Reconnect 16 Dec 11-Jan 12

BIGGEST EVER 44-PAGE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR ISSUE! www.reconnectonline.co.uk

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2011/12 ISSUE 16

the green living magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and South Devon

Pick of the pics

Your winning Embercombe images

FREE ONLINE please take one READ IT HERE: RIGHT NOW! and pass it on

Transition update

News and views from the region

With the grain

Green wood craftsmanship

Get active in 2012

Inspirational groups and events

Keeping it local

Christmas gift and produce ideas

local people local events local food local health local environment HoLiSTiC MEdiCiNE EXPERiENCEd PRACTiTioNERS WidE RANgE of TREATMENTS PRofESSioNAL TRAiNiNg

EXETER NATURAL HEALTH CENTRE Holistic healthcare in the heart of the city

Health is the fullest expression of you as an individual with the least friction with your environment. it implies adaptation, fluidity, freedom and ease and is truly a blessing.

Here at the centre, we work with you to find the most suitable ways for you to restore and sustain your health. We work from a holistic perspective and with an integrated approach.

Situated just off Queen Street right in the heart of the city we offer a wide range of complementary therapies all provided by respected and experienced practitioners. Our consulting rooms are light and airy and many of our visitors have been delighted by the tranquil ambience of the centre.

BRITISH SCHOOL OF HOMOEOPATHY

Monthly concessionary student clinic. Call 01392 422555 for details THE PRACTITIONERS: Harriet HollingwortH acupuncture & Chinese Healthcare, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Reiki Master Mo MoRRiSh homoeopathic Medicine

KatHerine UKleJa Craniosacral Therapy ANNA PARiS Traditional Acupuncture, Toyohari, 5 Element & Manaka styles noraH CatHerine MCCuLLAgh Pure Face Works

JUlie BlaDon Yoga, Lomi Lomi Massage, Pregnancy massage

geoff green Energy healing & Counselling

SARAh JANE hoLT

Ayurvedic Massage, Consultations, Reflexology

PatriCia anD Karin

Pregnancy Yoga and Active Birth

LiSA TATE Massage, pregnancy Massage, Aromatherapy & Non Surgical Face lift

SuSAN QuAYLE Maternity Reflexologist, fertility, ante natal, post natal & baby Aromatherapy Massage ThE DEvoN SChooL oF reflexology Level 3 Diplomas Spring/Autumn Courses 2012 JUlia Collett Psychotherapy & Counselling LouiSA ShoRNEY Clinical hypnotherapy

LESLEY hARPER

Nutritional Therapist

School of Bodywork Professional Massage Training APNT accredited

Diplomas: Swedish, Remedial, Sports Injury, Indian Head, Seated Acupressure, MFR, CPD www.schoolofbodywork.com

01392 422555 Centre Manager: Ali Morrish 2

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

info@schoolofbodywork.com

07711 656 011

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

local people local events local food local health local environment COMMERCIAL EDITOR adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk Pete Hardy - 01392 346342 2 Withall’s Gardens, Lympstone, EX8 5JH

to the December/January issue.

EDITOR Martin Foster - 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk 45 Punchards Down, Follaton, Totnes TQ9 5FD ADVERTISEMENT SALES Heather Nicholson, right PUBLISHED BY Reconnect Publishing Ltd, 15 Sylvan Rd, Exeter EX4 6EW PUBLISHER Robin Currie - 01392 411630 robin@reconnectonline.co.uk PRINTED BY Kingfisher Print, Wills Rd, Totnes www.kingfisherprint.co.uk ADVERTISING The deadline for our February/ March issue is January 6. Call Pete or Martin and ask about our Easy Pay scheme that spreads the cost over 12 months - an 1/8-page ad costs just £41.85 a month! If you’re new to advertising (or you don’t like the ads you’ve had elsewhere), we can help you write an ad and design it for you. And we’ll write the editorial to really get the word out there. Call us now to talk it through...

WEBSITE Visit www.reconnectonline.co.uk to find our more about advertising rates and magazine stockists.

And visit our Facebook page at www.facebook. com/reconnectmagazine ECO ETHOS Reconnect is written, designed, printed and distributed locally, using materials from sustainable sources. It is printed using vegetablebased 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 FSC-accredited (www. fsc-uk.org). All by-products of the production and printing processes are recycled. Please recycle this magazine by passing it on to a friend...

COPYRIGHT © Reconnect Publishing Ltd 2009. 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, misstatements or mistakes in any advertisements or references

And can we be the first (or probably by now the last) to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year?

And yes, we did say ‘Christmas’.

Some people do seem to get their organic cotton knickers in a knot at this time of year, trying so hard to avoid referring to ‘Christmas’, for fear of offending people of other than Christian faith, that their good wishes lose all spontaneity, or they end up using a term so generic that no-one really knows what they’re talking about.

We will call it Christmas and we sincerely wish you have a really great one, whether you are celebrating a religious ceremony, a spiritual or natural festival, a gathering of family, community and/or friends... or just not going to work for a few days.

You’ll find tips on how to enjoy a greener Christmas on pages 22 and 23, a focus on festive fare on pages 8 and 9, a special seasonal recipe on page 9 and a whole host of Christmassy events scattered through these pages and especially in the diary on pages 26 and 27.

WE make no apologies for the fact that we don’t seem to be able to mention Christmas without also using the word ‘local’. There, you see, I’ve done it again.

But it really is important that this Christmas, just as for the rest of the year, we support the smaller independent stores to ensure the resilience of our local economies.

And if you need any more proof, just consider these stats: the four biggest supermarkets already control over three quarters of the grocery market; Tesco alone dominates moe than 30 per cent; and one in eight of the UK’s high street shops is currently empty.

But we CAN change that, or at least prevent it getting worse – shop local.

THE other big theme to this issue is Get Active in 2012.

Instead of just making a New Year’s Resolution, that will fade into oblivion quicker than January 1’s hangover, why not pledge to really make a difference in 2012?

Maybe you want to grow more food, start an evening class, never use another plastic carrier, visit elderly neighbours more regularly… whatever it is, do it.

There must be hundreds of things to inspire you in this issue - things you can do for yourself, things you can do for others. We’d love to hear how you get on…

AND one way we could hear back from you is via our new Facebook page. We were, as regular readers will know, a little sceptical about all this social media malarkey but as far as our business page on Facebook is concerned, we are completely sold.

You can read more about what’s on offer on page 5, or just check it out now at www.facebook/ reconnectmagazine. And watch out in the next issue for some REALLY exciting news about our website.

Local food pages 6 - 9

Transition pages 10

Christmas pages 22 - 25

Wellbeing pages 30 - 41

without a modest whoop to celebrate our biggest issue.

To keep Reconnect free for you, the reader, it is funded entirely by the advertising – so more advertising means more pages and more space for more editorial.

A bumper 44-page issue, at a time when everyone’s being so gloomy about the economy, is also very reassuring – not only for Reconnect’s future but also for the whole sustainable sector.

We’d like to think, and the figures and feedback from advertisers would seem to back us up, that as things get tighter, people are thinking more carefully about how they spend their money. It could just be that green business is the only sector with a certain future…

AND even more finally, to help us cope with all this new business, and to bring in even more, we are pleased to welcome Heather Nicholson to the Reconnect team.

Heather is a wonderful iridologist and naturopath and also runs an organic B&B, so she knows about natural health, nutrition and running a business.

She will be dealing with advertisement sales and the dreaded admin. We’ve already found her a pleasure to work with and we know you will too.

AND finally… I can’t step down from my virtual soapbox

YURT HOLIDAYS IN CORNWALL

Sustainable, dog-friendly site in wonderful countryside, near beautiful beaches. insight meditation in the buddhist tradition

Available for a weekend break, a week or longer. Open all-year round.

NEW for this year - Shepherd’s hut

Mill Valley Tipis & Yurts

See website for details, pictures, etc www.millvalley.co.uk Or call 01208 841163 / 07725 055370

www.gaiahouse.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

New village composting operation

Sarah McQuaid

Hear Sarah’s unique mix SINGER, songwriter and guitarist Sarah McQuaid brings her versatile performance to the stages of three Devon villages during December.

Sarah was born in Spain but was raised in Chicago and holds dual Irish and American citizenship.

She gives her own interpretation of traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads, 1930s jazz numbers, surprise covers and lively guitar instrumentals.

Thanks to Villages in Action, Sarah is on stage at Colebrooke Village Hall on December 1 (01363 85051), Manaton Village Hall on December 2 (01647 221363) and at Peter Tavy Village Hall on December 3 (01822 810552).

Festive treat from Cygnet THE Cygnet Company in Exeter is staging “a jolly playful festive treat” at the New Theatre in December and January.

Alan Ayckbourn’s My Very Own Story, directed by Alistair Ganley, is a family play with “witty banter, comic situations and a wonderful fairytale ending.”

It opens on December 1 with matinee and evening performances until December 10 and again from January 4-7 – but NOT every day, so check their website, or call them, for details.

Call 01392 277189, or visit www. cygnetnewtheatre.com.

4

WHAT has red tape and health and safety got to do with collecting garden waste?

Well, unfortunately, new rules brought in to regulate hundreds of volunteer composting groups are forcing many to close.

But Chris Barnacle, who runs a scheme in his home village of Lympstone, is hoping his can survive and may even pay its way – if local people support it.

The scheme currently involves weekly collections of garden waste with a restriction of six bags per household. The waste is composted and sold back to gardeners, with East Devon District Council giving the scheme credits for the amount of compost sold.

Lympstone Compost began 11 years ago, run by volunteers.

Chris became involved in 2005 when he supplied a vehicle but this year the service was forced to close because of a drop in volunteers and customers - and the prohibitively expensive regulations.

Introduced by DEFRA, the Department for the environment, food and rural affairs, they require groups to be licensed, pay a start-up fee, hold a waste carrier’s licence and comply with strict site specifications.

After some significant investment, Chris’s project is meeting all the requirements and he is hoping

Tree felling continues LARCH trees, at the end of their life, are being felled in Scadson Woods, near Paignton, to prevent the spread of Sudden Oak Death disease and to make way for native tree planting, including ash and oak.

The felled larch will go to nearby Occombe Farm where it will be chipped to supply local organisations with fuel for woodchip boilers.

The Scadson Woods Project is funded by the Forestry Commission’s Woodland Improvement Grant.

Haven’s back

Chris Barnacle is running a composting scheme for villages the local community will back him by subscribing to his collection service.

Said Chris: “When the number of volunteers dropped off they ended up having to pay people to collect and to help out with composting.

“This is a really good scheme for people who have no access to transport to get rid of the waste.”

Under his new scheme, due to start in March 2012, the costs will be on a sliding scale depending on how many bags are collected.

Six bags will cost £36 for 37

collections per year.

He has found a new site near Exton and has invested in a tipper vehicle and some shredding equipment.

Chris says he is hoping to produce really high quality compost and also mulch for weed control. The service will cover the areas Lympstone, Woodbury, Exton and Ebford and will start on March 7, 2012.

Call Chris on 07539897957 or 01395 274224, or email barnacle914@btinternet.com

Go-ahead for new learning centre THESE are exciting times at Embercombe.

Jo Clark, who manages the land there, rang to tell us they’ve secured a grant of £750,000 to build a Devon Linhay as a land-based learning centre.

The funds have come from the Viridor Land Fill Credits Scheme, with 10% matched funding from Dartmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund, The Thyme Trust and Embercombe fundraising.

Said Jo: “The completed building will become the beating heart of the educational and skills learning initiative at Embercombe and will enable two large programmes to run simultaneously.

“The oak for the timber frame has already been harvested from our woods and we will break turf in the new year.”

THE wonderful Acoustic Haven returns on December 9 at Bowden House near Totnes, with Martha Tilston, Carrie Tree and Nathan Ball.

Doors open at 6pm and £12 tickets will probably sell out, so email dougkingsmith@yahoo. co.uk to book. Proceeds to The Hillyfield woodland farm (www. thehillyfield.co.uk).

On the QT THE Totnes-based gay social group Queer Totties have their next Sunday meet at 11am in the town’s Seven Stars Hotel on December 4 and their Solstice Gathering is on Friday, December 16, 7.30pm at Bowden House. Visit www. queertotties.tumblr. com, or email Jon at queertotties@live.co.uk

Shorts fest

The Embercombe Building Company, working with project manager Phill Ireland, will create a low-impact building featuring green oak, cob, recycled bricks and slate, a reed-bed sewage system, photo voltaic system and many more innovative methods.

“A tour of the completed building will be a learning opportunity in itself,” says Jo. “Getting the project this far

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

has already involved an enormous amount of work by many committed individuals.”

And if you would like to work with those “committed individuals”, whose mission is “to touch hearts, stimulate minds and inspire committed action for a truly sustainable world,” Embercombe currently has a vacancy for a site manager. All details are on the website at www. embercombe.co.uk.

IF you grabbed this issue good and promptly (and if not, that’ll teach you), you’ll be in time for the Two Short Nights film festival on December 1 and 2, at Exeter Phoenix in Gandy Street.

Visit www.exeterphoenix. org.uk

Brains Show A CHRISTMAS show featuring “full-on comic vaudeville”, strange-buttrue stories, live theatre, singing and dancing – it’s The Travelling Brain Show at The Barrel House in Totnes, on Sunday December 18 at 7pm. www. barrelhousetotnes.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment

Coming soon...

Follow us on Facebook YES, we’ve done it!

Reconnect has finally staggered blinking into the 21st century with a page on Facebook – and you don’t have to be on Facebook yourself to check it out.

It’s a purely Reconnect site, so you won’t have to read about us having enjoyed a coffee at our favourite cafe or how we’ve just decorated the downstairs loo.

What you WILL find there is: l Reminders of forthcoming events; l Photos that didn’t make it into the magazine: we always have loads more photos than we have space for in Reconnect and now we can put them up on our Facebook page so you don’t miss out (look out for notes at the end of stories); l Photo and story previews: when we’ve got a particularly interesting story and/or photograph for the next issue, we’ll sneak it up on Facebook so you get a preview; l News that missed our deadline: stories keep coming into the Reconnect office after the magazine has gone to press – and now we can put some of them on our Facebook page. l Other stuff: we’re still new to this so who knows what else we’ll come up with?

And the really exciting thing is that you can have your say too. You can see any of the above even if you don’t have your own Facebook page (just type the Reconnect

Future Shorts festival - in Totnes, January 27

Shorts festival in Totnes

address into your search engine and you go straight to our page), but if you are on Facebook, you can also leave comments about stories, photos, the magazine, or the colour we’ve used in the downstairs loo (we made up the last one).

So, do please come and visit, have a browse around and, if you can, leave a comment or click the ‘like this’ button.

Find us at www.facebook.com/ reconnectmagazine. Have a look now - we’ll wait for you...

Good huh? Did you leave a comment?

We would also like to say a special thanks to Vanessa at Zen Moments, who helped us create the right sort of Facebook page (business rather than personal).

She can also do the same for your business – email her at vanessa@ zenmoments.org.

And look out in the next issue for details of some VERY exciting developments on the Reconnect website.

A TOTNES community cinema has been awarded £848 by the Co-operative Community Fund.

Follaton Community Cinema (FCC) has already received over £9,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to buy equipment, but additional funding was needed to go towards day-to-day running.

FCC chairman Martin Foster (yes, THAT one) said: “Community cinema is such a great way to bring the community together – in December, for example, we’re combining a free family screening of Toy Story 3 with a shared potluck buffet meal. But hiring each costs around £110, and on top of that there’s hall hire, insurance and so on. This means we’re now secure for the whole of 2012 – we’re very grateful!”

On Friday, January 27 (7pm), Follaton Community Cinema is hosting Future Shorts, an international festival of short films.

“That is in addition to our usual programme of eight films a year,” said Martin. “Everyone is welcome – it’s just £5 on the door for a chance to see six of the world’s top short films. See you there!”

Find out more at www.follatoncommunitycinema. co.uk and www.futureshorts.com.

WE don’t usually mention what’s coming up in the next issue, but we’ve just got so much exciting stuff in the pipeline, we can’t wait, so... l Community shops are (thankfully) springing up all over the place.

Look out for the stories behind two of them, and a profile of the Plunkett Foundation in the next issue. l Dangerous Dads is a group of fathers who meet regularly to do adventurous stuff with their kids - and so far, no-one’s got hurt!

Contact Ian Blackwell on 01803 840990 to get involved or read the full story next time. l Matt Bindon, head coach for Shaolin Temple Devon, recently returned from three weeks of intensive martial arts training at the famous Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. See the Feb/Mar issue for the full story with pictures!

Picture this YOU can expect the usual high standard of work at the Harbour House gallery in Kingsbridge over the next couple of months.

Four artists come together for an exhibition of Chinese brush painting, mosaics, printmaking and jewellery from December 6-11.

And from January 18 until February 4, the gallery is yet again home to Primary Colours, featuring the work of 12 local schools.

Visit www.harbourhouse. org.uk or call them on 01548 854708.

Celtic roots with a twist AUDIENCES in two Devon villages will be treated to the music of Devon-born guitarist Tom Oakes with Shetland-born fiddle player Ross Couper, above, when they present a modern twist on the deeply rooted traditions of Scotland and Ireland.

Performances take place at Rattery Village Hall (01364 643741) on December 1, and at Bradninch Guildhall (01392 881245) on December 2.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Home made

pickles & cHutneys

Produced in St. Marychurch, Torquay using top quality ingredients with no artificial additives of any kind.

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

Come in and see our wonderful   selection of gift choices and  Find us in the delicious vegetarian and gluten  fare. free Christmas Market Square in We are open for late night  Totnes, TQ9 5SG shopping on Tuesdays in December  01803 866738 with 10%  discount on everything 

For more information check out www.greenlife.co.uk

Taste the Experience!

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

Tours are available which include a wine tasting.

Alfresco dining in summer.

01803 732203

www.sharpham.com

6

WE’VE got a huge spread of local food goodies this time, with a seaside theme on these pages and a Santa sack full of festive fare over the page - oh, and we did say ‘buy local’ didn’t we?

The wonderful Blackpool Sands home to the first Venus beachside cafe and, below, Michael Smith

Oh we do like to eat beside the seaside...

DEVON is justly famous for its beaches and a simple day of sea and surf is as green as it is fun and restful.

But when you visit the nearby cafes, shops and facilities, do you sometimes get the feeling they believe their beachside location means they don’t have to try too hard?

The Venus Company set out to change that and today, with six sites across Devon and Cornwall, they work hard to maintain their environmental and community responsibilities.

The first Venus beach café and shop was opened by Michael Smith, his wife Louisa Newman and Lee Porter in 1995 at Blackpool Sands, between Dartmouth and Slapton. It offered a high quality menu, featuring local and organic ingredients.

It was a formula that proved popular and the company now has four sites in Devon (including their first non-beach outlet at The Shops in Dartington which opened in Spring 2011) and two in Cornwall – together serving 650,000 customers a year, with a turnover topping £2 million.

While staying true to their green ideals, that first outlet at Blackpool Sands has developed dramatically over the years.

In 2007, an investment of over £200,000 created all-weather dining facilities to take advantage of the stunning beach settings, with glazed bi-fold door frontage, sun light tubes, low energy lighting, roof and wall insulation, argon-filled double glazing, radiant heating and a stove burning sustainably-sourced wood. Today,

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Venus at Blackpool Sands is known for alfresco summer dining, cosy family meals and Christmas parties next to the log fire in the winter and as a fabulous location for weddings and celebrations of all kinds.

