Reconnect Aug - Sep 2015 Issue 38 by smirny

The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE 38

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

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EATING OUTDOORS You can call me al fresco

OPEN AIR CINEMA Watching film stars under the stars

ESCAPE INTO LANDSCAPE

EVERY WITCH WAY

Nurturing a feel for art in nature

Fancy a spell in the country?

wellbeing

BIG 18-page natural health guide - in another BIG 44-page issue!

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.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY Safe and effective for all ages, during pregnancy and in convalescence from surgery or illness. Specialist in treatment of babies and children

Tanya Desfontaines www.fifthworldcranial.co.uk 07971 913002 Tanya@fifthworldcranial.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

School of Bodywork Professional Massage Training • Myofascial Release Diploma • Special Needs Massage • Hands-Free Techniques • Deep Tissue Massage • Advanced Techniques • Pregnancy Massage • Fascinating Fascia • Remedial Diploma • Thai Massage

www.schoolofbodywork.com info@schoolofbodywork.com 07711 656 011 2

THE DEVON SCHOOL OF REFLEXOLOGY Award-winning Training in Professionalism and Excellence Spring & Autumn courses 2015. For more details: www.devonreﬂexology.com Email: devonreﬂexology@hotmail.com

PRACTITIONERS: MO MORRISH RSHOM Homoeopathic medicine www.thehomoeopathicpractice.co.uk MO MORRISH INDEPENDENT FUNERAL CELEBRANT Authentic Ceremonies www.authenticceremonies.co.uk ANNA PARIS Ac.M.MBAC Traditional acupuncture, Toyohari 5 element & Manaka styles email: 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 LESLEY HARPER Nutritional Therapy www.lesleyharper.co.uk GUNDA FIELDEN MSTAT, BA(Hons) Drama Alexander Technique 01803 782743 gundafielden@tiscali.co.uk

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...

IN THISISSUE...

Page 24

NATURAL ART 4

Two nature art shows EDITOR Martin Foster

WILDHEART FESTIVAL 5 New festie on the moor

DADS AND KIDS FUN 7 Two big family events WELLBEING EDITOR Kate Philbin

PICNIC TREATS

Naturally Nourishing

GOING OUT DIARY SALES SUPPORT Melissa Merrington-Pink

Our events listings

COMMUNITY BANKS 12 Jon on Credit Unions

ADMIN MANAGER Beth Foster

CINEMA ON TOUR 14 Off-site city cinema

Page 15

OUTDOOR EATING 16 Alfresco eatings

ECO BUILDING

Local project and events

GARDENING

Organic tips from Joa

WELCOME... THINK we might soon have to stop complaining about British Summers as we clock up yet another sunny one. And this issue (another big 44-pager, you’ll notice) is just stuffed with events to get you out there enjoying it. The outdoor theme has carried through to the Local Produce pages and Jane’s Naturally Nourishing column too, so check them both out for recipes and other outdoor eating tips. And I’ve stayed with the food theme for a slightly controversial ‘And finally...’ page. The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed a new face in our ‘Brought to you by...’ panel, left. Melissa Merrington-Pink has joined the Reconnect team in the role of Sales Support to help look after our lovely advertisers. So if you’re already in, you’ll be hearing from her soon. And I’m still here for anyone who wants to talk about editorial or advertisng with us for the first time - call me on 01803 868455.

Martin

COVERSTORY... The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE 38

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

CALL FOR ACTION 22

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Village arts funding plea

WELLBEING 24-39 Natural health section

CLASSIFIED INFO

FEATURES WRITER Jon Stein

DIARY EDITOR Rachel Foster

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jenny Foster

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

You can call me al fresco

Check out the small ads

AND FINALLY... 32

Where’s the source? FOOD WRITER Jane Hutton

EATING OUTDOORS

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.

OPEN AIR CINEMA Watching film stars under the stars

ESCAPE INTO LANDSCAPE

EVERY WITCH WAY

Nurturing a feel for art in nature

Fancy a spell in the country?

wellbeing

BIG 18-page natural health guide - in another BIG 44-page issue!

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: Image from the Catalyst course - a leadership programme for young people held at Embercombe. Bottom images from left: Trees collage by Alison Theaker (see page 4); open air cinema (see page 14); a picture from last year’s Grand Witches Tea Party (this year they’re planning a ball - see page 27)

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.

Oct/Nov issue out end of September - deadline Sept 4 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 Find some warmth at the Haven

IF you’re finding the end of Summer a little hard to take, console yourself with some wonderful music. Acoustic Haven returns to St John’s church in Totnes with the two most popular artists of 2014 (editor Foster put them in his top five gigs of the year). On Friday September 25, The Adventurists return with their unique 100% improvised set. And top folk singer Martha Tilston will play there as part of her Autumn tour on Friday October 30. It’s worth noting though that tickets will sell out fast, so book early! Acoustic Haven is a favourite among artists too. Martha Tilston said: “It’s a rare night to play - always a warm and open-hearted audience and a wonderful team making the night happen. All musicians can ask for is that we may try to pass on a little magic - and this is always possible at Acoustic Haven gigs. It’s truly a refreshing and spellbinding space you hold, Doug and gang. Thank you.” Acoustic Haven has amazing sound too, thanks to Plymouth livesound college DBS Sound bringing top of the range equipment. Doug King-Smith, the man behind the Haven, said: “Run entirely by volunteers and with original projected artworks by Mike Boyer and other local artists, this is a night not to miss. “100% of profits from the event are shared between the artists and two local land-based projects, The Hillyfield woodland farm on Dartmoor, and Living Projects in Dartington.” Visit www.dougkingsmith. wix.com/acoustic-haven, for more details.

Martha Tilston

Anita Reynolds working during her coastal walk and, inset, her new book that records the journey and will be launched at a new exhibition of the work.

Art group show

Art projects capture wild beauty of nature

WO local projects that bring together nature and the arts will be on view in August when they are the subjects of exhibitions in Kingsbridge. The Magic Forest draws on ideas from myth and history and features the work of husband and wife duo Rod Birtles, who will display photographs on various tree themes, and Alison Theaker, who will show multi-media, print and collage works on the theme of trees and forests, featuring natural materials. The centrepiece of the exhibition will be a giant, hollow tree trunk inside of which will be a Babes in the Wood area, with a ‘leaf’ blanket, made of more than 300 leaves knitted by Salcombe WI members, under which children can hide, play and read. The National Trust, Trees for Health, and Moor Trees will provide other activities in the gallery. Two outreach projects have run alongside the exhibition. Woollen Woods involved 60 children from local primary schools who created woollen ‘sculptures’ which will be exhibited throughout August in Fir Woods, a 10-minute walk along the coast path from the South Sands Hotel. And Woodland Tales consists of environmental art themed around fairytales, which will be displayed in a local woodland, near Washbrook Farm in Kingsbridge. The Magic Forest opens at Harbour House gallery in Kingsbridge on August 18 and runs until August 23. The second naturebased exhibition opens at Harbourhouse with an opening view on August 25, 6.308.30pm.

THERE will be a chance to see what goes on inside the Newton Abbot Art Group (NAAG) when they stage their annual exhibition of work in September. The NAAG is “an evergrowing group of like minded people who like to paint, draw in any medium”. They meet 1.30-4.30pm every Thursday afternoon at the Burdett Building (Scout building) in Newton Abbott. Their exhibition, at The Experience Warehouse, Hannahs at Seale Hayne, near Newton Abbott, runs from September 5-20, 10am5pm every day.

Guild’s 60th THE current exhibition at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey is celebrating a very special event – their own 60th anniversary. To mark 60 years of support for new and experienced makers, members have used the title Celebrate to inspire work that reflects the festivity and reflection that milestones bring. The exhibition is open seven days a week, 10am-5.30pm, until September 6. Visit www.crafts.org.uk.

Dawn2Dusk Slapton Ley Tunnel by Rod Birtles, above, and Salcombe WI members, left, who knitted leaves for a blanket in the Babes in the Wood area of The Magic Forest.

ORGANISERS of the Dawn2Dusk ExerciseA-Thon in Ashburton are looking to sign up 100 participants to raise £12,000 for CLIC Sargent. The money raised from the event will support CLIC Sargent to support families throughout the traumatic journey of childhood cancer diagnosis. More at www.clicsargent.org.uk/ dawn2dusk.

Piano recital Between 2012 and 2014 local artist and printmaker Anita Reynolds walked the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Poole and Outline South West – The South West Coast Path through the Eyes of a Printmaker is the title of the exhibition and her book, which tell the story of her journey. Throughout the walk she made sketchbook studies and each day produced a drypoint plate, which she printed on

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her return to the studio. The exhibition includes the 56 daily prints, dramatic monochrome reminders of the cliff and gorse, seabirds and tin mines, and a series of monoprints, which reflect the colours of the walk through the seasons. The book will be officially launched at the gallery on Wednesday, August 26, at noon. The exhibition runs August 25-September 2. Find out more at www. harbourhouse.org.uk.

NEWTON Abbot and District Society of Arts opens its 2015/16 season at the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot with a piano recital on September 18 at 7.30pm. The young awardwinning pianist Ron Abramski will play works by Brahms, Hindemith, Chopin and Liszt. Tickets from TICs and from Arnold’s in Bovey Tracey or book online at www.nadsa.co.uk.

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news&views

The Turbans - just one of the many attractions at the new Wildheart Festival.

est. 1999

“I have attended over 4,000 funerals in my

New Dartmoor festie is ‘celebration of life’

HE new Wildheart Gathering festival on Dartmoor promises to be “a conscious celebration of life from sun up to sun down” and “a gorgeous weekend to meet lots of new friends, revitalise, reconnect with life and celebrate.” Well, that’s won us over. Over the four-day bank holiday, August 28-31, it offers an impressive programme of workshops, talks, therapists, crafts, music, dance and tasty produce. “Each day we present a rich tapestry of quality experiences,” says the festival’s co-organiser Pip Portley. “A morning meditation for mindfulness and presence, a martial arts programme, a healing sanctuary with qualified therapists, in a blissful setting around a healing garden to connect with

your inner well being and healthy rejuvenation, with soul food cafes, a sauna, a kids area, a permaculture area to promote and inspire sustainability and a hands-on craft area to encourage creative participation.” Fellow co-organiser Thomas Schorr-Kon added that speakers will include Satish Kumar, Mac Macartney from Embercombe and Performance Psychologist Chris Walton, and the evening entertainment line-up takes in diverse musical acts (Lloyd Yates, The Turbans , Kaya Street, The Inexplicables, The Woodland Creatures and Arhai), a cabaret troupe led by the charismatic Zuma Puma and a bar run by a rural craft brewery. Find out more and buy tickets at www.wildheartgathering.com.

career and I have never seen such a beautiful, heart-felt funeral.”

Chapel Attendant

Funeral Home Riverstone, 18 Dart Mills, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0NF High Street Shop 7 High Street, Totnes TQ9 5NN

01803 840779 / 01364 643522 www.heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk

Volunteer for free camping on the coast FANCY camping on the South Devon coast, with communal cooking, camp fires and music? And all for free? Trees For Health at Beeson near Kingsbridge are offering a camping/volunteering week, August 10-15 – camp on the farm in exchange for half a day’s volunteering each day. The rest of the time is down to you

to organise and enjoy with the other campers or independently. Numbers are strictly limited so booking is essential. There are also Volunteer Days plus wild (and cultivated) berry harvesting, cooking and eating, on August 19 and 26. Call 07765 631877, email info@ treesforhealth.org and visit www. treesforhealth.org.

See you at the Exeter Green Fair HERE’S one you must NOT miss! The Exeter Green Fair (the longest running environmental fair in the South West) will again be held on the Cathedral Green, this year on September 5. You can expect to find all manner of stalls for local, ethical and sustainable businesses and organisations – including Reconnect! Yes, we’ll be there, so come along and say hi. It runs 10am-4pm.

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And if you’d like to be there with a stall, you need to get in touch with Mark Cox – email him at exetergreenfair@hotmail.com, call 07927 635752 or search for Green Fair Exeter on Facebook.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

news&views

A Jeff Sleeman, right, with some of the acts.

Tune in to Comedy FM IT’S said that variety is the spice of life and laughter is the best medicine so, for a well seasoned therapeutic pick-me-up, what about a comedy variety evening? The Phonic Comedy Extravaganza, at the Bike Shed Theatre in Exeter on August 4 and 5, will include improvisation, stand-up, comic poetry and song, as well as the unpredictable antics of Claude the Comedy Waiter. Acts confirmed so far include internationally acclaimed comic poet Rob Barrett, Cornwall-based improv group Sweet n Sour, comedy duo Two Guys Named Sue and top American stand-up comedienne Teresa Holcombe. The event is part of a weeklong series of fundraising events for Exeter’s community radio station, Phonic FM. Organiser and Phonic FM presenter Jeff Sleeman said: “Whatever your taste in comedy, there will be something for you. I can guarantee it will be a highly entertaining and memorable evening.” Tickets for The Phonic Comedy Extravaganza are £6 in advance from the Bikeshed Theatre box office or £7 on the door. The show starts at 7.30. For more information call Jeff on 07977 272174.

SELF-DECLARED “passionate environmentalist” who says he is living his dream in a Swedish forest wants to share a little of its magic by inviting South Devon people to stay in his neighbouring cabin. Subhasha Conrad Born, whose sister lives near Kingsbridge, has two wooden cabins at Fribtorpet in Sweden – one where he lives The cabin in the woods and, “a simple life, carrying water below, the nearby lake. from his well and chopping wood before enlightenment!” and a second which he lets uncontrolled by humans, there is out to those looking for ”palpable silence except when the wind sighs in peace and clarity of mind”. the pines and there is plenty of space.” ”Imagine being five miles from High season rates are £375 a the nearest tarmac in a wooden week, off-season £250. ”But we cabin surrounded by nature on all could work something out at cost sides for miles with a lake glinting price if they were happy to help through the trees,” says Subhasha. around the place,” says Subhasha. He says the cabin is well insulated, Call him on 0046 766 323336, spacious and airy, with a kitchen email conradbbb@gmail.com, or and bathroom with hot and cold search for borntobefreeholidays on Facebook. running water, and three bedrooms. “In Summer the woods are alive with birds and wild flowers. Later in the season there are copious berries and mushrooms. But if the solitude becomes too much, or if you need some practical support, Subhasha is just across the track. ”Here,” he says, “there is a sense of nature’s power,

Clarity of mind in the woods

Agency offers eco holidays

AN online travel agency based in Totnes specialises in sustainable and responsible tourism with the aim of reducing environment and social impact on destinations and producing as much benefit as possible for the local population. Eco Minds CEO Belen Paredes said: “We bring the traveller closer to the reality of the countries visited, travelling in a way that provides more integration into the destination country, discovering the local culture and their natural surroundings.” Eco Minds also brings people to Totnes and helps them explore the area, including activities around the sustainability and community living (with visits of Totnes Transition Town and permaculture projects). It also specialises in rural tourism in Spain, Belen’s native country. Find out more at www. ecomindtravel.com.

