was just about possible.

“You simply concentrate on each breath, for 10 breaths, observing some detail - perhaps how the breath feels as it enters your belly and stretches your diaphragm or the temperature of the air as it

Simple herbal tonic for Spring AS we reach the end of Winter (no, really, we are), you might feel you need a Spring boost to make the most of all that good weather on the way.

This is a simple recipe for a warming tonic from medical herbalist Dawn Ireland, who says the recipe can be adapted to suit anyone – for example, a nonalcoholic version can be made with a good berry juice (any of the dark red, blue or black berries) and kept in the fridge.

She says: “This is a warming tonic, high in iron and vitamin C in particular. It will improve digestion, circulation and general wellbeing.”

Ingredients: a bottle of organic red wine; 100g organic unsulphured apricots (dark brown kind); thumbsized piece of ginger root; finely chopped dandelion leaves and nettle leaves from five teabags (or equivalent gathered fresh); one stick

Handmade, Herbal, Vegan, Natural, and Eco-friendly, Body Care Products • Natural toothpaste • Luxury face and hand creams • Pure vegetable soaps and much more....

We use plant-based ingredients only. No synthetic colours, fragrances or preservatives just pure essential oils, natural clays, plant oils and waxes.

See websites for product ordering information, and details on workshops, herb walks and events.

Hand-made with care by medical herbalist Dawn Ireland www.torbay-herbalist.co.uk www.greenwyse.co.uk info@greenwyse.co.uk - 07962 664294

36 36

passes through your mouth or nose.

“I was sometimes so anxious that even one breath was too difficult, but the important thing was that I was doing it at all - it was an absolute triumph every time.”

“I have since used it in many ways: at night when my mind is racing, if I catch myself obsessing about something, when my body hurts in any way – it just helps.”

Ruth Jenni is a counsellor in advanced training and offers affordable counselling.

She may be contacted on 07974097787 or oakflowercounselling@yahoo.co.uk see her ad in the classified pages.

of cinammon or teaspoon of powder.

Method: place all in a large wide mouth jar, stir and close lid tightly.

Shake daily for 2 weeks (keep nonalcohol version in the fridge). Strain (apricots can be eaten - delicious!) and drink a small glass of the tonic daily.

Dawn Ireland BSc Hons Herbal Medicine MCPP MURHP. Visit www. torbay-herbalist.co.uk.

Come learn Clean Language with us

March to July, 2013 See editorial for detail.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Be one of the first to experience this training in Devon.

CleanLearning.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

...email us at

editor@reconnectonli

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The power of metaphor OK, let’s get it out of the way – no, Clean Language is nothing to do with reducing the number of swear words you use.

It definitely is, though, a chance to train in David Grove’s inspirational method of exploring our inner landscapes through metaphor.

“Metaphors are more than figures of speech,” says trainer Marian Way, who is coming to Devon to run the course. “They contain vital information about how we see ourselves, the world and others.

“We usually skip by phrases like ‘I’m banging my head against a brick wall’ without noticing them, but by paying attention, questioning and developing them, people can gain real clarity about their own thought processes.”

Local certified Clean Language facilitator Sue Charman, who is

hosting the training at her eco-home seven miles from Totnes, adds: “Given the chance to explore their own inner-world freely, people begin to unravel their problems, identify their strengths, finds ways forward, discover what they really want and what they need to put in place for it to happen.”

The 12-day course, in Clean Language, Clean Space and Symbolic Modelling, will run from March-July and is suitable for teachers, coaches, therapists, parents, counsellors, mentors, managers, health workers – and anyone who helps other people to think.

Those who join the course can take an optional assessment leading to Certified Clean Facilitator status.

Find out more at www. cleanlearning.co.uk.

Creativity without pressure IF you are looking for a way of exploring your life experiences and increasing your sense of wellbeing, a new set of workshops may well be the answer.

Experienced writing workshop facilitator Clive Essame is offering three days of linked workshops called Writing for Wellbeing that he describes as “an opportunity for participants to explore the creative process of writing without selfcriticism or pressure to ‘get it right’.“ Clive is a qualified lifecoach and adult education tutor with many years of experience not just in creative writing, but also working creatively with people who experience challenges in their lives.