The company’s green credentials haven’t gone unrecognised.

Venus was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development for the second time in 2010. One of only ten UK companies winning the accolade, the judges described Venus as a ‘rare example of a sustainable café chain’. Venus was also the winner of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism in 2009.

This year, Venus has become one of the first UK companies to use a fullycompostable hot drinks cup and lid.

Following several years of searching for a solution, the drinks lids are lined with a new biopolymer made from natural plant sugars and are compostable in 60-90 days in commercial composting facilities Venus’s other outlets are at East Portlemouth, on the Kingsbridge/ Salcombe Estuary, and Bigbury on Sea in Devon, plus Tolcarne Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay, Cornwall.

Said Michael Smith: “Our business ethos is to ensure that customer’s needs are balanced carefully with environmental and social considerations.”

local people local events local food localadhealth Reconnect Xmas 2011 local 4/11/11 environment 13:44 Page 1

Everything you need for Christmas...under one roof

Jason and Compass Rose, the boat he restored and now uses to fish

Landing fresh local fish when the boat comes in AS the early morning high tide hits the shoreline in the little Lympstone boat shelter, local fisherman Jason Ingham ties up in the brook – the end of another gruelling all-night fishing expedition.

His success or failure will be felt by the local pubs and families in the East Devon village alongside the River Exe to whom he is a wonderful new source of fresh fish and shellfish.

For the past five years Jason has been refitting his boat Compass Rose which he rescued from the mud.

Built for a Cornish family in 1964, it had spent its last years working for the Bisgrove brothers of Lympstone who were whelk fishermen. It was one of the last commercial fishing boats to work out of the village but had been sitting in the boat shelter deteriorating for years.

Jason bought the hull and stripped it back to its bare shell and, using his carpentry and joinery skills, rebuilt the boat in his spare time between his work as a local builder. He began fishing earlier this year.

Now he hopes his talks with the local planners and the environmental health department will next year allow him to open a fish store with

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tanks for crab and lobster, an ice machine and a big walk-in fridge where he can store his catches.

Jason has been fishing on and off for most of his life having run a large fishing boat from Lympstone in the nineties.

“There were six or seven boats fishing from here in the seventies,” he said.

“But it’s a different type of society we live in these days.”

Jason has 60 pots and fishes an area up to 10 miles from the river.

To make the fishing viable Jason says he needs to retail his catch rather than take it to a wholesale market such as Brixham.

He added: “People from the village have so far been very supportive and want to see the boat here. The Harbour Board are very good to us and people are generally interested in seeing what we bring in.”

Jason is keen to educate people on fish and recently invited villagers to sample some of his catch free of charge and to learn about different fish and different ways to cook them.

He said: “We want to show people that there are alternatives and they are not inferior.”

His long battle to get the boat shipshape has involved a lot of red tape. His fishing licence alone cost £18,000. But it doesn’t stop there.

Very strict quotas govern what he can catch and Jason has paid £500 per person for a team of six villagers, including his youngest son Toby, to learn how to operate the boat. The courses cover personal survival, fire fighting, first aid and health and safety.

The boat also has to comply with all the current regulations and carries all the necessary and very expensive life saving equipment.

The costs involved mean the boat is a huge investment for Jason who is hoping he will find support from local people when he lands his catches.

We’ve got the lot! Christmas orders now being taken.

Christmas Hampers, off-the-peg and bespoke. Choose for yourself from our wonderful range of local, award winning produce, including organic vegetables, Fairtrade, wholefoods, homebaking, dairy, fish, poultry and meats. Gifts galore made by local makers.

Call in now and take a look. Open all day, Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Special Christmas Late Night Opening on Thursday 15 December.

Order by phone - 07901 983869

Ashburton's very own Local Produce Market

Tuckers Country Store, Ashburton TQ13 7DG. Free parking right outside the door.

Get Turkeyed at Tuckers this Christmas!

SackS wholefoods

• 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

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

FREE tastings on all three late-night Tuesdays 7

Seasons-ChristmasAd-R10p 11/11/11 14:14 Page 1

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Locally grown, locally sold this stall’s on Totnes market

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www.thekitchentable.org.uk

Ethical outside catering, from festive feasts to wedding buffets and business lunches.

Contact Hannah or Sima and ask them about our bespoke service, creating delicious, local, seasonal food, according to your menu requirements. hannah@thekitchentable.org.uk 07897 600965 sima@thekitchentable.org.uk 07583 400998

Winter Opening Times DEVON • Café open daily from 8:30am - 5pm Evening dining 5-10pm (Thurs-Sat) • Open daily from 10am - 5pm Bigbury on Sea The Shops at Dartington • Open daily from 8:30am - 5:30pm • Closed during winter. Opens Easter East Portlemouth Blackpool Sands

CORNWALL - Newquay Watergate Bay Tolcarne Beach

• Café open daily from 10am - 4pm • Closed during winter. Opens Easter

Organic, locally-sourced food and drink 01803 712648

www.lovingthebeach.co.uk 8

Festive fare’s up your street FOOD and drink are a huge part of most people’s Christmas shopping budget - and probably not somewhere we should be trying to make savings.

But we can ensure high quality (and traceability) plus low food miles by keeping it local.

And keeping your shopping local keeps the money local too. The Federation of Small Businesses estimate that buying your Christmas dinner locally puts 50% of what you spend back into the local economy - as opposed to only 5% when you spend it in supermarkets and chain stores.

And there are other reasons for using local independent stores. These come from Friends of the Earth: l They are more likely to provide local food that hasn’t been flown halfway across the world; l They offer a much more personal service than big supermarkets ; l They often offer better value than big supermarkets for fresh fruit and vegetables;

l They are more energy efficient than huge superstores – it would take more than 60 greengrocers to match the carbon dioxide emissions from just one average superstore; l A diverse range of local shops provides more choice than one big supermarket.

So, as we say in our green Christmas feature on pages 22-23, buying locally is the single most effective action you can take towards a greener Christmas – and throughout the year for a greener 2012 too.

As well as the traditional roast, look out for local cheese and pickles, bread and cakes, honey and preserves, fish and quiches. Plus locally brewed beer and locally made wines, ciders and juices.

And what better gift for the ‘tricky to buy for’ friend or family member than locally produced goodies? Maybe visit your local farmers’ market or produce store and put together a small hamper…

Stores and market serve up late-night WITH all this talk of buying your produce locally (we did mention that, didn’t we?), it seemed a good time to have a quick look at what a few of our advertisers are offering by way of Christmas fare.

Green Life, on the edge of the Market Square at the top of Totnes, will be giving their “Christmas present to all our customers” on Friday, December 2, when they give a 10% discount across their store.

And if you can’t make it then, the same 10% will be available again 6-9pm on all three of Totnes’s latenight shopping evenings.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

For the early shoppers, they are opening at 8.30am every Friday in December, but will close at 3.30pm on Christmas Eve. Look out too for: Melvita, Queenswood Table Chocolate, wine and liqueur tasting during their December 13 late-night opening; and Christmas chocolate tastings during the day on Tuesdays, December 6 and 20.

Plus, of course, gift items and lots of vegetarian Christmas fare right over the festive period.

Tuckers Local Produce Market in Ashburton will open late on

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local people local events local food local health local environment Open day says thanks to loyal customers EXETER shopkeepers Rob and Rachel Barker are planning an open house at their healthfood store in the city.

The couple have issued a festive invitation to customers to come in and sample some local food and try some beauty products as a thank-you for their custom over the past year.

Seasons health food store in Well Street, just behind Sidwell Street, is holding its Christmas celebration

on December 3 from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Said Rachel: “We want to take this opportunity to thank our customers and give them the chance to try some new products.”

There will be a 10% discount on offer all day.

Check out the shop’s new website at www.seasons4food.co.uk

Catering for local tastes IT’S one thing being careful about what you eat at home – it’s simple these days to source good seasonal and organic produce.

But what happens when you want to cater for an event? How do you avoid the mass-produced sausage rolls and curly sandwiches?

Enter The Kitchen Table, which partners Hannah Jones and Sima Cutting say is “all about local food and local people”.

Says Hannah: “We love the diversity and strength of our food network and support and build on these links by buying our key ingredients within a 30-mile radius of Totnes.

“By building lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with other local businesses we are strengthening our community and ensuring its resilience for the Sima (left) and Hannah of The Kitchen future. There’s a wealth Table - no, they don’t usually dress of fantastic producers in like that, it was a halloween-themed this area so we’re spoilt market! for choice!” for Transition Tours, a new enterprise The Kitchen Table can set up by Transition Town Totnes, provide hot and cold buffets for of which Hannah and Sima are 10-100 people, hot meals (curries, supporters and part of their Food stews, soups, or bakes), high teas, Group. business lunches and cakes and savouries.

Call Hannah on 07897 600 965, email hannah@thekitchentable.

We met them at the Artisans Market org.uk, or Sima on 07583 400998, in Totnes, where they run the email sima@thekitchentable.org.uk refreshments (LOVE that Beetroot 07583 400998.

Seed Cake!) and they also catered

opening, discounts and free tastings Thursday. December 15, on top of its usual Tuesday-Saturday markets, and offers the full range of local, award-winning produce, organic veg, Fairtrade, wholefoods and everything you could need for your homebaking.

Look out too for some unique craft gifts made by local makers.

And if parking is your Christmas curse, remember they’ve got space right outside the market – and you can call into the Tuckers Country Store (and garden centre) while you’re there.

Sacks and Sacks Too, the two

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wholefood shops at the top and bottom of Totnes, will be staying open for late night shopping on three Tuesdays, December 6, 13 and 20.

As well as ingredients for Christmas cooking, including dried fruit and yeast, Sacks also stocks cakes, puddings and mince pies, along with gluten and sugar-free alternatives.

“And if you want something special for your Christmas larder that we don’t already stock, we can get it in for you,” says Sacks owner David Saunderson.

Seasonal Eating WE humans might not actually hibernate, but winter is a time for drawing the curtains and cosying up. So what food will give us the best support through these long, cold, dark months? Carol’s got the answers...

WINTER is a time of extremes: breath-taking scenery, chilly dampness and manic feasting.

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory can help to give us a different more balanced perspective based on reflection, conserving energy and keeping cosy at home.

I always think there is something rather delicious about the approach of winter and the slow gradual shutting out of the external and the reconnection with the internal; the melting away of the superficial and emergence of the deep.

In winter, in complete contrast to the showy light energy of summer, we are plunged into the deepest part of the energetic year. Within the five-element model, winter is linked to the water element and in the often awe-inspiring landscape of winter it is water that can put on the best show; the hoar frosts, the beauty of snowflakes and the amazing ice formations.

Nature slows down so we slow down, whether we choose to ignore it or not. We need to eat warming easily digested foods such as millet or oat porridge for breakfast and simple warming soups with pulses such as green and yellow split peas and warming pot barley. Also go for lightly steamed vegetables rather than raw, much easier on our sluggish winter ‘go slow’ digestive systems.

Even though we may be less active, we still need to keep water levels up.

We don’t have to drink cold water; warm water with lemon and ginger is really warming and just as hydrating.

Carol knows her...

Seasonal fare includes the more hearty sweet root vegetables which reflect the deeper seasonal energy and the need for denser complex carbohydrates to keep us warm; swede, celeriac, beetroot, parsnips, shallots, onions and leeks. Also the hardy brassicas, kale, sprouts and cabbage which sweeten and become even more delicious with the increasing cold and frost.

And then, of course, there are the Christmas and New Year festivities, hard to avoid and often hard to survive. Well, I suppose there is ‘CELEBRATING’ and then ‘celebrating’ in a quieter and more reflective seasonal way.

Also the winter solstice, on December 22, is a time of welcoming and celebrating the return of the light as we begin another new cycle of increasing daylight and warmth.

Absolutely a time of feasting, you could even include this delicious cranberry sauce ‘friendly’ seasonal recipe in your celebrations.

RECIPE: mushroom and hazelnut-stuffed onions 6 large sweet onions ; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 3/4 cup chopped mushrooms; 1 small carrot, grated; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 baking apple, cored and finely chopped; 1/2 cup cooked wild or long grain brown rice; 1/3 cup finely chopped hazelnuts; 1 cup soft wholemeal breadcrumbs; 1 cup cider Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of each onion, leaving the skins on.

Scoop out onion centres, leaving about 1/4-inch-thick shells. Finely chop enough of the removed onion centres to measure 1/3 cup. Brush onions with oil. For filling, in large pan cook the 1/3 cup reserved onion centres, mushrooms and carrot in 1 tablespoon of the butter for 5 minutes. Slowly add 1/2 cup of cider. Stir in apple, rice and nuts; cook for 1 minute more.

Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs and season to taste.

Spoon the filling into each onion shell.

Arrange the stuffed onions in a baking dish. Pour the other 1/2 cup of cider around stuffed onions. Bake, covered, in the oven 180 C, gas mark 4 for about 40 minutes or until onions are tender. Melt remaining butter and stir together with remaining bread crumbs; sprinkle over onions.

Bake, uncovered, for 5 to 15 minutes more or until onions are tender. Remove outer skins before eating.

Reconnect’s Seasonal Eating is written by Carol Lee, who offers one-to-one consultations and runs workshops and courses in nutrition, health and wellbeing. Call her on 01363 82794 or visit www.naturalfoodschool.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

9

local people local events local food local health local environment WELCOME to Transition Noticeboard, a new regular feature in Reconnect, bringing together news and views from Transition groups across the area.

For anyone new to Transition, the movement has its roots in Totnes and is made up of community groups, usually covering a village or town, working to prepare themselves to face the challenges of climate change and peak oil.

We thought Transition Noticeboard might help to spread the word, maybe even attract new members, and also play its part in strengthening links between local groups.

If your Transition group isn’t featured in this Transition Noticeboard, email us at editor@reconnectonline. co.uk before the New Year to get into the February/March issue.

To find out more, or to set up a Transition group in your area, visit www. transitionnetwork.org, which is an amazing resource of advice and information.

What the papers say about BCA BOVEY Climate Action (BCA) tell us they will be featured in the Lifestyle section of the Telegraph (past tense by the time you read this, we assume – can’t say we’re regular Telegraph readers).

They heard from Telegraph journo Sara Lonsdale who wanted to feature a climate change group from outside London.

BCA told her about their community garden and woodland, and talked about how local action complemented national government initiatives.

Check out www.telegraph.co.uk/ journalists/sarah-lonsdale to see how it went.

Find BCA at www. boveyclimateaction.org.uk or call 0845 478 6311.

Transition noticeboard The group during their visit

Transition to the rescue TRANSITION Town Totnes saved the day when a trans-European youth exchange project looked doomed.

A group of 26 young people and their leaders, from Siberia, Ukraine, Slovakia and Germany, were scheduled to visit Derbyshire, but their UK partners had to pull out at the last minute.

German organiser Horst Laube of Gruener Grashalm explained: “A visa to the UK costs a Siberian about a month’s salary – and a week’s travel to Novosobirsk and back to complete the administration. Cancelling was not an option.”

So the whole trip was transferred to South Devon.

Hal Gillmore, who organises programmes of tours, education and adventure as part of the Transition Town Totnes initiative, said: “We had about 10 days to organise a 16-day, varied programme on a near impossible budget. It was quite a challenge – crazy, really - but the generous and enterprising River Dart community really pulled together to make things possible.”

The group first camped on the

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TNA’s project for Kingsteignton WATCH out Kingsteignton, Transition is coming!

Transition Newton Abbot (TNA) have got Awards for All funding to start up Kingsteington Transition Together, based on the award-winning Transition Street model that proved so successful in Totnes.

A spokesman for TNA said: “We now have funding to set up and support groups in Kingsteignton, which will come together to look at steps to increase energy efficiency in the home, decrease waste and estimate carbon and cash savings.

“The first phase will cover 20 groups but we hope to secure funding for more projects.”

It is hoped the project will act as a platform for other spin-off initiatives as neighbours start to get a taste for working together.

Email jane@bakerville. freeserve.co.uk, or postie@ transitionnewtonabbot.org.uk.

Sustainable birthday group invites town council to the party

Rob’s book winners THE following lucky readers are currently enjoying the excellent and comprehensive Transition Companion by Rob Hopkins after taking part in the book giveaway in our last issue: Aaron Harverson, of Whipton, Exeter; Joy Pugsley of Ogwell, Newton Abbot; and David Elder of Noss Mayo.

Check out this issue’s Christmas freebie pressie giveaway on page 24.

Sharpham Estate, then relocated to Landmatters in Allaleigh and began to get to know each other and learn about Transition and Gaia theory through trips to Totnes, Occombe Farm and Dartmoor.

Other activities over the 16 days included working with South Devon College students to build a canoe, learning about permaculture at Landmatters Permaculture Project and learning practical skills such as cobb building. They also took part in raft building, climbing, walking the coastline around Dartmouth and a trip to the Eden Project.

Said Hal: “We would really like to thank all who helped so much, particularly South Devon College, Landmatters, Sharpham Trust, 3rd Totnes Sea Scouts and Transition Town Totnes - and to acknowledge generous offers from the Raleigh Estate and Baltic Wharf. “ To find out more about professional programmes of “tours, education and adventure”, email tours@ transitiontowntotnes.org.

Visit www.transitiontowntotnes.org, or call 01803 867358.

Rob Rickey’s house in Crediton - designed using Passivhaus principles. Now completed, it was recently visited by Sustainable Crediton members

SUSTAINABLE Crediton is celebrating its fifth birthday in February and (of course) they’re planning a party to mark the occasion.

It’ll be at Sandford Village Hall on February 25, 7-11.30pm, and early plans include a bring-andshare local/Fairtrade/homemade supper, entertainment for all ages, a bring and swap corner and (again of course) dancing to the Swamp Gods.

Tickets on sale from mid-January at the Green House in the Town Square.

One of the many achievements

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of Sustainable Crediton over the years has been an excellent working relationship with Crediton Town Council – taking local authorities along with them is very much a part of the Transition ethos.

To that end, the two groups are joining forces to present an interactive seminar called ‘Working together to create a sustainable and resilient future for Crediton’ - which about says it all really.

To keep up to date visit them at www. sustainablecrediton.org.uk or email info@sustainablecrediton.org.uk.

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Intuitive Born Healer

Open Day and third birthday celebrations at Transition Newton Abbot’s Community Garden

Celebrations in community garden MORE birthday celebrations – this time for Transition Newton Abbot (TNA).

Top of the list of their many achievements must be the TNA Community Garden, a formerly derelict piece of ground, given to them by the council, and which they have transformed into “a wonderful haven of peace and productivity”.

Said TNA’s Helen Chessum: “Our garden works on organic and permaculture principles and members of Stover Youth Wildlife group have created a flourishing wildlife pond in one corner of the garden.”

TNA also has a very active Energy Group, which has developed an energy assessment pack for use by both businesses and private homes.

And they’ve also produced energy sculptures for the town, which TNA hope to install in and around the town when they have planning permission.

To spread the Transition word they have hosted talks (their last was The Moneyless Man by Mark Boyle,) and have been involved in consultation around Teignbridge local development plans, with Transition Network’s Rob Hopkins speaking at a recent town event.

“We are engaging with both district and town councils to put forward our own vision and proposals for sustainable development,” says Helen.

Find out more about TNA at www. transitionnewtonabbot.org.uk

Rachel Bolton MPCHM MAcS ITEC

Intuitive healing for people and animals.

Working with all physical, emotional and spiritual concerns.

