Reconnect #50

The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon AUG/SEPT 17 ISSUE 50

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a cause for jubilation We celebrate our 50th issue!

Natural wellbeing Health and development in Devon

time for a summer fair

Transition turns teN

Family festivals and craft events

A decade of living sustainably

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pages packed with seasonal community living and wellbeing - powered by people!

Visit us online at www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Here at ENHC we offer a wide range of complementary therapies provided by experienced and highly professional practitioners. The centre, which has been established since 2001, is also renowned for its excellence in training courses.

Conveniently situated in the city centre, we have full reception cover and beautiful spacious treatment rooms for therapists to hire or, for bigger workshops, courses and classes, we have a well appointed large training room.

Please call on 01392 422555 for more details.

ASK ABOUT OUR START UP SCHEME FOR NEW PRACTITIONERS Starts at only £50 per month for unlimited ad hoc hours!

Access Consciousness The Bars® What if you could change any area of your life?

For more info:

www.accessconsiousness.com To book a session or a class contact: Dawn Clifton BSc hons Access Consciousness Bars Facilitator Access Consciousness Body Process Practitioner

E: anotherdawn@live.co.uk | T: 07851 528521

Devon School of Reiki Providing High Quality Usui / Holy Fire Reiki Training & Treatments Retreats, Courses for Children, Workshops & 1-2-1tuition also available

THE DEVON SCHOOL OF REFLEXOLOGY Award-winning Training in Professionalism and Excellence Spring/Autumn courses 2017

Contact: Samantha Goddard, Principal 07870 167701 • info@devonschoolofreiki.co.uk

For more details: www.devonreflexology.com

www.devonschoolofreiki.co.uk www.reikirascals.com

Email: devonreflexology@hotmail.com

MORE EXETER NATURAL HEALTH CENTRE PRACTITIONERS MO MORRISH RSHOM Homeopathic medicine www.thehomoeopathic practice.co.uk Authentic Ceremonies www.authenticceremonies. co.uk ANNA PARIS Ac.M.MBAC Traditional acupuncture, Toyohari 5 element & Manaka styles E: amparis1@btinternet.com SARAH HENDERSON Remedial and Therapeutic Massage Therapist APNT Dip, BCMA reg, www.renewmassages.co.uk TANYA DESFONTAINES Craniosacral Therapy T: 07971 913002 E: Tanya@fifthworldcranial. co.uk LISA TATE Sports, remedial & pregnancy massage. Myofascial release T: 07561 519344 E: lisa@lisatatetherapies.co.uk

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KATHERINE JENKINS Hypno-catalyst T: 01392 811836/ 07890 364847 www.hypnosisexeter.com katkins777@hotmail.com KATE DALZELL Swedish and Indian Head Massage, Reiki. CThA reg T: 07980 063335 E: info@katedalzellmassage therapy.co.uk www.katedalzellmassage therapy.co.uk SAMANTHA GODDARD Reiki, Massage, Sound Healing, Hopi Ear Candles, Mindfulness, Stress Advice T: 07870167701 E: sam@devonschoolofreiki. co.uk JILL GREGORY SNHS Hypnotherapy T: 07958917427 E: jillgregory@jillgregorylife coach.com www.jillgregorylifecoach.com

LESLEY HARPER Nutritional Therapy T. 07968 752032 E. info@lesleyharper.co.uk www.lesleyharper.co.uk BEA SVANOVA Full body massage (Swedish), Deep tissue massage, On-site/seated massage, Indian Head massage T: 07562 755845 E: svanovab@gmail.com Facebook: Bea’s massage

01392 422555 Centre Manager: Ali Morrish Find out more about us on facebook Follow us on twitter @ExeterNaturalHC Exeter Natural Health Centre, Queens Walk, 83/84 Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3RP

SUSAN QUAYLE & HELEN FELL Family Reflex Clinic Reflexology for the whole family, 0 - 100+ T: 01626 862469 E: reflexclinic@susanquayle. co.uk www.susanquayle.co.uk

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

e: info@enhc.org w: www.enhc.org www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Upfront CHILD’S PLAY 26 YOUNG MINDS 28

COVERSTORY...

IT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

Broughtto you by...

INTHIS ISSUE...

50 ISSUES

8

A cause to celebrate EDITOR Scott Williams

GOING OUT 11

Our unique diary pages

ORGANIC GARDENING14 EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Karen Williams

Harvest time with Joa

TRANSITION TURNS 10 17 From humble beginnings

NATURAL NUTRITION 19 WELLBEING EDITOR Kate Philbin

Plant based revolution

COMMUNITY HOMES 22 Self build rewards

COUNSELLOR WRITER Leigh Smith

LAND MATTERS 24 Organic is best

Counselling courses page 40

Native bees - page 9

Earth’s most playful

Helping those in crisis

INSPIRING MEDIA 30

Bypass your inner critic

NB: NEW NUMBERS!

EDITORIAL: 01392 346342 ADVERTISING: 01392 346342 SCOTT’S MOBILE: 07751 214656 EMAIL US: editor@reconnectonline.co.uk or adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk SEND US STUFF BY POST: 18 Millin Way, Dawlish Warren EX7 0EP FOLLOW US AND READ US ONLINE: www.reconnectonline.co.uk facebook.com/reconnectmagazine twitter.com/reconnectmag www.reconnectonline.co.uk

produce k energy k land k homes k community k wellbeing k arts

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The natural health pages

EMOTIONAL HEALTH 32 Exploring food issues

a cause for jubilation We celebrate our 50th issue!

Natural wellbeing Health and development in Devon

Body acceptance Reconnect’s small ads

TECHNICAL AIDE Zelah Williams

AUG/SEPT 17 ISSUE 50

WELLBEING PAGES 31

CLASSIFIED ADS 46

WEBSITE EDITORS www.doetsdesign.com

Scott x

The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon

BODYKIND 44

FEATURES WRITER Jon Stein

FOOD WRITER Jane Hutton

WELCOME...

...to the August/September edition, which also just happens to be our 50th issue.

We didn’t intend the celebrations to become the theme but, as often happens, so many other anniversaries and reasons to celebrate popped up (as you’ll read throughout this issue) that it became this issue’s theme anyway. We do also have a number of stories on other projects too, plus all the usual regular features.

With this being the summer season, we’ve got no end of outdoor events mentioned throughout including South Brent’s Wood Fair, and the new season of mindfulness at Sharpham. We’ve got Jon Stein looking at Transition’s own tenth anniversary, organic produce, child’s play, and of course a packed wellbeing section. You won’t find such eclectic content anywhere else in the UK but it’s normal fare for us here in Reconnectland.

As you read this, we will have packed away the celebrational bunting, and be already starting on the next Oct/Nov issue. It’s fairly likely that it will exude an autumnal theme. So, if you’d like to be featured inside, please do get in touch.

time for a summer fair Family festivals and craft events

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Transition turns teN A decade of living sustainably

pages packed with seasonal community living and wellbeing - powered by people!

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COVER IMAGES Main pic by Samjhana (www. samjhanamoon.com).

Left to right across the bottom: South Brent Wood Fair

by Simon Gomery Photography; Women’s woodland Retreat from Sharpham Trust (sharphamtrust.org); and Transition’s Rob Hopkins photo by Jim Wileman

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OCT/NOV issue out end of September - next deadline Sept 1 THE SMALL PRINT...

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

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Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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news&views Recovery Fayre

Exeter’s Green Fair THE South West’s annual environmental event which has been running for nearly 30 years returns on Saturday September 2.

The Exeter Green Fair is designed to promote local, ethical, sustainable, and environmental businesses, charities and organisations and provide a chance for the ‘green’ community of Exeter to come together and share ideas and their vision for a greener future.

Nourishing Bovey

SATURDAY September 2 will also see Fore Street in Bovey Tracey full of great produce from all over the South West for The Nourish Festival Craft Fair. Hosted in the Methodist Church Hall, the event presents a hand-picked collection of finely made craft by makers from across the South West.

Potters, jewellers, street food, textile and leather artists, glass, wood workers and a blacksmith will be selling their work directly to the public.

Family Festival

LUPTON Holistic Festival featuring workshops, talks, performances, and a full programme for kids, will be held in the house and grounds of Lupton House, near Brixham, on the weekend of August 19 and 20. Special guests include Sika, Patrick Gamble, and Dr Alan Jones. See www. luptonhouseholisticfestival.com for more details.

Open water swim

THE Chestnut Appeal for Prostate Cancer is holding its seventh annual swim around Bigbury-OnSea’s Burgh Island on Sunday September 17. The Burgh Island swim is one of the most spectacular Round Island swims in the UK, and suitable for those who can swim a mile in the pool and have experience of Open Water Swimming.

Arts from South Hams SHAF Arts Trail continues to grow and is now an established annual arts event in the South Hams. Now in its seventh year it runs from October 14-19 with 51 artists taking part across the South Hams region. Some in their own studios, some in group venues.

Totnes MakerSpace

THE Network of Wellbeing are looking to permanently secure the future of the Share Shed in Totnes.

What began as a six-month, lottery-funded pilot project, now hopes to provide a useful/wanted service to the community. There’s a possibility of complementing the Share Shed with some sort of MakerSpace - open workshops for making, repairing and upcycling, where members come together to learn, share their skills and to socialise. Watch this space!

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XETER Community Initiatives are looking for volunteers to help out at the fourth Recovery Fayre at Poltimore House on September 14.

Previously people have held classes in yoga, dance or drumming - things that can give you a boost when you are in recovery. It’s a joint event between ECI and EDP. Want to help? Call Lee or Jane on 01392 284280 or you can email jane.hawking@eci.org.uk.

Unique green oak bench unveiled BACK in issue 47 we printed an appeal for volunteers to work with wood artist Peter Lanyon to make a striking new place to sit on the Sharpham Estate.

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ALKERS and cyclists who use the foot and cyclepath from Totnes to Ashprington can now rest en-route on the volunteers’ finished work - an amazing new piece of outdoor furniture. Totnes furniture-maker Peter Lanyon oversaw a team of volunteers who worked together over several weeks to create the new bench from a giant oak log that had fallen in Sharpham’s woods.

The work is part of a project supported by a £57,400 National Lottery grant through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Aiming to reconnect people with the heritage of the Sharpham Estate, the project is creating a heritage trail and restoring precious parkland.

The bench he and the volunteers created

features eight seat posts, set individually into the ground and leaning slightly back, with generous wooden seat-pads surrounding each post.

The Sharpham bench sits just off the path – known as the Sharpham Carriage Drive - atop a hillside looking south down the River Dart Valley towards Sharpham. A similar green wood bench created by him sits in The Rotherfold square, at the top of Totnes High Street.

Said Peter: “It’s really nice to see it and just sit here and enjoy the view.

Whenever I’ve been here people have been using it. Every seat is slightly different. The backrests are different sizes. We’ve tried out each one and I think we’ve all got our favourite. It’s a really nice spot to have a bench.

Couldn’t be better really.”

Tamar grow local

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amar Grow Local www. tamargrowlocal.org has been establishing new food hubs in the Tamar Valley, designed to make buying local food easier for consumers and complementing the range of produce on offer at farmers markets in the area.

Tamar Valley Food Hub have revamped their online shop and are now open and taking orders for delivery across the valley, from Plymouth, and Saltash, to Tavistock and everywhere in between!

Order online at www.tamarvalley foodhubs.org.uk and enjoy fresh produce from small-scale food and drink producers often picked on delivery day. The online Farmer’s Market brings together local and seasonal produce in one place, and directly support small independent growers, local businesses, community projects and co-operatives.

Tamar Valley Food Hubs is similar to a veg box scheme and online supermarket, based on a collection and home delivery system. The non-profit making social enterprise also offers opportunities for customers to visit producers and take part in food related activities such as bee-keeping and orchard management.

Exeter pound plans to go digital The Exeter Pound hopes to launch a digital version of the local currency before the end of the year.

The social enterprise are submitting plans this summer to the Financial Services Authority for approval to launch a digital version of Exeter Pound. The online version will allow users to make purchases using a phone app or text to pay, making cashless transactions with local independent retailers much easier.

Launched in 2015, the Exeter Pound is accepted by local independent enterprises and encourages consumers to buy local and businesses to trade with each other, shortening supply lines and food miles. Their trader base continues to expand with the recent addition of Darts Farm in Topsham.

The not-for-profit Community Interest Company, was awarded the ‘Made in Devon Award’ last year by the Devon Environmental Business

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Initiative, for its success in supporting independent enterprises and promoting a more flourishing local economy.

“We had been going about a year when we won the award” said Gill Westcott, one of Exeter Pound’s Directors. “It was tremendously encouraging to have our efforts recognised. The award reflects our aspiration to create an earth-friendly and peoplefriendly economy in Exeter. We are continuing to grow with over 165 traders signed up to the scheme.

Once we launch the digital version of the currency, we hope that will make it even easier for traders to pay each other in Exeter Pounds and bring more local businesses into their supply-chains.”

Anyone can obtain the Exeter Pound paper notes from seven exchange points across the city.

Details, a directory and map can be found at: www.exeterpound.org.uk

See little Krishna

VIBHA Selvaratnam has an upcoming classical Indian dance show coming to the Exeter Phoenix on September 27. It’s a solo dance show with musicians from India and English narration. The Bharatanatyam Recital sees the dances accompanied by live musicians. Interspersed with lively, rhythmic passages, this performance will capture the versatility and universality of Bharatanatyam. Visit IndiaDanceSW.com for more details or www.exeterphoenix.org.uk. Box office 01392 667080.

Community conference Landmatters Permaculture Co-op host the Community Conference 2017 on August 5. Offering the space to relax, create, enquire and connect with talks, workshops, music, magic in the childrens area and the gift of time for you to simply enjoy the land and the alchemy of togetherness.

Anna Todd hosting her radio show

Art showcase

THIS September, Exeter Phoenix, will present the 12th annual showcase exhibition of emerging and established contemporary visual artists. The Exeter Contemporary Open is one of the UK’s most prominent contemporary art competitions, culminating in an annual exhibition. This year’s exhibition includes a shortlist of eleven artists, selected from several hundred submissions.

They are Nancy Allen, Olivia Bax, Gareth Cadwallader, Fiona Curran, Beth Fox, Ralph Hunter-Menzies, Sooim Jeong, Alistair Levy, Suzanne O’Haire, Aimee Parrott and Maryam Tafakory. Working across a range of visual artforms including sculpture, painting, collage and moving image.

Helping hands COMMUNITY event White Rock Festival of Learning takes place on September 16 and is all about the arts and learning new skills, music, arts, craft, food, and fun in Paignton. See whiterockfestival.co.uk

NEWS&views Devon walks

DJ Antix celebrates 100th radio show

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E aren’t the only ones with something to celebrate; at Hannahs their guest and radio presenter Anna Todd has just hosted her 100th show on Hannahs radio station Access All Aerials. The radio station, which is based at Seale-Hayne, is also delighted with the news that they have exceeded 200,000 listens.

Anna, also known as DJ Antix, presented her first radio show in June 2015. The theme of her very first show was colours and ever since then she has chosen a different theme for each show. She chose her DJ name from her initials and because she likes getting up to antics. Her themes over the years have included weather, animals, royalty, food, sport, friendship as well as special festivities such as Christmas and several different decades. On her 100th show Anna chose a mystery theme as well as choosing her favourite songs for past shows.

Access All Aerials, Hannahs’ own community radio station, is run by a group of people with a wide range of disabilities.

Broadcast from Seale-Hayne via the internet the station has gone from strength to strength since its launch. Nearly 50 presenters share 30 different shows throughout the week and they have now achieved over 200,000 show listens from all over the world.

They have nearly 1500 followers with a Facebook group of over 250 members and a twitter following of over 600.

Anna said “It was a real thrill and an

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amazing experience broadcasting episode 100 of DJ Antix and I’m really grateful for the experience and opportunity that I have as part of AAA. It’s felt like a dream hosting a radio show and I aim to continue supporting the station and promoting it. I would like to thank Carl Munson for making this possible and my listeners for all their support. I plan to keep doing all I can for AAA and gain more experience in radio however I can”.

Carl Munson, co-founder of Access All Aerials, said “I was so pleased to be invited to join Anna on the occasion of her 100th show for Hannahs’ community radio station. She’s deservedly our outstanding broadcaster of the year and an incredible asset to our team. A DJ who thinks as much about the collective effort as her own excellent individual show”.

MYTHOGEOGRAPHER Phil Smith has been walking, exploring, photographing, filming, talking and writing about South Devon for almost 20 years. Now Triarchy have published his ‘Anywhere – a mythogeography of South Devon and how to walk it’.

The book represents the fruits of a longstanding fascination with the layers of terrain in South Devon, and is aimed at local historians, artists, ramblers, residents, tourists geographers and film-makers.

Triarchy have it available here www.triarchypress.net/ anywhere.html

Food fortnight

EXPECT many shops, pubs and restaurants in Devon to be taking part in British Food Fortnight, taking place from September 23 to October 8 - a national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces.

Racing oranges

TOTNES Orange Races will take place on August 22.

Inspired by an incident where Sir Francis Drake bumped into an orange cart. Participants can expect a series of races, where entrants see if they are faster than an orange.

Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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news&views Outdoor films

BIG Screen In The Park returns to Exeter’s Northernhay Gardens in August. The films screened will be Four Weddings and A Funeral (Aug 7), Monsters, Inc. (Aug 8), Psycho (Aug 9), Hunt For The Wilderpeople (Aug 10), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Aug 11), La La Land (Aug 12), and Donnie Darko (Aug 13).

Throngs to gather in Sidmouth

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EPTEMBER means one thing: popular Bulverton late night Ceilidh the annual friendly invasion of venue with adjacent updated camp all things folk music orientated site, which is served by a regular to Sidmouth for FolkWeek. The bus. Celebrating connections with seafront will fill with colour and the sea, this year FolkWeek are atmosphere as programmed dance working with Sidmouth Coastal displays and buskers, processions Community Hub to present the and special events entertain town Sidmouth Sea Fest Community Choir visitors from August 4-11. and Sidmouth Fishing Heritage Film Working the Sea (telling the story of The many day trippers will throng Sidmouth’s fishing heritage), as well as the promenade over the weekend to be entertained by watching the Fisherman’s Friends with support from performances of the Morris sides Devon singer/accordionist Jim Causley. and busking musicians, or browse A particular highlight could well be the many stalls. In the Blackmore Breaking The Spell Of Loneliness THE deadline for the next Gardens, the official Festival craft a collaboration between writer round of applications site will be held on the Peacock George Monbiot and musician Ewan for the Totnes Wellbeing Lawn. It is in this walled park that McLennan, seeking to use music Fund (TWF) is Friday most of the children’s entertainments and word to open up the issue of December 15. TWF aims and the dance marquee will be loneliness and bring people together. to support individuals situated. Many of the town’s bars and community groups For details of the full lineand pubs will host music sessions in Totnes (radius up and events at the 63rd throughout the week. All the venues approximately 3 miles), Sidmouth FolkWeek, visit: www. are within easy walking distance in helping them to turn great the town, with the exception of the sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk ideas to boost wellbeing into reality. They offer seed grants to help new initiatives, by groups EXETER RAMM’s Sea Life exhibition inspires a few activities for families or individuals, where in August including making a Lego aquarium, building sea chests, and a small, timely grant marine masks and high tide hats decorated with seaweed and fish. There’s will unleash significant also lots of arts and craft activities including creating Lego sea creatures, positive impact. If you’re designing badges, making an underwater scene on a lightbox and a a project in or around rockpool out of fuzz’n’felt. There’s even the chance to take off your shoes Totnes with a great idea and socks and paddle with naturalist and artist Philip Henry Gosse to to improve wellbeing, glimpse life on the ocean floor on September 9. For more information check out full details at www.networkofwellbeing. see www.exeter.gov.uk/RAMM or email ramm@exeter.gov.uk or www. facebook.com/RAMMuseum and twitter.com/RAMMuseum. org/wellbeing-fund.

Totnes fund

A summer of sea life activities

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John Henshaw

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Making an exhibition of it THERE’S a new series of exhibitions planned for Kingsbridge’s Harbour House.

August 1 – 6 Sea Sense An exhibition by The House Group celebrating our oceans and coastline, drawing attention to the way we treat the seas and highlighting the dangers of plastics.

August 8 – 16 Sea Moor / See More Textiles by Jenny Evans, drawings by Cheri Hunston and paintings by Shirley Kirkcaldy, all inspired by the West Country landscape and the wildlife within it.

August 18 – 23 Beyond-scapes Exuberant cityscapes, seascapes and landscapes

by John Henshaw August 25 – September 3 Island Artist Fresh, atmospheric paintings of coasts and seascapes by Emma Carter Bromfield September 5 – 17 Controlled Burning Paintings, printmaking, mixed media and installation by Anita Reynolds September 9 – October 1 Collective Works Annual exhibition of printmaking by Press Gang Printmakers.

Visit: www.harbourhouse.org.uk

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NEWS&views Look south

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PAIN comes to Reconnectland when ex-pat artist Rod Friend brings his exhibition of pastels ‘Southern Lights’ to the Angel Gallery in South St, Totnes.

Subtitled ‘Images of Andalucía and Devon’, the show runs Sept 9 - 23 and is dedicated to Rod’s son Davon, who died last Christmas. Rod said: “I feel him so very close and know he’s helping me a lot from ‘over there’.”

Rod lived in this area in the 1980’s and moved fifteen years ago to

Alozaina (Malaga province) with his wife Alice. He still designs and makes architectural glass to commission but in recent years has been focusing on images of Spanish life and landscape in the medium of soft pastel. Rod says: “I’ve always been attracted to ‘southerly’ places, having been on childhood holidays to both Devon and Andalucía in the 1950’s.

Showing my work in Totnes feels like coming full circle and it’s fitting that the exhibition is in South Street!”

Contact www.facebook.com/ angelstudios.Totnes.Devon.uk

Maggie Kay takes the reader with her on the spiritual adventure of her life and shares how she eventually found what she was longing for – deep trust in her own inner wisdom and a soul mate life partner that meets her on all levels.

“Who doesn't love a love story? Maggie Kay offers us a glimpse into the winding path of one who seriously explores her own spiritual life, and then reaches for someone with whom to share that life as it blossoms. Her book, Diving for Pearls, encourages all of us to find our way of taking the plunge.”

O R I A H M O U N TA I N D RE A M E R , author of The Invitation

M A G G I E K A Y is an inspirational coach and founder of Thrivecraft. Formerly an ordained Buddhist, she specialises in spiritual intelligence for business and manifesting ideal soul mate love relationships.

M AG G I E K AY

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HERE will be a celebratory feel when the 40th anniversary Dartmoor Folk Festival takes place in the foothills of Dartmoor at South Zeal from August 11-13.

The festival was founded by the late Bob Cann. He had the dream of a folk event on his doorstep that would help to revive and preserve the music, song and dance traditions of Dartmoor.

Thanks to the efforts of Bob, his family, friends, and an army of volunteer stewards, the festival has grown into one of the top family-friendly folk events in the South West.

This year it will include a packed programme of events and activities suitable for all ages, including a hugely successful children’s festival which will run alongside the main event.

There will be concerts, a ceilidh, craft displays, dances, dance displays, a Dartmoor Fayre, music hall, pub sessions and music, song and dance workshops and competitions.

Guests include Fay Hield and The Hurricane Party, Rob Heron, Jim Causley, Siobhan Miller Trio, Jackie Oates, Gadarene, Ramsley Minors, Dartmoor Pixie Band and many more.

Created on 29 November 2016

diving for pearls

Four folk decades

9781780998657_Diving for Pearls_PB

THE WISE WOMAN’S GUIDE TO FINDING LOVE

diving for pearls

Evolution, Exeter’s Holistic and Ethnic Shop has now moved to 96 Fore St (same side at the top of the hill opposite St Olave’s Church) Come and see our incredible and Extended range of products including Books, Crystals, Cards, Candles, Clothes etc.

www.o-books.com BODY, MIND & SPIRIT UK £11.99 US $18.95

US $18.95 ISBN 978-1-78099-865-7

M AG G I E K AY

Cover art by Charlotte Turner Cover design by Design Deluxe

Thrivecraft tale MAGGIE Kay’s new book - Diving for Pearls: The Wise Woman’s Guide to Finding Love - is published on September 29 and she is celebrating with a book signing launch party at Totnes Natural Health Centre that evening.

This engaging spiritual adventure is Maggie’s own true story, culminating in meeting the love of her life, Patrick, in Totnes and founding Thrivecraft together.

Along with the story, Maggie shares teaching and tips on meditation, Buddhism and inner wisdom as well as her six step guide to manifesting an ideal love match.

Diving for Pearls book launch party starts at 6pm. £7 or £15 with signed book.

07905 628905 www. maggiekaywisdom.com

Tel: 01392 410759 Mobile: 07773282861 Email: info@evolution-exeter.co.uk Website: www.evolution-exeter.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/evolutionexeter

DO YOU WISH YOUR TEENAGER SPENT MORE TIME IN NATURE?

the new artworks gallery WILD CAMPS FOR TEENAGERS NEAR BRISTOL: HUNGER GAMES AUGUST 21 - 25 MOCKINGJAY AUGUST 27 - 31

wildwisehungergames.co.uk 01803 868269 www.reconnectonline.co.uk

10 Station Road South Brent TQ10 9BE Tuesday-Saturday 10 - 5 Wednesday 10 - 1 only three doors up from the old artworks Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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news&views Thank you all for this 50th issue!

