Reconnect 9 Oct-Nov 10

local people local events local food local health local environment visit our website: www.reconnectonline.co.uk

ISSUE 9 OCT/NOV 2010

the green living magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and South Devon

FREE

Perfect produce

Local, organic and Fairtrade

please take one and pass it on

Building eco homes The secret of soft materials

Living on nothing

Enjoying the free things in life

Local renewables

Sustainable energy in action

Art of the matter From studio to gallery

Wellbeing section

The holistic way to natural health

Going Out Guide

Places to go, people to see

local people local events local food local health local environment HoLisTiC MEdiCiNE EXpERiENCEd pRACTiTioNERs WidE RANgE of TREATMENTs pRofEssioNAL TRAiNiNg

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

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

Here at the centre, we work with you to find the most suitable ways for you to restore and sustain your health. We work from a holistic perspective and with an integrated approach. situated just off Queen street right in the heart of the city we offer a wide range of complementary therapies all provided by respected and experienced practitioners. our consulting rooms are light and airy and many of our visitors have been delighted by the tranquil ambience of the centre.

BriTisH sCHool of HoMoeoPaTHY Concessionary student clinic run under supervision. Call 01392 422555 for appointments.

THE PRACTITIONERS: CraniosaCral Therapy Katherine Ukleja homoeopaThiC mediCine mo morrish lomi lomi massaGe, pasT liFe reGression & FUTUre liFe proGression Julie Bladon reiKi & massaGe deirdre richards

psyChoTherapy & CoUnsellinG Julia Collett reFleXoloGy For preGnanCy and BirTh susan Quayle TradiTional aCUpUnCTUre anna paris

massaGe Therapy alice Brockington nUTriTional TherapisT lesley harper

reiKi masTer, pressUre poinT massaGe & CrysTal healinG mandy Coull

preGnanCy yoGa & aCTiVe BirTh patricia or Karin

WOMEN’S GROUP ROSY LIVING louise rose

TransFormaTional liFe CoaChinG and nlp Therapies sue davies & Katherine Beattie massaGe, reFleXoloGy & preGnanCy massaGe lisa Tate PURE FACE WORKS, BESPOKE HOLISTIC FACIALS norah mcCullagh

Professional Massage Training: apnT accredited massage diplomas available: swedish, remedial, sports injury, indian head Cpd days: myofascial release & protect your Body: extend your Career www.schoolofbodywork.com info@schoolofbodywork.com 07711 656 011

01392 422555 Centre manager: ali morrish 2

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

exeter natural health Centre, Queens Walk, 83/84 Queen street, exeter, eX4 3rp e: info@enhc.org w: www.enhc.org www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment COMMERCIAL EDITOR Pete Hardy - 01392 346342 2 Withall’s Gardens, Lympstone, EX8 5JH adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk EDITOR Martin Foster - 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk 45 Punchards Down, Follaton, Totnes TQ9 5FD PUBLISHER Robin Currie - 01392 411630 robin@reconnectonline.co.uk PUBLISHED BY Reconnect Publishing Ltd, 15 Sylvan Rd, Exeter EX4 6EW PRINTED BY Kingfisher Print, Wills Road, Totnes TQ9 5XN. www.kingfisherprint.co.uk ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE Advertising for the December/January issue (out Dec 1) must be booked by Nov 5.

To talk about advertising (no hard sell, we promise!), call Pete Hardy on 01392 346342 or email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk.

Advert sizes and prices are on our website: www.reconnectonline.co.uk WEBSITE Visit www.reconnectonline.co.uk and you’ll find: • an online PDF version of this issue • advert sizes and prices • details of our magazine stockists • profiles of the Reconnect team To contribute, please email Martin or Pete ECO ETHOS Reconnect is written, designed, printed and distributed locally, using materials from sustainable sources. The magazine is printed using vegetable-based inks and biodegradable fount solution, and the paper is 75 per cent post-consumer waste and 25 per cent virgin fibre from a sustainable source. It is also chlorine-free and FSC-accredited (www.fsc-uk.org).

All by-products of the production and printing processes are recycled. Please recycle reconnect by passing it on to a friend

COPYRIGHT

© Reconnect Publishing Ltd 2009. All rights reserved.

No part of Reconnect can be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. But do ask – if you’re genuinely spreading the word, we’ll do what we can to help. The publishers, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services advertised or referred to in this issue, or any errors, omissions, mis-statements or mistakes in any advertisements or references

to the October/November issue.

And what an issue! August/September was our first 28-pager, and this time we’ve produced a 32.

That’s good news on many levels. First, it means Reconnect is here to stay. None of the team is out to make our fortune (which is just as well), but we are truly excited, and not a little relieved, that the magazine is clearly so popular with so many people and is now firmly established in the community. Not everyone we spoke to was convinced we’d make it work, launching as we did from the depths of a recession...

A bigger magazine is also good news for advertisers, and for the business community generally, because it means that green, ethically-run businesses are thriving and keen to spread the word - and they’re finding Reconnect an effective way to spread it.

And, of course, it’s good news for you, the readers because more pages means more to read.

So sit back and marvel at all the wonderful things going on in our part of the world...

Local food pages 6 - 7

Eco homes pages 10 - 11

Local energy pages 14 - 18

OUR Wellbeing section is one area that has grown significantly in this issue.

As always it is stuffed full of local personal development practitioners and complementary therapists making a connection with those of us who want to take responsibility for our own wellbeing and/or discover, and realise, our full potential.

It’s all too easy to come over a bit esoteric and fluffy when talking about these issues, but we pride ourselves on staying grounded to bring you the essence of their stories so you can find the right people to help you.

And if you ever feel all this ‘me-stuff’ might feel a little self-indulgent, consider the words of Erica Lewis, a lifecoach featured in this issue: “If everyone working to make the world a better place was making full use of all their wisdom, talents and energy, we would be much closer to succeeding,” she says.

Find out how you can become part of our Wellbeing section on page 24.

LIVING on nothing… ok, so that line on the cover is stretching things a bit, but more and more people are recognising the true worth of living a less material life.

For years now, experts from all sorts of fields (from sociology to life coaching) have been confirming what we’ve all known all along - that happiness isn’t about ‘stuff’, it’s about experiences.

But accumulating stuff, getting that consumerist hit, is still a large part of modern living. A minimalist lifestyle is all very well in theory, but in practice, most of us still want to add items to our wardrobes; to create environments in our homes and gardens where we, our family and our friends feel comfortable and happy.

On pages 22/23, we look at Vegswap, a new LETS scheme and Freecycle – just a few ways of getting much of what we need without spending any money at all .

‘Living on less’ is no longer just the inevitable consequence of an economic downturn - it can also be a rewarding, enriching and creative lifestyle choice.

If you have more ways of Being Free, let us know.

Going out diary pages 20 - 21

Living on less pages 22 - 23

Wellbeing pages 24 - 31

Finally, can we be the first to wish you a very happy Christmas? Yes, I know this is only the October/ November issue, but we do have our first Christmas event, the Exeter Christmas Without Cruelty Fayre, on page 8.

And in our Dec/Jan issue, We’re Dreaming of a Green Christmas (and New Year), so if you’re playing a part in making Devon a more ethical and sustainable place to be this Christmas, get in touch and get in Reconnect – editor@reconnectonline.co.uk or call 01392 346204.

Editor

YURT HOLIDAYS IN CORNWALL

Sustainable, dog-friendly site in wonderful countryside, near beautiful beaches.

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

NEW for this year - Shepherd’s hut

Mill Valley Tipis & Yurts

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

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

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment Music and permaculture A MULTI-cultural evening of live world music and permaculture is coming to The Institute in Ottery.

Beth Hamer of Growing Our Futures will talk about her recent visit to Cuba and there will be music from Moussa Kouyate, master kora player from Senegal, and local fourpiece acoustic band Folkadelica.

Doors open after 7pm on October 2 and tickets are £6.50 from Roberts and Ottery Health Food Store, or £7.50 on the door.

Call 01404 851082.

For openers IS there any better place to see an artist’s work than in their own working space?

Rhetorical question – we say no.

Just check out the wonderfully rich and varied Exeter Open Studios right across Exeter and surrounding area, Friday-Sunday, November 5-7. See the art, meet the artists, maybe buy some, certainly be inspired.

Find out more at their amazingly comprehensive website, www.exeteropenstudios. co.uk.

Pride call NEW trustees are needed to keep the Rainbow Flag flying over Plymouth.

The largest Pride festival in Devon and Cornwall wants new trustees to oversee and help with the running of the annual event.

Find out more at www. plymouthprideevent. org.uk, or call 07753 339965.

Nappy natter

Nice weather for tree planting AS the weather gets wetter and colder, many people’s thoughts are turning to mugs of cocoa, marshmallow toasting and semi-hibernation.

Unless, that is, you’re into trees…

Winter is tree planting time, so National Tree Week is November 27–December 5.

And yes, it IS a 10-day week that’s how much we love our trees!

Local tree man Adam Griffin says: “Trees are good for us, good for the planet and totally essential – right? So if you’re going to do your bit to save the planet, planting trees is an iconic statement, probably the best return on your energy, time and money!

“People can get into some beautiful places this winter and create something that will last for generations.”

Livestock arrive down on the farm THE first livestock are arriving this autumn at Broadclyst Community Farm near Exeter as the project begins to gather momentum.

A small flock of sheep and a small number of pigs will be cared for by volunteers who hope to produce their first lambs in the Spring.

Cerian Henshaw, chairman of the farm project, said they had now also decided where crops will be sown - two acres of sweetcorn are planned and poly tunnels are being built. Soft fruits will be available in the autumn and a number of fruit and deciduous trees have been donated to the project.

The lease for the farm is to be formally signed in January next year, but the National Trust has been allowing access to prepare nursery beds.

Cerian said: “We’ve been on the land several

•

THE friendly and highly professional folk at Tai Chi Nation are offering the chance to train with them and become a Tai Chi instructor.

Their 18-month course, spread over 20 separate full days, follows a comprehensive syllabus to a national qualification recognised by the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain.

“The training is open to everyone although we would prefer some relevant experience – training in kung fu, for example, or as a yoga teacher,” said Tai Chi Nation’s Matthew Rochford.

• 4

times now and we’ve cleared rubble and fallen trees and started planting.”

An open day is planned for a date in November, giving the local community the chance to catch up with how well the project is progressing. Visitors will be given a tour of the farm, take part in tree planting and have a chance to sponsor an apple tree. Hedge crafts are planned for the children.

The project now has a 40-year-old Massey Ferguson tractor and needs advice and help in renovation work. They have also discovered a Ransomes plough buried in a hedge and are planning to restore it and use it on the farm.

Call 01392 469715 or visit http://farm.broadclyst.org APPETISER: There’s more local food news on page 6.

Plant rarities ORIGINALLY produced as an artwork, South Hams photographer Vicki Gardner’s book, Devon Rarities, is now available as a high quality, print-to-order book from www.blurb. com.

A quarter of the profits from the sale of the book, which looks at some of Devon’s rarest species and environments, will go to Devon Wildlife Trust.

Elementary...

WE just love lightbulb jokes, so thanks to Audrey Compton of Bovey Climate Action for the following: How many climate sceptics does it take to change a lightbulb? None.

It’s too early to say yet whether the lightbulb needs changing!

More, please...

Train to teach Tai Chi

Book lovers THE names of the winners of Chris Holland’s excellent I Love My World book got squeezed out of the last issue, so here they are: David Gillingham from Totnes; Wendy Melton from Exeter and Tess Wilmot from Ivybridge.

See page 10 (Eco homes) in this issue for another great eco book giveaway.

Local charity Moor Trees is leading the way in helping to restore healthy wooded habitats and create new native woodlands in partnership with local landowners. “They provide volunteers with all the tools, trees, tea and cake you could want,” says Adam. “You’ll end up with a warm glow that no fireside can provide!”

Find out more at www. thetreecouncil.org.uk and www.moortrees.org.

WANT to know more about the new generation of terry nappies – and have a leisurely cuppa with other mums at the same time?

The Totnes Nappy Company is running Nappuccinos at the Methodist Church Hall in Totnes, on the last Thursday of the month - October 28, November 25, a break in December, and again on January 27.

Call 01364 649258 or visit www. totnesnappycompany. co.uk.

A Tai Chi Nation class at Sharpham House

“ I run the course with Joe Salmon and Chris Waters and we are very fortunate to have Michael Potter from Westminster University to teach what we call ‘chi theory’.”

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Participants receive a 20,000-word handbook and two instructional DVDs prior to the start of the course, which is held at Harbour House in Kingsbridge (with a free transfer from Totnes railway station). The cost is £1,500, which can be paid by monthly instalments.

Tai Chi Nation are also holding a weekend retreat, ‘Tai Chi – inner alchemy, inner joy’, aimed at those who want to go deeper into particular facets of Tai Chi. The course runs at Sharpham House (“Fantastic local and organic vegetarian food,” says Matthew), near Totnes, November 12-14, and costs £239, full board.

Find out more and book on 0845 257 2142, or visit www.taichination.com.

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local people local events local food local health local environment The Contemporar y College of Homeopathy B r i s t o l

Putting Health Back In Your Hands

Expect the unexpected YOU’VE probably heard of Robin Currie, as co-founder of Reconnect, regular contributor and advertiser or the ‘green money man’ in the south west of England. Let’s just say we have a liberal sprinkling of him throughout our pages.

But as well as all these things, Robin has another string to his bow (which must now be starting to resemble a harp) - ceramics.

It all started about four years ago when his wife Trish bought him a two-day workshop with Ashburton ceramics teacher and creator Tati Dennehy.

That led to him taking on a regular weekly session and creating some very impressive work. Sufficiently impressive, in fact, that it is featuring in Not What We Expected, an exhibition of work created by eight of Tati’s students, at Birdwood Studio in Totnes, November 7-11.

However, earlier this year Tati put her workshops on hold while she had a baby, so Robin moved to the Unearth Studio in Exeter, hosted by ceramicists Ek Bowley and Eunice Calvert.

There his body of work grew even bigger (and weirder). Some of it is fairly mainstream but after creating a woman with a bird living inside her head, he has now moved on to geese wearing sunglasses, a lizard in swimming trunks and a tree with three arms…

Rather to his surprise, the work has created some very strong reactions (“Mostly positive, I think...” says Robin), including from the owner of a London gallery. Now Ek and Eunice have invited him to set up his very own exhibition at their studio, at 46 Preston Street, Exeter, November 16 - December 11.