Tel: 01364 653 788 Mob: 07957 597 618 e mail: rachel.bolton@touchthespirit.co.uk www.touchthespirit.co.uk

Please see my website for testimonials

Honiton gets Transitioned

Drop in at sustainable cafe A NEW event aims to promote community and creativity in Exmouth.

Cafe Etc is a drop-in cafe with lots of creative and sustainable things going on, according to Transition Town Exmouth’s (TTE) Paul Strange.

TTE, Createxe and the Exmouth LETS group have joined forces to promote the inaugural event at the Axis Centre in Market Street, Exmouth, on Saturday, December 3, 10.30am-4pm.

Said Paul: “Cafe Etc promises to be something quite special for Exmouth.”

The idea was inspired by the successful Arts Cafe events run earlier this year by Createxe. Visual arts will be on display along with live music and poetry.

“There’s no entrance fee, just buy a drink and maybe a homemade cake and sit down and enjoy what’s on offer,” said Paul.

The first Cafe Etc will showcase the work of local artists Claire Close, Birgit Frederiksen and Ali Pawson. Paul Barnham and guests will be playing jazz, there’s classical music from a string quartet featuring Angela Ashwin and storytelling from David Heathfield and Jenny Moon.

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IT seems appropriate, with all this talk of Transition group birthdays and this being our very first Transition Noticeboard, that we have details of a brand new Transition group.

Although it was only born in early October, Transition Town Honiton (TTH) has already held its first event – a giveaway of surplus fruit from a stall in the town’s community market.

TTH’s Rufus Duffin collected the unwanted pears and cooking and eating apples from homes in and around Honiton and they proved popular with market shoppers, who carried away bagfuls.

The eight-strong steering group are already discussing other activities, and really want to hear from new members.

Find out more from Sharon Pavey on 0774 0973 990, or email sdpavey@gmail.com.

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

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

Highly qualified staff (FDFS Bath University).

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

Call us on 01803 840779 (24 hour service).

funerals with heart and soul Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Thinking about solar energy for your property?

YOU might have heard that the solar PV tariff’s been dramatically chopped - so what’s the new deal? We’ve got all the answers...

PV benefits shine through dark cloud of tariff cuts Capture the value of sunlight going to waste each day - even in winter.

It’s the next best thing to making money in your sleep.

Call me, Justin Davis, your local representative for SOLAR KING UK , and let me help you take advantage of the Government’s subsidy.

01803 762 175

or

07515 681 583

justin.davis@solarkinguk.com

Your one stop shop for: Solar PV installations From mid December, we will be offering new lower cost systems keeping the FiT return up to 9% for ideal Southerly facing locations.

Our trading record in Renewables and buying power enables us to offer some really great deals!

Solar Hot Water systems We are fully MCS accredited for Solar Hot water systems offering some attractively priced package systems. You’ll be set up for next year, when the Renewable Heat Incentive arrives. In the meantime, you’ll be able to pick up the interim payment of £300, plus bring down your rising fuel bills!

THE government’s hasty rethink on tariffs for PV systems has left installers reeling.

With only six weeks from the announcement to the deadline, installers were faced with a queue of clients who wanted to be online before December 12, the day when tariffs would be cut in half.

But what happens the other side of that deadline? In fact, PV is still an all-round good deal for you and for the planet – even with the reduced feed-in tariff.

If you have a lump of cash you are looking to invest and you have a green agenda, what better place could you find to see a good return and a degree of satisfaction about your contribution to the swing away from dependence on fossil fuels?

The market has changed out of all recognition since the first tariffs were paid out in April 2010.

The original intention was for installations to bring in a return on investment of around 8%.

In the South West, where light levels are much higher, the return under the old tariffs was estimated to be as much as 15%. Couple this with the fact that the cost of installations has dropped dramatically and the return was just unsustainable. An average domestic PV installation has fallen by at least 30% since the start of the scheme – from around £13,000 in April 2010 to £9,000 now.

Margins for the solar industry have been high for a long time and are now expected to fall, both for installers and for equipment manufacturers.

The high tariffs sparked a huge rise in the number of companies registering to become installers and there was talk of ‘cowboys’ selling systems at three times their value and some using shoddy workmanship or installations put onto north-facing roofs.

Wind Turbine Systems For rural locations Wind Power can be the best option, providing electricity generation day and night. We are MCS approved for this demanding technology, and will take your turbine system from initial survey, through planning, right to installation and commissioning

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The cut in tariffs should mean an end to the ‘gold rush’ by get-rich-quick start-up companies. And that means the market should return to normality, allowing professional installers to provide a good quality of service and product without the fear of being undercut by unfair and unprofessional competition.

Fraser Durham, who runs Anahat Energy (www.anahatenergy.com), an independent energy efficiency and renewable energy consultancy, said that, in ideal conditions, with an unshaded South-facing roof here in the South West, on a 30 degree pitch, the rate of return was in the order of 9% under the new tariffs.

“It is incredibly difficult to go anywhere else and find returns of 9% particularly when you consider there is no risk, it is inflation proof, tax free and guaranteed for 25 years. I don’t think there is anything else out there. The Government is quoting 4%, but that is in Sheffield or the Midlands.”

All this has to be considered in the light of the rising cost of domestic electricity and gas. Gas prices rose by 122% and electricity by 75% in the five years to 2009.

Fraser added that South Hams District Council was working with low income households to offer low interest loans to enable them to buy Solar PV systems.

The Government has a binding obligation to increase renewable energy (not just electricity) from 3% to 15% of total UK consumption by 2020.

Advice is available through the Energy Saving Trust at www.energysavingtrust. org.uk. l From April 1 2012, homes will also have to have an energy rating of C or higher to obtain the PV Feed in Tariff of 21p. If not, the tariff will drop to 9p!

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The Ecosource Solutions team

Generating new energy usage THE tariff rate reduction on December 12 will give rise to a new breed of customer, according to Byron McNeill-Matthews who runs Ecosource Solutions.

With initial feed-in-tariffs set so high, most PV users were realising a great financial return based entirely on generation payments with a complete disregard for how best to utilise the ‘free’ electricity they were generating.

Now they need to maximise their investment by being more cautious with the generated electricity and find smarter ways of using it.

According to Byron, whose company specialises in renewable energy installations, the primary goal for any renewable energy project should be to generate as much electricity as possible - and, secondary to this, should be a real drive to utilise as much of the freely-generated electricity as possible. Traditionally, over a year, approximately 2535% of the generated electricity is consumed within the property with the majority being exported automatically when generation is higher than usage.

Said Byron: “By using as much of the generated electricity as possible and limiting the export of superfluous

electricity, you save money and thus reduce your dependence on energy from the national grid which continues to increase in price.

“Energy management and export control devices limit the amount of exported electricity by redirecting the energy to appliances which can use it - for example, an immersion hot water cylinder or an electric car.

“The costs associated with storing generated electricity are still relatively high and very uncommon. I would prefer to see a larger solar PV system on my roof with clever energy management technology.”

Disregarding the financial benefits, any excess renewable energy fed into the grid replaces electricity from fossil fuel power stations - your renewable electricity means that somewhere else a power station needs to burn less fuel. This is especially relevant in the case of PV panels which produce electricity during peak demand time (middle of the day) when the dirtiest coal power stations are often used to produce peak electricity.

Visit www.ecosourcesolutions.co.uk, or call 01395 233182. Also see www.housingenergyadvisor.com and www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ Generate-your-own-energy

Bespoke system ‘gives 9.4%’ THE recent drop in the feed-in-tariff took a lot of people by surprise but Solar PV remains a viable and attractive option for many households, according to Andrew Collenette at local installation company Totnes Solar.

Says Andrew: “Following the announcement, we cut our system prices by £3,000 across the range. It’s important to us to provide a bespoke service but at prices that mean our customers can still get a 9.4% return – better than money in the bank.”

This 9.4% return on investment corresponds to a 4kWp system using Sharp solar panels manufactured in the UK, with a capital outlay of £10,615.

For maximum efficiency and returns, systems should be designed specifically for individual installations, says Andrew, and Totnes Solar offer a range of PV panels and inverters.

“We have the pick of different products so we can build systems that are perfectly tailored to each home,” says Andrew. “It’s crucial, for example, that the output of the panels is matched

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to the size of the inverter and so we combine models carefully.”

Andrew says that all Totnes Solar work, from the initial visit to the completion of the job, is carried out by installers with experience of at least 30 installations.

“That way we can be sure they fully understand every aspect of every installation and are best placed to advise our customers,” he added.

Visit www.totnessolar.co.uk, or call 01803 868750.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust sustainable projects officer Tom LangdonDavies at South Devon’s largest solar power station - Occombe Farm, which has 500 panels on its barn roofs.

How feed-in could work for the UK THE new industry that has grown up around the PV feed-in tariff has taken a huge knock with the announcement of a 50% cut.

But Julian Ghail from PV installers Flamefix from Cullompton, believes the tariff should be adjusted to benefit UK industry and suggests tiers of payment based on return for the UK: l A 100% FIT payment for a product designed and built in the UK/EU. l A 75% FIT payment for a product assembled in the UK/ EU or owned and designed by a

UK/EU company but produced overseas. l A 35% payment for a product designed, built or assembled in a non UK/EU country.

He said: “This could be considered protectionist but if the policy of the EU is to develop a European renewables industry, as it is in the UK, then because it is a levy on all our energy bills, it should be for the benefit of promoting a renewables industry here in the UK/EU, not abroad, particularly if that industry is already subsidised elsewhere.” Visit www.flamefix.co.uk.

EU forces government to cut planned biomass rates IT’S been all change for feedin-tariffs this Autumn and the domestic market is not the only area to be hit by falling incentives.

Because state approval was necessary before the tariffs could be introduced, the UK government had to gain approval from Europe.

And the European Commission has decided the UK’s proposed

tariff for large biomass installations, such as those for business premises, is too high.

The tariffs were due to be launched at the end of September this year, but now the commission has ruled that the tariff should be reduced from 2.7p per kWh to 1p per kWh. The UK government has now revised the regulations and was hoping to open the

scheme to applications as Reconnect went to press at the end of November, subject to Parliamentary approval.

Currently RHI tariffs are not available for domestic premises until Autumn next year, but until then the government has introduced Renewable Heat Premium Payments to help homeowners buy the equipment they need.

For solar thermal installations the householder would receive £300. This rises to £850 for air source heat pumps, £950 for biomass boilers and £1,250 for ground source heat pumps.

If you’re confused by all the figures (and who wouldn’t be?), call the Ofgem enquiries line on 0845 200 2122, or email RHI. Enquiry@Ofgem.gov.uk, or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Doing jobs while the sun shines LIFE in the new age of home generation means a change in everyday habits.

Jan Hardy, wife of Reconnect’s Pete, who had a 4kWh system fitted a year ago, says she has changed the way she runs her house.

“I do as much as I can in the day.

I don’t use the dishwasher and or washing machine at night.

“I make bread in the day and do all my ironing when the sun is out. If it’s a dull day and I’m not generating, then I’ll delay some of the jobs.”

“I would also try and charge things like electric lawnmowers and mobile phones in the daytime or install timers which are set for daylight hours.”

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Once upon a festival...

rooted in the wisdom of Chinese medicine

five flavours

a new seasonal magazine about food and health available only by annual subscription @ £15 inc. p&p four seasonal editions a year commencing Feb 2012 www.wendymorrison-acupuncture.co.uk/fiveflavours.html IT’S time to look forward to one of the big local events of 2012 - the Westcountry Storytelling Festival at Embercombe, in association with (we are delighted to say) Reconnect magazine.

So, if you haven’t been to a storytelling festival before, what can you expect? Is it just for kids?

Will you just be sat listening to stories for three days?

Well, we can’t speak for any others, but ours – as you would expect with Embercombe and Reconnect involved – will be a family-friendly feast of story, song and sustainability.

Internationally-famous storytellers, such as Jan Blake, Ben Haggerty, Sheila Stewart, Nick Hennessey and Caitlin Matthews, will lead us into a fabulous world of myth and story in the stunning setting of Embercombe’s 50-acre valley overlooking Dartmoor and Haldon Forest.

And to give you time to digest the wild wisdom of ancient tales (and the delicious, home-cooked organic food – it IS Embercombe!), there will be music, walks, poetry, talks, workshops, crafts, fire ceremonies, dancing, meditation, movement classes, stalls to browse, discussion groups and story rounds to try out your own storytelling skills.

The theme for the festival is Patterns under the Plough - a celebration of the land, both farmed and wild under the stars.

So expect a host of outdoor workshops and events, from bread baking in the outdoor ovens to a dusk-to-dawn telling of 2000

Westcountry Storytelling Festival Embercombe, near Exeter August 24 – 27 (Bank Holiday Weekend)

years of Dartmoor history by a celebrated local teller.

Still want more?

Well, for the kids there will be puppet shows, craft tents, special bedtime stories, den-building, circus skills and wandering minstrels and giant puppets. For older children there will be a film making day, true story sessions and music and stories specially for their age group.

Reconnect will bring you more on Westcountry Storytelling Festival (and especially more about the storytellers themselves) over the coming months but what more could you want to know before wanting to be there?

Right, yes, the cost – if you get in quickly you can get an Early Bird adult ticket for £75 (£25 for kids) – and you could book an Embercombe tipi or yurt (£200 or £250, respectively, for the weekend).

But that early bird price ends on July 1 and the tipis and yurts will go really quickly, so get in there quick – visit www. weststoryfest. co.uk to find out more and to book online.

See you there! l DON’T miss our big 2012 festival round-up in the next issue of Reconnect - out at the end of January.

The search engine search continues...

ONE thing that came up during chats on Facebook (you haven’t visited our Facebook page? Find out more on page 5) was alternative search engines.

Things online might seem to be monopolised by Google and Yahoo, but there are more wholesome alternatives.

Suggestions so far include: EcoSia, which donates 80% of its revenue

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

to the protection of rainforest – just under £400,000 as we go to press; Blackle, the black background of which (like Reconnect’s website) has a black, energy-saving background (2,796,230 watt hours as we go to press); and www.everyclick.com/ barnowltrust, which donates to Barn Owl conservation, for free, every time you search the web.

More suggestions, please, to editor@reconnectonline.co.uk.

Kate Harris Life Coaching & Self Esteem Specialist Using cognitive behavioural therapy and life coaching to help you release your inner confidence.

Now is the perfect time to review 2011 and set some exciting goals for 2012.

By phone (including Skype) or in person in a relaxed farmhouse setting near Totnes. t: 01803 847674 m: 0777 949 6240 www.kateharris-lifecoaching.co.uk

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

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Our pick of the pics...

A PICTURE, they say, is worth a thousand words – so between us we have written a whole book on the recent Apple, Pumpkin and Pizza Day at Embercombe!

Reconnect joined forces with the wonderful Embercombe, near Exeter, to celebrate the richness of the Autumn and particularly its food and drink (the clue’s in the title).

Hundreds of you enjoyed all manner of fun, fare and frolics and we came up with a way of bringing out your creative side – and of telling the story of the event for those who couldn’t make it.

We invited you to let us have pictures of your day and promised we would pick out one for our next cover and some runners-up to use inside.

And here are the results...

We actually received hundreds of entries and it was really tough, but also great fun, choosing our winners. We think the winners capture the beauty, spirit and diversity of the day.

There’s no doubt some of our readers have a wicked eye for detail and the unusual – and it was amply provided by the day’s amazing proceedings, from apple juicing and tug-o’-war to craft workshops in tipis and the loveliest, freshest food you can imagine.

Course to count on IT’S seems a common story among otherwise creative, intelligent people that maths is a no-go zone.

Not so for Sarah Scaife: “I still remember my maths teacher, Mrs Edwards,” she says.

“She taught us maths as poetry, rather than as grammar. It’s a gift, which has stayed with me all my adult life.”

Now she wants to hear from anyone interested in “an experimental course for a small group in the Totnes area.”

She said: “It would be for a couple of hours a week for about six weeks. Over that time you’d be supported to shed some negative associations and replace them with a passion for number and space – well, ok, maybe at least mild interest… and pick up a bit of practical maths for everyday life too.”

Call 01803 840990, email s.scaife@ btopenworld.com, or visit www.sarahscaife.co.uk.

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The covershot we chose, of the girl apple-bobbing, was taken by Barry Shapiro, an American who was visiting Embercombe from his current home in Mexico!

The runners-up are: Girl among the pumpkins, right, by Suzie Mumme of Ashton; Sunset, watching the procession coming back from the closing ceremony, below, by Amy James of Constantine in Cornwall; and the storyteller, below right, by Renee Barange of Staverton.

To see a much larger selection of the images we received, check out ‘Photos’ on our Facebook page at www.facebook/reconnectmagazine. co.uk - and you don’t need your own Facebook page to visit ours.

The priceless gift of independence CAMPHILL Devon have been supporting people with learning disabilities in Devon for over 30 years and this Christmas, just like the rest of the year, they are giving them a very special gift – independence.

Everyone living and taking part in a variety of activities at Camphill Devon can work to achieve as independent a life as they are able.

Camphill’s Paul Courtney said: “From participating in an evening college course, such as drama or computer skills, to leisure opportunities including sailing, horse riding and trips to the cinema, everyone has the chance to be out and about.

“With a copper workshop, pottery, weavery and a wood workshop, there really is something for everyone.”

With its early roots in biodynamic farming, Camphill Devon’s farm and garden provide fresh, naturally produced food for those who live there - and the adults with learning disabilities also work in these areas to help maintain the estate and woodlands.

“People here enjoy looking after the sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and the friendly farm cats,” said Paul.

Thomasin at Camphill Devon with Oliver, an orphaned lamb

“We also have a duty to make the best and most responsible use of the 90 acres of land that we manage. In this spirit we are currently going through the process of being accredited as an organic producer.”

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

To continue to improve the lives of many more people with learning disabilities, Camphill Devon needs your support. Find out more and make a donation online at www.camphilldevon. org.uk.

Make do and mend MAKE Do and Mend is a new group set up in the Littleham area of Exmouth to encourage locals to recycle their possessions.

Rather than throwing away unwanted clothes or belongings, the group is trying to put them to good use.

The group meets at Littleham Leisure Centre on Monday mornings.

Liz Candelent, who started the group, said it was a “back to the Forties” idea of reusing things rather than throwing them out.

“It’s not just about clothes,” she said. “It’s also about learning new skills and making things for yourself or reusing things rather than buying them.”

The session runs alongside a coffee morning and there are other activities taking place at the same time.

Call Liz on 01395 277830.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment

Organic gardening

Your job could be the solution DOES the thought of another year in your job inspire you or fill you with apathy at best - or dread at worst?

With companies struggling to stay afloat, it’s easy to feel guilty for not being enthusiastic about your work when so many people are being made redundant.

According to Suzy Edwards from Embercombe, the trick may be to make your problem even bigger.

“If you see your job as part of the problem, just widen the horizon a little and you’ll see a lot more problems sitting right before your

BIT chilly out in the garden? Then you need to do some work to keep warm... The Growers girls have got plenty of jobs for you to do...

ANYONE thinking that this is a time to put your feet up, think again… There is still plenty to be done in the vegetable allotment.

Winter can be a great time to catch up with all the digging you meant to do in the Autumn, but ran out of time. Only choose dry sunny days when the soil is frost-free. I’m a great believer in the old saying, ‘If the soil sticks to your boots, stay off the garden’. Not only is it hard work digging wet earth, you will end up really compacting the soil.

And for those of us who already have raised beds, muddy boots are a thing of the past…

The vegetable beds at Growers Organics are four feet wide, so they can be reached from either side. And they are just eight feet long, so it’s not too far to walk round them - if you make them too long, the temptation is to take short cuts across the beds.