I

N June 2009 a new magazine called Reconnect was launched by Martin Foster, Robin Currie, and Pete Hardy, comprising of just 16 pages, with the intention of connecting local people to form a better society.

The team had come together again having previously worked on the earlier Connect magazine which was available across Devon & Cornwall since 2001. That first issue featured The Woodshed Collective, The Phoenix, The Macrobiotic School, Sharpham Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Guild Of Craftsmen, Nature’s Larder, articles on local festivals, Katheryn Trenshaw, Greg Ramsden, Kay Cook, and Rob Hopkins, amongst others. A few of those are still featured here, 50 issues later.

South Devon’s free good living and community magazine has grown steadily over the last eight years and has seen interest in living a greener life in Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon become more and more mainstream.

Its content continues to be about local green businesses and wellbeing and continues to feature our local eco

community and bring news of homegrown produce, eco homes, permaculture, green energy, and the arts.

At the start of the year Scott Williams took over the magazine and is incredibly proud to be part of this, the 50th edition, celebrations.

Scott said: “Reconnect has created a unique place for itself in Devon, and continues to flourish, connecting local businesses with a readership who seek a sustainable lifestyle. I really can’t begin to thank everyone who has made it possible, the readers, and the advertisers, all of you!

Here’s to at least another 50. I rely greatly on our contributors and the wonderful people who advertise. Those who give their time and energy to provide the essential content that keeps this magazine we all believe in so fervently going. Without their generosity the magazine could not continue.”

Martin is back this issue to comment on the achievement himself on page 20.

If you’d like to browse our back issue online then you can find them at www.reconnectonline. co.uk/back-issues

Reconnect is the ideal medium to reach the right people

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ROM time to time, all of us love a bit of praise and acknowledgment and the Reconnect team couldn’t resist sharing a rather lovely bit of feedback that we received recently from one of our long-term advertisers.

Life coach, actor and facilitator, Jeff Sleeman has been advertising with us for over five years. He has contributed articles on a variety of subjects, reflecting his somewhat eclectic ‘portfolio career’ which has included: coaching and career change, communications skills training courses, acting and stand- up comedy, film and video production and working with Phonic FM, Exeter’s community radio station.

Jeff told us: “Reconnect is the ideal medium for me to reach the type

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ALAN SWINDELL, principal of Steiner Academy Exeter talks about connection.

ONGRATULATIONS to you all at Reconnect: a great achievement and a chance to think about the simple but powerful word you have chosen to define yourselves. Connection is a feeling we all crave: our longing not only to be unique and individual, but to be part of something bigger than ourselves, of feeling ourselves as social, cultural and connected.

Re-connect? A brave choice. And with what? And how? (I doubt if anyone will ask why?)

It assumes a dis-connect, something to be mended, that once upon a time there was a better way of being, a place where we were all connected, when magazines like this were simply not needed (which is of course nostalgic twaddle).

People have experienced a lack of connection throughout history, it is a feeling that has always spurred brave souls to action and inspired them to change the world for the better.

And where are children in this? Do they need to reconnect? Secretly we hope that they have an original connection to something innocent and vast: Childhood with a capital ‘C’ perhaps, a care free place of Pooh Sticks and Pokemon. But as parents we also know, and observe, that part of growing up needs a separating out, a drifting away from familiarity. We hate it. But they need it. And we fought tooth and nail for it when it was our turn.

Managing connection, disconnection and reconnection is a key task for teachers and parents. Our knowledge of neuroscience and attachment theory helps us to understand the importance of connections made in early childhood and to help those for whom early attachment forming has been disrupted.

Our awareness of how important a connection to the natural world can be for mental health and well-being is supported more and more by evidencebased research: not that many of us needed convincing of that.

Good teaching is about preparing the ground for a future full of connections and collaboration: between people as individuals, between cultures, between adversaries and allies, between strangers on the train and bloggers on opposite sides of the globe. It is also about ensuring that children grow up to be free to choose the connections they wish to make, about what is important for them, even if these choices put them at odds with certainties they have grown up with. This kind of dis-connect can be the scariest, but it is possible when a young adult has emerged from childhood with the most important connection of all firmly in place: the connection between the outer and the inner, the skill to reflect on what they meet ‘out there’ and to place it in the context of what they feel ‘in here’.

With this in place they are ready to connect with their own ideals, their own sense of purpose and their own unique biography. And maybe a magazine like this, alongside an education that acknowledges and supports their inner journey will help them achieve just that!

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Words from a Reconnect original

RIGHT from the beginning, Reconnect was the kind of magazine that we wanted to advertise with, writes Oliver Cowmeadow, founder and principal of the International Macrobiotic School.

It had the right ethos, it was a wonderful and useful way of drawing attention to a lot of new ideas that are now becoming more mainstream.

It is still doing that today, bringing together and connecting people who are trying to create a healthier society, and to make our community and the environment healthier, as well as taking responsibility for individual health.

Science is beginning to catch up with these ideas that have been labelled “alternative”, especially in the realm of nutrition. The interest in plant-based diets is increasing as scientific research suggests meat can contribute to a range of health problems such as heart disease, cancer and obesity. Over the last eight years at the macrobiotic school, we have helped hundreds of people transform their health through a healthy plant-based diet, with courses ranging from introductory weekends to our three year professional training course.

Reconnect has been with us side by side. It is very effective at promoting many different ways we can all help ourselves, society and the environment.

Reconnect would like to thank Oliver and Macrobiotic School who have been with us since the very first issue.

50 shades of Reconnect

of people who are interested in what I do and the articles give me the opportunity to explain a little about some of the varied projects that I am fortunate to be involved with. Obviously, this benefits me by providing publicity and attracting more clients for my coaching and training practice, but I hope it also inspires other people and helps them to see the possibilities for their own creative endeavours. The magazine is always full of wellwritten, interesting articles about highly-motivated people doing what really matters to them and advertising in it helps me to feel part of a very special, unique and positively-minded community. Long may it continue.”

Thanks Jeff, your £50 is in the post!

(Just kidding)

For more information about Jeff’s work, visit his website www. jeffsleeman.com If you too would like to experience the awesomeness of becoming a Reconnect advertiser, please get in touch at: editor@reconnectonline. co.uk

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

NEWS&views DadFest and MumFest are back

south westerlies...

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HE ‘World Dad Dancing Championship’ returns to DadFest again this year. Organised by Totnes-based ‘Dangerous Dads’, the UK’s only festival just for dads, male carers and their children also provides a weekend of camping, and fun-filled wild adventure.

DadFest organiser and founder of Dangerous Dads, Ian Blackwell, is looking forward to another hotly contested dad dancing championship, “We are very excited about the return of the World Dad Dancing Championships. The contest’s popularity has grown massively with dads strutting their best, and worst, dad dancing moves. Last year’s event was even featured on Chris Evans’ Radio 2 Breakfast Show!” The highly prized crown is judged by a panel of children and the winner gets a certificate, a trophy and his height in beer thanks to The Albert Inn in Totnes.

The team behind DadFest are also applying their uniqueness to this year’s MumFest, with a focus on fun outdoor activities for mums, female carers and their children. It’s a chance for children to play with other children, and for mothers to meet other mothers, and for mums and children to spend some quality time together. Mums/ female carers can bring boys and girls (this

With this issue rather spotlighting the fact Reconnect has reached 50 issues, Scott instead has his attention on something else entirely.

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EADLINES! Deadlines! Anyone who has never worked in the publishing industry has no real idea what the approach of a final print deadline does to an editor.

I used to be a chef, in a hotel in Salcombe, and so I realise that people do understand the necessity to produce your work to a high standard and ensure it’s ready when others demand it. In a hot kitchen you also have to work together to ensure all the food gets there at the same time.

In publishing however it’s slightly different. To stick to the chefing analogy for a while - bear with me - there are dozens and dozens of chefs all working on their own daily output, and alongside that you ask them to make a dish for you to be ready at a set time in the future.

No longer is the final dish (the magazine in this case - yes persisting in drawing parallels) only my responsibility. All the separate ingredients on the menu I’m creating have to be given to me in plenty of time to prepare and cook the dish.

Each issue I’ve done, three in all have had me enter the final week with most of the ingredients (the articles, artwork, and adverts) ready and much of the menu prepared. But, then it’s a frantic rush to get the final morsels in place.

It hasn’t always gone smoothly, at the eleventh hour I’ve realised that someone won’t get their advert in to me until the following issue and so I frantically find a new substitute ingredient.

You, dear reader, are unaware of the hectic race to put the magazine on the pages in the final week before it leaves Reconnect Towers and is despatched to Kingfisher for them to print. I hope the final magazine shows nothing of the panic, I, together with the writers, photographers, and proofreaders go through to ensure our final menu is a perfectly presented feast of all things Reconnect.

I also hope that those who contribute their time to getting their adverts designed, and their features worded are unaware of my elevated heart rate and wide eyed panic as I ask them again for their carefully crafted prose and images.

“But, it was due two weeks ago!” I think as yet another email is fired off to someone’s email inbox to meet with the many others that I’ve sent to reside there, also unanswered. I realise their proprietor is incredibly busy in their own business dealings,

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and I try not to sound too hysterical as I lift the phone to call them.

I always used to leave homework and essays to the last minute when I had to complete them. So, I do realise how difficult it is to get something wrapped up early. By and large so far in the creation of each issue of Reconnect I’ve been lucky, there’s been no major issue in getting the final draught to print.

I find it a bit confusing then, that I get so worried about it, in these the final weeks before the printer needs the completed pages. As I sit here penning this in the sweltering heat, I’ve had three broken nights of sleep in a row. I’ve been kept awake worrying if spaces allocated to promised advertisers will be filled.

I’m unnervered about whether features will be sent in time, and I fear that if I don’t get it all on the pages in time then there will be no time for it to be proofed.

I have to own up, despite being in publishing for 20+ years my speeling is still dreddfull, and I rely on someone who has a better grasp of the conjugation of letters to make this the readable issue you now hold in your hands.

In these final weeks before the magazine is committed to print I get incredibly anxious. I also remember that I always have done. In my twenties I used to end up feeling physically sick in the final early hours of putting together Christmas editions of magazines for teen readers.

I’m grateful my wife is so used to this self generated stress. She tries her best to soothe me, and to point out that I needn’t worry everything will turn up eventually.

She listens patiently as I empty my head of worries about that half page, this eighth of a page, and that article on wellbeing. I’m glad she’s used to it, for some reason after decades, I still never am. This article is dedicated to her, and to all those fed up of my emails and phone calls badgering them, thanks for putting up with me.

Bon appetit!

NB: I have to apologise and correct something from last issue.

In the last issue I referred to the Steiner Academy Exeter as Exeter Steiner School. They are not the same thing. Exeter Steiner School was a small independent Steiner school than ran from the late 90s until it closed for financial reasons in 2012. Steiner Academy Exeter, is a publicly funded free school.

There was no direct continuation between the two schools.

isn’t a ‘mums and daughters’ event).

Children of all ages are welcome.

Both events are held at the beautiful location of Forest and Beach, an outdoor education centre near Beesands. The location means attendees are able to head down to the beach, spend time in the woods and it sets the scene perfectly. The centre specialises in providing outdoor activities with its own camping field, woodlands and large converted barn.

DadFest will take place from September 15-17, and MumFest the weekend after, from September 22-24 both are held at the Forest & Beach centre.

For more information and to book tickets please contact DadFest organiser Ian Blackwell on 01803 840990 (email dangerousdads@ btinternet.com) or email MumFest organiser Beth Heaney at mumfest2017@gmail.com or see www.dangerousdads.org.uk.

Return of the native black honeybee

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MILY Reed at Black Bee Combe is working to reestablish the native sub-species of honeybee in South Devon, providing them with tree-inspired free-living hives for a natural life. After receiving support at the Totnes Local Economic Forum in May, Emily is able to expand on her work, including providing opportunities for the community to learn more and get involved.

Nicknamed “black bees” owing to their darker appearance than imported honeybees, the native Apis mellifera mellifera has evolved to be adapted to our unpredictable British weather. But imports of honeybees from overseas, starting in the 1850s and contributing to a devastating disease outbreak at the beginning of the 20th century, led to the near abandonment of the native honeybee, said for several decades by many to have disappeared.

However genetic tests in the last decade have proved this not to be the case, with native honeybee genes surviving, especially on the

outskirts of the British Isles.

Sourcing honeybees from likeminded Cornish beekeepers, Emily has set up a population of black honeybees in East Portlemouth, Devon. The aim is for the honeybees, which live in hives taking their cues from nature, to become locally adapted by reproducing in situ.

The response to the project at the Local Economic Forum demonstrated the enormous enthusiasm for ethically kept, locally adapted honeybees.

Pledges of loans, hive sponsorship and help in kind, such as welding, have strengthened the Black Bee Combe project.

Emily is running a natural beekeeping weekend course, “Listen to the Bees”, in East Portlemouth, with fellow beekeeper John Haverson on October 7-8, priced at £85. They will focus on Warre hives.

Places are limited to 8 people. Email emilyrfood@gmail.com for details.

Scott

Want to find out more? Join the mailing list at www.blackbeecombe. co.uk, follow on social media: @ blackbeecombe on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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NEWS&views A unique time for teens immersed deep in the woods

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Arts council invest in city’s arts hub

EXETER Phoenix will be getting a face lift and offering new contemporary art gallery spaces and improved visitor facilities thanks to funding awarded from Arts Council England for a new capital project. In addition, the multidisciplinary arts organisation’s main funding has been extended for a further 4 years.

Up to 300,000 people from Reconnectland and beyond visit the public space every year. As well as live events and cinema, the arts hub offers the chance to learn skills from painting to filmmaking and dance, as well as engaging with their local arts community with displays of work from emerging and established contemporary artists.

The facilities and Creative Hub initiatives provide support to some of Devon’s most promising new theatre companies, musicians and artists and nurture a thriving arts scene.

The Arts Council will invest £187k towards the £244k capital project, leaving £57k to be raised from the local community and other sources including crowdfunding.

The facelift is spearheaded by the reconfiguration of the front interior section of the building, utilising new technologies as well as ambitious cosmetic and structural changes to its freeaccess gallery spaces.

The grant will also enable the replacement of auditorium seating, an upgrade to toilets and other communal facilities and spaces. Following the opening of their solar-powered cinema in 2015, further energy saving measures will be implemented in the building to continue the organisation’s mission to be an arts leader on green initiatives.

The Arts Council funding was part of portfolio organisation funding for Exeter, and Plymouth too is celebrating receiving a huge funding boost from Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation fund to support arts organisations in the city (including Plymouth Culture).

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OBIN Bowman of WildWise is running two camps this summer holidays in August for teenagers based on the Hunger Games. Far from their computer screens, this unique and magical time immersed deep in the woods is a truly unforgettable experience.

Robin said: “Half of my generation, growing up in the 70s and 80s, regularly played and roamed in wild places compared to just one in ten today. With the average British teen spending 37 hours looking at screens and only one in ten playing in wild places anymore, it is clear that many of our children are suffering from what Richard Louv coined ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’. “ Many problems of teens today such as self harming, depression and obesity have been, at least in part, attributed by researchers to a decrease in the time children spend outdoors compared to previous generations. Spending time in nature has shown importantly to help children’s self esteem, motivation and confidence.

Traditionally since the early days of Scouts, bushcraft and messing about in woods has been more in the domain of teenage boys than girls. The real challenge is how to coax teenage girls into nature and into participating in these bushcraft and woodland skills based camps and thus into a deep nature connective experience. Here’s where the Hunger Games comes up trumps, as the real hero, or rather heroine, of the story is a strong empowered teenage girl. Stories, especially blockbusters and bestsellers, that portray young women in this light are far too few and far between. Fortunately the Hunger Games has led to an increased enthusiasm amongst teenage girls to learn these skills and spend time in nature, because they now have a heroine like themselves to emulate.

Robin and his team run two 5 day camps based on

and inspired entirely by the trilogy of books and films which tell the story of the 16 year old girl Katniss Everdeen living in a post apocalyptic nation and surviving thanks to bushcraft and wilderness skills she learnt from her father. The camps offer teens the chance to learn those same skills.

Harry Smith who went to one of the camps said: “these camps pull you away from the screen and modern society into Nature, which brought about a new change in me which is really healthy.”

Jo-Jo added: “It sounded too good to be true because I was obsessed with the Hunger Games. But it was so cool and better than I’d ever imagined.”

The camps give teens an authentic deep nature connective experience. Teenagers spend the camp practising nature awareness skills, such as sneaking and ambushing each other, and camouflage, as well as wilderness and bushcraft skills such as fire making, shelter building, edible and medicinal food use.

WildWise are running two camps this summer holidays based on the Hunger Games: Aug 21-25, and Aug 27-31. See www.wildwisehungergames. co.uk for more information.

The leaders we’ve been waiting for?

CASPAR WALSH author, poet and journalist and founder of Words from the Earth wonders about leadership and a new emotionally intelligent movement emerging?

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HE late Michael Meacher, the long standing MP and environment secretary, was a passionate, soulful man. I had the honour of interviewing him a few years back for Positive News.

He had a real passion for green politics and initiatives. He let his spiritual, feeling life lead his private and public life. I focussed the interview on an idea I’d had for using the same psychometric testing for politicians as you would for psychopaths. Whether they had the potential to let power go to their head and end up doing more damage than good. I don’t witness a whole lot of compassionate reflection among many of our leaders.

And I struggle with the word, leader. It can create a separation that invariably sets me up for a fall.

Shared leadership works better. The further down the line of leadership I travel the more I realise I’m part of the evolving intelligence of each group I work with. Participants have a vast range of life experience and

skill that needs to be acknowledge and honoured from the off. My role as facilitator is only effective if what I’m delivering is adaptable and responsive to each group’s needs.

Each of us are an essential part of the group’s life force. The same way forest floor fungi are part of whole forest communication and eco system.

Too much ego in our leaders and in politics, a lack of self awareness and most scarily, a lack of empathy and understanding, leads to devastating decisions made from isolated towers in dark cities. But the emergence of a new kind of leader is gathering pace. An authentic leadership based on compassion, openness and common sense. Meacher was ahead of the curve on this. He had given the spiritual path of leadership a lot of thought. I didn’t feel intimidated by him as I often can by intelligence or status. He lit up at the psychopath assessment idea, explaining: “power can be very dangerous, the more power you have, the more you want. The only way to deal with the issues that power

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

brings up is personal awareness.

I am guilty of wanting glory. The people we need in power are those who really know who they are.

And yes, there needs to be an open public assessment of the personality of our leaders. The public must know the true workings of those they are voting for. But ultimately it is people power that will change everything.”

And at last, with the youth vote mobilised, the media being brought gradually to heal, lies exposed, change is happening, street to street, field to field, city to city, throughout the world. Shared leadership and rising consciousness are with us. To see this become lasting, generational change, I need patience, and faith and a sense of humour. All best achieved by watching Johnathan Pie. Read more from Caspar at www. wordsfromtheerath.co.uk and read about his 3 day Sharpham retreat on page 38.

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Goingout Aug/sept 2017

OUR BIG GUIDE TO BIG LOCAL EVENTS ARTS/CRAFTS

EXHIBITION: SIGNPOST 6: A STRING OF THEORIES Until August 4 Peninsula Arts, Plymouth

How to get YOUR events into Going Out...

WELCOME to Reconnect’s GoingOut pages...

Trust us to bring together all the hot stuff from across the region, all now categorised for easy access.

And check out our even more comprehensive online version at www.hubcast.co.uk/reconnect - or visit it via our busy website at www.reconnectonline.co.uk.

To get YOUR event listed online (and be in with a chance of it being listed here in the mag too), simply register at ReconnectHub and enter the info free of charge.

And to advertise here or online, email adverts@ reconnectonline.co.uk or call 01392 346342.

SEA SENSE Until August 6 Harbour House, Kingsbridge OPEN AIR THEATRE August 6 Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot STOKE GABRIEL ART GROUP EXHIBITION August 7-13 Stoke Gabriel SEA MOOR / SEE MORE August 8-16 Harbour House, Kingsbridge

KID’S COOKERY CLUB SUMMER August 2 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton

BEYOND-SCAPES JOHN HENSHAW August 18-23 Harbour House, Kingsbridge

KIDS HOLIDAY CLUB OCCOMBE August 3 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton

ISLAND ARTIST - EMMA CARTER BROMFIELD August 25- September 3 Harbour House, Kingsbridge

KNIGHTS & DRAGONS Until August 4 Powderham Castle, Exeter

THINGS ARE NOT QUITE WHAT THEY SEEM Until August 28 Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot FLAMINGO CROQUET Until August 28 Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot EXHIBITION: PLYMOUTH CONTEMPORARY Until September 2 Peninsula Arts, Plymouth THE SUMMER SHOW Until September 10 Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey CONTROLLED BURNING September 5-17 Harbour House, Kingsbridge COLLECTIVE WORKS - PRESS GANG PRINTMAKERS From September 19 Harbour House, Kingsbridge

CHILD ACTIVITIES KID’S HOLIDAY CLUB DAY August 1 Cockington, Torquay

FAMILY EXPLORERS CLUB August 5 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton FAERIE FOLK August 6-11 Powderham Castle, Exeter TOT’S GO WILD SUMMER CLUB August 7 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton PIRATE FEST August 7-11 Exeter Phoenix KID’S HOLIDAY CLUB DAY August 8 Cockington, Torquay KID’S COOKERY CLUB SUMMER August 9 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton FAMILY EXPLORERS CLUB August 12 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Brixham ROBIN HOOD August 13-18 Powderham Castle TOT’S GO WILD SUMMER CLUB August 14 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton

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NO FEATU W FREE RING O ENTR NLINE I E MOR S AND E IN EXPO -MAG SURE

KID’S COOKERY CLUB SUMMER August 31 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton

KID’S HOLIDAY CLUB DAY August 15 Cockington, Torquay KID’S COOKERY CLUB SUMMER August 16 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton

KIDS HOLIDAY CLUB August 31 Occombe, Paignton OCCOMBE SUMMER ACTIVITY PACK Until September 1 Occombe Farm, Paignton

FAMILY EXPLORERS CLUB August 19 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton

CLASSICAL

BKRISTIAN LINDBERG (PIANO)

PIRATES & MERMAIDS August 20-26 Powderham Castle, Exeter

September 15 NADSA Concerts, Newton Abbot

TOT’S GO WILD SUMMER CLUB August 21 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton

COMEDY

KID’S HOLIDAY CLUB DAY August 22 Cockington, Torquay KID’S COOKERY CLUB SUMMER August 23 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton FAMILY EXPLORERS CLUB August 26 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton THE WHITE RABBIT’S TREASURE HUNT Until August 28 Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot TOT’S GO WILD SUMMER CLUB August 28 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Paignton KID’S HOLIDAY CLUB DAY August 29 Cockington, Torquay

DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL August 11-13 South Zeal OFF GRID FESTIVAL August 10-13 The Biophilia Project, Goffins Land, Exeter BOOMTOWN FAIR August 10-13 Matterley Estate, Winchester TOTNES ORANGE RACES August 22 Totnes LOVE SUMMER FESTIVAL August 11-13 Plymouth PLYMOUTH PRIDE August 12 Plymouth

THE KINGSBRIDGE SHOW September 2 Borough Farm, Kingsbridge DRAWN TO THE VALLEY OPEN STUDIOS September 2-10 Tamar Valley IRON MILL COLLEGE OPEN DAY September 9 Exeter TORBAY TECH JAM September 9 Paignton Library and Information Centre SOUTH BRENT WOOD FAIR September 9 South Brent HERITAGE OPEN DAY September 10 Poltimore House, Exeter WIDECOMBE FAIR September 12 Widecombe In The Moor, Newton Abbot DADFEST September 15-17 Forest & Beach Centre, Beeson

JEREMY HARDY September 9 The Watermark, Ivybridge

LUPTON HOLISTIC FESTIVAL August 19-20 Lupton House, Brixham

DANNY BHOY September 13 Exeter Phoenix

BEAUTIFUL DAYS August 18-20 Escot Park, Exeter

FESTIVALS/EVENTS

SEA CHANGE FESTIVAL August 25-26 Totnes

SUMMER NIGHTS STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

COFFEE FESTIVAL August 4-6 Powderham Castle, Exeter

EXETER STREET ARTS FESTIVAL August 26 Exeter

September 16 Newton Abbot

SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK August 4-11 Sidmouth

POWDERHAM COUNTRY SHOW August 27-28 Powderham Castle, Exeter

QIGONG SUMMER CAMP August 4-13 Dartmoor National Park COMMUNITY CONFERENCE August 5 Landmatters, Blackawton HANNAHS SUMMER FETE August 6 Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot

WHITE ROCK FESTIVAL OF LEARNING September 16 Paignton

MUMFEST September 22-24 Forest & Beach Centre, Beeson

TOTNES PRIDE September 2 Totnes

DEVON AIR AMBULANCE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

EXETER GREEN FAIR September 2 Exeter

September 24 Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Exeter

PRODUCE AND GARDEN SHOW September 2 Chudleigh

YOUNG MINDS IN CRISIS

THE NOURISH FESTIVAL CRAFT FAIR September 2 Bovey Tracey

September 30 Plymouth School of Creative Arts Turn over the page for more GoingOut listings

Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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GOING OUT FARMERS MARKETS ASHBURTON 5 days a week: Tuesday – Saturday Tuckers Yard, Ashburton

BOVEY TRACEY Alternate Saturdays every month Town Square, Bovey Tracey BUCKFASTLEIGH Every Thursday Near The Globe Inn, Town Centre BUDLEIGH SALTERTON Last Friday of every month Polle Car Park, off High Street CREDITON Every 1st Saturday of the month The Market Square, Crediton DARTMOUTH Every second Saturday of the month The Old Market, Dartmouth DAWLISH Every second Saturday of the month The Lawn, Dawlish EXETER Every Thursday Junction of South Street and Fore Street EXMOUTH 2nd Wednesday every month The Strand Gardens, Exmouth ILFRACOMBE Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month St Peters Church, Highfield Road

IVYBRIDGE Third Saturday of every month Hartford Road Car Park, Ivybridge KINGSBRIDGE Every first & third Saturday of the month Town Square, Kingsbridge

ED ASKEW WITH TREMBLING BELLS August 5 Exeter Phoenix HYMN TO HER August 5 Kingskerswell Parish Church KAREN SHARP WITH THE CRAIG MILVERTON TRIO August 6 Plymouth Jazz Club, Plymouth

NEWTON ABBOT Every Tuesday Courtnay Street, Newton Abbot

THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA August 11 Exeter Phoenix

PLYMOUTH Every second & fourth Saturday of the month Town Centre Plaza, Plymouth

THE JERSEYS August 12 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay

PLYMOUTH (GOOD FOOD MARKET) First Sunday of every month Royal William Yard, Plymouth TEIGNMOUTH Last Saturday of every month The Triangle, Teignmouth TORQUAY Every Friday Union Street, Torquay TOTNES GOOD FOOD MARKET Every Third Sunday of the Month Market Square, Totnes

MUSIC GIGS

STEVE KNIGHTLEY, TOM ROBINSON & MARTYN JOSEPH August 2 Exeter Phoenix WAX THE VAN August 5 Exeter Phoenix MIKE HERON AND

LAMBCHOP August 16 Exeter Phoenix THE DARKSIDE OF PINK FLOYD August 18 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay BA BA BOOM August 18 Exeter Phoenix THE PAPERS August 23 Exeter Phoenix FUTURE DUB ORCHESTRA August 25 Exeter Phoenix THANK ABBA FOR THE MUSIC August 25 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay RUTS DC August 26 Exeter Phoenix THE COUNTRY SUPERSTARS EXPERIENCE August 26 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay CURTIS ELLER’S AMERICAN CIRCUS August 28 Kingskerswell

The new way to get YOUR event into Reconnect’s GoingOut pages TO ADVERTISE your event on our new diary website, Reconnecthub, simply visit www.hubcast.co.uk/reconnect and register - then you can enter your own events.