We can’t pretend to be impartial, but we do recommend you check them out – not least because some of them are for sale and would make amazing Christmas presents!

You can find out more about the Totnes workshop (and examples of some of the work) at www. notwhatweexpected.co.uk, the Exeter one in Unearth Gallery at www. picture-box.co.uk/unearth/; and you can see some of Robin’s work at www.robincurrie.co.uk (there’s more at the exhibitions).

Over the summer Saltash-inTransition, set up by SEA to organise the Transition work, ran a Veg-inBeds competition and invited the public to identify as many edible

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• Weekend introductory courses • One year foundation course (part time) year professional training for • Four practitioner level (part time) CALL NOW to book a place on our next

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Common problems: • Stress

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Possible solutions:

• Better nutrition - what you eat and how much • Exercise - getting body and mind moving • Education - learning what makes YOU tick, what works for YOU

Saltash celebrates sustainable living TO mark the start of their Transition Fortnight last month, Saltash Environmental Action (SEA) presented the mayoress with a bunch of herbs - picked that morning from among the flowers in the planters in Fore Street.

We offer an enviable training with internationally renowned teachers and supervision in our busy teaching clinics

items as possible from those ‘secretly’ planted among the town’s flowerbeds.

Other Transition Fortnight events included a Freeboot Sale (like a conventional carboot sale, but using the town’s own currency, Saltash Shillings, instead of money), a film festival, a green pub quiz and, in conjunction with CLIC Sargent, a recycled fashion show.

• Using your mind - guided imagery, hypnosis, dealing with the past, creating the future • Environment - understanding the role of your environment in creating illness and what to do about it • Relationships - understanding how interactions with family, spouse, colleagues can harm or heal • Therapies - including acupuncture, healing touch, hypnotherapy

Peverell Clinic, 202 Peverell Park Road, Plymouth, PL3 4QE www.plymouthholisticdoctor.co.uk email: rmcgill@doctors.org.uk tel: 07709 110579.

Visit www.sea.pl12.org.uk.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Country Markets Ltd. Visit one of over 400 Markets found around England, Wales and the Channel Isles. Taste our Home Made produce from Cakes, Savouries, Preserves and Honey. Enjoy your garden by purchasing flowers and Plants, Fresh Vegetables from our gardens all Home Grown.

Purchase items of craft from many different regions of the country, in wood, paper, cotton and many mediums all Hand Crafted.

Join Country Markets and become a producer.

For details contact: Country Markets Ltd. email: info@country-markets.co.uk or look at our website for details of your nearest market www.country-markets.co.uk

NeW stOre 

LOCAL food... good for community economies, good for the environment and good for you.

Tell us how you’re making a difference - get in touch to get in the next issue.

Email editor@reconnectonline.co.uk



We will be celebrating



Biodynamic Fortnight

1-2 Birdwood Court,  Market  Square, October 5-16 Totnes   TQ9 5SG   So call in and find out 01803 866738  what’s so special about  biodynamic farming and its produce! www.greenlife.co.uk 

The main course of action AS the title suggests, there will be a communal meal at the centre of Embercombe’s new programme The Feast. But sharing a meal is just one small part of the proceedings…

“The process of planning, creating and consuming the feast is a way of entering a conversation about the whole concept of sustainability, from foraging and farming to waste and packaging,” explains Toni Spencer, one of the facilitators.

Toni and Tina Sharman, who is catering manager at Embercombe, say they are “passionate about exploring the wild, the unfamiliar and the undervalued as an invitation to transform our current food culture”.

Toni added: “We will also respond spontaneously to who is there and to what we can find foraging in the Embercombe grounds and growing in the wonderful Embercombe veg garden.

“We will explore what it is to prepare food as a community – and look at some of the more provocative issues surrounding food.”

The Feast runs from October 29-31 and costs £195, including food and yurt accommodation.

And look out for a week-long version of the event in the spring.

Call 01647 252983 and visit www.embercombe.co.uk

... and sampling super seasonal suppers SUSTAINABLE Crediton’s next seasonal supper will celebrate local seasonal food at a time of year when food is most abundant – “reminding us we can have a rich, varied and delicious diet without resorting to bumping up the food miles and visiting the local supermarket,” says Carol Lee, one of the organisers.

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Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

The meal, on Oct 9, will be prepared by volunteers who feel passionately about local, seasonal cooking.

The menu includes pumpkin soup, stuffed pork fillet or chestnut and stilton pie, and pear, apple and quince charlotte – if that’s getting the juices going, call Carol on 01363 82794 or email carollee3@ googlemail.com to reserve a place.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment More than veg boxes...

Proper behaviour THERE’S a lot of talk about returning to traditional values in farming today, but Proper Pork, based in South Devon, has tradition bred in the bone.

The Wakehams have raised crops and animals at Colston Farm, the home of Proper Pork, for four generations.

“When Great Grandfather farmed here there were no tractors,” said Helen Wakeham. “Horses did all the work and they milked by hand and delivered it by cart to Buckfastleigh.”

Today the farm is mechanised, but the traditional, non-intensive methods live on and the welfare of the animals is paramount, says Helen, who trained in animal husbandry at Seale Hayne Agricultural College.

“We are completely committed to the health and well-being of the animals,” she said.

Primarily a beef and sheep farm, Helen started with just two sows, which she was given by a neighbouring farm, and has now increased to seven.

“All our piglets are produced by crossing the Saddleback sows with my very own Welsh White boar,” said Helen. “A policy of late weaning and careful feeding allows for a slower and natural growth rate, which produces our Proper Pork.”

The ever-industrious Helen also runs Tucker’s Local Produce Market, where she sells the full range of Proper Pork products, including a wide range of sausages and burgers, as well as rashers and joints. It is also sold locally, with free delivery, and nationwide by courier.

Find out more at www.properporkdevon.co.uk, or visit the market, in Tucker’s Yard, open all day, Tuesday to Saturday.

THERE’S no stopping the wholesomely creative team behind Rod and Ben’s.

First they started up a veg box scheme to sell the produce they grew on Bickham’s Farm, near Exeter.

Then they formed a soup business, using their produce to create a range of tasty, wholesome and now award-winning varieties - the latest addition is their first meaty recipe, chicken and vegetable.

And now they do veg boxes with knobs on!C You can still choose M from a range of veg (and fruit) boxes, Y ranging from an £11 starter to a larder- CM busting £45 bumper MY size. But you can now also choose from a CY wide range of other produce - most of it CMY locally grown and K organic or, if not, from a producer whose ethics and outlook they share.

They offer free local delivery on orders over £25 and timed delivery on orders over £50.

Visit www.rodandbens. com or call 01392 833833 - and tell them we sent you…

Real Food in store for city THE long-running campaign to set up Exeter’s first community store was reaching a climax as Reconnect went to press.

The end of September was the latest deadline by which time the Real Food Store was hoping to have signed up enough supporters to take it to the next and most exciting stage – the fitting out of the two Sidwell Street shops.

Sarah Collier, the store project’s secretary and a founding director, said a recent meeting of supporters in the city had agreed a change to the business plan which would reduce the target amount and make the project more achievable.

The new store will include a “café lite”

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instead of a fully-fledged restaurant meaning a big saving on expensive kitchen equipment.

She told Reconnect: “Now the heat is on. It is a critical turning point. We’ve raised three-quarters of the capital we need. We’ve raised £92,000 and we need to raise £135,000 by the end of September. However, if somebody wants to invest on October 3 we are not going to turn them down!”

Sarah said they felt very upbeat, although it was still a big challenge.

The Real Food Store aims to offer organic and Fairtrade food at a fair price and will be specialising in local produce.

Visit www.realfoodexeter.co.uk.

Ashburton’s Upmarket Market!

NOW OPEN 5 DAYS A WEEK

TUESDAY TO SATURDAY Open all day

By popular demand, our well-established, under - cover Local Produce Market is now open 5 DAYS A WEEK in Tuckers Yard, Chuley Road, Ashburton TQ13 7DG. Come along and enjoy an easy, friendly shopping experience...there’s a host of award winning locally produced meat, organic vegetables, cakes, bread, cheese, flowers, preserves, ice cream, fresh fish, Fairtrade goods, handmade baskets, jewellery, textiles, greetings cards and even more.

TEAS/COFFEES every day, LIGHT LUNCHES on Thursdays, BARBEQUE x 93mm.pdf LUNCHES Seasons-64mm on Fridays and Saturdays. 1Free18/05/2010 parking right11:15 outside the door!

8 Well Street Exeter EX4 6QR

• Visit our vineyard & cheese dairy set in a stunning location on the banks of the river Dart near Totnes.

• Take a tour of the vineyard, indulge in some wine & cheese tasting or enjoy lunch in our alfresco café.

Admission to the vineyard shop is free, tour prices start from £4.95 per adult, children free.

See www.sharpham.com for tour details.

• Vineyard shop open every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am – 5pm from April 1st – end of September. Vineyard shop open Monday- Saturday 10am-5pm in October, November, December (until Christmas Eve) & March. Closed in January & February.

• Vineyard café open seasonally from Easter until end of September. Open every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-5pm. Booking for lunch strongly recommended on 01803 732 178.

To find us follow the brown signs from the A381 Totnes – Dartmouth road.

tel: 01803 732 203 www.sharpham.com Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

your local biodiesel recycled from used cooking oil suitable for cars, vans and heating 72% less carbon emissions cheaper than conventional diesel Greenearth Biodiesel Unit 4, Marsh End, Crediton, Devon EX17 1DN 01363 777750 www.greenearth-biodiesel.co.uk

Coming to YOUR village THE wonderful Villages In Action scheme continues to take top-quality performances right into the heart of rural communities and the Autumn programme is available now from libraries, TICs, local council offices and online at www.villagesinaction.co.uk.

Coming to a village hall near you this time around are, among many gems, the consistently brilliant stand-up poet Matt Harvey, local actress Anita Parry’s one-woman comedy drama What Would Helen Mirren Do? and Cuban band Asere.

Go and enjoy.

Complete Holistic Healthcare …and how you

can afford it

Finding your way to natural wellbeing in today’s demanding lifestyle is not easy.

There’s no quick fix.

The Barefoot Doctor’s Complete Holistic Healthcare treats the whole person, so at last you can enjoy total health. It includes: n Acupuncture - supported by… n Qigong for self-healing n Dietary guidance n Emotional support n Meditation groups And to ensure everyone can afford it, all The Barefoot Doctor’s treatments and support groups (which are held in Totnes and Dartington) are by donation only.

Call Ramin, The Barefoot Doctor, to find out more

Freephone 0800 434 6595 FREE TALKS: Meet The Barefoot Doctor and find out more about Holistic Healthcare at St John’s Church, Bridgetown, Totnes, 7.30pm, fourth Wednesday of every month

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8

Coming soon - Asere, above, and, below, poet Matt Harvey

Healthy view of cannabis DESPITE its more recent notoriety as a recreational drug, for thousands of years cannabis has been a valued herbal medicine and was widely used until the 20th century.

Pressure from pharmaceutical companies resulted in it being outlawed despite its well-documented medicinally therapeutic properties and its effectiveness in providing relief.

The recent launch of a cannabis– based licensed product has again thrown the spotlight on the health properties of the plant. The product is being promoted as the world’s first cannabinoid medicine derived from whole plant extracts from a genetically unique cannabis sativa plant and is only available on prescription.

Torquay-based company Therapia first launched its cannabis formulations back in 2001. Cannabis essential oil,

which is a natural whole plant extract, is an holistic oil that works on both physical and emotional levels.

Jonathan Abery of Therapia, says: “It is the legal alternative to the recreational form of cannabis (or marijuana) and is extracted by steam distillation from a variety of the cannabis plant that is naturally very low in the psychoactive THC compounds – so it won’t mess with your head or the law.”

Therapia’s most popular formulation containing cannabis is the Joint Cream (original Arthritic Formula) made with pure essential oils of cannabis, benzoin, lemon and ginger.

Call in on Therapia at 8 The Pavilion, Torquay, call 0800 0747 319, or visit www.therapiaonline.com.

Crafts not cruelty for a caring Christmas THE South West Christmas Without Cruelty Fayre, now in its fourth year, is already established as the biggest event of its kind outside London, say the organisers.

More than 30 stands will offer visitors the chance to buy unusual Christmas gifts, including clothing, cosmetics, cards and jewellery, in the sure knowledge their purchases go to a worthy organisation and do not cause any harm to animals, humans or the environment.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

The Christmas Without Cruelty Fayre is at the Exeter Corn Exchange on Sunday, November 28, 10am-4pm, free entry.

Find out more from Mark Gold on 01395 579353, or email mark.54. gold@googlemail.com.

IF you want to be part of our • bumper, fun-filled ethical Christmas and New Year December/January issue, email us NOW - editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Evolutions - after the fire

DETERMINED business woman Kay Harrison (right) is celebrating after a year to forget.

Her shop, Evolutions, has been trading in Exeter’s Fore Street for 12 years, specialising in crystals, jewellery, tarot, incense, CDs, meditations and more.

Today her shop is open again after a devastating fire in May closed it for over three months.

Kay has gradually rebuilt her large stock but still has plenty of work to do to renovate the extensive premises, which include therapy rooms.

Kay is hoping Evolutions will be fully open by Christmas to catch festive shoppers with some of her unique jewellery made locally but using mineral beads from all over the world.

Kay said: “We’ve had so many people saying they were glad we were open again. In our first month we were a lot busier than I expected.”

Smoke damage meant all the crystals had to be washed and relabelled, and cabinets had to be relined and cleaned and the building rewired. The fire, in the ground floor of the three-storey building, is thought to have started from a faulty extension lead.

Call Kay on 01392 410759 or 07863 356039.

Bare facts on city’s first naked bike ride EXETER’S first World Naked Bike Ride is planned to coincide with similar events around the world on Saturday, June 11, 2011.

We first heard of the event at Quest, from one of the organsiers, Ellie, who has taken part in Brighton’s last two rides, and wants to assure everyone the ride is fun, safe and you don’t have to get completely naked - just go as bare as you dare, says Ellie.

“There is a serious message behind it all - that if we don’t start getting

out of our cars and into the saddle in huge numbers we will not stop climate change,” she says. “The ride is supporting a vision for Exeter that is pushing for a complete and safe network for cycling that allows cycling to become the main mode of transport in the city.”

You can keep up to speed with developments, and find links to sites with info on other rides, by joining the Facebook group Exeter Naked Bike Ride.