If you emptied your compost bin out on to the beds or plot during Autumn, now is an ideal time to make any repairs or replace your old one. Here at Growers, we use wooden New Zealand-style bins, which give you easy access to your compost and allow the compost to breathe. The plastic ones often turn the compost into a slimy mess. Various sizes of New Zealand-style compost bins can be ordered from Growers Organics.

The seed catalogues are out now and there are a few companies selling organic seed. Don’t forget for those of you without greenhouses or poly tunnels it might be easier to buy ready-grown vegetable transplants (and you know where to get them from!).

Bare-root fruit bushes will now be available to purchase for planting straight away. Take care and buy from a reputable nursery. They should be able to tell you exactly when they were

eyes, among your colleagues, in your local community and at a global level,” she said.

“By bringing them into the equation and then looking at how your company can be part of the solution, you might find your enthusiasm for work re-ignites!”

If you need a boost to reclaim your sense of self and your ability to make change happen, there are week long programmes available at Embercombe that are designed just for that.

For more details visit www. embercombe.co.uk/thejourney

Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life

If the soil sticks...

Career coaching, courses and events to set you free For details please ring 01392 811168 / 07977 272174 or visit www.happymondays.org.uk

dug up, which is really important. Left too long out of the ground and the plants will die.

Don’t be tempted to put your fruit bushes too close together. If you leave enough space round each plant, you’ll be able to move around them comfortably when you’re picking the fruit later in the season. Don’t forget a blackcurrant bush may just be a couple of sticks now; but in a few years it could be a metre in height and width.

Raspberries should be planted out in rows and summer raspberries will need some support. The Autumn canes are thicker and therefore self-supporting.

Put two stakes in at each end and attach two supporting wires along the length.

If you’re not ready to plant your fruit bushes out yet you can buy them potted up from Growers Organics at any time in the year.

Don’t forget to come to the Growers Christmas Craft Fayre on Sunday, December 4, where you’ll have a chance to see the Growers Organics raised vegetable beds and the New Zealand compost bins - and there’ll be some beautiful hand-crafted gifts for sale plus pizzas from our clay oven!

Abundant Life Relax - De-stress - Unwind

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every Thursday morning at Space on the beautiful Dartington Hall Estate 11.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. £6 per person To book your place or for more information about the Abundant Life project please call 01803 847049 or visit www.dartington.org/abundant-life

Looking after your winter veg Check that any protective netting is still in place - the pigeons and pheasants Untitled-1 can do a great deal of damage at this time of year.

Most brassicas will be fine in the frosts - with the exception of cauliflower.

When the curds (the white flowers of the cauliflower) start to form, it is a good idea to protect them by snapping off a couple of the larger leaves and laying them over the top of the curd. Some of the taller brassicas, such as brussel sprouts and broccoli, may need some extra support from the wind – simply tie them to a cane.

Lift your leeks with a fork, otherwise they might break off in the frozen ground.

The same goes for parsnips which also taste better after a frost. It’s now time to enjoy all those delicious winter vegetables.

1

11/21/2011 3:20:39 PM

Reconnect’s Organic Gardening column is written

by Joa and Charlie Grower of Growers Organics.

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

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Eco homes

IT feels enriching just looking at those amazing oakframed buildings - so what’s it like to spend your days building them? We find out... plus, over the page, a Passivhaus update and woodwork of a different time - greenwood furniture, left, by Peter Lanyon Rob and his lowrider bike - with ‘that Jules Verne look’

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Biker Rob builds a career in oak ‘on the tools’ ART college and an apprenticeship in motorcycle mechanics might not seem the obvious early career path for a carpenter.

But almost 20 years later, things have come together very well for carpenter Rob Williams – and for oakframe specialist Carpenter Oak, where he’s worked now for nine years. And too for the numerous satisfied clients who have been delighted with his craftsmanship.

In fact, Rob’s indirect entry into the profession is not so unusual at Carpenter Oak. “They tend to choose their employees by character, and how well they’ll fit into the team here, rather than on pure experience,” explained Rob. “There are 20 carpenters working here, so there’s plenty of experience to be passed on to trainees. Having the right positive attitude can’t be learnt and is really important – there’s no finger-wagging from the bosses; it’s up to each of us to put in the effort.”

After an “unrewarding” five years as a bike mechanic, Rob admits

IT’S great to see more and more traditionallybuilt oak-framed buildings across the area. But what’s it like to be ‘on the tools’, putting them together? We spoke to an oakframe carpenter to find out… it’s a good feeling to have his work recognised.

“Clients are so chuffed to see it all coming together,” he says. “Some have been planning their dream home for years – we arrive on site and the frame, the skeleton of their new home, is up in a few days.

“Working on the bikes was just diagnosis and fitting new parts – now I’m turning drawings into reality.”

There is a creative side to motorbikes, though, and Rob has spent hours “messing about in my shed” over the last two years

01803 762807 | info@tomhilliardltd.com

www.tomhilliardltd.com Rob in one of the Carpenter Oak workshops

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Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment building a lowrider custom bike, based around 1953 Triumph mechanics, and with a modified old fire extinguisher as a fuel tank and a child’s pony saddle to complete what Rob describes as “that Jules Verne look”. And that early artistic training obviously paid off – he won the Show Bike of the Season award at Paignton in September.

So will he ever turn his hand to building himself a house?

“I’d like to, one day. I recently built an extension on my current home, but I hated working on my own – it was too stressful being responsible for the whole job. I’m used to working as part of a team.”

Building oakframe buildings is wonderfully labour-intensive in these days of automation and massproduction. The frames are made at Carpenter Oak HQ, just outside the village of Cornworthy near Totnes, and taken and assembled on-site by a team of carpenters who lodge nearby.

“There’s an amazing sense of camaraderie on-site,” says Rob. “A team of carpenters are picked for each job and a leader appointed.

They assign the rest of the team their jobs, but then they get stuck in too.

The bosses often come out on-site – but they make tea and work on the tools with the rest of us.

“It’s better than any corporate teambuilding course!”

When we called in for a chat, Rob

was getting ready for the company’s third on-site visit to Brockwood Park School, near Winchester.

“The project is made up of seven interconnected pavilions which will house the boarders,” said Rob. “Each time we put up more framework and then come away so the builders can then put up the wall panels.

“The kids came over to Devon too and spent three days working with us, seeing how we make their school’s framework and building models. We even had them throwing axes at targets [a traditional carpenter’s sport – don’t ask!] on the last day. They loved it!”

Part of the complex oak framework at Brockwood Park School, above, and some of the pupils visiting the Carpenter Oak workshop, below.

WESTCOUNTRY WATERBEDS Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter Call Brian on 01392 411212 Learn more on www.water-beds-uk.com

New natural building course YOU don’t have to have a green agenda to crave independence from energy companies sending bills to your home or from oil companies who power your car.

Nowadays energy is so expensive we just have to make our lives, and in particular our homes, suit the changing face of the planet.

Schumacher College at Dartington is running a new course, starting in the new year, which could be the birthplace of a new era of builders and homemakers.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

The Certificate in Natural Build will be the first of its kind in the county and will include cob and straw bale building, dry stone walling and eco design.

The course is divided into six modules starting with an Introduction to Natural Building on January 25.

The modules go on to cover timber, insulation, mass, natural plasters, ecological design and planning for self build. visit www.schumachercollege. org.uk.

WELLNESS THERAPY COUCH. More information?

Call Susie at Sienna Therapies on 01326 218021.

Special discounts for therapists and Reconnect Readers.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

19

local people local events local food local health local environment

Eco homes

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THE Passivhaus featured in our last issue, one of the UK’s first building retrofits to achieve a super low energy standard, has now officially been accredited as one of the country’s few certified Passivhaus buildings.

The Passivhaus certificate was handed over by Rob Hopkins of the Transition Network to owners Adam Dadeby and Erica Aslett.

Although quite new to the UK, Passivhaus homes consume 90% less energy than an average UK home and 75% less than a typical new build. No full central heating system is needed to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and yet there are no cold

spots or drafts and no stale air.

Adam Dadeby, who owns the house, is a Passivhaus consultant. He said: “The Totnes Passivhaus is only the third retrofit project to achieve full, certified Passivhaus status – the other two are in London. And it is one of less than two dozen certified Passivhaus buildings in the UK. “At a time when sky-high energy prices, record energy company profits and growing dependence on imported fossil fuels are in the news, Passivhaus offers a practical way for the UK to start addressing these multiple challenges.”

Call Adam on 07968 778875, or visit www.passivhaushomes.co.uk.

New Passivhaus homes in city THE first residents of Knights Place in Exeter have been moving in since the completion of the eco friendly project this summer.

The building design is based on the Passivhaus standard and technique and will be one of the first multiresidential certified passive houses in the UK. Knights Place in Merlin Crescent was designed by Exeter architects and low energy specialists Gale & Snowden.

The affordable flats are for people over the age of 55 paying social rent, with priority for those downsizing from larger homes.

The new tenants will benefit from heating bills as low as £50 per year, as well as much reduced hot water bills from the installation of solar hot water panels for each flat. Each flat has been designed to be as healthy as possible, with the installation of ceramic tiles throughout to reduce

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

dust mites, the reduction in the use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the flats by omitting PVC in pipes and wiring and glues used in kitchen cupboards. The electrical circuits have been installed as radial circuits to reduce electro-magnetic fields.

The flats have been part funded by an investment of £1,350,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and will meet very high sustainable standards. The homes will achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment

Capturing wood’s essence A SOUTH Devon furniture maker aims to recapture the “essence” sometimes lost in the processing of wood, between tree and production.

Peter Lanyon, who returned to the South West after three years studying fine furniture making at Rycotewood College, followed up by an MA in Furniture Design and Technology at High Wycombe, said: “I had always thought something was lost when commercial timber mills plane and cut wood into straight lines and right angles, or by us imposing fancy curves and angles to add ‘interest’.

“Trees are the perfect expression of the beauty of wood, and I believe we have a responsibility to make elegant, beautiful and practical furniture if we are to cut one down.”

Peter’s current work incorporates green wood techniques – splitting recently-felled wood along the grain, and allowing the material to retain its natural curves – “and, therefore, retain more of its essence.”

As well as creating beautiful and superbly tactile pieces, his way of working is also very low energy, localised and sustainable.

“Wherever possible the timber I use is felled in Devon,” explained Peter.

“I use sustainably coppiced wood or

diseased trees that have been felled for reasons of safety.”

You can see more of his work at: http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Creative-WoodworkSolutions/286949227998811, or by searching Facebook for Creative Woodwork Solutions.

Peter Lanyon, above, and some examples of his furniture which he makes using green wood techniques - to capture the essence of the wood, he says

More choice at eco homes fair

Glorious

Good Wood

Interior Design Bespoke Carpentry THE second Eco Homes Fair, organised by Transition Town Totnes (TTT) in the town’s Civic Hall, was such a success that it is now officially an annual event.

With every stall sold to local companies, and a constant stream of visitors, the organisers were particularly pleased that the event attracted a range of exhibitors.

Said Transition Streets project worker Mary Popham: “As well as the renewable energy companies, we had more eco builders and architects represented this year, a trend we would like to see continue.”

The Eco Homes Fair will continue to run in conjunction with TTT’s Eco Homes Weekend, when sustainable

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

High quality solutions for all your home & garden needs

For a free quotation or to discuss your ideas home owners open their doors and welcome visitors to see and discuss how a more sustainable life works.

The 2012 Open Homes Weekend will be in early September, with the Eco Homes Fair again a few weeks later.

Visit www.transitiontowntotnes.org.

Please call Stefan on

01364 652162 Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

21

local people local events local food local health local environment

Are you dreaming of a...

Extra dates for markets THE people behind the Artisans Markets in Totnes have added two special Christmas dates on December 16 and 17 so festive shoppers can find that perfect gift among the unique local crafts on sale.

Stalls include, wood carvings, flower and art photography, flower and paper jewellery, handstitched cards, book marks, angel art, woven rugs, baskets, upcycled clothing and toys, bags, cushions, kitchen textiles, mirrors, boxes, paintings, mosaics, cakes, metalwork, felting, designer clothing and knitwear, and fairly traded goodies from Jentle Trading.

The Artisans Market is also open on December 3 and 10 and they all run 11am-3pm, in the Methodist Hall on Fore Street, Totnes, and entry is free. Visit www. totnesartisansmarket.com

Growers’ fair IT might be the quiet season for some plant nurseries, but things will be buzzing at Growers Organics in Yealmpton on December 4 at their Christmas craft fair.

As well as stalls selling a wide range of quality local crafts, there will also be mulled wine and pizzas, live music and discount vouchers to spend at their neighbours, the Riverfood Farm Shop.

The fair is open from 10am-4pm and admission is free. Stall holders can call Charlie on 0795 438 4355, email charliegrower@ gmail.com, or visit the news page on their website, www. growersorganics.com.

Totnes nights LATE night shopping on Tuesdays in December brings visitors from far and wide.

This year they’re on December 6, 13 and 20, from 5-10pm and as usual will offer a festive mix of stalls selling gifts and grub, plus street entertainers.

Don’t expect to park close to the action (although there are park and ride minibuses).

22

Green Ch

Beautiful bowls by John Fishenden

Guild gallery’s top 60 MORE than 60 top craft makers, a third of them from the South West, are selling their wares at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen gallery in Bovey Tracey.

Running right through until January 2, their Christmas exhibition is called Make and includes a huge range of affordable and higher-end gifts by designers including Jane Cox (ceramics), Corrine Lapierre (hand-felted bootees) and Michelle Arieu (furniture).

The great thing is, it doesn’t feel like shopping: no expensive technologies, no busy high street hustle, no commercial batch-made products offloaded from Chinese container ships.

The Guild’s Anna Trussler said: “There is something very contemporary and very special for everyone here – from hand-printed and woven textile cushions and bags and unusual handmade necklaces, to functional metal and wood items, with prices starting at just £5.”

And look out on December 3 for their Christmas Celebration, complete with free mulled wine and mince pies and carol singing throughout the day (10am -5.30pm), plus DIY gallery activities, demonstrations and food tastings in the café.

Visit www.crafts.org.uk.

Showcase for art and craft If you’re looking for a Christmas gift you may find just what you’re looking for at the Ashburton Christmas Craft Market.

The market is on Saturday, December 3 in St Andrew’s Hall, Ashburton between 10am and 4pm.

The event is a showcase for local artists and craftspeople and there’s a cafe with homemade cakes and lunches.

For information call 01364 653754.

Craft Hub’s twinkling fair THERE’S another opportunity to buy beautiful and original crafts at the Twinkling Firs Christmas Craft Fair in Topsham.

Run by The Craft Hub, it’s in Matthews Hall, 10am-4pm, on Sunday, December 11.

Find out more at www.thecrafthub.co.uk, or email registration@thecrafthub.co.uk.

WHATEVER your spiritual perspective, people and partying and presents are likely to make up a significant part of your Christmas holiday.

And that adds up to one big shopping list: food, drink, decorations and, of course, the pressies themselves. So with all this consumerism in the air, is it possible to retain even a hint of greenness?

First, let’s not pretend all shopping is evil. As well as providing the raw materials for all that festive fun, it can also sustain and support local business, local producers, local artists and craftmakers – even local green living magazines.

The single simplest and greenest thing you can do this Christmas, or any other time, is BUY LOCAL. And from an independent specialist shop too.

There’s more on local food and drink producers and retailers in our Local Food section on pages 8-11, but don’t stop at just your Christmas food. Let’s start by looking at gifts…

PRESENTS There are craft markets right across the region at this time of year (see left) offering a choice of locally made items you just won’t find in the big stores. For craftmakers, the Christmas market can keep them in business, so it’s good to support them. And ask for a leaflet or card so you can wrap it up with the present – the recipient will want to know about its local roots and might just want to buy more of the same.

And do your gifts have to be new? Try shopping in flea markets, antique jewellery and vintage clothing shops. You’ll find a unique present – and you’ll be recycling.

Or how about treating people to a special experience instead

SO this is Christmas… but do you s those green principles into practice festive frenzy of feasting, fun and fr last mouthful of a traditional Christ of an item, such as theatre tokens, annual membership of a gallery or a session with a natural practitioner? Most of our advertisers will provide a voucher so you can give a treatment as a gift – just call them and ask.

Buying green kids’ toys can be tricky, although naturally powered toys, and wind-up radios and torches are all sold with ‘wholesome message supplied’.

All the usual green consumer guidelines still apply, of course: try to buy presents with less packing or at least with packaging that’s recyclable (it’s estimated we will throw away 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging over Christmas ); if you are buying imported goods, look for Fairtrade; and support charities (your local Oxfam shop will tell you about their Oxfam Unwrapped scheme).

The greenest solution of all is to simply buy less – Martin’s got some tips in that direction on page 42.

CARDS Friends of the Earth say we sent around 744 million Christmas cards last Christmas and if they were all recycled instead of thrown away, it would help to save the equivalent of 248,000 trees. Find out where to recycle them at www.woodlandtrust. org.uk, Buying charity cards is always a good idea, and there’s a wealth of them to choose from at www.christmas-cards.org.uk.

Or why not make your own?

Use images from calenders, old cards, or kids’ drawings.

Size them to fit e fold over, staple without envelope

WRAPPING PA Something like 8 of Christmas wra will be used this equivalent of aro trees. And last C DEFRA estimated square km of wr ended up in UK Reusing paper m (as does using m even string, mak reuse), or be rad other waste pap calendars, poste If you’re buying worth tracking d made of raffia fi the bark of the m coloured with su banana. No tree to make it becau keep growing ba some made usin Avoid glossy foil wrapping paper are difficult to re

CHRISTMAS TR We’ve heard peo green case for ar research and carb show a natural re is definitely best.

Don't miss our free Christmas pressie giveawa

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local people local events local food local health local environment

hristmas?

see it as an opportunity to put e - or a time to forget it all in a rolics? Here’s how to enjoy every tmas – and still be green

envelopes or and send e.

APER 8,000 tonnes apping paper year - the ound 50,000 Christmas, d that 83 rapping paper rubbish bins. makes sense minimal tape or king it easier to dical and use per – old maps, ers, etc. paper, it’s down a range fibres from mulberry tree, ugar cane or es are cut down use the fibres ack. There are ng hemp too. ls and metallic r because they ecycle.

REES ople argue the rtificial trees, but rbon calculations eplantable tree Real trees

are carbon neutral, absorbing as much carbon dioxide while they’re growing as they will emit when burnt or left to decompose.

They are also a wildlife habitat and a naturally renewable resource. An artificial tree uses toxic materials and petrochemical in its plastics, takes a lot of energy to produce, has often traveled from the Far East - and still doesn’t last forever!

Choose a real tree with roots and you can plant it in your garden and use it again next year. But if replanting isn’t an option, most local councils run Christmas tree recycling schemes.

As an alternative, or addition, to a traditional tree, you could decorate a tree for the birds hang seed bells, suet, pine cones with peanut butter and seed trays on a tree in your garden preferably one in the open where cats can be seen easily by the birds. To attract a wide variety of birds, use varied seed types.

A great one to get the kids involved in.

DECORATIONS If you’ve got a box of decorations that come out every year, the greenest option is to stick with them, and if you look carefully you can also find secondhand ones at charity shops, recycling centres and boot sales.

The magpies among you might like to also look out for old sparkly diamante jewellery and other shiney objects to add a little quirkiness to your tree.

