Reconnect Dec - Jan 2015 Issue 40 by ReConnect Magazine

The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015/16 ISSUE 40

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

THE MAGIC OF SOLSTICE

Plea

FREE ! se ta

ke o

A time of reflection and celebration

DANGEROUS DADS Childsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; play goes national

SUPPORT LOCAL STORES

WILDLIFE in WINTER

Gifts that give something back

Caring for garden creatures

wellbeing

Beat those Winter chills and blues the natural way - see inside!

local people local events local food local health local environment

Here at ENHC we offer a wide range of complementary therapies provided by experienced and highly professional practitioners. The centre, which has been established since 2001, is also renowned for its excellence in training courses. Conveniently situated in the city centre, we have full reception cover and beautiful spacious treatment rooms for therapists to hire or, for bigger workshops, courses and classes, we have a well appointed large training room. Please call on 01392 422555 for more details.

LYDIA AUGUSTINE Specialising in a range of problem skin conditions: Acne, Pigmentation, Vascular, Hair Removal, Beauty Treatments and Massage Mobile: 07594014396 Email: dermatherapyaesthetics@ outlook.com www.dermatherapyaesthetics.co.uk

Devon School of Reiki Providing High Quality Usui / Holy Fire Reiki Training & Treatments Retreats, Courses for Children, Workshops & 1-2-1tuition also available Contact: Samantha Goddard, Principal 07870 167701 • info@devonschoolofreiki.co.uk www.devonschoolofreiki.co.uk www.reikirascals.com

MORE EXETER NATURAL HEALTH CENTRE PRACTITIONERS MO MORRISH RSHOM Homeopathic medicine www.the homoeopathicpractice.co.uk Authentic Ceremonies www.authenticceremonies.co.uk ANNA PARIS Ac.M.MBAC Traditional acupuncture, Toyohari 5 element & Manaka styles E: amparis1@btinternet.com SUSAN QUAYLE Maternity reflexologist, fertility, ante natal, labour, post natal & baby, aromatherapy, massage Tel: 01626 862469 SARAH HENDERSON Remedial and Therapeutic Massage Therapist APNT Dip, BCMA reg, www.renewmassages.co.uk LISA TATE Remedial, pregnancy & therapeutic massage, Myofascial release T: 07561 519344 E: lisa@lisatatetherapies.co.uk

MASSAGE THERAPIST Clinical / Relaxation / Sports Massage Kat Collier Bsc (Hon) QTS, ACMT, FHT Mob: 07943 142470 Tel: 01363 83775 Em: kat@massagehw.co.uk www.massagehw.co.uk

THE DEVON SCHOOL OF REFLEXOLOGY Award-winning Training in Professionalism and Excellence Spring/Autumn courses 2016 For more details: www.devonreflexology.com Email: devonreflexology@hotmail.com TANYA DESFONTAINES Craniosacral Therapy T: 07971 913002 E: Tanya@fifthworldcranial.co.uk LESLEY HARPER Nutritional Therapy www.lesleyharper.co.uk GUNDA FIELDEN MSTAT Alexander Technique T: 01803 782743 E: gundafielden@tiscali.co.uk ELEMENTS MASSAGE THERAPY Cathy Payne Hot Stone Massage, Swedish Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Pregnancy Massage www.facebook.com/elementsdevon T: 07595 479463 JULIE BLADON Lomi Lomi Massage / Yoga / Meditation T: 07754 983498 W: juliebladon.com RACHEL CAREY Bi-aura Bio-energy Healing, Tui Na Chinese Medical Massage, Therapeutic Oil Massage, Reflexology www.rachelcarey.co.uk T: 01392 758439

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School of Bodywork Professional Massage Training • Introduction to Massage • Myofascial Release Diploma • Special Needs Massage • Hands-Free Techniques • Deep Tissue Massage • Indian Head Massage • Swedish Massage Diploma • Advanced Techniques • Remedial Diploma • Thai Massage

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

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

e: info@enhc.org w: www.enhc.org

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Upfront IT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

Broughttoyou by...

Page 16

IN THISISSUE... A DATE WITH PHIL 5

New Totnes calendar EDITOR Martin Foster

SHUMBA ARTS 6

Arts aid for The Gambia

WILDLIFE IN WINTER 8 Keeping creatures cosy WELLBEING EDITOR Kate Philbin

GOING OUT DIARY GARDEN SAVERS

SALES SUPPORT Melissa Merrington-Pink

Events for Dec and Jan

Joa’s money-saving tips

WINTER SOLSTICE 12

Embercombe blessings ADMIN MANAGER Beth Foster

LOCAL PRODUCE 14 Soil and mushrooms

Page 8

HEALTHY NEW YEAR 17 Wholesome feasting

ECO HOMES

WELCOME... WELCOME to the December/January issue and a very happy and joyful Christmas and New Year to all of you from all of us - and Winter Solstice wishes too (see page 12). As always, we urge you to support local, independent businesses -you can read my full rant on page 42. We’ve also got festive feasting ideas, a look at how the less fortunate can find support at this time of year and so much more. 2016 is already looking to be a very exciting year for Reconnect. You can look forward to a new online events diary (www.reconnecthub. co.uk - see pages 9 and 11), a new website (see page 6 and lots more in the next issue) and a few surprises too. Our Feb/Mar issue is an events special, with our new Going Out section, a festival preview and more. To be part of it, get in touch before Christmas to beat the rush! Enjoy!

Martin

COVERSTORY...

New craft gallery

DANGEROUS DADS 20

The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015/16 ISSUE 40

The kids are all right

SPARE A THOUGHT

produce ❋ energy ❋ land ❋ homes ❋ community ❋ wellbeing ❋ arts

MAGIC OF SOLSTICE

Plea

FREE ! se ta

ke on

A time of reflection and celebration

Jon’s special report

WELLBEING 24

Staying well in Winter

CLASSIFIEDS

FEATURES WRITER Jon Stein

AND FINALLY... 42

Sustainable shopping FOOD WRITER Jane Hutton

TWITTER EDITOR Matthew Rochford

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jenny Foster

STAY IN TOUCH...

EDITORIAL: 01803 868455 NEW ADVERTISING: 01803 868455 CURRENT ADVERTISERS: 01392 346342 EMAIL US: editor@reconnectonline.co.uk or adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk SEND US STUFF BY POST: 45 Punchards Down, Follaton, Totnes TQ9 5FD FOLLOW US AND READ US ONLINE: www.reconnectonline.co.uk facebook.com/reconnectmagazine twitter.com/reconnectmag www.reconnectonline.co.uk

DANGEROUS DADS

Check out the small ads

howto advertise... PLACE an advertisement in Reconnect and we’ll put your message out across South Devon - 8500 copies every other month. We do everything we can to keep down the cost of advertising and to help in every way we can to make the process simple and effective. If you are new to advertising, or want a new advertisement to better reflect your business, we can help with the content and design - just call us and we’ll talk it through with you. If you book a series of three adverts, you get a discount of 10% - and the chance to pay monthly by direct debit.

Childs’ play goes national

SUPPORT LOCAL STORES

WILDLIFE in WINTER

Gifts that give something back

Caring for garden creatures

wellbeing

Beat those Winter chills and blues the natural way - see inside!

And if you book six, you pay for just five - a saving of 16% Our 1/8-page advertisements These cost £93 for one issue. If you book three, you get a 10% discount, so you pay £251.10. That’s a saving of £27.90. Or book at least three issues and pay £41.85 a month by direct debit. Our 1/4-page advertisements These cost £148 for one issue. If you book three, you get a 10% discount, so you pay £399.60. That’s a saving of £44.40. Or book at least three issues and pay £66.60 a month by direct debit. Our 1/2-page advertisements These cost £313 for one issue. If you book three, you get a 10%

Main image: Solstice celebrations by Marie-Anaïs Simon, who is currently volunteering on Embercombe’s threemonth programme. Along the bottom, left to right: local shopping (including Aromatika - page 13); Dangerous Dads - page 20; and wildlife in winter page 8.

discount, so you pay £845.10. That’s a saving of £93.90. Or book at least three issues and pay £140 a month. Our full-page advertisements These cost £522 for one issue. If you book three, you get a 10% discount, so you pay £1409.40 That’s a saving of £156.60. Or book at least three issues and pay £234.90 a month. All that and editorial too! Editorial is free for advertisers and is written by our team of professional journalists who will get your message across without compromising your ethos. Like you, we are a small, ethical, independent business doing what we love. And we’d love to help you. Call us now for a chat.

Feb/Mar issue out end of January - ad deadline Jan 1 THESMALLPRINT... PUBLISHED BY Reconnect Magazine, 45 Punchards Down, Follaton, Totnes TQ9 5FD PRINTED BY Kingfisher Print, Wills Rd, Totnes www.kingfisherprint.co.uk WEBSITE Visit our website at www. reconnectonline.co.uk. And visit our Facebook page at www.facebook. com/reconnectmagazine

ECO ETHOS Reconnect is written, designed, printed and distributed locally, using materials from sustainable sources. It is printed using vegetable-based inks and biodegradable fount solution. The paper is 50 per cent post-consumer waste and 50 per cent virgin fibre (from a sustainable source), chlorine-free and FSC Certified (www.fsc-uk.org). All by-products of the production and printing processes are recycled. Please recycle this magazine by passing it on to someone else after you’ve read it

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

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

news&views Can you help friend of mag?

Try Artworks for gift ideas YOU might notice there’s something of a ‘shop local for Christmas’ theme in this issue (and if you have missed it... shop local, ok?). But how local is local? If you’re on the hunt for unusual gifts, why not check out a nearby town or village where you don’t usually shop? And if you’re based around the Totnes end of the A38, try popping along to South Brent and drop in at Artworks, a small but beautifully and generously stocked art and craft gallery. Artworks is owned and run by Penny and Jane (of Jane Wellens Ceramics, on sale there) and stocks the work of more than 100 artists and makers from across the area and occasionally beyond. The work is meticulously selected so high quality is assured and items range from the beautifully practical to the simply beautiful. South Brent is well worth a visit anyway (it’s just off the A38 with plenty of free parking) and has other specialist shops for you to explore. And Dartmoor is just a short drive, or picturesque walk, away. Artworks is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm and Wednesday 10-1. Visit www.artworksouthbrent. co.uk.

A friend of the gods - but in a bit of a pickle... CINDERELLA has a hearth to sweep and Rapunzel has hair to brush, but the heroines in Norse mythology have altogether more vigorous pastimes. Take Freya, the Viking goddess, for example. According to legend, she clatters about in a battle chariot pulled by cats and collects the souls of Viking warriors slain in battle. When she’s not busy ruling half the afterlife. Angel Heart Theatre, the South West puppetry artists, have created a new children’s story inspired by this indomitable heroine. Angel Heart’s founder James Richardson explained more about Freya’s adventures with gods and giants in ancient Scandinavia:

“In our story, Freya is a Viking girl and friend of the gods, but she’s in a bit of a pickle she’s about to become a giant’s dinner and must use all her wits to escape old Gorm’s cooking pot.” Angel Heart Theatre is taking Freya – A Viking Saga to village halls across Devon throughout January and February. They are also running hands-on workshops on Viking weaponry, including the chance to step into warrior shoes and be part of a Viking shield wall. The tour is made possible by Villages in Action (ViA), the rural touring scheme that brings award-winning arts to Devon doorsteps. For more information visit Villages in Action at www.villagesinaction.co.uk.

Support and equipment for community groups

OUTH Hams Community & Voluntary Services (CVS) has been providing support to local community groups and charities since 1985. The CVS has helped out more than 400 community groups over the last 20 years and continues to provide a range of services, from helping groups to develop their infrastructure and expertise through to finding the equipment they need for a community event. Based at Follaton House in Totnes, the CVS is a friendly team headed up by chief officer Jill Davies. She said: “We hold regular outreach sessions at South Hams libraries where all are welcome to ask our staff about anything volunteer-related. “We have just launched Volunteer Connect Devon, an online system where users can create a profile, become part of a volunteer bank, and search from hundreds of potential roles. Many organisations are already

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Glorious chorus DEVON choir Glorious Chorus is putting on a Christmas Extravaganza of music at St Johns Church, Totnes, from 7pm on Sunday December 20, raising money for Rowcroft Hospice and other local charities. Supporting the choir this year will be the Thula Mama Christmas Choir, Helen’s group of mothers with their babies from her weekly Thula Mama singing group. If you want to join Glorious Chorus (the choir especially needs basses at the moment) contact Helen on 01803 862028. For all info about the choir and to buy tickets, visit www. gloriouschorus.co.uk. Tickets cost £8 (£5.50 conc).

Marsh study

The South Hams CVS team. profiled on the new online system, where they can advertise and update volunteer roles, and search the website’s volunteer bank for volunteers who meet their requirements. “Volunteer Connect Devon is easily accessed through the South Hams CVS website.” A year-long 20th anniversary project, Facing Forward to 2020, will focus on supporting and developing Voluntary and Community Organisations that support

IF you have a few quid left after your Christmas shopping, we’d love it if you could make a donation to an appeal for a friend of Reconnect who’s going through gruelling (and very expensive) cancer treatment. Katheryn Trenshaw is known right acoss Reconnectland for her art and therapy work. Currently, she’s in Mexico undergoing treatment and running up some serious bills. If you can help, however modestly, please visit www.gofundme.com/ katheryncancer. It might just be the most important present you give this year. l STOP PRESS: Katheryn also wants to rent out her three-bedoom Totnes home. Lots of space, wonderful artwork, big garden and close to town. Call Martin on the Reconnect number and he’ll pass on your details.

older and vulnerable people across the district. The project will launch with a free learning event on January 21 in Ivybridge. Community groups can join South Hams CVS as local supporters for £20 per year. They receive reduced equipment and workshop costs, as well as extra support from the Group Development Officer. For more information visit www.southhamscvs.org. uk or call 01803 862266.

DARTINGTON Hall Trust is conducting a feasibility study into the restoration of Queen’s Marsh field, thanks to a grant from a Natural England Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). The study will explore how best to restore a former tidal creek where Bidwell Brook joins the River Dart near Dartington. The reclamation would seek to enhance wetland habitats for wildlife, and enhance public enjoyment of the area. Visit Dartington.org.

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news&views Give the gift of a beautiful Totnes view every month

VEN if you’re only an occasional reader of Reconnect you will have seen Phil Hemsley’s amazing shots of South Devon landscapes. Now you can have them on your wall of your home or office, or for your friends and family, for just £10. His Totnes 2016 calendar features 12 stunning glimpses of the ancient town and it’s rural fringes. It’s double A4 (297mm x 420mm) and folds down into a large letter size which makes them very reasonable to post on - the perfect gift for fans of Totnes who live outside the county, or even outside the country. It’s beautifully printed on rich 250gsm silk stock and comes packed in a high quality cellophane bag. The £10 price includes delivery (within the UK) and if you want it to be posted direct to a friend or relative as a gift, let Phil know when you make an order and a message slip can be included. All the photographs featured in the calendar, and many landscapes of the South West, are

available as fine art giclee prints from Phil’s website. He also runs bespoke landscape photography workshops for which gift vouchers are available. You can order calendars, prints and book workshops at www.philhemsley. co.uk. l THE cover of Phil’s calendar, right, and, below, one of the scenes, Kingsbridge Hill overlook into Totnes on a cold and frosty morning.

Free displays

DON’T miss out on the exhibitions running at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery – they are all free. In The Frame: Plymouth’s Portraits Revealed presents new research into some of the characters in Plymouth portrait collection. It runs until Summer next year. There’s a chance to see the work of Gerhard Richter until January 16. This collection has been acquired for the nation by Tate and The National Galleries of Scotland. Also on display until January 16 is Fiji: Ocean Connections, which explores the connection between Plymouth and Polynesia with weapons, shells and jewellery. And you can discover what attracted a young Joshua Reynolds to Italy in 1750 in The Influence of Italy, open until Summer next year. There are also a number of gallery displays and lunchtime talks – visit www.plymouthmuseum. gov.uk to find out more.

Spinning complexity into simple solutions

• Dedicated to your goals and objectives

• Communicating your message effectively to reach your target audience • Creating compelling designs to reflect your project's image • Friendly, green, and Devon-based

• 15% discount for green and social projects

graphic design • logos • websites • web maintenance • hosting www.doetsdesign.com • info@doetsdesign.com • 07770 034504

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

news&views Ethical duo with designs on Reconnect in print and digital media, from logo, advertisements and brochure layout to website design, development, hosting, maintenance and social media. What particularly excites us, though, is their commitment to sustainable business. Most of their clients are charitable and non-profit organisations, artists and sustainable, social and holistic enterprises. Said Robert: “On a personal level we’re dedicated to maintaining a low carbon footprint by using solar panels to power our office and cycling to meetings on electric bikes - we even grow our own lunch in the back garden!” We’ll be talking about our new website in more detail in the next (Feb/Mar) issue, but it should be online in the New Year (we say ‘should’ because it depends on us providing the words and we’re a little busy putting a magazine together right now!), so check it out. Same address – www. reconnectonline.co.uk. Find out more about Doets Design at www. Robert and Natassia of Doets Design. doetsdesign.com. THERE’S a new design company in town - small, but passionate and dedicated to working for ethical and sustainable business. And we’re just a little excited because as we go to press they’re working on a new website for Reconnect! Doets Design is made up of Natassia and Robert Doets. Originally from New Zealand and the Netherlands, they recently fulfilled their “long-term dream” to live and work in Devon. Drawn to Reconnectland by the activities of Transition Town Totnes (while involved with their local Dutch Transition Network), they offer a range of services

Workshops fund centre in The Gambia

HUMBA Arts are a Chagfordbased organisation running African drumming and dance workshops, classes and performance across Devon and the South West. To give something back to the cultures and people that inspire them, they are currently running an online crowdfunding campaign to raise money for a small garden and arts centre community venture in The Gambia, West Africa. Co-founder Allan Kerr said: “We basically believe music, dance and gardening make the world go round and that’s what the Kinkeling project is all about.

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“To raise funds we are offering an amazing range of events and products, including djembe drums and percussion instruments, bespoke drum circle workshops for up to 50 participants, trips to The Gambia, clothing, calendars and more.” Visit the campaign at http://igg.me/ at/kinkeling. Look out for an African drumming workshop on December 5 at Providence Community Centre near Chagford. 11am-4pm. The cost is £20 in advance - drums available. All profits go to the Kinkeling project. For more info contact Allan at shumbaarts@ gmail.com, or call 07955304747.

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The Unitarian Chapel in Moretonhampstead home to Yuli’s Somme’s work.

Views sought on Share Shop

YOU might have read recently of a project in Frome called The Library of Things. The concept is simple: people donate their unwanted objects – from chocolate fountains to power tools – and the The Library of Things then lends them out to its members. There are plans to introduce a similar project, The Share Shop, to Totnes and The Network of Wellbeing (NOW) is asking for people’s views. Project coordinator Mirella Ferraz explains: “The Share Shop will allow everyone, including people with low or no income, to borrow tools and other things that they would otherwise have to buy. By supporting a culture that is based on cooperation and sharing, we reduce waste and strengthen our community. People will be able to join the Share Shop, for a small fee, or by donating tools, and then borrow what they need.” Complete the NOW online questionnaire (http://tinyurl.com/ nj9nad8), call 01803 849107 or email info@ networkofwellbeing.org. To find out more, visit www.networkofwellbeing. org.

news&views

BEAUTIFUL ROOMS for groups and individual practice.