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Trust in hunt for rare fruit tree varieties A LOCAL wildlife charity is searching for rare varieties of cherry tree to complete a collection of Devon cultivars for its new orchard in the Teign Valley.

The Devon Wildlife Trust is planning the orchard with the help of Orchard Link. It will be planted on a two hectare field at the charity’s Woodah Farm, near Doddiscombsleigh.

The Trust’s Andy Bakere, who looks after Woodah Farm, said:

”We have sourced the majority of the varieties we need but we would love to hear from people who might have some of the rarer cherry varieties specific to Devon that we need to complete the collection. Barum Beauty, Beech Bearer, Billy White and Butterbox are all examples of rare varieties we will be looking for.”

If you know of a local variety you think might be useful for the collection, call Andy on 01647 253121.

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01363 84226 www.woolsgrovecourt.co.uk Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

9

local people local events local food local health local environment Finishing Touches of Totnes

Stockists of everything for the home decorator Specialist in mixed paints Nutshell Natural Paints Huge selection of wallpaper books to choose from Suppliers of Jali radiator covers and made-to-measure cupboards

Eco homes

TELL us why you should be in the next Eco Homes - get in touch to get in the next issue.

Email editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Call for details on

01803 862244 Units 2&3, The Brutus Centre (opposite Somerfield) Totnes, Devon TQ9 5RW

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c h r i s n o a ke s CONSTRUCTION

Eco-construction and general building Higher Beenleigh Barn, Diptford TQ9 7ND

01548 821136 07890 417535 cknoakes@hotmail.com

Robert Somerville IndIgenouS BuILdIng deSIgn

His soft materials ECO home designer Robert Somerville’s work today is centred around sustainable building projects, but it was his earlier involvement in listed building restoration that first fuelled his appreciation and understanding of local, natural materials.

“Working on old buildings allowed me to see how well they had performed over the years – it was a great way to learn,” he explains.

His aim now is to include as many local, natural materials as possible in his current projects – what he calls ‘soft materials’ like cob, lime, oak and straw. And all locally sourced.

“They have so many advantages over ‘hard materials’ such as concrete, cement and plastics, which rely on resources from outside the region, or even outside the country,” says Robert.

New green homes book Oak, Stone, Earth & Lime Local natural building materials are our heritage.

For all work on barn conversions, listed buildings, and new eco-builds, talk to Robert Somerville and his team.

We have 25 years experience, and can help with everything from design, planning permission and project management to finding dependable local craftsmen.

Contact Robert on 01364 631 461 or robertjsomerville@googlemail.com

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GOVERNMENT. Who needs it, eh? Well, we all do, of course, but sustainable housing seems to be yet another example of government talking something up, while the people actually get on with doing something about it.

The latest Transition title, published by Green Books in Dartington, is Local Sustainable Homes - How to Make Them Happen In Your Community, by local expert Chris Bird.

Which housing associations are building Passivhaus homes for the elderly - and retrofitting existing houses with ground source heat pumps? And why is sustainable housing the exception rather than the norm?

Chris provides answers to those questions, and lots more besides, with examples including Sheffield council flats, Dorset ‘eco-clusters’ and profiles of Stroud, Brighton

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and Sheffield - as well as his native Totnes.

Chris himself has worked as a freelance journalist for 20 years, writing on sustainable building for The Observer and SelfBuild & Design.

He’s also active in the Totnes Transition movement, where he helps run the Building and Housing Group.

Local Sustainable Homes (ISBN 978 1 900322 76 8) is published by Green Books at £14.95 from all the usual outlets.

Reconnect has three copies of Local Sustainable Homes to give away to readers. To be in with a chance of grabbing one, simply email your name, address and phone number to editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk - and put ‘I want a greener home’ in the subject box. The books will go to the first three readers whose emails hit our inbox...

•

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local people local events local food local health local environment

“Soft materials can be incorporated throughout the fabric of a home, from the walls and roof to the floors and insulation – even the paints and finishes used. They create a home that is benignly habitable - warm, non-toxic, naturally ventilated and also very beautiful.”

It’s often said that the traditional Devon combination of cob and lime allows a building to ‘breath’ and Robert is quick to point out that they automatically create an internal humidity of 50-60% - the perfect environment for healthy humans.

The revival in traditional construction has also brought about a revival in the crafts and trades required.

“By the Eighties, these traditional skills had all but died out,” says Robert.

When he first started using cob, green oak and lime on his projects, he sometimes had to train workers himself on the job, but today the demand is attracting more young people into the trades.

“That’s when we see this same ‘soft’ philosophy extending among the tradespeople themselves,” added Robert. “There tend to be more women involved, for example, which helps to create an atmosphere of less bravado and more awareness of detail and cooperation on-site “And the same ethos is there in the client/designer/builder relationship – it’s a more holistic approach

with the sense that we’re all on the same team, sharing this increased awareness of sustainability.”

It’s still early days for this softer approach, but there are a number of factors driving its growth – not least of which is the ever-reducing supply, and therefore increasing cost, of oil (the peak oil effect).

“Bigger construction companies are still using largely ‘hard’ materials, but nothing focuses their attention like the bottom line and prices are definitely rising,” said Robert.

And if we are ever going to really do something about climate change, it’s likely that a green tax would hit these hard materials… well, hard.

“The use of soft materials is certainly not mainstream,” admits Robert. “It’s maybe like the organic food market was 20 or 30 years ago…”

That would seem an appropriate parallel. After years of highly processed, intensively farmed ‘convenience’ foods, we are at last getting back our taste for ‘old fashioned’ wholesome produce.

And it would seem people are now also getting the taste for the integrity, practicality and sheer beauty of local, natural building materials.

Call Robert Somerville on 01363 631461, email build@ earthoaklime.co.uk and visit www.earthoaklime.co.uk.

TOM HILLIARD

the craft of building excellence

Hand-crafted just for you BESPOKE furniture designer Andre Daniel has relocated his business, formerly based in Scotland, to Modbury.

Visitors to his workshops can see a whole range of striking and original furniture and accessories, including dining and coffee tables, mirrors and lighting. All Andre’s designs are created from ethically sourced British wood.

“No tree is felled to make any of my furniture,” says Andre.

“Most of the wood comes

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ltd

from storm-damaged trees, or those felled as the result of essential estate management.”

His work often uses very rare woods, like Bur Elm and other beautiful timbers, and features inlays of other materials, such as fused glass, metals, stone or fossils. The results are unique and truly one-off.

“I spent my childhood in the Devon countryside,” says Andre, “and my love of the sea and years of sailing the world on schooners, all contribute to my craft.”

Visit his workshop at Unit 7, Newmills Industrial Estate, Modbury, or call 07815 654 201.

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

01803 762807 | info@tomhilliardltd.com

www. t o mh illia rdlt d. c o m Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment Persephone Institute of Psychophonetics Unfolding Human Potential

Unfolding the inner drama

i am the StorY, the StorY teller & the StorY Writer i am the PlaY, the PlaYWright, the aCtor & the direCtor When the inner group of characters are outwardly expressed – the sleeping playwright and the dreaming director wake up.

Awakening to the inner theatre of the soul with Psychophonetics – Applied Psychosophy, Empathy, Gesture, Movement, Visualisation and Sounds to explore and express the Psyche with Yehuda tagar, principal of Persephone institute of Psychophonetics Sharpham House (South Wing), Ashprington, near Totnes Lecture: Thursday, September 30, 7.30-9.30pm £7(£5) Workshop: Friday, October 1, 9am-4.30pm, £50(£30) information and bookings: alexandra hoppe at Persephone College UK Call 07920 100794, email uk@psychophonetics.com, visit www.psychophonetics.co.uk

insight meditation in the buddhist tradition

Support for attachment DESPITE the area’s alternative take on many things, a South Devonbased parenting expert says she is surprised how little support there is for parents considering things like co-sleeping, babywearing and long-term breastfeeding.

Michelle Mattesini, who lives with her family (right) in Landscove, is starting new Attachment Parenting support groups in Ashburton and Totnes.

Attachment Parenting International (API) is an American-based, non-profit organisation aimed at supporting and educating parents.

“API advocates eight principles of parenting,” says Michelle. “These are pregnancy and birth, feeding with love and respect, nurturing touch, responding with sensitivity, safe sleep, providing consistent care, positive discipline, striving for balance in family life.”

The Ashburton group will meet at St Andrew’s Hall on West Street, from 10am-12noon on October 13, November 10 and December 8.

The Totnes group will meet on October 25, November 22 and December 20, from 10am-12noon at Birdwood House Ground Floor Community Room (on market square).

Find out more on 0781 2214 222, or visit www.devonapi.com.

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THE remarkable photography of Maureen Douglas-Green, above and right, is the subject of an exhibition at the Harbour House gallery in Kingsbridge, October 5-17. Maureen prints all of her own work, carries out commissions in both Brittany and in Devon, runs workshops, and gives talks to camera groups.

For more on Harbour House exhibitions, check out our diary (pages 20/21) and their website, www.harbourhouse.org.uk.

How crystals changed Louise’s life DISCOVERING crystal therapy and ending 10 years of stress and anxiety felt like a “coming home” for former software engineer Louise Woods.

“I travelled a lot and found myself getting increasingly stressed and anxious,” said Louise. “I’d been practising yoga for years but couldn’t always get to practice when I travelled.”

But she then learned about crystals and found they helped her relax.

“It changed my life,” she said. The only way I can describe it is that I felt like I had come home. I benefited so much I decided to quit my job of 10 years and dedicate myself to helping others reduce stress.”

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Louise has since also discovered EFT, which she describes as “a psychological version of acupuncture without the needles”.

After studying the therapy she became a practitioner and is now also trained in NLP, Reiki and Indian Head Massage.

Louise lives with her partner in Okehampton and practises in Exeter and Tavistock. She is also part of the Reconnect team and looks after the magazine’s Wellbeing section - find out more on page 24.

Call her on 07866 013 637, or email louise@reconnectonline.co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment Haven a lark A SURE sign of summer’s end, and some compensation for its demise, is the return of Acoustic Haven, the wonderfully varied, relaxed and unmissable evenings at Bowden House, near Totnes.

Think roaring fire, cushions on the floor and fine acoustic acts – and get tickets from Backtrax or Drift Records in Totnes.

Find out more at www. bowdenhouse.co.uk or on Facebook.

Apple days THERE’S a weekend of apple celebrations at Hazelwood House in Loddiswell.

Apple harvesting, from 11am-4.30pm, is followed at 5pm with a ceilidh on Saturday, October 2. And on the Sunday, you are invited to take along windfalls (or just bottles) to apple pressing, 10am-4pm.

Call 01803-868305 for more info.

For crystals, incense, jewellery, tarot, meditations, CDs and much more.

Evolutions

Martial arts master classes A MARTIAL arts master is running classes in South Devon and offering a unique chance to attend training retreats in France.

Matt Bindon (above), who has practised martial arts for 25 years and trains with Master Shi Yanmin Chen, a 34th generation Shaolin Monk, teaches Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu, Qi Gong and Chan Meditation.

He also teaches Sanshou (Chinese Kickboxing) and has trained champions including his son, Toby Bindon, who recently became an Open European Champion.

Matt teaches classes in and around Totnes and is planning to take groups on a training retreat to a remote, self-sufficient centre in France.

Find out more from Matt on 0777 2473291, or email mattbindon@aol.com.

Friends cross Devon to raise trust funds BY kayaking the Torridge and Dart rivers and cycling across Dartmoor, four friends from Strete, near Dartmouth, have crossed Devon (England’s second largest county) in just two days.

English, with Vicky Tanner-Tremaine as support crew, raised money for The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust.

Emma and Ed Parr Ferris and Roger

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

“Jeremy was a great friend of Emma’s and someone who meant a lot to many people,” said Ed.

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Share the car Share the costs Sue draws on creativity for new career PAINTER Sue Paterson, above, has realised her lifelong dream to make a living from her art.

The proof came during September when, along with 260 other Devon artists, Sue opened her home to the public as part of Devon Open Studios 2010.

For two weeks, artists invited people to see, and buy, their work where it is created - in their studios.

Sue, of Brookfield Cottage,

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Lympstone, completed a fine arts degree in the eighties and had always wanted to paint for a living. She took it up full-time after being made redundant in March this year and says she was amazed by the interest in her work which is selling well.

Sue was part of Devon Open Studios 2010 which involved over 130 studios across Devon.

Email suepaterson2@hotmail.com, visit www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

WELCOME to our regular round-up of local energy news, including a community-owned windfarm scheme, landfill gas, a converted watermill... and zoo poo power

Lucy Morris - in charge of Viridor’s landfill generator plants at Heathfield and Uffculme in Devon, as well as in Cornwall and Dorset with one of the giant landfill gas engines.

Firm taps landfill power Fantasticth

earnings wi

the Feed-in tariFF

IF you are a recent convert to garden or local authority composting, would it make you feel easier if you knew all the potato peelings, veg scraps and tea bags you’ve thrown out with the rubbish over the years are actually now benefiting the environment?

Down at the Heathfield site in Kingsteignton, many tons of methane gas is been given off by organic waste generated by the thousands of households in South and East Devon.

Twenty years ago the gas was simply ignited as it seeped out of the ground to prevent it escaping into the atmosphere.

But today more and more of it is being harnessed to produce energy.

The methane is produced by the process of decay from the site, half of which is domestic waste and half industrial.

The gas on the Heathfield site drives up to seven giant methane gas engines linked to generators, which send electricity onto the UK national grid.

Combined, tips across the South West produce enough electricty to power a small town.

Tipping first began at the 200-acre site in 1980 and when it closes in 2016, it will have taken in 11 million tonnes of waste.

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for a free no obligation survey of your home.

HOUSEHOLDS in Totnes are invited to take part in the second round of the greener homes project that could mean getting PV solar panels on their roofs virtually free of charge.

Transition Together brings together groups of households to discuss and take action on a range of eco measures, including insulation, buying local produce and cutting waste.

Participants can then go on to take park in Transition Streets, which offers a grant of £2,500 towards PV panels – and a further £1,000 and low-interest loans for low-income households.

And this time the scheme has been extended to surrounding parishes,

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including Ashprington, Berry Pomeroy, Cornworthy, Dartington, Diptford, Halwell & Moreleigh, Harberton, Littlehempston, Marldon, Rattery, South Brent, Staverton and Stoke Gabriel, as well as Totnes Transition Town Totnes, who are behind the scheme, say a total of 26 groups took part in the first round and the final number of homes with grantfunded panels is expected to top 70.

They are looking for up to 23 new groups to join for this second round.