Or how about making your own tree and room decorations using popcorn, dough, cinnamon sticks, bows, gingerbread, holly, seasonal berries, ivy and evergreen branches? Or make

a festive wreath or mobile with holly, mistletoe, fir tree sprigs and pine cones. When you have finished with them, you can drop them in the compost.

If you’re buying new Christmas lights, go for LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights which use up to 95% less energy than larger, traditional bulbs and last up to 100,000 hours when used indoors. And turn off tree and outdoor lights at bedtime – leaving them on when we’re all in bed is just a waste.

And talking of waste…

Station Road South Brent TQ10 9BE 01364 649424 CUT WASTE The average family wastes around a third of the food they buy and it just gets a whole lot worse at Christmas.

A good first step is not to buy enough food for a month – plan your meals and buy accordingly.

And don’t forget all those tasty ways of using leftovers.

Buy loose rather than pre-packed vegetables to cut down on waste packaging, and if you’re having a party, avoid serving food and drink on disposable plates and cups – borrow extra crockery from neighbours, and many wine shops lend boxes of wine glasses, if you’re buying supplies from them.

Any unused leftovers (and all the peelings) can be composted, of course.

And keep an eye on the recycling - aluminium foil, when you can’t re-use it, (4,200 tonnes of it is thrown away in the UK each Christmas) and it’s estimated we could use an extra 750 million bottles and 500 million drinks cans over Christmas.

AND ENJOY! Most importantly of all, have a wonderful time – going a bit greener at Christmas might involve a bit more time and creativity, but you WILL save money and spend less time in that Christmas shopping crush!

See, it’s feeling better already…

ay over the page - they're yours for the asking! www.reconnectonline.co.uk

artworks

Tues – Sat 10 – 5 Work by over 100 local designer-makers, all under one roof in the heart of South Brent. Free car parking nearby. Wednesday Close to bus routes.

10 – 1

Buy online at www.jentletrading.co.uk

Making a difference Fairly traded, environmentally friendly products, sold in Devon with love

Bags made from reycled cement bags Scarves made from vintage saris Making a difference to people’s lives

Jentle Trading

Visit www.jentletrading.co.uk or call Jenny now on 01803 868455

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

23

local people local events local food local health local environment Creative hub at the heart of village SO, if you decided to want to keep things really local this Christmas, where can you find a selection of locally made gifts?

Most of the work on display at Artworks, a small gallery in South Brent (just off the A38 and eight miles from Totnes) is produced in the South Hams.

And for a relatively small shop, there’s a massive choice: paintings and artists’ prints, ceramics and wood, ironwork, jewellery, sculpture, textiles, greetings cards and soaps, plus books on a diverse range of subjects, from making and using clay ovens, to sustainable architecture and felt-making.

Artworks was opened six years ago by potter Jane Wellens and organic gardener Penny Wainwright.

As well as being a great place to buy

something special, the shop also operates as a box office for local events and an information centre for visitors to South Brent.

Santa's give

OK, the waiting’s over – it’s time to open your presents!

‘Tis the season to be jolly generous, so we thought it would be good to hand out a few Christmas pressies to thank you for being such loyal readers and lovely people.

And when we mentioned the idea to some of the businesses who are so supportive of the magazine, they immediately offered goodies for us to give away.

We don’t have a pressie for everyone (although we have given you all a particularly special issue of the magazine), but they are all totally free, with no strings attached – you don’t even have to answer an

Visit Artworks at 9 Station Road, South Brent (TQ10 9BE for you navvies), or visit www.artworksouthbrent.co.uk, or call 01364 649424.

Yuli Somme’s studio in Chagford is worth a visit. Yuli is inviting visitors on Friday mornings 10am to 1pm until Christmas.

THIS very substantial book is the latest title from local publishers Green Books – and it’s by a local authors too - Ben Pike, the head gardener at Sharpham. It’s crammed with informed advice, useful tips and inspirational information on all aspects of fruit tree selection, planting and care. A MUST for very fruit tree enthusiast.

We’ve got THREE to give away – ask for ‘The Fruit Tree Handbook’.

There you can see the many products Yuli is making by hand from 100% pure Devon wool and

natural dyes, sometimes using recycled natural fabrics, including soft and warm insoles for your walking shoes.

You can also see Yuli at late night shopping in Totnes, or Tavistock Craft Market on December 4.

Go to: www.bellacouche.com email: info@bellacouche.com. Tel: 01647 432155

insultingly simple question!

All you have to do is email your name and address to us at editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk with the name of the gift you’d most like to receive (just one each please).

The first names to drop into our festive inbox get the goodies – although if they don’t make it to you for Christmas, you can blame it either on the Christmas post or too much mulled wine in the Reconnect office… (put your money on the latter).

And a very happy, peaceful and green Christmas to you all!

The Fruit Tree Handbook

Felt is the sustainable gift soft option FELT fits the bill in your search for something sustainable and ecological to give as a present this Christmas.

away!

Mission Earth boardgame DEVISED by a group of schoolgirls from Oxfordshire as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme, Mission Earth is a traditional-style board game with a very modern message – a race to save the earth from impending environmental disaster! A serious message but challenging and exciting too…

We’ve got ONE to give away – ask for ‘Mission Earth’.

Jentle Trading purse THESE are no ordinary purses.

Handmade using material from vintage saris and traditional Kantha stitching, they each have a tag inside them, bearing the name of the woman who made it in a women’s co-operative in India.

We’ve got THREE to give away – ask for ‘Jentle Trading purse’.

Green Fibres towels GREEN Fibres are known nationally for their high quality, Soil Associationcertificated products. These luxurious hand towels are just gorgeous - check them out in the shop on any of the Totnes late-night shopping nights...

We’ve got THREE to give away – ask for ‘Green Fibres towels’.

Whackjob tee shirt THESE ethical bamboo/organic cotton mix tee shirts are BIG in mountain bike circles because they wick away moisture - which means you look cool AND you don’t smell! Find out more about local company Whackjob at www.whackjob. co.uk (and on page 29). Request S/M/L We’ve got THREE to give away – ask for ‘Whackjob tee shirt’.

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Much merry making at wassail WHEN all the festive and New Year celebrations have ended, and things are feeling a little flat towards the end of January, look out for an evening of ceremony and merriment at the Stoke Gabriel Wassail.

This hugely popular annual event is on Saturday, January 21, and is based around the village’s traditional cider apple blessing celebration in Stoke Gabriel’s community orchard and Church Walk.

As well as the ceremony itself, you

can expect folk music, storytelling and a Mummers play – as well as hot homemade food and a “well stocked cider bar”.

The gates (and the bar) open at 4.30pm, with morris dancers at 5pm, a lantern procession at 5.45pm and then entertainment throughout the evening until 9.30pm.

Admission is £2.50 for adults and £1 for children. Call 01803 782394/782160 or email tiffany@ newwoodtrees.co.uk.

Ceremonial celebrations at last year’s Stoke Gabriel Wassail

Build a home sweet home A PILE of sweets and a vivid imagination. That’s all you need to enjoy a gingerbread house workshop.

Parents and their children are being invited to the family get-togethers around the region to create their own gingerbread house.

The workshops are run by Lori Reich who runs Shute Fruit in Bishopsteignton.

Said Lori: “The workshops vary depending on where I’m doing them. At River Cottage in Axminster you have to provide your own sweets for decoration, but at Occombe Farm near Paignton everything is provided.”

In all cases Lori makes the gingerbread ‘flat pack’ house and royal icing “glue”. Prices very according to venue but they are all “per house” not per person.

Call Lori on 01626 777570. info@shutefruit.co.uk

School to host The Green Expo AT Reconnect we try our best to promote the sustainable living agenda and now someone who shares that view is staging a Green Expo in the heart of our patch.

Chris Robillard, once head of marketing at the National Marine Stover School - venue for The Green Expo Aquarium, is organising the the National Marine Aquarium and event at Stover feels that more could be done in the School on February 16. area to promote green issues.

Chris, now secretary of A38 Chris says that having served as Enterprises and Business Club, says a councillor and as Deputy Mayor the event will feature a wide range of Totnes, green issues and the of exhibitors selling everything from environment have been a major biomass boilers to bio products. focal point in his life in the town.

There will be an organic café and The Green Expo, in the large Jubilee talks about how to make your Hall 9.30am-3.30pm, will be free business and home greener. to visitors.

The school’s director of finance, If you want to have a stand at the Henry Cummins, said: “Stover event, Reconnect readers can ask for has worked hard to have a green a 10% discount if you book space agenda and we are delighted to be before December 10. hosting the event.”

For more information about the Chris is no stranger to green issues.

Expo call Chris on 07775 612154 He organised a major climate conference in 2008 while working at or email expo@a38-club.co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Big yuletide celebration CONJURING up and celebrating the very elements of the season, Dartmoor musicians Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer are hosting the Frost and Fire Dartmoor Yuletide Celebration in Ashburton Town Hall on December 11.

With two performances at 6pm and 10pm, you can expect the beautiful music and songs of Nigel and Carolyn, medieval dance music from Daughters of Elvin, minstrel Pat Orchard, bardic legend and song from Elizabeth Jane Baldry and mayhem from Jackie Juno and Brian Abbott. All that plus a pie supper, winter market and wassail bar.

Tickets are £12/£10 conc/£5 children at www. seventhwavemusic. co.uk, or call 01822 880301, or email info@ seventhwavemusic. co.uk.

Bellacouche...

Devon felt beautiful useful sustainable for an ecological Christmas 100% pure Devon Wool Natural dyes www.bellacouche.com email: info@bellacouche.com Tel: 01647 432155

devon

the

schoolof

shiatsu

see web s school vite for ideo Training Shiatsu Practitioners for more than 25 years

www.devonshiatsu.co.uk

Shiatsu Discovery Weekends Dates: 11 & 12 February 19 & 20 May Price: £95 including full course notes and wholefood lunch

Tel 01803 762593 Email: info@devonshiatsu.co.uk

Two inspiring days learning and experiencing shiatsu

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

25

local people local events local food local health local environment

WELCOME to the unique Reconnect diary of events that we know you’ll love - and which you might otherwise not find out about. Some of the stuff that arrived too late for inclusion here will get a mention on our Facebook page - check it out at www.facebook.

DECEMBER UNTIL DECEMBER 4 Spectra: Colours of Life, exhibition of watercolour paintings and mixed media, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, 01548 854708, www. harbourhouse.org.uk UNTIL DECEMBER 23 Present Makers, exhibition of work by SW designer/makers, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, TuesdaySaturday, 10am – 5pm, free, 01404 45006, info@ thelmahulbert.com THURSDAY 1 AND FRIDAY 2 Two Short Nights, short film festival, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, 01392 667066, www. exeterphoenixdigital.org.uk.

UNTIL SATURDAY 10 My Very Own Story, a play by Alan Ayckbourn, Cygnet Company at the New Theatre, Exeter - www. cygnetnewtheatre.com, or call 01392 277189.

Jackie Juno’s book launch, Epicentre Book Café, Paignton, epicentrebooks@ gmail.com, www. epicentrebookcafe.org.uk.

FRIDAY 2 AND SATURDAY 3 Vintage Guitar Fair, Havana, Exeter, buy or sell, demonstrations, workshops, 07950 485 750, www. vintageguitarfair.com Exmouth LETS Christmas social, Rethink, Meeting Street, Exmouth, ddgoodfood@gmail.com.

Exmouth Country Market, Glenorchy Hall, Exeter Road, 8.3011.30am, Strand Gardens, Exmouth, www.countrymarkets.co.uk.

SATURDAY 3 Christmas Celebration, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, festive fare, carols and activities, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, free, 10am5.30pm, 01626 8322233 www.crafts.org.uk.

Artisans Market, local makers selling unique crafts, Methodist Hall, Fore Street, Totnes, 11am-3pm, www. totnesartisansmarket.com

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com/reconnectmagazine.

We’re now looking for info on events for the February/ March issue - so please email us details by the New Year.

Usual address - editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk.

And have a great time over the holiday, whatever you get up to!

Steeleye Span, classic folk-rock, Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay, 8pm, www. babbacombe-theatre.com.

Café etc, new Transition Town Exmouth, Createxe and Exmouth LETS event, 10am-4pm, walksmall@ hotmail.co.uk.

Ashburton Christmas Craft Market, work of local artists and makers for sale, St Andrew’s Hall, 10am-4pm, 01364 653754.

SUNDAY 4 Growers Christmas Craft Fair, Growers Organics, Yealmpton (next to Riverford Farm shop), 10am-4pm, free, 07954384355, charliegrower@gmail.com, www.growersorganics.com Queer Totties, regular meeting of Totnes-based gay social group, Seven Stars Hotel, 11am, www. queertotties.tumblr.com, queertotties@live.co.uk MONDAY 5 Gasland, documentary about ‘fracking’ (controversial gas drilling technique), The Barbican Theatre, Castle Street, Plymouth, 7pm, 01884 266 892, membership.sw@ co-operative.coop.

Christmas wrapping and card making, Birdwood House, Totnes, £4/3, 7pm, www. transitiontowntotnes.org.

TUESDAY 6 UNTIL DECEMBER 11 Exhibition of Chinese brush painting, mosaics, printmaking and jewellery, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, 01548 854708, www. harbourhouse.org.uk Late night shopping, Totnes, free parking at KEVICC, park and ride from Follaton House, www. totnestowncouncil.gov.uk THURSDAY 8 Where do all of the bees go to in winter? with Barefoot Beekeeper Phil Chandler, The Old Craft Education building, Schumacher College, 7.30pm.

Craft Swap Party, The Craft Hub, Cathedral Close, Exeter, 7-10pm, booking essential, registration@ thecrafthub.co.uk, www. thecrafthub.co.uk

FRIDAY 9 Acoustic Haven, evening of acoustic music, food and drink, Bowden House, Totnes, doors open 6pm, tickets £12 from dougkingsmith@yahoo. co.uk, proceeds to Hillyfield fund, www.thehillyfield.co.uk.

Spinning Circle, demo of spinning fine lace weight yarns, 2-4pm, Arts Centre Crediton, £2.50 incl refreshments, all welcome Exmouth Country Market, Glenorchy Hall, Exeter Road, 8.3011.30am, Strand Gardens, Exmouth, www.countrymarkets.co.uk.

The Economics of Happiness, awardwinning film, Buckfastleigh Town Hall, 7pm, folllowed by discussion, £3 (£2 unwaged/low income), www.buckthetrend.info.

SATURDAY 10 AND SUNDAY 11 Volunteer Weekend, The Hillyfield. felling trees, clearing brash & stacking wood, 10am-4pm, for info - dougkingsmith@yahoo. co.uk, www.thehillyfield. co.uk.

Artisans Market, local makers selling unique crafts, Methodist Hall, Fore Street, Totnes, 11am-3pm, www. totnesartisansmarket.com Secret Film Night, second Saturday of each month, Coffinswell & Daccombe, St Bartholomews Church, find out more at naturaloutlook@o2.co.uk or 01803 875527.

Wild About Woodland Wood in Winter, Christmas-themed adventure, meet at entrance on Ringmore Way, West Park, Plymouth, 12noon4pm, www.plymouth.gov. uk/steppingstones.

Plymouth LETS market, exchanging goods and services – no money, Unitarian Church Hall, Notte Street, Plymouth City Centre, 01752 706552, info@plymouthlets.org.uk.

SUNDAY 11 Frost and Fire Dartnoor Yuletide Celebration, Ashburton Town Hall, two performances – 6pm and 10pm, tickets £12/£10 conc/£5 children at www. seventhwavemusic.co.uk, 01822 880301, or info@ seventhwavemusic.co.uk.

Holiday Arts and Crafts

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local people local events local food local health local environment Fair, Totnes Civic Square, 9am-4pm, 0758 089 7240, totnesartfairs@gmail.com.

Twinkling Firs Christmas Craft Fair, with The Craft Hub, Matthews Hall, Topsham, 10am-4pm, registration@thecrafthub. co.uk, www.thecrafthub. co.uk MONDAY 12 How Green is Our City?

Measuring Sustainability, free workshop, The Charter Room, Plymouth Guildhall, 2-5pm, www.plymouth. gov.uk.

Seth Lakeman at Lemon Grove, Exeter University, 7.30pm.

TUESDAY 13 Late night shopping, Totnes, free parking at KEVICC, park and ride from Follaton House, www. totnestowncouncil.gov.uk Transition Town Totnes film night, Dartmouth Inn, The Plains, Totnes, 7.30pm, www.transitiontowntotnes.org.

Totnes, 7pm, www. barrelhousetotnes.co.uk.

TUESDAY 20 Late night shopping, Totnes, free parking at KEVICC, park and ride from Follaton House, www. totnestowncouncil.gov.uk THURSDAY 22 Winter Solstice Chant, Bogan House, High Street, Totnes, £7, 7.30–9pm , 01803 866138, www. listentothevoice.co.uk.

FRIDAY 23 Exmouth Country Market, Glenorchy Hall, Exeter Road, 8.3011.30am, Strand Gardens, Exmouth, www.countrymarkets.co.uk.

SATURDAY 31 New Year’s Eve Ceilidh, with Mooncoin Ceilidh Band - Strand Centre, Dawlish, in aid of Teignmouth Folk Festival, tickets £8 in advance from 01626 863016.

THURSDAY 15 Green Christmas Drinks, social networking celebration, from 6.30pm,The Bar, Jurys Inn, Exeter Street, Plymouth.

FRIDAY 16 Solstice Gathering with Queer Totties, Totnesbased gay social group, Bowden House, near Totnes, 7.30pm, www.queertotties. tumblr.com, queertotties@ live.co.uk.

Artisans Market, local makers selling unique crafts, Methodist Hall, Fore Street, Totnes, 11am-3pm, www. totnesartisansmarket.com Exmouth Country Market, Glenorchy Hall, Exeter Road, 8.3011.30am, Strand Gardens, Exmouth, www.countrymarkets.co.uk.

SATURDAY 17 Artisans Market, local makers selling unique crafts, Methodist Hall, Fore Street, Totnes, 11am-3pm, www. totnesartisansmarket.com SUNDAY 18 The Travelling Brain Show, alternative Christmas show, The Barrel House,

JANUARY WEDNESDAY 4 UNTIL SATURDAY 7 My Very Own Story, a play by Alan Ayckbourn, Cygnet Company at the New Theatre, Exeter, see website for matinee and evening performance details - www. cygnetnewtheatre.com, or call 01392 277189.

SATURDAY 7 RSPB’s family friendly nature walk, Darts Farm, Topsham, Exeter, 8-9.30pm, 01392 879438, www.rspb. org.uk.

listentothevoice.co.uk.

SATURDAY 14 Annual River Leat Clean with PL:21 Transition group, Ivybridge, throughout the morning.

Nordic walking, free taster session, Haldon Forest Park, Exeter, 11.30am, 07531 729383, Fiona@ nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk.

Plymouth LETS market, exchanging goods and services – but no money, Unitarian Church Hall, Notte Street, Plymouth City Centre, 01752 706552, info@plymouthlets.org.uk.

WEDNESDAY 18 UNTIL FEBRUARY 4 Primary Colours, exhibition of work from 12 local schools, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, 01548 854708, www. harbourhouse.org.uk FRIDAY 20 The Bridge Quartet, The Courtenay Centre, Newton Abbot, 7.30pm, Newton Abbot and District Society of Arts, www.nadsa.co.uk SATURDAY 21 Stoke Gabriel Wassail, gates (and bar) opens 4.30pm; lantern procession 5.45pm, £2.50 (£1 kids), 01803 782394, tiffany@ newwoodtrees.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY 25 UNTIL SATURDAY 28 Brown Paper Bag Theatre Company present The Brown Paper Ballads in Crediton.