He says: “I will offer carefully considered exercises and invite people to read out the resulting

writing if they wish. People should expect to take an emotional journey during the course, but in a safe, mutually supportive environment.

“By the end of the course participants should feel more positive about their lives. We also hope to make some new friends.”

The courses are in East Devon now but there are plans to run them in other parts of Devon through the year.

Clive will also run a three-day course called Writing by the Sea, in a venue right on the coast, designed to introduce participants to different styles of writing to encourage them to kick-start their writing careers.

To find out more, call 07804215006 or email cearts@ tiscali.co.uk.

Lindsay’s plan from Atlantis DEVON author Lindsay Ball is spreading the word about how wonderful life could be, with the publication of her first book The Way Forward.

She says she hopes it will “help people reunite themselves with the ancient knowledge and wisdom of the glorious Golden Age of Atlantis.”

She added: “Somebody reading the book will find themselves aware of everything that is available to them, as this magnificent plan unfolds.

“They will grow in awareness and understanding of their true purpose and path in this existence and of the role they can play in the unfolding of this glorious plan.”

The Way Forward (paperback £8.99 ISBN 978-178035-491-0) is available online at www.fast-print. net/bookshop/1198/the-wayforward or from local bookshops.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

MBBS MNIMH

Natural healthcare for all the family Effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions including: • Anxiety, depression and stress • Digestive problems such as IBS, heartburn and colitis • Menopausal & prostate problems • Blood pressure & circulation issues The Herbal Clinic at Heavitree Osteopathic Clinic 5 North Street, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 2RH

www.dranitaclay.co.uk

Phone to see if Herbal Medicine could help you 01647 25 33 22

Detox & Dream

Detox your body and mind at the same time enabling you to have more clarity about who you are and what you have come here to do

Powerful processes including EFT, art, visualisation plus a simple colon and liver cleanse Sundays, March 3 & 10 plus Tuesday March 5 (eve) £60 (£45 if paid by Feb 20)

FREE INTRODUCTION TO EFT Feb 16, central Totnes 2-5.30pm

Info/bookings call Sapphira on 01803 862628 or email sourceress@hotmail.co.uk

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 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

Nutritional Medicine & Therapy - natural ways to treat health and well-being problems including:

Weight Management • Allergies • Mental Health Issues • Digestive Disorders • Hormonal Health • Auto-immune Conditions • Children’s Health • Skin Conditions and much more

Visit our website: for more about our Therapies and Parties:

www.trinityholistics.co.uk take control of your health & happiness

trinity holistics

Trinity Holistics offers a wide range of mind body & spirit therapies & classes.

Consultations in person, online, or by email/phone: 07841 344934

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

37

You can still read Wellbeing stories in past Reconnects...

Technique brings powerful combination to UK at last A TECHNIQUE which was developed in the Sixties - and which is used throughout Spain and France by midwives, sports psychologists and therapists treating stress and anxiety among other complaints - is finally spreading through the UK. Sophrology means literally the ‘study of consciousness in harmony’ and combines three main techniques: breath awareness and breathing exercises, gentle movements to raise body awareness and positive visualisation/guided imagery.

Marion Beauregard (above), who practices Sophrology with clients in Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth, said: “Sophrology is a gentle, non-intrusive technique and the aim is to provide clients with practical tools they can take away with them and use in their everyday life. It takes inspiration from a great range of disciplines to create a new one, very well adapted to our busy modern lifestyles.

“There are no limits in terms of age or physical ability and it can be practiced anywhere at any time and in the personal or professional life.”

Marion says Sophrology helps with stress, anxiety, burnout, sleep problems, phobias, panic attacks, digestive problems, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression “But it is also used as a tool for mental preparation to forthcoming events such as labour, interviews, exam, sport or art performance,” says Marion.

Visit www.vie-tality.com or call 07929 056 135.

The Pelion Mountains of Greece

Greek retreat to inspire power of art THE peaceful and picturesque surroundings of a small Greek community could be the inspiration you need to stir your creativity.

Len Lofts, right, hopes to explore your inner feelings in developing colour and shape to allow painting to become a magical process for a week in beautiful surroundings.