Anyone interested in forming a group should call 01803 867 358 or email transitiontowntotnes@gmail.com. The deadline is October 10.

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Devon Fires Ltd Stoves, Service & Installation HETAS Accredited

The Cricklepit Mill system under construction

Mill’s new generation AN Exeter mill, where the water wheel once powered woollen cloth and flour production, is set to become a power generator once more with the installation of a new hydro-electric scheme.

Devon Wildlife Trust are installing the hydro turbine at their Cricklepit Mill HQ on Exeter’s quayside.

The project, funded by Renewable Energy 4 Devon, EDF Energy Green Fund, Viridor Credits and the Big Lottery’s BRE Community Sustainable Energy Programme, was nearing completion as Reconnect went to press.

The 3kW turbine will meet most of the charity’s electricity needs during the working week and any excess power produced over weekends and evenings will be sold back to the national grid.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Director Paul Gompertz is excited to see the work

begin on an important new chapter in the life of the historic Mill. He said: “This is a significant step forward for us and is part of our wider greening initiative.

“We already benefit from a green roof which acts as an excellent insulator along with a passive ventilation system which allows us to avoid the need for air conditioning in the summer months. We also use water from the leat to flush the office toilets – to save the high energy costs of using treated water of drinking quality.

“The turbine will allow people to be able to compare ancient ways of generating power to modern solutions once the turbine starts operating later in the year.”

Cricklepit Mill is open to the public each weekday between 9am and 5pm. Entry is free.

Visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org.

Call now for your no obligation quotation 01395 223777 / 07957 202024 www.devonfires.co.uk

Getting renewables right THE frenzy that has accompanied the arrival of feed-in tariffs for PV installations has inevitably resulted in a huge growth in companies setting up as installers.

In much the same way as double glazing brought hundreds of budding entrepreneurs onto the high street, so the renewables industry looks set to see a similar rush.

But buyers beware. Only installers registered with MCS – The Microgeneration Certification Scheme – will enable you to register and claim the tariff.

Gary Chamberlain, who runs the award-winning Positive Footprint renewable energy installation company, with branches in Yorkshire, London and Devon, says it is important for installers to consider the needs of each individual customer.

His company caters for all types of renewables, including PV, solar thermal, ground and air heat pumps and biomass. They will also look after new build and

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commercial projects.

Trained as a mechanical engineer, Gary says he has taken time to study both the technology and how best to install systems – with reference to the user and their individual needs.

He said: “What might be right for one person and that particular owner may not be perfect for the next occupier.

“We take the approach that, while you are doing your best for the customer, you are also trying to educate them as to what is out there. Companies should do their best to explain all the choices available to them - not just go with the first one they ask for.”

Gary says customers should first search for MCS-accredited companies by logging on to www. microgenerationcertification.org and go to the list of installers. It will also show which companies offer the full range of renewables.

Email positivefootprint@gmail.com, or visit www.positive-footprint.co.uk.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Turning poo into power The zoo’s environmental officer, Pete Morgan, shovelling... fuel.

IF you’re involved in local energy but haven’t been in Reconnect, you only have yourself to blame get in touch and get in the next issue.

Email editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Woodstove radiators turn up the heat PICTURE a team of Canadian lumberjacks holed up in their cabins on a freezing winter’s night.

How are they keeping warm?

Probably with Bullerjans, Germanmade woodstoves famed for generating big heat - and for radiating it fast.

Now Jim Morris of Devon Fires has brought them to Devon and has already solved one heating problem at an Exeter pub, The Bridge Inn at Topsham.

Out the back, they have a cavernous former Malt House, full of comfy settees and chairs. Before Jim arrived, the room was warmed by three Calor Gas heaters together with a small log burner.

Now there is no need for back-up with a Bullerjan in place and kicking out 14kw – the equivalent of 14 bars on an electric fire.

Jim’s latest challenge is to heat a large factory building in Birmingham - his solution is to install what is probably the biggest log burner in the country, giving off 45kw of heat.

Jim explained: “Most stoves get to 12 kw but they can’t radiate more heat. The Bullerjan originated in Canada where lumberjacks wanted to heat up their cabins quickly.”

Call 01395 223777, or 07957 202 024, email stoves@devonfires.co.uk, or visit www.devonfires.co.uk.

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And the only waste from the process is a valuable, nutrient rich, odour-free fertiliser - which is disposed of on-site.

Kevin said: “In the future we could create a near-perfect environmentally-friendly model.

We use VertiCrop to produce food efficiently on site for our animals, the animals produce dung, we use that dung and other waste material to help heat buildings including VertiCrop. It’s almost a closed system, with food miles reduced to food metres and power production as a bonus.”

Find out more at www. paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring 01803 697500.

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PAIGNTON Zoo has already won the hearts and green thumbs of gardeners across the region with its Zoo Poo. Now it is planning to produce its own energy - by chucking some of that big animal dung in an anaerobic digester.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, to give it its full name, has joined forces with North Wyke Research, near Okehampton, part of Rothamsted Research, and Totnes engineering firm New Generation Biogas, who have developed a small-volume, high-throughput, hi-tech anaerobic digester.

The plan is to run a pilot project to evaluate the biogas producing potential of Paignton Zoo animal dung against other raw waste materials.

Curator of Plants and Gardens Kevin Frediani said: “As an environmental park we want to explore possibilities – we can be the guinea pigs for new green technology and share the latest thinking with our half million annual visitors.”

Anaerobic digesters have been likened to a mechanical cow, using bacteria to break down organic waste, much like a cow’s stomach.

The difference is that instead of farting the stuff out to create all sorts of environmental problems, it is instead used to generate heat or electricity.

Queensgate House, 48 Queen Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3SR

THERE could be good news on the way for households considering the installation of biomass boilers and/or thermal (hot water) solar panels. Although just how good the news will be remains to be seen.

The last Labour Government published a consultation document suggesting a renewable heat incentive (RHI) – like the feed-in tariff, which is proving so lucrative for homes with

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PV solar panels, but for renewable heat sources.

The figures in the discussion document were very generous and would certainly have the desired effect – ie, boosting the installation of renewable heating systems.

But then we had a change of Government…

We’ve been speaking to the Department of Energy and Climate

Change and, as we go to press, the latest comment is: “We are committed to increasing the amount of renewable heat in the UK; this is a crucial part of ensuring we meet our renewables targets, cutting carbon and ensuring energy security.

We are currently looking at the Renewable Heat Incentive proposals.

Clearly there are benefits to the scheme, but we must also consider

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Community windfarm project A PROPOSED new communityowned windfarm at Totnes could produce a quarter of the electricity used by the town.

If planning permission is granted, two 2.3 megawatt turbines, on a site near Luscombe Cross between the roads to Harberton and Ashprington, would generate 4.6 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 2,500 households.

The windfarm is the first project of the Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC), working in conjunction with Infinergy, a Dorsetbased company, who would install the turbines and connect them to the National Grid.

TRESOC is set up as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS), in much the same way as a building society, with shares for sale only to residents of Totnes and the 15 surrounding parishes. Priced at £1 each, the minimum holding is £20 and the maximum £20,000.

Other TRESOC projects in the pipeline include an anaerobic digestion plant, plans for which are “well advanced” and “future projects may include hydro, solar and wood fuel sources of energy,” says TRESOC communications director Alan Langmaid.

“The Industrial and Provident Society status prevents domination by external large scale business and members will enjoy a financial return in the form of interest on their shareholdings when the Society is in profit,” he added “The aim is to provide a healthy and sustainable return on investments, keeping the Society under the democratic control of its members.”

TRESOC are distributing leaflets to every household in the catchment area, and full details of the scheme, and the share prospectus, are available from www.tresoc.co.uk or by phoning 01803 867431.

Relaxing in the green house PEOPLE attending the largest meditation retreat centre in Europe will soon be able to relax safe in the knowledge that they are also keeping warm without doing any harm to the environment.

Gaia House, near Newton Abbot, is planning to have a biomass boiler and solar thermal water heating system installed by Totnes-based renewable energy specialists Beco.

Since it opened in 1983, thousands of people have attended silent retreats at Gaia House, and director Andy Power says many of them have been inspired by what they have experienced there to make big changes to their busy lives.

“The root of our success is of course the teaching of meditation as a way towards emotional and spiritual maturity - passed on by high calibre teachers known throughout the world,” he said. “But much must also be attributed to those who have helped run the centre for so many years.

“This influence has included vegetarian meals so fantastic they have converted some to vegetarianism; and a recycling regime that sends a minimum to landfill and generates compost to feed the productive vegetable beds.

“Taking that environmental care still further, and reconnecting with the ideas of one of the founders, environmentalist Christopher Titmuss, Gaia House is teaming up with Beco Solar in Totnes to install a biomass boiler and solar thermal water heating.”

“We will look to make an announcement on the details of the proposed scheme as part of the Government’s spending review process.”

The outcome of the spending review will be

THERE are now 75 PV solar panels on the roof of Totnes Civic Hall, reducing the hall’s energy bill and earning money to pay for more low-carbon initiatives in the town.

The 14kWp system, installed on the hall’s south-facing roof by local power company BecoSolar, is expected to cut the hall’s electricity bills by up to £1,500 and to produce an annual income of around £3,900, courtesy of the feed-in tariff.

This will be split between the two project funders, Transition Town Totnes (from their Transition Streets grant) and Totnes Town Council, and will be spent on retro-fitting energy saving measures at the hall and on schemes designed to benefit low-income households.

“We’re very pleased to be working with Totnes Town Council to generate clean energy because it benefits the whole town,” says Adrian Porter, co-manager of Transition Streets.

Totnes Town Council has fitted the panels as part of Transition Streets, one of a number of greener living schemes being piloted around the UK. But until just last month, legislation (brought in at the time of energy company privatisation) had actually prevented other local authorities from producing and selling renewable energy.

In what it describes as “one of the first energy policy actions” of the coalition government, Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has now scrapped the law.

“Hopefully, it might also encourage others to adopt renewable energy solutions,” said Andy.

Find out more about Gaia House at www.gaiahouse.co.uk and about Beco Solar at www.becosolar.co.uk.

announced on October 24, when www.decc. gov.uk will give you the full story – or, at least, the way they choose to present it.

Whatever the outcome, though, the RHI will NOT be paid out on log burners.

Again, the official word: “These [log burners] present practical difficulties as it is extremely difficult to monitor how much

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Power-crazy councils

Help has come through a grant from the Community Sustainable Energy Programme, and a fundraising campaign is raising the balance needed. The project should be completed by mid-2011.

incentive scheme (perhaps) the impact of the cost, particularly given the financial constraints we must work within and the potential impact that funding options could have on vulnerable people.

Solar panels on Totnes Civic Hall

they are used (they are usually a secondary source of heat the use of which will be optional), and to what extent they are used with renewable fuel rather than, for instance, coal. The administrative cost of including these appliances in the RHI in a fair way would likely be very high.”

So there you have it.

Or might have it.

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18

What will you do on 10:10:10?

OCTOBER 10, 10:10:10, has been designated A Global Day of Doing, a massive day of positive action around climate change.

Two international campaigning groups are behind the initiative - the 10:10 campaign, founded

by The Age of Stupid director Franny Armstrong in a bid to cut the developed world’s emissions by 10 per cent by the end of 2010, and 350. org, a group that takes its name from what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The idea is to organise an event that cuts energy consumption and emissions - and/ or encourages others to cut theirs. Some are going for a 10 per cent cut, others are going for projects like new bus lanes and veg gardens, which have a more significant, ongoing contribution to make.

Bovey Climate Action (BCA - www. boveyclimateaction. org.uk) is asking its members to take part in a Sponsored Big Switch-off - to measure their electricity and gas consumption on a Sunday in advance and then switch off as many appliances as possible in order to cut their consumption to LESS than 10 per cent.

They are also being encouraged to get friends and family to sponsor them to raise funds for BCA. More than 1,500 events are already registered and there’s still time to get involved - visit www.1010global.org/ uk/101010 to find out more.

The holistic story TODAY’S high-pressure, fast moving lifestyle can make it difficult to stay in good health.

So acupuncturist Ramin (right), also known as the Barefoot Doctor, has developed what he calls Complete Holistic Healthcare to help you simply be well – naturally.

“Most of us live under great pressure,” said Ramin, “and this can result in damage to all aspects of our being - physical, emotional and spiritual.

“If we try to fix the problems using mainstream medicine, we accept we need long-term treatment – sometimes taking drugs for the rest of our life. And even then it often only helps to relieve symptoms, not addressing the root cause.

“My Complete Holistic Healthcare is based on the pain-free acupuncture that I practice, in conjunction with Qigong, dietary guidance, emotional support and meditation.”

Ramin admits that his approach is also not a “quick fix”. “It requires time and commitment,” he says, “and because that could get expensive, I operate on a purely donations basis – so you pay what you can afford.”

Call Ramin on 0800 434 6595, or hear a free talk at St John’s Church, Bridgetown, Totnes, at 7.30pm, on every fourth Wednesday.

Birth of an idea A SOUTH Devon holistic childbirth group has launched a fundraising programme to support birthing women and their families in the UK and Africa.

Birthing Wisdom, based in Totnes, is organising a number of events to raise money for three complementary causes: The Doula UK’s hardship fund (to give women on low income access to birth and postnatal support); for The African Birth Collective and their volunteers (working to reduce Africa’s high infant mortality rate), and for the creation of local mother’s support circles in the UK. Their first event is an eBay Auction of Promises, from November 22-28, when lots on offer will include tickets to London Fashion Week, a personal styling session with a top designer, therapy sessions, a weekend break, signed pictures… and an advertisement in Reconnect!

If you can offer a promise, email fundraising@birthingwisdom.co.uk, or for more info, info@joliedoula.co.uk.

Or, if that’s a bit tame for you, how about a firewalk?

Facilitated by an experienced leader, it will be held on a Saturday in November (tbc as we go to press) at Eden Rise in Totnes.

It will cost £35 to take part and you will be expected to raise another £100 for the African Collective and the Doula UK hardship fund.

Register your interest at info@joliedoula.co.uk.

Arts and crafts you can afford THE South Hams Arts Forum is showing its 13 members’ rich and varied range of arts and crafts at their Affordable Arts exhibition in Kingsbridge.

From October 23-29, the Market Hall will be home to a wide range

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of work, including painting, printmaking, ceramics, basketry, silver, scuplture and jewellery.

The SHAF members will welcome donations to St Lukes Hospice during the exhibition, which is open 10am-5pm.