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 Core Process Psychotherapy Foundation Training held in Devon, London and Scotland CPD Trainings Courses 2015-16 held in Devon, London and Scotland Post-Qualification MA Mindfulness Based Psychotherapeutic Practice MA Mindfulness Based Core Process Psychotherapy

Craniosacral Biodynamics Therapy Introductory Workshops Two Year Professional Training 2015-17 and Post-Graduate Advanced Trainings and Primal Sympathy Training

Kum Nye Training and Individual Retreats 2015-16 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.

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

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Coming soon - two great events for dads and kids.

news&views

Summer fun just for dads and kids

HERE are two big events for dads and their kids over the coming weeks. First up is Be Wild Week, August 3-7, “a unique week of activities for children in the wildwoods and by the River Dart at Dartington.” Events include storytelling, denbuilding, campfire cooking, archery, tracking skills and other bushcraft, woodland games and wild swimming. It’s open to dads with kids aged 7-12 (with a discount for second child from the same family), it costs £25 a day or £110 for the week, and spaces are limited so get in there and book. Call 01803 840990 or email ianw. blackwell@btinternet.com. And it’s the same contact details (Ian has a very busy Summer) for DadFest 2015, the only festival in the UK just for dads and their children, and dads/carers with children of all ages are welcome. It runs Septenmber 18-20 and a ctivities again include all manner of

www.steineracademyexeter 01392757371 admin@steineracademyexete Places available in Reception 2015 outdoorsy bushcraft stuff, including fishing, green woodworking and star-gazing, plus magic show, cave-painting, silly science, disco, Official 2015 World Dad Dancing Competition (at last they’ve found a natural home) and local food and beers. The latter just for dads, we’re guessing. Prices vary according to the age of kids and optional £15 food ticket, but kids under five are free and dads pay £45 for the weekend. Concessions available.

www.steineracademyexeter.org.uk 01392757371

admissions@steineracademyexeter.org.uk

Community Potluck meals at Totnes Civic Hall.

Potlucks bring community together COMMUNITY Potlucks are back in Totnes after a Summer break. The Community Potluck is a free shared meal, open to everyone, where members of the community contribute a dish towards a collaborative feast. The meals are organised by the Network of Wellbeing (NOW). NOW director Roger Higman explains: “These Potlucks are really run by the community, for

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the community, bringing people together, developing relationships, enriching lives and strengthening community.” The Community Potlucks will be held on the third Friday of each month, from 6-8.30pm, starting on September 18, at the Totnes Civic Hall. To find out more or get involved, email info@networkofwellbeing. org or call 01803 849107.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Naturally nourishing WHEREVER you’re going this Summer, there’s one thing you must not forget - pack a picnic! Jane’s got some suggestions...

Eloise creates somthing magical in the kitchen with her golden whisk.

A basketful of Summer treats

HE sun is blazing down, the sky is a cloudless azure, nature is going bananas, and my garden produce needs daily harvesting. This can mean only one thing - Summer! At least, it is as I write this column. The wonderful (and irritating) thing about our quirky English climate is its ability to produce a heatwave of Saharan proportions, hailstones the size of birds’ eggs, and enough rain to float a battleship - and all in the space of a week. Naturally, when the sun shines we all want to make hay, frolicking at the beach, the park, the moors, the woods, or a coastal walk. And there’s one thing that epitomises the joy of an English Summer, no matter how fleeting – a picnic. While barbecues seem to be the Summer cooking method of choice, when you’re venturing out for the day, only a picnic will do. Vintage picnic items are certainly enjoying a resurgence in popularity - who doesn’t love a proper wicker basket, kitted out with suitably retro accoutrements? It’s almost ceremonial when the blankets are smoothed out, the basket opened to reveal the delicious goodies packaged carefully inside, and the spread is laid before you…. Picnic food is as versatile as it is tempting. Fresh, zingy salads,

crisp tarts, succulent chicken legs, marinaded cutlets, stuffed filo pies, the possibilities are endless. There’s something about eating alfresco that makes everything taste even better; flavours sing and senses are heightened. The fact that we can’t rely on the next time, can’t picnic whenever we like, creates a culinary event to savour. What about other ways to be out in nature and eating? Another resurgence I’m very pleased to see is a flurry of foragers popping up all over the place, willing and eager to take us out into our surroundings and show us what we can actually eat while we’re out and about enjoying the summer sun (and show us how to cook it too) Forget the wicker basket, and take a skeleton cooking kit instead. The advantages of foraging don’t need much emphasising – food as free and fresh as you can get in your own garden, with an additional, and often herbal, nutritional profile. The one caveat is to learn carefully from the experts though. So, find a forager and graze off the land, or if you’re planning a sumptuous picnic, have a go at this gorgeous tart. l There’s more tasty eating outdoor delights on page 16.

Summery tomato tart THIS is a beautiful and easy tart, ideal to pack and transport for devouring in the open under a glorious Summer sky. While asparagus is still available, mix with any variety of tomatoes you can muster. Grab some heritage toms if you can too - the colours and shapes look (and taste) fantastic! INGREDIENTS: 50g pesto (homemade or shop-bought); 16-20 asparagus spears; 150g tomatoes of your choice, sliced, quartered or halved; 150g

YES, we have a Christmas story in August… but it is a good story and it could save you some money. The Bike Shed in Exeter have announced that their Christmas show will be Eloise and the Curse of the Golden Whisk, an adventure set in 1940s Exeter and featuring – yes, a magic whisk. Following the huge success of Eliza and the Wild Swans and Edgar and The Land of the Lost, Eloise and The Curse of the Golden Whisk is the last in a Christmas trilogy, co-produced by Exeter’s The Bike Shed Theatre and Bristol’s The Wardrobe Ensemble.

Executive producer Charlie Parker said: “There are so many wonderful pantomimes and classic productions to choose from at Christmas, we like to create a brand new story, told beautifully and in a style that makes the most of the intimacy of our theatre. We want the audience to truly feel like they’re part of the world on stage.” Tickets will be £12 on the door but if you buy them before August 31, they are just £5. Visit www. bikeshedtheatre.co.uk or call 01392 434169. l The Bike Shed also has big plans for the future - see page 22.

Help Peter create a community bench

BESPOKE bench is to take pride of place in a community-driven scheme to improve an area of Totnes. The Rotherfold Improvement Group has raised more than £20,000 to revamp the Rotherfold area at the top of The Narrows in Totnes, organising theatrical performances, The sort of bench Peter has in mind for the artisan markets and a Rotherfold community project. grand summer fete on the square. said Peter, who runs community The centrepiece of the area will be furniture-making projects in outdoor a three-metre curved community classrooms across Devon. “We’re bench which will be created by going to create something unique, green woodwork specialist Peter durable and useful.” Lanyon – and he wants local people The community workshops will to help build it. be held every Friday from July 31 “It’s a chance to learn about green through to August 28. Booking is wood furniture-making, acquire new essential – email Jonathan Lee at skills and meet like-minded people,” info@jonathanmlee.net.

feta, crumbled; 150g shredded mozzarella; 1 pack of puff pastry METHOD: Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out pastry dough and cut into four equal rectangles. Place rectangles on baking sheet before spreading on the pesto, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top each with four or five asparagus spears, tomatoes, and both cheeses. Bake pastries for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden. Cool for five minutes and serve warm.

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.

Christmas show takes you back to 1940s

Totnes Progressive School i g n i t i n g

b r i l l i a n c e

We are an independent school where academic success is the result of understanding each student’s educational needs - so they grow with conﬁdence and happiness. If you’d like to see your child thrive with us, get in touch on 01803 864 484 to arrange a visit. totnesprogressiveschool.co.uk

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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

AUGUST

Trees for Health - August 19

Saturday 1

Until September 6 EXHIBITION: Celebrate work of Devon Guild of Craftsmen to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, 01626 832223. TQ13 9AF Until August 5 EXHIBITION: Island Artist - paintings by Emma Carter, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse. org.uk. MUSIC: Trembling Bells - so much more than folk, Phoenix Exeter, 8pm, £10, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. FILM: Cinema in the City - The Third Man screened at Plymouth City Council by Plymouth Arts Centre, 8pm, 01752 206114, www. plymouthartscentre.org. Monday 3

Trembling Wells - August 1

Until August 8 EXHIBITION: Welcome to Wonderland - artworks by HIVE, Su Scotting and Sam Harrison, Birdwood House, Totnes. Until August 7 FESTIVAL: Be Wild Week - outdoor activities and entertainment for dads and their kids (aged 7-12), Dartington, 01803 840990, ianw. blackwell@btinternet. com. GIG: Soul Mondays Live! Jazz/funk set, The Sorry Head, 8.30pm, www. sorryhead.co.uk

Amelie - August 13

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 4

Saturday 8

And August 5 COMEDY: Phonic Comedy Extravaganza improvisation, stand-up, comic poetry and song, Bikeshed Theatre, Exeter, £6 in advance, £7 on door, 7.30pm, 07977 272174, www.phonic.fm.

FILM: Love and Mercy (12A) - profile of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson as he struggles with emerging psychosis, Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth, 01803 839530, www.theflavel. org.uk. FILM: Cinema in the City - Fight Club screened at Factory Cooperage, Royal William Yard, 8pm, 01752 206114, www.plymouthartscentre. org.

Wednesday 5

Until August 9 EXHIBITION: Annual exhibition - the work of artists from across Tamar Valley, Tavistock town hall, sarah@dttv.co.uk, www.drawntothevalley. co.uk. Friday 7

Until August 16 EXHIBITION: Retro 10 paintings, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics by Rosie Burns, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk. Until August 9 FESTIVAL: Dartmoor Folk Fesitval - folk festival said to be “DIY and at the same time professional”, www. dartmoorfolkfestival. co.uk. FILM: Cinema in the City - Rocky Horror Picture Show screened at Factory Cooperage, Royal William Yard, by Plymouth Arts Centre, 8pm, 01752 206114, www.plymouthartscentre. org. MUSIC: Bert Miller & The Animal Folk, South Devon Arts Centre, Totnes, 7.30pm, £6 on the door, 0844 8880435, www. southdevonarts.co.uk.

Bellacouche Felt Studio Time to take a trip! We have a special exhibition and demonsrations during the Devon Open Studios 5th - 20th September (opening times on the website) With special guest Veronica Gould, textile printer and painter.

01647 441405

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Wednesday 12

FILM: Big Screen in the Park - Toy Story, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter, gates open 7.30pm for 9pm start, tickets £4 in advance, £5 on gate, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. Thursday 13

FILM: Big Screen in the Park - Amelie, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter, gates open 7.30pm for 9pm start, tickets £4 in advance, £5 on gate, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. Continued on page 9

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

thinking outside the box

info@bellacouche.com

Monday 10

Until August 15 CARNIVAL: Totnes Carnival - traditional events through the week ending with procession on Saturday August 15. VOLUNTEERING: camp in exchange for half-day a day volunteering, Trees for Health, Beeson, 07765 631877, info@ treesforhealth.org, www. treesforhealth.org.

Sept 25th

The Adventurists

Rachel Foster

Welcome to our unique events listing WELCOME to the Reconnect Going Out guide to gigs, festivals, arts events and shows across South Devon. The only other place you’ll find a listing of such varied and high quality events is on the Reconnect website and in fact you’ll find even more there. Visit www. reconnectonline.co.uk. Rachel, who compiles the diary, also spreads the word via Twitter - follow us and get in touch at twitter.com/ reconnectmag. The entries on these pages are free, but if you’d like to advertise here, a 1/8-page (like those below) is £93 and a 1/4-page (like those over the page) is £148. Or you can pay monthly by direct debit - just £41.85 or £66.6o, respectively. The GoingOut diary deadline for the next (Oct/Nov) issue is Friday, September 4 - but if space gets tight, it’ll be first ccme, first served, so get them in now. Email the details to: goingout@reconnectonline. co.uk. If you book tickets for these events, please tell them you saw it in Reconnect. And although the info was correct when added to the listing, it’s worth visiting the organisers’ website to check things haven’t changed.

The best community music night in Totnes is BACK!

Awesome band - 100% improv

October 30th

Martha Tilston returns! 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.

www.bellacouche.com

Returns Sept 25th

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

GOING OUT

LOTS more events and info online: Continued from page 9 Friday 14

WALK: Transition Walks on Friday - get to know Totnes and Transition activities, start and end at Transition Town Totnes office, 43 Fore Street, 2pm, 01803 867358, www. transitiontowntotnes.org. FESTIVAL: Love Summer Surf Camp - from the organisers of last year’s DiscoCamp. Will probably be on a beach but location still secret, watch www. lovesummerfestival.com for more info. FILM: Big Screen in the Park - The Shining, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter, gates open 7.30pm for 9pm start, tickets £4 in advance, £5 on gate, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. Saturday 15

FILM: Big Screen in the Park - Interstellar, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter, gates open 7.30pm, tickets £4 in advance, £5 on gate, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. FILM: Cinema in the City - Sing-along-a-Frozen at Devonport Guildhall, 2pm, 01752 206114, www.plymouthartscentre. org. FILM: Cinema in the City - The Terminator at Devonport Guildhall, 8pm, 01752 206114, www.plymouthartscentre. org. GARDENING: Gardening Skillshares sessions free monthly skillshare workshops, Plymouth Road area, Totnes, 10-11.30am, www. transitiontowntotnes.org. Sunday 16

FILM: Big Screen in the Park - Ghostbusters, Northernhay Gardens, Exeter, gates open 7.30pm for 9pm start, tickets £4 in advance, £5 on gate, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. Monday 17

GIG: Soul Mondays Live! Jazz/Funk set, The Sorry Head, 8.30pm, www. sorryhead.co.uk Tuesday 18

Until August 23 EXHIBITION: The Magic Forest -work in a variety of media by Alison Theaker and Rod BIrtles, drawing on ideas from myth and mystery, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk. Wednesday 19

VOLUNTEERING: wild

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(and cultivated) berry harvesting, cooking and eating, Trees for Health, Beeson, 07765 631877, info@treesforhealth.org, www.treesforhealth.org.

unique form of humour, Phoenix Exeter, 7.30pm, £10, 01392 667080, www.exeterphoenix. org.uk.

Thursday 20

Until August 30 FESTIVAL: Exeter Ale and Cider Festival with bands and DJs, plus games and food, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. Until August 9 EXHIBITION: Drawn to the Valley - artists from across Tamar Valley open their doors to the public, sarah@ dttv.co.uk, www. drawntothevalley.co.uk. FESTIVAL: Wildheart Gathering - workshops, talks, therapists, crafts, music, dance and tasty produce, Bowden Farm, Dartmoor, www. wildheartgathering.com. FILM: Cinema in the City - Raiders of the Lost Art screened at Tamar Trails, 9pm, 01752 206114, www.plymouthartscentre. org.