Perfect for Yuli’s work MORETONHAMPSTEAD is abuzz with creativity it seems. In one street alone, there is Green Shoes, Taja (ceramics), Greg Able (iron forge), Green Hill Arts (just round the corner), and not least, Bellacouche Felt Studio (friend of Reconnect Yuli Somme). Moving the studio into the Unitarian Chapel has proved to be great for Yuli’s business and it provides a wonderful setting for her idiosyncratic work. In 2015 Yuli bought 1.5 tons of beautiful Shetland wool from two local farms, one in the Mendips, the other at East Portlemouth, South Devon. Both these farms are organic, and committed to high welfare and environmental standards. You can see and buy Yuli’s work at her workshop or online shop at www.bellacouche.com. You can also see her work at Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracy (Devon Guild of Carftsmen) and at Green Hill Arts and Artisan in Chagford.

FOR TALKING THERAPIES AND HOLISTIC HEALTH

www.thepracticerooms.co.uk 15 - 16 Castle Street, Exeter EX4 3PT

Totnes Progressive School I g n i t i n g

b r i l l i a n c e

Permaculture in evenings A NEW permaculture design course will run in a part-time, non-residential format to make it more accessible to those on low income and/or with work or family commitments. The course will run on Wednesday evenings at Bogan House in Totnes, 6.45-9.15pm, for 12 consecutive weeks. There will also be three practical weekends, which will include a tour of Martin Crawford’s forest garden in Dartington and a tour of Transition Town Totnes projects. The tutor will be Caroline Aitken of Patrick Whitefield Associates, who worked alongside Patrick for many years and co-wrote Food from Your Forest Garden with Martin Crawford. The course starts Wednesday January 13 and costs £320 (£280 conc). Find out more and book at www.patrickwhitefield.co.uk.

We are an independent school where academic success is the result of understanding each student’s educational needs. If you’d like to see your child thrive in a genuinely progressive environment with small class sizes and excellent teachers, please get in touch on 01803 864 484 to arrange a visit. totnesprogressiveschool.co.uk

Meditation classes return with free talk THE Ashoka Kadampa Buddhist Centre, whose local meditation classes proved so popular through 2015, start the new year with a free public talk. Entitled Modern Buddhism, it will be at Totnes Natural Health Centre, on January 18, 7.30-8.45pm. The classes, designed to be accessible to all, have been running since 2008 and feature practical teachings and meditations easily integrated into daily life. Teacher Matthew Rochford, who has been a student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for 15 years, said: “In today’s world we need solutions to problems that are practical and beautiful. These teachings, from a very special lineage which passed from India to Tibet and from Tibet to the west, are amazing.

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“My teacher, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, has made it very easy for westerners to access the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. I have personally seen many people gain great benefit from putting these ancient teachings into practice.” The classes are open to everyone and work in a series or as selfcontained drop in classes. For more information see meditationinplymouth.org/totnes. Turn to page 24 for lots more Wellbeing stories.

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Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Home comforts for your wintry wildlife World artists return to earth THE work of six important international artists is to be exhibited together for the first time in the South West. The exhibition, Soil Culture: Deep Roots, will feature works by Paolo Barrile, Mel Chin, Herman de Vries, Richard Long, Ana Mendieta and Claire Pentecost. After a run at Falmouth Art Gallery in the Autumn, the exhibition opens at Peninsula Arts at Plymouth University from January 16 to February 27. 2016. This exhibition is a significant part of the UK’s contribution to the United Nations’ International Year of Soils (2015) and the final stage of a three-year Soil Culture project launched by the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW) at Falmouth University in 2013. A spokesperson for CCANW told Reconnect: “Soils are increasingly being threatened by poor management and short-termism, resulting in compaction, contamination and a loss of natural fertility. “In the South West alone, 38% of its soils have already been significantly degraded. This exhibition features previously unseen work by Mel Chin, who uses plants to extract heavy metals from contaminated land, and Claire Pentecost who has refashioned soil into the shapes of gold ingots to reflect its true worth.” For more information visit www. peninsula-arts.co.uk/ or visit www.ccanw.co.uk.

AS the coldest months drape a blanket of frost over our gardens, spare a thought for our feathered, fluttering, spiky, slimy, and scurrying garden friends. MORWENNA ALLDIS of the RSPB has some simple tips to ensure your local wildlife has a safe, cosy and plentiful Christmas and New Year Please Sir, I want some more...

NATURAL food is scarce during the Winter months so our feathered friends are more likely to visit our gardens to supplement their diet from our bird feeders and tables. Birds need calorie-rich food at this time of year, to help them maintain their fat reserves, so opt for peanuts, sunflower hearts, suet balls, finely chopped bacon rind and even a little bit of grated cheese. For a balanced diet, still provide your normal seed mix - it saves on the need for birdy gym memberships in the New Year. (Safety note: when purchasing suet balls remember to take them out of the plastic mesh bag and place them into a wire mesh feeder. This plastic netting can trap birds.)

A cut above the rest

HOLD off pruning any hollow stemmed plants until Spring because many overwintering insects use them as homes. After pruning, leave the hollow stems in a corner of your garden until May to give the insects time to hatch and emerge before you compost. Also, avoid cutting hedges until the end of Winter and leave cutting back ivy until March – these both provide vital Winter shelter.

An excuse not to tidy

DURING the Winter don’t be too meticulous in maintaining a neat garden. Leave some leaf litter on the ground and in beds - insects and frogs will use it as shelter. Avoid digging

WONDERFUL WOOLEN GIFTS

your beds too - moth pupae, spider eggs are laid under the soil’s top layer to survive the cold. Even bumblebees dig holes in the ground to rest in during the Winter.

Homes for wildlife

NEST boxes, frogitats (a frost-resistant ceramic home for frogs with wet and dry floor areas to protect inhabitants from extreme temperature), hogitats (a sturdy, lightweight, waterproof shelter for hedgehogs) and bug hotels will all be greatly appreciated. Wrens, for example, will roost in empty nest boxes to conserve their heat during winter. You can purchase wildlife food and shelters from your local garden centre or from: RSPB Shop, Darts Farm, Topsham. Call 01392 879438 or visit www.rspb.org.uk.

Pondlife needs love too CLEAR your pond between October and January when they are least active with wildlife. But be careful to check through any pond vegetation before discarding - damselfly, dragonfly nymphs and newts may be sleeping soundly there. If your pond freezes over, rest a hot saucepan on the surface to clear an area of ice to provide access for frogs and toads, drinking water for wildlife and to maintain oxygen levels in the water. Never smash the ice - this will send shockwaves through the water and disturb any inhabitants. Pop a few clay roof tiles at the bottom of the pond - the perfect winter cover for frogs and other aquatic creatures.

Pointers for hedgehog care

THE UK hedgehog population is in a worrying state of decline and sadly, nearly half of all hedgehogs starve to death during the winter. During milder Winters, hedgehogs can stir too early and wander confused around gardens looking for food, which wastes their precious fat reserves. To help hedgehogs: l Pop a hogitat in a corner of your garden; l Check bonfires before lighting; l Leave a dish of water and a bowl of cat/dog food outside for any early risers to munch. On behalf of the RSPB South West and all of the wildlife you are giving a home to this Winter, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. To find out more, and receive a free information pack, visit: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/givenaturea homeinyourgarden/20wayspack/

Take a deep BREATH...

5% OF ALL ONLINE SALES THIS WINTER WILL GO TO TOTNES DROP-IN CENTRE

WWW. 8

ALL BRITISH-MADE, FAIRTRADE OR RECYCLED.

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Learn how to use the power of your own breath to overcome stress and re-energise your body. Improveyour health and help clear emotional blockages. Workshops and 1:1 sessions available. Intro workshops in Teignmouth by arrangement. 2-day retreats planned for 2016 - see website.

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

07828 566553

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Goingout

Read Going Outfood onlinelocal at: www.reconnectonline.co.uk/diary local people local events local health local environment

the south devon events guide Shumba Arts fundraising for The Gambia on Saturday December 5.

Wendy Chudley - working live in Harbourhouse Gallery in Kingsbridge.

Glorious Chorus Sunday December 20

DECEMBER TUESDAY 1 UNTIL JAN 3. THEATRE: Tim Etchells: For now. Working across visual art, performance and fiction, Tim Etchells’ work “plays with language, place and presence”, Plymouth Arts Centre, 01752 206114, www. plymouthartscentre. org. UNTIL DEC 13. GALLERY: Present Maker - nine artists and makers from South Hams Arts Forum present a mixed exhibition of arts and crafts for Christmas, including jewellery, glass, printmaking and paintings, 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-3pm Sun, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse. org.uk. Wednesday 2 THEATRE: We This Way. New interactive performance from the creator of The Unbuilt Room. Commissioned by and developed at Battersea Arts Centre, The House, Plymouth University, Plymouth, 01752 585050, www.peninsula-arts. co.uk. GALLERY: Becky Bettesworth - artist signs her posters, Galleryfab, Bank

DECEMBER/JANUARY

St, Newton Abbot, 4-9pm, www. galleryfab.co.uk. Thursday 3 SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Plymouth, plus festive goodies. SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Exeter, plus Christmas market on Cathedral Green until Sat Dec 19. Friday 4 POETRY: Barn Owl Trust Poetry Competition. Write a poem about wildlife or conservation and be in with a chance to win a prize and be published in 4th Wildlife Words Anthology. All profits to trust. Closing date Jan 13. www. barnowltrust.org.uk. UNTIL JAN 3. THEATRE: A Christmas Carol - Creative Cow’s new adaptation of Charles Dicken’s much-loved Christmas classic, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Rd, www. exeternorthcott.co.uk. Saturday 5 CHOIR: Clic for Christmas - La La Choirs present their Christmas Concert featuring Rebecca Newman, Exeter Cathedral, 7.309.45pm, tickets 07966 380720, www. lalachoirs.co.uk. RURAL CRAFTS: Coppicing and

charcoal making Devon Rural Skills Trust, Parke, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9JQ. Land Ranger map 191, grid ref 805786, www.drst.org.uk. ART WORKSHOP: Chinese Brush Painting Workshop with Lisa Class, Jellyfish Productions, Buckfastleigh, 10am-12noon, www. jellyfishprod.com. JAZZ: Christmas Gala - classic jazz with Claire Martin, vocals, Andy Williamson & the Big Buzzard Boogie Band, Great Hall, University of Exeter, 7.30-10pm, tickets 01392 665885, www. exeterfestivalchorus. org.uk. MOVIE: Rooted Spirits - film screening, St Lukes Community Church, Jellyfish Productions, 6pm, www.jellyfishprod.com. SHOPPING: Kingsbridge celebrates Christmas - stalls into evening under Christmas lights, plus food stalls, street entertainers, www.kingsbridge celebrateschristmas. com. DRUM WORKSHOP: Fundraiser for music, dance and gardening project in The Gambia (igg.me/at/kinkeling), Providence

Publicise your event on the ReconnectHub! NOW this is REALLY exciting! We have a brand new online events diary called ReconnectHub - check it out at www.reconnecthub.co.uk. AND you can publicise your own events on it - free of charge! AND the cream of the events will also appear here in the magazine - free of charge! AND ReconnectHub is linked to a whole network of online events diaries that spread right across the SouthWest. AND it’s all very easy to access - and did we mention it’s all FREE? So to get your events in Reconnect, simply register at www.reconnecthub.co.uk and then add your events. l There will also be a few very special advertisement slots on the website so if you want to put your venue or event in front of everyone who visits Reconnecthub (and we expect LOADS of traffic) call Martin on 01803 868455.

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CONTINUED PAGE 10

Last Friday of each month at St John’s Church, Bridgetown

November 27th Ombiviolum Orchestra & Susie Ro Prater

January 29th

People’s String Foundation & Daniel Clark

February 26th The John Langan Band & Nessi Gomes

Tickets at Sacks Wholefoods in Totnes or online www.wegottickets.com Doors open 6.30pm for delicious organic soup, locally brewed craft beers, and scrummy cake.

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Loving the land: Acoustic Haven supports The Hillyfield and The Living Projects www.thehillyfield.co.uk www.acoustichaven.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

LOTS more events and info online:

GOING OUT Meditation & Mindfulness teachings for a happy heart from the new kadampa tradition

CONT FROM PAGE 9 Community Centre, Chagford, 1am-4pm, info and booking shumbaarts@gmail. com, 07955304747. Sunday 6 CRAFT: Wreath Making Workshop with The Clockwork Moth, Jellyfish Productions, Buckfastleigh, 6-8pm, www.jellyfishprod.com. FOLK: Belshazzar’s Feast - traditional folk music, with a touch of classical, music hall, humour & jazz, 8pm, Topsham Community Hall, 01392 876674, www. matthewshalltopsham. Tuesday 8

Mondays 7.30pm to 8.45pm

at Totnes Natural Health Centre, The Plains,TQ9 5D. With Kadampa teacher Matthew Rochford

Free public talk: ‘Modern Buddhism’ January 18th - details as above -

Then from January 25th, £6 per class or £30 for a 6 class card. meditationinplymouth.org/totnes | @totneskadampa

fb: /totnesmeditation | tel: 01752 224 137

CRAFT: Christmas wreath making in Powderham Castle’s Servants Hall, 10am4.30pm, tickets 01626 890243, www. powderham.co.uk. SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Totnes with markets stalls, street entertainers, food and drink, etc. Wednesday 9 CAROLS: Carols in the Cathedral with The Exeter Philharmonic Choir, accompanied by Exeter Brass, Exeter Cathedral, 7.309.30pm, tickets 01392 665885, www.exephil. org.uk. Thursday 10 SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Exeter, plus Christmas market on Cathedral Green until Sat Dec 19. SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Plymouth, plus festive goodies. Sunday 13 CRAFTS: Living willow and crafts workshop. Trees for Health, Beeson, 10am4pm, £30, info@ treesforhealth.org, 07765 631877, www. treesforhealth.org. SHOPPING: Christmas arts and crafts market Royal William yard, Plymouth. Tuesday 15 SHOPPING: Late night shopping with markets stalls, street entertainers, food and drink stalls, etc. Wednesday 16 CRAFT: Barn Owl Trust Festive Wreath

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People’s String Foundation - Friday January 29. Workshop using natural materials - and enjoy mince pies and cream. Meeting Room, The Barn Owl Trust, Waterleat, Ashburton, 2.30-7pm. Booking essential. Thursday 17 SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Exeter, plus Christmas market on Cathedral Green until Sat Dec 19. UNTIL DEC 22. SHOPPING: Christmas Market in Castle St, Exeter, www.exeter. gov.uk. SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Plymouth, plus festive goodies.

radio station Phonic FM, 8-11pm, Exeter Phoenix, tickets 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. CAROLS: Santa Lucia & Carols on the Green, Buckfastleigh, 4.30pm, www. jellyfishprod.com. Sunday 20 CHOIR: Christmas Extravaganza evening of Christmas music with highly acclaimed choir Glorious Chorus, St Johns Church, Totnes, 7pm, tickets £8 (£5.50 conc), www. gloriouschorus.co.uk, 01803 862028.

Friday 18

Tuesday 22

COMMUNITY: Totnes Community Potluck meal - take along a dish of food and share a meal with the community, organised by Network of Wellbeing, 6-8.30pm, Civic Hall, Market Square, High Street, Totnes, www. networkofwellbeing. org. COMEDY: Exeter Comedy Grove - “The very best comedians from the national stand up circuit”. Five comedians for £10, 9.30-11pm, Lemon Grove, Exeter, tickets 07909 009355, www. exetercomedygrove. club. MOVIE: Film evening with Jellyfish Productions, Buckfastleigh, 7pm, www.jellyfishprod.com.

SHOPPING: Late night shopping in Totnes with markets stalls, street entertainers, food and drink stalls, etc. Thursday 31 NYE: Wonderland - New Year’s Eve entertainment at Exeter Phoenix, including DJs, live music, circus acts, fancydress, silent disco, karaoke, cocktails and more, 8pm-3am, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

JANUARY Sunday 3

Saturday 19

GALLERY: Exhibition opening evening with poet Sally Willow and live music by Pandia Duo, 5-8pm, Jellyfish Prouctions, Buckfastleigh, www. jellyfishprod.com.

SINGING: Gather to sing for world peace in light of Paris bombing, 11am-12noon, Civic Hall, Totnes. MUSIC: Zion Train - legendary live experience with pounding bass and heavy rhythms, benefit gig for Exeter’s community

UNTIL MAR 30. PERMACULTURE: Totnes Percaculture Design Course part-time over 12 Wednesday evenings, 6.45-9.15pm, Bogan House, Totnes, plus tour of Martin Crawford’s forest garden in Dartington

Wednesday 13

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immediately exposure online

www.reconnectonline.co.uk/diary and a Transition Town tour of Totnes projects, www.patrickwhitefield. co.uk.

House, Exeter, tickets 0871 9025730, www. picturehouses.co.uk.

Thursday 14

MEDITATION: Modern Buddhism - free public talk by Ashoka Kadampa Buddhist Centre at Totnes Natural Health Centre, 7.30-8.45pm, meditationinplymouth. org/totnes.

GALLERY: Warning: Artists at Work! Find out what artists do all day as Wendy Chudley and Cherry Lyons use the gallery as a working studio, 10am4pm, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse. org.uk. Saturday 16 UNTIL FEB 27. GALLERY: Soil Culture: Deep Roots. Part of the UK’s contribution to the UN International Year of Soils. Peninsula Arts at Plymouth University. www. peninsula-arts.co.uk/ or www.ccanw.co.uk. RURAL CRAFT: Hedge laying with Devon Rural Skills Trust, Little Orcheton, Modbury PL21 0TF, Land ranger Map 202, Grid Reference 636508, www.drst.org.uk. OPERA: Live broadcast from The Metropolitan Opera - Georges Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs De Perles, The Picture

Monday 18

Tuesday 19 CONSERVATION: Barn Owl Trust Conservation Days. Get involved and help the Conservation Team with practical work in our wildlife haven, managed for Barn Owls and other wildlife. Also February 16 and March 15. Visit www.barnowltrust. org.uk. Sunday 24 VOLUNTEER: Tree planting, soup and bread around fire at lunchtime, Trees for Health, Beeson, near Kingsbridge, www.treesforhealth. org, email info@ treesforhealth.org, or call 07765 631877. CLASSICAL:

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Nadsaconcerts presents Raphael Wallfisch (cello) and John York (piano), 3pm, Courtenay Centre, Newton Abbot, www.nadsa. co.uk. Friday 29 GIG: People’s String Foundation - ‘Urban roots orchestra’ supported by Nessi Gomes, Acoustic Haven, St John’s church, Bridgetown, Totnes, doors open 6.30pm, tickets from Sacks Wholefoods or online from www. wegottickets.com. Saturday 30 UNTIL JAN 30. PANTO: Wizard of Oz - the pantoThe Police & Hospital Players present their 29th annual panto, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, tickets - 01392 271808, www. barnfieldtheatre.org. uk. RURAL CRAFT: Wattle hurdle making with Devon Rural Skills Trust, Rudolf Steiner School, Dartington, TQ9 6AB, Land Ranger map 202, Grid

Reference 773635, www.drst.org.uk. MOVIE: Whiplash - a movie right up your street from Follaton Community Cinema, Totnes. Doors open 7pm for 7.30 start, homemade cakes and a cuppa, more info and watch trailer at www. follatoncommunity cinema.co.uk. GALLERY: Exhibition Opening Evening with Maritime theme from Brian Weatherup - paintings, Steve Perrins - paintings and watercolours and Julian Fraser photographs, 5-8pm, Jellyfish Productipons, Buckfastleigh, www. jellyfishprod.com. Sunday 31

UNTIL JAN 30. PANTO: Wizard of Oz - the panto. The Police & Hospital Players present their 29th annual panto, based on L Frank Baum’s original story but with some unusual twists and new characters, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, tickets - 01392 271808, www.barnfieldtheatre. org.uk.

reconnecthub The new way to get YOUR event into Reconnect... TO ADVERTISE your event on on our new diary website, Reconnecthub, simply visit www.reconnecthub.co.uk and register then you can enter your own events. AND some of them will appear in the next (Feb/Mar) issue of Reconnect magazine. AND they will be viewed through other EventHub websites (across the SW). AND it’s all FREE! (There are some online advertisements available too and it’s first come, first served - so call Martin now on 01803 868455)

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A misty morning at Embercombe, the preparing for Solstice shot below and our amazing cover shot are all the work of Embercombe volunteer Marie-Anaïs Simon.