AND some of them will appear in the next (October/November) issue of Reconnect magazine.

AND they will be viewed through other EventHub websites (across the SW).

AND it’s all FREE! (There are some online advertisements available too and it’s first come, first served - so call Scott now on 01392 346342)

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Parish Church THE URBAN VOODOO MACHINE August 31 Exeter Phoenix INTO THE SHADOWS September 2 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay THE BRUBECK PROJECT September 3 Plymouth Jazz Club Plymouth DAVID HAMILTON’S ROCK N ROLL BACK THE YEARS September 9 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay LUCY SPRAGGAN September 15 The Hub, Plymouth LUCY SPRAGGAN September 16 Exeter Phoenix EXPLOSIVE LIGHT ORCHESTRA September 16 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay LIZA PULMAN September 21 The Watermark, Ivybridge TAPESTRY STARRING NIKKI DEE September 22

Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay

August 7 Northernhay Gardens, Exeter

LOS ENDOS September 23 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay

MONSTERS, INC. August 8 Northernhay Gardens, Exeter PSYCHO August 9 Northernhay Gardens, Exeter

RICHARD NAVARRO WITH THE MAYFLOWER CHORUS September 23 The Watermark, Ivybridge

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE August 10 Northernhay Gardens, Exeter

MARTIN & ELIZA CARTHY September 24 Exeter Phoenix

ROGUE ONE August 11 Northernhay Gardens, Exeter

ANATHEMA September 29 Exeter Phoenix

LA LA LAND August 12 Northernhay Gardens, Exeter

WANNABE - THE SPICE GIRLS SHOW September 30 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay

DONNIE DARKO August 13 Northernhay Gardens, Exeter

RICHARD DURRANT ‘STRINGHENGE’ September 30 Kingskerswell Parish Church

GREASE August 18 Mount Edgcumbe, Plymouth

THE LAMBRETTAS & THE CHORDS September 30 Exeter Phoenix

ROGUE ONE August 19 Mount Edgcumbe, Plymouth

OPEN AIR CINEMA

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN August 25 Tinside Lido, Plymouth

FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL

September 22nd, 23rd & 24th 2017

MumFest2017 ‘Forest & Beach’ Centre, Beeson, South Devon. TQ7 2ED The only festival in the UK just for mums & their children Mums/ female carers with children of all ages welcome

camping

archery

hedge-beauty pig racing Bar

yoga

bushcraft star-gazing

tree-climbing

art & craft tent jam making

Cabinet of Curiosities fishing

mud kitchen

great local food

campfire stories bat walk

Taiko drumming

disco

silly science

THE SHALLOWS August 26 Tinside Lido, Plymouth JAWS August 27 Tinside Lido, Plymouth BACK TO THE FUTURE September 7 Royal William Yard, Plymouth LA LA LAND September 8 Royal William Yard, Plymouth WONDER WOMAN September 9 Royal William Yard, Plymouth

POETRY LINTON KWESI JOHNSON September 28 Exeter Phoenix

RIVERBOAT CRUISE

WILD TOY THEATRE’S THE FISHER-KNIGHT’S TALE August 5 Exeter Phoenix ALADDIN - SUMMER PANTO August 3-31 Palace Theatre, Paignton HIGH SCHOOL ROCKS August 11 Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR August 16 Powderham Castle, Exeter

FAMILY WORKSHOP: PLYMOUTH CONTEMPORARY August 9 Peninsula Arts, Plymouth INTRODUCING TO PRINTMAKING

August 26-27 Barbican Theatre, Plymouth

WRITING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

MAGIC OF THE STARS Until 30 September Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay

September 6 Totnes

THEATRE

WALKS

August 1-2 Exeter Phoenix

August 6 Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot

August 12 Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot

August 22 Plymouth Jazz Club, Plymouth

THE PIXIES’ SCARF

CHARM BRACELET WORKSHOPS

CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST

LEGENDS OF THE WEST END Until 28 September Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay

JAZZ CRUISE UP THE TAMAR TO CALSTOCK

WORKSHOPS

WOMEN’S WOODLAND RETREAT September 7 Shaprham WILD WRITING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS September 14 Sharpham BAT, MOTH & STARGAZING

BAT WALK August 18 Barn Owl Trust, Ashburton

September 22 Sharpham

Rainbow’s End

HOLISTIC WELLBEING AND NATURAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL

The Civic Hall, Totnes 14th and 15th October 2017 10am-5pm Free admission All-day programme of talks, workshops and demonstrations Wide variety of readers, healers and traders All-day café 07900 824089

stroke a lobster

Fri. 22nd, Sat. 23rd & Sun. 24th Sept.

MumFest2017 tickets must be bought in advance

Children (all ages): £25 Mums/ female carers: £55

+ option £25 food ticket for the weekend + option £40 food ticket for the weekend

MumFest Ticket = all weekend activities, no extra costs.

Add a food ticket = six meals & hot drinks!

Concessions available - please contact the organisers

book early: 077317 95160 e: mumfest2017@gmail.com

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Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

13

ORGANICGARDENING Resident expert JOA GROWER has tips on seasonal planting and recommends it may be a good time to use a dibber.

Time for harvesting and planting too

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UGUST already, not long now until summer will slowly become autumn.

So, its time to think not just about harvesting, but maybe a bit of planting too. It’s not too late to plant out winter brassicas (cabbage family). Don’t forget to firm them in well as, when they get bigger, they don’t like to rock about much in the windy autumnal weather.

Also remember some of the bigger varieties may need more distance between them.

Those Purple sprouting broccoli plants can get pretty big by February!

Leeks can also go in now. For any of you folks out there new to veg gardening, here is a handy planting tip.

Using a dibber or rake or broom handle, make a 10-15cm deep hole in your soil and place the leek plant down into hole (I remove a portion of the leek’s roots leaving only approx. 2cm.

This make planting easier and I think also gives them a little boost). Then gently fill each hole with water but not soil. They are a very easy crop to grow, they don’t seem to get many pests or diseases.

Our potatoes here at Growers

Organics have done rather well this year and, towards the end of September, Nao who works on the vegetable beds will be starting to lift the main crop.

She has been digging our early varieties for the last month or so and they were fab! Choose a nice sunny day and leave them on top of the warm soil so there skins dry before storing them in paper or Hessian sacks in a cool A dibber dry place to use throughout the autumn and winter.

Onions will also be ready to harvest now, that’s if they haven’t already gone to seed.

It’s been a very common complaint this year with lots of different vegetables, due to the very changable weather we experienced earlier in the year. Those onions that have will not store and should be used straight away.

But the good onions can be left on top of the soil for a few days to dry out before storing in nets or being plaited.

Last but not least, you’ve still got time to get a few quick crops in. Lettuces can grow very well when the temperature drops a bit.

Perhaps with a late planting of peas, and a sowing of spinach.

Time to start planning ahead NOW I know next spring seems such a long way off but its never too soon to start planning. The arrival of Autumn is a good time to start. Take a look around the garden and ask yourself did you get it right this year? What would you do differently? Should you have grown more of one crop and less of a another, is the compost bin in the wrong place. All these things can go right out of your head by the time March 2018 gets here. I like to number my beds or do a very basic garden plan and plan things down to the finest detail.

This can help so much when working out a good crop rotation. This means grouping certain plants together for instance all brassicas (broccoli, kales, brussels and cabbages), all the roots (potatoes, carrots and parsnips), the peas and beans, and last of all the onion family which includes leeks and garlic. Not only does this mean that you can prepare the bed or area specifically for that group of plants but that also you shouldn’t get any build up of soil living pests and diseases.

Bear in mind that the better the plan, the better the veggie patch. Enjoy!

Just a reminder that Growers Organics will be closing mid September for the winter season and reopen early February 2018.

Behind the scenes at TEDx

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EDx came to Totnes for the second time in May this year. An audience of around 100 people watched the sell-out event at The Barn Cinema in Dartington, entitled Change Drives Us Forward.

They were joined by viewers from as far afield as the US and South Africa, as well as 500 students from KEVICCs who tuned into the livestreamed talks.

But, what does it take to stage a sell-out event like this, and how does it feel to stand on the famous red carpet and speak to a live audience?

Reconnect spoke to two local The TEDx Totnes team lead by people – organiser, Gillian Gillian Healey (kneeling in front).

Healey and our own Wellbeing anything like this. I was the one who Editor and now TEDx speaker, Kate found it difficult to speak up at team Philbin – to hear what really goes on meetings! Gillian’s unfailing belief behind the scenes at TEDx. in me, the support of my friends and What made you want to run TEDx the wonderful coaching from TEDx Totnes Gillian? speaker coach Danielle Krage are I’ve always been a fan of TED what made it possible for me. I faced talks and have a strong sense of some of my worst fears on that stage adventure.. I like stepping out of and, having given the talk, I have my comfort zone and taking on a a profound sense that anything is challenge… and it certainly proved possible, that I can achieve far more to be that. than I believe I can.

What was the biggest challenge?

Gillian, why did you choose change Nine months of planning. I found it as your theme? equally fulfilling and frustrating, but the end result was worth it.

I went with my gut feeling, and came up with title ‘Change’ the day after What got you through it? the Brexit vote. I love change and I found some local dedicated ‘TED I embrace it. The theme needed to lovers’ to support me. They brought be broad enough to encompass a technical, social media, PR and diversity of talks from science and marketing and event planning skills. technology; the economy; education; I think also a good dose of positivity health and wellbeing; music and and grit also got me through it all. poetry and more.

Kate how did you become a speaker?

How do you feel having staged the I have quite a distinctive style of event? dressing and people often comment Now it is done, I am so glad I took it about it. Last year was a really on and I know I have grown neurons difficult one for me and I began as a result. I feel a better, more blogging about my experiences. I enlightened person was interested in the way I was using How did you choose the 12 my clothes to help me cope with speakers? depression and it started me thinking TEDx encourages organisers to find about our complex relationship with undiscovered voices. About 50 clothes. A friend put me forward to people applied to speak. In the end, Gillian as a potential speaker and so we chose 12. Speakers were asked began one of the most extraordinary to provide a three-minute video and journeys of my life. It was an I worked with Danielle Krage, the evolutionary process whereby my brilliant speaker coach, to identify original idea grew and morphed into which talks would work well on something that felt like it contained an important message that I needed stage. The hardest thing was having to share. I called my talk What to tell people that their talk would Toddlers Teach Us About Style. It’s not work. Once we had chosen the about clothes and it’s not. It’s really speakers, they had to hone their talks about freedom. to around 12 minutes, learn them by heart, and deliver them standing on What does it feel like to give a TEDx the red spot on the stage. They were talk? all brilliant, and so great that they Simultaneously invigorating and terrifying. I never expected to do were local.

Reconnect’s Organic Gardening column is written by Joa Grower of Growers Organics. Meet her at Totnes market on Fridays and Saturdays.

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

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The TEDx speakers with Kate Philbin (front right).

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£41.85 NEWS&views

Saving frogs – not eating them!

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Helen and her colleague Bill Macdonald heard that another staff member had recently moved to a new house in Plymouth and discovered a neglected pond full of wildlife that needed rescuing.

They swiftly transplanted water plants and carefully rehomed twelve Smooth Newts from the old pond to the new. They’ve recently seen the newts coming up to the surface of the Parkfield pond, and after transferring tadpoles to the area, are also eagerly awaiting their development into frogs.

Helen adds: “Just as the pond

Book a series of ads this size and it will cost you just £41.85 a month - including free editorial. Ross Adams of Abundant Gardens can vouch for the success of advertising. He said, “I had a lot of success with advertising with the magazine last year, so much so that I have no need to advertise for this year.” You too could find customers through an advert in these pages, call Scott on 01392 346342.

We’re moving to Dartington!

New community pottery in the heart of the Dartington Estate.

Formerly, Pottingshed workshop, Studio 45 will be a Creative Pottery Hub and is set to open its doors officially in September 2017.

Studio 45 is an interactive learning facility with a full programme of courses and workshops and offering places for 15 budding potters wanting to further their practice. The facility will have 8 wheels and three kilns and will have a research arm, investigating the clays and materials found on or near to the Dartington Estate.

For more information on membership, workshops and courses have a look at the website www.studio45.uk.com or contact us directly at info@studio45.uk.com

C FA

I L I TAT E D

LE AR NI NG ·

project adds to the diversity and beauty of the garden, equally importantly it has brought a lot of enjoyment and new experiences to the learners through the whole process from design, construction and now watching it flourish with plants and wildlife.”

If you’d like to know more about Eat That Frog’s community projects or training opportunities – or to discover why they have such an unusual name, you can find them at www.eatthatfrog. ac.uk, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

QUINE · E

AT That Frog CIC is a community interest company working across South Devon helping thousands of people every year with training, education and employability skills - they also run an ethical recruitment service to help local people into sustainable employment. Working within communities is at the heart of everything Eat That Frog does, and recently tutors and learners at Eat That Frog have been saving amphibians while renovating and improving the grounds at Parkfield House in Paignton, a Grade II listed building with extensive grounds that had sadly become overgrown and unused.

Eat That Frog construction learners have been undertaking renovation of the park grounds, restoring the area to a place of beauty for families, dog walkers and local residents. Some of the young horticulture students grow vegetables, fruit and herbs that are then used by the catering students at Paignton’s Pad Community Hub, to cook tasty meals for the Over 50s lunchclub. Learners also carry out garden maintenance at Parkfield and collect weather data including rainfall and temperatures that they display and analyse as part of their Maths, English and IT learning.

Horticulture Tutor Helen Allday says: “The pond project originally started as something to do in the winter months when there wasn’t much growing in the garden. Our learners researched and designed a wildlife pond for the benefit of the Parkfield ecosystem and our kitchen garden - we wanted to encourage more frogs to eat the slugs!”

Seeking artists for lost species ANDREAS Kornevall (www. earthrestorationservice. org) and Azul Thome (www.souland.org) are making an invitation to the Totnes community to create a Life Cairn on November 30 2017 as part of the Remembrance day for Lost Species.

Azul said: “Please join us if you are touched by the 6th massive extinction of Life on Earth and want to Give Away your gifts, broken hearts and talents to creating our first Life Cairn in Totnes.”

The event is still in the planning stage

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and the pair are looking to find a piece of land preferably by the River Dart accessible for all, all the time to place and care for our Life Cairn.

They are appealing for people to get involved, and artists, singers, musicians, children, elders, mothers, fathers, lovers of all sorts and all two, three and four legged welcome !

For more information see www.facebook.com/ events/1773741646245298

Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

15

LOCAL PRODUCE

Tigley Tump - sharing the love Want chickens in your garden?

We have young birds of all shapes, sizes and colours (some with fluffy legs). Call for details and all the advice you need.

A taste of freedom We will soon have truly free-range chicken, pork and lamb - all soya-free, GM-free and drug-free. Put your name down for the next batch.

Chemical-free fruit and veg For sale at our farm gate and online through Totnes Food Shed - find out more at facebook/tigleytump and www.totnesfoodshed.co.uk

Other good stuff We also sell amazing handmade crafts, Tigley Tump’s unique soya-free, GM-free poultry feed (with hemp seed meal), secondhand chicken feeders and drinkers and more check out our website.

Tigley Tump is... an off-grid, chemical-free smallholding run by family and friends just outside Totnes Visit www.tigleytump.co.uk and Facebook/tigleytump

Grown in Totnes expands further GROWN in Totnes is increasing the range of local food available in the area. Their grains and pulses come to you from organic farms located within 30 miles of Totnes. They are processed and packed by them on the Industrial Estate, in the heart of town, and sold to you through local independent shops.

One of their first stockists is Earth.

Food.Love, the Zero Waste Shop at the top of the High Street in Totnes.

In their shop they only sell organic products and source as much as possible locally. Regarding buying in Grown in Totnes products for their customers, Nicola Eckersley, who runs the shop with her husband Richard, said: “We really appreciate the connection it allows us to have with the food. Knowing where it was grown and how it’s processed means a lot to us. To us it provides real food by real people.“ Have a look on their website to

see the latest updates on who is stocking their local food! You‘ll also find information on their farmers, on how to get involved and recipe ideas. Get in touch if you’re a local business and would like to stock their retail packs, discuss catering packs and quantities for locally made food products.

Find out more at www. grownintotnes.co.uk

Ashburton’s unique local produce market...a truly amazing variety of all sorts of delicious goodies. Free parking.

TUCKERS LOCAL PRODUCE MARKET, Tuckers Yard, Chuley Road, Ashburton TQ13 7DG

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LOCAL PRODUCE

O

Transition turns ten

VER the ten years Reconnect isn’t the only one celebrating an since it was officially anniversary. In April of this year, the Transition ‘unleashed’ in Totnes, the Transition movement has become movement celebrated its tenth anniversary. a worldwide phenomena with JON STEIN speaks to co-founder Rob initiatives in over 50 countries round the world, in around 1,400 Hopkins, and local group volunteers about its communities. humble beginnings and later success.

No one has been more surprised at its success than gardening/ co-founder Rob growing projects Hopkins. After around the town, moving with his including planting young family to fruit and nut trees Totnes in 2005, at Bridgetown he teamed up and Longmarsh, with Naresh and a nursery Giangrande to at Follaton give talks and Arboretum. “We show films about need one more society’s reliance person to join on fossil fuels and three others who its environmental will together impact. “At the carry forward beginning we had the coordination no idea if it would of the project,” even work or if says Wendy, anybody would who is looking be interested,” he particularly for Members of Transition Newton Abbot at their recent admits. someone interested ‘Great Get Together’ in the care of In fact, Totnes (and orchards and nut groves.

South Devon generally) proved fertile ground and soon there were working groups on Though Totnes was the place where it such themes as food, energy, education and all started, the Transition movement has transport. From the beginning, says Rob: “It permeated Reconnectland – and far beyond felt really important that we could start to tell – with initiatives in Exeter, Newton Abbot, stories about Totnes, such as the ‘place that Buckfastleigh, Plymouth and elsewhere. prints its own money’ or ‘the nut-tree capital of Although the Plymouth group has never been Britain’.” formally ‘unleashed’, it has held regular The question as to how Totnes might feed itself monthly meetings since its launch at the beyond the age of cheap energy resonated University in June 2009. Spokesperson Pat with intrepid gardener, Wendy Stayte, who Bushell recalls a highpoint during these was one of the earliest to respond to the years was having “a large shop and upstairs Transition call. “It brought together under one premises in Armada Way to host our own umbrella loads of people who were already events and provide a venue for other groups involved in various projects,” she says. “It was who shared our values.” Although it has very empowering to be linked in with other now dwindled in size, the group continues people who were interested in different aspects to work alongside other organisations doing of living sustainably.”

Transition-type activities, for example Time Bank and Food Plymouth. “Our function has Now, after ten years of active service, Wendy moved towards spreading awareness of the is getting ready to step back from the frontline many events going on that are in harmony and is appealing for volunteers to take over with our objectives,” says Pat. Recognising the her work as coordinator of Incredible Edible high levels of poverty locally, she adds: “we Totnes. The group has overseen various try to make all our events free, though we accept voluntary donations. We also value celebrations which we hold quite frequently.”

Transition Newton Abbot, founded by environmentalist Jackie Brodie in late 2007, was another ‘early adopter’, According to spokesperson Betina Winkler, their Energy Group has been particularly successful, initiating a public sculpture project and “trailblazing a different cultural story where energy use is renewable and respected.” In 2014 they set up Teign Energy Communities, a Community Benefit Society (CBS) to support renewable energy organisations within Teignbridge. The group is Wendy Stayte telling the story of Incredible Edible also proud of its permaculture

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Rob Hopkins photo by Jim Wileman

project, Vicary’s Field Community Garden, where, says Betina: “we run events for the community, have skills sessions and aim to involve different community groups.” She also recommends their “very successful book group that meets every six weeks.”

Looking ahead, Rob Hopkins believes the Transition movement is even more relevant now than when it began. “Our global culture tends to promote monoculture and shut down diversity,” he explains. “Transition gives people a tangible experience in their communities of what you see when you start to move in the other direction. It’s an invitation for people to come in and own it.”

So if you haven’t connected yet with a group in your area, now’s your chance!

Resources l Transition in Totnes (including Incredible Edible): www.transitiontowntotnes.org or 01803 867358 l Plymouth: www.plymouthtransition@naturemail.com l Newton Abbot: www. transitionnewtonabbot.org.uk l For other local groups visit Transition Network (the charity set up to support the spread of the movement and its ideas): www.transitionnetwork.org

Transition Tales Steph Bradley, who in 2010 walked two thousand miles around England collecting Transition tales, is going to re-enact her storywalk at a meeting of the Plymouth group on 26th August.

Contact: 07709 110579 or 01752 255088.

Jon Stein divides his time between Totnes and Andalucía. Read more on his blog at www.jonstein.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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LOCAL PRODUCE Summer barbecue evenings

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AWLISH Warren based Forest Fungi are also celebrating this summer, it’s their fourth anniversary. The gourmet mushroom growers are marking their success by holding barbecue evenings throughout the summer on Saturday’s from 5pm to 8pm with more dates to be announced.

The friendly team who run Forest Fungi have also created their own tasty menu (see left) of barbecued treats including beef or pork and apple burgers, hot dogs, griddled chicken, pork ribs, corn on the cob, jacket potatoes and of course gourmet shrooms. There’s even a special meat free shitake burger option for vegetarians developed by their street kitchen ’Shrooms On The Road’.

Owner Scott Marshall said, “Our street food stall has been doing really well, and mastered the ‘Holy Shitake’ shroomburger. We wanted to bring a summer vibe to our weekends, and who doesn’t love a barbecue? Plus we are weatherproof, so if you plan a barbecue, invite people over and the weather’s not on your side, you can bring your guests here and we can grill our food for you.”

Forest Fungi are a specialist in the growing and supply to local caterers of gourmet mushrooms including shiitake, grey oyster, yellow oyster, king oyster, nameko and hen of the woods plus seasonal wild mushrooms.

The farm shop at Timaru Gardens, on Warren Road, is open 7 days a week and also showcases a large range of quality produce from around the region. Their cafe’s menu offers a chance to taste them too including options for vegetarians, and the friendly team run special discover and dine evenings.

Their ‘Shrooms on The Road’ outdoor field kitchen is available for weddings. Festivals, events and markets across Reconnectland, appearing at Newton Abbot, Honiton, Totnes, Exmouth, and Tavistock. Plus events this year including Love Summer Festival, and Ashburton Food Festival.

any container can be weighed - any container can be used

... paper bags & cups, yoghurt pots, recycled plastic bags, bottles, jars, cardboard boxes ...

thezerowasteshop.co.uk 101 High Street, Totnes 18

... well almost any!