Until August 23 FESTIVAL: Green Man - impressive line-up of bands, plus comedy and theatre, Brecon Beacons, www.greenman.net. Friday 21

Until August 23 FESTIVAL: Beautiful Days - small, friendly festival - but sold out. Book early for 2016. www. beautifuldays.org. MUSIC: The Simmertones - South West favourites, Barrel House, Totnes, 8pm, www.barrelhousetotnes. co.uk. WALK: Transition Walks on Friday - get to know Totnes and Transition activities, start and finish at Transition Town Totnes office, 43 Fore Street, 2pm, 01803 867358, www. transitiontowntotnes.org. Saturday 22

Until August 28 FESTIVAL: Emberfeast family celebration of Summer, nature and food, Embercombe, Exeter, www. embercombe.org. COMEDY: Jimmy Carr with his Funny Business tour, Corn Exchange, Exeter, 8pm, £25, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchange. FILM: Cinema in the City - The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou screened at The National Marine Aquarium, 8pm, 01752 206114, www. plymouthartscentre.org. Tuesday 25

Until September 2 EXHIBITION: Outline South West Printmaking, painting, mixed media works and photography by Anita Reynolds, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse. org.uk. Wednesday 26

MUSIC: Jungle Brothers - hip hop legends return. South Devon Arts Centre, Totnes, 7.30pm, £10 on the door, 0844 8880435, www. southdevonarts.co.uk. VOLUNTEERING: wild (and cultivated) berry harvesting, cooking and eating, Trees for Health, Beeson, 07765 631877, info@treesforhealth.org, www.treesforhealth.org. THEATRE: Extravaganza - Le Navet Bete, four clowns present their

Friday 28

Monday 31

COMEDY: The Last Laugh - open mic comedy night, Phoenix Exeter, 8pm, free, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

SEPT Friday 4

Until September 13 EXHIBITION: Interpretations 3 painting and printmaking by Maggie Smith, painting by Sam Gingell and pastels by Sarah Harcus., Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse. org.uk. WALK: Transition Walks on Friday - get to know Totnes and their Transition activities, start and end at Transition Town Totnes office, 43 Fore Street, 2pm, 01803 867358, www. transitiontowntotnes.org. FESTIVAL: Nourish is a new festival at Bovey Tracey based around food, craft and music, created by the Contemporary Craft Festival, The Cheese Shed and Devon Guild of Craftsmen, www. nourishfestival.org. Saturday 5

FESTIVAL: Fishstock Brixham - seafood and music festival at venues across Brixham, www. fishstockbrixham.co.uk. EXHIBITION: show of work by Newton Abbot Art Group members, The Experience Warehouse, Hannahs

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www.reconnectonline.co.uk/diary at Seale Hayne, near Newton Abbott, www. newtonabbotartgroup. co.uk. FAIR: Exeter Green Fair, stalls for local, ethical and sustainable businesses and organisations – including Reconnect, Exeter Cathedral Green, 10am4pm, exetergreenfair@ hotmail.com, 07927 635752, search ‘Green Fair Exeter’ on Facebook. Monday 7

FESTIVAL: Ocean City Festival - 20-day festival of seafood, entertainment, aquatic leisure, films and other cultural events, venues across Plymouth, www. oceancityfestival.co.uk. Thursday 10

FILM: Cinema in the City - The Grand Budapest Hotel screened at Royal William Yard, 9pm, 01752 206114, www. plymouthartscentre.org. Friday 11

FILM: Cinema in the City - Mamma Mia! screened at Royal William Yard, 9pm, 01752 206114, www.plymouthartscentre. org. SPOKEN WORD: An Evening with Michael Morpurgo - children’s author stages fundrasier

for Villages in Action, 7.30pm, £20, The Beehive, Honiton, 01404 384050. FILM: International Ocean Film Festival - short ocean films from both above and below the surface, Corn Exchange, Exeter, 7.30pm, £14, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchange. Saturday 12

SHOWTIME: The Grand Witches Ball - big night of live music and DJ sets, plus performance poetry, mindreading, theatre, talks, readings and stalls. In aid of Womankind Worldwide. Phoenix Exeter, 8pm-1am, £12, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. FILM: Cinema in the City- Jurassic World screened at Royal William Yard by Plymouth Arts Centre, 9pm, 01752 206114, www.plymouthartscentre. org. Monday 14

COMEDY: Josh Widdicombe - top TV comedian on his What Do I Do Now... tour, Corn Exchange, Exeter, 8pm, £17.50, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchange.

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Tuesday 15

Until September 23 EXHIBITION: Whatever the Weather - paintings and printmaking by Hilary Soper and Ysabel Winzar, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse. org.uk. Wednesday 16

CREATIVE: Craft workshop - workshop run by Caroline Saunders who is painting copy of ancient Namibian lion on hill outside Exeter, Wonford Community and Leisure Centre, 9am-noon, free drop-in, solidelement@ yahoo.co.uk. Friday 18

CLASSICAL: pianist Ron Abramski plays Brahms, Chopin and Liszt, Newton Abbot and District Society of Arts, 7.30pm, www.nadsa. co.uk. MUSIC: Formidable Vegetable Sound System - ‘World’s most successful experiment in ecological electroswing ukulele’, Barrel House, Totnes, 8pm, www. barrelhousetotnes.co.uk. SHARED MEAL: Shared community potluck meal organised by Network of Wellbeing, Totnes Civic Hall,

6-8.30pm, third Friday of each month, info@ networkofwellbeing.org, 01803 849107. FESTIVAL: DadsFest events for dads and their kids, with bushcraft, green woodworking, star-gazing, magic show, cave-painting, silly science, disco, Beeson, South Devon, 01803 840990, ianw. blackwell@btinternet. com, www.dadfest2015. com. Saturday 19

MUSIC: The Martin Barre Band - former Jethro Tull guitarist with his own band, Phoenix Exeter, 7pm, £16.50, 01392 667080, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk. MUSIC: Bob Dylan & The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll - profile of Dylan with Michael Gray, including rare footage and recordings, Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth, 01803 839530, www. theflavel.org.uk. GARDENING: Gardening Skillshares session - Incredible Edible project. Free monthly skillshare workshops held in the gardens of those keen to grow more food, Plymouth Road area, Totnes, 10-11.30am, www.

transitiontowntotnes.org. Friday 25

GIG: The Adventurists 100% improvisation, first in new season of Acoustic Havens, St John’s church, Dartington, www. dougkingsmith.wix.com/ acoustic-haven. GARDENING: Incredible Edible project Gardening Skillshare sessions.Free monthly skillshare workshops held in the gardens of those keen to grow more food, Bridgetown, Totnes, 10-11.30am, www. transitiontowntotnes.org.

Philomena September 26

Saturday 26

FILM: Philomena (12A) - award-winning British film starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, Follaton Community Cinema, Follaton Community Centre, Totnes, 01803 868455, www.follatoncommunity cinema.co.uk.

Drawn to the Valley August 28

Sunday 27

MUSIC: Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick - folk legends with a new collection of traditional songs and instrumentals, Corn Exchange, Exeter, 7.30pm, £16, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchange.

Josh Widdicombe September 14

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

NEWS

Jon opens an account at the Plough and Share in Totnes - don’t try claiming that on expenses, Jon

Art show marks Alice’s 150th TWO members of the art group HIVE, Su Scotting and Sam Harrison, are showing their work at a show at Birdwood House in Totnes, August 3-8. Welcome To Wonderland will include prints, drawings and paintings in celebration of Alice’s 150th birthday.

Beer and beats WHAT better way to spend a weekend than at an ale and cider festival? How about an ale and cider festival at a music venue? The Exeter Ale and Cider Festival is at Exeter Phoenix from Friday August 28-Sunday August 30 (from 12 noon each day), and the organisers promise “a steady flow” of bands and guest DJs, plus a table tennis tournament (no, really) and pies. And cider and ale, obviously.

Jumble Trail THE new Jumble Trail phenonmenon hits Totnes on Sunday, September 27, 10am-2pm. You simply register with the organisers, who put you on their Jumble Trail map, and then set out your stall outside your home on the day. Find out more by searching for Totnes Jumble Trail on Facebook.

Makers pair up for studio week

IN recent years, banks and bankers have earned a bad name for themselves. Now one local financial institution is revamping itself to offer an ethical alternative. JON STEIN finds out more.

Is this the future of local community banking?

F Jesus really saves, it’s a sure bet he does it with a credit union because they offer an ethical, community-based alternative to the mainstream financial system. It’s not a new concept. Traditionally associated with churches and trade unions, the credit union is a not-for-profit cooperative which pools the resources of its members into a common fund from which loans can be made. Even David Cameron recognises their importance, saying they are “one of the best ways of addressing the whole problem of payday loans and payday lending.” Here in Devon, the Plough and Share Credit Union has been operating for five years and now has 38 service points across the county serving 3000 members. Sally Croft, who volunteers at the Totnes outlet, says opening an account is not only cheap and easy, but represents a ‘social action’. This mission of financial inclusion makes basic banking available to those who might be refused elsewhere. But like everything, the credit union - if it is to flourish - needs to develop. Now, with the help of government cash, the humble credit union may be about to take an exciting step forward. Mark Burton, who sits on the board of Plough and Share, is an authority in the area of local money. Having set up the successful Bristol Pound project, which launched in 2012, he has returned to Devon and wants to take advantage of recent government funding to make the Plough and Share operate more like a local bank. He sees no contradiction between running a community organisation with a strong social purpose and the benefits that new

technology and a wider membership might offer. So could we see a Bank of Devon as Tony Greenham of the New Economics Foundation has recently suggested? “It’s no small task to start a new bank,” explains Mark. But he points out that the government has invested £38m to provide credit unions with a modern online banking platform. This is a major step that will allow credit unions to expand and Plough and Share is due to move to the new platform in early 2016. So what can savers expect? Mark hopes the new-style credit union will be able to offer free current accounts and instant access to savings as well as doing online transfers. “Business banking is another area we want to look at,” he says. In the meantime, if you’re looking for an alternative to mainstream banking and want to help your local community at the same time, why not find your local collection point and join the union? Website: www.ploughandshare.co.uk l Read Jon’s blog ‘Totnes Eye’ at www. jonstein.co.uk

Facts and figures

AN early pioneer of credit unions was the visionary Robert Owen and the first British credit union was formed by weavers in 1844. Now there are 40,258 credit unions in 79 countries around the world, enabling 118 million members to access affordable financial services. The value of savings held by credit unions in Britain currently exceeds a billion pounds.

FELT maker and artist Yuli Somme is teaming up with fellow Devon Guild of Craftsmen member Veronica Gould to present an exhibition and demonstrations during Devon Open Studios week. Their work can be seen at the Bellacouche Felt Studio in Moretonhampstead from September 5-20. Says Yuli: “I always enjoy sharing my space with someone else and in the run-up to the event, Veronica and I have met regularly to critique and encourage each other. “There is a cluster of studios open around Bellacouche and maps will be available so you can visit others. Make a day of it and enjoy one of the wonderful eateries in the area!” Find out more from Yuli at info@bellacouche.com, visit www.belecouche.com or call 01647 441405.

Moor writing

A ONE-DAY workshop on Dartmoor offers a day of reflection and writing “from what arises in our relationship with this ancient environment.” Inside out - Write Your Heart and Soul will be led by Lucy Pearce, who has a degree in theatre, and has created and told stories for over 30 years. Lunch is included and will be provided by fabulous cook, fellow writer and exponent of everything outdoors, Polly Agar. The workshop is on October 22, 10am3.30pm at Dartmoor retreat centre Balabrook (www.balabrook.org.uk) and costs £40. Call Lucy on 07795 817935 or Polly on 07929 883147.

Playback Theatre South West

Playback Theatre Training Eight Wednesday evenings Sept 30 – Nov 25 7.30-10pm and Sunday Nov 15 10am-5pm £175/£150 (conc) Birdwood House, Totnes TQ9 5NP

Playback Theatre Workshop and Evening Performance by Mirror Mirror Sat Oct 17 - 10am-5pm workshop plus 7.30pm performance Workshop: £45/£35 (conc) Performance: £10/£8 (conc) Combined fee: £50/£40 The Ice Factory, r/o 10 Somerset Place, Teignmouth TQ14 8EN

Meditation RetReats in the Buddhist tRadition

www.gaiahouse.co.uk

Bookings and enquiries: Call Alison 07958 183326 • Email admin@playbacktheatre-sw.co.uk Website: playbacktheatre-sw.co.uk • Registered Charity Number: 1161665

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NEWS

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The Life Aquatic will be screened in front of

the huge fish tank at the National Marine local people local events local food local health local environment NEWS&views Aquarium in Plymouth.

Cities fix films for off-site screenings

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HE Plymouth Arts Centre has revealed the full details for its outdoor and off-site cinema film screenings across the city this Summer. The Cinema in the City project was funded as a result of a successful £5,345 Crowdfunder campaign – see our June/July issue for the full story (read it now online at www. reconnectonline.co.uk). Films have been chosen specifically to suit their screening locations. Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou will be screened with the huge fish tank at the National Marine Aquarium as a backdrop. Factory Cooperage, a historic, undeveloped industrial space at Royal William Yard is the venue for two films, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Fight Club. And the post-war architecture of the City’s Council Chamber will play host to The Third Man - “a re-release of a classic post-war film in a classic post-war setting,” say the organisers. There will also be an outdoor screening of Raiders of the Lost Arc at Tamar Trails in Gunnislake, with the opportunity to try tree-surfing before the film. Cinema in the City will culminate with three days of Open Air Cinema

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at Royal William Yard in September, as part of Plymouth’s Ocean City Festival -The Grand Budapest Hotel, Mamma Mia! and this Summer’s blockbuster, Jurassic World. Advance ticket booking for all the events is highly recommended – call in at Plymouth Arts Centre in Looe Street, call 01752 206114 (from 1-8.30pm) or visit www. plymouthartscentre.org. See our diary for dates. Cinema in the City has been sponsored by Bond Dickinson Solicitors and by Gillespie Yunnie Architects. l There are outdoor screenings for Exeter cinema fans too, as Exeter Phoenix launches its 15th annual Big Screen in the Park season. There will be five rare 35mm screenings on a huge 10m screen in Northernhay Gardens: Toy Story on August 12, Amelie on August 13, The Shining on August 14, Interstellar on August 15 and Ghostbusters on August 16. The gates open at 7.30pm each night, with the film showing around 9pm. Tickets are £4 in advance (visit www.exeterphoenix.org.uk or call 01392 667080) and £5 on the gate with an additional £1 charge if you take a chair.

Invitation to visit artists in their studios THERE’S another chance to see local artists and their work in the environment in which they make it during this year’s Devon Open Studios. Artists and makers right across Devon, individuals and groups,

will open their doors from September 5-20. Keep an eye on the website of organisers Devon Artists Network, www. devonartistnetwork.co.uk, for more details.

The weird and the wonderful...

Robin would be delighted for you to check out his ceramics - and buy one if you really like it! You can see the ‘Weird and wonderful’ ones on his website at www.robincurrie.co.uk - and some aren’t even terribly ‘weird’!