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local people local events local food local health local environment Therapists’ Marking life’s little things Imagery, an all-women group of taster day INCIDENTAL artists, is focused on “the fascinating, but largely TWO Newton abbot therapists are offering taster sessions – and discounts off full treatments.

Su Wall is offering 15 or 30-minute Aromatherapy sessions for £5 or £10 - plus a voucher for the same amount off a full treatment. Or book a 30-minute Indian Head Massage or Reiki session with Jackie Christmas for £10 - and receive a £5 voucher off a full treatment.

The taster day is at Newton Abbot Natural Health Centre, 10am-4pm, on Saturday, October 2. Contact Sue on 07742 357016, or Jackie on 07974 111656, to book your appointment.

Details of the Newton Abbot Natural Health Centre can be found on www. newtonabbot naturalhealthcentre. co.uk.

Good food for your skin

unnoticed little things in life” for their fourth exhibition, The Little Things in Life. Pictured left to right (below), Jan O’Highway, Gill Greatorex, Luci Coles and Vicki Gardner (with Ruth Smith, not pictured) are displaying their playful, quirky art at Birdwood House Gallery, Totnes, from Monday-Saturday, November 15-20, with a latenight opening on Thursday the 18th. Call 01626 779628, or visit www.incidentalimagery.co.uk.

Grant for band project

Craniosacral with Sarah QUALIFIED medical doctor, and former Arcturus practice manager, Sarah Parker is back at the centre in Totnes - as a craniosacral therapist.

Sarah, who left mainstream medicine, where she had qualified, to work in complementary health, graduated from the Karuna Institute of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, on Dartmoor.

She is practising from Arcturus Clinic at 46 Fore Street, Totnes. Call 07834 978560.

MID Devon could become a breeding ground for new young music, thanks to a new project.

Band Lab is backed by a £4,408 grant from Devon Community Foundation’s Grassroots Fund and will take the form of weekly music-making workshops, 4-6.30pm on Mondays, aimed at 1116 year-olds from rural areas who currently lack creative opportunities.

The bands will compose original material, with guidance from professional music makers, and produce a studio CD before the end of the project in April 2011, when they will perform in front of a public audience.

Around 30 young people are expected to participate in the workshops, which are run by Crediton Rural Arts and Music Project, (CRAMP).

Fees are just £40 per term, and there is a limited budget for help with travel costs from villages.

Find out more from CRAMP manager Marie Belsten on 01363 772598, or visit www.crampdevon.org.

BECAUSE 60 per cent of what you put on your skin is absorbed by your body, applying make-up can actually be a threat to your health.

Aromatika, in Totnes, offers organic and natural aromatherapy skin care, hand-made, free of any nasties and not tested on animals.

And everything except lip balms and body butters (which contain bees wax) fine for vegans.

Lisa Hosking of Aromatika says the skin is our largest organ and is porous: “What we put on our skin is as important as the food we eat!”

On Sunday, October 3, Lisa is running a full day workshop on how to make face cream, natural deodorant, lip balm, body scrub and clay mask. It runs from 10am-4.30pm and costs £75.

Call 01803 867 701, or 07871 086 203, email lisa@aromatika. co.uk, and visit www.aromatika.co.uk.

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19

local people local events local food local health local environment

WELCOME to our round-up of green and alternative events across the area. As always, we suggest you get in touch, or visit their websites, to check event details haven’t changed before turning up. If you have similar events planned for December or January, email us details before November 12 – editor@reconnectonline.co.uk OCTOBER

MONDAY 4

SUNDAY 10

Until Sunday 3

Indigo, a World of Blue, film about traditional ways of growing and processing the dye around the world, Transition Town Totnes, 43 Fore Street, 7.309.30pm, donation, www. totnes.transitionnetwork.org

Get Fresh with Veg, veg dish workshop with Occombe’s Community Garden head gardener and chef Emily Vevers, Occombe Farm Community Kitchen, 9.30am-2pm, booking essential, 01803 606035, www.occombe.org.uk

Devon Art Fair, Riviera International Conference Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, www.devonartfair.com Until Sunday 3 Digressions: Recent works

by Rosie Burns, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse.org.uk Until Sunday 3 Manhattan Short Film Festival, Blue Walnut Cafe, Walnut Road, Torquay, www. bluewalnuttorquay.co.uk Until Sunday 10 The Two Moors Festival, classical music events at venues across the region, www.thetwomoorsfestival. com Until November 16 Exeter Autumn Festival 2010, 60 events (theatre, comedy, music), at various venues across Exeter, www. exeter.gov.uk/autumnfestival

Until Friday 29 Exhibition: John Makepeace - Enriching the Language of Furniture, The Devon Guild of Craftsmen exhibition, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, 10am- 5.30pm, free, www.crafts.org.uk SATURDAY 2

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Apple harvesting, 11.0am-4.30pm, followed by ceilidh, 5pm, Hazelwood House, Loddiswell, 01803-868305 Therapies taster day, Newton Abbot Natural Health Centre, 01626 360622, www.newtonabbot naturalhealthcentre.co.uk Exeter Friends of the Earth meeting, at George’s Meeting House, South Street, Exeter, 10amnoon, 07801 136937, www.exeterfoe.org.uk SUNDAY 3

www.e-cocars.com 07753 325 014

20

Cycle Friendly Routes around Plymouth, Cafe Roma, Civic Centre Square, registration from 10.30am, www.sustrans.org.uk Carthy & Swarbrick, reunion of legendary folk duo, 7.30pm, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, 01392 665938, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchangewhatson Apple pressing, Hazelwood House, Loddiswell, 10am-4pm, 01803 868305

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TUESDAY 5 Until Sunday 17 Incite: New Photography

by Maureen DouglasGreen, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse.org.uk Transition Exeter’s Project Showcase, open meeting, at St Sidwell’s Methodist Church, 7.30pm, 01647 24789, gill.b@ transitionexeter.org.uk Continued Financial Expansion, Financial Collapse, or Prosperity without Growth?

Talk with Tim Jackson, author of Prosperity Without Growth, Ed Mayo, secretary general of Cooperatives UK and Naresh Giangrande of Transition Town Totnes, Totnes Methodist Church, 8pm, Totnes. transitionnetwork.org THURSDAY 7 Green Drinks with 186 Low Carbon Network, Plymouth Gin, The Barbican, Plymouth, 6pm, 01752 304220 or sustainability@ plymouth.gov.uk Maddy Prior, folk legend accompanied by Benji Kirkpatrick and Giles Lewin, Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Road, Exeter, 8pm, 01392 270891, www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk FRIDAY 8 Until Sunday 10 Friends of Embercombe working weekend, work together on the land, stay in yurts, 01647 252983, www.embercombe.co.uk SATURDAY 9 Sustainable Crediton seasonal supper, see page 6, 01363 82794, carollee3@googlemail.com Volunteering Day at the Landmatters Permaculture Project, near Totnes, 01803 712718, www.landmatters.org.uk Plymouth LETS market and get-together, Unitarian Church Hall, Notte St, Central Plymouth, 01752 220423

MONDAY 11 Hit Me! The Life & Rhymes of Ian Dury, 7.30pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, 01392 493493, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk TUESDAY 12 The Future of Food, film about GM foods, Dartmouth Inn, Totnes, 7pm, totnes. transitionnetwork.org SATURDAY 16 Music Benefit Evening with variety of folk, jazz and blues artists, in aid of Exeter Ethiopia Link, Matthews Hall, Topsham, 7.3010.30pm, £6 (£3), 07977 272174, www.acousticcafe.org.uk Tree Seed Gathering & Planting, with Trees For Health, Sharpham Estate, Ashprington, Near Totnes, 11am-4pm, www.treesforhealth.org SUNDAY 17 Apple Day Food & Crafts Festival, Cockington Country Park, 10am-4pm, www.countryside-trust.org.uk THURSDAY 21 Until Sunday 24 Dartmouth Food Festival, food events across the area, www. dartmouthfoodfestival.com FRIDAY 22 Until Wednesday Nov 10 Holiday Sketching - open art exhibition, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse.org.uk SATURDAY 23 Hips, Haws & Chestnuts; with Trees for Health, workshop covering process from harvest to processing, packaging & eating, 10.30-4pm, free, Sharpham Estate, Ashprington, near Totnes, www.treesforhealth.org Plymouth’s Earth Café - eco networking, news, vegan buffet, Cellar Bar, The Fortesque, Mutley, Plymouth, 7.30-11pm, 01822 832815

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MONDAY 25 Exmouth LETS inaugural general meeting, Telfer Centre, Exmouth Community College, 7pm WEDNESDAY 27 Eco Business Fayre, Guildhall, Plymouth, 9.30am-4.30pm, 01752 304220, sustainability@ plymouth.gov.uk Developing the Insight for Optimum Health, free talk by The Barefoot Doctor, 7.30pm, St John’s Church Bridgetown, Totnes, 01803 814338, raminthebarefootdoctor@ gmail.com Green Drinks, meet green-minded people in Totnes, The Barrel House, 7.30pm, 01803 867382, 07508 984036 THURSDAY 28 Autumn Harvest with Trees For Health, gather and cook crops and wild foods, Underwood Discovery Centre, Beeson Farm, Kingsbridge, 11am-4pm, www.treesforhealth.org Nappuccino, talk babies over a cuppa, 10am-noon, Methodist Church Hall, Totnes, 01364 649258, www.totnesnappycompany. co.uk FRIDAY 29 Acoustic Haven, music and food, Bowden House, Totnes, tickets from Backtrax or Drift Records in Totnes, www.bowdenhouse.co.uk SATURDAY 30 And Sunday 31 Occombe Hallowe’en Trail, Occombe Farm, 5.30-8pm, www.occombe.org.uk And Sunday 31 Introduction to Hedgelaying, Cockington Court, 9am-3pm, booking essential, 01803 606035, www.countryside-trust.org.uk Craft Hub Falling Leaves Fair, craft fair themed around Autumn, St Matthews Church Hall, Higher Summerlands, Newtown, Exeter, 10am-4pm, free entry, www.thecrafthub.co.uk Show of Hands in concert, St Mary’s Church, Totnes, philliphenrybookings@ hotmail.com Exeter Jazz Club presents Georgia Mancio Quartet, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, 8pm, 01392 665938, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchangewhatson

NOVEMBER Until November 16 Exeter Autumn Festival 2010, 60 events (theatre, comedy, music), at various venues across Exeter, www. exeter.gov.uk/autumnfestival MONDAY 1 Exeter Comedy Club, Corn Exchange, Market Street, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchangewhatson Transition Totnes planning & making decorations for St Mary’s Christmas tree, TTT offices, 7.30-9.30pm, totnes.transitionnetwork.org WEDNESDAY 3 Howard Marks – An Audience with Mr Nice, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, 8.15pm, 01392 665938, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchangewhatson THURSDAY 4 Imagine There’s a Future, Devon choirs perform poem to music by composer Jonathan Lee, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, 7pm, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk FRIDAY 5 Until Sunday 7 Exeter Open Studios, at studios across Exeter, www. exeteropenstudios.co.uk.

Exeter Comedy Club, Corn Exchange, Market Street, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchangewhatson SATURDAY 6 And Sunday 7 Gem n Bead Show, Newton Abbot Racecourse, 10am-4pm, www.gemnbead.co.uk Winter Salads, how to grow healthy winter salads, workshop with Occombe Farm head gardener Emily Vevers, Occombe Farm Community Kitchen, 9.30am-2pm, 01803 606035, www.occombe.org.uk SUNDAY 7 Mind, Body, Spirit Fair, Newton St Cyres village hall, 10am-4pm, 07969650104, www.wizardnumerology. co.uk/ WEDNESDAY 10 Coast and Countryside Trust volunteer day at Hopes Nose, Ilsham Marine Drive, Torquay, 9.15am-3.30pm, free, no booking required, www. countryside-trust.org.uk

Bovey Tracey: every other Sat Ashburton: Tues to Sat Buckfastleigh: every Thurs Crediton: first Sat Dartmouth: second Sat Exeter: every Thurs Exmouth: second Wed Kingsbridge: first & third Sat Newton Abbot: every Tues Plymouth: second & fourth Sat South Molton: fourth Sat

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SATURDAY 13 Until Sunday 21 Seeing Things Differently: Recent Works

by Anne Scarratt, Margaret Deans & Christine Linfield, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse.org.uk TTT Winterfest 2010, ‘Inspiring ideas from across our community’, Civic Hall, Totnes, 11-4pm, 01803 867358, www.totnes. transitionnetwork.org Knit Expo, The Big KNIT Show, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, 10am-4pm, www.knitexpo.co.uk WEDNESDAY 17 Wildlife in Organic Growing Systems, illustrated Devon Wildlife Trust talk by Martyn Bragg at the RC Church Hall, Ashburton Road, Bovey Tracey, 7.30pm, www.devonwildlifetrust.org

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SATURDAY 20 Emily Maguire in concert, Hazelwood House, Loddiswell, Kingsbridge, 6.45pm, www.hazelwoodhouse.com TUESDAY 23 Until Sunday 28 Christmas Craft Fair South Hams Arts Forum, Harbour House gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk How to Make and Use Compost, talk by expert Nicky Scott, Occombe Farm Education Centre, 7-8.30pm, booking essential, 01803 606035, www.occombe.org.uk WEDNESDAY 24 Health & Disease: What is & What works, free talk by The Barefoot Doctor, 7.30pm, St John’s Church Bridgetown, Totnes, 01803 814338, raminthebarefootdoctor@ gmail.com THURSDAY 25 Nappuccino, talk babies over a cuppa, 10am-noon, Methodist Church Hall, Totnes, 01364 649258, www.totnesnappycompany. co.uk FRIDAY 26 Acoustic Haven, music and food, Bowden House, Totnes, tickets from Backtrax or Drift Records in Totnes, www.bowdenhouse.co.uk SUNDAY 28 South West Christmas Without Cruelty Fayre, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, free, 10am4.30pm, www.exeter.gov. uk/cornexchangewhatson SATURDAY 27 Until Sunday 28 Fantasy, Faerie & Visionary Arts Event, arts, crafts, dance, storytelling, 10.30am6pm, The Flavel, Flavel Place, Dartmouth, www. laughingmagpie.co.uk Mind, Body & Spirit Fayre, The Carlton Theatre, Teignmouth 10am-4pm, 01626 775401

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

21

local people local events local food local health local environment

Help them out by NOT investing...

VOLATILE. I think that’s the best word to describe the current market because it’s been going up and down across the board for the last few months. Often as a reaction to people’s emotions. Particularly those of the guys in London who trade so to make a short-term profit, irrespective of the effect it will have on the universe.