Len works as an artist and

Problem feet lead to a whole body of issues

RIQTA

TRAIN TO BE A COUNSELLOR - Hypnotherapist, or NLP Practitioner We provide Counselling training courses, one-to-one low cost Counselling, & regular workshops Level 2 - Introduction to Counselling skills & concepts Part-time - 10 weeks commencing February (morning), March (eve) & May (eve).

Level 3 – Certificate in Counselling Skills Part-time - 10 months commencing March (eve) & May (morning) June (eve).

Hypnotherapy Diploma Commencing September, 2013 NLP taster day Leading to diploma/practitioner - May, 2013 CBT Diploma (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) Part-time - commencing April, 2013 Counselling children/young people Specialist DIPLOMA - 12 months part-time commencing April 2013 For further information contact: www.riqta.co.uk

OR

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Torquay: 01803 315075

HEALTH & HARMONY LOW COST COUNSELLINg AgENCY WE PROvIDE LOW COST COUNSELLINg TO THE PUBLIC

38

ARE you taking your feet for granted?

Like the foundations of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. And if you develop a problem with the way your foot joints move, it starts a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and movement mechanics, putting stress on joints throughout your body.

But how do you know if you have a foot problem?

Symptoms include foot pain, of course, but also pain in your legs and hips, lower and mid back and even neck. It can also reveal itself through uneven shoe wear.

At the Align Chiropractic, Posture and Wellness Clinic in Newton Abbot, specialist Dr Catherine Crane (chiropractor) now offers a comprehensive foot and lower limb consultation and examination, plus a computerised gait scan.

Clients also receive a full explanation of the results to see if orthotics, or foot insoles, would help them.

Catherine was herself prescribed orthotics for the correction of flat feet as a child of seven – she still uses them daily in working shoes and sporting shoes and swears by them.

“They have proven to really help people who have different length

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Dr Catherine Crane legs or twisted hips and pelvis and spinal problems,” she said. “I highly recommend them for people of all ages, especially adolescents who are having growth spurts or people with a twisted spine.”

Until April 1, the examination and scan, which usually costs £60, is just £25 if you take along the Align advertisement from this issue.

Call 01803 814329, email align. limited@gmail.com, or visit www. alignyourhealth.co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

... all our back issues are online at psychotherapist and although this is not an art therapy week, Len believes it is interesting to consider the connections between the two.

He said: “The need for the arts is a defining human characteristic. The arts endure because they have a unique power to help us to feel and make sense of experience. However, where there is psychological vulnerability, this power cannot be said to be innately helpful.”

Len Lofts has worked as an artist around the world, including on the Canary Islands and in Madrid, Ecuador, the Netherlands and the UK. Len now lives and works in the UK as an artist and psychotherapist. He has a house gallery in Devon. His most recent project was working with people with dementia to develop communication skills, self-worth and enhanced memory through art. You can find him on the web, talking about consultancy, psychotherapy and art, at www. matierlofts.com.

The week-long Painting Freedom Workshop is planned for June 7-14 this year in the village of Kissos in the Pelion Mountains of Greece which, according to ancient Greek mythology, was the home of the fabulous Centaurs, half-man halfhorse.

For details go to www.kalikalos.com and click workshops. Call 01548 559372 or 07531 135691 and visit www.famaracareconsultancy.com.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Therapy for couples THE recent Christmas holidays were a magical time for many families, but it can also be a difficult period for relationships as couples are put under tremendous stress.

The current recession is also posing its problems for many couples which has resulted in an increase in the numbers visiting professionals for help and advice.

Lucia Capaldi, above, is an accredited Core Process Psychotherapist working in Harberton who offers confidential sessions to individuals and couples.

Lucia said she had noticed an increase in the number of couples coming for therapy.

She said: “Perhaps this is because of the stresses and difficulties in our daily lives which is putting a strain on partners and families.

“Christmas, job insecurities, children, in-laws - they can all put a strain on even the most secure relationships. For new couples there can sometimes be difficulty with keeping a sense of individual identity while committing to another person.”

Lucia said therapy could create a space where couples could talk about their issues and explore options available to them.