Tel: 01392 22 11 29

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

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Jenny Sealey news&views local people local events local food local health local environment speaking live at TEDxExeter 2015.

Train with Playback PLAYBACK Theatre, whose unique workshops and performances take theatrical improv techniques and turn them into something truly revealing and poignant, are running a training course in Totnes. It runs at Birdwood House in Totnes over eight Wednesday evenings, from September 30-November 25, 7.30-10pm and one day, November 15, 10am-5pm. The cost is £175 (£150 conc). They are also running a one-day workshop (10am5pm on October 17) followed by an evening performance (starting at 7.30pm) by Mirror Mirror at The Ice Factory in Teignmouth. Call 07958 183326, email admin@ playbacktheatresw.co.uk and visit playbacktheatre-sw. co.uk.

Pic: James Millar.UK.com

City TED talks go online TALKS from this year’s TEDxExeter conference are now available online, so if you missed the event, or enjoyed it so much you want to see some again, visit TEDxExeter.com. Speakers ranged from household names such as human rights lawyer and campaigner Clive Stafford-Smith to local 17-year-old Exeter College student Beth Barnes, who competed with other students to win her speaker slot. Subjects ranged from a mind-blowing look at theme and variation in nature and culture from artist and sculptor Peter Randall-Page to a personal and emotionally-charged call to embed wellbeing and emotional learning into our education system from Dick Moore and a passionate call for us to end child hunger in the UK from Magic Breakfast founder Carmel McConnell. l The first TEDxTotnes will be held at The Barn Cinema, Dartington, on October 9 - but as we go to press, the tickets are already sold out. Find out more at www.tedxtotnes.com.

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Explore meditative power of singing FUNKY Bizness Community Choir leader Peter Scott, right, continues his series on singing tips. And breathe…. EING aware of the conscious act of breathing is the quickest way I know to interrupt the endless fantasy ruminations of the mind and get with what’s really happening.

Do you think that’s why singing is such a wonderful thing to do? Learning to control your breath and hence your sound is the fundamental singing practice. I explained a few months ago how to use your diaphragm by saying a long ‘ssssshhhhh’. You can feel the belly at the front, sides and back pushing out the air. If you start quiet then get louder, you can feel how, as you get louder, the muscles push harder. And if you start quiet, get louder, then quiet again, you will begin to feel the control. It all happens from the diaphragm muscles ssshhhhSSSSSSHHHHHsssssshhhh.. Now add a vowel (any vowel) – sshhaaaahhhhAAA

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AAHHHHHHaa ahhhh - and when you get to the quiet bit at the end you can really feel those diaphragm muscles working. It also quietens the mind and helps you feel peaceful. It’s very meditative. Try singing a line from a song you know and use the same breathing. How does it feel? If you are interested in this and other ways to develop the power and resonance in your voice, you might like to visit www.funkybizness.co.uk and download: Find Your Voice – eight simple steps to a powerful resonant voice It is the simple, free guide I wrote for people who join the choir I run, so they can develop their voices easily and simply. And if you want to have fun singing, come and visit us – FunkyBizness Community Choir every Tuesday, 7.15-9pm, in St Sidwells Community Centre EX4 6NN. We are on Summer break now and start again on September 8. It’s all on the website, www.funky-bizness. co.uk. Hope to see you and do lots of breathing with you soon!

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produce: AN eating outdoors special Welcome to the picnic - make it memorable WHEN we told the lovely people at the International Macrobiotic School that we had an outdoor eating theme running through our food pages for this issue, their Emma Cunis sent us these words, including the recipe, right, to feed the soul as well as the belly… ICHIO Kushi, a renowned Macrobiotic teacher and philosopher, had a unique way of explaining the art of living. He invited his audiences to compare an average 80 year lifespan with 3.2 billion years of human evolution and to understand that our visit on this planet “is very short. Just a brief rest. Or maybe like an afternoon picnic... time for friendship, time for sharing, time for play. My opinion is to make life like a picnic.” Good health is the basis for a fulfilled and joyful life. Body, mind and spirit all benefit when this foundation is strong. Our daily food in particular is one of the most powerful healing tools we have. A diet consisting of seasonal and mainly unprocessed foods, such as wholegrains; plant-based protein including beans, pulses, nuts and seeds; root and green vegetables plus sea vegetables which contain many times more minerals than land vegetables; fruit and fermented foods will ensure a measure of control over how much more pleasurable and

Summer Tempeh and Tofu Kebabs INGREDIENTS: 1 block of tempeh; 1 piece of kombu/kelp about 4 inches long; 3 tbsp shoyu (or tamari if wheat-free); 1 block of plain or smoked tofu; sesame oil; 3-4 tbsp smooth peanut butter; 2 tbsp barley malt; 1 tbsp grated ginger juice; 1-2 tbsp shoyu; 1 or 2 red peppers. rewarding life can be. Not only will this approach benefit your body, create a greater sense of overall balance and emotional wellbeing but it is also environmentally and ecologically sound. In these summer months, the International Macrobiotic School invites you to join us or others in creating a life that feels like a picnic - cooking together, sharing food and enjoyable activities. As Michio Kushi said: “Welcome to the picnic. Make it memorable and make it fun!” Find out more at www.macroschool. co.uk, or call 01803 762598.

METHOD: Simmer the whole block of tempeh in just enough water to cover, with the strip of kombu and about 3 tablespoons shoyu for 20 to 30 minutes. Cut the tempeh block and the tofu into large chunks, and gently fry in a few tbsp of oil for a few minutes until golden brown. Add a little shoyu to flavour the tofu and tempeh. In a bowl mix 2-3 tbsp peanut butter with a cup of water and the barley malt, ginger juice and shoyu then blend. Add this mixture to the pan, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add a little more water if necessary but aim to finish cooking with a thick sauce covering the blocks of tofu and tempeh. Meanwhile cut the red pepper into strips and bake in a medium oven with a few pinches of salt spread over. Cook until soft. Coat the tempeh and tofu in the sauce, and put the tempeh, tofu and red pepper strips alternately onto kebab sticks, and arrange on a serving dish.

Wild and Curious about foraged meals ONE of the new local businesses that particularly impressed us at the recent Local Entrepreneurs Forum in Totnes was Wild & Curious who create wonderful outdoor cooking experiences – and who are soon to launch wonderful (we’ve tasted them) wild food snacks. At the LEF we offered to give them coverage in Reconnect and they sent us this for our outdoor eating special – a flavour of what outdoor eating means to them and the recipe for what they hope will be a successful new business.

ROUCHED beside the fire in the glow of the evening sun, we watch the hot pot bubbling away with sublime scents of garlic, vibrant coriander and the rich and aromatic scent of the sea. One of our group carefully adds wood and tends to the fire while others prepare more ingredients for the pot. Our feast this evening is wild foods, gathered nearby during the day, with dried wild garlic saved from the Spring, sea arrowgrass for the coriander taste, seaweeds and coastal wild greens. Alongside our hot pot, we make kelp seaweed crisps and a dessert of freshly gathered berries. Cooking outdoors is never an exact science, it’s an artful process where each fire has its own unique properties and is an experience best shared with friends and loved ones. Food cooked together always tastes better - and in the outdoors, by the comforting glow of the fire, this is even more true. Wild & Curious is a Community Interest Company specialising in

curating just such outdoor wild food foraging and cooking experiences and making artisan fruit and wild food treats. The Wild & Curious team are Richard and Myrtle who soon after meeting at a wild food event in Beeson last year began hatching plans to combine wild places and flavours with outdoors cooking, weaving the art and skills of foraging and cooking together to create delicious, vibrant and memorable experiences. Wild & Curious return to Beeson almost a year later to host a wild food and cooking craft workshop on the weekend of August 22/23. See www.wildandcurious.org.uk, or email hello@wildandcurious.org.uk for details.

Grown in Totnes hits target of £26,000 THE project to grow oats (and eventually other grains and pulses) for South Devon people is GO! Grown in Totnes launched a fundraising campaign with a target of £25,000, with a minimum of £6,000 needed to trigger a further £6,000 match funding from the A Team Challenge Fund “The final day of the campaign saw a flurry of pledges,” says Holly

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Tiffen from Transition Town Totnes, “including an anonymous one of £10,000 that tipped the total over £26,000! “Look out for our oats, which will be for sale in local shops this winter.” To find out more about the project, visit www.transitiontowntotnes. org/grown-in-totnes, email holly@ transitiontowntotnes.org, or call 07857 811994.

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Enjoying home-grown produce and

outdoor eating health at Embercombe. local environment local people local events local food local produce

Festie full of feasts and fun

ur children are becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world. But from a young age, children demonstrate a deep affinity with the natural world. Left to their own devises kids will freely express their curiosity for creatures hiding under stones, give trees a big squeezy hug, or closely observe flowers and plant life. It’s a message that more of us are waking up to. In a leafy combe nestled among the rolling hills of South Devon, a small charity is diligently working to reconnect people to nature. Running courses for schools, businesses and adults, Embercombe was founded to encourage people to explore more sustainable ways to live and flourish in alignment with the natural world, finding ways to work with nature rather than against it. Once a year, Embercombe invites families to spend time at their beautiful 50-acre site at a small festival affectionately known as EmberFeast. The four-day yurt holiday is a celebration of Summer, nature and food, giving families a chance to spend time together outdoors, learning, crafting, eating and nurturing family bonds. Embercombe’s programme manager Jo Cooke explains: “Rushing abroad in the school holidays can be stressful and costly. We wanted to create a sustainable, beautiful and inexpensive holiday where families can spend time relaxing together away from screens and pressures of modern life. EmberFeast offers a space for families to learn, grow, play, run wild or just be. “In high Summer, Embercombe’s

organic garden is abundant and many of the activities on offer at EmberFeast celebrate the connection of nature, land and food. Families can learn to bake bread, make chutneys and pickles, discover how to ferment veggies or prepare delicious pizzas to bake in the wood-fired pizza ovens.” Sallie Ann Saunders and her family participated in the four-day festival in 2014. She said: “EmberFeast is a wonderful combination of learning how to make healthy food, having fun, spending time with the family and finding new friendships through the dough kneading, stirred jams and spiced chutneys. I thoroughly recommend the chopping and pickling around the beautiful tables under a setting sun with far reaching views of Dartmoor in the background.” Said Jo: “Lighting camp fires with the children under a starry sky, sharing with them the delights of freshly baked sour dough, running with wild abandon through the ancient woodlands or pausing to breathe in the beauty and stillness of the lake are all possible at EmberFeast. It’s a space for children to explore their innate connection to the natural world away from roads and screens and discover the freedom that 30 years ago felt more accessible to us all.” The proceeds from EmberFeast, which this year is August 24-28, allow the charity to continue its work with children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. If you would like to find out more about EmberFeast or the work of the Embercombe charity, visit www. embercombe.org.

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local people local events local food local health local environment ECOHOMES; SUSTAINABLE LIViNG Homes community and planet can afford

OR more than 10 years Andrew Kirby has been driving LED Architects in Totnes towards high environmental standards in all their projects – some of them have featured in the Eco Home pages of Reconnect. But his particular passion has been applying these eco principles to affordable housing, resulting in designs for adaptable, low-cost timberframe and strawbale houses. The theories became practical considerations when LED was commissioned by Broadhempston CLT to design six simple, low-cost, low environmental impact, self-build houses for Broadhempston Community Land Trust. Said Andrew: “While this was a very exciting opportunity for us to apply our experience in low-energy, environmental design, natural materials and renewable technologies, the wider challenge of this project was to help mitigate the risks in the delivery of this project on site.” That meant they had to rule out some materials and processes to ensure the homes could be part-built by amateurs.

“We’ve therefore kept the design modest and simple, but with a connection to the surroundings in the use of materials, and this same approach runs through the method of construction - a high thermal mass and easy to build ‘beam and block’ floor, and a lightweight and costeffective timber frame. House number one of the six-home build is looking good - and below left, “This leaves the the strawbale internal insulation walls. self-builders with a dry, solid working food), but which also helps to heat the house by environment from which they can carry out some distributing passive solar gain through to other of the lower risk operations, including strawbale areas of the house. insulation for the walls, earthwool insulation in “The houses will require very little additional the roof with a mixture of larch and lime render heating,” says Andrew, “but where required, hot cladding externally.” water and space heating is provided by solar Along with the user-friendly build techniques, panels, with mains back-up.” cost was obviously a major consideration. Underpinning all of these principles is the “We are working towards a target costing of motivation of the community to keep pushing £70,000 per house, which should help keep the forward with this project and taking the building overall cost, including land costs, fees, infrastructure of their homes into their own hands. and utilities, to around £150K per house.” “This is an important community ownership It’s crucial that the same low-cost ethos applies scheme,” says Andrew, “which is delivering to bills for running the homes – and that means a powerful message by providing affordable great insulation. housing to local people at the same time The wall and roof design achieves U values achieving standards of design and energy (they measure heat loss) far in excess of current efficiency far in excess of that which you would building regulations requirements and even normally find on the open market.” beyond passivehouse targets, although a To find out more, call Andrew at LED Architects passivehouse assessment won’t be carried out. on 01803 867377, email andrew.kirby@ Each home also has a sunroom, which creates ledarchitects.co.uk or visit www.LEDarchitects. a really useful, warm space (ideal for growing co.uk.

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1 Ashleigh, an award-winning strawbale house in Totnes that’s always popular with Open Homes Weekend visitors.

Building tour and show for eco homers THERE are two ‘must-go’ eco homes and building events coming up in Totnes Transition Town Totnes (TTT) is again organising an open eco-homes weekend when homes and other buildings will open their doors to show how they have reduced their environmental impact and household bills. Now in its seventh year, this year’s event is on the weekend of October 3 and 4. Homes open to visit last year included a house made from an old cider barrel, a Passivhaus refurbishment, a newly built home

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with straw bale insulation and a flat which had been significantly draught–busted. The 2015 weekend’s programme will be available from mid-August on the Transition Town Totnes website, or from the Totnes Information Centre.    On the following Saturday, October 10, TTT will again stage their Eco Homes Fair in the Totnes Civic Hall, bringing together suppliers of ecofriendly goods and services plus home energy installers. If you are interested in having a stall at the fair, email Mary Popham at marypopham@btinternet.com or call 07815 799996.

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local peopleECOHOMES; local events local food local health local environment SUSTAINABLE LIVING Information, inspiration - and free entry too

HE SelfBuild & Design Show is the informative and inspiring show for anyone interested in turning their dream of converting, extending, renovating or self-building into a reality. At Westpoint Arena on the weekend of September 12 and 13, you can explore how sustainability and energy efficiency can be part of your home build, with hundreds of products all under one roof. Experts from the South West Energy Centre will be available in the ‘Ask an Expert’ area hosted by the National Self Build and Renovation Centre, answering your questions on how to get the most out of renewable energy. There’s a full timetable across three

stages with free expertled seminars, master classes and Q&A sessions with real selfbuilders where you can find out about everything from finding a plot to applying the finishing touches. In addition to a variety of energy efficiency and eco-build exhibitors, advisors and seminars there will be live plastering demonstrations using Secil ecoCORK, a twenty-first-century blend of natural hydraulic lime, selected sands and cork granules which is breathable, sustainable and offers improved insulation. There is free, ample parking and a licensed bar and restaurant for you to take a break while you read the literature available at the show, including listings of land for sale in the South West plots and a free selfbuild newspaper. Reconnect readers can get free entry for one adult with the voucher, which must be completed and handed in at the show to be redeemed. More tickets can be booked by visiting www.self buildanddesignshow. com or call 01283 742970.