ORGANICGARDENING THE wonderfully knowledgable JOA GROWER has got something a little different for you this time - some money-saving ideas for 2016...

Joa’s crop of money-saving tips IF you buy everything new, gardening can be hugely expensive. But you can use everyday garden and household items to save money in your vegetable garden throughout the coming year.

Old compost bags These have many uses, including for collecting horse manure, tidying the garden, collecting leaves to make leaf mould and, when split open and weighted down with bricks or stones, as a great weed suppressant. Remove in 12 months time for beautiful, weed-free soil.

Stinging nettles Soak fresh, young stinging nettles in a barrel of water, leave for 10-14 days strain and water tomatoes, spuds, courgettes, beans… well, almost anything really. (The same goes for Comfrey leaves). But keep it as far away from the house as possible. It sure does stink!

Old feather pillows It used to be recommended that when planting rhubarb you should bury a large dead bird in the ground and then place your rhubarb crown on top. An old pillow will do the same job, slowly releasing nutrients into the soil.

Horse manure Most stables are only too pleased to get rid of the stuff. The older the better, but if it is really fresh, stack it for 9-12 months - it will be worth the wait because it will have turned into a fantastic soil conditioner.

Wood ash This can be used as a deterrent for slugs and snails – simply sprinkle a good helping around young plants such as courgettes and squashes. It’s also a rich source of potash and when applied to fruit bushes will help them ripen and protects plants from some diseases. The onion patch will also benefit from it sprinkle on the surface and rake in.

Garlic Crush a couple of cloves in water and spray the liquid to kill aphids.

Washing-up liquid It’s not quite as good as traditional soft soap, but a very good substitute. Make a mix about three times as strong as you would for doing the dishes and spray bug-infested plants. When you’ve

finished with the bottle you can cut it into 15mm wide strips and make plant labels out of it.

Food trays and pots The plastic punnets mushrooms come in make fab seed trays - but don’t forget they are smaller than proper seed trays so you won’t need to sow the whole packet of seeds. Yogurt pots also make lovely little plant pots. Remember to make drainage holes in all reused containers.

Plastic bottles Remove the lid and cut the base off a two or five-litre water bottle to make a perfect mini-cloche for individual seedlings. Brilliant for keeping your baby plants safe from late frosts.

Bean poles and pea sticks Winter is a great time to cut hazel sticks from hedge rows. Long straight ones for climbing French beans or runner beans and short branchy ones for supporting peas and mangetouts. Always get permission from the land-owner before you start hacking away at someone else’s hedges!

Save your own seed First check the parent plant you are collecting from is not a F1 hybrid (seeds from these will not come true) - most seed packets or seedling plant packs will say whether they are or not. The easiest seeds to collect are probably beans and peas. Leave some pods on the plants towards the end of your harvest and allow them to dry and go yellow. Then pick them and allow them to carry on drying on a window sill or greenhouse bench. When completely dry, store in an envelope until sowing next year.

Wooden pallets There are so many things can be made from these. Probably the most useful is a compost bin. Four pallets of similar size can be nailed, screwed or even tied together to create a good sized bin. I have also made myself a very comfy garden bench out of them in the past. l Growers Organics nursery (next to Riverford Farm Shop in Yealmpton) will reopen early February 2016 and we will also be back in the Totnes market square from Friday February 5.

Reconnect’s Organic Gardening column is written by Joa Grower of Growers Organics. Meet her at Totnes market on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.growersorganics.com, or call 01752 881180.

Chance to pause and reflect CHRISTMAS isn’t the only festival celebrated at this time of year. We asked SARAH TWIGG, a volunteer at Embercombe, to tell us about their Winter Solstice celebrations...

INTER Solstice is almost upon us. As the days draw shorter and the darkness reaches its height, Embercombe prepares to celebrate the Winter Solstice. This is a chance to pause…to reflect on our journey, to acknowledge our experiences and our growth and to give thanks for our blessings and good fortune. It is a space for transition, an opening in our busy schedules, an opportunity to take some respite from our full, relentless lives. And breathe. This isn’t a space to stumble upon, to come crashing into; this is purposeful reflection. Maybe we do have time to stop, to acknowledge and appreciate what we have achieved, what we have experienced, the wisdom we have gained. It is only when we pause that these important blessings become apparent. And if you cannot see them immediately, look harder. They are there, no matter how small. Maybe that bit of space you have given yourself in this cycle is your achievement; maybe it’s what you needed to enter the next stage in your life with new inspiration and drive, with fresh intentions. As we stand in the icy cold winds, tracing our path over the frozen soil- although initially this time appears unyielding, static and impenetrable- we can plant new seeds now for the future. We can

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imagine new ways to make a positive difference in this world. And in the midst of the darkness of December, the cold emptiness reminds us that the light is coming back. The icy stillness breaks, shatters, opening in us a fresh new energy to take into the next part of our ongoing journey, to sustain us until we next get a chance to pause, to reflect. A chance to immerse ourselves in winter daydreams in which we imagine the future, the world of our longing. We can unite our own needs with those of the earth; we can be the change we want to see. At the heart of Embercombe’s founding principles is the Children’s Fire: the concept that no action or decision we take should harm the children for the next seven generations hence. And so, as we pause to consider… as well as imagining this world, we can start to live it now: it can come into fruition as we contemplate its importance. We can chose what we put our energy into; we can make positive choices that align with our vision for the future. Do we need to buy and consume so much this year? Winter is often thought of as a time for giving, maybe it is time to give back to the Earth, instead of taking and consuming? Maybe this is our gift to our friends, our family, the people we hold dear; a world in which we take only what we need, in which everyone is provided for. Give thanks for our abundance and for our endless resources, but consider how they can be shared or reimagined: envisage a future which is sustainable, where nothing is wasted and nobody is forgotten. Come and join us for a Solstice celebration. Embercombe’s Friends Working Weekend takes place December 18-20. To book visit www.embercombe.org/solstice.

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Aromatika’s Exeter shop and salon, right.

Beautifully ethical approach to skin care that cares

Gallery gifts and artists at work

THERE’S a chance to buy gifts from local artists and makers at Present Maker, the pre-Christmas exhibition at the Kingsbridge Harbourhouse Gallery. Open 10am-5pm, from December 1-13, nine members of the South Hams Arts Forum will display jewellery, glass, prints and paintings. The gallery reopens to answer the question, just what do artists do all day? Artists at Work! (10am-4pm, January 14-23) will see Wendy Chudley and Cherry Lyons turn the gallery into their working studio. Pop in for a chat and learn how they explore ideas and focus their inspiration into making new and dynamic work. Visit www.harbourhouse.org.uk.

KIN care products and beauty treatments are a part of many women’s expenditure today – and more so at this time of year because they make such great gifts. But putting a little extra luxury into our lives doesn’t mean we have to compromise on an ethical approach. There’s one local company, registered with the vegan society, that makes products that are organic, natural, SLS and parabens-free and not tested on animals. Aromatika began life literally as a kitchen table enterprise smack in the middle of the last recession. Founder Lisa Hosking opened her first retail premises in Totnes in November 2009 and, despite the recession, the business grew quickly and… well, yes, organically. Two years later, Aromatika relocated to larger, more central premises in Totnes where it opened its first boutique treatment rooms. Says Lisa: “The treatment rooms developed into a very successful aspect of the business, so when we opened our second Aromatika branch in 2014, on Exeter’s

Queen Street, there was a much heavier emphasis on the salon side of our business and we renovated the beautiful Victorian townhouse into an elegant boutique day spa with four beautiful and very spacious treatment rooms.” All Aromatika’s products are hand-made, until recently in Totnes and now in a small production unit, where they also make all the products for Dartmouth-based sister-enterprise, Devon Soap Company. From its early kitchen table days, Aromatika has grown to a business with three retail locations and a significant wholesale business supplying other salons and spas. “We of course also sell online,” says Lisa. “We now employ around

12 full and part-time people, all carefully recruited and passionate about what they do. We try every day to offer the best products and the best service to our fantastic customers – and to them we’d like to say thank you, we appreciate you very, very much!” Find Aromatika at 63 Fore Street in Totnes and at 86 Queen Street in Exeter. Or shop online at www. aromatika.co.uk.

Untitled by Amanda Brooks

www.steineracademyexeter.org.uk 01392757371 Places available for reception NOW admin@steineracademyexeter.org.uk Open mornings every first Friday of the month - visit the website for more details Steiner Academy Exeter, Thomas Hall, Cowley Bridge Road, Exeter EX4 5AD

www.steineracademyexeter.org.uk 01392 757371 admissions@steineracademyexeter.org.uk

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Huxham’s Cross Community Farm,

was launched at a meeting in local people environment LOCAL PRODUCE local events local food local health localleft, October, below.

Community farm starts with the soil

NEW community land project in South Devon is starting from the ground up – by working first on the soil. Huxham’s Cross Community Farm is the result of a co-op share offer by the Biodynamic Land Trust (BDLT), which has long-leased the land to The Apricot Centre team, whose Marina O’Connell plans to draw on biodynamic, organic, permacultural and agro-ecological methods to regenerate 34 bare acres of land. After 40 years of conventional farming the soil is now in

conversion to Biodynamic systems, proven to have the highest levels of soil biodiversity of all farming systems. Martin Large of the Biodynamic

Call Andy on 07980 746622 - www.laydilay.co.uk

Land Trust said: “We started the process off last April when the old barley stubble was ploughed in and the fields were sown with a specially created mixture of five types of clover, two types of grasses and three types of herbs, all organic. “This green manure has grown fantastically and has been topped regularly in the first season, adding organic matter to the soil and increasing the worm, bacteria and fungi populations in the soil. “Over the next two Winters we will plant agro-forestry rows and soft fruit through the green manures, and be ready for our first crops of vegetables in 2017.”

The project will monitor the changes in the soil by worm counts and regular soil tests and also run bird, wild flower and tree species counts, as learning and volunteering activities. Martin said: “Huxham’s Cross Farm gives people the opportunity to invest in their own community for food security, real family farming and a living, working countryside. “So please do invest now in community shares as a Christmas present for building the barns, training room and services needed to make this a flourishing community farm.” See www.biodynamiclandtrust. org.uk for more information and a downloadable Huxham’s Cross Farm Share Prospectus. To get involved, email info@apricotcentre. co.uk, or visit www.apricotcentre. co.uk. Wednesdays 10am-3pm are volunteer days.

Green store gets festive - for 25th time

NE of Totnes’s flagship stores celebrates its 25th Christmas in the town this year. Greenlife, originally based at the bottom of the town on Fore Street, moved to its current premises on the market square in 2010 and is now one of the largest health food shops in the South West. For the uninitiated, Greenlife offers a huge array of Fair Trade, vegetarian, vegan and raw foods, plus organic fruit and vegetables from local suppliers, vitamin and herbal supplements and an extensive range of natural bodycare products, green household products and other eco goods. The shop’s manager Katy points out that, despite being the size of a small supermarket, Greenlife’s customers are always well looked after. “We endeavour to meet every individual customer’s needs,” she says. “They can make all sorts of special order requirements for any product they want. If we can get hold of it, we will. “Local customers have also made

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many product choices for us too very often a customer will suggest a product they have tried elsewhere or have heard about, and these frequently end up on our shelves.” At Christmas, Greenlife offers a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and organic versions of traditional Christmas foods alongside a large range of luxury foods, chocolates and many gift lines. Greenlife is open from 9am5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and some Bank Holidays. It will also open on the Totnes Christmas late night shopping Tuesdays. For more information visit www. greenlife.co.uk or call 01803 866738.

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Thrive Cafe in Totnes - live music,

poetry and open mic nights. local people local events local food local health local environment

Good cooks at top Crux

Thrive cafe goes live! THRIVE Café in Totnes is going live! Thrive Live is arriving on the Totnes music scene with live music, poetry and open mic nights every Friday and Saturday night through the Christmas and New Year period. “So if you re a budding musician playing awesomely but quietly on your own at home,” says Thrive’s Steve Hopwood, “now’s the chance to contact Lorna, our events manager, and book an audition and get yourself out there for everyone to enjoy!” Thrive now has two new specialist pizza chefs and offers a range of organic spelt pizzas every lunchtime and evening. “Thrive is a reliable and exciting place to get great food and excellent entertainment with a great atmosphere,” says Steve. “And now, with music drifting onto the street terrace, and a patio heater to keep away the evening chill, Thrive is the place to meet and eat and move your dancing feet!” Thrive Café is at 47 Fore Street (on the ground floor of the Arcturus Centre). Find out more at www.thrivecafe. co.uk or call 01803 840202.

IF you made it along to the Crux Craft Fair in November, you will probably have sampled the delights of Two Good Cooks. Also know as Anna Stewart and Tara Vaughan-Hughes, they served a huge variety of home-made cakes, warming soups and delicious lunches to hundreds of visitors. Two Good Cooks specialise in creative menus using local and seasonal ingredients, so if you are planning a celebration - from an intimate vegan dinner for two or a carnivorous feast for 200 - they would be delighted to hear from you. Email Anna and Tara at twogoodcooksdevon@ gmail.com, call 01364 72789/01364 649097, or visit www. twogoodcooks.co.uk.

Real wages AS part of its “commitment to be a good social enterprise employer,” The Real Food Store in Exeter is paying all its staff the new minimum wage with immedate effect.

25 YEARS • Wholefoods • Remedies

Market Square Totnes

01803 866738 www.greenlife.co.uk

All you need under one canvas roof WE’VE suggested elsewhere in this issue that if you want to put a new spin on the ‘shop local’ message, you could try looking for gifts in the shops of a village or town you don’t usually visit. We’re now applying the same principle to buying food. But Tuckers Market at Ashburton has so much to offer. If, like most of us, you’re going shopping in your car (all hail those who are planning to load the festive veg into their bike trailer), Ashburton is, of course, just off the A38, and the market itself has loads of free parking right outside. And it’s all under canvas, just in case you visit on one of our unseasonally wet days. But the real delights are inside this small, but super-friendly market, run by Helen Wakeham of local meat producers Proper Pork. The range of meat is impressive, as you would expect, and

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includes their prize-winning pork, hams and turkeys. Check out their sausages and burgers too. They also sell a wide range of local and organic fruit and veg, plus wholefoods, bread and homemade cakes along with an impressive selection of Fairtrade products and gifts. There’s even space to sit and enjoy a freshly cooked barbecue lunch and a homemade cake and cuppa – with a stack of Reconnect mags, of course. Tuckers market is open all day Monday-Saturday and there’s late-night shopping on Thursday December 10.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

A menu for All Seasons WHEN you buy fruit and veg from the organic stall on Totnes market you’re not only getting some of the freshest and healthiest produce around - you’re also supporting community land projects in the area. Dawn Dakin of All Seasons says: “We like to support as many local growers as possible and source as much of our produce as local as we can. Landmatters, Landworks, Totnes Squash Co-op, School Farm and Bowden House are a few of our local suppliers, as is Shillingford Organics which has provided us with fantastic produce for the last five years. “We also get regular deliveries from Four Seasons, based in Bristol, and Riverford Organics. We have to source things further afield when they are out of season - and it’s also nice to have a few exotic fruits and veggies to give our customers variety at different times of year. “Buying and eating local, seasonal organic produce is undoubtedly good for our health – and it’s vital to keep the local economy healthy too.” Visit Dawn, Jonathon and Meg on the All Seasons stall every Friday, 9am-4pm.

Adam Sayner, left, and Eric Jong of GroCycle who grow mushrooms on recycled coffee grounds.

And, below, another day at the Urban Mushroom Farm in Exeter.

Coffee grounds-breaking project WHEN are coffee grounds not coffee grounds? When they are compost to grow a crop of gourmet mushrooms. GroCycle was set up by Adam Sayner and Eric Jong to grow a gourmet food crop using a waste product that would, otherwise, end up in landfill. In March, the market achieved crowdfunding of £16,000 from 252 backers to rebuild its Urban Mushroom Farm in Exeter. The farm, which opened in 2013, grows Oyster mushrooms from the city’s coffee waste and has been supplying local restaurants since it opened. Adam said “Last year we

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recycled 15 tons of waste coffee from Exeter’s cafes – that’s the waste from around 1.5 million cups of coffee.” GroCyle recently launched an online course, teaching people how to grow mushrooms on coffee and have attracted interest from 23 countries. GroCycle has also launched a new range of dried Oyster mushrooms, for people to cook with at home and offers a range of grow your own mushroom kits, which make ideal Christmas presents. For more information call 01803 411690 or visit www. grocycle.com.

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local people local events local foodNaturally local health local environment news&views nourishing

S the Christmas season approaches and retailers promote their Black Friday deals, Sharpham Trust is asking people to take a moment to reflect on alternatives to the usual annual shopping binge. The Trust’s programme manager Ben Ballard said: “Instead of buying your loved ones more ‘stuff’, consider gifting them the opportunity to develop insights and techniques that will last them the rest of their lives, helping them to consider their thoughts, to give themselves space to just breathe and regain control over over-busy minds and actions. “But if you are planning to buy someone a mindfulness retreat, it’s important they’re receptive to it, because the experience is really valuable when they are,” he added. Retreats planned for next year at Sharpham House include Mindfulness with art, conscious cookery and mindful eating, as well as the popular beginners’ mindfulness, yoga and walking retreats. “We’ve extended our themed retreats to include new areas of art and food because these are an integral part of the vision at Sharpham,” said Ben. “We’ve always been a place for the arts, and our approach to mindfulness is rooted in developing an appreciation for the natural world. “In terms of our food, we grow a lot of the produce served to retreatants in our gardens here and our vegetarian food consistently gets high praise from our visitors. Harvesting, preparing and cooking good food is an excellent path to mindfulness, so a conscious cookery and mindful eating retreat seemed ideal for us here.” Sharpham events over the coming months include: Christmas at Sharpham - a weekend of Christmas craft on Saturday & Sunday December 1213, from 10am-2pm both days. On Saturday, teacher Vivienne Turner will demonstrate how to weave a beautiful Christmas wreath, using a mix of seasonal foliage and natural materials gathered from Sharpham Estate’s gardens. On Sunday December 13 there’s a session of gift-making using natural

IF you want to double the amount of food in your festive spread (and still stay healthy), invite JANE HUTTON round...