That suggests money is even more weird than most of us assume - which, as a financial adviser, I can confirm.

Look at it this way: in the old days investments were regarded as long-term. Money was put into companies to support them and to help them become profitable because, in due course, the investors would benefit.

And so would society.

But then we invented the computer and the internet and it all started to change.

Now shares can be traded online, investments are increasingly vulnerable. They can easily be subject to short-term manipulation rather than remaining there to help the actual company they are designed to support.

And yes, you will have noticed it has quite a powerful effect on society as well.

So if investment is currently so short-term, why would we consider investing for more than a couple of weeks? Especially doing it ethically and in line with our personal criteria…

Well, it’s true people find it more difficult to have an emotional commitment to the way they will deal with something which is going to be around for years and years. Pensions, for example.

By contrast, people find they react strongly to things which occur from week to week – like changes in the stock market.

But interestingly, there is something called Pound Cost Averaging, which allows you to benefit from short-term volatility over the long-term. Essentially, if you are investing in a volatile market, the more it drops the more likely you are to be able to purchase a disproportionate number of shares. Especially if you are purchasing above-average risk funds.

And if there is a reasonable chance the market will eventually recover, there is a substantial advantage for investing on a regular basis rather than paying in a single lump sum. By putting in relatively small amounts of cash on a regular basis, clients minimise the risk of purchasing all their shares at the top of the market.

By putting money into the stockmarket gradually, they benefit from a smoothing effect. If the price of units falls in the short term, they are able to purchase proportionally more.

On the basis that there are optimistic things to discover from pessimistic experiences, I thought I’d let you know that one of my favourite green funds is closing.

Impax Environmental Leaders fund invests in global companies developing products and services to mitigate and solve some of the world’s most pressing ecological problems. It focuses on three key environmental sub-sectors: alternative energy

and energy efficiency; water treatment and pollution control; and waste technologies and resource management.

The fund has been running since March 2008 so no long-term figures are available, but it has done extremely well in a difficult market and seemed likely to continue in this way.

But because it’s too small, not enough people have invested in it and, as a result, it’s closing in October.

But…the fund management company has been enrolled by Skandia to manage their ethical fund, which is somewhat bigger than the Impact one.

That is, it’s worth £74,000,000. Seventy four million quid! And it’s been agreed they will manage the fund by investments in alternative energy, energy efficiency, water treatment, pollution control and waste management.

But is this a good idea in a volatile market? Well, if you’re looking to invest in the long-term my suggestion would be to put money in on a regular basis because you are likely to benefit from pound-cost averaging.

But if you’re investing in the short-term… don’t bother selling shares only because you’re making money often has a negative effect on the companies you invest in.

And if they are there to support the environment, the effect on their trading price can make them cease. And that will effect all of us, now and in the future.

And unless you’re someone who is only stimulated by major risk, it’s probably not a good idea for you either. Put it into the National Lottery or bet on football matches or the horses - you may win or lose, but you’ll enjoy the process.

And the rest of us will start to relax as well!

Robin Currie is an Independent Financial Adviser and a specialist in green, ethically-screened and environmentally-sensitive funds.

For an appointment, call Robin direct on 01392-411630 or e-mail robin.currie@barchestergreen.co.uk.

Details about the workshop Making Friends with Money are available at www.makingfriendswithmoney.co.uk or by calling Sharn Kern on 01392-346336

IT’S the new consumerism and it doesn’t use money.

Here we explore three ways of living on less...

Online veg swap WE all know the benefits of fresh fruit and veg (not least the taste), but while they are undoubtedly worth every penny, they don’t come cheap - unless they come free.

Growing your own is far cheaper, of course, and any surplus can be swapped - those extra jars of pickle could get you the very spuds your kitchen is crying out for.

But what happens when your neighbours, family and friends don’t have the produce you’re looking for? The answer could just be www. vegswap.co.uk.

The website came about in January last year, when Sue Mortimer, who lives in Totnes, was trying to find a home for all her surplus fruit.

Fortunately, her husband, Chris, is a website designer/programmer and between them they came up with a website designed to set up perfect swaps. You simply type in your postcode, followed by the produce you have on offer and what you’d like in return, set the distance you are prepared to travel and the technical bits do the rest.

The site is intended not just for veg but also for eggs, honey, jams, juices... any produce, in fact.

Of course sites like this only work when there are enough local people signed up, so if you fancy it, you know what to do.

LIVING ON LESS: We want to know how you live more by spending less. So tell us your ways of Being, Free - email editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Forthcoming workshops: Plymouth – 7th and 28th November

w w w. m a k i n g f r i e n d s w i t h m o n e y. c o . u k 22

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LETS trade with Cockles

One month after the launch, the LETS scheme already had 29 members, with more people interested in signing up.

Said Paul Strong, Delia’s partner and another founder member of Exmouth LETS: “Trading has already started. Delia and I are both having massages next week, we’ve put in an order for homemade bread and I’m hoping to borrow a long ladder – all on the LETS. We are delighted by the response.”

Call 01395 272959 or email exmouth.lets@yahoo.co.uk, or visit www.transitiontownexmouth.co.uk THE inagural general meeting of Exmouth LETS is at the Telfer Centre, Exmouth Community College, on Monday, October 25, at 7pm.

•

If you want it, here it is...

FREECYCLE, and the breakaway group Freegle, are living, digital proof of the age-old adage, ‘One man’s meat is another man’s poison.’

For those who are not familiar with the concept, they are volunteer-run online groups where members can post their unwanted objects and other members can claim them.

If more than one member wants it, the person offering it chooses who it goes to. The lucky punter then calls round and picks it up.

And that’s it. No money, no tokens, no vouchers. Just giving and accepting. ‘Changing the world one gift at a time’ as the Freecycle slogan has it.

For those giving stuff away, it is a convenient and simple way to just get rid - the perfect way to do some life laundering without leaving home.

Or having to pay someone to take it away. And it keeps it out of landfill.

For those on the receiving end, it’s a local source of free... well, just about anything - from surplus fruit

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to furniture; unwanted building materials to left-over knitting wool.

And for those of us who want to indulge our dark consumerist desires without putting yet more pressure on the world’s ever-diminishing finite resources, it is just perfect sustainable, community-building and non-profitmaking.

ORGANIC & NATURAL SKINCARE 101 HIGH STREET, TOTNES | WWW.AROMATIKA.CO.UK

www.macroschool.co.uk

THERE’S a new currency set to hit the market in the South West – the Exmouth Cockle.

Transition Town Exmouth (TTE) members have won town council funding to launch a LETS system, which will mean cashfree trading for anyone who wants to join up.

LETS stands for Local Exchange Trading System, a communitybased barter system where members trade goods and services using its own currency – in Exmouth the Cockle – instead of money. The system was launched at the beginning of August.

Delia Pemberton, right, the chairman of Exmouth LETS, said: “Everyone can become a member of Exmouth LETS because we all have something to offer – whether it is a skill, such as decorating or chiropody, or a service, such as shopping or giving someone a lift.

“Local organisations, like schools and churches and businesses, can also join. A list of all the goods and services offered by members will be published in a directory which will be updated and distributed to members every six months.”

Delia said that taking part in a LETS system offered many ways to reduce waste and build local resilience.

“Growing food, sharing transport, learning new skills or reusing and repairing clothes, furniture and appliances – whatever your contribution, cash free local trading can make a real difference,” she said.

international

MACROBIOTIC

Totnes, Devon

school

SHORT COURSES

‘Just Cooking’ with Debbie Jansen

Beautiful Beans Frid 8th Oct £50 Gorgeous Grains Frid 19th Nov £50

Day Introduction to 30th Oct £75 Macrobiotic Cooking Tel. 01803 762598 info@macroschool.co.uk

Freecycle started in the States and is now operating in close-on 90 countries.

The UK-based breakaway movement, Freegle, came about last year when, say the Freegle organisers, “Freecycle changed radically under our feet”. Unhappy with what they saw as a lack of freedom to develop initiatives, and with how group operators were being treated, they formed their own organisation.

84 High Street, Totnes 01803 867840 www.kayagallery.com

A warm and welcoming gallery offering a broad selection of affordable classic and contemporary artwork, from both local and national painters, sculptors and photographers.

Both organisations operate through local groups, set up as Yahoo Group mailing lists - check them out for yourself at www.freecycle.org and www.ilovefreegle.org.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

23

local people local events local food local health local environment EU changes will threaten UK herbalists Giving the most benefit to others IF everyone working to make the world a better place was making full use of all their wisdom, talents and energy, we would be much closer to succeeding, reasons lifecoach Erica Lewis.

WELCOME to Wellbeing, Our complementary therapy and personal development section is growing all the time, providing a fascinating and increasingly comprehensive guide to holistic wellbeing right across the area.

A 1/8-page advertisement, like those below, costs just £85.

And our three-for-two offer for new advertisers gives you effective exposure,

in a magazine read by thousands of prospective clients, for less than £30 a month!

Single and double column boxes in our classified section (see page 29) are £50 and £90 respectively.

Again you can book three for the price of two.

Or maybe you just want a lineage ad - see the coupon on page 30.

Relocated Atlas points the way

“Developing yourself fully and dealing with any blocks and difficulties, isn’t a self-indulgent luxury,” she says.

“It is an important part of giving your very best to this essential work.”

Erica, who is based at Dartington near Totnes, says coaching gives people a space to get really clear about what is important to you and to change what gets in the way of you fulfilling your whole potential.

“I am inspired by those who are doing imaginative and fun things to benefit people,” says Erica, “and because they might inspire you too, I am writing about them in my new blog.

“And because stress is a very common experience, I’m giving away a five-minute stress busting exercise on MP3 at www. inspiringaction.co.uk.”

Call Erica on 01803 867209.

We can also offer help and advice on content and design.

Call our Wellbeing specialist, Louise Woods (above), on 07866 013 637, or email her at louise@reconnectonline.co.uk.

Call Pete or Martin on 01392 346342/346204.

Louise Page - a counsellor at RH&E for 15 years

Louise sets up own practice COUNSELLING and guidance for people suffering from life-threatening illness requires special skills.

For Louise Page, 15 years as a counsellor at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has brought her into contact with many people suffering from cancer and leukaemia. She also ran anxiety management courses over 13 years at the FORCE Cancer Care charity in Exeter.

Now she has decided to set up her own practice from her home in Thorverton to offer a wide range of therapies to the community.

She said: “I recognised many of the techniques and approaches I’d been using with people with life-threatening illnesses were now needed by everyone.”

Louise provides counselling, supervision, Journey Therapy, Life Coaching, Reiki and massage and a series of Journeying Days based around the natural cycle of the year. Call 01392 860509, or email louise.page@campion.f2s.com.

IS your Atlas out of place or rotated? If so you could benefit from a new treatment developed in Switzerland in 1996.

According to therapist Marie Casalini, the Atlas, the bone at the base of the skull, carries not only the skull, but also facilitates suspension, balance and control of the spine.

Said Marie: “Extensive research demonstrates the importance of the upper neck concerning our health and emotional balance. Many people’s Atlas is out of place, rotated forward and left, causing a variety of problems. Fortunately, it is now possible to relocate the Atlas to its correct position using the AtlasPROfilax method.

“This technique was discovered and developed in Switzerland by René-Claudius Schümperli, who was himself painfully affected by a misaligned Atlas.”

Marie explains that the whole backbone tries to compensate for the imbalance causing significant adverse changes to the posture. The results are symptoms such as recurring headaches/migraines, neck pain, stiff neck, back pain, lumbago, herniated disc(s), scoliosis, jammed spinal nerves, scoliotic pelvis, hip joint pain and maladies of the knee.

She added: “The Atlas correction is a unique, effective, non-medicinal method and requires no cracking neck or manipulations. We massage the tight muscles around the base of the skull where the Atlas is trapped and release it. The atlas moves into full location in one session.”

Call 01342 303279 or email marie.atlas@yahoo. co.uk, or visit www.marieatlas.co.uk.

PROPOSED changes in the law are threatening UK herbalists.

Jenny Macdonald MNIMH, a qualified herbalist who works at Greenlife in Totnes, explained: “In early 2011, a change in EU medicines law will mean many over-thecounter herbal remedies and medicines made up by a third party will not be available to practitioners for their patients.

“The only way herbalists can continue to have access to their full range of medicines is by being designated ‘authorised health care professionals’. But after almost 10 years of statutory regulation of herbal medicine in the UK, it seems very likely the government will withdraw from that commitment.

“This would be a betrayal of all the work the profession has put into raising educational standards, implementing professional development and training, establishing codes of ethics and disciplinary procedures.

“These dangers can easily be avoided if the Government holds to its previous commitment to regulate the herbal profession. We need to push the Government to proceed with their previous commitment to statutory regulation.”

Find out more from Jenny in Greenlife or visit www.nimh.org.uk.

Soundz Magic “experience the beauty, bliss and power of Sound Healing”

Gong/Sound Baths in the community Exeter, Teignmouth, Torquay and Totnes.

Check the dates Go online to www.openspirit.co.uk or call Martyn on 0800 955 3488 or 0777 1392 915 24

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local people local events local food local health local environment Get help to give it

Katheryn Trenshaw

Living real life IT is ironic that for some people the, often selfimposed, pressure to seek personal development can become one of the things they feel they have failed in not doing. And because it includes the word ‘development’ suggests under-development as a person - not a message many of us need.

But what if there was a sort of ‘practice-less practice’ that focused not on what would, could or should be, but simply helped you to ‘live in, and as what is, real’?

Katheryn Trenshaw runs workshops and retreats teaching Passionate Presence, designed to help people “participate fully in their own existence”.

“It is not about self-improvement - it is about freedom,” says Katherine.

“Passionate Presence is very much about staying awake to what is really happening… and sometimes this means being aware of what we do NOT want to look at.

“Awareness of your body, sexuality, creativity, heart and spirit allows you the luxury and deep pleasure of participating fully in your own existence. We will use sitting, inquiry, art and movement to explore becoming a space through which your presence and passion for life can flow.”

Upcoming Passionate Presence events include workshops near Totnes on November 1921, January 21-23 and March 18-20, and a Devon-based week-long residential retreat from February 8-13.

Call 01803 863552 or visit www.ktrenshaw.com.

PATIENTS considering getting help from homoeopathy could also give students a helping hand through valuable onthe-job training.

Exeter Natural Health Centre is now the home of the British School of Homoeopathy (BSH) after the wellestablished training course moved its base from Bath earlier this year.