Call 01803 840424 or 07809 441519.

www.reconnectonlin

e.co.uk

Her husband was catalyst St Marychurch, WHEN Beryl Torquay.

Roseblade met her husband to Says Beryl: “By be, she didn’t offering a wide realise the range of therapies relationship would I am able to also provide the provide a choice catalyst for a of treatments that change in career. can work together or individually, to “He was in a lot achieve the most of pain from an benefit for my old back injury,” clients”. says Beryl, “but we found massage Beryl has Beryl Roseblade made a significant experienced first difference to his hand the effects of working mobility - and the amount of under pressure and sitting painkillers he was taking. It was at a desk and computer for then I decided that if I got the long periods and has herself opportunity I would like to do it benefited from the same professionally.” therapies she now provides.

That opportunity came some “I treat my clients with a ‘whole years later when Beryl was body’ approach to health,” she made redundant. says, “working on physical, mental She signed up to a full-time and emotional levels and can course at South Devon College help with stress-related problems, and received her Diploma in digestive disorders, pain relief, Holistic Therapies in 2008. sleep disorders and more.”

She then went on to develop Therapies on offer are: Swedish these qualifications with further massage, therapeutic medical advanced techniques. massage, aromatherapy, Today she runs her own reflexology, Indian head business, Restore-me massage, Hopi ear candling, Therapies, providing a wide Reiki and holistic facials. range of treatments at her Call 01803 853605 or own therapy room in Brixham and at Herbs & Honey Health 07753 471618, or visit www.

Shop and Therapy Centre in restoremetherapies.com.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

39

Do you want to advertise in Wellbeing?

ART THERAPY

BOWEN THERAPY

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A gentle therapy helpful for many conditions, general aches and pains, stress, migraines and much more...

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Just email your ad for the Apr/May issue to adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk (with a phone number) and we’ll contact you about payment. The deadline is Friday, March 8.

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Pat Hoare

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PAT HOARE. DIP. COUNS. B.A.C.P. ACCREDITED LIVE BLOOD ANALYSIS

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Coaching. Specialist help with stress and low self-esteem in business and in private life. Practising at Exeter Community Centre, by appointment only following introductory chat on 07813 894510.

WENDY SAVAGE BACP Accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist offering a warm and confidential space in central Exeter. Also qualified

MASSAGE

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Writing Courses in Beautiful East Devon Writing by the sea – get inspired to write.

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holistic yoga for health, happiness and wellbeing

Yoga, Meditation, Relaxation Classes, workshops Daytimes, evenings and weekends Suitable for all levels of ability Everyone welcome!

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY MAKE extra income. Our eco-friendly business wants independent hard working individuals to share and promote natural and organic products. + FREE on-line social media training http://bit.ly/ UEfjvP . Call Spencer 07745 652 487 STRESS CLINIC

AFFORDABLE creative counselling: Depressed or anxious? Reconnect with your life force. First session free, thereafter £15-40. Littlehempston & Newton Abbot. Ruth Jenni 07974097787 oakflowercounselling @yahoo.co.uk.

Craniosacral theraPY

LEARN how to make your heartbeat perfectly coherently with ZPB, the most direct and effective way to beat stress! See the ad (page 31) and editorial (page 35) in this issue for more information and call Robin on 01752 895381.

THERAPISTS WANTED OASIS Float and Therapy Centre at The Arcturus Clinic, Totnes, offers therapy space for hire. We need experienced massage therapists to join our team. Call Faith 01803 868282 for more details.

YOGA

RELEASE through gentleness. Excellent introductory rates.

Upledger training.

Follaton, Totnes.

Ring Nick Rampton 01803 847638 or 07792594634 www. craniosacraltotnes.co.uk

UNIFYING Yoga Camp.

Six night residential Yoga camp at Nature’s Ashram in North West Devon to learn the Unifying Yoga System.

Only £250. May 4-10 or August 24-30. www. unifyingyogaand healing.info and www. naturesashram.info.

FEBRUARY MONDAYS

PREGNANCY and Yoga class starting at The Holistic Birth Hub, Eden Rise, Sandwell Barns, Totnes. From 6pm. 07921 516918, pixieprice0606@ hotmail.com, www. theholisticbirthhub.com.