Enjoy a happy, healthy new year!

Mindful alternative to more ‘stuff’ materials, with Brigit-Anna McNeill overseeing the making of presents with presence. All materials and tools will be provided. Both events are in The South Wing of Sharpham House. The wreath-making workshop is suitable for those aged 16 or above and costs £20. The gift-making workshop is suitable for adults and children aged five and above and costs £15 per adult. Children under 18 go free (two maximum per adult). Christmas and New Year retreats at Sharpham House and the Barn Retreat Centre both sold out in Autumn. The 2016 season of themed retreats begins in January. See the website for details. Draw Breath – a new mindfulness through art retreat (January 14-17), will help participants use drawing and mark-making to explore, express and communicate the experience of mindfulness meditation, explore or rediscover their natural creativity. This retreat uses the rich visual setting of Sharpham House, gardens and Sharpham Estate as a backdrop – as other artists have done in the past. It runs from January 14-17. Creating Space, a women-only retreat exploring mindfulness through creativity, is a new addition to Sharpham’s programme, from February 4-7. Visit www.sharphamtrust.org, call 01803 732542 or email bookings@ sharphamtrust.org.

City cyclists get climate festival rolling CYCLISTS rode through Exeter with colourful flags “representing the beauty of our natural world” to raise awareness of the Alternatiba Festival which, as we go to press, was due to be held at various city venues on November 30. Alternatiba Exeter organising committee member Gillian Baker said: “Every one of us must change our habits to compensate for our global overconsumption. But change can be very difficult, especially if we do

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HERE has 2015 gone? I can’t believe another year has rocketed by. Looking back, it’s been a fabulously foodie year for me, with new discoveries and developments: recipes, producers, markets, initiatives and, especially, new ways to get the ‘real food for real health’ message out to people. Now we’re right on top of the Christmas and New Year celebrations and preparing ourselves for the perennial round of parties, meals and foodie traditions with a mixture of glee and dread. Overindulgence can be a bit of an occupational hazard, but in reality, there are many ways to reduce the impact of seasonal exuberance. It might not mean you have no extra pounds to lose as January 2016 dawns, but it can lessen the waistband strain at least. Nobody wants to be a killjoy in this most food and drinkorientated of holidays – no, not even me! I love the seasonal feasts and I’m famous for going completely overboard in my part of the festive cooking contributions. I think my record is eight different dishes, from my own cured salmon side to three desserts (and that was to add to our host’s menus!). Then again, I also adore a bowlful of opulently orange-jeweled satsumas to peel in front of a

Sample the delights of Turkish lamb INGREDIENTS: 4 lamb fillets, sliced into thick strips; 40g of golden syrup or honey; 2 tbsp of soy sauce; 1 tsp of ground cumin; 1 garlic clove, finely crushed; 1/4 bunch of rosemary, finely chopped; 1 tbsp of rapeseed oil. METHOD: In a bowl large enough to take all the lamb, weigh out the honey/syrup and then add the other marinade ingredients, mixing well. Warm slightly if necessary to loosen the honey/ syrup and allow all the marinade ingredients to combine. Add the

not know what options there are to change to. That’s where Alternatiba Exeter comes in.” www.alternatiba.eu/exeter

roaring fire. Hardly calorific - and definitely delicious. A better choice than salted peanuts or chocolate? Absolutely. Using half fat crème fraiche, sweetened with a little icing sugar and vanilla extract, is a brilliant alternative to cream - and just as indulgent. What about entertaining? How about the simple but luscious (and comparatively light and healthy) recipe below for a bit of Christmas or NYE partying? Really useful if you have to feed lots of people, and also easy on the crockery as napkins or picnic plates could be used. Bring a fragrant, exotic flavour to your celebrations, no matter how large or small, to welcome in the new year, even in the depths of a British winter! Present the lamb in a warmed serving bowl (scattered with pomegranate seeds and rose petals if you want to make a real statement!). Accompany with a plate of flatbreads, wraps or pittas, with condiments like cucumber and mint yogurt, fried peppers and onions, or other choice relishes. Dishes full of shredded lettuce, thinly sliced tomatoes, spinach leaves, watercress and rocket up the healthy veg still further while still seeming indulgent when topping this lovely lamb. Then stand back as the stampede begins… A very merry Christmas season and a happy New Year to you all – let’s make 2016 deliciously healthy!

lamb to this marinade, coat all the slices well, cover and leave to soak up the flavours for at least two hours, but preferably overnight, stirring occasionally. When ready, remove the lamb from the marinade and sear the strips to the desired pinkness, which should only take a few minutes, depending on the thickness of the slices – remember that the syrup/honey element will tend to burn. Leave to rest for 10 minutes in a warm place. Adjust the seasoning as required. Dive in with wraps and salads!

Naturally Nourishing is written by nutritionist and “confirmed foodie” Jane Hutton. Find out more about her eating plans, masterclasses and recipe blog at www.trinityholistics.co.uk.

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Pottery, paintings, photography and furniture

at Moorside Furniture health in South Brent. local environment local people local events local food local ECO HOMES

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HE South Hams Arts Forum Trail saw a group of artists and craftspeople come together at Moorside Furniture on the Brent Mills industrial Estate to show their work. And such was the response from the public that the group has decided to stage a permanent exhibition on the site, with a constantly changing display of work. Visitors will be able to see fine furniture and wood turning by Colin Ross, pottery by Thea Henderson, who also has her own studio at Brent Mill, paintings and prints by Sara Gilbert and photographic art by Graham Gilbert. There will also be jewellery by Fiona and Amy Cocks, illustrations by Paul Stratton and guitars by luthier Steve Reynolds. It is the second year that Colin has taken part in the South Hams Arts Forum Trail. He said:

Craft show leads to gallery “I set up Moorside Furniture just under two years ago. I have a workshop and showroom where customers can see a selection of my work. This year, I came up with the idea of inviting other makers to join me in taking part in the trail. It was a great success, with more than 200 visitors over nine days. We had some wonderful comments and decided to make the exhibition a permanent feature. “There is nowhere else quite like this in the area, so it is a great place for people to come to see high quality craft and art.” Moorside Furniture, Unit 8, Brent Mill Industrial Estate, South Brent (TQ10 9YT) is usually open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. Call Colin on 07528 229771 for more details or visit www. moorsidefurniture.co.uk.

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A mosiacs workshop at

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Community creates Atmos plan

Upcycling project passes on tips

HILE Refurnish branches across the area continue to recycle furniture and other household items, its Dartingtonbased project The Re-Store is passing on some useful restoration and upcycling skills too. The Re-Store, which recently celebrated its second birthday, is at The Shops at Dartington (formerly known as The Ciderpress Centre), where they sell a range of unusual and skillfully customised recycled furniture. But that’s only half the story. Behind the scenes they run a series of courses and workshops in crafts and upcycling skills. Coming soon are: braided rag rugs with Nicole, 1.30-4.30pm on December 5 (call 07949 878780 to book); and on December 12, mosaics with Mel, 10am-1pm (melbee3001@yahoo.co.uk to book) and from 10am-12noon, ribbon pinboards with Joanna and Jane (joannahaynes@aol.com to book). The Re-Store also runs a Repair

Café, which is an opportunity for people to take along their own broken household furniture and treasures and receive advice and practical guidance from their team of volunteer experts. The volunteers also run drop-in sessions throughout the year, sharing their skills in wild weaving, soft toy making from old clothes and fabrics, and seat weaving in rush and cane. The Re-Store’s main workshop space was enlarged and refined over the Summer (thanks to Stan Wren and John Alton for their “hard work and great design”) and both that and the craft room are available for hire to creatives wanting to share skills, “turning the unwanted into the desirable”. Assistant project coordinator Emma Capper wants to say a huge thank-you to all the volunteers and project coordinator Adrian Porter for “keeping it all flowing” Visit The Re-Store page on the Refurnish website (www.refurnish. org.uk) or call 01803 868637.

IT’S been a busy year at Atmos Totnes. Over 4000 comments, contributions and conversations have refined the ideas of the community development project to establish the principles and finally the design. This evolving community process has given Totnes a draft Community Right to Build Order for the Atmos Totnes site - the first plan in the country to have reached this point in a Community Right to Build Order process. It could lead to the building of 62 truly affordable homes, space for small businesses to grow and an

important element of the flood defence for Totnes. Totnes Community Development Society has run over 20 consultation sessions since September 2014, some several weeks long. They have worked with a design team, alongside the community, to see how the aspirations of Totnes can come to life on the Dairy Crest site. You can see the draft Community Right to Build Order for Atmos Totnes - and still comment on the plans - at atmostotnes.org/ crtboreg14 or at the Atmos Totnes Hub before December 20.

Invest in new city energy schemes

COMMUNITY share offer has been launched to raise £390,000 to install around 300kWp of solar panels on the roofs of community and commercial buildings across Exeter and East Devon. Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) is partnering with nine organisations interested in having community-owned solar panels on their rooftops. The first four sites, due for installation in December 2015, are: Devon County Council’s Exeter Central Library and Great Moor House, Wonford Community and Learning Centre and Shillingford Organics. The share offer is certified by the Community Share Unit’s Standard Mark for community share offers and ECOE intends to offer investors a return of 5%. Income will also be generated for a Community Fund to support local projects targeting fuel poverty and energy efficiency. ECOE director Gill Wyatt explained: “Community-energy is win-win, with benefits for everybody - roof owners save money by using solar energy; people invest and work together building a sense of community;

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local energy means more energy security; the local economy is strengthened; carbon emissions are reduced and a community fund set up to promote saving energy and helping to alleviate fuel poverty. “Our first share offer is the start with there being a possibility of a further Devon-wide share offer of 500kWp later in 2016.” ECOE are looking for local investors to invest in this share offer and to spread the word about Exeter’s first community-owned renewable energy project. The minimum investment for anybody living in Exeter and East Devon is just £50. If the offer is over-subscribed, priority will be given to investors from the local area. Visit www.ecoe.org.uk.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Pizza making, right - just one of many varied activities at Dangerous Dads.

local people local events local food local health local environment NEWS&views

Dangerous Dads going farther

ANGEROUS Dads was first formed in Totnes in 2007 and today supports fathers’ groups across Devon and Cornwall. Now the network is looking to expand across the UK, and even overseas, and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money it needs to go global. Co-ordinator Ian Blackwell explained: “Back in 2007, The Children’s Centre in Totnes saw a need to engage with male carers who had young children, as they do not usually access local services for parents. “Previous attempts to reach local dads hadn’t been successful, so I was asked to set up a new group which offered more ‘daring’ activities, such as camp-fire cooking, ‘silly science’ workshops, den-building and blackberry-picking. Over the past eight years we’ve run 90 sessions for Totnes dads and each has been hugely popular. All male carers, dads and granddads from all sections of the community, with daughters and sons of all ages, are welcome to attend these events.” Following the success of the Totnes group in reaching fathers, other towns began to approach Dangerous Dads to ask about setting up their own groups. To date, there are now Dangerous Dads groups in Torbay,

Haven it live at top town gigs

Dartmouth, Okehampton, Plymouth, Bodmin, London, Chester and Pittsburgh USA – all inspired by that original Totnes group. The Dangerous Dads crowdfunding campaign aims to raise £6,000. Ian said: “Crowdfunding is a great yet simple idea – you look at the rewards on offer, choose one you like and then pledge to support the project. When the target is met, you claim your reward. “The Dangerous Dads crowdfunding campaign has some unique rewards, including archery lessons, wild days along the coast, a sumptuous meal in the outdoors and even a lesson in groove from the Official World Dad Dancing Champion. All would make great Christmas presents.” All the money raised will go to support fathers’ groups. Ian is also asking other towns that might be interested in setting up a Dangerous Dads network to contact him. To support the campaign visit www.crowdfunder. co.uk/dangerous-dadshelping-fathers-andchildren. For more info on the Dangerous Dads Network visit www. dangerousdads.org.uk or call Ian on 01803 840990.

Find your voice and discover the power of song - in Plymouth too! MORE from irrepressible singing coach and choir leader Pete Scott, right... I’VE started coaching people who have trouble singing. One woman was lined up at school decades ago to sing with her class. The teacher went along the line tapping some on the shoulder to sit down. She was one. For decades she thought she couldn’t sing. At her first lesson with me, singing in tune wasn’t easy but she soon corrected that. After about 20 minutes a voice started coming through

with a nice ring to it. She has work to do, but she will get what she wants – to be able to join in, and be happy about what is coming out of her mouth. Does the school story sound familiar? I can’t help contrast it with what Ysaye Barnwell said to me in a singing workshop at least 20 years ago. She sang bass for Sweet Honey In The Rock (an all-female acapella international singing troupe). She told us what singing

meant in her AfroAmerican culture in the days of Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. They sang together, as part of the community. When they took part in civil rights protests they were singing when they were arrested. In the prisons they sang and sang. The police tried to shut them up but they couldn’t. Singing was a big part of who they were; a big part of the strength of their communities.

Are we missing something here? I love singing and seeing how happy it makes me and the people around me - so much that I’ve started a second choir in Plymouth. We meet on Thursdays at Pomphlett Methodist Centre, Plymouth PL9 7BL. And on Tuesdays we still meet as before in Exeter’s St Sidwells Community Centre EX4 6NN. Both run 7.15-9pm, with a FREE first session. It’s all on the website,www. funky-bizness.co.uk/choir/ We’d love to see you there!

MUCH muso magic at the Acoustic Haven in Totnes over the coming months… If you grabbed your copy of Reconnect promptly, you can catch Ombiviolum Orchestra with Susie Ro as support on Friday November 27. Then, after a December break for Christmas, The Haven’s back on Saturday January 29 to make your New Year even happier with People’s String Foundation, who describe themselves as an “urban roots orchestra”. Support comes from Daniel Clark. On Saturday February 26, The John Langan Band (think high-power punky ethnic folk) takes to the stage with support from Nessi Gomes. Every Acoustic Haven is held at St John’s church in Bridgetown, Totnes, where there’s a wonderful friendly and intimate atmosphere – as well as wonderful homemade cakes, puds and chai, plus wine and local ale. Profits go to two local land projects: The Hillyfield (woodland farm on Dartmoor) and The Living Projects in Dartington. Doors open at 6.30pm and tickets are available from Sacks Wholefoods in The Narrows at the top of Totnes and online from www. wegottickets.com.

NYE Wonderland NEW Year’s Eve celebrations at Exeter Phoenix have a Wonderland theme with falling snow, the Kitty Litter silent disco, karaoke, cocktails, circus acts and more – plus, of course, a variety of music from DJs and live musicians. It runs from 8pm-3am for 18+ adults – more at www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

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ToPS pupils on a field trip on Dartmoor -

they’ve got a new Totnes HQ. local people local events local food local health local environment NEWS&views

Jeff Sleeman Coaching and Training Life Coaching, Career Coaching, Business and Executive Coaching Corporate Training and Teambuilding

Tiny school is now that little bit bigger THE smallest school in Totnes has just got a little bigger. Totnes Progressive School has just 46 students but had recently outgrown it’s base behind the Library in the centre of town and has now moved into the upper floor of the town’s The Mansion. The school now boasts an IT suite, science lab and a range of classrooms for specific subjects. Its original base in the Coach House behind the library will continue to be used for creative subjects and humanities. Teacher and director Dale Lockett said: “Being able to use the top floor

of The Mansion has enabled us to improve our facilities and offer a more conducive space for structured learning and creativity. “It’s wonderful to see our students thrive in this historic local building”. The school offers a wide range of subjects including maths, English, drama (a total of 14 GCSEs), plus a BTEC in performing arts (the only one in Totnes), regular outdoor activities and after-school clubs in Spanish and musical theatre. Visit totnesprogressiveschool.co.uk or call them on 01803 864484 to arrange a visit.

07977 272174 • 01392 811168

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Empowering families across Devon & Cornwall since 1999

Readers sign up for some SWAT action YOU might remember we ran a story in the last issue about local roller derby team the South West Angels of Terror (SWAT). SWAT’s Sophie Walton says they recruited two new skaters as a result so two Reconnect readers will soon be donning their crash-hats and taking to the track! SWAT have now played their last game of the season and their A team were thrilled to win by a fantastic margin (236 to 112) against favourites London Rollergirls BatterC Power. 2016 will see the B team attempt to reclaim the SW:UK title, while the A team will be playing in Tier 2 of the British Championships, hoping to

SWAT in action (pic Hester Stanwood) repeat their win in the local division. For more information on the team (or to sign up!) visit www. southwestangelsofterror.com.

Call for helpers at agriforesty project TREES for Health’s Discover Forest Foods projects are looking for people to join a steering group to help further the agroforestry project. If you have “time and/ or skills like promotion, admin, business planning, networking and working outdoors”, get in touch. They also have two Winter workshops coming up. Living Willow and Crafts on December 13 covers growing and cutting willow followed by looking after living willow, weaving small craft items and making your own wreath from all natural materials. Led by experienced instructors Liz Meadows of Forest School and Liz

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Turner of Trees for Health, it costs £30 per person and booking is essential. On January 24, there will be a tree planting and care day. Soup and bread will be provided around the fire at lunchtime. Visit www.treesforhealth.org, email info@treesforhealth.org, or call 07765 631877.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

A foodbank volunteer

prepares another box. local people local events local food local health local environment

Spare a thought...

Rocket logs - why wouldn’t you?

The perfect flaming centrepiece YOU will want one of these. And some to give as presents too. Our only challenge is describing it. So, it’s a cross between a Swedish candle (a long log, split into four, stood up with a fire lit in the space at the end) and a rocket stove (fire lit at the base of a chimney, fed with air through a hole at the base). Getting it? Try thinking a sort of moveable, free-standing bonfire that burns for 3-5 hours. You can even cook on it! Behind this excellently clever, local, eco product is Doug King-Smith at The Hillyfield, on the edge of Dartmoor, near South Brent.

“Rocket Logs create a fantastic flaming centrepiece for any outdoor gathering,” said Doug. “And when you buy one, you are also supporting ancient woodland regeneration at The Hillyfield – they’re made out of Japanese Larch which are having to be felled to make way for young, native saplings. “If you’re planning a wedding or a beach party, or looking for that unusual gift that begs the question ‘What is it?’, look no further!” They cost just £20 each or six for £100, plus the cost of the courier to anywhere in the UK. Find out more and order at www.rocketlog.co.uk.