Ali Morrish, of the Exeter centre in Queen Street, said the school’s four-year, part-time training course is run by practitioners for practitioners and places great emphasis on the best quality clinical training.

Said Ali: “As a part of this, BSH runs a four-year supervised training clinic, where patients are seen at a concessionary rate. This not only provides an ideal learning opportunity for student practitioners but also a good service to the community for people who would like to pursue homoeopathic treatment but cannot fund the normal costs.”

The Exeter Natural Health Centre is also known for its high quality professional massage training.

Find out more about treatment at the clinic from Ali Morrish on 01392 422555.

Core Process Psychotherapy An approach that draws on modern Western Psychotherapeutic understanding and the wisdom and compassion of Buddhist psychology Mark Craig MA

Emma Fein MA

Colin Sutton MA

01803 865672

01364 631512

Exeter & Totnes

Ashburton & Exeter

07811 285875 01363 774837

Exeter, Plymouth, Totnes

Registered Psychotherapists

Persephone Institute of Psychophonetics Unfolding Human Potential

OvercOming reactiOns

a PsYcHOLOgY OF FreeDOm From slavery to dysfunctional defences to the dignity of chosen responses With Psychophonetics – Applied Psychosophy Gesture, Movement, Visualisation and Sounds to understand and heal reactions with Yehuda tagar, principal of Persephone institute of Psychophonetics Sharpham House, Ashprington, near Totnes Lecture: Friday, October 29, 7.30-9.30pm - £7(£5) Workshop: Saturday, October 30, 9am-4.30pm, and Sunday, October 31, 9am-1pm - £75(£55) information and bookings: alexandra Hoppe at Persephone college UK call 07920 100794, email uk@psychophonetics.com, visit www.psychophonetics.co.uk

The

Arcturus Clinic

Leading the way in Complementary Medicine

For a full range of professional holistic therapies Clinical Director Dr Stephen Hopwood M.B.ChB. Lic.Ac. (M.B.Ac.C)

47 Fore Street Totnes Devon TQ9 5NJ 01803 868 282 www.arcturusclinic.co.uk

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Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Revealing the secret Energy Matrix through

TRANSFORMATIONAL THEATRE 10 days CyPRUs MaRCh 2011

Explore... inner landscapes through drama, breathwork, archetypal theatre ... outer landscapes of beautiful beaches, ancient temples & myths of aphrodite and apollo Unique journeys of self discovery

Contact : 01202 467789 www.doorways2power.co.uk

Kate Harris

Life Coaching & Self Esteem Specialist Individual and group sessions using cognitive behavioural therapy and life coaching near Totnes, South Devon. Many years experience in the NHS, qualified Occupational Therapist BSc (Hons), member of Health Professions Council.

SELF ESTEEM & STRESS MANAGEMENT LIFE COACHING TASTER DAYS held in relaxing farmhouse setting.

For further information contact Kate Harris:

t: 01803 847674 m: 0777 949 6240

www.kateharris-lifecoaching.co.uk

Integrated Acupuncture Mark Edlund-Plater M.B.Ac.C Totnes and Teignmouth Donations in Totnes (Tues) Introductory offers 01803 862803 07506 179 808 mark.edlundplater@gmail.com

Body, Mind, Spirit Fair

Imperial Hotel Torquay, 5-6 Feb 2011 Come and join us to experience a whole range of therapies, readings and craft stalls designed to enlighten, relax and free your mind.

Full details at www.bodymindspirit.org.uk Tel: 01803 664827 26

The holistic GP

Hypnotherapy qualification

MORE and more GPs are embracing complementary treatments, but one Plymouth doctor has gone further by taking the bold step of leaving the NHS and setting up as an holistic doctor.

Dr Rory McGill, right, has a background in allopathic medicine, first as a hospital doctor and subsequently as a GP. But more and more he has come to believe the majority of his patients could be far better helped without recourse to medications and surgery.

Said Dr McGill: “I do not reject Western medicine, it remains a wonderfully powerful system for treating serious disease and injury. The majority of my patients though do not have serious disease but they are certainly not well and they are suffering. It is my belief that these people’s illnesses are a sign of imbalance somewhere in their system.

“This could be related to diet, overwork, relationship issues, stress, traumatic life events or factors in the environment. Western medicine has a tendency to treat such problems with medication but this simply removes the symptoms rather than solving the underlying problem.”

Dr McGill’s growing interest in complementary health led him away from mainstream medicine first to hypnosis and subsequently to psychotherapy, acupuncture, nutritional medicine, meditation, spinal manipulation and EFT. He also offers healing in the form of Reiki and Johrei.

He recently completed a two year diploma in integrated medicine and has qualifications in NLP and life coaching and knowledge of herbal medicine, homoeopathy and flower remedies.

Call 01752 709709, email rmcgill@doctors.org. uk, or visit www.plymouthholisticdoctor.co.uk.

THE first successful students of a new post-graduate course in hypnotherapy are now entering the world of work and paving the way for quality assurance for patients.

For years there has been concern about hypnotherapy qualifications. Courses ranging from a couple of days to a couple of years have been giving qualifications that purportedly allow a person to practice hypnotherapy.

Now the London College of Clinical Hypnosis (LCCH), in partnership with Thames Valley University, is offering a recognised postgraduate programme in clinical hypnotherapy which can lead to a full Master’s degree.

Peter Mabbutt, the Director of Studies for the LCCH, said: “This is the only postgraduate award in clinical hypnotherapy in the UK and, to the best of our knowledge, the world.”

Call 0207 402 9037, or email peter.mabbutt@ lcch.co.uk.

SCIO stimulates healing SCIO (it stands for Scientific Consciousness Interface Operating System and is pronounced ‘skee-oh’), is already popular among people like Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Barbara Streisand for the releif of stress and pain.

The treatment, which also stimulates healing and injury repair, involves strapping a device to your wrists, ankles and forehead through which energy frequency information is delivered and received and monitored by a laptop.

Jacqueline Kareh, a qualified nurse who uses SCIO to complement her other therapeutic healing tools, says it uses people’s unique electro magnetic frequency pattern to help the body heal any damage or imbalance.

Jacqueline, who works out of Ashburton, Totnes, Honiton and London, is holding energy medicine healing events in October and November at Splathayes, near Honiton, and Lupton House, near Brixham. Call 0785 000 8133, or visit www.devondental.co.uk/holistichealth.

Mind, body, spirit event EVENT organiser Tim Barrs is planning a big new Mind, Body and Spirit weekend at Torquay’s Imperial Hotel.

Having run several successful smaller scale fairs, Tim is now planning a larger event to “enlighten, relax and free people’s minds” on February 5 and 6. The cost is £30 per day or £50 for the whole weekend. Call 01803 664827.

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Escape with Shining Star AN Exmouth spiritual group, which provides a “quiet and refreshing escape”, is celebrating its first birthday.

Every Sunday, the Bastin Hall in Elm Grove, Exmouth, becomes the Shining Star Centre, for two hours from 6.30pm.

Payment is by donation.

On the first Sunday of the month, they hold a clairvoyant evening for which there is a £4 charge.

Suzy HutchinsonStoyle, one of the three organisers, said members sometimes meditate and those qualified in Reiki or spiritual healing offer free healing.

She said: “It is a space where like-minded people can get together and relax.

“As long as the flow is there we will continue.

We don’t make any money, but it would be nice to attract some more people.”

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local people local events local food local health local environment

Activate your own healing WITH 30 years’ experience as a personal adviser, Lin Lovel has seen and dealt with many people suffering emotional and physical pain.

Her work as a personal adviser, tutor and qualified social worker has brought her into contact with individuals struggling to activate their full potential and at the same time deal with barriers in their lives.

Now Lin is devoting more time to her work as a healer and is running group circles, one-to-one sessions and a holistic personal and spiritual development course based at the Swarthmore Centre in Plymouth.

Lin Lovel - healing Lin believes individuals have the power to heal themselves, whether it be headaches, depression, anxiety, insomnia, trauma, fear or weight problems.

Said Lin: “I believe we all have the ability to heal and some individuals are more tuned in to this gift than others. My aim is to provide the support

to enable individuals to activate their power to heal.

“I consider myself to be a very spiritual person who is deeply compassionate and empathetic, particularly towards vulnerable individuals.”

Lin said she established Mana Harmony two years ago as a way of helping others to “experience the peace serenity and inner joy” she enjoys in her own life. She does not charge for her work but asks for donations.

Call 01752 301078 or 07948 756 104, email mana_harmony@ live.com, or visit www. manaharmony.co.uk.

Peace and pampering THE Barbican Therapy Centre in Plymouth offers a complete range of complementary therapies – and the chance to step out of today’s busy life for a little peace and pampering.

Opened in September 2007, the centre is home to a dedicated and professionally qualified team of therapists offering Cognitive Hypnotherapy, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Osteopathy, Counselling, Craniosacral Therapy, Homeopathy, Metamorphic Technique, Hypnotherapy, Nutrition, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Traditional Thai Massage and Indian Head Massage.

The centre also runs regular Pamper Evenings, where you can enjoy a half-hour taster session, and once a month they run a half-price treatments day.

Barbican T herapy Centre 7 Stokes Lane, Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LW Professional Complementary

Tel: 01752 266002 Therapy & Healthcare

www.btcplymouth.com • Acupuncture • Alexander Technique • Aromatherapy • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy • Counselling • Craniosacral Therapy • Homeopathy • Hypnotherapy • Metamorphic Technique • Nutrition • Reflexology • Reiki • Shiatsu • Traditional Thai Massage • Yoga Therapy

Get £5 off with this advert

if you book an Aromatherapy, Reflexology or Counselling session with Heather Rose

Barbican Therapy Centre

7 Stokes Lane, Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LW Tel: 01752 266002 www.btcplymouth.com

Mana Harmony Cognitive Hypnotherapist Marc Craig, and Ali Trott, Aromatherapist

A larger space plays host to regular workshops, including Couples Massage and Indian Head Massage.

For dates and details, without obligation, drop in at the centre at 7 Stokes Lane, visit www.btcplymouth. com, or call 01752 266002.

Supporting a Holistic Approach to transformation & Empowerment...

Activate your true potential within a caring confidential healing space.

Holistic Personal & Spiritual Development course (Swarthmore, Plymouth) group circles/1-1

Contact: Lin Lovel Tel: 01752 301078 / 07948756104 Email: mana_harmony@live.com www.manaharmony.co.uk

Yehuda on the power of transformation YEHUDA Tagar, the founder of Psychophonetics, described as ‘a modality of counselling, coaching and psychotherapy’, will give a lecture and run a workshop in South Devon in October.

Yehuda Tagar will present a public lecture, ‘Overcoming Reactions, a psychology of Freedom with Psychophonetics’, on the Friday evening at Sharpham House in Asprington, followed by a weekend workshop.

“Psychophonetics is a modality of personal development and psychotherapy for the healing and transformation of the body, soul and spirit,” said Alexandra Hoppe.

“It uses the deep intelligence of

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verbal and non-verbal knowing and communication as a basis for change, development, and making better choices.”

Both events are at Sharpham House (South Wing), Ashprington: the lecture 7.30-9.30pm on Friday, October 29, costing £7 (£5); and the workshop 9am-4.30pm on Saturday, October 30 and 9am-1pm on Sunday, October 31, costing £75 (£55).

Call Belinda Connolly on 01803 762574, email b.connolly@ virgin.net, or Alexandra Hoppe on 0792 0100 794, email uk@ pychophonetics.com, or visit www. persephone-institute.com.

SCIO ‘ENERGY MEDICINE’ HEALING EVENTS For you and your loved ones For areas in crisis and for our amazing planet!

Combining SCIO bioresonance therapies (natural energy frequencies) with guided visualisation For vibrant good health, stress and pain relief; boost immune system and energy levels!

Auspicious dates – Extraordinary results – Group gathering – optional Shared lunch 10/10/10 at Splathayes in Buckerell, near Honiton 11.15 for 12 midday start

11/11/ this year at Lupton House, near Brixham 10.45 for 11am start. Also at 2pm Full information from Jacqueline Kareh MCMA on 0785 000 8133

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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The Exmouth Osteopathy & Complementary Health Clinic Leading the way in Osteopathy and Complementary Health in East Devon

The Exmouth Osteopathy OPEN DAY & neck Complementary Health Clinic and joint pain • Back, Saturday 15th May 10am-4.30pm

We can help with:

Leading the way in Osteopathy and Complementary Health in East Devon Free consultations and spinal assessments • Arthritic problems

We can help with:

with our Registered Osteopaths Gemma Bachle and Oliver Lurie and Nutrition Therapist Hazel Pelham Saturday 15th May 10am-4.30pm

OPEN DAY Therapy room for rent

• Headaches and migraines • Back, neck and joint pain • Sciatica Babies and children welcome Wouldproblems suit therapist with existing client base.

Free consultations and spinal assessments • Arthritic and sufferers of high blood pressure with our Registered Osteopaths • Sports injuries and cholesterol Opportunity part of a team.

Gemma Bachle and Oliver Lurie • Headaches and migrainesto work as • Babies and children and Nutrition Therapist HazelasPelham Please book in advance Please call 01395 278220 forinterest more details.

• Sciatica is high.

Babies and children welcome and sufferers of high blood pressure and cholesterol

14 High Street Exmouth 01395 278 220

• Sports injuries

- 5.30 pm Mon - Fri • Appointments Babies and children available 9.00 am Please book in advance as 9.00 am - 1.00 pm interest Sat is high.

14you High Street Exmouth 01395 278place?

220 Do want to make the world a better Appointments available 9.00 am - 5.30 pm Mon - Fri Do you get stuck, stressed or Sat overwhelmed?

9.00 am - 1.00 pm Would more confidence and inspiration help?

Coaching with me empowers you to clarify your purpose, overcome barriers and build on your passion and talents so you make the changes that matter.

For your free stress-busting MP3 go to www.inspiringaction.co.uk To arrange a free exploratory session phone Erica on 01803 867209 or e-mail erica@inspiringaction.co.uk

Upcoming: Nov 16 (OneVision talk) • Nov 19-21 • Jan 21-23 • Feb 8-13 (retreat)

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Torbay Acupuncture Centre

Affordable acupuncture FOLLOWING the success of its first clinic in St Marychurch, Torbay Acupuncture Centre has now opened a further clinic at The Fountain for Health in Teignmouth.

Inspired by the way acupuncture is administered in China, these centres are part of a growing breed of multi-bed acupuncture clinics across the country.