ALTERNATE TUESDAYS

PREGNANCY Circle at the Hub, Totnes, 10am with Uma and Oliva Seck. 07921 516918. email: pixieprice0606@ hotmail.com www. theholisticbirthhub.com.

EVERY TUESDAY

QIGONG at The Exeter Mint Methodist Church with Brad Richecoeur, 5.30-7pm. Suitable for all levels. 01364 644040 www.qigong-southwest. co.uk .

EVERY FRIDAY

QIGONG at St Johns Church Hall, Totnes with Brad Richecoeur, 10-11.30am. Suitable for all levels. 01364 644040 www.qigong-southwest. co.uk .

WEDNESDAY 6

EFT PRACTICE GROUP. An enjoyable way to process beliefs/emotions, learn more EFT and connect with others to set up swaps. 6.45-9pm, central Totnes. Email: sourceress@hotmail. co.uk or call 01803 862628.

SAT 9/SUN 10

IMBOLC - The stirrings of new life. Weekend of four workshops. Saturday 10am-1pm - Herbs for healing, cleansing and nourishing (£20).

Saturday 2-5pm - living the Sacred Wheel of the Year (£20). Sunday 10am-1.30pm - Fire of Creativity, women’s workshop with feltmaking (£20). Sunday 2-5.30pm - Learn to make incense (£25).

Whole weekend £75.

WORKSHOPS& COURSESDIARY Booking essential – 07594 065148, ladi. green@yahoo.com. See page 31.

FRI 15 - SUN 17

HYPNOBIRTHING Couples’ retreat. At Eden Rise, Sandwell Barns, Totnes. For couples who want to prepare for a more confident and relaxed birth. 07921 516918, pixieprice0606@ hotmail.com www. theholisticbirthhub.com.

SATURDAY 16

SKILLSHARE: introduction to EFT. Learn the basics of EFT for free as part of the TTT Skillshare programme. Central Totnes venue, 2-5.30, call Sapphira, 01803 862628, sourceress@ hotmail.co.uk.

MONDAY 18

THERAPISTS – Build Your Practice. Termly courses in Exeter and Dorset. See our calendar on www. pppsouthwest.co.uk. Call Cathy Towers 01395 278437.

TUESDAY 19

CHILDREN’S Mosaic Making Course.

More details - www. growersorganics.com or call 01752 881180 WEDNESDAY 20

CHILDREN’S Sculpting with Scrap Course.

More details - www. growersorganics.com or call 01752 881180 EFT practice group.

An enjoyable way to process beliefs/emotions, learn more EFT and connect with others to set up swaps. 6.45-9pm, central Totnes. Email: sourceress@hotmail. co.uk or call 01803 862628 SAT/SUN 23/24

HUAGONG Qigong with Master Zhixing Wang at Dartington Hall, South Devon. 01364 644040 www.qigong-southwest. co.uk.

MONDAY 25

NUNORAMA Feltmaking Days with Carol Timms at Eden Rise, nr Totnes, TQ9 7LJ, 01803868470 07966080782 cooltimms@btinternet. com MARCH MONDAYS

PREGNANCY and Yoga class starting at The

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Holistic Birth Hub, Eden Rise, Sandwell Barns, Totnes. From 6pm.

Tel: 07921 516918. email: pixieprice0606@ hotmail.com www. theholisticbirthhub.com.

ALTERNATE TUESDAYS

PREGNANCY Circle at the Hub, Totnes, 10am with Uma and Oliva Seck.

Tel: 07921 516918. email: pixieprice0606@ hotmail.com www. theholisticbirthhub.com.

EVERY TUESDAY

QIGONG at The Exeter Mint Methodist Church with Brad Richecoeur, 5.30-7pm. Suitable for all levels. 01364 644040 www.qigong-southwest. co.uk .