Earth . Food . Love

— MEMBER —

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the zero waste shop www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Naturally nourishing A plant based nutrition revolution

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LANT based nutrition is leading the way in a health revolution that is putting the macrobiotic approach into the mainstream.

A plant-based diet, at the centre of macrobiotic philosophy since its inception in the early 20th Century, is now at the forefront of the latest scientific advice on nutrition.

The latest report in May, from the University of Navarra in Spain, says that cutting down on meat can almost half the risk of obesity.

Researchers, who carried out a study of 16,000 people, found that even a “flexitarian” approach of eating more meat-free meals and extra fruit and vegetables each week was enough to keep weight off and hence reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

School principal Oliver Cowmeadow said: “More and more research is confirming the benefits of the macrobiotic approach. At

It’s a time of merry making and JANE HUTTON is celebrating the season of bountiful produce available for feasting.

Celebrating the season of soft fruit

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the school we’ve taught hundreds of people how to transform their health, eat and cook balanced, appetizing and delicious meals that are in tune with their bodies and the environment.”

The school runs regular short courses introducing people to a healthy plant based diet, ranging from the vegan gourmet one day course, to an inspirational weekend of hands-on cooking, to a five day transformative course that covers over 60 wholefood recipes, helping you to understand the effects food has on your body and emotions. l Visit the school’s website for more information – www. macroschool.co.uk

Sweet and sour tempeh

Ingredients: 1 packet tempeh; onion; finely sliced carrot in small matchsticks; finely sliced red pepper; 3 tbsp sesame oil.

For the stock: shoyu, ginger root, garlic, bay leaves and enough water to cover tempeh For the sauce: 2 tbsp shoyu, 1 tbsp barley malt, 1 tbsp apple juice concentrate, 1 tbsp brown rice vinegar, 1 tsp ginger juice, I clove garlic, kuzu or arrowroot to thicken.

Method: Place the tempeh in a pan with all the stock ingredients. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté the onions in oil, with a pinch of salt until just soft. Add the carrot and pepper and fry for a few more minutes. Remove the tempeh from the stock and dry well on kitchen paper. Add some of the stock to the vegetables along with the all the sauce ingredients. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Mix some kuzu or arrowroot with cold water and add to the sauce to thicken. Cut the tempeh into slices and fry in oil until golden brown on both sides. Add the tempeh to the sauce and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

HE sun is blazing down, the sky is a cloudless azure, nature is going bananas, and my garden produce needs daily harvesting – this can mean only one thing; summer! To make it extra special we are celebrating Reconnect’s 50th issue! The wonderful (and irritating) thing about our quirky English climate is its ability to produce a heatwave of Saharan proportions, hailstones the size of birds’ eggs, and enough rain to float a battleship, all in the space of a week.

Whether it rains or shines during our 50th issue summer season in August and September, we’ll be celebrating fifty fabulous issues of articles covering events, food, health, eco news, local economy, sustainability, initiatives, projects, and so much more.

Celebrating is a central theme in food and health, of course: cakes, feasts, treats, and tipples, eating and drinking are a natural part of the joy and community, the social gathering, that occasions and celebrations entail.

A summer celebration is such an incredibly easy one with the huge amount of fresh, seasonal produce available for feasting on. For me, one of the best things about summer, and always the focus of a spectacular dessert, is the proliferation of different berries any of us can grow in our back garden.

I love the season of soft fruit, and

it’s coming in abundantly now.

With the first bowlful of fresh raspberries from my garden, all the way through the summer, that heavenly sweet, yet softly tangy, burst of flavour has been worth waiting for since last summer. I’m lucky enough to have blueberries and blackcurrants too, as well as wild Alpine strawberries all over my garden, weaving in and out of the other plants. But the raspberries – they are my favourite.

So why are my fresh raspberries such a health blessing? Like all brightly coloured foods, they’re excellent sources of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Raspberries, though, provide them in significant amounts for protecting against inflammation, helping lower the risk of diseases associated with chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, like obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.

The ellagic acid content has also been found to counter inflammation particular to Crohn’s disease, making them a soothingly enjoyable treat for sufferers.

Piled on a pavlova, or just fresh with a little vanilla scented cream, raspberries feel celebratory and endlessly summery. As you can see from this issue’s recipe, they also make a wonderful drink. You don’t need alcohol to have something that tastes and feels special, but it can certainly be topped up with champagne….. Happy celebrating!

BEAUTIFUL just on their own (and needing nothing else), raspberries are perfect for any celebration dessert, and a drop or two of rosewater enhances the flavour incredibly, as does this luscious lemonade. Top up with fizz for a proper celebration drink!

Raspberry Lemonade (makes about 4 long summery glasses) 200g raspberries 9 unwaxed lemons, zested and juiced 220g caster sugar 1.5 litres of boiling water ice cubes to serve

Reserve a few of the raspberries to garnish the glasses, and put the rest in a blender, add enough water to cover and puree. You could do this in a jug with a hand blender if you like.

Mix the lemon juice, zest, sugar and pureed raspberries with the boiling water. Leave to cool, then sieve into a large jug. Gently press the pulp to extract all the liquid.

Pour into glasses and garnish with the remaining raspberries. Serve over ice if desired, or store in the fridge to chill first if you don’t wish to dilute the lovely lemony raspberry flavours!

Lip-smacking raspberry lemonade

Naturally Nourishing is written by nutritionist and “confirmed foodie” Jane Hutton. Visit her new website, www. functional-foodie.com, and sign up for programmes, recipes and advice.

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Editorial: 01392 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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MORE FOLLOWS...

We can’t let 50 issues pass without letting MARTIN say a bit about the magazine he founded and join the celebrations for this the 50th issue.

Powered by the people of Devon

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IGHT the hilltop beacons, join hands around the world and crank up Spandau Ballet’s Gold – it’s Reconnect’s 50th anniversary issue!

As one of the founding team, and as editor/publisher for the two years or so before Scott took over at the end of 2016, I was asked recently if I was surprised it was still going strong 50 issues, and a little over eight years, later.

Well, I feel proud to have played a part in its creation, certainly.

And I’m delighted to have handed the controls over to someone who I have no doubt will produce another 50 wonderful issues. But no, not really surprised.

When I sat down with Pete Hardy and Robin Currie back in early 2009 to plan the first issue, there was little doubt in my mind that it would be the first of many.

A green living magazine for this area was hardly a new concept: in fact, Pete and I had previously published Reconnect’s forerunner, Connect (see what we did there?).

To begin at the beginning, Connect was launched by Mike and Dee Brodie, who were based in Exeter: it carried a ‘positive living magazine’ tagline and featured a strong focus on therapies and personal development. When Pete and I bought it, we kept the wellbeing central theme but broadened its content to take in other aspects of local green living, including a rapidly developing local food movement and a relatively new area of interest called ‘alternative energy’. The blend worked perfectly. People loved it.

After three years or so of continued success and growth, Connect became a little unwieldy and difficult for the two of us to handle, so we sold the project to a larger company – only to watch sadly as it faltered and slowly faded away… So, after a couple of years, and much nagging from the wonderful Robin Currie (whose contribution to things I paid tribute to when he died late last year), we decided to launch Reconnect.

This gave us the opportunity to create and work with a new business model: dramatic technical advancements in the production process meant we could afford better paper and full colour; the dramatic growth of interest in sustainable living provided us with a virtually infinite supply of editorial material; and new sustainable businesses allowed us to build a strong commercial base.

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But the single most important aspect of this new, improved green living magazine was its very specific geographical base: Connect covered the whole of Devon and Cornwall (the result of public demand from our Cornish friends!), but Reconnect would be written by, focus on, run advertisements for, list events organised by and be entirely written edited and even printed

by The People of Exeter and South Devon.

This local focus brought with it a number of practical advantages: it simplified editorial policy (if it ain’t South Devon, it ain’t going in); it made the advertising profile simpler too – any green business or wellbeing therapist in South Devon just HAD to be in it; and distribution – the simple, physical job of delivering seriously heavy boxes full of magazines to shops, libraries, art galleries and natural health centres – was again concentrated in this one manageable area, which meant we could handle most of it ourselves (keeping down the cost and ensuring we could keep an eye on exactly where and how well it was going).

There was, though, one other powerful virtue of our oh-so-local approach; something that binds together Reconnect in much the same way as it holds together society – community.

By ignoring the temptation to include material from outside the area, no matter how worthy, interesting or exciting it might be, readers’ and advertisers’ sense of belonging is heightened; the shared experience is richer.

Community isn’t just about geography - it’s really about people and relationships.

By picking up a copy of Reconnect, by flipping through its pages, and responding in any small way to any small part of the wealth of material inside, the reader becomes part of something; part of a community that recognises, and lives by, a set of values and beliefs. Everyone who’s a part of it contributes to its continuation and growth – a strong statement about continuity and integrity in a world of selfdestructive consumerism.

There are many aspects of Reconnect, and the part it’s played in the community over the years, of which I’m very proud. But that simple coverline ‘Powered by people’, and the truth behind it, pretty much says it all.

in

Mart

Our new community pottery

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HOSE who went to Community of Dragons event will be aware that there’s a new community pottery in the heart of the Dartington Estate which opens on September 1 and is located opposite the new Green Table café and part of the new Shippon Artists Studios.

Richenda Macgregor is the Creative Director of Studio 45. A busy hub and interactive learning space for potters and ceramicists. The open-plan learning environment will offer members and students alike access to wheels, kilns and equipment as well as technical know-how.

Richenda said: “We will be providing weekly classes in ceramics from beginners to advanced and specialist weekend workshops on glaze technology, low impact firing, women making big pots and kiln building. We are also offering low cost courses for special interest groups and The community of makers try their low-income individuals.” hand at kiln building Richenda has been a potter for 25 years and is mostly conscious in how they interact self-taught over that time. Richenda with each other. Studio 45 will added: “Ceramics is a fascinating be a Community of Makers. They and wide-ranging subject and one will encourage each other in their that I have been immersed in all of creative process and skill share my adult life. It is my passion. I in a cared for and supportive am in the enviable position to be environment. able to teach what I love and with Studio 45 have 15 spaces for that comes a responsibility that this members interested in advancing knowledge needs to be passed on. We have lost so much of the their practice and are working on skill our ancestors took for granted an official apprentice ship scheme. and this resurgence of interest is an Richenda explained: “Following the opportunity to be able to re-learn path of the Maker is not an easy and re-skill.” one and is counter-culture. If you Studio 45 are working hard on want to make a lot of money than raising awareness around the toxic I suggest looking elsewhere! But if materials used in some ceramics you are looking for connection, of and how certain materials have daily interaction with Earth, Water been mined. Moving away from and Fire, to learn how to take a modern exploitative practises raw material like clay and turn it towards local materials, kind to the into something beautiful and useful environment and kind to us. then this might be just what you are Richenda’s aim is to train a new looking for.” generation of makers in the space l Find out more online at: www. who are not only conscious of studio45.uk.com the materials they use but also

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NEWS&views Seeking home support

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OME-START Exeter & East Devon are seeking parents and grandparents for a new training course run by the family-support charity.

Home-Start provides local families – who may be vulnerable or suffering from isolation – with emotional and practical support in their own homes, and is looking to train a new group of volunteers from September.

The six-week course runs in Exeter on Mondays from September 25, from 9.30am-2.30pm at Newcourt Community Centre, is free to attend, and is accredited.

After completing the course, attendees will be added to the charity’s existing bank of more than 50 volunteers matched with families across Exeter and East Devon. Volunteer work can include support on outings such as to the supermarket or park, accompanying to appointments, help at home, playing with the children or simply being someone to listen.

Jo Darke, Volunteer Co-ordinator with Home-Start Exeter & East Devon, said: “We are currently overwhelmed with referrals and it’s heart-breaking to have to send some of them back. We want to be able to support every family that asks for our help. We have a fantastic team of volunteers, but we need more.

“Many of today’s new parents don’t have immediate access to a solid support network. People move around a lot more, meaning that extended family are not always available to give a helping hand, or to provide new parents with a break.

“Our home visiting volunteers help to fill that role, by providing a regular presence along with advice and encouragement on how parents can get involved with community life.

“It is all about parents supporting other parents and we know that our volunteers, as well as our families, get a great deal from it.”

Once trained, volunteers commit to a two- to three-hour visit to a family each week, plus volunteer support meetings, for at least a year. The charity covers the cost of travel.

To apply for the course visit www.homestartexeter.co.uk or call 01392 826299.

Real food, Real life,

Real health Classes Targeted advice Books Eating plans Free resources Online courses Healthy recipe blog 1-2-1, online, phone/Skype ME, gut disorders, mental health nutrition, cancer recovery & weight management.

email: enquiries@trinityholistics.co.uk more info: www.trinityholistics.co.uk

Jane Hutton The Functional Foodie

T: 07841 344934

making Ethical Easy

shane@fairfoodforager.com hello@fairfoodforager.com Join now and support local, sustainable business

A spectacular free family event SUSTAINABLE South Brent return for a third year with the South Brent Wood Fair, at the Village Hall, on Saturday September 9. This FREE family friendly event includes over 30 stalls, activities, and events, with lots to see and do including walks with local experts, demonstrations, things to discover and learn, stories, and a chance to connect, and get involved.

Celebrating our local trees and woodlands and all their rich wildlife, culture, traditions, enterprises, crafts and skills. With stalls of great woodland produce, local organisations, demonstrations of wood craft, practical workshops, talks, stories and performances on all things wood, plus delicious local homegrown food and a bar.

There is no parking on site, so please park with consideration, within the village. Dogs must be on leads and

children must be accompanied.

For more information please contact Rowan on 0797 764 3376 or James on 07813 789795 or email sbwoodfair2017@gmail.com.

Images thanks to Simon Gomery Photography

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eco homes 30 years of oak

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Bling busting

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ore than 40 per cent of heat can be lost through the walls and roof of your house, so if you only do one thing to make it greener and cheaper to run start with your insulation. Some types perform better than others, but manufacturers will usually quote the thermal conductivity, known as the K-value or lambda, of their products. A low value means the material is a good insulator.

Building regulation requirements should be considered as the minimum rather than the optimum level of insulation. Choose products that are natural such as loose-fill cellulose fibre, hemp and recycled cotton fibres or sheep’s wool as healthy alternatives to the ubiquitous mineral fibre.

Installation is also vitally important so special care should be taken to eliminate cold bridging at junctions and around openings, with airtight detailing to prevent air leaking through the structure. Consider also how the house will be ventilated if it is totally sealed.

Here are some other ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your home.

Use recycled or salvaged materials wherever possible. Timber, bricks and roof slates and tiles can be found at reclamation yards. Try to buy locally wherever possible too.

Use low VOC paints and stains.

These are free of polluting solvents and make for a healthier home.

Natural flooring is preferable to carpets which can harbour dust mites. For wood flooring make sure it carries the FSC mark.

Use the BFRC Scheme to rate the

energy efficiency of windows. Its A-E ratings guide is recognised by building control for replacement windows. The higher the energy rating, the more energy efficient it is. Triple-glazing will also add to the comfort of your home.

Orientate your new house so that it faces between south-east and south-west. And size and locate your windows to maximise passive solar gain.

One big advantage of doing a self build is that you can install a water recycling system while you have mechanical diggers on site. In addition to the garden, the rainwater can be used to wash the car, and to supply WCs and washing machines. l Ross Stokes is Editor of SelfBuild & Design magazine which will be hosting the annual SelfBuild & Design Show at Exeter’s Westpoint Exhibition Centre from September 9-10. Claim a free ticket to the show by cutting out and completing the voucher. l For further information on the show visit www. selfbuildanddesignshow.com/ southwest

ELEBRATING their 30th year this summer, Totnes based Carpenter Oak Ltd have been designing award winning hand-crafted oak framed buildings, bespoke oak frame houses, and timber frame extensions across not just Reconnectland, but across the UK and overseas. They’ve even featured on mainstream TV design shows and amassed a portfolio of thousands.

However if anything, these days, Carpenter Oak’s clients are going down the more eco-friendly route when deciding what type of materials to insulate their home with, even if the financial cost increases.

Managing Director, Adam Milton explained: “Wood fibre is one such option, made from the waste product of timber processing and because of the simpler construction, significantly lower thermal bridging values and lack of cavities, the overall thickness is rarely thicker and can even be thinner than more commonly used glass or mineral wool.

“Wamcel is another product, widely used in Europe and slowly making an impact in the UK construction industry. Made from recycled newspapers, airflow resistance is higher than glass fibre insulation and it offers easy void-free installation, meaning greatly improved airtightness and unbeatable environmental credentials.”

The timber Carpenter Oak import, hand craft, construct and raise frames with, though, is still the core and the aesthetic heart of their buildings. Using highly sustainable timber for all of their work, nearly all of the oak comes from northern France from PEFC certified forests and there is a plentiful supply. It’s an amazing fact that the total quantity

of oak they use as a company in one year, re-grows in the forests of France within 24 hours, meaning that rather than dwindling, the forests are expanding year upon year.

But Carpenter Oak’s green credentials don’t stop there. They are also investing into the natural resources of the UK, sourcing all of their Douglas fir from England and Scotland. As well as supporting sustainable European forests, they work closely with the Woodland Trust charity in the UK, who campaign for, support, replenish and establish forests across the UK. Moreover, the use of timber in construction encourages further planting and management and increases the value of our woodlands and forests; it forms an important part of the investment in our sustainable natural resources and protection of our environment.

Carpenter Oak offer the chance for anyone about to embark on a building project to visit their framing yard in East Cornworthy, see the green oak framed, warm cell insulated show barn and learn more about what’s possible with a timber frame.

For more information call 01803 732 900, email hello@carpenteroak. com or visit carpenteroak.com

Don’t miss the TTT Eco fair!

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RANSITION Town Totnes and District Open Eco-Homes weekend is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year, with the annual event taking place on October 6-8.

The event offers a chance for people to learn about ways to lower their home’s environmental impact, by visiting inspiring homes and projects - this year’s programme will be available from September.

The open weekend is followed by the not-to-be-missed Eco-Homes Fair, now in its ninth year, happening on October 21 at Totnes Civic Hall. The event is an opportunity for those interested in eco-homes to meet suppliers, installers, builders and architects, as well as community organisations, working in the areas of eco-housing and renewable energy.

The fair also features talks and demonstrations, children’s activities to give parents time to look round, and a café. More details of both events in the next edition of Reconnect.

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Dreams of an eco theatre

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anaton and East Dartmoor Theatre (MED) have a dream to build what would be Britain’s first purpose-built ecotheatre.

MED have been producing community arts productions since 1980, and are firmly rooted in the soil of the moors, but that doesn’t stop their aspiration to reach for the stars.

Currently MED Theatre is based in a small arts studio in Moretonhampstead. Their company of participants are aged between 5 to 19 and they offer drama training alongside playwriting sessions, which run late into the evening.

The clubs are offered for free to reach an inclusive social spectrum, and take their inspiration from the

local ecology, history and myths from Dartmoor. Alongside acting, writing and researching their own productions they dream of having their own eco-theatre.

They’re envisioning LED lighting, recyclable, re-useable sets, green energy supplies, but also more than this - a theatre which reaches beyond its four walls and into its surrounding environment with the sense of being part of its ecological and human community.

Theatre has seen a wave of amplified environmental consciousness and intentions to lessen carbon footprints – Arcola Theatre in London has long been in the forefront of pioneering with environmental initiatives, fitting solar panels and carbon-neutral heating; National Theatre has increased their use of LED lighting.

With its dream of creating an ecotheatre in the middle of a National Park, MED Theatre could be the first to have the intention of maximising positive environmental impact, rather than simply reducing carbon footprints. Indeed, could this be an opportunity to re-envision theatre?

Known for its promenade and outdoor community performances as well as creating work for the stage that is drawn from its unique position on the edge of the moors, MED Theatre has always regarded a relationship with nature as symbiotic. One depends on the other.

NICOLA Lang the project co-ordinator of Transition Homes brings the latest news on the Totnes based Community Land Trust.

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Community Land Trust’s Nicola and Mary with Myrtle their first member

prejudice she has tried so hard to put behind her stirred up once again; and Hot Air which questioned its audience in a live debate as to whether wind farms should be allowed in the National Park. “ Both agree that whilst undeniably cheap to run once created, a low emission theatre does not grow on trees (albeit managing to save them).

If they want to take this beyond ‘dream’ stage, MED Theatre’s small and heavily involved local community needs to spread its branches to reach a much wider network of like-minded dreamers, executors and indeed, funders. This, Reconnect readers, is why you are reading this. They’re hoping for help to make the first ever eco-theatre to become a reality.

If you wish to get involved, then get in touch with MED Theatre, on info@ medtheatre.co.uk

ReFURNISH

Transition Homes seeks support

RANSITION Homes, a Community Land Trust based in Totnes, launched our official membership at an open event on June 28 – and immediately signed up 20 members! Everyone in the Totnes area who supports our aims of delivering affordable, sustainable housing is welcome to join – it only costs £1.

Members play an active part in the CLT, supporting and guiding its work. You can vote at general meetings, put yourself forward as a member of the board of Trustees, and elect the board of Trustees (who

Suvi Rehell and Phoebe Moore from MED Theatre explained: “MED Theatre’s life, ethos and inspiration comes from its location within a National Park but, in turn, it hopes to educate and inspire people, more widely, to connect with their environment and go on to care for it.

“The majority of MED’s work focuses on local issues for its plots and sources, but this focus has always had a basis in wider concerns.

Examples of previous work include The Wilderness, featured on BBC Radio 4, which envisioned a Dartmoor of the future, but one which has turned into a desert; prizewinning Lost Roots which explored the human consequences surrounding the labelling of a long-established population of beech trees as nonnative, when a Bosnian refugee on Dartmoor finds the discrimination and

Helping people and reducing waste

run the CLT on a day to day basis), and of course we’ll keep you up to date with and consult you on our plans. If you’re really keen to be involved, we have active members who are part of our working groups on design, energy, communications, allocations, and finance.

We’re also looking for up to 3 Trustees to join the team. If you’ve finance experience, or experience running a not-for-profit business, voluntary organisation or charity, that would be particularly welcome but not necessary if you have time to contribute to making our first development, Clay Park, a reality.

For more information on becoming a member or a Trustee, and for the latest news, visit our website: www. transitionhomes.org.uk. If you have any queries, please email info@ transitionhomes.org.uk or phone: Erica Lewis (Trustee) on 01803 867209 or Nicola Lang (project co-ordinator) on 01803 867358.

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SHOPS AT WRANGATON, NEWTON ABBOT, TOTNES, BUCKFASTLEIGH, CREDITON & TAVISTOCK + Upcycling - The ReSTORE @ Dartington Shops

FREE COLLECTION of reusable furniture, appliances & other household goods.

www.refurnish.org.uk 01752 927002 Charity Reg No. 1129455

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land matters

The Totnes online farmers’ market FORMER Reconnect editor Martin Foster is now living and working on a smallholding near Totnes which is finding new customers through a new online farmers’ market…

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RECENTLY spoke to an experienced smallholder who described growing fruit and veg and raising animals, the actual production of produce, as “the easy bit”. “That’s when the work really starts,” he continued.

He was referring to marketing, or ‘selling’ as we used to call it, and while I know from experience that growing and raising good quality produce is not easy at all, it’s certainly true that finding a market for it can be really tricky.

We’ve been selling chickens and hatching eggs for some years now, mainly online and by word of mouth through friends and friends of friends and since moving to Tigley Tump we’ve been able to increase the number of breeds we keep and have continued to find new markets. We also sell eating eggs, and a whole host of other produce, preserves and crafts, from our farm gate stall (look online for details – see end of story).

But, as productivity increases, how to step things up? We’re not producing enough for our own market stall (and don’t want the commitment or cost either), but we know our chemical-free produce will appeal to lots of people (many of them Reconnect readers!) in and around Totnes.

At least part of the answer has come for us, and other local producers in the Totnes area, in the shape of The Totnes Food Shed (www.totnesfoodshed.co.uk), an online farmers’ market.

The producer simply registers and then uploads their available produce: description (with a picture), price and quantity.

The customers also register and then shop and pay online in the normal way.

Things are a little different though when it comes to physically handing over the goods: the producers drop them off to The Totnes Food Shed, at The Daisy Centre (next to St John’s primary school) in Bridgetown, and the purchasers collect them from there between 5-7pm on a Friday evening.

The truth is organic fo ADRIAN Patch wants you all to ignore the ‘dark arts’ of the pesticide lobby, and makes a plea to halt the use of the glyphosate pesticide.

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HE mainstream media increasingly warns us about ‘Alternative Facts’, ‘False Knowledge’ and ‘Fake News’.

However, I think we should be looking at the propaganda of ‘Big Farma’. Agrochemical farming industries (with pharmaceutical and GM interests) spend huge amounts trying to persuade us that pesticides are safe – and consequently that organic food (which avoids pesticide use) is not better for you than conventional food. Big Farma is adept at getting their message across and influencing food/farming policy; in doing so, they get to determine what ‘extras’ are contained in food globally. Would they stoop to using ‘alternative facts’?