ALL you need for an inspiring eco home day out, including practical demos, right, expert advice, below left - and FREE entry, below!

FREE Entry Voucher - worth £12 ;G:: :cign KdjX]Zg " Ldgi] &% This voucher entitles free entry for one adult to the show This entitles free for one adult the Just on 12voucher - 13th September 2015 entry (normally £12 on the to door). show on 13 - 14th september 2014 (normally £10 bring on it complete your details to validate your voucher and the door). complete your details validate along to theJust show. Further tickets can betobooked in your advance voucher and along742970 to the show. at £6 each by bring callingit01283 or visiting www.selfbuildanddesignshow.com Name Name............................................................................................................................ Address Address....................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... Email.............................................................................................................................

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Express yourself on The Brake’s Creative Being course.

local people local events local food local health local environment ECOHOMES; SUSTAINABLE LIVING Get creative on Brake workshops THE Brake has fledged. We’ve dropped into the workshop and studio of creative couple Dolly and Nick Kary a few times recently, checking out the first Bake and Make and Creative Being courses. Says Dolly: “Paint splashes and laughter have woven stories in the studio and the smell of fresh sour dough bread has warmed the hearts and confidence of fledgling sour dough bread bakers. And in the workshop green woodwork has ceded to furniture making, joinery techniques and tool care.” The courses continue to run in

the Autumn: Creative Being, exploring multi-media creative expression, September 12-13 and October 24-25; Journey to Making, Nick’s termly greenwood and furniture making course, Thursday 6-9pm from September 24; and HearthDrawn, to bring creativity and making into the home, November 14-15. Find out more at www.thebrake.net.

HQ opens door to upcycling project

UILDING work at the HQ of Refurnish is opening new doors for the community household furniture reuse project – literally. The project moved into a unit in Anna Mill, Wrangaton, just nine months ago, but fire regulations have meant they haven’t been able to open the rear half of the building to the public. Now building control have given them approval to create a rear door, so the furniture area will increase in size and they will at last be able to display all their stock. The extra space will also make room for them to develop their new upcycling project, which will create new objects from waste materials (planters and furniture from pallet wood, for example) and rebuild and repair larger items of furniture – while at the same time creating roles for people who feel isolated or who have low self-esteem. “We passionately believe in recycling,” said Refurnish’s David Banks, “but the project is a vehicle to help reduce social isolation and give a sense of purpose to people who may be unemployed or retired and may have a variety of support needs by providing volunteering, training and employment.” David said the new project would like to hear both from people who want to

Extra space at the new Refurnish HQ will make room for upcycling project. learn new skills and those who want to teach them. “We would especially like to hear from volunteers with upholstery, carpentry and creative design skills. There will also be an opportunity to join the working party that’s developing an application for five-year lottery funding – and if we get the funding, there could be jobs too.” If you can help, or want to get involved, in any way, call David Banks on 01364 73206, email davidbanks@refurnish.org.uk, or visit www.refurnish.org.uk.

The Brake

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Book expert Alan Lipscombe, who

works at Revolution on Saturdays. local people local events local food local health local environment NEWS&views

Staff share passion and knowledge

E often turn to independent, specialist shops for the sort of expert knowledge you don’t find in mainstream outlets. And at Revolution, the spiritual and cultural centre half way up Exeter’s Fore Street, they pride themselves on providing the story behind the product. Brendan, spokesperson for the Revolution Foundation who run the centre, said: “Our book section is a great example - whether you’re looking for the latest David Icke book, The Perception Deception, or want to browse a massive range of subjects, including faeries, angels, healing, dreams, crystals and Shamanism, to mention just a few, there is sure to be something to interest everyone.” Alan Lipscombe, who works at Revolution on Saturdays, also

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volunteers at Book Cycle on West Street in Exeter and is always ready to share his knowledge of their range - and might just be able to source that book you haven’t been able to find. If you’re looking for advice on crystals, Julie Ruth Bramley, a qualified and experienced Holistic Crystal Therapist, is in the shop Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when she is more than happy to share her experience of working with crystals, and advise on specific crystals that can help with particular conditions. “We often have customers looking for some relief from simple but demoralising conditions like insomnia,” said Julie. “I recommend keeping a piece of Amethyst under their pillow, and they very often return to tell us that it has worked! There are crystals that can help with just about any complaint, from headaches to lacking confidence.” Visit Revolution at 117 Fore Street, Exeter, email revolutionexter@ hotmail.com, call 01392 410759, or search for revolutionexeter on Facebook.

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Kiran wins school business award improvements in A SUCCESSFUL developing his young entrepreneur business. has become the first recipient of Totnes The award, which Progressive School’s is offered each July annual Young to pupils at the Entrepreneurial school, is designed Spirit award (ToPS to encourage YES Award). innovation and business skills Kiran Luckett, 13, motivating students won the prize for to get involved in his resourcefulness real life projects. and determination in setting up a Ross said: “As business selling Kiron freceives his ToPS a school we like eggs and impressed YES award from head Ross to encourage Robens. the judges with his both tenacity and ability to set out conscientiousness a long-term plan, make a chicken and Kiran showed both in his run, keep his chickens healthy and ability to get his idea off the ground safe, and then sell the eggs to his and in his caring for the welfare neighbours. of his hens. We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kiran Headteacher Ross Robens said that and all the other entrepreneurs at during all stages of the project the the school, and we look forward to young businessman from Cornwall supporting them and other young displayed excellent negotiation entrepreneurs with this initiative for skills, tenacity and responsibility, many years to come.” resulting in him winning the award and a cheque for £100 Visit www.totnesprogressiveschool. co.uk. to make further investments and

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editor@reconnectonline.co.uk soft spot for VIA. local people local events local food local health local environment

Le Navet Bete - a

ORGANICGARDENING

GATHERING in your veg hardly feels like work, but there are a few other little jobs you need to do to keep things growing sweetly

You love their shows - now show them just how much

Time to bring in the harvest! heading

HROUGHOUT the Summer, villages from Bigbury to Stokeinteignhead cherrypick big-name acts to entertain their communities this coming Autumn through Villages in Action (VIA), the rural touring scheme that’s served Devon for 22 years. But after all those years it’s all-change at the Crediton-based organisation which has lost its rolling Arts Council funding and now needs donors to keep it alive. VIA is launching a new phase of fundraising with An Evening with Michael Morpurgo on September 11 at The Beehive in Honiton (www. beehivehoniton.co.uk) and hopes the former Children’s Laureate will draw a large and generous crowd. Reconnect has been speaking with people whose lives have been touched by Villages in Action to hear why they feel the scheme is worth saving. Luke Treadaway, star of The Curious Incident and War Horse at the National Theatre, is a Devon boy and a patron of Villages in Action. He

so keep an eye on them as well ELL, it’s a busy time on along with any rows of seedlings the veggie patch at the recently sown. moment, gathering all the vegetables as they ripen. In a hot Summer, sweetcorn could be ready towards the end of Harvest peas, beans and July. When the silky tassels have courgettes as often as you can turned from yellow to brown, it’s - daily if possible. They always time to start taste their best while still picking. The young and quicker you tender and can get the the plants will cobs into the simply stop boiling pan of producing if hot water the you allow too sweeter the many fruits to corn will be mature. Much the sugar in better to give them starts to them away to turn to starch friends and as soon as neighbours you pick them. than to leave Second early them on the and main plant. Also, crop potatoes if you are can be lifted, going away as and when on holiday Harvest your peas (and beans and you need over the next courgettes) as often as you can them. Onions few months, daily, if possible. too will be don’t forget ready for harvesting around to ask someone, or even a few now. Lift them out of the ground people, to pop in regularly and with a garden or hand fork, and pick anything that’s ready. spread them out on the surface If the weather happens to be of the soil for a few days to dry. particularly dry (it is at the time of Once dry, any caked earth can me writing this), root vegetables be brushed off, and they can such as carrots, parsnips and either be stored in shallow boxes beetroots in particular should be or made into old fashioned kept well watered – if you don’t, onion ropes, and hung up in a they will stop growing or, even cool garden shed or garage. worse, when the rains do come they will suddenly start to grow Keep feeding tomatoes, again and that will cause them aubergines and peppers every to split. 7-10 days because they should be Newly transplanted cabbages full of fruit now and will hopefully and other brassicas are also carry on fruiting right into late very susceptible to drying out, Autumn or until the first frosts.

How to get the most from your compost AFTER harvesting, put all healthy leafy vegetation on the compost heap. Avoid putting on woody, tough, vegetation, such as brassica stems. Or if you do, chop them up a bit or smash the stems to a pulp with a sledge hammer so they can break down a bit quicker. To help speed the composting process up a bit it’s a good idea to ‘turn’ your heap. This is done simply by emptying the contents of one bin into another bin so that what was at the top of your heap is now at the bottom of the new heap, thus creating air through the pile. And never feel tempted to jump up and

down on the heap to force more into your bin. You could end up with the contents taking forever to rot down. Adding things like seaweed meal, wilted nettles or comfrey leaves will also help speed things up. Try to avoid putting anything that looks diseased on the heap - these should go straight onto a bonfire. And don’t forget that bonfire ash (no treated wood) is an excellent source of potash so it can be spread on the garden afterwards. Now get on out there and enjoy the last of the Summer sunshine. Happy gardening!

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.

Michael Morpurgo

believes the events have fostered the cultural life of small villages. “I saw Wamma Jamma as a kid through Villages in Action, and learnt stage electronics on one of their courses at Sandford near Crediton.” VIA director Roger Werner agrees that a live performance in a hall full of friends makes a very special impression on communities. “It’s brilliant,” he admits. “I have been doing it for 20 years but every time I go to an event, it’s really quite emotional. The audience always feels warmer than it does in an arts centre.” Earlier this year VIA took the ethos of local and live to a new level with a pilot in care homes for the elderly. Synergy, a Spanish Guitar Duo, strummed for a wrapt audience of septa and octagenarians, many of whom have dementia. The care home manager reported: “During the show everyone enjoyed the occasion and one resident with Alzheimer’s just lit up. I haven’t seen her like that before.” At the other end of life’s journey are the young daughters of Lucinda Richardson, a military wife in Chudleigh. “Devon is full of Royal Marines’ wives and we get used to absent other halves. When a Villages In Action children’s show is coming up, it gives my girls an event to look forward to, which we can walk to, and it’s something to tell dad once he’s home.” The power of these events is felt by the touring artists too. Alex Dunn of Le Navet Bete tours from Barnsley to Hannover but has a soft spot for VIA gigs. “Rural touring shows are always a total riot,” he says. “They play a big part in building our audiences. Long may they continue!”

Theatre plots dramatic new story for qua THE Bike Shed Theatre in Exeter hopes to set up a new creative venue in Exeter’s historic Quayside. The plan is for Maclaines Warehouse, a Grade II listed building adjacent to Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, to be transformed into a theatre space and “a vibrant social destination for food, drink and entertainment”. Formerly the Exeter Maritime Museum, the building is preserved by Exeter Canal and Quay Trust which granted The Bike Shed Theatre nine months and £15,000 to undertake a feasibility study. The Trust has now granted a further two years exclusivity to The Bike Shed Theatre to carry out public consultation and to fundraise. All ideas and suggestions are

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lo welcome and can be shared with The Bike Shed Theatre’s Director personally on davidlockwood@

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bi in bi

NEWS&views local people local events local food local health local environment The fossil fuel argument heats up MANY clients have been approaching Barchester Green with a similar question in recent weeks. To paraphrase the late, great Freddie Mercury: they want to break fossil free. Director Tim Bradford explains.

I Sean Lakeman, of BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning act The Lakemans, loves the diversity of Villages In Action. He said: “You get everyone from a young farm hand out with his girlfriend to Colonel Mustard in his rusty Bentley. And the kids are great – they love the gory songs in our set.” Although he admits one gig was held up by an hour-long meat raffle. If you’d like to support Villages in Action, which subsidises all events to make them possible, Rebecca Smith from VIA explains how: “Visit the Charities Aid Foundation (www. cafonline.org). Click on “my personal giving”, then “start giving ” and you can search for ‘Villages In Action’.

Luke Treadaway

VIA acts - coming to a village near you

N March The Guardian newspaper stoked interest with its high-profile ‘Keep it in the ground’ fossil fuel divestment campaign and last month oil giant BP hit the headlines due to a shareholder resolution which called on it to be more transparent in its response to climate change, attracting the support of 98% of shareholders. The BP resolution, submitted by the ‘Aiming for A’ Coalition of investors, including the Church of England, ShareAction, UK Local Authority Pensions and Client Earth, asked BP to include data around low carbon energy research, emissions management and to publish a business plan to deal with the ‘stranded assets scenario’ I believe this interest has come to the boil now not just because of the moral case for action against climate change, but because the financial case is increasingly compelling. For example,

organisations such as Carbon Tracker have calculated only 20% of already known fossil fuel reserves can be burned if the world is to be kept below a 2 degree temperature rise (meaning that listed fossil fuel companies, such as oil companies, are potentially massively over-valued) For those readers who want to reduce their investments’ exposure to fossil fuels it is important to distinguish genuinely fossil fuel free funds from the broader range of options. Barchester Green manages several fossil fuel free portfolios, most prominently for the charities Greenpeace and WWF. We also point clients to the Conbrio B.E.S.T Income fund which has no exposure to any companies that extract fossil fuels, including oil and gas producers or mining companies and instead favours companies innovating in areas such as renewable energy and infrastructure. To discuss any of these strategies in more detail or for more information please see our website or contact me - Tim Bradford, Barchester Green Investment, 01722 331241, info@barchestergreen.co.uk.

Angelheart Puppet Theatre perform Cirkus Spectakular in Manaton on October 3 and in Bigbury on October 29. Travelling Light perform Strictly Balti in Stokeinteignhead on October 9. Ben Osborne performs in Highweek on October 9. Pete Cantor and Light Flight perform in Rattery on October 16. Theatre Rush perform Lost Tales of Devon in Kenn on November 1. The Artisans perform in East Portlemouth on November 21. Holy Moly and the Crackers perform in Combeinteignhead on November 26. Ian Keable performs in Ashprington on November 25 and in Lustleigh on November 27. For show info, updates and ticket information visit www. villagesinaction.co.uk.

ayside building

The Maclaines Warehouse, as it ooked in 1870. What of its future?

ikeshedtheatre.co.uk. For more nformation on the project, visit www. ikeshedtheatre.co.uk.