All welcome, book now! 01647 460023 or breathingnlp.com/ groups MONDAY 18

NUNORAMA Feltmaking Days with Carol Timms at Eden Rise, nr Totnes, TQ9 7LJ - 01803 868470, 07966 080782, cooltimms@ btinternet.com WEDNESDAY 20

EFT practice group. An enjoyable way to process beliefs/emotions, learn more EFT and connect with others to set up swaps. 6.45-9pm, central Totnes, sourceress@ hotmail.co.uk or call 01803 862628 THERAPISTS – Build Your Practice. Termly courses in Exeter and Dorset. See our calendar on www. pppsouthwest.co.uk. Call Cathy Towers 01395 278437. Exeter: 7-9pm six monthly meetings.

EVERY FRIDAY

SATURDAY 23

QIGONG at St Johns Church Hall, Totnes with Brad Richecoeur, 10-11.30am. Suitable for all levels.01364 644040 www.qigong-southwest. co.uk.

CONNECTED BREATHING – Introduction.

Deep relaxation into invigorating energy (it’s not yoga) ENHC, Queen Street, Exeter 9.45am-4.30pm, £45.

All welcome, book now!

01647 460023 or breathingnlp.com/groups

SUN 3, TUES 5 & SUN 10

DETOX & DREAM Two consecutive Sundays plus a Tuesday evening in-between helping you to connect with your dreams, while simultaneously supporting you with a week-long physical detox. £60 (or £45 if paid in full

by Feb 20), sourceress@ hotmail.co.uk or call 01803 862628.

WEDNESDAY 6

EFT practice group. An enjoyable way to process beliefs/emotions, learn more EFT and connect with others to set up swaps. 6.45-9pm, central Totnes, sourceress@ hotmail.co.uk or call 01803 862628 MONDAY 11

NUNORAMA Feltmaking Days with Carol Timms at Eden Rise, nr Totnes, TQ9 7LJ – 01803868470, 07966080782 cooltimms@btinternet. com FRI 15 – SUN 17

ZERO - self-initiation weekend workshop.

Come and play! Why don’t you try... presence, trance, group-fun, connected breathing, mind-walking, hakalau and much more. Next residential weekend from 5pm on 15th to 4.30pm on 17th March, £225. East Down Centre, Dunsford.

SUNDAY 24

HAZEL hurdle making course 10-4.30 Tutor Don Gaskins. Using traditional tools you will learn how to split coppiced round wood. Cost £48. For more details www. growersorganics.comor call 01752 881180 MONDAY 25

NUNORAMA Feltmaking Days with Carol Timms at Eden Rise, nr Totnes, TQ9 7LJ, call 01803868470, 07966080782, cooltimms@btinternet. com APRIL SAT/SUN 27/28

WEEKEND Workshop.

Using Yoga, iridology and nutritional naturopathy. This weekend workshop will help you to widen your knowledge of your constitutional potential and how you can use these ancient and modern techniques to help you prevent ill health and find balance within yourself physically, emotionally and energetically. Cost includes fully qualified tuition in manageable focused groups and a wholesome lunch on both days. Venue: Yoga Torbay Centre. £120 inclusive.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

41

You can read past Living on less columns in our online archive...

Living on less...

A funny thing happened to me...

I RECENTLY danced crazily while cutting the grass – before climbing through my neighbour’s window and balancing her TV on my head.

Before you jump to any conclusions about us growing something more exotic than winter salads in our poly tunnel, or wondering if perhaps I partook a little too enthusiastically of our home-made blackberry vodka, I should make it clear I was actually miming all those activities at a drama workshop.

So what was old Foster doing at a drama workshop? Aren’t they for precocious kids in leotards and budding actors who would rather be at the bar in the Old Vic with an Equity card safely tucked away in their back pocket?

Well, I must admit I have rather shied away from the theatrical in the past (although those who have seen me stressed might not agree).

I’ve never really had a problem standing before an audience and my journalistic career has required me to speak publicly on stage, radio and TV (yes, I have got a video and no, you can’t see it). I think the (let’s not dress this up) show-off gene was inherited from my father, whose marathon joketelling sessions were legendary (and when alcohol-fuelled, notorious) within our family and his various places of employment.