While the first in-depth consultation is conducted in private, treatment after that may take place in a group room, where screens separate the couches for privacy. This enables a practitioner to treat more patients per hour so the cost of treatment can be significantly reduced.

Rachel Geary, founder of the two centres, says: “Practising in this way has always appealed to me because it means acupuncture and all its benefits become affordable for a much wider group of people.

I strongly believe acupuncture can make a difference to everyone’s health and wellbeing and I want to make it possible for as many people as possible to try it.

“Most people know acupuncture can be good for back problems and giving up smoking, but few realise it can actually be used to help any form of physical or psychological disorder.

“Not only that, acupuncture is designed to be preventative, so as well as helping to prevent future illness, it can actually enhance health and overall wellbeing. After treatment, people report feeling positive, relaxed, at ease and invigorated.”

You can try multi-bed treatments at Torbay Acupuncture Centre for as little as £15.

Call Rachel on 01803 326633, or visit www.torbayacupuncture.co.uk.

Learning to live with the demon within DESCRIBING your inner fear or phobia as ‘a demon within’ is a good starting point for tackling the problem, says practicing Buddhist Vajralila.

The ancient Tibetan wisdom of Tsultrim Allione teaches people to approach their demons with compassion and to nurture rather than confront them.

Buddhists see the demon as anything that drains or blocks energy, such as fears, addiction or illness. But once released and transformed, the energy caught up in inner-conflict can be turned into a resource.

Vajralila said: “I used to become

terrified when it got dark. For 15 years I tried to address the problem but nothing worked until I discovered the practice of ‘feeding your demons’ created by Tsultrim Allione.”

She later put it to the test by spending five nights in woodland.

“I came to realise I could relate to the fear. I can’t say the fear completely went away, but I learnt to allow it to become just another part of my experience.”

Having trained with Tsultrim Allione she now offers transformative work to others. For more on workshops and sessions, visit www.feedingyourdemons.co.uk.

There’s more Wellbeing news on page 31

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

localMassage people local events local food local health local environment Holistic Practitioner Registered with The Massage Training Institute and Aromatherapy Complementary Therapies Association

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Counselling

Over 32 years’ experience - offers confidential therapeutic counselling for individuals and couples. www.caseconfidential.com

PAT HOARE. DIP. COUNS. B.A.C.P. ACCREDITED COUNSELLOR AND SUPERVISOR Email: pat@pathoare.eclipse.co.uk

Bowen therapy

creative space

Group facilitator, Louise Hay Trainer, Inner-Child work Family/Sex Therapy.

Critical Incident Debriefing.

G.H.R. Accredited Hypnotherapist.

Analytical Therapy for phobias, emotional difficulties, stress etc.

Suggestion Therapy to stop smoking, for weight control, nail biting, confidence, study, driving tests etc.

Free 20-minute consultation: Telephone 01392 410090 for appointments.

24a Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS

HEALING

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY Stay for the day or longer (with B&B).

Maggie offers you the use of her lovely garden room with its woodburner, desk and outlook onto a quiet meadow and Dartmoor at your shoulder.

Simply… COME…and…BE.

Listen to the birds, draw, write, think, meditate or sleep. You may want to walk out on to the moor.

Use the quiet farmhouse for bathroom facilities. Help yourself to a selection of teas or coffee. Only £15 per day from dawn to dusk. Meals and snacks can be provided Phone for details: 01647 231 470 e mail: maggieclark470@btinternet.com Health centres

Healing yourself and otHers a 1-day practical healing workshop

foxhole, dartington

sat nov 13, 10am - 3pm £50

Jools Bond

e-joolsbondhealing@gmail.com t - 07546349768 w - joolsbond.com Health centres

The Natural Health Practice 2a Spicer Road, Exeter EX1 1SX www.naturalhealthexeter.co.uk

01392 499364

hypnosis

ROOMS available

for experienced practitioners at competitive rates good location friendly colleagues lovely rooms peaceful atmosphere

LONDONCOLLEGE COLLEGE OF OF LONDON CLINICAL HYPNOSIS CLINICAL HYPNOSIS Exeter CPPD inExeter Clinical Hypnosis dates available on line CPPDCourse in Clinical PG Cert - MScHypnosis

AllStart coursesDate: accredited

by Thames Valley September 24th University 2009 For more information, and to get a prospectus visit the website www.lcch.co.uk Phone 01297 20144

PG Cert - MSc

All courses accredited by Thames Valley University PSYCHOTHERAPY

hypnotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Clinical Hypnotherapy

Helping you to take control of your life

For more information, and to Psychotherapy get a prospectus visit the and Counselling website www.lcch.co.uk Phone 01297 20144

Helen Cross

M.A. Core Process Psychotherapy

Help with Anxiety, Depression, Habits, Phobias, Confidence, Insomnia, Pain and more Clinics in: Exeter ~ Sidmouth ~ Axminster ~ Seaton

Michelle Hague BA(Hons)Cert ed D Hyp PDC Hyp PDCBHyp MBSCH 01297 20144 or 07761 773563 www.takecontrolofyourlife.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

UKCP Candidate in Training

Totnes Chudleigh Exeter Free introductory session

phone 01626 834599 www.hcpsychotherapy.co.uk

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment Journeying

wellbeing

A Journey Round the Year 2010-2011 The Bridge between Shamanism and Therapy

A series of Journeying Days following the natural cycle of the year. This course gives you a gentle space, time and powerful techniques to access your connection with the earth and with yourself allowing you to deepen your sense of strength, purpose, grounding and direction.

From 10 am to 4.30 pm, at the Friends’ Meeting House, Pavilion Place, Exeter Saturdays, 20 Nov, 11 Dec - 2010, 5 Feb, 12 March, 14 May, 11 June, 6 Aug, 24 Sept - 2011 Cost: £50 per day, £40 per day if four or more days are booked together.

Some concessions available.

To book please contact: Louise Page, Tel: 01392 860509, E-mail: louise.page@campion.f2s.com lineage adverts

Studio space

DAVID OXLEY. Experienced, qualified and fully accredited BACP counsellor trained in Psychosynthesis and completing MA in mindfulness-based psychotherapy (Core Process) with Karuna Institute, offers counselling in central Exeter, Dartington & Plymouth.

Sliding scale. david_oxley2@hotmail.com, 01392 258855, 07876 051093. www.davidoxleycounselling.co.uk

STUDIO SPACE in Totnes 2-7 days per week, professional and exploring artists and makers welcome, community projects and workshop space, 01803 862628 sourceress@hotmail.co.uk

COUNSELLOR (BACP Accredited) with Practice in Central Exeter, offers confidential counselling for adults, young adults and couples.

Income-related fees. Tel: Cath de Wolf 07505484347. Plus: facilitated Peer Group Supervision in Central Exeter for School Counsellors. Small fee negotiable.

Contact Cath de Wolf as above.

Sexuality Therapist

Counselling individuals and couples for any issues related to sex, intimacy and relationships www.sexualitytherapist.co.uk hello@ sexualitytherapist.co.uk Tel: 07870 888141 SUNDAY 10

Counselling

TRANSFORMATIONAL COUNSELLING supports you in meeting life's challenges with awareness to find freedom and peace, Experienced psychosynthesis counsellor.

Janey Francis 01803 847965/07522041905.

Cathrin Wildwood

WORKSHOPS AND COURSES DIARY Every Tuesday

QIGONG at the Mansion, Totnes, 5.30-7pm with Daverick Leggett. £5, drop-in. Tel 0845 456 1852. www.qigong-southwest.co.uk.

QIGONG at The Exeter Phoenix Centre with Brad Richecoeur, 5.30-7pm. Suitable for all levels. 0845 3305086 www.qigong-southwest.co.uk .

Every Friday

QIGONG at St John’s Church Hall, Totnes with Brad Richecoeur, 10-11.30am. Suitable for all levels.

0845 3305086 www.qigong-southwest.co.uk.

OCTOBER

Business opportunity

FRIDAY 8 – SUNDAY 10

EVER WANTED to run a home-based business selling Eco-friendly products?

Well, now you can! Visit www.brightgreenplanet. co.uk or email saraha@wikaniko.co.uk or tel.

01363 881427.

FRIENDS’ WORKING WEEKEND: stay in cosy yurts, work together on the land, make new friends and create community. Telephone: 01647 252983. Direct line: 07866 432664. linda@ embercombe.co.uk. www.embercombe.co.uk.

APPLE, PUMPKIN AND PIZZA DAY – Embercombe. Open Sunday with seasonal activities, crafts, delicious organic food & entertainment from 11am – 4pm, free.

Telephone: 01647 252983. Direct line: 07866 432664. linda@embercombe.co.uk. www.embercombe.co.uk FRIDAY 29 – SUNDAY 31

THE FEAST. Exploring the politics, poetry and possibilities of food as a catalyst for change.

A weekend exploring wild and tame food, new recipes, processes and eco-mindfulness. Engaging with challenging questions around food culture, waste, scarcity and abundance and culminating in a Feast, £195. Telephone: 01647 252983. Direct line: 07866 432664. linda@embercombe.co.uk. www.embercombe.co.uk.

NOVEMBER FRIDAY 5 – SUNDAY 7

MARTIN PRECHTEL weekend workshop, new sap in the old tree. Ladram Bay, Otterton.

Email: event@kayode.co.uk. call Kayode 01621 826975 SATURDAY 6

QIGONG workshop at Foxhole Gym, Dartington, South Devon with Brad Richecoeur 10am-5pm. 0845 3305086 www.qigong-southwest.co.uk .

SUNDAY 7 – FRIDAY 12

the green living magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and South Devon

Reach out to the heart of South Devon with an advert in Reconnect Placing a lineage ad in our Wellbeing section could not be easier - just fill in this form and send it to us.

Your ad can cost as little as £17.

Your wording ........................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

Name .................................................................................. Tel ...........................................

Lineage ads cost 85p a word - minimum of 20 words.

Count up words and send us a cheque payable to Reconnect Magazine to 2 Withall’s Gardens, Lympstone EX8 5JH or leave your number and we’ll call you to pay by card.

30

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

THE JOURNEY, Finding Earth, Finding Soul: Five-day residential programme for those seeking a fulfilling, meaningful and authentic life £485.

Telephone: 01647 252983. Direct line: 07866 432664. linda@embercombe.co.uk. www.embercombe.co.uk SATURDAY 13

HEALING YOURSELF and others. A oneday practical healing workshop at Foxhole, Dartington. 10am - 3pm £50. Jools Bond, Healer and Ear Acupuncturist. email: joolsbondhealing@gmail.com.

Tel 07546 349 768. www.joolsbond.com.

FRIDAY 19 – SUNDAY 21

FRIENDS’ Working Weekend: stay in cosy yurts, work together on the land, make new friends and create community. Telephone: 01647 252983. Direct line: 07866 432664. linda@ embercombe.co.uk. www.embercombe.co.uk SATURDAY 27 - SUNDAY 28

QIGONG with Master Zhixing Wang at Foxhole Gym, Dartington, South Devon. 0845 3305086 www.qigong-southwest.co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

local people local events local food local health local environment IF you are looking for a new career, or a new skill to add to your healing practice, there is a chance to sample a therapy course due to run for the first time in the south-west.

The Bi-Aura School of Bio-Energy Therapy is holding a pre-training day workshop near Totnes so you can meet the Bi-Aura team and find out if their diploma course is for you. The course starts in Totnes in November and runs over one weekend a month for eight consecutive months.

“The well-established A-Level status course provides self-healing and life-changing personal and spiritual growth,” said Maire Dennhofer, who formed the BiAura Foundation in 1995. “Students get all the help and encouragement they need to become a professional practitioner, with continual support and CPD training from the Bi-Aura Foundation.

Reflexology in pregnancy

Taste of a new career “Chi-Kung and meditation techniques are an integral part of the course and small classes ensure personal attention in developing powerful energy techniques and very practical training on learning to sense, move and feel energy.

“Bi-Aura therapy has achieved astounding results with many debilitating conditions, both physical and

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

emotional, such as asthma, migraine, chronic fatigue, depression, back pain and stress-related ailments.”

The pre-training workshop day is on Saturday, October 30, 10am-5pm, at Lower Cobberton in Dartington, and costs £40.

Call 01661 844 899, or visit www.bi-aura.com.

REDUCING the pain and length of labour is certainly a major benefit of maternity reflexology, but there are others to be enjoyed in the run-up to birth.

Reflexologist Susan Quayle says: “I have had successes with reducing blood pressure, SPD, oedema, morning sickness, fatigue and constipation to name but a few.

“Reflexology is also useful in labour to promote relaxation and can even help to encourage contractions – it really is an amazing therapy.”

Susan Quayle, based at the Exeter Natural Health Centre, says her speciality, Maternity Reflexology, is beneficial for all three stages of the maternity process – pregnancy, labour and postnatal – and also includes baby and fertility treatments.

She added: “Pregnancy is not an illness but a temporary condition and as such responds extremely well to reflexology.”

Fathers often feel helpless during pregnancy and labour, she says, but this is something they can give their family which will support both the mother and the growing baby.

Susan trained with Mauricio Kruchik, an internationallyrecognised specialist in the field, and is a founder member of Maternity Reflexology South West – reflexologists and midwives who have trained and specialise in Maternity Reflexology and are passionate about spreading the word.

Call Susan on 01626 862469 or visit www.susanquayle.co.uk.

Editorial: 01392 346204 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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YES, IT’S STILL ME…!

(EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN IN TOUCH RECENTLY) Yes, it’s me! Robin Currie. The Green Money Man who’s now got yet another website called www.robincurrie.co.uk because I’ve got a ceramics exhibition coming up in November!!!

Cool, eh?

But continues to offer advice on serious green, ethically-screened and environmentally-sensitive financial funds.

Ways of making money while supporting both society and protecting the environment.

Want to know more?

Well there’s loads of websites, or you can e-mail or even give me a call…

NEW CERAMICS WEBSITE: WWW.ROBINCURRIE.CO.UK NEW BLOGSITE: WWW.GREENMONEyMAN.COM

BARCHESTER GREEN INVESTMENTS SERIOUS ABOUT MONEY, SERIOUS ABOUT LIFE ON EA RTH

Call Robin Currie on 01392 411630 15 Sylvan Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 6EW • mob: 07973-533352 e-mail: robin.currie@barchestergreen.co.uk • www.barchestergreen.co.uk www.makingfriendswithmoney.co.uk

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Independent Financial Advisers regulated by the Financial Services Authority.