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The lion on city hill

A GIANT Lion will be leaping into Exeter to celebrate Namibia’s participation in the Rugby World Cup. Artist Caroline Saunders will be painting a copy of an ancient Namibian Lion onto the hill at Ludwell Valley Park, just two miles from the Sandy Park Stadium. Says Caroline: “Anyone can help remap Exeter and bring a touch of Africa to the city by taking part in one of the free drop-in workshops - at Wonford Community and Leisure Centre from 9am to midday on September 16 and at 89 South Street, 10am-4pm on October 3. No booking necessary, no age restriction – just join in or get along and look at the artwork. All enquiries to solidelement@yahoo. co.uk.

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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...

Don’t go anywhere

Finding Active HJope

Virginia’s unique holistic view Erica offers free Skillshare Why celebrants are here to stay Totnes Yogafest is back in town

25 26 27 28

Bodywork school looking for partner

A hunger for the wild side

Artist creates sacred space New centre takes shape Leigh’s Emotional Health Exploring adventure therapy

32 34 37 39

And there’s lots more to read inside

ALLING all experienced bodywork therapists. The School of Bodywork in Exeter has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in 2001. Starting off with just 12 students a year, under the directorship of Emma Gilmore it has grown to 55 students a month and rising. To manage this burgeoning success, Emma has decided to split the business and is looking for an equal partner to join her in running the school. The ideal person will be an experienced practitioner who is passionate about bodywork and keen to share their ideas with others. Emma said: “I am looking to combine your skills, expertise and efforts with mine. The School of Bodywork is rooted in strong values where the individual is nurtured every step of the way, inspiring the

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 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

Kate Philbin

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student to be the therapist they want to be. We celebrate learning, provide ongoing support and advice and offer inspiring multisensory teaching methods. “We aim to equip practitioners to work confidently and help with building private practice on graduation. I regard this as one of the best training environments in the South West. If you would like to join me, please send me a copy of your CV and covering letter.” In September, the school is introducing new Thai Massage introductory and diploma courses. The introductory course costs £195 and the diploma is £295 per level with a total cost of £885. For more information visit www. schoolofbodywork.com. To apply to become a partner in the business, send a CV and covering letter to info@schoolofbodywork. com.

DRAGON CLINIC

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. 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 deadline for the next (Oct/Nov) issue is September 4, but get in touch now and you’ll beat the rush. Call Martin on 01804 868455 or email adverts@ reconnectonline. co.uk

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

dragonclinic.uk Antoinett Bruin 07886 036102 Michael Pringle 07800 594452

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local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING Healing introduces new perspectives A NATURAL state of ease and wellbeing provide the optimum conditions for us to experience happiness. So, it follows that un-happiness will eventually lead to dis-ease. And for healer John Barrett, right, unhappiness is the first recognisable symptom of dis-ease. He said: “Luckily for us, unhappiness is quite easy to spot in ourselves and even easier to spot in others. The problem is in connecting our unhappiness with our behaviour, and knowing what to do about it. We usually see it as a result of someone else’s behaviour, which is not the case.” Healing can be helpful because it provides a way to introduce a different perspective to any situation that we feel unable to change. John told Reconnect: “Healing is about bringing a different energy to a life that is at the point of breaking down. People often seek

the help of a healer when they experience an inability to change through perceived lack of choice. A healer is someone who understands the nature of this energy and has learned to channel it through themselves into others without getting in the way. “This is regardless of the nature of the dis-ease or outcome. Paradoxically, in seeking the outside help of a healer, the recipient gets to access sources of infinite universal energy from within themselves.” Recipients of healing experience a sense of greater choice. By creating a feeling of safety, the healer allows them to make powerful choices in their lives in order to restore a sense of wellbeing and ease. For more information about healing sessions, call 07930 370 595, or email jbarr_38@ btinternet.com.

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

The Bowen Technique Arcturus Clinic, Totnes Home Visits For an appointment please call 07931 505 312

AMANDA MORRIS

CLT – MLDUK – CertECBS – BTPA

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

Start your journey to

better hearing The reception at Pure Holistic Therapies in Torquay.

Virginia offers unique holistic view

OMBINING a detailed knowledge of Western medicine with experience of Yoga and Ayerveda, Virginia Compton offers a unique and holistic view of individual health. Virginia is a qualified nurse who trained as a Yoga teacher and therapist and Ayurvedic massage therapist and is the latest recruit to Pure Holistic Therapies in Torquay, the new centre for mind, body and spirit in Castle Road. Virginia, who is a renowned wholefoods cook, is also offering advice on diet and lifestyle, as well as individual and group Yoga sessions, Ayurvedic consultation and massage, and holistic health assessments. Co-founder Hannah Huteson said: “We are very excited to welcome Virginia to the team, with her unique combination of Eastern and Western medicine. Pure Holistic Therapies has gone from strength to strength since we opened a few months ago and it is great to have someone of Virginia’s calibre on the team.” Pure Holistic is also welcoming

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Lori King who is trained in Vortexhealing, a holistic system of energy healing that works “solely with divine light and consciousness to heal, transform and to awaken freedom within the human heart.” Lori also offers Shamanic Healing: “These treatments help to remove traumatic imprints from the Luminous Energy Field (LEF),” she explained. “Soul return, Illumination and other healing ceremonies, as practiced by the Inca Shaman of Peru, allow the body to return to a naturally balanced state. That is what I will be offering here in Torquay.” Another new addition to the team is popular medium Ricky Whitemore. Ricky will be visiting the centre regularly to offer personal oneto-one readings and clairvoyant evenings. He kicks off with an ‘up-close and personal’ evening of clairvoyance on August 8 from 7-9pm. Tickets cost £12 and include a free gift. Booking is essential. Contact Pure on 01803 295391 for further information. Or visit http:// pureholistictorquay.co.uk

From diet to looking after your ears in damaging environments – common threats to your hearing in the home – how to defend your ears at work and play – causes of hearing loss – and more. Discover how to tailor your lifestyle in the environment you live in to reduce the level of hearing impairment you might encounter later on in life.

Get your free Hearing Fitness Guide today!

Call us free on 0800 488 0106 Please quote FF RC 01 when calling or complete and return the FREEPOST form below. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Hearing Information Service, Unit 3 Eastern Wood Road, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 5ET Hearing Information Service - publishing hearing care advice on behalf of commercial providers of hearing aids. www.hearinginformationservice.co.uk

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WELLBEING local people local events local food local health local environment Minerals turned Angie’s life around

AVING experienced the most astonishing transformation in her own body and mind, Totnes-based Angie Jacobs, right, now shares her story in a bid to help others to benefit from the effects of plant-derived minerals. “I used to be very energetic when I was young,” said Angie, “but over the last five years I began to develop various health conditions. I lacked energy, felt anxious and depressed. I didn’t sleep well and was constantly tired. I had eczema, arthritis and my eyesight was deteriorating.” Angie was introduced to Sizzling Minerals, which contain 75 plantderived minerals, by a friend whose story of healing inspired her. “Almost as soon as I started taking them, my symptoms disappeared,” says Angie. “I felt positive and bursting with energy, I could hardly believe it! It was as if a dark curtain had been lifted!” Angie believes the reason for the transformation in her health and wellbeing was that her body was finally getting the minerals it needed. “It all makes so much sense. We no longer get what we need from

the food we eat; our soils have been significantly compromised by commercial farming. Minerals are the spark plugs of life and without them vitamins are virtually useless.” “Sizzling Minerals come from a 70 million year-old mine - back from the days when dinosaurs were roaming the earth. Basically, they are a form of lush green prehistoric vegetation bursting with healthgiving nutrients!” For more information or free samples call Angie on 07970 922231 or visit www.simplyamazingminerals.com, and see what others say at www. sizzlingtestimonials.com.

Erica offers free skillshare session

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

www.totneschiropractic.co.uk

TOTNES THERAPY ROOMS AVAILABLE

UNCOVER your Inner resilience which lies deep within all of us.” Resilience and NaturallyQuiet Mind is a free Uncover Your Inner Skillshare session hosted Resilience stresses that by Erica Lewis of Quiet there is no need to follow Mind Coaching. any particular processes or practices to achieve On Saturday August 22, peace of mind. from 2.30-5.00pm in Totnes, Erica will explore “It is all about insightfully the three principles understanding our that create our human humanity and how we experience. create our experience to enable us to access Erica told us: “How we our innate emotional feel and act depends wellbeing more easily on the thoughts we Erica Lewis and routinely,” said Erica. are paying attention to moment-by-moment, The session takes place in whether unconsciously or not. Our The School Room (opposite the library) thinking naturally fluctuates and at The Mansion House, Fore Street, changes and there is nothing we need Totnes on 22 August. Entry is free but to do about that. When we appreciate donations are invited for Transition there is no need to fix the content of Town Totnes. Find out more at www. out thoughts, merely let them flow on quietmindcoaching.co.uk. To book by, we naturally reconnect with the email Erica_lewis@btinternet.com or infinite creativity, vitality, clarity and call 01803 867209.

Therapists are invited to share our beautiful, calming space in the heart of Totnes.

Handmade, herbal, vegan, natural & eco-friendly body care products

We offer:

Local outlets:

• 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

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•

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

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WELLBEING

Jotty’s parasols put other umbrellas in the shade...

Ambience puts clients at ease

Why celebrants are here to stay IN the latest in his occasional series Postcards from the Edge, SIMON SMITH of Heart and Soul Funerals looks at the rise of the celebrant…

I other robust forms of treatment. “We also have wifi and music systems in every room. And, if you wish to practice in the evenings or at weekends when there is no-one on reception, we have a door entry system which allows clients to buzz straight through to the treatment room where their therapist can let them in.” The spa is adjacent to The Magdalen Chapter Hotel, which is popular with clients for lunch and afternoon coffee/ tea. For more information contact The Voya Spa Suite at Jotty’s, 4&5 Charlotte Mews, Pavilion Place, Exeter. www.jottysspa.com. Call 07856 251581.

Witches celebrate freedom of belief

Equine facilitated learning and connecting with horses... Workshops, adventure days and one-to-one sessions for both adults and young people from £45 per person AC

I L I TAT E D

A R N I NG ·

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time in the region of 40% in other words, around 60% of all funerals are now led by celebrants. They will reflect the life, values, culture and beliefs of the person who has died. Typically these funerals have more family participation, individual choices of readings and music, anything from Abba to Zappa. They celebrate the life and mourn the loss. Unsurprisingly the Church is worried about this, and at one point flooded the show with about 100 clergy to try and persuade funeral directors that they should be choosing ministers for families. But this is a generational change and, in our experience as funeral directors in South Devon, there is no persuading the babyboomer generation, for whom the church has not been a part of their lives, that they should return to it for their funeral. I think the horse has already bolted from the stable.

ISCONCEPTIONS about witchcraft are still hugely prevalent today due to centuries of anti-witch propaganda, according to Jackie Juno, Grand Bard of Exeter and 21st century witch. She said: “Millions of people were persecuted, tortured and murdered in the Middle Ages in the name of witchcraft. Most of the accused were women. Herbalists and midwives, healers and wise folk, who were previously held in high esteem, were vilified. Single women, childless women, poor people and anyone a little ‘different’ were also routinely persecuted.” The last four women to be killed for witchcraft Jackie Juno, left, and Selkie Shell in England were Susannah Edwards, Mary Trembles, aspects of witchcraft in today’s world, Temperance Lloyd and Alice and to celebrate modern day freedom Molland. In 1682 they were held at of belief and expression. Exeter’s Rougemont Castle in terrible conditions then taken to Heavitree Called The Grand Witches Ball, it and hanged. There is a plaque of takes place at Exeter Phoenix Arts remembrance in the ruin of a tower at Centre on Saturday September 12. Rougemont Gardens. There will be ceremony, poetry, talks, theatre, music and stalls. To honour these women, Jackie and her friend Selkie Shell last year held The event will be raising funds for The Grand Witches Tea Party on the Womankind Worldwide, a charity site. It attracted hundreds of people that works to change discrimination, from all over the country, and lots of poverty and violence against women media coverage including a feature and children around the world. on BBC1’s One Show. Tickets cost £11 each until August 12, This year Jackie and Selkie are rising to £14 thereafter. Visit www. organising a second event to explore jackiejuno.com.

HAVE just returned from the National Funeral Exhibition, the trade show for funeral directors, with its strange mixture of cars, coffins, mortuary equipment and new ideas, many of which you think ‘Why?’, including peculiar urns, some very ugly products (in my opinion) like primary colour coffins with ‘Mum’, ‘Dad’, etc, embossed on the side, and one-piece maroon gowns for dressing the dead - in which you definitely wouldn’t want to be seen dead! Anyway, I went to promote the funeral celebrants we train across the UK. In 2009 I polled funeral directors, and about 85-90% of funerals were led by religious ministers rather than non-religious funeral celebrants. By 2011 this had fallen to 75%, in 2013 around 65%, and this

QUI NE · E F

REATING the right ambiance immediately puts clients at their ease and begins the process of calming and cleansing, according to The Voya Spa at Jotty’s in Exeter. The spa has recently converted five of its luxury suites into treatment rooms which are available for therapists to hire. They have used a tranquil Balinese ocean theme, with elegant furnishings and calming colour schemes. The Voya Spa at Jotty’s currently offers a mix of Pilates, sports massage, Reiki healing and beauty therapy and is keen to encourage other therapists to join the team. Jotty’s Jayne Oliphant-Thompson said: “We have worked hard to create an elegant and sophisticated spa and the response from clients has been fantastic. We have a comfortable waiting area and each of the treatment rooms is furnished with seating areas and treatment couches. “The treatment couches can be adjusted from completely flat with a face hole to an upright chair and anything in between! They are strong enough for chiropractic or

Sue Blagburn BHSAI

07831 865259 sue@adventureswithhorses.co.uk

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

Teenage girls on a camp inspired by

Hunger Games. local people local eventsThelocal food local health local environment WELLBEING

UNCOVER YOUR INNER RESILIENCE AND NATURALLY QUIET MIND The School Room (upstairs opposite the Library), Mansion House, Fore Street, Totnes Explore the Three Principles: how we create our human experience FREE Skillshare with donations invited to Transition Town Totnes to cover costs. 2.30 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Sat 22 August Book at erica_lewis@btinternet.com or 01803 867209 See www.quietmindcoaching.co.uk for more

COMMUNICATION BEYOND EGO TOTNES COURSES 2015/16 with Carmella B'Hahn SEPT 5: OCT 3: NOV 7: DEC 5: JAN 16:

Holding Our Own (for women) Ego Watch and Authenticity Blitzing Habits that Hurt Yin and Yang of Communication Time Travelling and Presence

Come to all/any --- 9.45 - 4.30pm --- £50 each More info: See 'Courses' on website Email: carmella@heartofrelating.com 01803 867005

"A book that should be handed out at birth!" BUY THE BOOK from website or Bowden House and be inspired by 'Buy One, SET One Free' www.heartofrelating.com

Creating a hunger for wild side of life

ELF-HARMING, depression and obesity are all on the increase among today’s generation of teenagers. Many of these problems are attributed by researchers, at least in part, to a decrease in the amount of time children spend outdoors compared to previous generations. American non-fiction author Richard Louv describes this phenomenon as “nature-deficit disorder”and writes: “If we are going to save environmentalism and the environment we must also save an endangered species: the child in nature.” Robin Bowman of WildWise points out that the problem is particularly acute among teenage girls but believes he has hit on a solution. He explained: “Traditionally, since the early days of the Scouts, bushcraft and messing about in woods has been mostly the domain of teenage boys. The challenge, then and now, is how to coax teenage girls to experience the benefits of a deep connection to the natural world.