Transition book to mark COP21 TRANSITION Network has launched a new publication, 21 Stories of Transition, harvested by the movement’s co-founder Rob Hopkins. As we went to press, the book’s public launch was due to take place on Saturday November 28 on the eve of the Climate Rally that kicks off the COP21 climate

negotiations. The book was produced as the Transition movement’s contribution to COP21 (the 21st ‘Conference of the Parties’), the United Nations’ climate change negotiations that take place in Paris from November 30 -December 11. Find out more at www. transitionnetwork.org.

OME years ago I volunteered at a shelter for the homeless. After plating up a hundred Christmas dinners and enjoying a sing-song with the visitors, I made my way home. As I looked forward to watching TV and soaking in a hot bath, I wondered about those I was leaving behind. What would happen to them tomorrow? It’s not only the homeless who find this time of year a struggle. Though the myth about suicide rates soaring at Xmas has been debunked, ‘holiday depression’ remains a reality for many, while the stress and anxiety of enforced celebration can affect anybody. So how can we make sure the festive season actually remains festive for ourselves and those in need? One way is to give something back to the community. The Giving Back scheme in Totnes offers people a way of helping the homeless secure in the knowledge the money is being spent on things that really help - like emergency food parcels. The initiative was set up by Lindy Strong who believes Totnes “is a caring, compassionate town where people are concerned for the less fortunate, but don’t always know how best to help.” To this end, she has enlisted a number of local coffee shops where people can make a donation. Having run a free debt advice centre in the town, Lindy understands that for many people money is tight.

“This is the most pressurised time of the year. If you haven’t got the best of everything on the table, you can feel like a failure,” she says. “It’s no surprise that it’s around now people can get into a vicious circle of borrowing and debt.” Rising costs of food and fuel combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to come to foodbanks for help. Nearly a million people – a third of them children - were fed by foodbanks in 2013-14. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide a minimum of three days’ emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK. The Trust also runs a regular Christmas Shoebox scheme, taking thousands of shoeboxes filled with donated presents to the poor of Bulgaria – including Roma communities, women’s refuges, prisoners’ children and refugee centres. Staying closer to home, St Petrocks is Exeter’s charity for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed. Its centre in Cathedral Yard will be open on Christmas and Boxing Day, welcoming those seeking shelter and support. Gill Luckings, Lindy Strong of The Giving Back scheme, right, with Sarah Wollaston MP and Mark Hatch of the Totnes Drop- external communications manager, says: “We try In Centre.

Wrap up in wonderfully warm wool WINTER is with us now and it’s time to get cosy – and what better way to keep warm and dry than with the naturally soft comfort of wool? It was her love of wool and all its practical and aesthetic gifts that first inspired Totnes-based Lynsey Tiplady to create her business, Wild Wool. When buying for Wild Wool she sources mainly UK products but also supports Nepalese cashmere makers and German suppliers of snuggly sheepskin-covered hot water bottles made in solar-powered factories . Lynsey sees Christmas as a time when we chose where to spend our money. She believes you can buy beautiful gifts,

FOR most of us, December and January are a time of festivitties, feasting and friendship - but not for everyone. JON STEIN, above, finds out just what support is available for those who find it all a struggle

support local artisans and makers - and help those in need. Online purchases at welovewildwool.com directly support homeless people because Lynsey gives 5% of her profits to the Totnes drop-in centre. Over the next weeks you can also find Lynsey and her team at the Bath, Salisbury and Winchester Christmas markets. Lynsey would love to work with local knitters to help them sell their wares and find new markets. And she has plans to expand the wild wool website “to allow for a community of wool lovers to grow”. Email info@welovewildwool.com to find out more.

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our b the op receiv peop famili “Whil regul as a s happ St Pet the ho men’s welco Sheki provid recov servic a Twe with d citizen Helen welco need or no It’s a proje foodb based system food partic Any o would howe pleas have

l Rea song co.uk from

Movie line-up community cin

FOLLATON Community C in Totnes has revealed a amazing programme of for 2016. It kicks off on Saturday 30 with the spine-tinglin Whiplash (see right). And through the rest of (they have a break for J August) they will have (t not necessarily in this or the Polish black and wh stunner Ida; the new ver of Dylan Thomas’s Unde Wood; the Hitchcock cla Vertigo; Amy, the docum

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The Oxfam bookshop in

- 10 years old. local people local events local foodTotnes local health local environment

Never too late for shopping

best to make sure our clients have pportunity to enjoy festive meals, ve small gifts donated by local ple, and enjoy some company in iar, safe surroundings. le we are fortunate to have a lar team of Christmas volunteers, small, local charity we are always py to hear from prospective donors.” trocks now has sufficient food for olidays, but cash donations and s jeans in small-sizes are especially ome. inah is a Devon-based charity ding opportunities for people in very. This year they’re expanding the ce at their Plymouth drop-in to host elve Days of Christmas programme, daily activities including a senior ns’ party and a carol service. n Pearce, public relations manager, omes volunteers, says: “There’s a every day, whether it’s Christmas ot.” sentiment echoed by Maria Mills, ect manager at the central of several banks in the city. The Stonehoused foodbank operates on a referral m and helps people not only with parcels, but with general advice, cularly around finance. of these projects, and many more, d be happy to hear from you. So ever you celebrate the festive season, se remember those in need and a happy and peaceful holiday!

The Shekinah drop-in centre in Plymouth.

ad more from Jon and listen to his ‘Xmas in Totnes’ at www.jonstein. k - and look out for more stories Jon here in Reconnect in the Spring.

Resources Totnes

Cafés participating in the Giving Back scheme include: Seeds 2, Green Café, Brioche and Kerala Delicacies. To sign up call 01803 840534. The Drop in Centre and emergency Night Shelter at 15-20 Burke Road will be open during the festive season. More details from 07890 189378.

THERE are late night shopping evenings happening all over Reconnectland, promising all manner of fun on the streets. Late-night shopping night is Thursday, both in Exeter and Plymouth. In Exeter there’s also a Christmas market on Cathedral Green, which runs until Saturday December 19, and around 50 traders will have stalls at a Christmas market in Castle Street, from December 3-5, 1013 and 17-22. As well as late-night Thursday, there’s a Christmas arts and crafts market at Royal William Yard on Sunday December 13. Totnes late-night shopping Tuesdays attract people from miles away – expect all the usual fun and games on December 8, 15 and 22. And Saturday December 5 is Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas, with stalls, street food, entertainers and more.

Shop raises £400,000 THE Oxfam bookshop in Totnes celebrates its tenth birthday on December 10 – but what they’re really celebrating is the news that during that time they’ve raised more than £400,000 to help fund Oxfam’s work around the world. “We’d like to say a huge thanks to all our customers and to everyone who has donated books – they all come from people in and around Totnes,” said shop manager Minda Bunce. “And I’d like to say a special thank-you to our fantastic team of volunteers who work so hard. Minda said that the money they raise is spent in a huge variety of ways, not just on emergency response work. For example: l Helping people make a living – as in Cambodia, where phones are given to local women leaders so they can receive vital farming information, such as weather reports and market prices. l Investing in the future - Oxfam is lobbying governments, training teachers and even building schools in a bid to get more girls into school. l Water and sanitation – a project in Mukuru, Kenya, has installed hundreds of toilets, stopping the spread of disease, creating jobs and helping farmers grow food. Minda invites you to drop in on December 10 for “special treats” in the High Street store.

Foodbanks

There are Foodbanks at Ivybridge, Buckfastleigh, Tavistock, Exeter and Plymouth. (The Totnes foodbank is not yet officially registered). Visit www. trusselltrust.org or call 01722 580180.

Plymouth

To volunteer contact www. plymouthguild.org.uk or call 01752 241064. Visit www. shekinahmission.co.uk or call 01752 203480.

Exeter

www.stpetrocks.org.uk.

p for nema

Cinema an f films

January ng

the year July and though rder): hite rsion er Milk assic mentary

about the wonderful Amy Winehouse; surreal comedy The Lobster; Sufragette, the story of the early days of female liberation; the latest version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and

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45 Years, starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtney. For full details, including trailers of the films, visit their website, www.follatoncommunitycinema. co.uk.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

wellbeing

email: food wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk local people local events local local health local environment

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

Finding Active Hope

Hearing aids with natural sound Courses to inspire a new career Core Process Psychotherapy Stepping back into your body

26 28 29 30

Why we know power of touch 31

‘A breath of something new’ What makes spaces beautiful? New mindfulness company Emotional Health with Leigh

32 35 37 39

And there’s lots more to read inside

Andy offers free EAV testing sessions

REE 20-minute EAV (Electroacupuncture) testing sessions are being offered by the BioEnergetic Health Clinic in Totnes on Wednesday mornings. Andy Thompson, who runs the clinic, uses EAV testing, which is completely painless and non-invasive, to diagnose which pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites) are causing ill-health. The technique has proved effective with many chronic conditions, such as digestive disorders (including IBS), asthma, parasites, eczema and other skin conditions, candida, herpes and cystitis. It can also be helpful in illnesses with no known cause, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, fibromyalgia, cognitive difficulties and joint and muscle pain. Following EAV, people are treated using an exact homeopathic version of each pathogen identified, plus support remedies and flower essences. Andy also has a keen interest in diagnosing gluten and dairy allergies and combines dowsing and EAV to create tailored treatment programmes. To book a free taster session call 07503 111057. For more information visit www. bioenergetichealth.net.

Andy uses the completely painless EAV testing on a client.

Kate Philbin

Spreading the word!

IF you are looking for complementary therapists or personal development practitioners in South Devon, you’ve come to the right place. And if you work in natural health and want to spread the word, this is your natural home. A 1/8-page advertisement, like those below, can be yours for just £41.85 a month. A 1/4-page is £66.60 a month. And our Wellbeing editor, Kate Philbin, will write the editorial free of charge. Our designers will even put the artwork together for you - for prices that would make most graphic designers run for the hills. The Wellbeing deadline for the next (Feb/Mar) issue is January 1 so, before Christmas then really! Call Martin on 01804 868455 or email adverts@ reconnectonline. co.uk

INSIDER ART FORTHCOMING COURSES IN EXETER ART IN HEALTH: Practical Applications ART IN MENTAL HEALTH: A Foundation Course in Art Therapy SANDTRAY THERAPY WITH PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: All courses are suitable for practitioners and students of many disciplines

07939 004890 novajupiterjones@gmail.com Nova Jones Massage on Facebook

N O VA J O N E S MASSAGE

Clinical supervision, arts supervision and mentoring for artists and arts and health practitioners For information visit www.insiderart.org.uk or e-mail info@insiderart.org.uk

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING LEARNING-RELATED anxiety is far more common than people realise, according to Carrie Gaye, founder of Aleph Therapeutic Learning. “Sometimes this anxiety presents as something else,” explained Carrie, “such as a learning difficulty, confusion, or an uncaring attitude to school or college work. This is especially apparent in the learning of literacy and the ‘block’ that can come when knowledge has to be expressed in writing. Learners are often extremely worried or depressed about their school, college or university work and the effects of this on their wellbeing should not be ignored.” Carrie has developed a set of principles and approaches - referred to as Aleph Therapeutic Learning - that can expel fears and liberate learners. She works with children, young people and adults, both personally and online.

“The Aleph Therapeutic Learning approach can empower people of all ages to enjoy learning in relevant and meaningful ways,” added Carrie. “It can ease learning-related anxiety, develop a firm sense of self-worth, unlock creativity and reveal innate ability.” Carrie also runs workshops and mini-courses in Aleph Therapeutic Learning from her home in Brixham and at local venues. For more information call 01803 431289/07508 524356. Or visit www.alephway.co.uk, carrie@ alephway.co.uk.

Improve your meditation posture

HERE are many different types of meditation, most of which are done in either a sitting or kneeling position. Good posture can enhance meditation practice, according to Jonathan Dawson, a meditation practitioner with more than 30 years experience and a background in engineering. Jonathan, also known as Viramitra, has created a new ergonomicallydesigned meditation bench called the Kindseat that is designed to support people to maintain good posture during meditation. It is the culmination of his experience as a meditation practitioner and an engineer. “I encourage people to use the Kindseat to explore ways of improving their posture during meditation. They can investigate different heights that can make a difference, as well as whether they wish to kneel or sit. People could easily be put off meditation if they are told that sitting cross legged is the only way. The kneeling position is surprisingly comfortable for your back and is easy astride a meditation bench.” He added: “On the way back from a retreat I remember seeing a pedestrian suspension bridges across a river and wondered if it would be possible to design a seat along the same principles. That is the basis of the Kindseat”

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, IT ! RN P IT EA E U KE YO OU Y

Overcoming learning-related anxiety

START-UP PROGRAMME FOR NEW PRACTITIONERS Grow your business in a professional clinical environment

• Commit to just one month’s rent starting from only £50 • You take all you earn no percentage to pay! • Unlimited ad hoc hours available • Business advice to help you build your client base

To find out more, call 01392 422555 Email info@enhc.org Visit www.enhc.org

FULL HEARING HEALTHCH ECK – free, with n o obligation It’s made in birch ply from responsibly managed forests in Finland and there were 10 prototypes before Jonathan was satisfied with the final design. A customer from Sweden said recently: “The Kindseat has initiated a quantum leap in my meditation practice. After years and years of struggling to find a stable posture in Full Lotus, and trying out numerous arrangement with pillows etc, I am finally able to ‘just sit’. “The concept is absolutely brilliant, the design dedicated to application without any unnecessary elaboration, and all produced in high quality.” Two new models are now available. The Kindseat Plus is a larger seat for bigger people or for those wanting extra support. The Kindseat Hi is for people who prefer not to sit crosslegged or kneeling. It is used at chair height but has all the benefits of the Kindseat Plus. VIsit www.kindseat.com.

Meet Sadie. Your local hearing specialist. Based in our Saltash branch, which is within walking distance of the Tamar Bridge, Sadie Brain has a wealth of experience in helping our local community hear better again. Whether you would like a free hearing check or are simply after some hearing advice, Sadie will be on hand to help you.

To arrange an appointment with Sadie, call us on today on 01752 850421. Please quote ref: LL RC 01. Lines open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

111-113 Fore Street, Saltash PL12 6AE email: saltash@bloomhearing.co.uk

www.bloomhearing.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

WELLBEING local people local events local food local health local environment Widex hearing aids - tested in challenging outdoor locations.

Try something new in 2016...

Enrol on a counselling course

Hearing aids with a more natural sound

Courses in Exeter starting in January: Certificate in Counselling Our popular entry-level course

Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision University level qualification for existing practitioners

Courses in Exeter starting in Spring: Advanced Diploma in Counselling Advanced course for existing practitioners

Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children & Adolescents Specialised training for qualified counsellors

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

www.ironmill.co.uk

OCK musician and peace campaigner Neil Young was one of the first to resist the release of his music on digital technology, rather than the old vinyl, stating that digital did not give a true, natural sound. The same concerns have been raised about digital hearing aids. A well-known concert violinist, whose hearing deteriorated, complained that his hearing aids simply did not deliver the same quality of sound he had been used to experiencing. “Fortunately, hearing aid manufacturers have also been ‘listening’,” says John Morey of hearing specialists bloom, “and one in particular, Widex, can claim to have developed a more natural sound for hearing aid wearers. “Their new Unique range especially

addresses delivery of a purer sound, with less distortion. They have been tested to extreme lengths in challenging outdoor situations, so it is ideal for a brisk walk across Dartmoor. “The hearing aids also perform well in windy conditions and in quiet environments, allowing wearers to appreciate subtle sounds such as birdsong. They have been specially developed to combat background noise, which can be particularly beneficial in a noisy environment like a coffee shop.” Bloom offers a free trial of the new Unique hearing aid for a couple of weeks so people can experience the difference for themselves. For more information contact bloom on 0800 612 7994. Please quote ‘Reconnect’ when you call.

Powerful release through gentle touch

01803 862565 Ola Chiropractic Centre, 5a Fore Street, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5DA

www.totneschiropractic.co.uk

TOTNES THERAPY ROOMS AVAILABLE Therapists are invited to share our beautiful, calming space in the heart of Totnes. We offer: • Flexible, low-cost bookings • Marketing support • In-clinic referral network • Online presence

To find out more, call 01803 862565 or visit www.totneschiropractic.co.uk 26

RANIOSACRAL therapy helps to release constrictions in the body’s connective tissue the skin, muscles, bones, organs, fluids and central nervous system - to bring about healing and release. Craniosacral therapist Nick Rampton said: “The connective tissues are the ‘glue’ that holds our bodies together – in essence, they keep us ‘whole’. From the moment of conception onwards a range of different factors affect one’s health, from physical and emotional knocks and bangs, stresses and strains, through to illness and congenital conditions. “Craniosacral therapy uses specific, very light touch to bring the body’s awareness to the impacted areas in a way that naturally encourages integration, release and healing.” The therapy is done fully clothed, while the person relaxes on a couch in a quiet, safe space. Nick explained that Craniosacral Therapy benefits a range of different conditions, both physical and emotional: “Craniosacral therapy is unusual in its ability to feel through one’s external organs to work directly on the internal ones. This is especially relevant to the head, which means that parts of the complex bone structure

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and the brain can be worked on. “Releasing emotional issues can help with nerves and sleep problems. It can also alter people’s outlook on life and deepen their understanding of themselves. Part of the practice, called somatoemotional release which includes some imagery and talking during the treatment, is fantastic for this.” Reconnect’s own Martin Foster said: “Craniosacral therapy is one of the gentlest and most powerful therapies I’ve experienced!” Craniosacral therapy is used to treat a range of problems, including: stress, emotional problems, hyperactivity, headaches, migraines, sleep problems, musculoskeletal pains, neuralgic problems (including sciatica), back, neck, head, TMJ and dental problems. The therapy is good for pre and post-op care. It is not suitable for people with recent head injuries, serious mental health or personality disorders and, at present Nick does not work with children. The cost is £40 for a session, with some concessions. Nick practices from his home just outside Totnes. Call 07792 594634 or visit: www. craniosacraltotnes.co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

The Nautilus Rooms

Courses & Workshops December 4-6 2015 Diploma in Therapeutic Art led by John Daly AIST (first of five 3-day weekends)

December 12 2015

Discovery Sessions, 9am-1pm, try Life Coaching or Resonance Repatterning with Katheryn Hope free (donations welcome).

Commencing January 2016 Fortnightly Women’s Group with Katheryn Hope: The Seed Coach – evening to be confirmed.

January 9 2016

Discovery Sessions, 9.30am-5.30pm, try Life Coaching or Resonance Repatterning with Katheryn Hope – free of charge taster, please book in advance

January 9/10 2016 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy led by Ruth Baker AIST

January 23 2016 Introduction to Massage Techniques and Practice with Anna Karthauser

January 23 2016 Waking Women: Transformational women’s workshop with Katheryn Hope, 8 spaces. £45, 10am-4pm.

February 5/7 2016

Fabulously located in the centre of Totnes, yet tucked away in a quiet alley, with easy access to short and long term parking. We have space for a few more therapists to join us. if you are looking for a wonderful venue for a group, meeting or CPD event, do come and check out our lovely group room.