My problem has always been learning the… um, lines. I managed to get by with non-speaking parts in the primary school nativities, and the nearest my secondary school got to theatrical productions was the staging of brutal and bloody lunchtime fights on the sports field. But I had by then discovered girls and was

THAT old trooper MARTIN FOSTER slips on his smoking jacket, wipes off the greasepaint and explains why a new evening class has made a dramatic difference to his life

All the world... usually involved in physical activity of an altogether different form on the opposite side of the field. Or indeed anything else, anywhere other than where the fighting was.

I did once don a costume of torn newspaper for a mummers play during a traditional village activities phase in my twenties, but while I was word perfect during my hundreds of spotless performances practicing in the bath, things were not nearly as slick when I stepped out on stage. And I thought I was exposed during my naked rehearsals in the bath…

Since then the world of theatre has had to get along without me and on the whole seems to have managed pretty well. But I did secretly still hanker after a bit of physical expression. Then I met Bil Rose, who is an actor, drama teacher and, I’m pleased to say, now also a good friend.

Bil, as professional as I am inept, can learn lines with a speed and accuracy that leaves me… well, speechless. I once witnessed her memorising a page of heavy Shakespearean dialogue on a short car journey simply by reading it a couple of times, turning the book over and then speaking the lines.

And a few weeks later I watched her perform in the play itself, making long, word-perfect speeches with conviction, passion and energy. Mesmerising.

Fortunately, though, Bil also runs adult drama and play classes in Totnes and she’s really good at enthusing and encouraging (and not at all bad at nagging) so eventually I went along “just to see what it was like”.

I won’t go into great detail about the individual games and exercises because it’s much better to enter with no preconceived ideas, and I hope some of you will give it (or something similar) a try sometime, but suffice to say they are the sort of things working theatres and drama group get up to in order to break the ice, warm up and generally create a closer bond between the actors.

What’s so great about it all for me, though, is that it’s all about improvisation – no lines to learn; no nerves to cook slowly over an intense fire of anticipation; no ‘getting it wrong’.

Bil, or one of the other group participants, or the game itself, suggests an action, or series of actions and you just do it – without thinking and without worrying what you might look like.

And I find that spontaneity completely liberating. I’m loath to use some cliché phrase like ‘in the moment’ (damn,

Kate Harris

2013

Passionate Presence events with

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

too late, used it), but it really is – and, therefore, so am I. And for someone who has to spend so much work time planning and organising, and who is perfectly capable of worrying myself sick over really nothing at all (my daughter calls me the Ninja Worrier), it’s a very real and extraordinary period of escape.

So despite the fact it can all be a very physical (try being a crazy man cutting the grass in a passive way), it’s actually very relaxing.

But wait (dramatic pause with facial expression to portray sudden realisation)… isn’t this page supposed to be about Living on Less? Shouldn’t it be looking at how to enrich the quality of your life without buying a Flasholux Life Enricher off the shelves of your nearest out of town chain store?

Well, I would suggest that these workshops are, for me, an example of just that. It costs a fiver a week, lasts an hour and a quarter (but often runs over because no-one wants to stop) and involves nothing more hi-tech than a group of people in an empty room.

I realise these workshops wouldn’t be for everyone. The thought of an uninhibited Foster might itself be enough to put you off. But there are so many amazing classes, workshops and courses, covering everything from juggling to pottery, right across South Devon, why not make 2013 the year you get out there and get stuck in? l Bil’s adult drama and play classes are held most Wednesday evenings, 8-9.15(ish)pm, at Birdwood House in Totnes. Find out more from Bil on 01803 840286 or email pigtoobig@ yahoo.co.uk.

Katheryn Trenshaw

“Come unwrap your magnificent life and purpose.”

Are you ready for real freedom? Do you long for creative expression of your fullest, truest self? Come live in your own wild and precious skin through art, movement and creative practices.

Upcoming: Sunday evenings Passionate Presence Practice Group - Edenrise nr Totnes: Mainly last Sundays in 2013.

June 12 - Action for Happiness In Your Own Skin Project interactive illustrated talk and film - London

•

In Your Own Skin Sourcing continues www.inyourownskin.org

t: 01803 847674 m: 0777 949 6240 www.kateharris-lifecoaching.co.uk

42

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

01803 863552 • info@ktrenshaw.com www.passionatepresence.org www.reconnectonline.co.uk

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