Tickets £5 from Crediton Arts Centre, Sandford post office, and online at www.creditonartscentre. ticketsource.co.uk.

THURSDAY 12 Green drinks, meet and share green ideas, NBI, St Davids Hill, Exeter, 01392 248 894, 07977 079722.

FRIDAY 13 Spinning Circle, Crediton Arts Centre, 2-4pm, £2.50 inc refreshments, all welcome, suereece@ metronet.co.uk New Year Chant, Bogan House, High Street, Totnes, 7.30-9pm, £7, 01803 866138, www.

Experimental ceramics, glass & firing workshop Experimental Raku firing course Start date - Tues Jan 17 (runs for five weeks) 10-1pm, last week 10-4pm, £148. All materials and firings included.

10-week introduction to ceramics and glass Start date - Wed Jan 18, 7-9pm. £180, all materials and firings included.

Tel: 01803 865033 www.pottingshedworkshop.com

THURSDAY 26 Bellowhead, festivalfavourites folk band, Princess Theatre, Torquay, 0844 871 3023, www. secure-ticket.co.uk.

FRIDAY 27 Future Shorts, short film festival, Follaton Community Centre, Follaton, Totnes, open to all, 7.30pm, £5 (£3 conc), www. follatoncommunitycinema. co.uk, 01803 868455.

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

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

27

local people local events local food local health local environment

It was certainly a funny old year ... and perhaps that tells us we need to look forward WELL, as I may have mentioned in the past, 2011 was quite a funny old year.

It’s one of those things that comes to me when I’m down on the allotment, wondering why the squashes and courgettes are doing so well, while the carrots and raspberries have done so badly.

And why the asparagus and peas are starting to flower and fruit again in October, which is totally bizarre.

Incidentally, I know I’ve written about this previously, but it’s a fascinating metaphor, so I hope you don’t mind if I go there again.

The point is, it’s a useful parable for life, and it’s been a pretty unusual year – and not just on the allotment.

You’ll appreciate the world’s finances have been highly volatile – especially because of perceptions of places such as Greece, Italy, Spain and Ireland (irrespective of what it’s like to actually live there) – and there have been profound changes in political issues such as the revolution in Libya, which has led to the death of Colonel Gaddafi, as well as major alterations in places such as Egypt and Tunisia and, possible ones in Syria, Yemen and many others.

And then there’s natural phenomena – terrible earthquakes and appalling weather hazards across the whole world, including America, New Zealand, Turkey, India, Japan and Russia, many of which seem to deny the existence of human-based climate change for some (probably financial) reason…

And it’s also been a profound year for many individuals. Interestingly, virtually all the intuitive people I know have had painful health and personality issues since January, the implication being that there is something significant going on and us human beings are being supported (even if it doesn’t look like that!) to change and be more realistic.

In my personal case, having had to stop working as an ethical IFA because of my brain disease, I’ve been depressed and upset, not least because it triggers my personal issues about being a good little boy and trying to get it right. But that’s only from time to time when I notice my inner voice asking what I’m going to do today, especially if I don’t have anything specifically booked in.

To my surprise, when I notice I’m feeling so negative, it becomes obvious why. And once I realise that, I can change. I can get in touch with my personal, underlying energy and just ask its help for me to be here, now. Which involves

things such as noticing the beauty of the world and the delight and joy of simply being alive. Or, as mentioned, being here and now.

And, yes, I do also have things happening, even though they’re not ‘all day/every day’ as it was previously. It’s just curious how much these areas are developing so profoundly – not least because they feel more ‘real’ than what I’ve been doing in the last 20 years. Now my personal authenticity is involved – and that underlying, genuine energy.

Just for example, I may have mentioned that I do ceramics and I am delighted to have been offered an exhibition at the Unearth Studio in Exeter, which runs until December 21. There are more details in the advert below and I’d be delighted to see you there (and buying a piece if you want!).

But I also ran my first intuitive workshop with Mary Hykel Hunt in October, which was fantastic – and which we’ve already been invited to run elsewhere and will be running again in February next year.

Also the Bristol-based solar panel project is developing rather nicely too.

And yes, despite the upsets, the allotment is bloody marvellous as well!

So what does all this tell me? Well, it’s about my perception of myself and my awareness that my inner voice thinks that it needs to be in charge so that I can be safe and it can predict the future by considering the past. Which isn’t actually true!

I might have lived most of my life on this basis, but it’s changed, which suggests the future has nothing to do with the past.

What I’ve realised I need to do is rely on my genuine authenticity and allow it to carry on and develop - rather than trying to control it.

And that explains why we have strawberries growing again close to Christmas!

You can email Robin at robin.currie@ btconnect.com and see his weird and wonderful ceramics at www.robincurrie.co.uk

Volunteers working at Hillyfield

Call for woodland help...

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help fell and clear 1000 Larch trees over the winter in a bid to beat the virus Phytopthora Ramorum, which is rampaging through Britain’s trees.

The Hillyfield is ancient woodland and the trees must be felled by March 2012 by legal order of the Forestry Commission – “to be followed by a big mission for replanting with traditional broadleaf and coppice,” says the project’s Doug King-Smith.

“Keep fit, learn skills, make friends and enjoy the fresh air! We have a working weekend on the second weekend of each month, and there are opportunities for seasonal forest workers to live in the woods, help with the felling, and join an informal apprenticeship scheme in the making.” Visit www.thehillyfield.co.uk.

...and for volunteer millers DEVON Wildlife Trust (DWT) is starting a programme of regular flour milling days at its Cricklepit Mill home on Exeter’s quayside to demonstrate a grist mill in action.

The events will take place on the second Friday of each month with the Mill being open to the public 10am-12noon for people to stop by and take a look.

The first of the days will be on Friday, December 9.

The days will be primarily run by volunteers who operate the mill and show visitors what’s involved.

The charity is keen to hear from more people who might be interested in becoming volunteer millers.

People interested in volunteering should call Dawn on 01392 279244.

Visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org.

another ceramics Yes! Yes! Yes! Robin is holding exhibition - don’t miss it!

It’s at the Unearth Studio at 46 Preston Street, Exeter EX1 1DF (www.unearth.org.uk) from 22nd November until 21st December and can be visited from 10am - 8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 10am - 5pm on Thursday and Saturday. And most of the pieces will be available for sale…!!!!!

www.robincurrie.co.uk 28

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local people local events local food local health local environment Library hosts local authors A SOUTH Devon library is hosting a special week-long event to promote local authors.

The Friends of Totnes Library will display novels, children’s books, poetry, nonfiction and a variety of books inspired by the history, people and places of Devon.

The event aims to raise the profile of local authors and to offer a springboard for authors just starting out.

Said Chris Alton: “Totnes is fortunate in having many excellent authors living and working in the area.

“The promotion links to Word Quest Devon, a county-wide project which celebrates the rich history of writing about Devon and the many places in Devon which have inspired writers, both past and present.”

The Local Authors Christmas Book Promotion runs from Monday December 5 to Saturday December 10, with poetry on Monday; children’s books on Tuesday; adult fiction on Wednesday; non-fiction, including local history, on Friday; and a mix of genres on Saturday.

Call Totnes Library on 01803 862210, or email totnes.library@ devon.gov.uk.

Ban remedy A TOTNES store has beaten the Euro ban on herbal remedies – at least for some months to come.

Sacks has long been a stockist for herbal remedies so when the new EU ban was first proposed, Sacks owner David Saunderson bought a year’s supply of Green Lane herbal tinctures, prepared by Frances Wright, So, although they are not generally available in shops, the tinctures will be on sale at Sacks Wholefoods, in the Totnes Narrows at the top of the High Street, and Sacks Too in the Plains Shopping Centre (near the Edinburgh Woolen Mill) until well into the New Year.

Call 01803 863263 / 862 657

Alison Whittall and her choir in full song

Singing in global harmony for those moments of bliss THE organiser of a new series of singing events in Exeter promises “fabulous songs will be taught with exhilarating global harmony.”

Alison Whittall, a choir leader and composer with some 20 years’ experience, is planning two workshops on Sunday, December 18 – one from 10.30am-4pm at the Matthews Hall (upstairs) in Fore St, Topsham; the other from 6.30-9.30pm on the same day in the Friends Meeting House, Magdalen Street, Exeter.

Both will feature the same theme of ‘seasonal songs in the depth of winter’.

Said Alison: “The mind can ‘rest’ for a while when we sing in harmony together – relaxation and bliss can arise in the present moment.

“Sacred Song can encompass a wide variety of songs sung in harmony – some may be energised and even funky and fun, others may be slow beautiful and deep.”

Songs will be taught by ear and

require no previous experience as Alison’s teaching style makes songs easy to learn, breaking them down into bite-size chunks. Alison is a member of the Natural Voice Practitioners Network (www.naturalvoice.net).

The Topsham workshop costs £20 (£18 conc) and the evening workshop, Sacred Song, in Exeter costs £10 (£7 conc).

Similar daytime workshops and evening sessions are planned for March and June. Find out more at www.alisong.co.uk.

Bike project to create all-weather off-road CYCLING is one of the best ways to exercise and the South West is one of the best areas to ride.

The recent completion of the cycle path alongside the River Exe has brought families and serious cyclists out in their thousands this summer. And now there are sites cropping up throughout the region where you can venture off-road for some serious exercise.

A new project called 1SW is aiming to create what they call off-road cycling adventures to be enjoyed whatever the weather.

Through its website the project promotes a ladder of progression based on your existing ability,

whether you are an absolute beginner or an accomplished mountain biker. You then tailor your adventure to your skill level.

1SW started life because a report concluded that the region needed to coordinate its development of off-road cycling.

The project is a partnership between a number of bodies including the Forestry Commission, Sport England, South West Tourism, Woodland Renaissance, Devon County Council and several cycling groups and land owning bodies.

Visit www.1sw.org.uk to find out more.

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smell when you get hot and sticky, unlike synthetic fibres.

The company is expanding its product line to include women’s cut tees and hoodies across its three designs, with bamboo jerseys and new designs due in the new year.

Jenny Beasley, who recently won the Welsh Downhill Mountain Biking Association event wearing a Whackjob Trail Tee, and came third overall in the senior women’s British Downhill Series, is one rider who will be promoting Whackjob.

THE Crediton-based Brown Paper Bag Theatre Company maintain their penchant for large cast productions and music, with their latest theatrical offering, The Brown Paper Ballads, January 25-28, 7.30pm each night.

Adapting the stories of traditional British songs, the cast, of over 20, have created an evening of love, lust, bloody murder, spurned suitors, disaster at sea and trouble at t’mill – what’s not to like?

Says the company’s Daphne Cartwright: “Music features strongly with about half of the players forming the band, who drive the show to a rip roaring climax.

“Gothic horror and tragedy are leavened by anarchic humour and the opportunity to see some familiar songs in unfamiliar settings.”

Tickets are £5 from Crediton Arts Centre (01363 773260), Sandford Post Office (01363 775805), and online at www. creditonartscentre. ticketsource.co.uk.

Jentle gifts

Just the Whackjob for mountain bikers WHACKJOB, the South Westbased, ethical mountain bike clothing company, is signing up top athletes to promote their range.

The company has been marketing its ethical bamboo/organic cotton mix fibre to the mountain biking community and some of the sport’s top riders.

The tee shirts are ideal as high performance sports garments because of their comfort and the fabric’s ability to wick away moisture without promoting bacteria – which means it doesn’t

Brown Paper Bag Theatre keeps it big

Said Jenny: “Bamboo shirts are much lighter and more comfy to wear than cotton. It’s great to see a bike clothing company using sustainable materials too.”

Joel Teague, Whackjob director, and Jenny recently hooked up with Neil Ormerod from 1 South West (1SW) for a day’s riding at Gawton. Whackjob are partnering with 1 South West, who are developing ten new cycle trails, for all ages and stages, in the region, over the next three years. See 1SW story above... www.whackjob.co.uk/

THINGS are really busy for Jentle Trading, whose fairly traded bags and scarves, made by women’s cooperatives in India and Bangladesh, are proving a popular choice for Christmas gifts.

In the weeks running up to Christmas, you can meet Jenny and see her full range of shoppers, planters, scarves, purses and shopping trolleys at the Growers Christmas Fair on December 4, at Totnes Art and Craft Market on December 11 and at the Totnes Artisans Markets throughout December.

For full details of the fairs and markets, see our Going Out Diary on pages 26-27. To see the Jentle Trading products, and to buy them online, visit www. jentletrading.co.uk.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

29

local people local events local food local health local environment Celebrities at health show

WELCOME to Wellbeing.

We are delighted our Wellbeing section continues to grow, confirming its place as THE guide to natural health and personal development practitioners in South Devon.

You might have read elsewhere in this issue that alongside our Christmas theme, we are also looking forward into the new year and encouraging everyone to Get Active in 2012.

Maybe you’ve been intending to see a therapist but haven’t

Counsellors get reaction TWO counsellors, whose work helps people to ‘parent’ the inner voices that can hold us back in life, say they had a “wonderful response” to coverage in the last issue of Reconnect.

“Our work clearly resonates with people – as we hoped it would,” said Suzannah Uren, who works with Nicky Bell.

“As adults we can choose to behave differently and parent these outdated voices, some of which date back to our childhoods.

“We are absolutely delighted that people recognise the powerful effect our work can have and want to get involved.”

Suzannah and Nicky’s next workshops are on the Friday and weekend of January 20-22 and March 23-25.

Call 0753 6005 857 or 0785 9832 860.

Chiropractor opens centre in heart of town A TOTNES-based Chiropractor has expanded her clinic to include a reception area and four healing studios, which will also provide a base for a range of other wellbeing practitioners.

Dr Claire Ryan has been working in Totnes for three years (and before that in Plymouth for four). Her new Ola Chiropractic Centre is just four doors up from the Seven Stars Hotel.

Says Claire: “Ola Chiropractic Centre will be transformed into a Zen-like space with state-of-theart diagnostic technology.”

Dr Claire practises a unique form of chiropractic called Network Spinal Analysis (NSA), “a revolutionary method of spinal care that allows the body to reorganise its tension using gentle, specific touch on the spine and a series of breathing exercises”.

“People’s response to care has been amazing, totally empowering and life-changing,” says Claire.

“For those who need relief from pain, and those who are ready to transform the fundamental wiring of their nervous system from tension to ease, NSA is definitely worth trying.”

quite got round to it; or perhaps you’ve experienced the benefits of a bodywork session but haven’t yet arranged sessions on a regular basis. Now’s the time to make that call!

And if you’re a practitioner and want to spread the word, with an advertisement and editorial, do please get in touch - call Pete on 01395 270157 or email adverts@reconnectonline. co.uk and ask about our unique EasyPay deal that could get you a 1/8-page for just £41.85 a month!

Chiropractor Dr Claire Ryan has expanded her clinic in Totnes PHOTO:

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Watch a video about NSA at www.totneschiropractic.co.uk.

As well as chiropractic services, Ola Chiropractic Centre is home to a reflexologist, homeopath and massage therapists – “all of an exceptionally high standard,” says Claire. And there is

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currently room for other wellness practitioners.

Look out too for an official opening within the next few months.

Call Claire on 07813 200361, or email info@totneschiropractic. co.uk.

KEEPING to those get-fit New Year resolutions can be hard, but help and advice will be on hand at a Torquay event which is the first of its kind.

Tim Barrs, who runs Manor Events, has organised a health show in conjunction with the Riviera Centre on January 14, 10am-5pm.

The hall will feature a variety of health, beauty and fitness related stands, from chiropractors and beauty consultants to therapists, dentists and personal trainers. There will also be talks on weight loss, nutrition, IBS and quitting cigarettes.

Guests for the day include ex-strictly champion Camilla Dallerup, who will be leading a talk on NLP and running a dancercise class. Also booked is Davina McCall’s personal trainers Mark and Jackie Wren who will lead an exercise class on fitness.

James Crossley, Hunter from Gladiators, is also leading a class and seminar.

Said Tim: “To my knowledge nothing like this has been held in this area before. This is a chance for people to act on those New Year resolutions we all make each year and come and get support and advice from a range of specialists in their fields to help you succeed.”

Entry is £6 including talks, tasters and demos and the celebrity-led classes cost £7.50 each.

Visit www. southdevonhealthshow. co.uk.

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Take a breath of new life BREATHING is such a basic instinct we seldom even think about it, and yet it is vital to our life and health.

Controlling the intake of oxygen can have a striking effect on our mind and body.

For practitioner Rob Hemmings, the revelation of how important breath control can be, came while he was at school taking part in a cross-country run.

All those years ago his teacher was obviously very aware of how breathing techniques could benefit our physical performance.

“Keep your mouth closed and breathe through your nose only” were the instructions from his PE instructor.

Rob started the race and breathed as instructed. He found it difficult at first because it seemed he could not supply enough air to his body. With perseverance he later noticed that his breathing became far more controlled and regulated and about half way through the race he felt a new sense of calm and awareness - and a new resolve to increase his speed.

Rob finished a surprising seventh out of the 150-strong pack - far better than he had expected.

Said Rob: “I now realise that through breathing in this way I had tapped into an energy source which I now understand to be zero-point or the quantum vacuum.”

Rob has used the method on many occasions since to face challenging circumstances and now plans to pass on his methods which he has called Zero-Point Breathing.

He explained: “At birth the body has a breath call – a desire to breathe – the

Herbal Medicine practitioner courses at Althaea Herbal Healing Garden nr Totnes j Taught by reg’d medical herbalists with 40 years experience. j Curriculum covers requirements of one of the UK’s largest registers for herbalists j Distance learning, seminars, tutorials and study groups. j Learn at your own pace (takes around 3-6 years) j Affordable, pay per module Controlled breathing while running was a revelation to Rob Hemmings, right primary function for our immediate survival.

“The word spirit comes from the Greek ‘spirare’ or the Latin ‘spiritus’, which means to breathe. Breath and spirit are the same thing hence the words ‘respiration’ (breathing to stay alive), ‘inspiration’ (consciousness breathing) and ‘expiration’ (our last breath before death and the journey into pure spirit).

“When we resist our in-breath we create a partial vacuum in our bodies and this is how we can begin to draw on the quantum vacuum energy and use it to empower ourselves.

“Resisting breathing in to become more energised may at first seem counter intuitive, but once there is an understanding of the power and nature of the infinite microcosm and the quantum energy field it starts to make more sense.”

Call Rob on 01752 895381.

Open raises awareness - and funds A WELL-attended open day at The Waterloo Wellbeing Centre in Plymouth raised awareness of the centre – and £650 for the charity Cancer Lifeline South West.

After a coffee morning, the afternoon included meditations and talks about the centre’s couples workshops, a raffle and cake and Christmas gift stalls.

Julie Jeffs, who runs the centre, is also chair of the charity’s trustees and facilitator of the breaks they organise

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Herbal medicine experiences

to give cancer patients and carers a chance to take some time out to reflect and refocus.

The Cancer Lifeline South West offers six three-day residential breaks at Sharpham, free of charge, throughout the year. To find out more, call 01392 432984, or email office@ cancerlifeline-southwest.org.

Find out more about The Waterloo Wellbeing Centre at www. psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk.

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

31

local people local events local food local health local environment New group promotes natural wellbeing A GROUP of practitioners in Exmouth is bringing home the message about complimentary health.