Certificate in Sandplay Therapy led by John Daly AIST (first of four 2-day weekends)

February 13 2016 Massage for couples workshop led by Anna Karthauser

March 5/6 2016 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy led by Ruth Baker AIST

March 12 2016 Seated Massage Workshop led by Anna Karthauser

April - December 2016 Foundation Course in the Principles of Psychosynthesis, led by Marie Beresford, assisted by Sam Wernham, with pastoral care by Suzy Kutchenberg. Eight Saturdays.

April 16/17 2016 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy led by Ruth Baker AIST

July 2/3 2016 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy led by Ruth Baker AIST

Call now 07736 3344

ruthbaker1@gmail.com

ruthbakerpsychotherapy .co.uk

e Course in th Foundation is es th n Psychosy Principles of

Beresford Led by Marie am W & Sam ernh

a month, One Saturday ber 2016 April-Decem

Psychotherapist • Coun sellor • Supervisor & Mentor • Coach & Consu ltant

Essence of Touchwith

of the matter “Get to the heart ” ge and bodywork. light touch massa nt, , Spinal Alignme eing, Scar Healing available. o als Emotional Wellb ge ssa Ma & Post-Partum Reiki, Pregnancy 008 e on 07833 545 Call Julia Rowntre uch.co.uk www.essenceofto

or 01803 867328 Call Marie on gmail.com 3@ irit sp ing Sam on liv

Emma Cunis

Macrobiotic Health & Life Counsellor, Coach, Chef and Teacher In your Element Transform your health and life using natural foods as medicine; bodywork;and emotiona l release. +44 (0)7817 329584 emmacunis@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/emma. cunis

September 9-16 2016 Certificate in Creative Supervision led by John Daly AIST (first of two 3-day weekends)

October 1-2 2016 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy led by Ruth Baker AIST

NOVEMBER 26-27 2016 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy led by Ruth Baker AIST

FIND OUT MORE

For Anna Karthauser’s courses, email anna@karthauser.org For Katheryn Hope courses, call 07971 416630 or visit www.theseedcoach.co.uk For Marie Beresford/Sam Wernham courses, call 01803 867 328 or email Sam at livingspirit3@gmail.com For Ruth Baker courses email ruthbaker1@gmail.com or call 07736 334454 Also visit www.nautilusrooms.uk facebook.com/NautilusRoomsTotnesTQ95HN/

The Nautilus Rooms • 35a Fore Street • Totnes • TQ9 5HN www.nautilusrooms.uk info@nautilusrooms.uk Call Ruth on 07736 334454 or Peter on 07826 414404

WELLBEING local people local events local food local health local environment BEAUTIFUL ROOMS for Counselling & Psychotherapy.

FOR TALKING THERAPIES AND HOLISTIC HEALTH

www.thepracticerooms.co.uk 15 - 16 Castle Street, Exeter EX4 3PT

Genesis Change your stories, change your life

“It was truly mind-blowing.” “Inspired and inspiring”

Held back in life? Book onto this two and a half day transformational course and learn how to change your life by changing your beliefs.

January 22-24 April 15-17 £199 – bursaries available

www.interbe.co/courses 01392 346224

Craniosacral Therapy Able to cope, a sense of wellbeing, energised, relaxed, feeling more fully alive, whole again, healthy…… Craniosacral therapy is a very gentle, yet powerful hands-on therapy. It works with the whole person at any stage of life and can be very effective in a wide range of areas, including: • Back/neck problems • Depression • Muscle strains and injuries – old and new • Anxiety • Headaches and migraines • Chronic fatigue • Pregnancy and childbirth support

• Stress-related conditions • Digestive problems • A general sense of “not feeling quite right” • Sleep disorders • Colic • Panic attacks

This list is not exhaustive and I am always happy to talk with you about your individual needs and how I can help. Treatments are in Totnes and cost £35 an hour, conc available.

LEA ZACCARI R.C.S.T 0747 332 4730 cst.with.lea@gmail.com www.craniosacral-therapy-lea.yolasite.com

Courses to inspire careers and discovery

he New Year is traditionally a time for people to think about changes, fresh starts, new directions… Iron Mill College, based in a historic building in the centre of Exeter, offers a range of courses for those looking for a new career or to expand their current business and range of skills. People also join courses for their own personal development or as part of a journey of self-discovery. Iron Mill College opened in 1981 and is one of the region’s most established providers of counselling and psychotherapy training for students of all ages. The college provides an integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy

training. Courses starting early in 2016 include: Certificate in Counselling; Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision (subject to validation by the University of Worcester); Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP-accredited); Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children & Adolescents. The college’s teaching staff are drawn from a range of professions and backgrounds, including trained lecturers and teachers, counsellors, supervisors and psychotherapists. Students come from many different cultures and backgrounds. For details of forthcoming taster days or a copy of the 2015/16 prospectus, visit www.ironmill.co.uk.

Students vote Gail Tutor of the Year

MOST people are delighted to receive a professional award – but especially so when it has been voted for by the people with whom they work.

Gail Lowe, principal of Devon Academy of Complementary Therapies in Exeter, has been awarded Tutor of the Year by the Federation of Holistic

Therapies, the largest professional association for therapists in the UK. Said Gail: “There are so few awards for our industry I am delighted that my students made the effort to vote for me!” Visit www.devonacademy.co.uk or call 01392 826033.

Bell’s clients ask questions of spirit WHEN a burly male angel visited Bell Bartlett in a dream and said “go and get yourself some tarot cards” she did as she was instructed. Bell was just a small child when she began receiving information from spirit, which she explained is the case for many intuitives “I was 16 when I was visited by the angel and I’ve been working with spirit ever since, helping people. My primary gift is clairaudience, which means I hear information from Bell Bartlett - visited by a burly angel. my guides and this deep connection with sound is with grieving clients. reflected in my name, Bell. In readings I encourage my clients Many clients find it helpful to to ask specific questions and my have a reading at this time of purpose is to empower them by year looking at the year ahead. giving practical responses that they Until January 31 Bell is offering can take away and use. I practice a discounted rate of £20 per loving kindness meditation and hour to all Reconnect readers. people remark on the clarity and Gift vouchers are available from: constructive nature of my work.” www.conscious-tarot.co.uk. Bell sees angels constantly Bell works near Totnes, in and explained that this is very Brixham and over the phone on supportive in the work she does 07796 900509.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

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below,local part of thefood centre. WELLBEING local people local events local health local environment Karuna Institutue ground, right, and

Finding healing in pure awareness

ORE Process Psychotherapy is a mindfulness-based form of psychotherapy, write Karuna Institute directors Franklyn and Maura Sills. At its heart is the belief that at the core of every one of us is the capacity to achieve an open and luminous state. In this state we are able to be fully present and manifest qualities such as equanimity, compassion, loving kindness and joy. The ‘process’ of generating our own sense of self begins in our earliest moments of life and continues through to adulthood. We respond to the relationships that we encounter. Core Process Psychotherapy helps people to become aware of this momentto-moment shaping process through mindfulness of our inner and outer experiences. Franklyn Sills, co-director of the Karuna Institute, which teaches Core Process Psychotherapy, said: “Core Process Psychotherapy holds the possibility that we can let go of the self-views and defensive forms we have created and rest in our potential for pure awareness, compassion and joy.” In Core Process work, both therapist and client are engaged in a joint healing process, where an awareness of the body and states of mind that arise are used to explore the nature of selfhood and suffering. The therapist’s essential role is that of reflector and

facilitator of awareness. Franklyn added: “The heart of Core Process work is oriented around the belief that true healing is only possible to the extent that we can be fully present to the immediacy of our inner and outer experience. “Although many of the principles and mindfulness practices underpinning the training come from Buddhism, we are not training people to become Buddhists. What we do seek to imbue through our trainings is a capacity for contemplative depth enquiry.” As well as being influenced by Buddhist mindfulness practices, Core Process Psychotherapy includes aspects of Western personality theory, psychodynamics and psychotherapy skills Karuna offers Diploma and Foundation courses in Core Process Psychotherapy as well as two MA (Master’s) programmes, which are validated by Middlesex University. The courses are

City rooms for rent

at the cutting edge of contemporary psychotherapy, and draw on 30 years’ experience of offering psychotherapy training. At the heart of every course, trainees learn how to deepen their embodied awareness and cultivate presence and open-heartedness in relationships. For further details, call 01647 221457 or visit www.karuna-institute.co.uk.

AN established Plymouth therapy centre has treatment rooms available to rent. The Waterloo Wellbeing Centre, which offers plenty of natural sunlight and provides distant views of Plymouth Sound, has a dedicated waiting room, practitioners’ kitchen and free wi-fi. There is free on-street parking close by and disabled access. Room rental includes in-house referrals and on-line internet presence. The rooms are suitable for individual counselling, couples counselling and small groups. For more information, call Julie Jeffs 01752 560002 (reception).

Karuna Institute

International Training and Retreat Centre

The combination of the stunning position and the uniqueness of the teaching has made Karuna Institute renowned throughout the world as a centre for residential training and retreats. The Institute provides opportunities for deepening embodied awareness and cultivating presence and open-heartedness in relationship.

Core Process Psychotherapy Introductory Workshops held in Devon, London and Scotland Foundation Trainings held in Devon, London and Scotland Diploma in Relational Mindfulness held in Devon Post-Qualification MA Mindfulness Based Psychotherapeutic Practice and MA Mindfulness Based Core Process Psychotherapy

Craniosacral Biodynamics Therapy

Kum Nye Retreats 2016

Introductory Workshops

NB: You do not have to be a Karuna student in order to join retreats. They are open to all – you just need experience / feel comfortable with silent retreats.

Two Year Professional Training 2016-18 and Post-Graduate Advanced Trainings in 2016 and Prenatal Person Training beginning March 2017

For information on all our courses and for application forms visit www.karuna-institute.co.uk or contact: Jacqui Aplin, Administrator, 01647 221457 | office@karuna-institute.co.uk Karuna Institute, Natsworthy Manor, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Devon, TQ13 7TR

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Catherine Hale - sexual Shamanic healer and sexual empowerment coach.

WELLBEING Win the chance of a new life

Simon Daly, who EW Year is leads the programme, traditionally a explained: “We call our time for people approach Narrative to review their lives – Transformation and it is what’s working, what’s incredibly powerful. not working, what we’d like to change, who we’d “During the Genesis like to create ourselves to programme, participants be for the year ahead. explore their narratives – the thoughts, beliefs But, as we know, it can and stories they tell be really difficult to stick themselves about life, to our intentions and themselves and other the first week in January people. They discover, tends to be littered with usually for the first time, broken resolutions. Simon Daly how their disempowering InterBe is offering one narratives are holding lucky Reconnect reader them back. And, a helping hand to change their crucially, they learn how to redisempowering thoughts and author these narratives. In two beliefs and start living a life they and a half days, this can change love. someone’s life.” The Genesis programme is a twoTo enter the competition, simply and-a-half day transformational tell us the name of InterBe’s lifepersonal development course changing approach. Please send that shows participants how to: your entries, by January 1, to: recognise the disempowering editor@reconnectonline.co.uk. beliefs that prevent them from living The usual terms and condition their life to the full; discover new, apply: no cash alternative will be more empowering thoughts and offered; the winner will be drawn beliefs; learn to re-author their life on January 1 and notified by email; to be exactly the way they want it; no other correspondence will be begin living a life they love. entered into; and, most importantly, We have one free place (worth the editor’s decision is final! £199) to give away on the next For more information about The Genesis programme, which takes Genesis Programme, visit www. place at Seale Hayne, near Newton interbe.co, or call 01392 346224. Abbot, from January 22-24.

Change… from within… KaiAmea Therapy, KaiAmea Crystal Therapy and Hypnotherapy 07716 804 656 Kay@kaiamea.co.uk • www.kaiamea.co.uk Private Consultancy • Professional Courses • Talks • Workshops KaiAmea for Children and Schools: www.kaiamea4children.co.uk Founder Kay Arwen MEd

DRAGON CLINIC

Finding connection outside our heads

UR bodies are sacred temples, home to our senses and our Gardens of Eden, explains sexual Shamanic healer and sexual empowerment coach Catherine Hale. And when we reclaim our bodies and open our hearts something very special happens. “When we choose to step out of our heads and into our bodies we find an intimate connection with ourselves that we have been longing for,” said Catherine. “It is a journey of coming home, back to ourselves, back to love. We become embodied beings with open hearts connected to our sex centres.” Catherine’s work as a sexual empowerment coach is all about enabling people to give into, instead of controlling, the sexual energy that moves through them. “I help people to respond to each encounter as a unique adventure, without a destination, just a journey

Angie was inspired by friend’s recovery “I watched as, bit-byTHERE can be few things bit, all my aliments more compelling than disappeared,” she said. seeing a friend who had been grievously ill Dr Gary Price-Todd make a complete, and describes minerals as seemingly miraculous, “the spark plugs of life” recovery. and points out we need 60 every day, just to That’s what happened to maintain our health. Angie Jacobs who was intrigued by how her Angie added: “With friend had achieved such another Winter a dramatic turnaround in approaching, it is his health. important our bodies Angie Jacobs are given what they need Angie explained: “He but no longer get from told me about Sizzling our soils - which have been stripped of Minerals, which are plant-derived 75% of their minerals by commercial minerals from a 70 million year-old farming and pollution. mine and contain 75 minerals which are 100% absorbable. “So why not dip into Mother Nature’s pool of goodness and honour your “I began taking them myself and have body by giving it what it needs? also experienced a turnaround in my And because they are so affordable, wellbeing. Now I distribute them - I you could give them as Christmas want other people to get the same presents!” benefits that I have done.” For more information call Angie said she felt “incredibly 07970 922231 or visit www. energized, clear and positive-minded” simplyamazingminerals.com. when she began taking the minerals.

Community Multi-bed Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

@ Cliff House Cliff Road, Salcombe, tq8 8jq SALCOMBE

Every Wednesday

12.30 until 6 pm Please book online or phone drop-in is often available

through the spaciousness of our bodies, alive and free,” she said. “Each part of our body can be awakened to deeper levels of consciousness, to feeling more sensation and pleasure. It is about awakening the dormant wisdom of the body.” Catherine is running a series of workshops for women. The next one, Womb Medicine: Connecting with the Wisdom of our Wombs, takes place on February 7 in Totnes. For more information email: catherine@tantricawakening.org or visit www.tantricawakening.org.

Counsellor and Psychotherapist With optional use of Sand Tray and Drawing/Painting as Therapeutic Tools

dragonclinic.uk

w w w. j u l i e t t e m e d d e r. c o . u k

Antoinett Bruin 07886 036102 Michael Pringle 07800 594452

01803 529 892 | 07923 894 499 | info@juliettemedder.co.uk

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

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WELLBEING

There’s always a warm, friendly welcome at the Exeter Natural Health Centre.

Real food, Real life,

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

Why new practitioners need support IF you’re new to the natural health business, you can learn a lot by picking the brains of more experienced practitioners – and the team at the Exeter Natural Health Centre have a lot to offer. ALI MORRISH explains…

ETWEEN us, the four members of the core team at the Exeter Natural Health Centre - Mo and Ali Morrish (homeopathy), Anna Paris (acupuncture) and Katherine Ukleja (craniosacral therapy) have 105 years of experience and a combined total of 53 years of working here. New therapists who join the centre really benefit from this experience and from working in a multi-disciplinary professional clinical environment. Anna joined back in 2001. She said: “When I first came to the centre, it felt immediately welcoming and intuitively right for me to be working from here in a creative and energetic way. The spacious light rooms are wonderful to walk into and the lovely people who share the place make it very special. I have now worked here for 14 years and still love it as much as when I first arrived.” When it comes to therapists marketing and advertising, the value of word of mouth is as great as it ever was. As a centre, for example, we need and want to be a part of our community, looking after the people who are here already (therapists and clients) as well as the new people we would like to encourage through our doors. So, as a business, how do you encourage ‘word of mouth’? A recommendation from someone who has received a treatment from you is one of the most effective ways of attracting new clients. But it can be equally powerful when people say: “When I was searching for / looking for/ asking about…. your name just kept coming up.” So, I would say it is a combination of providing a great service and ensuring you use the relevant

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channels (social media, advertising) to promote what you do. In order for someone to recommend you, they have to be satisfied you are caring, professionally competent and that you have helped, or are endeavouring to help them with their problems. This takes time as well as personal ability to achieve; it cannot happen overnight. You will need a lot of patience and hard work to keep going - especially in the times that we ALL have when people don’t seem to get better, money is tight and business slows or stops altogether. These ups and downs are one of the drawbacks of being selfemployed. But, on the other hand, one of the reasons we chose to be selfemployed is that we wish for a life we can control and to work in a way that gives us reward and satisfaction, which sadly seems to be ever more lacking among our friends in the corporate world. Working in isolation can be difficult at times and the benefit of working in a centre like ours is that it offers friendship and the support of a strong team around you. Here at the Exeter Natural Health Centre, we also have plenty of fun, which creates a great environment to work in. One of our new therapists on our Start Up Programme recently commented: “In addition to being a beautiful space with a good ‘feel’, as a new member of the Start Up scheme, I’m enjoying how well run and welcoming the centre is. Also, my first referral came through at 9.20am on my first day!” My advice to new therapists is to stick with it, take advice from people who have been in practice for many years, to seek out and to make referrals and hopefully to become the practitioner people choose to see and recommend. For more on the Start Up Programme for new practitioners and the Exeter Natural Health Centre call 01392 422555 or email info@enhc.org Visit www.enhc.org.

email: enquiries@trinityholistics.co.uk

Jane Hutton The Functional Foodie

T: 07841 344934

more info: www.trinityholistics.co.uk

Mark Edlund Plater

Member of the British Acupuncture Council

Acupuncture Integrated Method

Acupuncture integrated method

Practice for 19 years in Totnes Fees are based on income or means

01803 862803 07506 179808

mark.edlundplater@gmail.com

est. 1999

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The group room at the Nautilus Rooms.