The Hunger Games books and films tell the story of 16-year old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic nation and survives thanks to the bushcraft and wilderness skills she learnt from her father. Katniss is a great role model and The Hunger Games is leading to an increased enthusiasm among teenage girls to learn bushcraft skills and spend time in nature.” WildWise has responded to this upsurge in interest by creating a series of five-day camps based on and inspired entirely by The Hunger Games. Robin said: “Far from their computer screens, this is a unique and magical time immersed deep in the woods, experiencing the rejuvenative power of nature. The woods, marshes and wild places are holding their breath, waiting to help today’s generation of teenagers to rediscover their connection to nature…” During August, WildWise is running three camps based on The Hunger Games. For more information visit www.wildwisehungergames.co.uk.

Nine styes on offer at Totnes Yogafest ONE for your diary - Yogafest in Totnes is back on September 12. The organisers point out that yoga is a great way to increase our inner fire of joy, at the same time as finding a deep peace and stillness in the centre of our being. Nine different styles are on offer at Yogafest and the fabulous Yoga Kitchen will be back, providing delicious healthy foods throughout the day. The festival ends with enriching chants to lift the spirits.

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Tickets cost £35 for the full day (£30 concessions), with dropin classes for £6, where space allows. Kirtan alone costs £3 and 10% of all proceeds on the day will be donated to the Guru Ram Das project, helping people in need through the practice of yoga. For more information visit www. yogafest-totnes.co.uk. Email: yogafestotnes@gmail.com or call 07894 444506.

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email: localwellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING Multi-bed clinic cuts treatment fees

HE first multi-bed acupuncture clinic has arrived in the South Hams. A multi-bed clinic allows Chinese Medicine practitioners to offer a more affordable way back to health and wholeness by treating a number of clients simultaneously. Antoinett Bruin and Michael Pringle run the new acupuncture clinic in a beautiful spacious room overlooking the Estuary at Cliff House in the heart of Salcombe. Practitioner Michael Pringle explained: “The treatment is exactly the same as if you were seen in a private treatment room, but we are able to charge less because we can treat other clients at the same time. “Supportive discussions often arise spontaneously when people are being treated together, which is an added benefit and creates real community.” Michael and Antoinett are both highly experienced Chinese Medicine and acupuncture practitioners who also practice herbs and tuina (acupuncture without needles). He said: “Chinese Medicine provides a real alternative by finding the underlying cause behind illness and helping people to find their way back to health and wholeness. One of the things we do is to find the connection between

Michael and Antoinett physical states and emotional blocks.” The first acupuncture treatment costs £40 and follow-ups are £20, allowing people to have a block of affordable treatments. There’s also a 10% discount for local people and further reductions are possible in order to make the treatment accessible to all. Chinese Herbal treatments cost £10 plus the cost of the herbs (averaging £12 a week). Facial revitalisation acupuncture is also offered as a multi-bed option. The clinics are run on Wednesday afternoons. Visit www.dragonclinic.uk or call Antoinett on 07886 036102 or Michael on 07800 594452.

Mindfulness students near year end

HE first intake of students for the Diploma in Mindfulnessbased Therapeutic Counselling is close to completing their first year of study with Lotus Training for Counselling and Mindfulness in Plymouth. Crownhill Fort - home Julie Jeffs, who runs the to Lotus Training. programme alongside Heather Morfett, said: developing a mindfulness practice, “We are delighted which underpins their training.” with the learning, growth and development of our first student The centre has a dedicated training intake. Our training is grounded in room and two large practice rooms experiential learning. which are also used for therapy. This provides an ideal setting as “There is an emphasis on the the students are practicing in a real students getting to know themselves therapeutic context. Both Julie and and their processes, with a focus on Heather have a wealth of experience ‘learning from the inside out’. Our in training and therapeutic practice. training centre has been purposefully Their students tell them they are created with the intention of inspiring role models for the providing a nourishing space where mindfulness approach. students feel valued and can build resilience. Julie said ‘Our aim is Lotus is currently enrolling for its to provide a secure base allowing next year-one diploma course, our students to unfold into the which starts on Thursday 17 counsellors they are meant to be.” September. Sessions will run each Thursday from 5.30-9pm with some Lotus Training moved into its Saturday workshops. There is also a premises at Crownhill Fort in three-day mindfulness retreat in the October 2013. Heather said: second year. “The fort provides a spacious, For more information contact tranquil and containing learning environment and plays an important 01752 560002 or email info@ psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk. part in supporting the students in

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Jo steps out after 10 years on the floor AFTER 10 years as the driving force behind a community dance space in Totnes, Jo Hardy has stepped down as the “main teacher and guardian of this space” and spoken of the magic and connection she has witnessed over the years. “My last class here in Totnes was totally awesome, with more than 100 pulsing and rocking - such a beautiful celebration of 10 years. Thank you to all and for all the warm and deep heart gratitudes.” Jo started the class in 2004 with three dancers and “by some kind of osmosis and community grapevine”,

Angie

Jacobs

the class blossomed into a dynamic space with 40-70 dancers a week. “I have been touched so many times witnessing the uniqueness of each dancer,” said Jo. Over the Summer, a new dance space, yet to be named, will be born by a collective of local Conscious Dance teachers and dancers. The first class will be on Monday September 14 - details will be found on creativedevon.ning.com/events. Jo will continue to offer dance days and weekends in Totnes (and Greece, Spain and China!). Find out more at consciousdancespace.com.

South West distributor of Sizzling Minerals, the world’s first effervescent plant-derived minerals

Call for FREE sample - 07970 922 231 www.simplyamazingminerals.com www.SizzlingTestimonials.com www.TheHealthVideo.com

Would YOU like to feel more healthy and energised? “You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a mineral deficiency” Dr Linus Pauling, two times Nobel Prize winner

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. September 11-13 November 6-8 £199 – bursaries available

www.interbe.co/courses 01392 346224 Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

WELLBEING Sweet Track Counselliing is named after a path on the Somerset levels, where this picture of their Level 3 Group students was taken.

Students develop own belief systems

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

O two people are the same, so no single theory, philosophy or practice is taught by Sweet Track Counselling, which offers accredited training in psycho-spiritual counselling. Courses range from a Certificate in Listening Skills for people with no previous experience, right through to a full Diploma, which allows trainees to begin working as independent practitioners. Sweet Track has developed its own psycho-spiritual core theoretical model which underpins all of its courses. It encourages trainees to begin a process of personal selfdevelopment, creativity, spiritual exploration and self-research. This

allows them to develop their own personal core belief system, which provides the foundations for an authentic counselling practice. Sweet Track’s Collette Barnard said: “The balance is 70% experiential to 30% written work. We explore transpersonal, eco-psychology, somatic embodiment, personcentred, and mindfulness models of working with others. “We have recently opened a new low-cost counselling agency, enabling local people to have easy access to talking therapy, and a place for our final year students to gain their experience.” For more information visit www. sweet-track-counselling.co.uk.

Horses can teach us by just being horses

Your new centre in Torquay for mind, body and spirit A place of balance and calm offering healing, treatment and meditation rooms over three floors Treatments include: Traditional Body Massage, Chakra Balancing, Reiki, Crystal Therapy, Holistic Aromatherapy Facials, Hot Stones Therapy, Body Treatment and Guided Visualisation Meditation 5th August - Creative Energy Workshops. 7th August - Personal one-to-one readings with Medium Ricky Whitemore 8th August - Up Close and Personal Clairvoyance evening with Medium Ricky Whitemore 21st August - Personal one-to-one readings with Medium Ricky Whitemore 3rd September - Sounds for the Soul Gong Bath 5th September - Virginia Compton Holistic Yoga Sangha Launch Event 12th September - Up Close and Personal Clairvoyance evening with Nicola Monks

Pure Holistic Therapies 1A Castle Road, Torquay TQ1 3BB 01803 295391 • info@pureholistictorquay.co.uk

QUINE-facilitated learning is an emerging field where horses can become our teachers, helping us reconnect to what has heart and meaning in our lives. Adventures with Horses, based on Dartmoor near Holne, is just one of a growing number of organisations helping people through horses. Sue Blagburn, who runs Adventures with Horses, says: “By their very nature horses have the gift of being extraordinary Teaching us how to learn from horses. mirrors, reading our body language and and resilience for organisations and reflecting back to us accurate nonbusiness people. Sue says: “To move judgemental feedback”. forward we all need to become In a workshop or a session a wide inspiring authentic co-creative range of people, both adults and leaders that think holistically about youth, can explore connecting with how we face ecological, economic horses in order to learn leadership and social challenges, and we need styles, how to stay present and to think outside the box. mindful, build self-confidence “Our proposal is to create a space and self-awareness, develop trust, for individuals - and teams to come empathy, and responsibility for self together, where we will concentrate and others, and insights and new on our intuitive ways of knowing, in pathways for learning which are order to potentially access some of transferable back into everyday life. the inner resources needed to move There is no riding involved so no forward, the horses will become our previous experience with horses is guides.” necessary, says Sue. Find out more at www.adventures Some of the workshops and withhorses.co.uk, email sue@ adventure sessions at Adventures adventureswithhorses.co.uk or call with Horses focus on sustainability 07831 865259.

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WELLBEING Author’s visual lecture BEST-selling author and researcher Freddy Silva is visiting South Devon to give a visual lecture on his new book, The Lost Art of Resurrection. His talk will explore living resurrection, a secret mystical ritual which its adepts, Freddy Silva and, below, his from Plato new book and the subject of his to Zoroaster, lecture in Dartington. saw as the pinnacle of spiritual development, a life-altering awakening that disclosed insights into the nature of reality and the soul. “But more importantly, as recently discovered beneath an Egyptian pyramid,” says Freddy, “resurrection was meant for the living. Its practitioners were described as ‘risen from the dead’.” Freddy will give his lecture at South Devon Steiner School, in Dartington, on Wednesday, September 30, at 7.30pm. Reserve seats for £8 now on 01803 866817, or pay £12 on the door.

Weight loss is all about food quality can do A SOUTH about it, Hamsthe stress/ based weight health conneccoach is tion, the running a gut/weight series of connection workshops – and how aimed at a healthy helping nutritious women diet can over 40 help. develop One of Hilary’s workshops. greater Hilary’s resilience in Up Your mind and body. Mood With Food workshop looks at how hormones regulate Hilary Martin says: “I have depressive and anxious feelings significantly increased my – and how food plays a massive wellbeing over the last year and part in hormone creation. lost over a stone in weight. People often ask me how I’ve done this Says Hilary: “Even when – so I came up with a series of there are external influences, mini-workshops that address the making smart dietary choices key principles I’ve used.” can help with mood resilience and may mean not resorting to Her Diets Don’t Work workshop medication.” looks at the difference between nutritional and dieting The workshop will explore the approaches to weight loss. gut/mood connection and foods that help with low mood, anxiety “Despite what all the calorieand sleep regulation. counting diets say, not all calories are equal,” says Hilary. “Losing Find out more about the weight is not about how many workshops and when they are calories you put in and take out, running near you at her website it’s about the quality of what you www.hilarymartinhealth. put in your body.” uk, email her at info@ hilarymartinhealth.uk or call Her workshop examines what 07971 444564. causes weight issues, what you

The Nautilus Rooms Totnes Centre for Counselling, Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and other mind-based practices.

Men’s meet and dance OPEN Men’s Meetings have been held in Totnes on the fifth of each month for well over a year now. Organisers describe it as an “open meeting for men to listen and be heard - because we feel there is untold value in this simple practice.” Males aged 13-16 are also welcome if accompanied by an adult. The meetings run from 7.30-9.30pm – email totnesomm@gmail.com for more information. Another Totnes regular for men is Men Dance. Now into its second year, these are regular dances for men on the third Sunday evening of each month. The format is freestyle arm-up followed by sharing circle, followed by more dancing and a closing circle. Again, find out more at totnesomm@gmail. com, or visit http:// creativedevon.ning.com/ events/men-dance-16-815-eden-rise/.

Now Open

Rooms to hire for individual, play, body, couples and family therapy. Group and training room. Please contact Ruth or Pete Baker at: info@nautilusrooms.uk or call 07736334454.

Nautilus Rooms courses:

A programme of courses has been developed including mindfulness, sandplay and therapeutic art. See the website for details.

Courses coming up:

September 12-13 : Seeing ourselves in the Sand - using sandplay and the Enneagram as a way of understanding ourselves as counsellors, therapists and people, with leading Sandplay Therapy teacher Jill Carter. September 26-27: Introduction to Sandplay Therapy.

Ruth Baker counselling and psychotherapy

Call now 07736334454 ruthbaker1@gmail.com ruthbakerpsychotherapy.co.uk

Ruth Baker BSc Hons Psychology, MA, Dip SW, Adv Dip Couns, Dip Supervision Integrative Psychotherapist • Counsellor • Supervisor & Mentor • Coach & Consultant Areas: Newton Abbot • Teignmouth • Totnes • Torquay Individuals, couples and groups • Mindfulness • Sandplay • Therapeutic Art

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October 10: Mindfulness for Busy People, facilitated by Ruth Baker. November 14-15: Introduction to Sandplay Therapy. November 26-29: Certificate in Sandplay Therapy 1, run in conjunction with The Association of Sandplay Therapists and lead by John Daly. December 19: Mindfulness for Busy People, facilitated by Ruth Baker.

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WELLBEING

Actor-playwright Peter Oswald performing at the unveiling ceremony.

Artist creates sacred fireside space

Health & wellbeing

moon ornaments to mark the passing of the seasons, with niches for candles, flowers, offerings and notes to the deceased. Robin spent time at Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground to see how visitors used the site before creating the artwork. He said: “I commonly witnessed that mourners were leaving tokens or lit candles. I felt that by incorporating candle niches and a secure receptacle, the Circle would offer the opportunity to light a votive candle and leave written or drawn expressions of their feelings.” The unveiling ceremony was attended by guests who have family and friends buried or interred at the site. Actor-playwright Peter Oswald performed a piece and harp music was played by Totnes musician Boe Huntress. Trust programme manager Ben Ballard said: “It was a simple ceremony and a moving event. The artwork provides the perfect place for visitors to sit beside the flames, to remember the people buried here and to be a meditative spot for mourners and visitors.” Rupert and Claire Callender, who manage Sharpham Meadow for the Sharpham Trust, were named Funeral Director Of The Year Totnes artist Robin Lacey with his art installation at the Good Funeral at Sharpham Meadow. Guide Awards 2012.