Good Health Exmouth has been formed to increase the provision of health care and to make complementary therapies more accessible.

The group offers information and advice on alternative methods of dealing with health problems and keeping well.

They also run monthly “meet the practitioner” sessions at the B Natural Health Food store in the Strand.

Visit www.goodhealthexmouth.co.uk.

Look, no skis... enjoying the benefits of Nordic walking

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WELL, the long-range weather forecast says we might get some serious snow this winter – but Scandanavian scenes or not (and it might even have snowed by the time you read this), if you visit Haldon Forest Park you might see people walking with what look like ski poles…

In fact, they are Nordic walking, which local instructor Fiona Swan says is “the fastest growing fitness activity in the world with over 10 million enthusiasts now regularly taking part.”

She said: “It was originally used by super fit cross-country skiers as a way to stay fit during the summer.

“It’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels, simple to learn and really sociable.”

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However, it is not simply a case of grabbing a pair of poles and walking with them, says Fiona.

“It requires the correct technique in order to get the whole body working and it is essential you learn this from a qualified Instructor who will ensure you get the full benefit and fastest possible results,” she said.

“By using the specially designed poles, you can use all the major muscles in the body and burn up to twice as many calories as ordinary walking!”

“It’s so effective, it is being used for weight loss, rehabilitation and sports specific training all the over the UK.” Find out more at www. nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk.

THERAPY ROOMS TO RENT IN BUDLEIGH SALTERTON

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“bringing you organic beauty from the sea” To rent space here in our beautiful SPA contact us on 01395 446580 or email jayne.ot@jottys.com The VOYA Spa at Jotty’s Emporium 43 - 43A High Street | Budleigh Salterton | Devon | EX9 6LE Telephone 01395 446580 | www.jottysspa.com

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Dartmoor Centre

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Herbal practitioner training A SOUTH Devon training school is offering practitioner courses which, if new herbal medicine regulations come in, would allow people to join the profession through the ‘grandfathering’ scheme.

Medicinal herbalists are currently governed by a voluntary code of Statutory Self-Regulation (SSR), which lays down a core curriculum to a degree standard.

It is thought likely that the Government will at some point make that level of training compulsory, but there will be provision for working herbalists to be ‘grandfathered in’ – that is, to take exams to prove they are sufficiently competent to practice effectively.

Says Frances Wright, of the Althaea Herbal Healing Garden, near Totnes: “We train our students to the standards set down by the core curriculum and to work as practitioners.

“The course enables graduates to order herbal medicines, although emphasis is on growing, harvesting and preparing your own, for ‘greener’

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The course is mainly distance learning, with six seminars and practical sessions a year, although local students can use the herb garden and its library and dispensary every Thursday.

Visit www.greenlaneherbs.co.uk or for a prospectus email greenlaneherbs. frances@virgin.net.

Acupuncture at Plymouth health centre ACUPUNCTURE is now available at the Waterloo Wellbeing Centre in Stoke, Plymouth, starting with a free 20 mins consultation.

For details of all courses : Sandplay, CPD, Please visit www.safespaceforcounselling.com or speak to Ken Rabone Director of Training Training only 01803 867744 Email : office@safespaceforcounselling.com

For more information, call Helen Pinguey MBAcC on 07760416046, or email acupuncture.hp@hotmail.co.uk.

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

33

local people local events local food local health local environment

Hélène Demetriades

Experienced Transpersonal Psychotherapist & Counsellor MBACP SNR Accred.

Metamorphic Technique Practitioner Counselling & Psychotherapy I help you to move through patterns of self-rejection to come home to yourself.

“Hélène works with infinite compassion and patience, listening on levels which I could never begin to imagine myself. She becomes the most magical mirror in which I can see myself more clearly” Metamorphic Technique A simple practice in which I use a light touch on the sides of your feet, hands and head, acting as a catalyst to your life-force.

“The philosophy of the Metamorphic Technique of bringing about one’s potential in life has manifested itself in mine in a profound way within the last year.”

Location: Dartington www.helenedemetriades.co.uk Tel: 01803 868 655

Integrated heart-centred therapy Calling on counselling, self-parenting, shamanic healing and bodywork

Clinic manager and principle chiropractor Catherine Crane in the new centre in Newton Abbot

New clinic’s whole story A NEW natural health centre has opened in Newton Abbot, offering a range of therapies designed to treat the person as a whole.

The Align Chiropractic, Posture and Wellness Clinic is in Devon Square.

Director Catherine Crane said: “The Align core philosophy stems from the understanding that the body is innately intelligent and has the capacity to heal itself - and will do so if the underlying CAUSES are addressed, not just the symptoms such as pain and discomfort “We believe in treating the person as a whole and recognise that this requires a multi-disciplinary approach.”

So as well as the Chiropractic Catherine with associate chiropractor team, the clinic also offers Richard Record, above, and the Align hair analysis testing and team, below, outside their new clinic live blood cell microscopy, and sports injury specialists, while pilates, reflexology, nutritional and providing gentle and effective dietary guidance and advice and healing with our reflexologists and detoxification therapy. massage therapists.”

“Our mission is to provide a Visit Align at 39 Devon Square in professional, friendly and caring Newton Abbot (opposite the doctor’s chiropractic health service,” said surgery). Call Align on 01803 814329, Catherine. “We provide expert postural advice from rehabilitation email align.limited@gmail.com or experts, including pilates instructors visit www.alignyourhealth.co.uk

This therapy supports you to listen to your wounds and to heal them and to rebuild your original true aliveness

Devon

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Totnes Penzance Call Suzannah Uren on 0753 600 5857 34 34 34

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Practical therapy to beat ME THERE are no better ambassadors for a complimentary therapy than a satisfied patient.

And when the cure is so life changing, it’s easy to become evangelical.

For ten years Trevor Gardner, right, was struggling with ME. He had gone from being a very active charity consultant working up to 80 hours a week on projects in Exeter, to being bed ridden.

During a period between 1997 and 2007, Trevor suffered two really bad bouts when he was housebound. Each time he struggled to get back to work but suffered terrible exhaustion. Then he found Mickel Therapy - a talking-based treatment for ‘Energy Disorders’ including CFS, Post Viral Fatigue, ME, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, as well as other common conditions and symptoms including anxiety, depression and panic attacks.

The treatment involves a series of one-hour sessions, during which patients learn why their symptoms are there, the link with their emotions and, crucially, how to work with them to regain their health in a practical way.

The therapy was pioneered ten years ago by Dr David Mickel, a GP from Elgin in Scotland.

Trevor has successfully treated many sufferers from all around the Southwest and internationally (by Skype) over the past 4 years.

Said Trevor: “It is a talking therapy but not counselling and it’s very practical. Mickel Therapy aims to teach sufferers simple tools and techniques as a way of empowering them to treat themselves, rather than requiring ongoing treatment and expense.”

Trevor admits that having had ME and having used the therapy successfully does give him added empathy.

“I became cured really quite quickly. I think I was pretty well cured after 2-3 sessions. I had previously tried other alternative therapies and had been treated by my doctor.

“I wish I had found Mickel Therapy earlier and not missed out on 10 years of my life.”

Call 07932 175280 or e-mail him at: trevor.gardner@mickeltherapy.com

Centre builds on community links MAINTAINING healthy links with the community is an important part of the work of the Exeter Natural Health Centre.

As well as working with local charities such as Children in Need, Balloons supporting bereaved children, and Billie the cancer charity, the centre is involved with the training of young doctors at the Peninsula Medical School.

Ali Morrish, who runs the centre with her husband Mo, said the Autumn had been a very busy time for the centre, which offers therapy space for practitioners and is a venue for training courses, workshops and seminars.

Situated right at the heart of the city centre, just off Gandy Street and

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We look forward to seeing you at ALIGN!

THERAPISTS WANTED

TO JOIN NEWLY OPENED HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINIC IN NEWTON ABBOT. • Excellent location • Newly renovated • Large treatment rooms with bench, desk and chairs • Rooms to let on daily or weekly basis.

You will join a professional, friendly team of therapists including: Chiropractors, Reflexologists and many more!

Get in touch to find out more.

39 Devon Square, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2HH • Tel: 01803 814 329 align.limited@gmail.com • www.alignyourhealth.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you at ALIGN!

Queen Street, the centre is very accessible and convenient for people to travel in to attend a training course or a meeting.

Said Ali: “Our regular professional training in homoeopathy, massage and reflexology are very popular and we already have dates booked for 2013 for these courses.

“However, we also run shorter courses such as kinesiology and crystal healing as well as one and two-day workshops in things such as self development, meditation and coaching. Weekly, during the day and in the evening we have yoga, pilates and Birthwise classes.”

Visit www.enhc.org or call 01392 422555.

When did you last enjoy a pain-free life?

Hendrickson Method is a unique soft tissue mobilisation therapy that can help with most orthopaedic conditions including: Acute and chronic back pain, neck pain and loss of motion, rotator cuff injuries, hip pain and degeneration, knee pain and stiffness, foot pain including plantar fasciitis, thumb and finger pain and stiffness, numbness in the arms, hands, legs, and feet, and chronic conditions like arthritis and tendinitis.

Ask how I can help you…

Mary Caffrey Bsc(Hons) PGCE Remedial Massage Therapist Hendrickson Method Practitioner Call 07877 863745 for an appointment

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

35 35

local people local events local food local health local environment

AtlasPROfilax NEW AMAZING SELF-EMPOWERING REALIGNMENT Did you know that the Atlas bone is misaligned in most humans?

What if you could get rid of

BACK, NECK, KNEES or HIPS PAIN, WHIPLASH, MIGRAINES, DIZINESS, TRAPPED NERVES, DIFFERENCE in LEG LENGTH, FROZEN SHOULDERS, etc…

A strategic and non-chiropractic massage is applied to the short musculature of the neck in only one application, safely and permanently Marie-Agnès Casalini

07828 954 304 (01342) 303279 marie.atlas@yahoo.co.uk For more testimonials, see: www.marieatlas.co.uk Regularly in Totnes at Arcturus Clinic

FEEL YOUR BEST AT THE DESK and improve your posture at the computer

I provide a highly effective Alexander Techniquebased approach for preventing back & neck pain and RSI combined with expert advice on setting up your workstation to suit your individual needs.

For home or business contact: MicHAEL BROwn on 01364 654398 or 07775 528876 or email info@michaelhbrown.co.uk www.feelingyourbestatthedesk.co.uk

TRAINING COURSES Y. Also Retreats abroad and (open to all)

&

RIQTA

RIQTA

FOR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING TRAINING COURSES regular workshops – TORQUAY. Also Retreats abroad and Pilgrimages to the Holy Land. (open to all)

&

For Professional, Accredited and Approved Level 2 – introduction to counselling skills & Concepts – part time – weeks – commencing May 2011 & regular workshops – COUNSELLING10TRAINING COURSES Skills – part time – 10 months – TORQUAY TRAINING VENUE Level 3 – Certificate in Counselling Skills – part time – 10 months –

g skills & Concepts – part time –

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FOR PROFESSIONALto COUNSELLING TRAININGskills COURSES& concepts & Level 2 – introduction counselling regular workshops – TORQUAY. Also Retreats abroad and Certificate in CBTcommencing – 10 months part time.

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t time. – commencing May 2011

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Level Diploma in The theory andskills practice of Counselling – part LevelLevel 3 –24–Certifi cate in Counselling Skills introduction to counselling & Concepts – part time – time 21 months – commencing 10 weeks – commencing May 2011June 2011 part time – 10 months – commencing FEBRUARY 2012 Children & Young people – 12

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urses, or any of our workshops,

iqta.co.uk – 01803 315075 Level

Carol Lee runs course at Exeter University THE Well Being Centre in Crediton is offering a range of complementary therapies at Exeter University Sports Park, including Indian head massage, Swedish massage, Nutritional Therapy and Kinesiology.

Starting in January 2012, Carol Lee, Nutritional Therapist (and Reconnect Seasonal Eating columnist) will be running a series of evening classes called Eating for Health and Vitality.

Said Carol: “The aim of these classes is to introduce you to the

New mag on ‘the wisdom of Chinese medicine’ LOOK out for a new locally produced magazine called Five Flavours.

Described as “a seasonal foodfor-health magazine rooted in the wisdom of Chinese Medicine”, it will be published in four seasonal editions and by subscription only.

Founder and editor Wendy Morrison, right, an acupuncture practitioner, said: “Five Flavours is written for all people interested in food for health, but will particularly appeal to those receiving acupuncture and shiatsu and practitioners of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Ki Aikido and other martial arts.

“We want to raise awareness of how Chinese Dietary Therapy can maintain good health and remedy unbalanced health in every day life using every day food.”

Daverick Leggett, author of Recipes for Self Healing, is an advisor to the magazine.

Content will include the basic principles of food energetics, Chinese remedies, seasonal recipes (by holistic chef Jon Guest) and case study articles by Chinese medicine practitioners on how diet can remedy health problems.

“It is written in a relaxed way, with

Children &time Young Specialist Diploma in in Counselling CounsellingSkills 3 – Certificate – part – 10people months– –12 DiplomaLevel in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) months partJuly time.

– commencing September 2011 commencing 2011

For further on these or any of ourMay workshops, Certificate in information CBT – 10 months partcourses, time. – commencing 2011

contact: 4 Diploma in The Theory and Practice of Counselling Diploma in The theory and practice of Counselling – part Info.riqta@btconnect.com – www.riqta.co.uk – 018032012 315075 part timeLevel 214 months – commencing APRIL time 21 months – commencing June 2011

communication is key

NEW! We can now offer ayear 10 dayfor safe success! pilgrimage to the HOLY Make 2012 your LAND – this can be for your personal and/or professional

For further information on these and approved development, for those who have accredited religious beliefs, and for those who tour workshops Israel as part of a safe sightseeing and learning courses, or anywish of toour orgroup, support groups, or if you history with wonderful architecture - with a full itinery and tour wish to engage counselling, please contact: guide –in It islow an allcost inclusive package – for further details contact 01803 315075 or info.riqta@btconnect.com

Info.riqta@btconnect.com www.riqta.co.uk – 01803 315075 RIQTA – HEALTH & HARMONY LOW COST COUNSELLING AGENCY - if you would like to engage in counselling, and find finance a difficulty, we have counsellors who offer reduced/low fees. Please telephone for details.

36

Wendy Morrison and her new magazine, Five Flavours, right helpful and practical advice using every day foods,” said Wendy.

The first issue is out in February, but a special introductory issue is available free from Green Life in Totnes or online at www.wendymorrisonacupuncture.co.uk/fiveflavours.html.

Buy a subscription online, at the above website address, or send a cheque for £15 inc p&p, made payable to Wendy Morrison, to Wren Cottage, Silver Street, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0BQ.

‘A thoughtful approach to emotional issues’

part time – commencing MARCH 2012

r 2011 and February 2012 safe pilgrimage to the HOLY Holy Land Counselling Pilgrimage – October 2011 and February 2012 Specialist DIPLOMA Children &people Young & Young – 12 People Specialist in Diploma in Counselling Children nal and/or professional NEW!part We can now offer a 10 day safe pilgrimage to the HOLY monthspart time.

– commencing September 2011 time – commencing APRIL 2012 ligious beliefs, and for those who 12 months LAND – this can be for your personal and/or professional group, sightseeing and learning development, for thoseon who have religious beliefs, and for those who For further information these courses, or any of our workshops, - with a full itinery and tour 2012 - WEIGHT January GROUP Nolearning Weigh ins! wish to tourLOSS Israel as SUPPORT part of a safe group, sightseeing- and contact: e – for further details contact history withlearning wonderful architecture - -with a 01803 full itinery and with tour food!

Psychological/emotional process make friends Info.riqta@btconnect.com – www.riqta.co.uk – 315075 nnect.com guide – It is an all inclusive package – for further details contact 01803 315075 or info.riqta@btconnect.com January 2012 LIFE COACHING SUPPORT GROUP Holy Land Pilgrimage – October 2011 and February 2012

facts and principles of healthy eating from a holistic perspective.

“My hope is that this course will empower you to take control of your health and well-being and show you how you can feel full of health and vitality.”

Find out more about Crediton Well Being Centre at the uni at www.wellbeing-centre.co.uk/OutAbout.html.

Or to find out more about Carol’s course, visit www.naturalfoodschool. co.uk.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Professional and experienced counsellor qualified to help with: ● Relationships ● Anxiety/Panic Attacks ● Stress and Anger Management ● Self-esteem Issues ● Loss and Bereavement

Rosemary Pell’s Counselling Practice MBACP (Member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)

01647 253264

www.rosemarypell.co.uk 1 Walnut Gardens, St David’s Hill, Exeter EX4 4DH

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment

Team behind new SW fairs THE growing interest in alternative and complimentary health has led to the formation of a company which aims to showcase the work of practitioners and therapists in Devon and Cornwall.

The project is the work of three enterprising Plymouth-based women who have joined forces to run a series of holistic health and craft fairs around the South West.

Called Elements Holistic and Craft Fairs, it’s hoped the venture will provide an outlet for practitioners, therapists and readers.

Behind Elements are Stephanie Sinclaire, Sarah Anderson and Lisa Mechen.

Lisa is a Reiki master, an angel practitioner, colour therapist, spiritual healer and has experience with Indian head massage and is a member of the Global Distant Healing Network.

Sarah is a chain mailer and jewellery designer whose business is Sarah Gail Designs.

Stephanie is a Reiki practitioner and teacher with a media background.

Stephanie and Sarah currently run handmade only fairs as Crafty Chicks.

All three came together recognising each other’s strengths and have a love of healing.

The Elements team (left to right): Stephanie Sinclaire, Sarah Anderson, helper Ebony Dodgen and Lisa Mechen

Core Process Psychotherapy

Said Lisa: “In Plymouth there has been no organised outlet for these services for some considerable time.

Knowing people in these areas we have found a lack of places for them to practice.”

Elements intends to put on regular events in Plymouth and surrounding areas of Devon and Cornwall to fill this need. The next event is on Saturday, February 4, at Devonport Guildhall, Ker Street, Plymouth between 11am and 4pm.

Visit www.elementsholisticandcrafts. com

An approach that draws on modern Western Psychotherapeutic understanding and the wisdom and compassion of Buddhist psychology Mark Craig MA

Kay Luck MA

Colin Sutton MA

01803 865672

01566 880206 07875 955250

07811 285875 01392 758107

Totnes

Exeter & Launceton

Exeter & Plymouth

Registered Psychotherapists

Karuna Institute, Devon New Two Year Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Level 4 A Mindfulness Approach to Counselling Training.

Starts January 2012 in Plymouth.

A thorough and extensive grounding in the theory and practice of mindfulness in relationship.

Qualification awarded by CPCAB & Karuna Institute with 120 Open University credits towards a Foundation Degree in Counselling.

Tutors: Julie Jeffs 0796 600 3872 Alyss Thomas 01803 812566 www.karuna-institute.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

SELF-PARENTING WORKSHOP FOR MEN WITH SUZANNAH UREN AND MICHAEL BROWN A powerful practice which helps you develop a relationship with your inner voices, through listening, feeling and respecting what they have to offer, so you can...

Learn to live more in your adult Find greater acceptance and expression for feelings and emotions Allow for greater intimacy with others Weekend workshop • March 3/4, including Friday evening • Venue: Totnes • Follow-up day to be confirmed

Suzannah 0753 6005 857 or Michael 0777 552 8876

That's what people think BEFORE they experience it.

“EFT is too simple to work...”