Well, I recently spotted a truly laughable (though worrying) Big Farma initiative aimed at bending public opinion to support the ongoing licensing of the pesticide glyphosate. The chemical is classified a ‘probable human carcinogen’ by the World Health Organization, and recent UK research shows it causes liver disease when ingested in amounts way below that allowed in our food. Space here doesn’t allow a full unpicking of the PR play (fuller article coming to LoopyFood.net), but it involved a fluff-piece in the online version of a large weekly farming ‘news’-paper, essentially promoting an online petition titled ‘Stand up for UK agriculture and save Glyphosate from being banned’. It began by proclaiming that without glyphosate “whole areas of the east of England will become over run by weeds we have no other way of controlling” and degenerated into a host of bizarre claims about how food supply would collapse without this poison, using the ‘alternative fact’ (alternative to the truth that is!) that it has been scientifically proven safe!

The real punchline, though, is this: the full petition title went on to suggest that glyphosate needed

Currently, you can buy dairy products, fruit and veg, meat, herbs, ice cream, jams and chutneys, eggs, chocolate and sweet treats – all produced or grown within a 30-mile radius of Totnes. And there are new products coming on all the time (including some very exciting stuff from Tigley Tump over the coming months!). l Find out more, join up and place your first order at www.totnesfoodshed.co.uk - and find out more about everything we’re doing at Tigley Tump by visiting www.tigleytump.co.uk and www.facebook. com/TigleyTump

Permaculture: the journey to understanding

learn what it was all about.

After speaking to Mike Feingold, the man in charge of the permaculture areas at the festival, he managed to break it down simply RECONNECT sent Issie Lakin off to the Permaculture Garden at Glastonbury Festival to for me into three categories: Ethics, attitude see if the permanently designed area that’s been and principles. I learnt that permaculture is the ability to use as little as possible in order on the massive festival site since 1989 would to create as much as possible. It baffled me leave any impression on a teenager, who had straight away as to why this isn’t the aim of never been in contact with permaculture before. all people. It seems so simple yet as a society we are reluctant to do it. Perhaps due to our ERMACULTURE. Turns out it isn’t an lack of knowledge of what it actually is. appreciation group for the popular 80s So, what are the Ethics, attitudes and hairstyle. It’s actually so much more than principles Mike was telling me about? that and far more beneficial to our lives.

Mike showed me the hand painted signs An aspect of Glastonbury Festival which hung around the permaculture area and has always intrigued me is the Permaculture explained to me what each of them meant.

Area, just as ‘Arcadia’ or ‘Trash City’ had done when I was younger, purely for the fact Firstly, Ethics involves caring for the earth, - I knew nothing of it and yet so many people caring for people and sharing resources fairly. I learnt that ethics are a key aspect admired and enjoyed it. I made it my goal to

P The Permaculture area has many little paths and clearings with displays of different herbs, shrubs, and trees and the £300 demonstration house, made from trees felled on site, Glastonbury mud and an edible green roof.

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due t they of pe Secon is also when the m under of pe Mike that the attitudes involve putting m into the world than what you take taking as little as possible, looking solutions in everything and worki instead of against it. Additionally, involve using everything to its ma potential therefore rather than cho trees and leaving the stumps to ro showed me how he had made ta stumps. This fascinated me as it d how simply things can be reused.

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protecting from ‘false knowledge’. The tag-line went on: “Sign this petition to help stop the removal of Glyphosate as a result of anti farming groups spreading false science and misinformation to the wider non-farming public”!

There must have been much chuckling in the drafting of that! The author, a professional adviser on pesticide use, perhaps missed the irony of writing this in support of an industry that is itself based on ‘false science and misinformation’ – or perhaps not: his other job is as a ‘corporate magician’!

Just weeks after this PR ‘initiative’ a court in the US ordered the release of what are becoming known as ‘The Monsanto Papers’: previously secret internal documents that set out how the company systematically manipulates public science to promote the ‘alternative fact’ that it’s pesticides are safe (including ‘ghost-writing’ academic articles).

You couldn’t make it up!

Human disease and suffering caused by profitchasing toxin manufacturers is a serious matter.

Sadly, the public and farmers - who are not versed in scientific evaluation and the ‘dark arts’ of PR – soak-up and repeat nonsense such as the no.1 selling commercial weed-killer being harmlessly biodegradable (the manufacturer had to cease claiming that after losing a series of false advertising court cases in France). You don’t hear much about this – or the ‘Monsanto Papers’ – in the mainstream news though (maybe the facts are a little too ‘alternative’ for corporate owned media?). Don’t expect too much critical insight in the farming press either, as it receives significant revenue from advertising agrochemicals. The magazine/website pushing the glyphosate ‘false knowledge’ story is, unsurprisingly owned by Proagrica (a ‘Big Farma’ player). It adds up to a media complicit in presenting a distorted view of food safety issues – and devaluing organic food.

There is something good to be taken from the ramping up of pro-pesticide PR, and it is this: their current push reveals that these poison manufacturers are desperate. They know that the tide is turning against them: a slow drip of scientific evidence regarding the effect of their products on the environment and human health (and revelations about their manipulation of the scientific evidence base) is leading to increasing bans of their products. In the light of claims about ‘false knowledge’, an increasingly media-savvy public is able to turn their forensic gaze back on the real peddlars of misinformation. Their desperation shows that the pesticide-pushers know the clock is ticking – every year that they avoid an outright ban of

due to the fact that they are the basis of permaculture.

Secondly, attitude is also important when it comes to the makeup and understanding of permaculture.

Mike explained olve putting more back what you take from it whilst ossible, looking for positive ng and working with nature . Additionally, attitudes hing to its maximum ather than chopping down e stumps to rot away, Mike had made tables from tree ted me as it demonstrated an be reused.

their flagship products brings in countless millions of dollars, and so the PR game is worth the effort. Beware, then: a battle is going on for your beliefs and eating/spending habits. Public debate is riddled by cancerous pro-pesticide ‘black PR’ – but don’t swallow it! Organic food – without these pesticides – is better for you. Buy it when you can – eat it when you can! l Adrian Patch’s LoopyFood.net is a campaigning directory of ‘food with values’!

GLYPHOSATE FACTS l Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, and is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup. l Glyphosate’s use in UK farming has increased by 400% in the last 20 years. l The DEFRA committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF) found glyphosate in over 60% of wholemeal bread. As well as using it as a weed killer, many non-organic farmers spray glyphosate onto wheat to dry the crop out before harvesting. Applying it so close to harvest makes it more likely that glyphosate will end up in our food. l In 2015, glyphosate was identified as a ‘probable human carcinogen’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organisation).

The animals in their lab tests had developed ‘excesses of rare tumours.’ In human studies, a strong link was found between ‘people who used or were around glyphosate, and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.’

It’s not just Andrew who warns of the use of glyphosate, which also occurs in a lot of domestic grass fertilisers and grass care products. Riverford’s Guy Watson believes there is now strong evidence that glyphosate is safe neither for users nor for the environment.

For those with the time and interest, please also see www.riverford. co.uk/pesticides-youdecide-glyphosate for more information.

Lastly, I learnt about the principles of permaculture. Mike explained to me that there are many principles some of which are self-regulation, balance, integration and energy efficiency.

I was fascinated to learn how permaculture can benefit all of our lives and the environment which surrounds us. The time I spent at the permaculture area at Glastonbury taking in the knowledge and ideas of permaculture has really changed my view on how to do things. I truly believe that if each of us, as an individual, attempts to apply all or some of the values of permaculture we can truly make the world we live in a sustainable and beneficial place. l For more information on Devon’s own Landmatters is a rural Permaculture Project working within Devon to promote landbased communal living visit landmatters.org.uk

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TORBAY herbalist Dawn Ireland of Green Wyse explains a little about medicinal uses of common seeds or herbs, taking us on a virtual Reconnect herb walk.

Wild Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) HIS fragrant and beautiful feathery leaved plant grows happily in waste ground and is closely related to the bulb fennel sold in greengrocers.

All parts are edible and Plantago lance leaf have an aromatic aniseed scent and flavour. The seeds Plantago lance leaf and are the most common part broad leaf (Plantago used medicinally and are lanceolata and major) well known for their soothing NE of my favourite effect on the digestion, first aid medicinal especially for dispelling plants of the meadow bloating and trapped wind. and wayside is Plantago A tea made from a teaspoon (commonly known as of seeds per mug of hot plantain, but not related to water will help a baby the banana!) suffering with colic when a There are several varieties, but breastfeeding mother drinks the two most commonly seen the tea, the benefits will go are the Plantago lanceolata, through the milk to the baby, and the Plantago major. not only soothing the colic Traditionally lanceolata was but increasing lactation at used internally, and major the same time. externally, but if you only have one, use it for both.

If you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect, or have a nettle sting, then Plantago works better than dock leaf for soothing the irritation and discomfort. Pick a leaf and roll it between your hands vigorously until the cells break and release the green sap, or chew it to get the juice out, and apply that to your skin.

Wild fennel If you’re out and about and have that dripping tap nose The seeds have good levels and runny eyes of hay fever or a cold, eat a Plantago leaf of phytoestrogens and can help in balancing hormones. and you’ll find immediate Phytoestrogens attach to relief. This is symptomatic oestrogen receptors in the relief not curative, but helps body, meaning if internal out in times of need, though there are some good antilevels are low, this can microbial benefits, which mildly raise them, helpful also soothe and calm a sore in menopause, or in cases throat and irritating cough. of oestrogen dominance, You can gather a few leaves occupies the receptors to make tea when you get with milder effects than the back home. body’s own oestrogen, thus lowering levels a little. This The dried seeds of Plantago can help in such conditions are an excellent bulking laxative. A dessert spoon full as pre-menstrual syndrome. of the de-husked seeds can As always, consult a be taken with a large glass professional if symptoms of water. The plant is related persist and don’t self to Psyllium and works in the diagnose. If you are on same way. any orthodox medication, check there are no potential interactions, this includes contraception, patches and inhalers.

Be mindful of our precious green spaces, and don’t pick large amounts of wild plants without the land owners Plantago broad leaf permission.

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Dawn Ireland www.torbay-herbalist.co.uk See website for herb walks, workshops and events. www.greenwyse. co.uk Hand Made Vegan Botanical Skin Care

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rewild your child We are planet Earth’s most playful

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S PART of my job designing and building playgrounds I read a lot of the deep research that’s been done on play in the past 100 years. But one thing I read the other day stopped me in my tracks. Apparently we’re in the top 3 most playful creatures on Earth. We share this blessed spot with bonobo apes and chimps. We are born with the most to learn in order to survive and thrive. To get through the birth canal our brains are small, but primed and ready for explosive growth - you have more going for you at that moment than you ever will have again! That growth and learning is largely realised through play, hence our top ranking on the playfulness index. Lizards, insects, fish or frogs come into the world with rather fixed instincts, they don’t need to learn much to survive, so they just get on with it and don’t spend much time playing. Human children however have a strong instinctive drive for play. A playing child is engaged in a kind of research; she’s collecting and analysing experiences, putting things together in new and different ways, building and testing her own ideas of what life is about.

In response to this her brain is building and adapting itself so that it fits perfectly with the environment she finds herself in (that’s why humans can live in such a wide variety of ecological niches on earth). Her playful experimenting also fosters in her a flexible mind set which will allow her to adapt to changes in the environment.

Now she and her friends, while learning and rehearsing the skills they will need for the rest of their lives, are free from the responsibilities carried by adults, free to make mistakes that will have few real consequences.

So as they playfully interact and experiment with their environment they are free to spot

changes, predict what is coming and try out new adaptive strategies. You could say that while the grown-ups are getting on with the nitty-gritty of day to day survival, the young are free to keep one eye on the future.

They can try things out in new ways and bring fresh ideas to a society, injecting it with energy and vigour, and so avoid social atrophy.

Hence play has been found to be a driver of evolution, Earth Wright’s Mike Jones considers us as creatures at play who can grow to become more resourceful, empowered, practically skilled and socially adept people.

at a collective level allowing us to explore perceived threats or potentials before adapting appropriately to them, and at an individual level allowing us to adapt our brains in line with contemporary changes in the environment.

Now it occurred to me that Transition is like play - it’s grappling with threats and potentials at the unstable, changing edges of life, with the aim of helping us evolve as a society, adapt, build resilience, and ultimately survive.

There seemed to be potential in this overlap, so the idea arose of bringing the two together in the form of the new TTT Play Group which met for the first time recently. I’m interested to see what benefit the Transition approach might bring to play locally. In the UK, as in much of the industrialised world, play is in bad shape, limited and fenced in by fear of risk, of strangers, of litigation, and by the commercialisation of childhood and the power of screen based entertainment. (When play is seen as an evolutionary driver, that puts us as a species and society at risk of stagnation and extinction). A practical project that I want to support through the group is the establishment of a natural adventure playground where

you might find kids climbing trees, chasing around over mounds and hollows, leaping streams, building dens, cooking on their fire, making mud pies, reading, chatting, arguing and working together.

A place where: “like other species in the wild…children should be acting as if they are free to go wherever their play drive takes them, because at the root of everything they are biological organisms, not pieces of social plasticine to be moulded by political or social whim. That means engaging in primitive experiences, playing at being the individual that is imprinted in their genes” (Bob Hughes). This is what the play researcher Robin Henig called “the real business of childhood: idle, creative, unstructured, free play”.

I’m equally interested to see what this kind of play can feed back into Transition in Totnes.

We may see our kids grow to become more resourceful, empowered, practically skilled and socially adept people. We may see in them a greater capacity for abstract, hypothetical thinking which will serve them well in imagining and creating the future they want for themselves. For us all, a natural, adventurous play space offers the possibility to feel connected to one another, to work together, to self-organise and make positive change happen around us where we live: the very things on which Transition is built.

In his visionary book Evolutionary Playwork, Bob Hughes said “play is evolution’s gift to those species that manifest it”. I’m keen to make the best possible use of that gift.

South Brent’s community school garden

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USTAINABLE South Brent (SSB) was set up in 2006 to engage local people in the benefits of sustainable development. In 2009 SSB approached the South Brent Primary School with the idea of creating a productive vegetable garden on the school site which would be supported and run by

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volunteers from both the school and the wider community.

Regular sessions with all the children in the school have been running from Spring 2010, giving them a chance to participate in planting, tending, harvesting and eating their own organically grown produce.

The fruit and vegetables are used in the school lunches, and excess produce is sold to raise funds.

The garden consists of several large raised beds in a safely fenced area, a large potting shed and productive fruit trees.

Volunteers of all ages from 2-72 have worked in the garden, and the school use the space as a

resource for other areas of the curriculum when they wish.

SSB actively welcome new volunteers - gardening knowledge is not essential - the intention of the project is very much that it gives everyone a chance to learn as they go along.

If you are interested in working in the garden, fundraising, cooking, eating, outdoor crafts or sitting under the apple trees with a piece of cake and a cup of tea looking at the view of Dartmoor, then contact Helen Hall on 01364 72141 or email her on helenhall276@btinternet.com or Frank Noble on 01364 649192

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rewild your child Maths, science, trees and smiles at the Steiner Academy

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JANE Pickering is the Maths and Science Lead at Steiner Academy Exeter. Jane is a new member of the team who was attracted to teach at The Steiner Academy Exeter because of the approach to teaching and the wonderful environment in which to do it.

aving joined the school in February this year I am a very new member of the team. I come from a background of science and engineering having gained my degree in Materials Engineering at the University of Surrey, including a year working and studying at CERN. Prior to relocating to Devon I taught within the State sector in Buckinghamshire, teaching students from Year 7 though to A’Level. In addition to a Maths and Science specialism I have an MBA and studied Fine Art for two years at university.

I was particularly keen to teach at The Steiner Academy Exeter because of the approach to teaching and the student experience of learning but what has really struck a chord with me is what a wonderful environment we have here.

Our site is simply stunning, located just on the edge of the city, on the side of a hill. Our purpose built classrooms are surrounded by grounds with areas of woodland and parkland and include fabulous resources for teaching such as a brook and a walled garden (possibly our outdoor science lab of the future).

The cultural environment, I have found to be equally as special. It is one of support and understanding and so provides a safe space in which students can make all the mistakes necessary

in order for them to learn.

My teaching role is mainly within Upper School, classes 9 and 10, as well as the transition to having subject specific teachers for maths which starts at Class 7, and for Science, at Class 8. As the Lead for Maths and Science I am involved with how these subjects are supported all the way through from Class 1 ensuring a seamless progression into GCSE. Class 9 and Class 10 students continue to follow a Steiner curriculum and benefit from a deep connection to their subjects, exploring subjects and topics through art, music and emotional connection to the learning as well as through more traditional approaches.

They also, within subject specific lessons and supported by Main Lesson subject blocks, work towards Maths GCSE and a Double Award Science GCSE which are taken at the end of Class 10.

For Maths and Science subject lessons we are incredibly fortunate to be able to work with sets of around only 15 students. This really helps to facilitate experiential learning, the nub of which is that through physical investigation and discovery students are able to explore and find out and ‘experience’ for themselves that which they need to learn.

Students are, of course, not left

adrift without any direction but are supported in their learning and encouraged towards discoveries and understanding.

Students are introduced to new topics through the concrete, they feel, touch, manipulate and engage with the tasks in a very practical way. As understanding starts to develop the topics are explored and understanding deepened through use of diagrams, pictures and other 2D representations.

Mastery in a topic comes when students are able to understand and manipulate and apply knowledge and understanding in an abstract, theoretical form.

This approach to learning, I believe, arms students, not only with the knowledge and qualifications they need to succeed in their chosen paths but develops in them the inquiry skills and thirst for knowledge that will keep them learning and progressing throughout their lives.

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rewild your child Planting seeds for the future

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HOSE of us who have had children know that the parenting journey is rarely smooth sailing and instead it’s often a steep learning curve of new experiences. You soon realise that having support to help navigate the way, particularly from other parents, is an important and often vital aspect of your family’s continued health and well being.

One South Devon school works hard to foster that connection. Dartington’s South Devon Steiner School holds daily Seedlings Parent and Child groups that provide a nurturing space for parents and young children (2-3 years), every Monday to Thursday, 10am until noon, during term time.

The groups give an opportunity to connect with fellow parents, to share parenting skills and experience, and

to explore today’s parenting and all the joy and challenges it presents.

Kaycee Fordham, Admissions Administrator said: “Parents are able to gain insights into Steiner’s picture of Child Development and what Steiner education has to offer. The Seedling Parent and Child groups intentionally mirror the rhythm of our Kindergartens, which makes transition between the two, an often seamless and gentle process when children are old enough.

“Seedlings is a place where children are given the time, holding and environment to BE children, amid a fast moving world.

Parents join the

Helping young minds in crisis

Young children thrive and parents are nourished at the Seedlings Parent and Child groups group’s teacher in being ‘worthy of imitation’ as they lead their child through example, to crafts, ring times and a simple morning meal with the group.

“Seedlings is a wonderful introduction to the world of Waldorf (Steiner) education and is a nourishing and warm space to allow your parenting journey to unfold.” l Families are invited to attend one group per week with their child(ren).

For a place, please email Kaycee Fordham, Admissions Administrator on admissions@steiner-south-devon. org or call 01803-897377 ext 2.

THE Young Minds in Crisis conference in Plymouth on September 30th aims to bring together mental health and medical professionals, parents, carers, students, and even young people themselves to look at wider causes and issues around the explosion of mental health problems our young people face, plus specifically look at treatments, alternatives and new avenues, and what needs to change.

Profits will be split between The Zone and The Invictus Trust, and the day will comprise keynote speakers, workshop sessions, and a round table session to create an action plan for change locally.

Details and booking at Eventbrite: www.eventbrite. co.uk: Young Minds in Crisis: Avenues and Alternatives Where Do We Go From Here?

Or call Jane on 07841 344934.

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NEWS&views Documenting the lives of local fishermen Devon ecologist creates time walk app In the fourth part of his story, documentary photographer and photojournalist TONY FITZSIMMONS, based in Plymouth, continues to document the lives of our local fishermen.

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HE first vessel of the Waterdance commission was a glorious thirty metre long Brixham Beamer named Margaret of Ladram. Skippered by Adam Cowan-Dickie, she was an absolute stunner; a million pounds worth of ship and one that could wrestle sizeable waves with ease, like a glider cuts through air on a calming breeze.

Following an extensive tour regarding layout from crew quarters to gallery, along with those ever necessary safety procedures, I quickly named the Margaret, ‘Ritz of the Seas’.

She was just so immaculately kept, both inside and out, and the immense pride of this very fact shown by the skipper and his crew was immediately clear. Compared to my time on the Emily Rose, being out here on the Margaret was like celebrating multiple festive and birthday holidays all at once.

My week was one filled with amazing sights; from a pod of Dolphins alongside our Starboard, guiding the Margaret towards a rich evening light, to engineer Gary helping a rather large Octopus via some over-theshoulder fireman technique back into the water.

While things did get a little choppy for a time, it was pretty much clear crystal blue skies and seas for the

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most part; having rode a Force 8 storm not so long ago, this was nothing more than a cake walk.

The ‘Ritz’ continue to offer VIP treatment throughout, with breakfast one morning featuring freshly caught Monkfish, cooked in a delicious lemony herb sauce.

I have yet to find a finer delicacy than fish straight out of the ocean, whatever the variety; when it is prepared and dished up by a fisherman with decades of experience, nothing comes close. Yet another perk of the job.

Before I knew it my week was over and I came away with yet another collection of stunning imagery covering many days through many nights of source to plate operations.

With more vessels soon waiting to be documented, I felt it had been a great start to the Waterdance commission. Once again I was left in awe, humbled in the presence of the constant sheer graft that these brave men continued to endure; while I returned home to edit, my feet up with a nice cuppa as I began to work on a new article for Fishing News, Skipper Adam and his crew of five were already back out on that ever changing and unforgiving landscape, applying their trade once again.

You can view Tony’s Life at Sea- Waterdance series at www. tonyfitzsimmons. com

A walking audio book mobile phone app that brings to life the Earth’s 4.6 billion year story has been co-created

by Devon-based ecologist Stephan Harding, inspired by an educational walk that he has been leading on our south coast for more than 10 years.

His app hopes to raise environmental awareness, help train future ecologists and encourage people to look after the planet.

Deep Time Walk is the world’s first interactive mobile app of its kind. It allows people to take a 4.6 kilometre walk anywhere and experience a detailed, dramatized journey of Earth’s Big History, from the planet’s formation to the present day.

The interactive experience uses

the built-in pedometer on the phone to track the steps of a walker and guide them across Earth’s evolutionary timeline. There is also an audio setting available for people unable to do the walk. Once the app is downloaded, it can be used anywhere and no internet connection is needed.

The Deep Time Walk app can be purchased from deeptimewalk. org. The project is on Facebook at facebook.com/deeptimewalk and Twitter at @deeptimewalk.

Proud2Be shortlisted CONGRATULATIONS to Social Enterprise Proud2Be who have been shortlisted for the LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual &/or trans+) Community Organisation Award at the UK’s largest celebration of diversity The National Diversity Awards on September 8 at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.

Over 22,000 nominations and votes were received this year, paying tribute to grass root communities nationwide who have demonstrated their devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in today’s society.

Good luck to gay identical twins, Jon and Mat Price, who founded Proud2Be. This year they are also celebrating the 6th year of their social enterprise. During that time have delivered awareness training and facilitated various groups and events throughout the year, including a social group, craft days, a youth group and the colourful annual Totnes Pride.

Co-founder Mat said: “Proud2Be wouldn’t be where it is today without the support, passion and energy of its volunteers, members and supporters. Jon and I would like to say a huge thank you to all who voted for Proud2Be and all who continue to support its mission. It has been an absolute privilege to share the last 6 years with you - here is to the next 6!”

Totnes Pride takes place on September 2.

Queen honours local music man LOCAL legend DJ Chris Tofu is the musical director of Continental Drifts and, as well as doing thousands of gigs both as a programmer and as a DJ, he puts together the music programme in the Shangri-La area of Glastonbury Festival.

This year the area was closer than usual to Reconnect’s heart as it highlighted how much rubbish we generate and dump. Structures dominated the skyline in the late night ‘naughty corner’ formed from the scrap, venues were made of detritus, and art created from the waste.

Shangri-La highlighted the piles of textiles sloughed from the fashion industry, created pillars of plastic bottles, columns of consumerist trash, and artwork highlighted the danger to our planet if we continue to be so wasteful.

The whole area, which included multiple stages and micro venues, was built sustainably from the leftovers of previous years. The whole of Shangri-La had been recycled, a first for a festival of this size, and it coined the tagline ‘Keep it real, Keep it tidy’.

Chris Tofu has been turning Glastonbury festival’s ShangriLa stage into an immersive, otherworldly party experience for decades.

Hailing from Torquay, Chris is also behind Torbay Council’s first Grinagog music festival which happened earlier this year and was awarded an MBE in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He receives the accolade for outstanding service to music and festivals.

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What will you bring to the party?

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HAT’S the difference between passion and promotion? This was one of the questions posed by facilitators Kate Philbin and Katie Whitehouse at their recent Writing for Social Media: The Essentials workshop in Totnes.

According to Kate it’s an important thing to be aware of when creating content for social media or any other type of publicity: “If you think you need to “promote” yourself, you will write in a certain way. However, if you’re passionate about what you’re saying, the way you write will be entirely different. This workshop is all about getting people to put aside all of their preconceived ideas about writing for promotional purposes and simply tune into their passion and why they do what they do.

This alone will transform the way you post on social media.”

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Kate and Katie have devised a number of different exercises designed to help people bypass their inner critic and reconnect with their sense of passion. The workshop introduces the different social media platforms and shows people how to use the platforms effectively to make connections and start building relationships.