WELLBEING

New therapy centre brings ‘a breath of something new’

HE Nautilus Rooms has brought what owners Ruth and Peter Baker describe as “a breath of something new” to the Totnes therapy room scene. Their new therapy centre is at 35A Fore Street, along the alleyway opposite The Mansion (they have discovered the alleyway used to be known as Curiosity Alley). There is a car park at the rear of the building in what was once the walled garden of the house where the Nautilus Rooms are located. “A number of clients have commented on how great it is to be able to go off and have a coffee when their session is finished,” said Ruth. Two of the rooms can easily cater for small groups and there is a larger room downstairs for groups, meetings, ongoing CPD events, etc. The speciality of the centre leans towards mind-based therapies where they offer a wide range of expertise as counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists and coaches. Said Ruth: “All sectors of the population are catered for: children and young people, individuals, couples, families and supervision groups. Therapies on offer range from short-term CBT interventions

to specialised trauma work using EMDR, Integrative, Psychosynthesis, creative therapies, including sand and art-based therapies and everything in between. “The Nautilus Rooms is also the leading centre for Sandplay training and other creative therapies in the South West of England,” said Ruth. “Do check out our advert and website for courses.” Ruth and Peter have long understood the need to address issues holistically and the psychological therapists are supported by a growing number of body therapists and nutrition therapists working at Nautilus, so clients of the centre can benefit from an all-round treatment approach. Nautilus Rooms practitioners include: Anna Karthauser is fully qualified in Holistic Massage (ITEC) and a member of the Complimentary Therapies Association. Drawing on 10 years’ experience in bodywork and massage, she tailors her treatments to each client, using a variety of techniques. She also helps empower her clients by teaching a range of self-massage techniques. To find out more, call Anna on

FAMILY HOMEOPATH PRACTISING IN EXETER FOR 25 YEARS “The beauty of homeopathy lies in its simplicity, the power of homeopathy lies in its depth.” Mo Morrish at Exeter Natural Health Centre

01392 214074 • mo@thehomoeopathicpractice.co.uk

Visit www.thehomoeopathicpractice.co.uk 32 32

07912 612462, email anna@ karthauser.org, or visit www. facebook.com/Anna.Karthauser. Holistic.Massage.Therapy. Julia Rowntree is a massage therapist and says she enjoys working in the “lovely quiet rooms of the Nautilus Centre” MondayThursday (Saturdays by agreement). “I offer gentle massage and bodywork, including pregnancy and post partum, specialising in the link between physical and emotional holding in the body. This includes scar healing, bone energy work, spinal alignment, flower essences, flower cards and emotional wellbeing through gentle touch.” Julia supports Olivia Seck’s Radiant Mamas Group and a local followon group for mothers with babies 6-9 months. Call Julia on 07833 545 008, find

Essence of Touch on Facebook, or visit www.essenceoftouch.co.uk. Emma Cunis is a Macrobiotic Health & Life Counsellor, Coach, Chef and Teacher. Her work is all about transforming your health and life using natural foods as medicine, bodywork and emotional release. Emma will make recommendations for food, bodywork and lifestyle to help you take greater control of your health and emotional wellbeing. She teaches at the International Macrobiotic School (IMS) near Totnes in Devon. Her qualifications include BA Hons, MSc, Macrobiotic & Life Counsellor, Macrobiotic Specialist Cook & Healing Guide. Katheryn Hope offers Resonance Repatterning, a system that “allows you to identify and transform your resonance with old patterns that prevent you living your highest purpose.” Read more below.

How to get past that ‘stuck’ place

AVE you ever felt that you really want something to happen but, despite all your best efforts, nothing works? Resonance Repatterning is a system that allows you to identify and transform your resonance with old patterns that prevent you living your highest purpose. The system is based on new physics, brain research and energy psychology. It uses muscle checking to identify and transform unconscious patterns, so problems become life opportunities and people can achieve amazing results no matter what their present circumstances. Resonance Repatterning is now being offered by Katheryn Eliane Hope in Totnes and Moretonhamstead. One client, artist Nina Fenner said: “We were in a bit of a ‘stuck’ place, having had our house on the market for three years when one session with Katheryn literally sent life off into a whirl of crazy things happening. We’ve sold our house, gone into rented accommodation and are now looking at a property that is the place of our dreams and more, which includes a craft studio space for me, something I had always thought was beyond possible.” Katheryn said: “Resonance Repatterning explores the unconscious patterns and programming that prevent you from raising your vibration so you can be, do and have what you

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Katheryn Eliane Hope desire in life. Once your frequencies spiral upwards, you feel more alive, and have a sense of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.” Katheryn combines Resonance Repatterning with life coaching to produce powerful results. She practices at the Nautilus Rooms in Totnes and also in Moretonhampstead. She will soon be practicing in Exeter. Discovery Sessions take place at the Nautilus Rooms on Sat 12 December and 9 January so people can find out more about the technique. Phone 07971 416630 for your free half hour session or for more information visit: www. theseedcoach.co.uk.

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WELLBEING We all know healing power of touch

HE healing power of touch is innately recognised by us as humans, according to IIHHT Swedish Massage Therapist Nova Jones. She points out that we instinctively rub our temples to soothe a headache, our feet to help us relax, or our neck to release tension. Traditional Swedish Massage can be soothing and relaxing, explained Nova, calming the mind and releasing stress, or it can be invigorating and cleansing, bringing us back into our bodies and helping to ground us and increase clarity. Nova trained with IIHHT (The International Institute of Health and Holistic Therapies) in 2000. She practices at the Exeter Natural Health Centre in Queens Walk, as well as visiting people at home and working out of her own home in a rural location near Exeter. Nova said: “I am an insured

member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and have been practicing since the year 2000. I use organic, ethicallytraded, BPA-free, vegan-friendly oils, or essential oils depending on preference. I also have a range of gentle alternatives for nut-allergy sufferers, pregnant women, or those with eczema, psoriasis or very sensitive skin.” Weekday sessions are available, as well as Wednesday and Monday evenings and alternate weekends. Introductory offers are available, as well as discounts for pensioners, students and people in receipt of benefits. All massage is LGBT-friendly. Call Nova on 07939 004890, email novajupiterjones@gmail.com. and visit Nova’s Facebook page ‘Nova Jones Massage’ for latest news.

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Is your body trying to tell you something?

S your body trying to tell you something? That is the question that Reconnect’s healthy food writer, Jane Hutton, right, would like you to ask yourself right now. “Your life demands a lot from your body,” she said, “and sometimes it simply doesn’t want to play along. But, with the right food, your body can function efficiently giving you stable energy levels, vibrant health and a glowing sense of wellbeing, plus increased resilience to disease and stress.” As well as writing for us, Jane specialises in healing depression, stress, anxiety, gut disorders, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue and more, using the power of real food. She has spent 20 years helping people tackle everything from losing a few pounds to recovering from cancer, and it’s her mission to prevent ill health by providing the tools to make food our daily healthcare. Deliciously and achievably! “If you struggle to get out of bed

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in the morning or flake out in the evening; if you’re not the weight you want to be, no matter how many systems you try; if some foods leave you feeling bloated; if you’re so busy with work, family, and all your other commitments that your own wellbeing is relegated to the bottom of the pile, I can help you,”

added Jane. For the start of 2016, Jane is offering The Real Food Reboot programme. Kicking off in January, she is keen to stress that this isn’t simply another diet or fad. “It tackles mental and emotional obstacles, as well as giving people a complete toolkit of knowledge, an eating plan, a host of delicious recipes, and much more,” said Jane. The programme also includes online, coached or group options. “I offer a range of different support packages, depending what people need or where they live,” explained Jane. Call 07809 899123 or visit www. trinityholistics.co.uk.

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Craniosacral therapist Lea Zaccari

WELLBEING

Craniosacral Therapy Release through gentleness Nick Rampton Follaton, Totnes 01803 847638/07792 594634 www.craniosacraltotnes.co.uk

Upledger Institute Training

Support for connecting to inner-stillness

HAT happens when we rest back, sink in and lessen the doing? Who are we when we are not being busy with things? How are we when we are truly rested? South Devon Craniosacral therapist Lea Zaccari says her sessions are a wonderful support for connecting to an inner-stillness and our innate state of vibrant health. “Sessions can offer the client an opportunity to move the habits of awareness away from the usual level of activity and external stimulation, towards a more receptive and resourced place,” says Lea. “Craniosacral therapy works with the whole person, encouraging and facilitating the body’s natural ability to renew, heal and find balance. It is a very gentle yet powerful hands-on therapy, ideal for people at any stage of life. I work with pregnant mothers, babies in the womb, newborns,

children and adults of all ages. “I treat people with anxiety and stress-related conditions, birth trauma, bone/joint disorders, colic, low immunity, chronic fatigue, depression, childhood trauma, sleep disorders and more. I also work with problems that are more difficult to diagnose such as feeling ‘out of sorts’, ‘not my usual self’, or just ‘not quite right’. “People often report finding that treatments enhance vitality and wellbeing and of experiencing sessions as profoundly relaxing and rejuvenating.” Lea Zaccari is a member of the Craniosacral Therapy Association. She offers treatments in Totnes for £35 an hour, £20 for children and babies. Lea is always happy to discuss individual concerns and how she can help. Call 0747 332 4730, email cst.with.lea@gmail. com or visit www.craniosacraltherapy-lea.yolasite.com.

Equine therapist wins top role model award Health & wellbeing

FOUNDER of Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Hannah Burgon has been selected as the winner of Britain’s Top Real Role Model 2015, an initiative run by direct selling company, Amway UK. The award scheme is designed to reward budding British entrepreneurs, with funding towards their business. This year’s competition had a theme of Passionpreneurs - individuals who founded a business as a result of their passion. Sirona provides equine-assisted therapy sessions for disadvantaged children and emerged as the clear winner in its category. Visit www.sironacic.com.

Seek peace of mind? Contact Peter Crowe Counselling & psychotherapy 01392 966845 www.petercrowe.co.uk 34

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So why are beautiful spaces better for healing? ONE of the core inspirations behind the setting up of The Practice Rooms in Exeter was creating beautiful spaces conducive to the work of healing. But why? And what is beauty? Nadia Sajadi-Rosen, a manager and a Reiki Therapist at The Practice Rooms in Salisbury, explores…

EFINITIONS of beauty vary as widely as the objects that are considered beautiful. Some consider beauty as an objective quality inherent to beautiful things, or as an ideal form that comes to inhabit beautiful things. Others regard beauty as an entirely subjective experience located in the perceiving mind rather than outside world. However, all tend to agree that

beauty is first and foremost the result of a relationship, of a meeting between consciousness and the outside world. Beholding an object of beauty allows one to rest in the perfect stillness and balance of its form, and is a moment of recognition that concretises our deep longing for balance within ourselves. In other words, we seek for beauty because it is the image we would like to find within ourselves. Likewise, being in beautiful surroundings allows us to rest away from the chaos of day-today existence whilst also allowing us to ‘learn’ inner peace and equilibrium. Beautiful spaces tend to be peaceful spaces because they require us to slow down. And as we slow down, we connect to a deeper inner stillness that perhaps reminds us of a longing and belonging beyond ourselves. As Khalil Gibran put it, “beauty is life when life unveils her holy face.” Midway between thought and sense, or between form and matter, beauty is a great holistic teacher that transports us from the realm of the material senses to the realm of pure form, and back. Plato described beauty as a ladder that allows us to rise from the sensuous to the spiritual.

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At The Practice Rooms, we believe beautiful surroundings are conducive to healing because they allow both the mind and the body to recognise and appreciate, within the perceptual frame and experience of beauty, the possibility for inner peace and harmony. In a truly beautiful space, there is a purity that connects us to a parallel, longed-for, sacred space within and beyond ourselves, to a promised land where we can be whole. For more information visit www. thepracticerooms.co.uk/exeter/ or call 0800 644 4066.

BEAUTY CONSULTING ROOMS (Conveniently situated opposite The Magdalen Chapter Hotel, Exeter)

Are you a Beauty Therapist, Reflexologist, Sports Massage Therapist, Pilates Instructor, etc? • We have converted five Luxury Suites at our Exeter Beauty Practice into Therapy/Consulting Rooms for you to hire • Perfect location for clients to enjoy morning coffee or lunch at The Magdalen Chapter before or after a Treatment/Consultation • Plenty of parking

Call Jayne on 07856 251581 or Email: jottyslifestyle@icloud.com

THE VOYA SPA SUITES AT JOTTY’S 4&5 Charlotte Mews | Pavilion Place EXETER | EX2 4HA

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local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING Dreading the dark months ahead? Just slow down and be mellow... DREADING the long, dark winter months ahead? Mo Morrish of the Exeter Natural Health Centre urges you to slow down, get some fire in your belly… oh and be mellow!

of contraction and it is beneficial for us if we can go with it as fully as we are able rather than resist it, which creates tension. To ‘go with’ is the homeopathic way, echoed in the Taoist notion of “wuwei” or flowing.

MANY of us groan at the thought of Winter, the cold and the wet, the darkness, the long drag between Christmas and the coming Spring. It’s enough to make us want to hibernate. But, as human beings we cannot do that. We are subject to the same laws and cyclical patterns as all life forms on this planet. Winter is a period

Even with our busy lives, we could take more time out to rest and do nothing; we could go out less in the evenings, go to bed earlier and sleep longer; pay more attention to our dreams. In other words, slow down. At this time of year, the weather demands us to drive more mindfully, so allow more time for journeys. Resonate

with the stillness that snow brings; breathe out with a long ‘aaah’ and watch your breath catch on the frosty air. We can also eat more seasonally, and enjoy hot foods, red foods, roots and casseroles. Read or tell stories, drift inwards and engage with our imagination and sense of self; as Pinkola Estes reminds us, “stories are vitamins of the soul”. Remember, too that Solstice is soul time! Don’t try and ‘beat the winter blues’. Just drop those shoulders and ‘go with’ the reds and fiery yellows, let yourself deepen, be mellow!

A step nearer a dementia-friendly city

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training session, which HE Exeter is offered quarterly in Dementia Action the city. Alliance had its official launch It’s free to join the at the Royal Albert Exeter Dementia Memorial Museum in Action Alliance and, November. to date, there are Gina Awad, a in excess of 30 volunteer Dementia members including Friends Champion Care Homes, Lawyers, who formed the group the Devon & Cornwall said:“A year ago, I put Police, GP Practices, out a call to the local libraries and retailers. community to gauge Of over 850,000 Gina Awad interest and Exeter in the UK with a Dementia Action dementia diagnosis, Alliance was formed in January. two thirds live in the community. Our aim is to work towards Exeter Gina pointed out “Dementia is becoming a dementia-friendly city. the largest health and social care Over the past few months we have challenge of this century and one been encouraging membership that requires a community-wide from local businesses and response. organisations. We invite them to Families of people living with consider how they currently provide dementia need to be supported for people living with dementia and in the community post diagnosis to create a three-point action plan as their challenges are incredibly to implement.” complex.” Gina explained that an action plan Gina received a Pride of Devon might include providing clearer Award earlier this year for her signage, better communication, work with the Action Alliance running a free Dementia Friends and also reached the national information session for staff, or finals of the Dementia Friendly creating extended appointments Awards in London in September for people with dementia. For for her outstanding contribution to larger businesses, she suggests dementia-friendly communities. encouraging an employee to train as a Dementia Friends Champion. To join or find out more visit www. This entails attending a free six-hour dementiaaction.org.uk.

Course introduces Psychosynthesis A NEW foundation course at the Nautilus Rooms in Totnes (see page 32) will introduce participants to the basic principles of Psychosynthesis.

by Sam Wernham, is aimed at counsellors and psychotherapists as well as mature students who are interested in personal development.

Developd by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, Psychosynthesis is a form of transpersonal psychology that focuses on the whole being. Central to the approach are the ideas of self-realisation and social integration of individuals into larger groups.

It combines theory and experiential exercises with selfdevelopment study groups and supervision. The course takes place one Saturday a month, starting in April 2016. It is suitable as CPD for counsellors and psychotherapists.

This eight-month course, led by Marie Beresford, and assisted

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For more details call Marie on 01803 867 328 or Sam on livingspirit3@gmail.com.

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local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING New company works in the moment

AREFOOT Mindfulness NEW 8 WEEK Co was MINDFULNESS born out of a conversation with a group COURSES of mindfulness practitioners in START MON 25TH JAN 2016 Plymouth. 7PM-9PM & THURS 28TH JAN 2016 This new company offers 10-30AM – 12.30PM mindfulness courses to individuals, couples and businesses – all the courses aiming to enable people to live more fully in the moment. The Barefoot Mindfulness practitioners have over 30 years of combined experience running mindfulness courses for colleges, universities, schools, NHS and the charitable sector. As work environments become more pressured (particularly in service organisations), individuals and teams are struggling more and more with the stresses and strains of work. Recognising the importance of maintaining staff morale and wellbeing, many organisations are looking to develop a mindful culture in the workplace. challenges in the workplace and is Feel like you are not in charge of your mind? Barefoot MindfulnessCo run mindfulness couples likely to increase productivity, reduce Barefoot Mindfulness offers acourses for individuals, and businesses to help everyone develop new skills to relieve stress absence, staff turnover and experiences by changing how we relate to employee our thoughts full range and of improve mindfulness courses, and feelings. It can also help us to be more aware of good things in our interpersonal conflicts. workshops, introductory sessionsandand lives. Anyone can learn mindfulness gain something valuable from it. Come and join us and see for yourself. reflective practice sessions, which can “We believe that anyone can learn us for more information: be tailoredContact to meet organisations’ mindfulness and gain something from T: 01752 777239, E: mindful@barefootmindfulness.co.uk particular A:needs. 1 Officers Quarters, Crownhill Fort, Crownhill Fort Road, Plymouth it.”PL6 5BX www.barefootmindfulness.co.uk Founder member/director Julie Jeffs For more information about Barefoot said: “Our workplace mindfulness Mindfulness Co, call 01752 777239 training will help teams and managers or visit www.barefootmindfulness. to deal better with the inevitable co.uk.

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sensitivity, kindness, and calm, combined with her “ Hélène’s non-judgemental insight have enabled me to make immensely significant and positive personal changes. ” Hélène Demetriades MBACP Senior Accredited Dartington, Totnes info@helenedemetriades.co.uk 01803 868655 www.helenedemetriades.co.uk THE GENTLE BUT POWERFUL METAMORPHIC TECHNIQUE IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

Your way to a fuller, freer way of life

“At these times,” O you says Juliette, “I might sometimes suggest the use of feel sand tray or simple overwhelmed by the drawing exercises, stresses and strains which invariably of life, emotions and brings about quite relationships? Maybe startling revelations you need a friendly and insights. ear as a sounding board or perhaps you “It requires no artistic are looking to explore skill, and you don’t something in greater even need a vivid depth? imagination, but Most of us have at these simple creative some point felt life is tools break down not going the way we the barrier between Juliette Medder want it to. Counselling thought and expression, is about giving yourself the making the thoughts visible and more opportunity, sometimes for the first concrete, vivid and real.” time, to speak and be really heard by Sand Tray and simple drawing a neutral, objective listener. exercises can allow the client to “It is about setting aside the time and manifest in sand or on paper what space just for you,” says counsellor they would otherwise not be able Juliette Medder. “It’s a time to get to vocalise or address in traditional things off your chest, air pent-up talking therapies alone. Even Juliette emotions or make sense of confused never ceases to be amazed at its feelings, whether these are recent or powerful potential for revelation and from long ago.” the insights that can be gained! Juliette says it can help to: make Sessions cost £40, with some sense of what is troubling you; find concessions; student counsellors, new ways of seeing a problem; make £25. A half-price (£20), no changes in your life; heal past pain; obligation introductory session can be a good way of finding out if/how the learn to live life in a fuller, freer way. client and Juliette can work together. Sometimes, however, just talking or Juliette works in Totnes, Newton attempting to find what is relevant to Abbot and Paignton. Call 07923 say or make sense of the thoughts 894499/01803 529892, email and feelings whirling round in one’s info@juliettemedder.co.uk, or visit head, people can get stuck or feel www.juliettemedder.co.uk. they ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’.