Here's what my clients say AFTER doing the technique with me: ‘It’s been life-changing’ ‘I’m not carrying the burden any more’ ‘Everyone should have someone like you to help them’

Di Greenland Emotional Freedom Techniques 01392 669606 digreenland@blueyonder.co.uk

Waterloo Wellbeing Centre ‘When we have inner peace we can be at peace with those around us’ Dalai Lama

Counselling and Psychotherapy services in Plymouth Services available:

• INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLES COUNSELLING

Now it’s self-parenting for men A SELF-PARENTING course run for women proved hugely successful, as you may have read elsewhere in this issue – now it’s the men’s turn for some self-empowerment.

Suzannah Uren, who ran the previous course with Nicky Bell, is this time teaming up with Michael Brown to help men to learn how to ‘self-parent’ those inner voices that influence how we live our lives.

Said Suzannah: “For example, in conflict we often blame others when we feel hurt. Self-parenting the blaming voice enables us to take responsibility for the hurt places within us.”

Suzannah and Michael are offering a weekend workshop for men to “learn a practice which allows their emotions to come through in a held way”.

Said Michael: “Social conditioning has trained men to suppress their

emotions, which can dull their aliveness and impair their ease with intimacy.

This can affect how comfortable they feel with other’s emotional expression and can lead to them wanting to retreat or shut others down.

“The simple practice of self-parenting shows men how to parent their inner voices that may carry a fear of expression, a need to blame or a need to abdicate self-responsibility. It is also valuable for men who are seeking to heal addictions such as alcohol, drugs and pornography.”

Suzannah has worked as a counsellor in Dartington for 18 years and Michael in personal development for 20 years as a life coach and an Alexander Technique teacher.

Their first workshop runs from the evening of Friday March 2 and over the weekend of March 3 and 4. Call 0753 6005 857 or 0777 5528 876.

Massage changed Mary’s life FOR 12 years Mary Caffrey suffered from back pain – largely as a result of work and stress.

She found temporary relief but no real answer to her condition.

“Then,” says Mary, “I met someone who had really benefited from a course of remedial massage so decided to try it myself. For the first time in 12 years I was pain-free.”

In fact, the experience changed her life in many ways.

She retrained as a remedial massage therapist at the Northern Institute of Massage Mary Caffrey giving treatment in Bury, and soon started to look for even more effective ways of and muscle energy techniques with helping people out of pain. soft tissue mobilisation, providing Three years ago she came across the long-term benefits far beyond those of Hendrickson Method, developed by US conventional massage.“ chiropractor Dr Tom Hendrickson, who It is usually done while clients are fully works with athletes to keep them at the clothed and without the use of oils, top of their sport. making it easier for people to return to their work.

Says Mary: “Combining clinical techniques and knowledge with “Currently there are only 26 UK eastern energy practices makes the therapists trained in Hendrickson treatments relaxing to receive and an Method and I am the only one in the efficient treatment for both chronic and South West,” says Mary. acute pain.

To find out more about Hendrickson Method, call Mary on 07877 863 745, “Hendrickson Method is unique or email marycaffrey@btinternet.com. because it combines joint mobilisation

• PSYCHOTHERAPY • COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY • FAMILY THERAPY • CLINICAL SUPERVISION • MINDFULNESS COURSES FOR ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE • PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING TRAINING

MINDFULNESS COURSES Taster session in Mindfulness - 2nd December, 2011.

Diploma in Mindfulness-based Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB) starting January 2012

Tel: 01752 560002 www.psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk 191 Devonport Road, Stoke, Plymouth PL1 5RN 38

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment

2011-12 Passionate Presence events with

Katheryn Trenshaw

“Katheryn’s work is powerful, effective, illuminating and has freed the way I approach my work and my life.” Donna, USA

Are you ready for real freedom? Dare you step into your deep connected power and really be here now? Are you ready to open your heart and love?

There is nothing to change. It is not about self-improvement. It is simple.

Upcoming: December 8 St Stephen’s Talk (Bristol) • December 10-11 (London) • Jan 20-24 residential retreat, Devon.

01803 863552 • info@ktrenshaw.com www.ktrenshaw.com

Lynne Kenderdine uses the natural world to reflect on what is happening deep inside us. Picture by Phil Hemsley - buy prints online at www.morpheus71photography.co.uk

Lynne’s weave of healthcare and nature A SOUTH Devon practitioner has woven together the natural elements and healthcare to create “uniquely experiential times in nature”.

When Lynne Kenderdine studied Shiatsu, she found the Five Element Cycle of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to be “as alive in us as they are in the wider environment”.

Said Lynne: “The Five Element Cycle gives us a way of looking at the whole person and also links us to the natural world. Ancient peoples understood that we are all connected - people, trees, air, insects, earth… we do not exist in isolation. We are in relationship with nature; part of the natural world, not set apart from it.”

After almost two decades of work in farming and conservation (she also works with Devon Wildlife Trust), Lynne found it easy to see how the natural world could be used to

reflect what is happening to us deep inside. The result is the birth of Five Element Nature Walks & Workshops.

Next year’s programme includes workshops focussing on each of the elements as they move through the seasons, with plenty of opportunity for “nature connection and selfreflection”.

Said Lynne: “There will be practical conservation and bodywork days, walks working on specific emotions like grief and anger, and general walks and talks where you can learn more about the Five Elements, Chinese Medicine, wildlife and the natural world.”

Lynne has teamed up with Singing Paddles to deliver the winter workshop, Explore Water on the Water, which includes half a day canoeing on the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary.

Call 07770 995976, email lynne.k@tiscali.co.uk, or visit www. lynnekenderdine.co.uk.

Practising in Totnes and Teignmouth 01803 862803 | 07506 179 808 | mark.edlundplater@gmail.com

Trevor Gardner Mickel Therapist Tel: 07932 175280 e-mail: trevor.gardner@mickeltherapy.com Website: www.mickeltherapy.com Successfully treating: M.E., Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Post Viral Fatigue, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

39

local people local events local food local health local environment ART COURSE

INSIDER ART

We are running the following courses in Exeter in 2012 ART IN MENTAL HEALTH: A Foundation Course in Art Therapy ART IN MENTAL HEALTH: Practical Applications for Health & Community Practice Short courses: Introduction to Sandtray Therapy & Practical Applications; Narrative & Story Making Approaches; Art, Conflict & Anger Management For information visit www.insiderart.org.uk or e-mail info@insiderart.org.uk

Restore-me Therapies

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

Body Massage (Swedish, aromatherapy, therapeutic) ■ Indian Head Massage ■ Reflexology ■ Hopi Ear Candling ■ Reiki ■ Special offers ■ Packages ■ Mobile service CALL NOW to receive £5 off your first session.

■

Business OPPORTUNITY

EARN AN ETHICAL INCOME showing others how to be eco-friendly. See how and browse 850 genuine green products at www.greener2morrow. co.uk 07879442883

Beryl Roseblade MICHT MFHT

Brixham ■ Paignton ■ Torquay !

Tel: 01803 853605 Mob: 07753 471618 Email: berylroseblade@hotmail.com www.restoremetherapies.com

COUNSELLING

Pat Hoare

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

BODYWORK THERAPIES

Therapeutic Counselling Supervision Hypnotherapy and Stress Management 24a Gandy Street Exeter EX4 3LS Tel: 01392 410090 Email: pat@pathoare.eclipse.co.uk Web: www.caseconfidential.com

Over 32 years’ experience - offers confidential therapeutic counselling for individuals and couples.

PAT HOARE. DIP. COUNS. B.A.C.P. ACCREDITED HEALTH CENTRES

Exeter Mind and Body Clinic

A refreshing new service for Central Exeter Would you like to be a part of it?

There is still some rental availability at this discreet and well-managed venue with two well appointed therapy rooms and a group/training room.

Contact for more information: Cathy Towers 01395 278 437 or 07989 564660 www.exetermindandbody.com

Ceramic AND WOOD CRAFTS

!

UNIQUE ceramic and wooden crafts, handmade in Devon. ‘Hoaxi Tribal Artefacts’ (eg masks), and ‘Re-imagined’ (remade household accessories). Visit www.folksy.com/shops/ spuriouscrafts Coaching

BREAKTHROUGH COACHING with Carmella B’Hahn (author - Benjaya’s Gifts/Mourning Has Broken). Bowden House, Totnes. Transform through adversity. www.solacealchemy.com 01803 867005 carmella@solacealchemy.com Colonics

HEARTWOOD HOME COLONICS Safe, cheap DIY inner cleansing at Bowden House, Totnes or home hire. Brochure: carmella@solacealchemy. com 01803 867005.

Communication

COMMUNICATION BLITZ sessions with Carmella B’Hahn, Bowden House, Totnes. Transform patterns, learn conscious communication. Four sessions £100. 01803 867005 carmella@solacealchemy.com Craft Fairs

ELEMENTS Holistic and Craft Fairs, February 4th 2012 11am-4pm at Devonport Guildhall, Plymouth. Admission free. Telephone 07954 427722. Email: mail@elementsholisticandcrafts. com Web: www.elementsholisticand crafts.com.

Food AND HEALTH

HYPNOTHERAPY

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Clinical Hypnotherapy

Helping you to take control of your life

EATING FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY evening classes at Exeter University with Reconnect’s Seasonal Eating columnist Carol Lee. Starting January 12, 2012. Call 01363 82794 for details or visit www.naturalfoodschool.co.uk.

Nutrition

Help with Anxiety, Depression, Habits, Phobias, Confidence, Insomnia, Pain and more Clinics in: Exeter ~ Sidmouth ~ Axminster ~ Seaton

Michelle Hague BA(Hons)Cert ed D Hyp PDC Hyp PDCBHyp MBSCH 01297 20144 or 07761 773563 www.takecontrolofyourlife.co.uk RETREATS AND HOLIDAYS

Christmas New Year Breaks

SHIATSU

Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

Take a break with us in La Vegueta near to the amazing National Park and Famara Beach.

Relax, walk, swim, surf, paint, tour the island, re-energise, just enjoy!

Home Stay www.b-the-change.com

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Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

ONLINE TRAINING IN NUTRITION THERAPY One-year accredited diploma course with Linda Lazarides. Learn how to use diet to combat health problems. www.naturostudy.org.

Psychotherapy

EXPERIENCED and qualified psychotherapist welcomes individuals and couples for confidential sessions in Harberton near Totnes. Lucia Capaldi BA (hons) UKCP. For an initial free meeting call 01803 840424, or 07809 441 519, www. luciacapaldi-psychotherapy-devon.co.uk.

Yoga

YOGA IN CENTRAL TORQUAY Weekly classes Mondays and Thursdays 530pm - 7pm. Contact Virginia 07875217970. www.earthyogatorquay. co.uk YOUR LINEAGE AD IN HERE

Spread the word about your business for just 90p a word - minimum of 20 words! Call us for details on 01392 346342.

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localpeople peoplelocal localevents eventslocal localfood foodlocal localhealth healthlocal localenvironment environment local

WORKSHOP AND COURSES DIARY DECEMBER Every Monday

YOGA at St Andrews Church Hall, Ashburton, TQ13 7DT with Rebecca Brewin, 5-6.30pm.

Scaravelli-inspired, suited to all levels. To book tel: 07896 936 625 or email: rebecca@ handtoearth.net. Details: www.handtoearth.net Every Wednesday

EVENING YOGA CLASSES. Scaravelli-inspired in Exeter with Rebecca Brewin, suited to all levels. For full details or to book email rebecca@ handtoearth.net or call 07896 936 625. Further information: www.handtoearth.net Every Tuesday

QIGONG at The Exeter Mint Methodist Church with Brad Richecoeur, 5.30-7pm. Suitable for all levels. 0845 3305086 www.qigong-southwest. co.uk.

Every Friday

QIGONG at St Johns Church Hall, Totnes with Brad Richecoeur, 10-11.30am. Suitable for all levels. 0845 3305086 www.qigong-southwest. co.uk.

THURSDAY 8

SATURDAY 21

LOVING AND LIVING Taster Session for couples @ The Waterloo Wellbeing Centre, Plymouth. Come and join us in a friendly workshop as we look together at ways to improve your couple relationship. 7.30-9.30pm. For info and bookings, email lovingandliving2010@ gmail.com, or call/text 0797 727 1594 (start your message with ‘love and live’).

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT. Three-part workshop in Totnes, on Saturdays November 19, January 21 and March 17, with Sarah Sidoli. Discover your hidden talents and have fun. £30 per day.

01364 643033, sidoli2connect@yahoo.co.uk

JANUARY SATURDAY 14

NORDIC WALKING. Free taster session, 11.30 am. Haldon Forest Park, Exeter. 07531 729383.

Fiona@nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk For Totnes and Ivybridge dates www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk FRIDAY 20-TUESDAY 24

Passionate Presence residential retreat with Katheryn Trenshaw, Devon venue, 01803 863552, info@ktrenshaw.com, www.ktrenshaw.com.

FREE talk on self-parenting for men and women

by Suzannah Uren at Birdwood House, Totnes, on Tuesday, January 24, at 7.30pm. Call Suzannah on 0753 6005 857 FEBRUARY Saturday 4

ELEMENTS Holistic and Craft Fairs, February 4th 2012 11am-4pm at Devonport Guildhall, Plymouth. Admission free. Telephone 07954 427722. Email: mail@elementsholisticandcrafts. com Web: www.elementsholisticand crafts.com.

MONDAY 19

LOVING AND LIVING Taster Session for couples at The Waterloo Wellbeing Centre, Plymouth. Come and join us in a friendly workshop as we look together at ways to improve your couple relationship. 7.30-9.30pm. For info and bookings, email lovingandliving2010@ gmail.com, or call/text 0797 727 1594. (start your message with ‘love and live’)

FRIDAY December 2

FRIDAY 20

MINDFULNESS Taster session at The Waterloo Wellbeing Centre, Plymouth, 7-9.30pm. For info and bookings, call Julie Jeffs on 01752 560002, or email info@psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk

SELF-PARENTING workshop offering a daily practice to support women through emotional and behavioural patterning. Venue in Totnes area TBA. Call 0753 6005 857 or 0785 9832 860.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

TUESDAY 24

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Living on less...

With a little extra presents of mind...

LET’S get one thing out of the way for starters: enjoying a greener, more sustainable Christmas is not about coming over all Scrooge-like and shouting ‘Bah- humbug!’ (or worse) through the letterbox at anyone who comes up your garden path wearing a Santa hat.

Far from it. Christmas is for most of us a time for celebration, whether we are celebrating a religious/ spiritual cause, the coming together of our family or wider community, or simply giving a little rein to our hedonistic inner party-animal. Or any combination of those - and to whatever degree.

But does it really have to involve spending more money than we’ve got on stuff we don’t need and won’t really enjoy?

No, of course it doesn’t.

It’s long been a cliché that Christmas has “become too commercial” and I’ve yet to meet the person who says, “No, honestly, I think Christmas would be much more enjoyable if we all spent more money…”

So what can we do about it? Agreeing with family and friends that you will all spend less is a good place to start because it’s really only effective if you’re all playing to the same rules – and it avoids any awkwardness when you open your iPad and they unwrap a jewellery box carefully crafted from an old egg box, a bunch of dead leaves and half a tube of glitter…

You could, then, all agree a price limit per person, which really makes things simpler when it comes to shopping.

And I would humbly suggest you also limit your gifts to items sold (and ideally made) locally.

BE generous (especially of heart) this Christmas but does that really mean we should spend more than we’ve got on stuff people don’t need (or even want), asks Martin Foster?

Drizzled with love...

Or you could organise a `Secret Santa’ - agree a gift budget which everyone must to stick to, pick one name each out of a hat, then everyone only has to buy one present.

The trickiest presents to buy are always those for the people ‘who have everything’. Or, to put it another way, ‘who don’t NEED anything’. Which is actually most of us.

We do though all enjoy eating and drinking, so local produce is always a winner and there is a huge selection available at specialist stores, markets and farm shops across the area. Set yourself a geographical target (from within a 20-mile radius, say) if you want to give yourself a tougher green challenge. It also adds a real ‘story’ to your gift.

And that leads us to not buying

your local solution-focused hypnotherapist Michael Sanders

presents, but buying the ingredients to make your own.

If you’re talented in the kitchen, you could make and give chutneys, cakes, or chocolate truffles. Or your own flavoured organic olive oil - just add dried chillies, garlic or herbs to a pretty bottle and fill it up with oil. Add a personalised home-made label and what’s not to like?

Or the green-fingered can give presents they’ve grown – pot-plants, bowls of bulbs, even herb or chilli plants to stand on the kitchen window sill – gifts that keep on giving.

Likewise if you’re a talented (or even not so talented) artist or craft maker – there are loads of things you can make and give. Who doesn’t want a set of hand-knitted boiled egg cosies? Don’t they? Then do they truly deserve your friendship?

Kids tend to be a little more materially driven, of course, and are also even more susceptible to the persuasive powers of marketing (actually another definition of ‘fashion’).

So if it’s really GOT to be electronic gadgets and/or designer labels, does it have to be new? Buying secondhand off eBay, through classified ads or from a secondhand shop will often mean a higher spec pressie for the same or considerably less dosh – and it’s recycling. You’ll feel so much better while they’re stealing a car and killing the driver playing Grand Theft Auto…

The ultimate green gift is the pledge, which involves no material object at all. Simply make a note (or draw up a certificate, depending on your creative

Take a deep breaTh...

practices in Plymouth and Exeter

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Your future can!

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abilities) promising to provide some service. Kids particularly like these and can take their folks breakfast in bed, or do the washing up for a week, or wash the car, or…

This seems an appropriate time to again mention Freecycle, a Yahoohosted, non-profit making network of close-on 5,000 groups around the world.

The principle is simple: give (and receive) stuff for free to avoid it going into landfill.

So, once you’re a member, you can put on details of anything you want to get rid of (keeping it “legal and appropriate for all ages”) and you then get a load of emails from people saying they want it.

You then choose who you’d like to have it and let them know, by email or phone. They then call round and pick it up and you stick up a message saying ‘Taken’.

You can also post ‘wanted’ messages, although they ask that you do so sparingly so you don’t clog up the system.

Things on offer range from computers to greenhouses to building materials and it’s the perfect way to get shot of things which still have life in them but which you don’t have the time or space to sell. One man’s meat is another man’s nutroast.

No doubt some Christmas presents will be sourced through Freecycle, but it is the perfect place to find homes for unwanted Christmas gifts (‘regifting’) – and could, therefore, be a good place to nab a few pressies for NEXT Christmas. That would involve some serious planning, of course – something we might just look at next time…

Learn how to use the power of your own breath to overcome stress and re-energise your body.

Improve your health and help clear emotional blockages.

Based in S Devon but offering workshops and 1:1 sessions throughout S W England

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

07828 566553 42

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Want to make your money Work for you and the planet? planning your finances in ways that reflect your ethical and environmental values can make a real difference.

Barchester Green Investment is the

But with so many green options out there, how do you choose what’s best for you? How do you make sure you have the most beneficial impact on the planet and your finances?

UK’s longest established Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) specialising in socially responsible, environmental and ethical investment.

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Barchester Green Investment are here to guide you through this increasingly complex world, offering impartial advice that takes into account all aspects of your life and values.

ISAs and other tax efficient investments retirement planning Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)

We have advisers on hand throughout the West country

Mortgages and equity release Protection insurance Inheritance tax planning Tax planning cris Iles-Wright, rupert Lovesy, Andrew Faulkner and Tim Bradford

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to arrange a free consultation, call or email Jackie adams:

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