“Social media is all about being sociable.

It is about creating and curating useful, relevant, inspirational content. It is about putting yourself in other people’s shoes and thinking “what would that person find helpful?” It is about showing up consistently and creatively, bringing something to the party,” said Katie.

Writing for Social

Horses can teach us better leadership WHAT kind of leadership does the world need more of and how can we develop these types of leaders?

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Media: The Essentials is a one-day workshop that recent participants have described as “inspiring”, “amazing” and “empowering”.

The next workshops take place on Wednesday September 6 and Saturday October 21. Each workshop costs £75.

Early bird booking £65 (before August 30 for the September workshop and before October 14 for the October workshop).

To book visit: Cafecopywriter. bigcartel.com For more information call Kate P on 07970 107123 or Katie W on 07832 200980.

ue Blagburn of Adventures with Horses believes that horses can teach us how to become better leaders in a changing world. She has teamed up with leadership and mindfulness coach Kate Taylor Hewett to create a programme called Leadership in Times of Change which brings together some of the latest thinking on leadership with the experience of connecting with horses without words.

The programme covers three aspects of leadership: 1. The physiology of leadership – when we become more balanced and naturally resilient our physiology and nervous system changes. This is about connecting more deeply with ourselves.

2. Widening our leadership focus - horses respond to collective and responsive power and not dominant power (power with not power over). This looks at how to become a more embodied, authentic leader.

3. Broadening our perspective – powerful leaders can see the bigger picture rather than focusing on a narrow perspective.

This encourages us to think of whole systems, including the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world.

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Sue explained: “This unique programme is not simply an introduction to leadership, nor is it an introduction to horse whispering. It is a way of exploring what it takes to be a good leader in a changing world.

Working on these three aspects of leadership the horses become our insightful guides.”

“A horse will only follow someone that they completely trust. In connecting with horses we create the conditions for others to follow us without resorting to the common human traits of persuasion, coercion or bullying.”

Sue describes Leadership in Times of Change as a process of moving from “ego-leadership to eco leadership.” She said: “The horses are our insightful guides as we work through these three essential components of good leadership to become courageous, compassionate leaders.”

For more information call: 07831 865259 or email: adventureswithhorses@btconnect.com

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wellbeing email: wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk

WELLBEING

THE natural health and personal development PAGES Inside wellbeing...

Have you got energetic protection? The home of natural wellbeing

Finding Active Hope

Tackling past traumas Love over fear and anger Welcoming wild woman Trying neurogenic yoga

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body to begin to disintegrate. Being around high frequency people and children can also perforate the etheric layer of the aura. High frequency children are often intuitively trying to raise the vibration of their parent, but end up almost burning them out with their relentless energy.

HEN people read about of how it feels to have no In the past I used to do a lot of energetic protection they energetic work on myself, like intuitively know that that explains emergency self care, everyday! why they have been so drained, so If I didn’t do it, I would feel other sensitive to others and so irritable! people’s ailments or thought patterns Having a leaky aura is one of the running through my system constantly. many reasons people are attracted Although this would work for me on a to AuraTransformation. Some of temporary basis, the only permanent the signs of a sieve-like aura include solution for me, to avoid having to top waking up feeling exhausted, worrying up my energy on a daily or sometimes about others so much that you have hourly basis, was AuraTransformation. no boundaries or clear sense of self, Once you upgrade your aura, you struggling with the energetic overload watch your protection solidify over the of crowded rooms, feeling drained by first couple of years to a crystal clear people, and losing your ‘glow.’ and strong energetic boundary. There is always a feeling that the best is yet In fact, many of the signs and symptoms we associate with being an to come on the AuraTransformation empath, or traits of being susceptible journey as you achieve more vibrancy, to toxic or co-dependent relationships, clarity and balance every day. are actually indicators of a damaged If you want to work with people in auric field in which there is hardly this way, and take another huge step any protection from the energies of up in your own self development others. If left unchecked, this sort of you can train as an Aura Mediator energetic damage can eventually lead in the UK, once you have had the to physical illness and exhaustion. upgrade yourself. Get in touch with International Aura Mediator Sarah The protective function of your aura Jennings to find out more. Find out is called the etheric body. Trauma, ALL you need to know here www. serious accidents, heartbreaks, drug withsarahj.com or contact: daretobe@ and alcohol abuse, or ANY shock withsarahj.com 07812571141 to the system can push the etheric

Many people put low energy and picking up other people’s emotions down to being an empath, but this is often a warning sign of damage sustained to the auric field as well.

Journeys in an ancient landscape 36 New courses at Sharpham Stories for change

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Devon school of reiki expands 42 The classified adverts 46

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WELLBEING is the home of natural health and personal development in South Devon - the perfect place to find your perfect therapy, retreat or workshop.

And if you work in natural health, it’s the perfect place to get your message out there.

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It’s All About Feeling Better ...And I’d like to guide you to that reality!

I support people to release and let go of their stuff, whether emotional or physical, with comfort and ease, safely supported. I will share and equip you with simple yet deeply effective tools to feel better not just for today but everyday. I love witnessing your evolution.

To read my feedback please go to www.itsallaboutfeelingbetter.co.uk I offer 1:1 sessions, weekly classes, monthly workshops and residential retreats in Devon. Accessible to everybody.

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EMOTIONAL HEALTH Welcome back to our exploration into all things emotional. In this edition our Emotional Health columnist LEIGH SMITH explores the power of food and the some misconceptions about eating disorders.

Combating issues related to food

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HERE are lots of misconceptions about eating disorders and what causes them. They are rarely created by wanting to be thin, and often can have nothing to do with food. They’re caused by a complex combination of factors, including genetic, biochemical, psychological, cultural and environmental.

People suffering from eating disorders use food and unhealthy behaviours like dieting, starving, bingeing and purging to cope with unpleasant and overwhelming emotions and stressful situations.

In the short term, these behaviours are coping strategies and can relieve anxiety and stress. Long term, however, they actually increase anxiety and stress and can lead to other serious complications.

Another common misconception is that eating disorders only effect young girls – not true, Eating disorders tend to be more common in certain age groups, but they can affect people of any age or gender.

This subject is close to my heart, and an issue I have experienced first hand. Coming up to my 50th birthday felt like a milestone in my life and I found myself taking stock of my life choices. One thing I was sure of was I didn’t want to carry unwanted weight into my 50s. It was time to deal with it, all six stone of it. The question was how? I don’t believe in fad diets so before I figured out how to lose the weight I turned first (in true counsellor fashion) to how I had gained it, and what was underlying it. How had an intelligent, emotionally aware woman ended up in this situation?

I knew I was not alone with this issue and in my profession I see a wide range of issues relating to food and eating, it’s a very common problem. A report commissioned by Beat in 2015 estimated more than 725,000 people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder.

I looked deeper and realised how unconscious our relationship with food can be. We do not only eat to nourish ourselves, to satisfy hunger and stay fit and healthy. We can eat to fill an emotional need, to gain a sense of control or to avoid feeling psychological pain.

So why do we emotionally eat?

The cause of our dysfunctional relationship with food may be found in what part food and eating played in our early life.

We may have been praised for ‘finishing it all up’, rewarded with sweet treats for being good, forced to eat things that made us nauseous, or denied food altogether if we ‘didn’t deserve it’?

One of the most powerful ways a child can take control is at the dinner table, refusing to eat is sure to get the attention of the care givers.

In addition to weight issues, disordered eating can also lead to some serious emotional health issues such as bulimia, anorexia, and binging.

Issues with food can indicate a deeply rooted psychological issue often helped by seeking help from a psychotherapist or specialist in eating disorders.

Exploring why I used food in such an unconscious way to provide emotional crutches, gave me awareness of what I really needed, and it wasn’t another slice of cake! I needed to address the problem at its core. To do this has taken me well over a year, lots of therapeutic support and group support. I am lucky enough to attend a wonderful Slimming World group in Ashburton where the consultant has a deep and personal understanding of the power of emotional eating. I have shed over 4 stone, and found out much more about my psychological needs along the way.

But it hasn’t been easy, and one thing which makes dealing with disordered eating so hard to cope with is the guilt and the shame related to the eating. This can cause us to hide our difficulties from our loved ones. We take to hiding our eating habits and feeling disgusted with ourselves and unable to share this with anyone.

Speaking to someone is important, and can be such a challenge.

Sometimes talking to someone outside of the family, a doctor or specialist counsellor will be easier.

If you feel you have an unhealthy relationship with food, or are concerned about a loved one, then it is time to take that step. An excellent UK charity called BEAT have a helpline for you to call (Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677 Youthline: 0808 801 0711) and a website to visit: b-eat.co.uk.

Leigh Smith is director of studies, course designer and tutor at Heartwood Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Training.

Visit www.heartwoodcounselling.org or call 01803 865464.

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Juliette Medder

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NEXPLAINED physical pain and illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ME and Fibromayalgia, as well as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, flashbacks and ‘dissociation’ , may be symptoms of unresolved past traumatic events, according to counsellor and psychotherapist Juliette Medder.

She explains that in her work with clients, trauma is often a significant component: “Understandably people sometimes feel daunted about tackling past traumas and are worried about needing to remember and discuss the traumatic events, but actually, research has shown that it is in fact not necessary to do so and that for some people it is actually inadvisable as it runs the risk of retraumatisation.

“What I have found helps to bring about a full recovery is exploring and expressing emotions related to past and present traumas, alongside working with chronic body symptoms as well as intense body reactions. Also, some clients really benefit from gaining more understanding of how trauma affects the mind and body.

“I work with clients to help them

Tackling past traumas self-regulate,” she says. “By this I mean, helping them to monitor the intense body signals when they arise and learn ways to manage them more effectively. Among the techniques that seem to be the most effective are, simple breathing and grounding techniques, simple body movements and mindfulness.”

With this multi-faceted approach, recovery from even complex trauma can be possible so clients can begin to lead happier, healthier and more fully-engaged lives.

Juliette offers a free half-hour introductory session. Subsequent sessions are £40 per hour, with some concessions available. Juliette practices in Newton Abbot, Totnes and Torbay.

For more information call: 07923 894499/01803 906731 or email: info@juliettemedder.co.uk or see www.juliettemedder.co.uk

We need our emotions to guide us

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EOPLE need to know what they are feeling, says Isabel Aimee Berkeley PhD who runs The Acting Self: Teaching Tools for Personal and Artistic Development.

“We know from medicine that our thoughts affect our feelings and our feelings affect our body chemistry and health,” she explained. “Our thoughts also direct our lives; happier thoughts lead to happier decisions.

“There are very few of us who have experienced only happiness in our lives and who sail through the days without really being aware of what we are feeling. If we want to engage in a rich, creative life we need the intelligence of our emotions to guide us to make creative decisions.”

Isabel describes emotions as “the stuff of life”. She has been a teacher of Performing Arts at the renowned Perrott Hill School, Somerset, UK since 2007 and has extensive experience in the USA, Berlin and the UK as both bandleader and soloist.

“While I might be able to coach and inspire you into the genius

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actress/singer/ performer/writer/ director/songwriter that you will become in life, what is always more important is that I can give you ways to express yourself, teach you to recognise what you are feeling and how you can move yourself into a better and better feeling space.

The Arts I teach are a means to understanding yourself.

Isabel introduces people to the “emotional scale” and shows them how to move up it. “I will show you how to recognise your emotion and shape your imagination.

The key to success in life is being able to expect success. Acting is one of the most powerful tools to develop and explore new roles, expectations and emotions. It also builds a foundation of trusting your powers of imagination, creativity and confidence in delivering your message - whatever that may be.”

She adds: “We can only be happy if we are comfortable with ourselves, confident in our abilities and self worth. Self esteem comes from satisfaction with ones own decisions, repeated over time.”

For more information visit: www. inspiration.biz/coaching or call 07877539421.

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WELLBEING Offering love over fear and anger IT can be a real challenge to stay positive when difficult things are happening in our own lives and in the world around us. It’s easy to feel helpless, as though there is nothing we can do to make a difference. Psychic and tarot reader Bell Bartlett, believes that is far from the truth: “Whatever happens ‘out there’, we are the world and we do make a difference just by attending to our corner of it with an open heart. Living in the relative safety of the south west, away from the appalling attacks that have occurred in our cities recently, it is encouraging to witness people declaring their determination to express love over fear, hatred and division.”

Bell explained that two of the most valuable ‘tools for living’ she has developed over the years are the ability to remain positive, irrespective of circumstances, and the practice of experiencing gratitude for even the smallest of things.

The question is, how can we stay loving when all around us are not?

As a psychic reader with over 35 years’ experience, Bell is no stranger

WELCOME WILD WOMAN!

to helping people find a way forward through difficult times. Among the toughest challenges we face, she believes, are difficult relationships or relationships that have run into difficulties.

“Readings tend to illuminate how you can address the situations in your life in a strong and loving way and in a way that is creatively solution-orientated and respects the needs of all those involved,” she said. “Readings can sometimes throw interesting surprises at us, such as, ‘do nothing’ when we might feel that we must do something. That is because a reading will perceive the long-term view, indicating what may be the right way forward or suggest the best timing for your actions. It can provide both answers and choices, with the opportunity to proceed peacefully, even when all around you may be fearful or angry.”

Recently described as ‘ridiculously helpful’ by a client, Bell holds readings in Dartington just outside Totnes. For more information call 07796 900509 or visit www. conscious-tarot.co.uk

10am – 1pm -Central Totnes-2 Sept – 14 Oct

Are you being true to yourself? Are you following your creative spark?

Guided by Storyteller/Educator Elly Crichton Stuart and Integrative Therapist Tiziana Barton, we will connect to our true nature through time in wild places, an ancient myth and creative play.

Cost: £210 / £175 Booking & Information: 01803 847986 | ellycstuart@gmail.com www.ellystoryteller.com

Holistics centre fulfills dream

Andy Thompson, Clin. Hom, Dip. B.F.D. ‘Helping you to heal yourself’

BioEnergetic Health

An innovative testing and treatment method effective for acute, long-term and difficult-to-diagnose health problems.

Free taster sessions at the BioEnergetic Health Clinic and Greenlife in Totnes

C

HARLOTTE Mindham has fulfilled her lifelong dream of running a holistics centre. The Newton Abbot sports injury and fitness therapist has kitted out premises in Wharf Road, Newton Abbot as The Sports Clinic and Wellness Rooms.

Charlotte has also assembled a team of therapists to work one day a week and share the facilities serving the Torbay and Exeter area. They include a craniosacrial therapist, aromatherapist and reflexologist, and

hypnotherapist and reiki practitioner who specialises in past-life regression therapy.

Charlotte is in the process of incorporating the adjoining premises and is also negotiating more private car parking spaces.

She qualified in sports therapy more than a decade ago, worked alongside the head physio at Torquay United, and for most of that time has been self-employed.

Charlotte said: “I’ve been very happy working for myself. But it has always been my

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dream to bring in likeminded people to create a well-being centre.”

07503 111057

www.bioenergetichealth.net

Charlotte is a former hockey player and qualified coach, and it was an injury on the playing field that led her to study sports injury and fitness therapy.

Mark Edlund Plater

“My experience led me to become a strong believer in pain relief without prescription.”

Fees are based on income or means

For more information about The Sports Clinic and Wellness Rooms see https://scwr.co.uk or call Charlotte on 07891 704379

Member of the British Acupuncture Council

Acupuncture Integrated Method

Acupuncture integrated method

Practice for 19 years in Totnes

01803 556038 07506 179808

mark.edlundplater@gmail.com

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WELLBEING Mindfulness : Beyond the Eight-Week Course A three-night meditation retreat for anyone who has completed an 8-week mindfulness course

4-7 September 2017

Cost £183 Financial assistance options available

www.gaiahouse.co.uk INSIGHT MEDITATION IN THE BUDDHIST TRADITION

Gaia House, nr Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6EW

Nature Connection Walks & Events for Physical Health, Team Performance Emotional Wellbeing & Spiritual Connection

www.dartmoorsdaughter.com

Energetic evolution upgrade your being permanent consciousness expansion

Experiencing fully in our own bodies

S

better decisions for your UMMER is a time when we wear body and spirit.” fewer clothes, As well as her regular feeling the sun on our skin Yoga classes Natalie runs (hopefully!). This makes it Yoga Therapy Workshops the perfect time, according throughout the year. to Yoga teacher Natalie Coming up is: Yoga & Austin, to experience Meditation for Anxiety on fully what it is like to be Sunday October 15 and in our bodies. She is Yoga & Meditation for inviting people to come Better Sleep on Sunday along to her Yoga classes, November 12. She is which run throughout the Natalie Austin taking bookings now Summer holidays. email or call with any enquiries.

Natalie said: “Yoga teaches you to Weekly classes are: Yin Yoga on explore your body simply, breath by Mondays 6.30pm and Wednesdays breath, opening tight places, releasing 10.45am and Vinyasa Yoga on tension and tiredness Regular yoga Thursdays 6.30pm at Chapel House practice encourages you to enter a Studios, Totnes. deeper relationship with your self For more information email: natalie@ coming from a place of acceptance, loveyogatree.co.uk, call 07516 720246 non-judgement, loving kindness and self-respect which enables you to make or visit website www.loveyogatree.co.uk

Welcome wild woman

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LLY Crichton Stuart has been working as a storyteller for over 14 years and is offering this workshop with Integrative Therapist Tiziana Barton for women interested in connecting to their true nature and exploring their creativity. Welcome Wild Woman creates a safe space for a group of 12 women to explore their nature, to connect with the wild through work outdoors, and to work through their story guided by the mirror of an ancient myth. It takes place over seven Saturdays between September 2 and October 14, from 10am to 1pm.

“Both Tiziana and I have been transformed by difficult experiences and ultimately, we have both turned those crises into an opportunity for growth,” said Elly. “Tiziana started her training in counselling and psychotherapy 10 years

ago as part of her healing journey. She now works with adults, children and young people”.

Elly has always followed her intuition and worked as a creative practitioner.

“My husband’s death resulted in me taking a sabbatical and moving to Findhorn. Practising meditation, working with difficult feelings has been so cathartic and completely transforming. In 2010 I was invited by one of my teachers to work with a group in the community. That was the beginning of working in a completely different way.”

The Welcome Wild Woman workshops take place in South Street, Totnes over seven Saturday mornings, as well as on land in and around the area.

To book, call Elly on: 01803 847986 or text only: 07518 908179. Email: ellycstuart@gmail.com

The world where worlds meet New in Devon

AuraTransformation withsarahj.com

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UALIFIED counsellors who want to extend their initial training are being given the opportunity to go deeper at The Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy with a new Diploma in Depth Psychology. The course has been created in response to requests from counsellors, as Director, Ken Rabone explained: “Graduates will be able to embrace psychotherapeutic practice as an important feature of their working profile. We will introduce a range of creative personal explorations to facilitate the place where the unconscious can come to consciousness. This a course where the veils between these worlds thins.

It will include art, music, mindfulness, drama, movement, sandplay and journaling.”

Co-facilitator, Kate Day is a Fellow of the National Counselling Society and a member of a Parliamentary Working Group on Child Health. She said: “Depth psychology has its roots in Jungian theory and its openness to the subtle, unconscious and transpersonal aspects of human experience.

Participants on the new programme will need to be willing to investigate

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themselves and be open to exploring personal and interpersonal dynamics and inner worlds.”

The 12-month psychotherapeutic training will examine what it means to be a psychotherapist, as well as dealing with complexity and difference, sitting with the unknown (and sometimes the intolerable), and searching for meaning and understanding rather than explanation.

For further details of the course contact Ken Ron 07801 248421 or visit: www.safespaceforcounselling.com or email office@safespaceforcounselling. com

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WELLBEING

Releasing trauma and tension

By Jane Alexander

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Y first neurogenic yoga class starts off like any other. “Now we’ll move into the shaking,� our teacher Jo Hamilton (itsallaboutfeelingbetter. co.uk), announces.

We lay down on our mats with our legs in butterfly, feet together, “Start bringing your knees together,� says Jo. “Find the point where your legs start to shake.�

This is where neurogenic yoga diverges from any other form of yoga. It muscular tension. He found that combines standard yoga inducing the tremoring response postures and pranayama with a helped release chronic stress, technique called TRE — tension and tension and even old trauma (it trauma releasing exercises — a tool helps soldiers recover from PTSD). for allowing the body to release It’s now used globally. tension and trauma.

I carry on shaking for around 15 TRE was created by Dr David minutes and then Jo leads us into a Berceli. He realised that shaking gentle yoga nidra practice. I’m so or tremoring is a technique all deeply relaxed that the room falls mammals use to rid themselves of away and I float in serene bliss. harmful stress. Think about what happens when you’ve “The shuddering moves up my thighs been in an accident or had a severe shock and into my pelvis. I feel a curious — your hands shake, clutching sensation in my belly� your stomach spasms.

If you watch nature programmes you’ll see similarly — If yoga is not your thing, Jo when the antelope escapes from also teaches TRE. I took a class the lion, it shudders all over, as if in London where very simple literally shaking off the fright. preparatory exercises took the place of the yoga — the tremoring was Back on the mat, I can feel my own just as deep. legs shaking. Then the movement changes, becoming more of a What’s great about TRE is that you shuddering sensation moving up don’t need to delve into the causes my thighs and into my pelvis. I feel of stress in your life. You just give a curious clutching sensation in my your body the space it needs to get belly. Jo kneels down by my side. on with releasing its pain all by itself. “How are you doing?� she asks.

For now I’m sticking to my weekly “It’s weird,� I say. “But in a good class — it’s the most curious form of way.� She smiles. “You’re doing yoga I’ve ever experienced, but it’s great. Just take it at your own pace. shaking wonderful!

If it gets too much, just lower your l Jo is hosting a residential knees down and have a rest.� weekend of Self-Healing and TRE emerged from Dr Berceli’s work Simply Being at Sharpham with large traumatised communities House on November 17-19. For in Africa and the Middle East. more information contact Jo at An international expert in trauma jopureyoga@gmail.com or call intervention, he realised that 07714253992. for Jo’s weekly shaking is the body’s built-in system classes, 1:1 or retreats please go to www.itsallaboutfeelingbetter.co.uk for calming the brain and releasing

Devon School of Reiki Providing High Quality Usui/Holy Fire Reiki Training & Treatments Courses for Children, Workshops & 1-2-1 tuition also available Next classes with availability: Usui / Holy Fire Reiki I - 23 September and 1 November Usui / Holy Fire Reiki II (Practitioner Level) - 22/23 November For further information on classes, contact: Sam Goddard, Principal

0 !% & ,&%) &&#& ( !"! & +"

. * ( 0 +(% * (/ 0 #/$&+* 0 &+* &#*&% www.devonschoolofreiki.co.uk www.reikirascals.com

TERESA WICKSTEED Sound Healing Practitioner

07968 941854 www.teresawicksteed.co.uk teresa@teresawicksteed.co.uk www.collegeofsoundhealing.co.uk

CORINNE HOLMES

ADHD support and ADHD coach NLP for kids, NLP diploma, certificate in counselling, enhanced CRB. Accredited homestart volunteer and fiction author

Please telephone 07516 974015 for initial enquiry www.reconnectonline.co.uk

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WELLBEING Journeys through an ancient landscape

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YTHS and legend, ancient sacred sites, amazing vistas, wide open spaces, clear rushing rivers, fascinating flora and fauna… Dartmoor has it all.

But, unless you know exactly where to look, it’s not always easy to find it. That’s where Dartmoor’s Daughter comes in. Created by Emma Cunis, a true daughter of Dartmoor whose family has lived on Dartmoor for generations, Dartmoor’s Daughter offers walking journeys through the ancient, ritual landscape of the moor to enhance health, wellbeing and team performance.

Emma said: “We are inextricably intertwined with nature.

We are part of it. It is part of us. Those who live close to the land celebrate its changing seasons; give thanks for her abundance; look after it knowing that the sun, moon, earth, plants, water, and animals are all our sources of life.”

To mark the turning point of the year, Dartmoor’s Daughter took a group of walkers up onto North Dartmoor for an inspiring Solstice tour of eight stone circles. Emma added: “How will you choose to celebrate important moments in your life? How about joining us on an organised walk/event to learn how to navigate, enjoy a wild swim, gaze through a telescope at stars, or perhaps enjoy a mindfulness meander?

Alternatively you could book an experienced guide/facilitator for a birthday day out, team strategy day, health walk, or just to get away from it all for a few hours. We have knowledge and routes to suit you, whatever your interest or ability level.”

For more information visit: www.dartmoorsdaughter.com or email info@dartmoorsdaughter.com

Transformative work

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HERE is something particularly inspiring about working with a therapist whose own life was transformed by the therapy they now practice.

Liz Reddish, founder of Well House which offers massage, Touch For Health (TFH) Kinesiology and training, has launched a new training programme to teach other people the skills that have made such a difference to her life.

Touch For Health Kinesiology Levels 1-4 runs over four weekends, starting in September.

Classes will be a maximum of eight people in a lovely relaxed upstairs space at Avon Mill Garden Centre.

“This is ideal for anyone who’s interested in discovering simple and effective tools to help their own health, or who wants to help their friends and family,” said Liz. “It is a four-level course, providing the foundation for proficiency, both for individuals and therapists.

Participants can do just one, two, three or all four levels, but they must be done in the right order.”

Kinesiology has been Liz’s own route to health. She had been struggling with ME symptoms for many years when she went to a Kinesiologist, essentially as a last resort.