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Yoga can help to keep

children calm and healthy. local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING

consultations for: • Spiritual Healing • Death and Dying • Managing life changes • Meditation, Stress and relaxation

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OGA is fun, it helps with concentration, it improves coordination and balance and it is a great way to build confidence and keep children fit and healthy. It can also help children keep calm and can reduce stress and anxiety, particularly around exam time or other pressures. Exeter’s first Yoga for Children classes have now been launched. There are four types of yoga classes designed specifically for children from aged 2–16 years: parent and toddler yoga (aged 2-4), yoga cubs (3-7) yoga bears (8- 11) and yoga for teenagers from age 12+. Yoga for Children has also set up innovative family yoga classes, where families and children can practice yoga together.

New city yoga classes for kids Yoga for Children’s Anneline Carver explained: “Yoga can be practised by children of all ages and abilities, with classes and postures modified to suit each child’s needs and abilities. “Yoga for Children’s classes are specifically tailored for each age group and include postures, yoga games, partner yoga, creative stories and music. Yoga is suitable for everyone, including children, who love the benefits that yoga brings to them.” For more information, please visit www.yogaforchildren.co.uk or contact Annelie Carver 07540 995021.

Free business support for practitioners

FOR TALKING THERAPIES AND HOLISTIC HEALTH

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NEW monthly group in Totnes will give support to healers and therapists who either hate, don’t get or simply struggle with the business side of their work as self-employed practitioners. It’s at Totnes Natural Health Centre, from 1-3pm – and it’s free! Every month, like-minded healers will come together at Healers Connect for an informal, anything goes Q&A session with experts from all aspects of business – including, on February 5, a certain Martin Foster, editor of this very magazine. Facilitated by Karen Hunt, creator of the Transformational Marketing Method and the upcoming How to Get More Clients online, there will be a guest each month who will answer questions about bookkeeping, marketing, PR, social media… all the important stuff you feel guilty about neglecting. “If you want to have a thriving practice,” says Karen, “you must invest time and energy into the business side of your work. You know that but it’s not easy to do.

“I hope that by connecting with other healers and therapists, it’ll encourage you to focus on these important areas, without so much dread.” Healers Connect starts on Friday January 8 and continues on February 5 (with Martypants), March 4 and May 6 (missing out April). The Natural Health Centre are delighted to host this club and so just request a small donation towards the running cost of the Centre.

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local people local events local food local health local environment

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Welcome back to Emotional Health, our continuing exploration into all things emotional. In this edition LEIGH SMITH explores the therapeutic value of the great outdoors and how we can all emotionally benefit from what nature has to offer.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) (Stimulates the immune system to function optimally)

The Bowen Technique

Step outside for Nature’s cure

S the nights draw in and the season turns cold, wild, wet, and windy, it might seem counter-intuitive to step outside to be buffeted by nature’s harshest of weather. But this is exactly what I invite you to do this Winter. The use of the great outdoors, nature and wilderness have long since been used for therapeutic and psychological benefit. And recently we have seen an upsurge of interest in nature-based therapy. Many counsellors now offer clients an opportunity to take the therapy work outside and some counsellors specialise in using nature to promote wellbeing in their work with clients. Stepping outside can have a massive effect on your emotional health. Placing yourself in a park, woodland or down by the river can really lift the spirits and provide a new perspective, which can diminish our everyday stress and anxiety. And it’s free! When I take a client or a group of students into nature I rely on the senses and nature to do the therapeutic work for me. The expansiveness of the sea or the wild moor can help us to reconnect to our own ability to expand and encompass much more than we feel capable of. And breathing in air which is charged with negative ions can actively improve our physical health as well as produce a calming effect on our busy minds. Negative ions are molecules, which are abundant in certain natural environments such as near rivers, sea or waterfalls. They are odorless and tasteless, and when they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.

If you have ever climbed a mountain, canoed down a river or swum in the sea, you will probably recall the myriad of emotions which you experienced: fear, excitement, connection, frustration, anger, elation, joy, wonder. Feeling these emotions can bring you into a deeper sense of yourself and a greater awareness of your own inner nature. It really couldn’t be easier to reap the benefits of nature as selftherapy. I encourage you to step outside, appropriately dressed, with a flask of hot chocolate and sturdy boots, and find a place away from roads and buildings. You don’t have to go far in this part of our world to find some natural beauty and even a garden will do. Find a place to sit or stand where you feel safe, and start to notice your surroundings, taking time to see everything with the eyes of a child. This cannot be rushed time is the key, so no rushing. Look for the colour all around you. At first glance you might only see dull brown and grey, but look more closely and you will find a myriad of colour and texture. Breath in the air, and explore the scents of the earth, wet and damp tree bark, spicy decaying leaf mold. Reach out and touch, close your eyes and connect physically with all of the textures and temperatures around you. Taste the breeze and the rain drops, catch the snowflakes on your tongue. And remember to listen, expanding your awareness into every nook and cranny, the delicate gentle sounds and the raging roaring wind and river, the song of nature. Connecting in this way with your natural world can lift dark depressive moods and recharge your batteries. So this Winter treat yourself to some warm woolies and good wellies and dare to step outside.

Arcturus Clinic, Totnes Home Visits AMANDA MORRIS

For an appointment please call 07931 505 312

CLT – MLDUK – CertECBS – BTPA

amanda@amandamorris.co.uk www.amandamorris.co.uk

Handmade, herbal, vegan, natural & eco-friendly body care products Local outlets: •

The Chelston Wellbeing Centre, Torquay

•

Oats Healthy Living Store, Brixham (or mail order)

www.greenwyse.co.uk --Consultations with Dawn Ireland Medical Herbalist www.torbay-herbalist.co.uk 07962 664 294

CBT EXETER COUNSELLING COURSES

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Leigh Smith is director of studies, course designer and tutor at Heartwood Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Training. Visit www.heartwoodcounselling.org or call 01803 865464.

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ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

The Alexander Technique Poise is our natural starting point… …we just need to be ‘re-minded’

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FOR READERS...

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jennyquicktm@gmail.com www.jennyquick.co.uk • 07925 654228 MEDITATION

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these pages are the most affordable way to get your message across. The single and double column boxes, below, cost just £55 and £98, respectively. The lineage ads cost just 90p a word, with a minimum of 20 words. Call to find out more about the single and double column boxes or email your classified ad to adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk (please include a postal address and phone number if they’re not in the ad) and we’ll simply send you an invoice.

THE DEADLINE... for the February/March issue is Friday January

MASSAGE

1, and with a certain celebration in the middle of it all, that really means before Christmas - so get in touch asap. You don’t want to miss it! counselling

£45 / £30 (low income) to book, email Vidyadasi at:

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Search for “Stefania Lintonbon” on iTunes, Amazon and in the Google Play Android Store www.positiveaffirmationsandaudiostories.co.uk PositiveAffirmationsAndAudioStories @AffirmationTym stefsvoice@mail.com • 07946190026

DAVID OXLEY MA Fully qualified Accredited BACP counsellor and psychotherapist. Psychosynthesis and Core Process. Working with Relationship, Depth, Integrity and Soul. Central Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth. Www. davidoxleycounselling. co.uk 07876 051093.

REIKI

CREATIVE COUNSELLOR Heartful, Supportive Counselling. Creative Exercises including Art, Sandplay, etc. Adults, Young People, some concs available. Ruth Jenni Adv Dip Couns, 07974097787, www.oakflower. co.uk. Dartington, Buckfastleigh, Newton Abbot and on Skype.

SHIATSU

HOLISTIC COUNSELLOR specialising in trauma/ abuse, and for those feelings/emotions difficult to put into words. Working with art, sand and outside amongst nature. Annie, www. natureswaycounselling. co.uk, 07760 439760.

HORTICULTURE

Monthly group sessions and one-day taster sessions for healthcare professionals from April 2016 Lupton House, Torbay and Ash Tree Farm, Dartmouth, TQ6 0LR Annie: 07760 439760 anniwils@talktalk.net www.natureswaycounselling.co.uk

RESTORING your natural state of wholeness and wellbeing with guidance and support from experienced heart-centered counsellor, Janey Francis (Dip.Couns.) Sessions are held in Totnes and Exeter. Visit www. heartofbeing.co.uk or call 01803 860436 to book or find out more.

Therapeutic Counselling Supervision Hypnotherapy and Stress Management

Pat Hoare

In small confidential groups and using nature’s ingredients - sticks, leaves, flowers, mud, stones, shells & feathers - we will explore the depth of our souls, making forms to express our inner most feelings.

PSYCHOSPIRITUAL THERAPY

THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING

THERAPY IN NATURE

Outside group therapy sessions

TOTNES-BASED alternative rock band seeks a fourth member to join them playing original material. Great rehearsal space, many influences, call Matt on 07717 172 691.

Holistic nutrition JANE HUTTON - Holistic nutritionist using real food to return you to vibrant health, deliciously! Weight loss, ME, gut disorders, stress, anxiety, depression, autistic spectrum and more. 07841 344934 www.trinityholistics.co.uk

LEVEL 1 Practical Horticulture Skills course for complete novices and those with some gardening skills who would like

NATURE AND WILDERNESS THERAPY

HAWAIIAN full-body Lomi Lomi Massage in Totnes with Akashi Helena. Ancient Holistic Temple practice. Benefits include detoxification, stress release, deep relaxation and inner peace, balance and harmony and more. Call 07742 199262, or email akashialoha@gmail. com. MUSICIAN WANTED

Positive Affirmations & Meditation MP3s Health and Well Being Better Breathing • Better Confidence, Vitality & Energy • Confidence for Children and Teens • Rose Quartz Meditation • Amethyst Meditation

to learn and gain a qualification in growing organic vegetables. Run by School Farm Community Supported Agriculture, Dartington, in partnership with Bicton College. Runs Feb-June 2016, 9am3pm Thursdays, free for under-18s and those on JSA or ESA. Call Bicton College on 01395 562400, Jenny on 07898117890, or email jenny@schoolfarmcsa. org.uk.

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

PAT HOARE. DIP. COUNS. B.A.C.P. ACCREDITED

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email: localwellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk people local events local food local health local environment REFLEXOLOGY

WORKSHOPS&COURSES THURSDAYS Buddhism & Meditation Course at Exeter Natural Health Centre. 6 x Thursdays starting 28th January. £45 / £30 low income. For info and to book, email Vidyadasi at jess.vidya@gmail.com

RELAX, CLEANSE, STRENGTHEN. Full hour or 40-minute treatments at Totnes Natural Health Centre. Nicola Moulton - Reflexology Practitioner MBRCP R Assoc BRCP OM, 07522 344291, nicolasuzanne@hotmail. co.uk. SPIRITUAL HEALING

HEALING - an effective therapy assisting the body to renew each cell and heal itself. Helps with fertility, stress, cancer, plus more. Emma Burgess, Teignmouth, 01626 870740, www. healinglight-tarot.com.

DECEMBER SATURDAY 5 MORNING of mindfulness @ Crownhill Fort, Plymouth.10am-12.30, call 01752 560002. DEC 12/13

CHRISTMAS at Sharpham. A weekend of Christmas, 10am2pm each day. Saturday - learn how to weave a Christmas wreath. Suitable for aged 16 or above, £20. Sunday - a session of ‘presents with presence’ gift-making using natural materials, all materials and tools will be provided. Suitable for adults and children aged five and above, £15 per adult. Children under 18 go free (max of two per adult). Visit www.

To advertise your workshops or courses here, the cost is just 90p a word, with a minimum of 20 words. Email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk, or call us on 01392 346342. sharphamtrust.org, call 01803 732542 or email bookings@ sharphamtrust.org.

call 01803 732542 or email bookings@ sharphamtrust.org.

sat 19 - sun 20

MORNING of mindfulness @ Crownhill Fort, Plymouth. 10am12.30, call 01752 560002. Monday 18

MODERN Buddhism with Kadampa teacher Matthew Rochford. Free public talk from 7.30pm at Totnes Natural Health Centre. meditationinplymouth. org/totnes | @ totneskadampa. fb: / totnesmeditation. Call 01752 224 137 for more information.

JANUARY THURS-SUN 14-17

DRAW BREATH – a new mindfulness through art retreat. Use drawing and mark-making to explore, express and communicate the experience of mindfulness meditation. Visit www. sharphamtrust.org,

FRI 22-SUN 24

HELD back in life? This two and ahalf day course will teach you how to change your life by changing your beliefs. Genesis from InterBe. Visit www.

Restore-me Therapies Gift Vouchers available To find out more, please call or visit online

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BREATHWORKS Mindfulness 4 Stress Management: @ Totnes Natural Health Centre (4 monthly Saturdays) starting January 30 2016. Email: lifehealingarts@ yahoo.co.uk,07941 841555/01803 862653, www. mindfulness4wellness. org.

Wed 17 - Fri 19

SPEAKING OUT - a public speaking course. Communicate with impact and authenticity. www. embercombe.org/ speakingout. To book: info@embercombe. co.uk, 01647 252983.

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You can advertise in this classified section for as little as £18 (therapists get a free picture, while space allows - first come, first served). Call Martin now on 01803 868455.

SATURDAY 30

tuesday 9

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

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ONE-DAY Waking Women’s Workshop for women who are looking for true spirit and meaning in their life, sharing, empowering and group work. 10am4pm. Nautilus Rooms, Totnes. 8 places £45. Contact Katheryn Eliane Hope on 01647 441235 www. theseedcoach.co.uk

Thurs 4 - Sun 7

CREATING Space - a women-only retreat exploring mindfulness through creativity. Visit www. sharphamtrust.org, call 01803 732542 or email bookings@ sharphamtrust.org.

Hillyfield Hens

Holistic Therapies for the Mind, Body & Soul

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Saturday 23

SAT JAN 16

EMBERCOMBE Friends Working Weekends (also Feb 19 - 21). Learn about life at Embercombe, working on the land, cooking and eating. www.embercombe. org/volunteerweekends. Email info@ embercombe.co.uk 01647 252983

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FEBRUARY

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Editorial: 01803 01803 868455 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk editor@reconnectonline.co.uk Editorial:

41 41

And finally...

BE the change you want to see in the world, as Gandhi famously once said. Want a lively, sustainable local community? You know what to do...

Just popping to the shops to save a community...

’M going to say it – you know I am. It’s become one of those Christmas certainties, like Santa needing wheels on his sleigh (although I do find it reassuring that we still yearn for the romantic beauty of snow, despite the reality of its mess, danger and discomfort). But I make no apology for asking that you do at least some of your Christmas shopping in local, independent stores. It’s a theme that crops up more than a few times in this issue, sometimes in the words of the local businesses themselves, sometimes in the blatantly editorialised copy. And yes, I do run a local business – and it’s a local business that relies on other local businesses. But it goes way beyond that. This love for localness, this urge to help protect and strengthen my community, is part of my belief system. Why? Oh, now you’ve asked something… All this heart-warming, soul-stirring (and some might think stomachchurning) emotive stuff is all very well, and we will return to it, but let’s kick off with something we can actually measure. With numbers. It’s money. Of course it is. But it does matter. It’s why some communities have all but shutdown. And it’s why some people, when stopped in the street, will say yes, of course I want a strong and varied high street of shops; and yes, of course I believe in animal welfare and ethical farming; and yes, of course I think it’s a waste of resources and harmful to the environment to move foodstuffs

‘

Don’t worry, we’ll wrap it up in lots of lovely polythene so you won’t get squidgy stuff on your hands when you throw it out next week

around the globe - and then leave with a caring, self-satisfied smile and buy the cheapest, imported food they can from the local supermarket. Research by local authorities (oh, come on, we’ve got to trust someone) shows that for every £1 handed over to small and medium-sized businesses, 63p stays in the community. Spend it with larger businesses and the figure is just 40p. The other 60p rattles around the piggybanks of the fat cats (to mix my anthromorphic metaphors). And, talking of people we trust, estate agents say a thriving community does wonders for property prices. Anyone who’s tried to buy a home in or near any popular bustling town will know the truth of that one. Supporting local businesses ticks the ethical box too. Multi-national food retailers (yes, yes, the supermarkets) are guilty of all manner of ethical crimes in the name of maximum profits. You want strawberries in January? No problem, we’ll fly some in from across the globe. Your point-ofpurchase decision-making processes even slightly affected by identical, perfectly shaped vegetables? No problem, we’ll get our growers to plough the slightly misshapen ones back into the ground. Does the just-chuck-it-in the-trolley philosophy we encourage in our store make it tricky for you to decide how much you need - so you’d better get an extra plastic tray-full just in case? Don’t worry, we’ll wrap it all up in lots of lovely polythene so you won’t get squidgy stuff on your hands when you throw it out next week. (Incidentally, if you haven’t seen his recent TV programmes - and even if you have - check out Hugh FernlyWalkingstick’s anti-waste campaign at www.rivercottage.net/war-on-waste and get involved at www.crowdfunder. co.uk/campaign/hughs-war-onwaste.)

If you buy your veg, fruit, meat and other supplies from local shops (green grocers, butchers, bakers, farm shops, markets, veg box schemes), much of it will be locally grown. And if it isn’t, ask around and find a shop where it is. They will be proud to be supporting local producers and so should you be. It will also be fresher (and therefore better for you) and be wrapped in less plastic. It’s a win-win-win-win situation… just takes a little more effort. And maybe a short walk from the carpark. Local businesses contribute to the community in other ways too. They host local groups, and give support and publicity to charities. And the places they occupy – the high street, the twisty side streets, the market squares – are community spaces too, where you can stop and chat; have a coffee with friends… sorry, this is sounding like a Nigella script, but you get my drift. And one final reason: local shops give better service. I’m guessing some of you might be buying a few gifts over the coming weeks (god, this man knows his readers) and there will be someone on your list who deserves something a little different. Maybe they all do. And where are you going to find something different? Certainly not in the multi-national stores that ship things in by the container-full from China. Local shops are more likely to stock one-off or small-run products. Some of them made by other local businesses. They know they need to offer something different from the major stores to attract and keep your business – and they do. Stock something different that is. Whether they keep your business is down to you. They’ll be up for giving advice too. Your local hardware store will know which fixings you need to keep your books neatly alphabeticised. Or at least off the floor. Your local healthfood store will listen patiently

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while you tell them your medical concerns and then offer free advice. Now I know all about the convenience of supermarkets. Get all the boring everyday stuff in one trip, throw it in the car boot and bring it home to restock the cupboards. We have been known to do it too. We’ve probably bumped trolleys if you shop around Totnes. But use the small independents too. Buy local produce from the high street, village store or farmers market. And don’t over-buy if you do make a trip to the supermarket - call in at your local convenience store to top-up. That’s why they’re convenient and often no more expensive (hi, Bob and Rob). So many people these days are feeling disenfranchised and disenchanted with politics. Despite recent surges in political activity, it does sometimes feel that different national governments make little difference on a local level. But we all have the power to make massive change come about within our community. We can start up local community groups to encourage people to get involved in just about every part of local life – open almost any page of Reconnect to get inspired by a community project near you. And we can support local businesses who really are the lifeblood of our communities. If you want a lively, varied high street, you can make it happen. Just use it. So, that’s my buy locally and don’t let the supermarkets completely f**k us over rant. Part 23. There’s nothing new in there (come on, this is my column – what did you expect?) and we all know it really. But if you only keep one of your New Year resolutions, please let it be the one that will make a huge difference to your life, your family’s lives and the lives of those around you. Go on, you could have an even happier new year.

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