“Within one week my constant headaches were gone, and my chronic bloating had subsided.

Kinesiology first looked at my nutritional imbalances and food intolerances and gradually addressed every aspect of my physical and emotional wellbeing,” said Liz. “I’ve been dyslexic all my life and TFH has also helped with my co-ordination and my cognitive abilities. I now find it much easier to learn and am very excited about teaching this course and hopefully ‘bringing it to life’ for others.”

Back to full health, Liz has had a flourishing massage practice for 14 years now, and decided to train as a Kinesiologist

herself four years ago.

“TFH kinesiology is a great addition to any healthcare practitioner’s toolkit and I’ve used it with my friends and family too, when they’re stressed or going through a difficult phase at school or in life. It can be really helpful in helping people break unwanted patterns or achieving a better work/life balance. It is very simple, and yet farreaching on every level.”

TFH kinesiology is a handson, non invasive, holistic therapy that is performed over clothing. It combines Western techniques with the principles of Chinese medicine and Tibetan Energy Technique to look beyond symptoms for the root causes of emotional and physical imbalance.

For more information call: 07971 106572 or visit: devonwellhouse.co.uk

MINDFULNESS

COURSES IN PLYMOUTH SAT MORNING OF MINDFULNESS 29TH JULY AND 16TH SEPT 17, 10AM – 12.30

WEEKEND MINDFULNESS RETREAT FOR WOMEN 18TH - 20TH AUGUST 2017

AN INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS MON 11TH SEPT, 7PM – 9PM

8-WEEK MINDFULNESS COURSE (FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING) MON 25TH SEPT 17, 7PM-9PM

BOOK YOUR PLACE ON-LINE www.barefootmindfulness.co.uk T: 01752 777239 E: mindful@barefootmindfulness.co.uk A: 1 Officers Quarters, Crownhill Fort, Plymouth PL6 5BX

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WELLBEING Weaving women back into matter AS the seat of life, a woman’s womb is both a sacred and uniquely precious place. Azul Thome, as part of her SOULand enterprise, is inviting women to bless, heal, celebrate and protect their wombs, the wombs of other women and of Mother Earth herself in a special ceremonial weekend.

WomBelt – Weaving Women back into Matter is a twoday ritual that invites women to weave a belt, using the backstrap weaving method and incorporating the prayers and blessings of each woman present on the day. Azul said: “Weaving a WomBelt is a rite of passage, a way back to mattering. It is a way to honour our womb and to weave women and our stories back together. We will be creating beauty, praying for one another, listening, remembering and mending. As women, we matter, we are matter, we are mater, mother, Earth.”

WomBelts are a ritual way to mark, celebrate and heal. They can be helpful at transitional times in a woman’s life – conception, birth, the start of menstruation, menopause. They are also used for healing, releasing and grief – for example, after rape/abuse, abortion, miscarriage or divorce.

Azul explained: “We begin the ritual by leaning into a tree like the spokes of a wheel or a web.

Then we begin weaving using the ancient backstrap method.

At a certain point, everyone is invited to rotate moon wise one belt to their right. We then continue weaving the next woman’s WomBelt, adding our own prayers, stories, songs and

and stories for change presents Making Her-story Lottery funded Women’s Group for empowerment and well being, working with personal story, play and performance.

6 half day meetings starting with Autumn in Totnes area Work with presence, embodiment, improvisiation,creative expression and breaking inner restrictions.

Contact Agata Krajewska www.emergencetheatre.co.uk T 0779 500 2816

WomBelt love as we go. At the end of the ceremony we complete our own WomBelt before grounding it into the earth with our prayers.”

She added: “The process of creating a WomBelt in the company of other women is extraordinarily healing and grounding. We are expressing that we matter, every one of us. The ceremony of weaving something from nothing is about healing, mending what is broken, marking transition… We are honouring the many different stages of a woman’s being and celebrating the birthplace of life.”

The WomBelt weekend is on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September. Azul also makes WomBelts to order.

Azul is working on weaving this vision within other women empowerment projects like TreeSisters and 1 Billion Rising.

For more information call: 07765 257517 or email: soulandinfo@ gmail.com Visit http://www.souland.org/ wombelt.html

Rewiring nerves so they function again

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IUKAAN is a Chinese word ‘meaning ‘nerve release’. It is the ancient art of loosening up nerve endings that have become hard and lumpy causing pain and discomfort, even severe disability.

Practitioners of Tiukaan gently manipulate the nerves using specially shaped sticks. This helps to ‘rewire’ them so that over time the nerves can begin functioning properly again. Terry Loh has many years’ experience of this ancient technique and has supported several people to recover from pain without surgery. He points out a Tiukaan treatment is not a quick fix but that people often experience improvement after the first visit.

“It is highly effective in treating a wide range of different conditions, including: skeletal alignment; persistent back, neck and shoulder problems, stiffness and/or numbness in the hands, twisted or stiff ankles, knee problems, muscle spasms, headaches and sports injuries.”

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Terry is in the process of relocating from Brighton to Devon and in addition to free consultations, for a limited time he is offering reductions on the cost of the first treatment. One client recently said: “Ten years ago, a steel joist fell on my hand, which I then couldn’t open without prising it open. The pain was immense, but after a few treatments with Terry, releasing the nerves in my back and shoulders, my hand was 100% again, and still is.”

Another commented: “I was in constant pain after my back seriously ‘went’.

An osteopath only gave temporary relief and the G.P. gave pain killers that didn’t help much. After six months of having gone from being a very active person to a very limited one, I met Terry, who took just a few months to cure the underlying problem, which really impressed me. I have since recommended several of my friends.”

For more information visit: http:// nervereleasecentre.co.uk/index. html or call 07856 426357

Come Home to Your Body Sexuality is central to our wellbeing.

I offer support with premature ejacula?on, sexual challenges, trauma, & scar ?ssue healing from birth injuries and pelvic surgery I use Soma?c Coaching, Body-Work and Energy-Work to facilitate embodied living and loving

1:1 healing sessions Workshops Individual retreats

catherine@tantricawakening.org

www.tantricawakening.org

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WELLBEING New term courses at Sharpham

Somatic Movement Education in Body-mind Centering® Exploring the dynamic relationship between body and mind Individual Lessons, workshops and courses in Body-mind Centering® with Rosalyn Maynard MA BMCA. Rosalyn is certified by the School for Body-mind Centering®. She has been practising and teaching somatics for over twenty years.

www.tsoel.org.uk | rosalynjmaynard@gmail.com | 07966 403 574

Would you like to employ Sherlock Holmes on your health case?

Try the next best thing and consult an experienced homeopath with a sense of humour and 3000 remedies to find your perfect match.

Put us all in the same place at the same time and the results could be unimaginable!

Whatever your health dilemma, give Homeopathy a whirl in 2017 Jacki Becker RSHom

jackibeckerhomeopath.co.uk (Totnes) t: 01803 867747 m: 07792 059 867

Try something different…

Enrol on a counselling course in Exeter Part-time courses starting this Autumn: Certificate in Counselling: Our 12 day entry level course could be your 1st step to a rewarding career, or just help you build your personal and professional skills.

Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling: 2 years’ training (taught element), accredited by the BACP and allows qualification as a counsellor.

Learn about our full range of courses at our next Open Day on Saturday 9th September

For further information or to apply: 01392 219200 / enquiries@ironmill.co.uk

www.ironmill.co.uk

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Try mindfulness this Autumn September sees a full programme of mindfulness courses and taster sessions on offer, to help people understand and explore the field of meditation. The Sharpham Trust has 30 years experience in this field and are experts at making that space in your mind. From two-hour taster sessions and 1-day and 8-week courses, to a full programme of retreats across three venues, there are plenty of pathways into mindfulness for everyday life. Sharpham’s mindfulness teachers are drawn from a pool of experienced and qualified leaders, offering support and wisdom for participants. Taster sessions are happening in September at Sharpham and also in Totnes and Torquay, while 1-day Introduction courses take place at Sharpham in September, October and November. 8-week courses – the accredited mindfulness course based on mindfulness founder Jon Kabat-Zinn’s findings – begin at Sharpham and Totnes in September and in Torquay in October.

Wild writing in the Great Outdoors – a woodland retreat in September For those that have always wanted to explore wild creative writing. This is a new retreat in Sharpham’s tranquil woodland encouraging you to take an inner journey in the great outdoors.

The unique 3-night retreat offers an opportunity to step out of everyday life and into a place of reflection through creative writing, meditation and nature connection. The retreat is led by BrigitAnna McNeill and Caspar Walsh, and begins on Thursday September 14.

Women’s woodland retreat The women-only Woodland Retreat offers the opportunity to experience a combination of mindfulness skills and connection to the natural world, with time away from the frantic pace of everyday life. Retreatants experience a spacious and sensuous immersion in mindfulness and the outstanding natural beauty of the Sharpham Estate.

Accommodation is in fully-furnished, cosy bell tents pitched in Sharpham’s woodland, close to the River Dart. The retreat begins on Thursday 7 September.

Wading into nature Bird expert Mike Langman explains the ways of the estuary waders, guiding a special bird walk on the River Dart at Sharpham on Friday August 25, from 6pm to 8pm, enlightening us about the birds on the river. Discover some of the estuary’s more secretive birds in the reed beds like Reed and Sedge Warbler, resident Cetti’s Warbler or Reed Bunting.

Bat, Moth & Stargazing See bats, moths and stars (hopefully) on this very special event on Friday September 22 and awaken your senses to nature at night-time. The Sharpham Estate is one of the few places in the UK and Europe where the Greater Horseshoe Bat can be found. The Trust is partnering with the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project and the Devon Wildlife Trust on this event. Find out more about this endangered mammal, try bat detecting and discover these elusive mammals.

You’ll also tour moth-traps used to gently capture insects, and witness closeup the wealth of UK moths that come out at night. This event also includes (clouds permitting) a tour of the night-sky, thanks to Dartmoor Skies.

Retreats at Sharpham As well as the Woodland Retreats, The Sharpham Trust offers retreats in Sharpham House – a Grade 1-listed Georgian manor and at the Barn Retreat Centre. Retreats in Sharpham House tend to be more secular, whilst the Barn Retreat Centre 6-night retreats are in the Buddhist tradition.

More information and how to book courses, retreats and events visit www.sharphamtrust.org or call 01803 732542 or email bookings@ sharphamtrust.org

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WELLBEING Preventing PE by creating new pathways Sexological Bodyworker and Sexual Empowerment Coach CATHERINE HALE wants to talk about premature ejaculation!

Seedlings Parent and Child ‘A nurturing space for young children and their parents’ 10am—Noon, Monday to Thursday during term time

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REMATURE ejaculation (PE) is men’s most prevalent sex problem and yet, being shrouded in shame and embarrassment, it’s not openly talked about. While men experiencing impotence can visit their GP and get some ‘blue pills’, they’re unlikely to receive any beneficial support for premature ejaculation.

As men get older the likelihood of PE increases, but few men have successful strategies for dealing with it; they often avoid intimacy, blame it on their partners, pretend it’s okay, when deep inside it isn’t, or just declare that is part of getting older and then must learn to live with it. All resulting in a lack of sex, which we all know is essential for our well-being and success of most intimate relationships.

Why does PE occur? Culturally many men are fed on a diet of porn leading it to become the chief sex educator in most western countries. Most porn is fast, genital, friction based and focused on the goal of ejaculation.

When we watch porn and masturbate at the same time essentially we’re programming our bodies to follow the same upward trajectory as we see on the screen. This puts huge pressure on our nervous systems by pushing us into sympathetic arousal leading to rapid ejaculation, the penis has no other choice!

The whole process is fed by our dopamine reward system, in that it feels good to ejaculate, so we keep on repeating the same habit and hard wire it into our neurology. What we are dealing with here is an addiction to ejaculation.

Like with all addictions, it is possible to break this habit, by committing to a practice that supports the creation of new pleasure pathways.

Learning how to regulate arousal with the breath, along with moving the pelvis to open it to create more space for sexual energy, combined with exploring new ways to touch the genitals and the whole body when engaging in masturbation is the way to the solution!

Men’s partners report the shift from goal orientated sex, to a more playful sex where ejaculation is a choice and the intention is intimacy, creates more fulfilling sex and happier longer-lasting partnerships.

I’ve been successfully working with men and couples supporting them to make this shift from premature ejaculation to ejaculatory choice by teaching them my ‘Ejaculatory Choice Program,’ through which I’ve witnessed hugely successful results.

Now’s the time to make the changes and step into Ejaculatory Choice so you can have the fulfilling sexual experiences you’ve been longing for. If you want to discuss joining the program and having 1:1 coaching sessions with me then please get in touch.

Contact catherine@tantricawakening.org or see www.tantricawakening.org

Now enrolling for September 2017 For enquiries or bookings please email admissions@steiner-south-devon.org

Hood Manor, Dartington, Devon. TQ9 6AB T: 01803-897377 W: southdevonsteinerschool.org

Award winning family owned funeral director for all your funeral needs Gentle - Thoughtful - Inclusive “Your skill, kindness, compassion and sensitivity to me and the children in every situation was extraordinary.... Your work is remarkable and if you need any recommendation, ask me!” Lizzie Hubbard

Riverstone, the home of Heart & Soul Funerals, is friendly and comfortable, situated on the banks of the River Dart near Austin’s Bridge at Buckfastleigh.

The hall provides sanctuary for vigils and a beautiful space for a funeral ceremony.

You are always welcome to visit us.

Traditional, individual & green funerals and plans Riverstone,18 Dart Mills, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0NF

www.heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk

01364 643522 (24 hour service 7 days a week)

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WELLBEING Are you a good listener? What is Somatic Sex Education?

HE SEA School of Embodiment has become The next These guys are! the certifying body for Certified Sexological Certificate in Bodywork training in the UK and Ireland. It

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HE interest in training to become a counsellor has never been greater with so many people looking for a new profession Students enjoy a picnic. in a worthwhile and meaningful career. Counselling as a vocation appeals to both young and old, regardless of academic ability. In fact counselling is one of the few professions which is more suited to people who have undergone their own challenges in life, as this builds empathy and increases understanding.

All you need is to be a good listener and have an open mind.

The Heartwood Centre is currently celebrating the success of the overwhelming response to this year’s training programme. Director Leigh Smith said: “We have had an overwhelming response to our courses, so much so that we have included an extra level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling as the first two booked up immediately. This is a very exciting time for us, especially after receiving Accredited Status recognition from the National Counselling Society.”

Heartwood delivers a full programme of courses from the very beginning right through to training in Supervision. Audrey Cooper (Level 3 tutor) said: “I have really loved teaching this foundation course, the students have progressed so much, and we have had a fantastic time, now I am taking bookings for the next foundation course is September which is open to anyone interested in learning more about counselling” It is not too late to enrol so if you are interested in learning more about the courses call the office on 01803 865464, or visit www. heartwoodcounselling.org

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is part of the school’s continuing expansion and growth, which has recently seen it appoint two new international teachers, Celeste and Danielle, to join its highly regarded faculty team members.

This summer the school was fortunate to welcome Caffyn Jess CSB, international author and Canadian Professional Somatic Sex Education Trainer. Caffyn joined Katie Sarra to facilitate a four-day introductory training for bodywork professionals, learning and practicing embodiment assessment approaches. Katie explained: “Caffyn has years of experience working with trauma as a Certified Somatic Sex Educator (CSSE). The aim of this course was to help bodyworkers to understand how they can support people whose nervous systems have been affected by traumatic life events.

Professional Somatic Sex Education training brings hope to people who want to form intimate relationships again and support trusted decisionmaking within their bodies. Participants learn that it is possible to create new neural networks in the body and brain through neuro-plasticity. In this way, they can support people to overcome inhibition, shame and fear.”

Caffyn gifted copies of her new books “Science for Sexual Happiness: A Guide to Reclaiming Erotic Pleasure” and the edited anthology “Healers on the Edge: Somatic Sex Education” to training participants, which features insights from her years of experience working with trauma.

Sexological Bodywork training starts in March 2018. Alongside these courses, the school is now offering a range of therapeutic practices in its Sea Light session rooms.

Kian said: “It’s our dream to create a multisensory community space, using every sense as a different route to relaxation, embodiment and presence. Each of us responds in different ways through our senses and we are enhancing our service here with a range of different modalities, such as hot stone massage, consensual touch, sound healing, Thai yoga massage, aromatherapy and Reiki.”

Katie and Kian also offer embodiment therapy private practice.

In August Sea Light is opening a licensed Art Café, serving gluten-free deliciously healthy cakes and savouries, coffee, teas and organic drinks. To coincide with the launch there will be a performance by Chris Bannister performing the songs of John Denver on Friday August 4. The gallery will also be showcasing Katie’s paintings inspired by her and Kian’s recent sailing adventure crossing the channel.

For details about the Sexological Body Work training visit www. sexologicalbodywork.co.uk Or call: 07952 469848 New Sea Light accommodation for sea school students

Developing bonds through baby massage Touch For Health (TFH) Kinesiology Course with Liz Reddish Registered TFH instructor.

A four weekend discovery of simple tools for wellbeing 30th Sept/1st Oct 2017 25th/26th Nov 2017 24th/25th Feb 2018 21st/22nd April 2018 Small groups of maximum 8 people, in the nurturing learning environment of Avon Mill Garden Centre, Loddiswell, TQ7 4DD Kinesiology has been found to successfully help people: • Resolve emotional, physical and mental stress • Achieve work/life balance to improve performance on every level • Towards healing of muscle injury • Reduce pain • Identify nutritional solutions • Identify personal goals and discovering paths to reach them Techniques learned can be used on yourself, on others, or can prepare you for Proficiency Level.

For more information: 07971 106572 or visit devonwellhouse.co.uk

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OUCH is a baby’s first form of language and massage is a powerful way for parents to tune into the many subtle (and not so subtle!) ways their baby communicates nonverbally.

A new Baby Massage class at the Forge Yoga Centre in Totnes will introduce new parents (and grandparents) to the wonderful benefits of massaging their baby. It takes place on Mondays from 1-2pm, facilitated by experienced massage therapist, Katie Whitehouse.

“Massage is a wonderful way of establishing trust and confidence in your early relationship,” said Katie. “Both fathers and mothers are welcome at these sessions, which are relaxed and happy. We include some simple, fun singing too which the babies love.”

Katie explained that massaging creates a space where parents and babies can really focus on each other in a positive and nurturing way. “Regular massage can help improve sleep patterns,

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promote good digestion, benefit co-ordination and strengthen the bond between parent and baby,” she added.

The Baby Massage classes are run in four-week blocks with a week’s gap in between blocks. You can drop in or do the whole four weeks.

The cost per baby (i.e. mother and father can come as a pair) is £8 drop in or £25 for all four sessions, paid on or before session one.

Concessions are available.

For more information email katie@ fromthewhitehouse.com or call 07832 200980. You can also book online at reallyusefulmassage. bigcartel.com. Check forgeyoga. co.uk for current class dates.

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WELLBEING Ashburton’s new evolving space

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BEAUTIFUL safe space for women and girls experiencing issues with menstruation, menopause or abdominal pain is now open in Ashburton.

Persephone’s has been created by Lilah McLean, trained masseuse, energy medicine practitioner, birth doula, soul midwife, grief worker and funeral celebrant.

Lilah told Reconnect: “I will be holding a space for women who are experiencing emotional, physical or mental blocks and supporting them to nurture the inner strength they need to overcome these blocks and transform their life.”

Lilah describes Persephone’s as “an evolving space”. She explained: “In time Persephone’s will incorporate all of my work but to begin with I am focusing on body/energy work and small women’s groups.

I will be offering: Lomi lomi, abdominal sacral and Myofacial release massage; Metemorphic• technique; and guidance with menstrual, menopausal and hormonal balance.

We have two beautiful rooms, one dedicated to massage work and the other available for hosting small groups.”

For more information, visit: www. lilahmclean.co.uk Or email: lilmae@ hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07966 931416

Awakening of love comes to Totnes

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WAKENING of Love is coming to Totnes, Devon, for the first time, this September. It offers a toe-dip introductory weekend taste of the profound and wonderful, ‘Path of Love’ process which is the flagship workshop of Path Retreats.

These workshop/retreats are fantastic opportunities for people who truly seek change in their lives. They offer a supportive and caringly held environment that guides participants, step-by-step, to move from the safety and protection of their heads toward the spaciousness and beauty of their hearts. Seeking to re-ignite the spark of love that is deep within, they inspire participants to start living the life they have always dreamed of, founded on a deep connection to themselves and to others.

“Overnight, I dream about old friends and partners, fallouts and breakups never resolved, that I now realize I’ve been carrying.

When I wake up next day, it feels that I’ve finally shaken them off...”

“And then I begin to melt into my heart ... I dance like a crazy woman. It’s such a joy to be in my heart and not in my head”.

PATH Retreats have been running events internationally since 1995.

Founded by Rafia Morgan and Turiya Hanover, and facilitated by some of the best practitioners in the world.

HEALING AND HOMEOPATHY www.healingandhomeopathy.com Barbara Brennan Healing Practitioner

Member Alliance Of Registered Homeopaths

• RELATIONSHIP CORDS • EMOTIONAL HEALING • DISTANCE HEALING • SOUND HEALING

The potent blend of Homeopathy with Energy Healing is for all kinds of conditions from emotional stress, to serious chronic and acute diseases.

• AURIC SURGERY • SOUL RETRIEVAL • INNER CHILD • ORGAN & SPINE REGENERATION • INTENTION ALIGNMENT

Marc Blausten

LCHom, MARH, BHS, FIEH, BCMA

Healing and Teaching for 30 years For a free initial chat call 0333 433 0454

PLYMOUTH - TOTNES - EXETER - SKYPE marc@healingandhomeopathy.com Simon Matthews will be facilitating this ‘Awakening of Love’. He is a Path of Love facilitator, UKCP accredited psychotherapist, Somatic Experiencing practitioner and father of five... “We know what love is. We know that a peaceful world means a more loving one, where there is connection, not isolation. Yet, why do our hearts close, why do we numb our most tender feelings?

The barriers we learn to construct protect us, but they also create division, separating us both from our fears AND our love.

Dartmoor Centre CIC Counselling & Psychotherapy Safe Space for Counselling Newton Abbot Investing in Community

“Over the 3 days, in a combination of sharings, honest self-exposure, meditations and other fun exercises we can start to learn to risk being more ourselves - more honest, more real and more connected and loving.”

If you believe in love, yet have trouble feeling true to your heart and being honestly truly and fully alive then this weekend is for you.

More information is available at www.awakeningoflove.co.uk and information about facilitator Simon Matthews is here: www. simonmatthewstherapist.co.uk To book a place on the workshop email Nikhila Ludlow at: info@ lifeworks4.me.uk or call 07989 394904.

For more about Path Retreats visit: www.pathretreats.com

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WELLBEING

Drawn to the valley open studios

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) (Stimulates the immune system to function optimally)

The Bowen Technique Arcturus Clinic, Totnes Home Visits AMANDA MORRIS CLT – MLDUK – CertECBS – BTPA

For an appointment please call 07931 505 312

amanda@amandamorris.co.uk www.amandamorris.co.uk

RAME Peninsula organs and tissue.

“As sound flows artist, Teresa through the body, Wicksteed, clients experience best known for a feeling of very her abstract oil deep relaxation. paintings, is In this balanced now a practising and deeply relaxed Sound Healer. She state, it is easy for has discovered holistic healing on surprising all levels to occur.” similarities between the two Teresa is also forms of artistic qualified to practise expression, as she Assemblage Point explained: “My Alignment: The paintings express Assemblage Point – energies we feel in the centre of the but cannot see. chest - is the main Sound Healing place where our Sunset outside the healing room also harnesses energy field connects invisible energy - in the form of with our physical body. When it is sound waves - and focuses them to correctly aligned we will feel positive bring about deep healing. So, my and happy, we will be healthy and art practice complements my Sound interact well with other people. When Healing practice; one uses light, and it is out of alignment, we may feel the other sound waves.” unwell, anxious, lacking in energy and feel that life is a constant struggle.

A sound healing treatment lasts for around one hour. “Clients relax on a Teresa is opening her art studio, which therapy couch,” said Teresa, “while overlooks the sea in South Cornwall, to I make vocal sounds, or “tone” visitors from September 2-10, as part somewhere between chanting and of Drawn to the Valley Open Studios. singing. This is interspersed with She will be showing her paintings and meditative silence to allow people to will also be on hand to answer any integrate the sound healing.” questions about her art, Sound Healing or Assemblage Point Alignment.

Our bodies are around seventy per cent water so sound waves easily For more info, email Teresa on teresa@ flow through and re-balance internal teresawicksteed.co.uk

Devon reiki school branches out

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Creams, lotions, balms, toothpaste, facial scrubs, baths salts, bath bombs, floral water sprays & lip balms.

Hand made. Free from synthetic artificial colours and fragrances. No petrochemicals, SLS or parabens

Online shopping www.greenwyse.co.uk 07962 664294 Made by Dawn Ireland Herbalist For herbalism or iridology consultations in Torquay book an appointment 07962 664294

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ORE of Devon is now covered by The Devon School of Reiki, which has recently opened new clinics in Plymouth, Tedburn St Mary and South Molton to complement its existing branch in Central Exeter.

Principal Sam Goddard said: “We are keen to offer Reiki to more clients across Devon and our expansion will enable us to do that.

I’m really proud of the team we have here. All of our gifted Reiki Masters and Practitioners have trained with the Devon School of Reiki to offer caring, professional and high-quality sessions for our clients.”

The new team includes: Sam Goddard, Reiki Master Teacher & Principal of the School - The Studio, Tedburn St Mary & Exeter Based at Devon School of Reiki’s new purpose-built studio in Tedburn St Mary, just outside Exeter, Sam offers clinic sessions in Reiki, Intuitive Healing, Crystal Therapy, Sound Healing, and Reiki massage. Sam has been working with Reiki for almost 20 years and teaches all levels of Reiki, as well as holding a variety of holistic workshops at the Studio.

Email: sam@devonschoolofreiki.co.uk Céline Descombe, Plymouth Clinic Céline is a Reiki Master Teacher/ Practitioner and global traveller with experience in care, teaching and working with children. Also a passionate linguist, Céline is able to offer Reiki sessions in English, French and Spanish at her clinic in Stoke, Plymouth.

Email: celine@devonschoolofreiki.co.uk

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Julie Whitmore, South Molton Clinic Julie offers Reiki sessions in South Molton at The Rose & Crown Clinic. As well as being a Master Practitioner, Julie is also an experienced Beauty/Massage Therapist who loves her work and is passionate about helping people to feel good.

Email: julie@devonschoolofreiki.co.uk Ben Robinson, Exeter Clinic Based at the school’s Exeter clinic at the Exeter Natural Health Centre, Ben teaches Reiki and offers Reiki and Counselling on Mondays at the Exeter Natural Health Centre.

Ben is both a Reiki Master Teacher and trained Integrative Humanistic Counsellor, with experience in the NHS in the Depression and Anxiety service and with schools for a charity called Checkpoint based in Torquay.

Email: ben@devonschoolofreiki.co.uk l To find out more, book a session or enquire about upcoming Reiki training, visit the Devon School of Reiki website at: www. devonschoolofreiki.co.uk

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uk

WELLBEING Young grief

LET THEM come is the message from Simon Smith of Heart and Soul Funerals whenever he is asked whether children should participate in a funeral.

Historically, there has been a perception that it might not be advisable or even acceptable for children to come to a funeral. Simon believes that quite the opposite is true and getting involved in a funeral can be empowering for children of all ages.

“Research has shown that, in later life, people often regret not having attended a funeral as children, but almost never regret that they did attend,” said Simon. “So if in doubt, it could be best to encourage them to go. Even young children can grasp some of the concept of death, although they may need reminding of the permanent nature of it on a regular basis. A good book to read them is ‘Waterbugs And Dragonflies’ by Doris Stickney.”

There are many things that young children can do to feel included in the funeral, such as: helping to choose photographs to display or use in the Order of Service, drawing a picture to be placed in the coffin, helping decorate a cardboard coffin or a drape to go on a coffin, making cut-outs to decorate the room, or writing a poem. Older children may also like to speak, read, play music, carry flowers, even help to bear the coffin.

For more information call Heart & Soul Funerals on 01803 840779. www.heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk

Train to be a counsellor

FANCY finding out more about training as a counsellor?

Iron Mill College in Exeter is a leading provider of training and education in mental health and wellbeing. On Saturday 9th September, the college is holding an open day from 11am - 2pm. Or, for aspiring students who’d like to find out what it’s really like to be enrolled at the college there is a Counselling Taster Day, on Saturday 30th September, 10am 4.30pm.

The college’s popular part-time Certificate in Counselling course is offered with either weekday or weekend study options, starting this Autumn. The course is designed for anyone who might benefit from using counselling skills in their career or personal life. Completion also enables entry onto advanced courses such as the college’s BACP accredited Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling or the Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling, which allows qualification as a counsellor.

The college offers a full range of courses, from entry level to post-qualifying. For more information visit www.ironmill.co.uk or call: 01392 219200. Email: enquiries@ironmill. co.uk.

Awakening of Love For people who truly want to change their lives

22nd - 24th September 2017 A Residential Retreat Workshop near Totnes, Devon

£275 per person (earlybird £245 before 18th August) + £200 Accommodation & all meals.

Info/Bookings: Nikhila 07989394904/info@lifeworks4.me.uk www.awakeningoflove.co.uk www.pathretreats.com

Empowered stories for change

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AKING HER-STORY is a new lottery-funded women’s group offered

by Agata Krajewska and “Stories for Change” to explore our inner worlds and stories through improvised theatre.

The empowerment and wellbeing group will hold six half-day sessions in Totnes starting this Autumn. Agata explained: “We carry so many stories inside us and when they are told they get freed up and we get the medicine. It is often in challenging situations, when we might have felt victimized, that we developed our precious gifts and strengths. By looking at our lives as a piece of art, we bring reverence to it and find the patterns that are specific to us.

As we find those patterns and become the heroines/heroes in our story, we find why we are here.”

Agata believes that women are particularly in need of reconnecting with their personal stories. She said: “We have lost some of our feminine mythology and need to rebuilt our archetypal domain.

Making Her-story is

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The Sea Light art cafe and gallery is now open!

28 The Strand, Dawlish www.thesea.co Chris Bannister performs the music of John Denver on August 4 th

about exploring what wants to come through us as one of many feminine voices. Your story is my story is Her-story. We recognise our shared sorrows, victories, dreams and passions.

“Though we do this work under the guise of “theatre” it is a way of healing and can often be powerful and ritualistic in nature.

Whilst maintaining healthy distance through playfulness, we travel deep inside ourselves to see what is revealed. It is in the atmosphere of safety, welcoming and supported risk-taking that we experience on this journey.”

For more information about the group, visit: www. emergencetheatre.co.uk Or call: 0779 500 2816

Leading-Edge, International Trainings in Somatic Sexology 2-3 Sept. & 18-19 November

Consensual Touch™ Weekend - The Wheel of Consent

The Somatica Method is an holistic, loving and systematic approach to sex and relationship coaching.

with Katie Sarra & Kian de la Cour

10 March - 23 Sept. 2018

These weekends will guide you to discover how to trust when you want to be touched and how to discover how you might want to touch another.

4th UK & Ireland Certifcate in Somatic Sex Education

13 - 15 October 2017

Foundations of Somatica Danielle Harel & Celeste Hirschman

with Kian de la Cour, Katie Sarra & Joseph Kramer PhD. This 6-month professional training involves detailed online study, a 2 week Embodiment Intensive and supervised practicum.

www.seaschoolofembodiment.com

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WELLBEING Working with energy to bring lasting change

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CCORDING to Marc Blausten, Energy Healer and Homeopath, everything that we’ve ever experienced is recorded in our energy field or aura. He explained how working with the energy field can bring about lasting change in our physical and emotional wellbeing…

Some experiences, particularly if they are repeated or are very powerful ones, create a pattern in our energy field that can lead us to recreate the same experience over and over. Many of these formative experiences happen in childhood.

Consider this. As a child Sarah was frightened of her parents’ anger, and learned that if she behaved in a way that they didn’t like she would suffer. So, she developed a pattern of repressing anger. Over time, the pent-up anger energy inside her became difficult to control. She began using alcohol to ease the pain, just as her parents did. Certain organs in our body tend to store particular toxic emotions. Anger goes to the liver and, as we know alcohol also deposits toxins in the liver. So it’s no surprise that when Sarah is middle aged she manifests gallstones.

Similarly, a pattern of work-related stress could create a heart condition.

Or sexual repression could manifest as PMS or cystitis or worse.

Marc was clinical director at The College of Practical Homeopathy in the 90s, and one of the first people in the UK to graduate from The Barbara Brennan School of Healing (USA). Barbara is the author of the best selling book ‘Hands of Light’.

Marc also founded the UK’s School of Energy Healing.

Over the years he has seen at first hand how using Energy Healing allows us to bypass the conscious mind and work directly with the energy itself.

As the energy field is much more malleable than either our physical body or rational mind, it is much easier to effect (a) positive change at this level.

When these patterns, or blueprints, are healed, then the body and mind will also manifest into a healthier version..

There are generally three parts to the healing process: 1 Cleaning Repressed emotional energy can cause blockages in the energy field. The physical body then copies this, and toxins are deposited in the corresponding organs or parts of the body. These toxins can be cleared out of the system with Energy Healing. This can be a subtle process, or can be dramatic and cathartic.

2 Alignment The weight of our past can cause our energy field to get pulled out of alignment or to develop ‘tears’ or ‘leaks’. ‘Auric Surgery’ can repair the damage, with ‘Spine Regeneration’ and ‘Intention Alignment’ to rebalance us.

3 Nurturing To complete the healing process we need to fill up with healthy, nurturing, vital energy. This is channelled from the Universal Energy Field (not from the healer) and is generally taken from the Earth, or Celestial realms, or archetypes of Love and Compassion.

Marc sees clients in Totnes, Plymouth, Exeter and by Skype. www.healingandhomeopathy.com Tel : 0333 433 0454

World’s first festival of body acceptance

57 East Street, Ashbruton

A NURTURING SPACE FOR WOMEN Offering: Lomi lomi, abdominal sacral and Myofacial release massage; Metemorphic technique; guidance with menstrual, menopausal and hormonal balance.

07966 931416

44 44

lilmae@hotmail.co.uk

www.lilahmclean.co.uk

TOTNES is leading the way yet again, this time by hosting the world’s first ever festival of Body Acceptance. The inaugural Bodykind event will takeover various venues in central Totnes over the weekend of October 13-15.

Organiser Dinah Gibbons told Reconnect: “It’s about finding ways of honouring and feeling more comfortable in the skin we’re in.”

The four core principles that the Totnes-based team organising will be highlighting through their event are: promoting inclusivity; celebrating diversity; illuminating and challenging toxic nonacceptance; and meeting fear and shame with sensitivity and kindness.

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Dinah added: “There’s something here for everyone, we’ll be looking at size, gender, age, sexuality, race and disability.

“This is a grassroots, non-profit, community-based initiative which we hope will involve as many local individuals, schools, groups and businesses as possible to make Totnes the world’s first ever body accepting town (for the weekend, at least).“ There will be the chance to attend diverse and eclectic talks, and speakers will include Harnaam Kaur and bodyposipanda. Expect also workshops, art, theatre, song, film as well as gentle acts of subversion. Visit www. bodykindfestival.com for more info.

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Holistic mind-based therapy in Totnes

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IFE at The Nautilus Rooms in Totnes is busy. The mind-based therapy centre has announced their involvement with Bodykind (see previous page), the world’s first festival of Body Acceptance. Ruth Baker, who runs the centre, is offering a workshop at Bodykind using sandplay to look at issues of body acceptance.

The Nautilus Rooms takes a holistic view on the treatments that they offer. The majority of practitioners they are working with specialise in mind based therapies including psychology, psychotherapy, counselling and coaching.

Therapists come from a broad range of backgrounds, experience and areas of particular interest, and all are slightly different. Their website presents information on all the practitioners who work with them, here’s the lowdown on a couple of their therapists: MARK WRIGHT is an experienced contemplative psychotherapist, and has been with them for nearly a year. Mark said: “Contemplative psychotherapy is a creative approach to the inner work, and to your development, growth and maturation as a person. It is a way you can begin to bring all of yourself - heart and mind, body and soul

back together into a more harmonious whole.” His approach, as a contemplative therapist, is to help individuals slow down and bring a more open curiosity and awareness to their inner felt sense of experience, something few people are used to doing, but which is profoundly healing.

FREDDY WEAVER is a counsellor and psychotherapist. He said: “I am passionate about experiencing and facilitating personal growth and wellbeing. I bring my broad spiritual and creative interests to the area of addictions, compulsivity, emotional difficulty and relationship challenge” In addition to his work with addictions Freddy has a developing interest in ecology and societal change, as well as individual transformation, and how these interact. He is currently undertaking study at the Schumacher Institute, Dartington, South Devon RUTH BAKER is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist who has completed extensive training in Sandplay and Therapeutic Art. This Autumn Ruth will be running introductory courses in Sandplay Therapy and Therapeutic Art. These courses are aimed at a variety of people including social workers, those with a Thrive training, classroom assistants, support workers, counsellors, psychotherapists and more. For anyone with basic counselling looking to extend their skills, and further advanced courses will be offered.

In addition to this, Ruth is also offering an ongoing Tuesday evening group combining sandplay, mindfulness and therapeutic art and a day’s workshop : Mindfulness and Creativity.

SYLVIA KARATHANOS Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Facilitator for ‘The Work of Byron Katie’ will be running a workshop at the festival based on the Work of Byron Katie. Sylvia also is planning to start her popular Byron Katie group:

Awaken the Heart: Mindful Self-Inquiry fortnightly on Sunday evenings in September. The first evening (September 10) is open to anybody, after that it will be a closed group for the rest of the term. Call 01803 868379 or email skarathanos@ phonecoop.coop This autumn will see the return of a new programme of sandplay and therapeutic art.

Therapeutic Art is a creative way of working to express what is within in the outer world.

Sandplay therapy offers the opportunity to create ’miniature worlds’ in the sand where ideas, stories, potentials, conflicts, long held narratives, potentials and a whole host more can be created, seen, externalised and practiced. Sometimes art and sandplay are combined to gain the benefit of both techniques.

The Nautilus Rooms is a little haven located in the centre of Totnes and tucked away down a quiet alleyway. Visitors to the centre love the space, commenting upon the sense of peace and how they would like to move in! l For more information about The Nautilus Rooms and forthcoming workshops visit www. nautilusrooms.uk

Providing support for those with ADHD

A

DHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a biological condition caused by minor differences of fine-tuning in the normal brain. It affects roughly 2-5% of all children Corinne Holmes is a qualified ADHD coach. She said: “ADHD is thought to be due to an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitter chemicals, noradrenaline and dopamine. This imbalance is mostly found in those parts of the brain responsible for self-monitoring and putting the brakes on unwise behavior. As people with ADHD age these active impulsive behaviours tend to mellow, although learning and organisational problems tend to linger on.”

So what can be done to manage the condition?

“There are certain medical options for people with ADHD and a qualified psychiatrist can explain these,” said Corinne. “An ADHD Coach cannot diagnose or discuss medications but where we can help is in offering support and working with behaviour modification. We can also signpost support groups and provide tools, smart goals, motivation and support. ADHD Coaching sessions usually take place over the phone or via Skype, although it is possible to arrange one-to-one sessions.”

Corinne qualified as an ADHD Coach four years ago and went on

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

to train as a practitioner in NLP for Kids. She also has an NLP diploma, certificate in Counselling and enhanced CRB. Corinne has studied ADHD in depth and pointed out: “ADHD is a strongly inherited condition. Most ADHD children have a close relative with the condition, usually male.

However, although boys are six times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition, that does not mean girls do not have it. Research suggests many girls remain undiagnosed as they tend to be less disruptive and can suffer in silence.”

Certain other conditions are commonly associated with ADHD, such as the developmental reading disorder, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, a condition that causes co-ordination difficulties, Dyscalculus which is linked to difficulties with mathematical concepts and Dysgraphia, a problem with handwriting or an inability to perform movements associated with writing.

Very early treatment of ADHD is believed to help prevent the development of certain other conditions, such as Conduct Disorder, the symptoms of which include: lying, cheating, stealing, threatening cruelty and destruction of property.

For more information about ADHD or Aspergers Coaching, contact Corinne on 07516 974015.

C afe

C o pywriter

Wed 6 September Sat 21 October 10am - 5pm

TBA, Totnes

WRITING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA: THE ESSENTIALS a workshop from The Cafe Copywriter

An introduction to the essentials of writing for social media with experienced commercial writer, Kate Philbin & social media enabler and entrepreneur Katie Whitehouse.

You will learn: • What makes a great social media campaign • How to write clear, concise, compelling copy • How to write a brilliant blog • How to write for Facebook, Twitter & Linked In Cost: £75 (£65 if booked before 31 August or 14 October) Book online: cafecopywriter.bigcartel.com or Call: Kate 07970 107123 or Katie 07832 200980 Email: kate@katephilbin.com katie@fromthewhitehouse.com facebook.com/cafecopywriter

twitter.com/cafecopywriter

#cafecopywriter Editorial: Editorial: 01392 01392346342 346342 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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COUNSELLING

classifiedads - HAVE A BROWSE THROUGH THE RECONNECT SMALL ADS -

author, Carmella B’Hahn. carmella@ heartofrelating.com 01803 867005 www. heartofrelating.com CREATIVE counsellor.

Heartful, Supportive Counselling. Creative Exercises including Art, Sandplay etc.

Adults and Young People. Ruth Jenni Adv Dip Couns 07974097787 www. oakflower.co.uk Dartington, Newton Abbot and on Skype

HOLISTIC Counsellor specialising in trauma/ abuse, and for those feelings/emotions difficult to put into words working with art, sand and outside amongst nature. Annie, www. natureswaycounselling. co.uk, 07760 439760.

628905. www. maggiekaywisdom. com

PSYCHOTHERAPY

HEALING AND HOMEOPATHY

book 07522344291, nicolasuzanne@hotmail. co.uk, based Totnes Natural Health Centre

MARC BLAUSTEN - Barbara Brennan Healing Practitioner and Member of the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths with 30 years of experience.

The potent blend of Homeopathy with Energy Healing is for all kinds of conditions from emotional stress, to serious chronic and acute diseases. www. healingand homeopathy.com 0333 433 0454.

Plymouth - Totnes Exeter - Skype

DAVID OXLEY MA: Fully qualified Accredited BACP counsellor and psychotherapist.

Psychosynthesis and Core Process. Working with Relationship, Depth, Integrity and Soul. Central Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth. www. davidoxleycounselling. co.uk, 07876051093.

JAY RAMSAY MA:

REFLEXOLOGY

GRIEF SUPPORT

GRIEVING and want relief? Supportive sessions BY DONATION @ Bowden House, Totnes with counsellor/

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Valtresa Creations Spiritually inspired wax art that may relax your mind. Information and contact details at www. valtresacreations.com

THERAPY

Oxon, UKCP. 20+ years experience with individuals and couples, Psychosynthesis-trained, now working in Totnes: www.jayramsay.co.uk 07752-719331

KNOWLEDGE IS THE SECRET TO GOOD HEALTH! Maggie Kay’s new book launch party Fri 29 Sep. Totnes Natural Health Centre. 6pm Refreshments. 7pm guided meditation, talk, book reading, Q&A. £7 or £15 incl signed book. 07905

Shamanic Thai Massage is a body therapy and intuitive healing that bypasses the minds processes, and works on deeper levels leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed afterwards. £5 off your first session.

07754 779 282 www.shamanic thaimassage.co.uk.

Small ads with BIG impact!

You can advertise in this classified section for as little

TOMMY HUTCHINSON BSc (Hons) Forestry, ND Arboriculture, NPTC Qualified. Sensitive, professional tree care.

Free consultation. Call: 07837486388 Email: universaltreecare@ outlook.com and https:// universaltreecare. wordpress.com

WORKSHOPS & COURSES social media.

SEPTEMBER

Young Minds in Crisis: Avenues and Alternatives September 30 at Plymouth School of Creative Arts The conference aims to bring together mental health and medical professionals, parents, carers, students, and even young people themselves to look at wider causes and issues, plus specifically take a look at what is happening here, and what needs to change.

See www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/young-mindsin-crisis-avenues-andalternatives-wheredo-we-go-from-heretickets-34748007225 Writing for Social Media: The Essentials September 6 in Totnes A workshop offering an introduction to the essentials of writing for

Book online: www. cafecopywriter.bigcartel. com

SATURDAYS

MOVEMENT MEDICINE open classes with Ailsa Lucas. Held space to experience the life in you and let it dance; to be as you are and discover new ways of being. Monthly Saturday mornings in Dartington and Plymouth. Find out more at www.movement medicineassociation.org. ailsa.clare.lucas@gmail. com, 01803 849039, 07999 486059.

YOUR WORKSHOP ADVERTISE your workshop or course here for just 90p a word! To find out more, call Scott on 01392 346342 or email adverts@ reconnectonline.co.uk.

Katheryn Trenshaw

CLEANSE, relax, balance mind/body connection. £30 fullhour, discounts for initial treatment or course of 3,

£18.00

TREE CARE

SELF HELP

NEW BOOK LAUNCH

GONG BATH

SOUND meditation for groups & individuals Groups already take place in Exeter, Newton Abbot and Chudleigh.

For more information contact Paula on 07956 028631 or paula-bs@ hotmail.co.uk

FOR READERS... an at-a-glance guide to services and products - plus diary dates.

FOR ADVERTISERS... an affordable way to get your message across.

Boxes are £55 and £98 and the lineage ads cost just 90p a word, with a minimum of 20 words.

THE DEADLINE... for the October/November issue is September 1. Call Scott on 01392 346342 or email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk.

Passionate Presence Centre for Creative Expression phone: +44 (0) 1803 863552 skype: katheryntrenshaw email: post@ktrenshaw.com

Re-Membering l Re-Invention l Re-Vision Two-hour, one-to-one sessions for professional, personal and artistic development - by phone or Skype

as £18 (therapists also get a free picture, while space allows - first come, first served). Call Scott now on 01392 346342 or email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Feel welcome to sign up for our free newsletter at

www.passionatepresence.org www.reconnectonline.co.uk

T HE N AUTILUS R OOMS

COURSES AND WORKSHOPS AUGUST 2nd & 16TH 7.30pm – 9pm

Sound Healing Journey Through the Chakras Scott Grant Interdimensional Healing Transformational journey with 10 crystal singing bowl. Return to a state of happiness, peace and balance.

Tel: 07723313005 www.interdimensionalhealing.co.uk Cost ÂŁ10

SEPTEMBER 6th & 20TH 7.30pm – 9pm Sound Healing Journey Through the Chakras Scott Grant Interdimensional Healing Transformational journey with 10 crystal singing bowl. Return to a state of happiness, peace and balance.

Tel: 07723313005 www.interdimensionalhealing.co.uk Cost ÂŁ10

STARTING SEPTEMBER 10TH

The Work of Byron Katie with Sylvia Karathanos a supportive and small group to learn and practice the work of Byron Katie (Fortnightly on Sunday evenings 7-9.30pm) .

First Sunday: September 10th, 7-9:30pm. ÂŁ16 per evening.

Dates: Sept. 10th, 17th, Oct. 1st, 15th, 29th, Nov 12th, 19th, Dec. 3rd, 17th (tbc.)

Call: 01803 868379 email: skarathanos@phonecoop.coop Find out more at www.thework.com.

19TH SEPTEMBER 2017 Mindfulness, Sandplay and Art Ruth Baker Fortnightly Tuesday Evening group of Email: ruthbaker1@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 30th Fabulously located in the centre of totnes, yet tucked away in a quiet alley, with easy access to short and long-term parking. check out our amazing list of highly qualified therapists and interesting events. Leaflets are available at the end of the alley way opposite The Mansion and next to Lloyds bank. If you are looking for a wonderful venues for a group, meeting or CPD event, do come and check out our lovely group room.

Mindfulness and Creativity A day of mindfulness and creativity for all.

Ruth Baker Email: ruthbaker1@gmail.com

OCTOBER 4TH & 18TH 7.30pm – 9pm Sound Healing Journey Through the Chakras Scott Grant Interdimensional Healing Transformational journey with 10 crystal singing bowl. Return to a state of happiness, peace and balance.

Tel: 07723313005 www.interdimensionalhealing.co.uk Cost ÂŁ10

OCTOBER 13th 14TH &15th

Body Kind Festival Sandplay, The Work of Byron Katie and More at The Nautilus Rooms www.bodykindfestival.com

OCTOBER 28TH

Introduction to Therapeutic Art facilitated by Ruth Baker Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists accredited course.

Ruth Baker Email: ruthbaker1@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 1st & 15th 7.30pm – 9pm Sound Healing Journey Through the Chakras Scott Grant Interdimensional Healing Transformational journey with 10 crystal singing bowl. Return to a state of happiness, peace and balance.

Tel: 07723313005 www.interdimensionalhealing.co.uk Cost ÂŁ10

NOVEMBER 4TH AND 5TH

Introduction to Sandplay Therapy facilitated by Ruth Baker Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists accredited course.

Ruth Baker Email: ruthbaker1@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 25TH and 26th

Introduction to Sandplay Therapy facilitated by Ruth Baker Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists accredited course.

Ruth Baker Email: ruthbaker1@gmail.com

DECEMBER 6TH & 20th 7.30pm – 9pm

Nautilus Rooms 35a, Fore St, Totnes, TQ9 5HN 07817 510941 enquiries@melmcma hon.net

Counsellor Psychotherapist Mel McMahon

www.melmcmahon

.net

Sound Healing Journey Through the Chakras Scott Grant Interdimensional Healing Transformational journey with 10 crystal singing bowl. Return to a state of happiness, peace and balance.

Tel: 07723313005 www.interdimensionalhealing.co.uk Cost ÂŁ10

STARTING JANUARY 2018

Certificate in Integrative Sandplay Therapy facilitated by John Daly – Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists accredited course.

Ruth Baker Email: ruthbaker1@gmail.com Anna Karthauser - massage therapist Offers individual and group tuition on request. To find out more contact Anna.

Call: 07912612462, email: anna@karthauser.org or visit www. annakarthausermassage.co.uk

Enquire for date

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Mindfulness for Therapists with Sarah Ward this course is also an introduction to a level-4 course later in the Summer Sarah Ward call 07860 102047 email sarahj.ward@btinternet.com