SPECIALLY cast 8ft wide bronze ring, emblazoned with TS Eliot’s words ‘In my end is my beginning’, now surrounds the ancestors’ fire pit at the natural burial ground in Sharpham near Totnes. Sharpham Meadow, which occupies a spectacular position in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty overlooking the River Dart, unveiled the new art installation on the Summer Solstice weekend two years after the ground’s official launch in 2013. It was created by Totnes artist Robin Lacey as part of the Sharpham Trust’s Artist in Residence programme. Entitled The Circle, the artwork creates a sacred fireside space at the burial ground and symbolises the eternal circle of the fire, the Sun and the Moon. Cedar seat posts are set into the ground around the fire-ring, decorated with bronze sun and

Seek peace of mind? Contact Peter Crowe Counselling & psychotherapy 01392 966845 www.petercrowe.co.uk 32 32

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WELLBEING

email: wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk College offers 30 years of experience

N educational organisation specialising in mental health and wellbeing training offers courses and support for anyone planning a career change. Iron Mill College has been offering high quality training to mature students in Devon for over 30 years. The Iron Mill Iron Mill College in Exeter and, below, its resource College’s Fred room. Hawkins said: “We offer training developing as an organisation and continuing professional to remain at the cutting edge of development programmes in therapeutic work and theoretical the field of counselling and perspectives.” psychotherapy, related social With a wide variety of courses sciences and personal skills available, the college runs to development and our dedicated an academic timetable with set teaching staff encompass a intakes several times throughout wide range of professions and the year. The next intake for the backgrounds to ensure a wellintroductory courses to counselling rounded academic experience. will be in Autumn 2015, leading to “The Iron Mill College is a place of an advanced diploma starting in creativity, reflection and academic Spring. Other courses such as CPD development. We are taking what was training workshops and supervision so valuable in the Iron Mill’s previous are available and are designed to and respected educational history help students learn all they need and applying it to the demands of to know about starting in private counselling and psychotherapy as they practice. are practiced today.” All training is accredited, is open With training programmes covering to students of all ages, cultures, a wide range of theoretical religions and professions and is frameworks, they are constantly held in an accessible and beautiful updated to keep up with current historic building in the centre of theory, research and legislation. Exeter. “We remain committed to Find out more at www.ironmill. maintaining and enhancing our co.uk, email enquiries@ironmill. standards and are continually co.uk or call 01392 219200.

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

Experienced psychotherapist, counsellor and supervisor

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.

Massage relief for those Summer injuries AS we get more active over the Summer months, the chances of injuries increase too. Exeter-based therapeutic and remedial massage therapist Sarah Henderson offers soothing and relaxing treatments as well as holistic treatments to treat chronic pain and injury to support recovery, ease pain and help prevent further injury.

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Says Sarah: “I firmly believe in treating the whole person and all my remedial treatments have a therapeutic approach. I also offer some integrated Myofascial Release treatments.” To find out more about her treatments, call Sarah on 07875691613, email sarah@ renewmassages.co.uk and visit www.renewmassages.co.uk.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Nautilus Rooms - beautiful decor and artwork and furniture cleverly sourced from charity shops.

WELLBEING

SN’T it great when a plan comes together? Ruth and Peter Baker had a vision for the Nautilus Rooms in Totnes and now it’s starting to take shape before their eyes. They wanted to create a therapy centre where therapists could come together to offer their services in a comfortable, safe and inspiring space and to develop the therapy centre in a personal and sustainable way. Since they launched the new centre in the heart of Totnes, they have received interest from a whole range of therapists, including counsellors, psychotherapists, meditation teachers and massage therapists. With the exception of one bookcase, all of the furniture has been sourced from charity shops and secondhand sales. Peter, who has done much of the decorating, has received fantastic feedback, people complimenting him on his use of colour and beautiful choice of artwork. Ruth said: “The building is carpeted

New therapy centre takes shape

throughout. I have worked in other spaces where the sound travelled and that was a real issue for me. I wanted clients and therapists to feel confident they would not be overheard.” Several new therapists have joined the team at the Nautilus Rooms. Anna Karthauser is now available for massage on Fridays and Dr Francesca Ashurst, a counsellor who works with children and young people, is joining in September. Others are in the pipeline. Says Ruth: “I had a vision of creating a strong team of counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists working from the same space to provide an excellent service to the people of South Devon

and beyond - and this is now falling into place.” Ruth has also created what she believes may be the largest sandtray symbol collection in the South West. “It took longer than I expected to put the display together and I am now looking forward to developing a series of sandplay therapy training courses in the Autumn and into next year as well as mindfulness courses for busy people.” A programme of sandplay, therapeutic art courses and mindfulness days is starting in September. For details, contact Ruth. The Nautilus Rooms is continuing to recruit therapists to join the team. For more information email nautiluscentre@gmail.com or call 07826414404 or 07736334454.

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Dates for your diary

September 12-13 Sandplay and the Enneagram Leading teacher Jill Carter will help you use the enneagram to explore yourself and your clients in therapy and supervision. September 26-27 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy Sandplay for counsellors, teachers, psychotherapists, youth workers, social workers, etc. October 10, repeated December 19: Mindfulness for Busy People How mindful practice can support us without that guilty feeling of ‘this is yet another thing I should be doing’. November 14 and 15 Introduction to Sandplay Therapy November 27-29 Certificate in Sandplay Therapy Starting in September 2016: Certificate in Therapeutic Art.

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WELLBEING Your guiding star to greater clarity

ESCRIBING herself as “a guiding star and compassionate guide for people when they’ve got lost or stuck on their journey through life”, Xenia Berndt, right, uses a comprehensive approach to healing and “achieving greater clarity” for her clients. One thing she uses is Creative Kinesiology. Xenia explained: “The cells in your body hold a blueprint of being in a healthy state. Any physical or mental symptom is a sign that the energy flow that keeps us in this healthy state has been compromised. “In Creative Kinesiology, we trace symptoms, such as tiredness, allergies, anxiety, depression, physical pain, and complex illnesses, back to their origin. Using the bio-feedback mechanism of your body we communicate with your innate wisdom during a Creative Kinesiology session to identify the steps required to bring you back into this healthy state.” Xenia also uses psychological astrology. This approach focuses

on unconscious, unresolved conflicts held deep inside ourselves, which are the reason why our lives are not turning out in the way that we want or expect. “We experience these as patterns and habits we seem to have no control over, which make our lives extremely difficult at times,” said Xenia. “They also surface as physical and mental illness. During a psychological astrology consultation, I bring these conflicts into your conscious awareness, where they lose their power over you. “Together, we find ways for you to work with these patterns and habits constructively, instead of them taking over your life.” Xenia runs a weekly Movement Medicine dance class, teaching people to connect with the power, beauty and creativity they’ve got in them. For more information about treatments, classes and the forthcoming ‘Find Out Who You Really Are’ workshop in Exeter on Saturday, September 26, contact xenia@healing-insight-guidance. com or call 07748 614961.

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

The writing garden at Roselle’s retreat.

Find inspiration in Southern France OK, so how long have you been promising yourself you’ll write your novel/autobiography/collection of poetry… and just not got round to it? Roselle Angwin could have the perfect solution for you. She is running two wonderfully inspiring writing retreats in the stunning forested Cévennes mountains of Southern France this Summer. Writing the Bright Moment in August (22–29) is described as “a week to quicken the heart, fire the imagination and enliven the senses.” Roselle explains: “We will discover new ways of being in - and writing from - the present moment. We do this using a mix of silence, inspirational poetry, slow walking, time in nature, discussions, mindfulness exercises and of course a range of creative activities. And, when you need to escape and experience a sense of at-oneness with yourself and the land, you can immerse yourself in the fabulous waterfall pool at Gardoussel, or walk in the wild woodlands in

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the mountains behind the centre.” This retreat is fully-catered: organic vegetarian food with an Ayurvedic focus is included in the price. Massage is usually available on-site. From August 29 to September 4 there will be an untutored 6-day self-catering Open Writers’ Retreat. Accommodation is 200 euros for a single room (around £142 pounds at July exchange rates) without meals. Work will be shared informally, and shopping and cooking can be shared activities. In addition, you can book an individual intensive one-to-one tutorial (for a fee) with Roselle during the week. This could focus on poetry or fiction, eco-writing, creative nonfiction, general creative, reflective and therapeutic writing, on a specific writing project, or on ‘process’. Roselle is well-published in all those areas, and has 24 years’ experience guiding others through them. Visit roselleangwin.wordpress.com/ week-long-residentials, or email roselle.l.angwin@gmail.com.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

Gina at the Tibetan Buddhist

Mongolian Cultural Centre in local people local events food local health local environment WELLBEING Indianapolis,local right and below.

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

spiritual counsellor

and healer

jbarr_38@btinternet.com 07930 370 595 Buckfastleigh/Home visits arranged/DBS checked

Why 30 minutes makes all the difference

XETER-based dementia volunteer Gina Awad returned from the US with “an array of ideas” and is considering how they can be “translated in the community”. Gina was one of just 12 UK dementia workers who won a place on a Memory Bridge training trip to Indianapolis, where they stayed at the Tibetan Buddhist Mongolian Cultural Centre and made five daily visits to the assisted living care centre Autumn Hills in Bloomington. The volunteers spent time with ‘buddies’ at the centre and Gina explained how the power of touch and music enabled a liberating connection. “But there were also times when no words at all were exchanged and that was simply ok,” said Gina. “I understand many people in society sense a social awkwardness around dementia generally. In the past, I did too so I have great empathy with that. “But the thought of socially isolating people living with dementia due to

our own personal discomfort feels unfair and is an area I feel I would like to explore and see transforming in the future. “I believe spending as little as 30 minutes of quality time really ‘being with’ a person living with dementia in their reality in a non-judgmental, compassionate way can be the difference between a life of quality inclusion and social isolation.” To learn more or support Gina with her ongoing voluntary community work, email her at ginasfreespirit@ yahoo.co.uk.

Carmella’s free book offer for groups AUTHOR and therapist Carmella B’Hahn, right, would like to hear from organisations in and around Totnes who want to improve their communication/relating skills using free copies of her latest book. Carmella’s new book, Heart of Relating: Communication Beyond Ego, has been enthusiastically received and is selling well. Her ‘Buy One, SET One Free’ campaign encourages generous people to buy additional copies at a reduced cost to give away to staff in charities or organisations who serve people in need. This powerful 52-week course for individuals, couples or groups creates a common language and skill-base when people experience

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the weekly chapters at the same time. Says Carmella: “From experience in the pilot group, communication in all the participants’ relationships then has the potential to dramatically improve.” Carmella is delighted that one group of 18 staff at a local hospice is ready to start the course together in September. “This is grounded evidence that the vision I have carried for so long is coming into being,” said Carmella. Anyone interested can contact Carmella at Carmella@ HeartofRelating.com. See more about the book, the Buy One, SET One Free campaign and courses based on the book at www. HeartofRelating.com.

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local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING

EMOTIONAL HEALTH WELCOME back to Emotional Health, our new column exploring all things emotional. This time Leigh Smith takes a closer look at stress - what causes it, how it can affect us and what we can do to beat it...

Spot the signs and then...

ONE of us can completely avoid stress in our lives and while some of us thrive on it, others buckle under its mental, physical and emotional pressure. Life is full of stress creators: work demands, money problems, meeting deadlines, the list is endless. But not all stressors are negative: my wedding was one of the most stressful times of my life but also the happiest; and having babies was a tremendously stressful time but also so amazing. Did you know that your clever body has a built-in system to help you cope with stress? When you are under pressure your body responds by recognising the symptoms and sends a surge of helpful hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) into your body to give you extra motivation and resilience to cope. The stress response is how your body protects you. How clever is your body? The problem is that too much stress can cause these hormones to remain present in your body and eventually cause an imbalance in your Emotional

Health, resulting in physical and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and heart disease to name but a few. So what can we do to keep our stress balance healthy? It’s so hard to recognise the sneaky signs of stress when some of them don’t look like stress at all! How many of these symptoms can you tick? Memory problems, negative thinking, worrying, lack of concentration, mood swings, agitation, bad temper, feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, unhappy, aches and pains, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, constantly unwell, loss of sex drive, disrupted eating and sleeping patterns, nail biting, raised alcohol/smoking intake. If this list feels familiar to you, your doctor will help you to determine whether these symptoms are the cause of stress or some other psychological or medical problem. But whatever you do, DON’T STRESS! It’s time to control, and remedy the situation with some helpful tips...

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Emma Cayless • 07971101332 exeterthaimassage@gmail.com www.devonthaimassage.com

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

BioEnergetic Health

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

Free taster sessions at the BioEnergetic Health Clinic and Greenlife in Totnes 07503 111057

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What can you do about them? FIRST, there’s no one way to deal with stress. We all respond differently to life’s stressors and we need different remedies to release the burden of that stress. I love to meditate but a good friend of mine says he would rather stick pins in his eyes. Once you identify your stress triggers you will find some things you can change, some things you cannot. A big factor in feeling stressed is being out of control, so learn to say ‘no’ and do less, keep away from people and situations which trigger you, and when the stressor is something outside of your control learn to adapt how you respond to it, step back and see the big picture, take some time out, find the silver lining, and learn to

accept that neither you nor life is perfect. Managing stress also involves learning more about your personal core beliefs. Ask yourself: do you feel it is weak to take a break? To ask for help? To cry? Do you believe you deserve to carry a heavy burden? Work until you drop? Be perfect? Try harder? Be the best? Understanding your own core beliefs will allow you to create some positive changes and map out a more loving and kinder course for your life journey. It’s time to steer your ship into calmer more tranquil seas. You alone get to decide what is the right course for you to take, so hoist the main sail, and set sail for new horizons.

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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Paticipants and leaders of

Interbe’s Genesis programme. local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING

hilarymartinhealth.uk Body-mind resilience for women over 40 • Regulate mood - the mood/food connection • Manage stress - develop strategies for resilience • Take control of wellness - use powerful nutrition • Put yourself at the centre - easy-win self-care plan • Control over weight - sustainable and nourishing Health coaching, counselling, events Please contact me to discuss your support needs Sign up for my newsletter: info@hilarymartinhealth.uk 07971 444564 www.hilarymartinhealth.uk

THE LOST ART OF RESURRECTION A VISUAL LECTURE BY INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR FREDDY SILVA ‘Perhaps the best metaphysics speaker in the world right now’ - UNIVERSAL LIFE EXPO WEDNESDAY

SEPT 30

SOUTH DEVON STEINER SCHOOL 7.30pm DARTINGTON Reserve seats: 01803 866817. £8 now, £12 on door

Are you held back by stories you tell?

HAT beliefs do you have about life, about yourself, about the world… that hold you back and stop you from living a life that you would love? That’s the question InterBe will be asking on its two and a half day transformational programme called Genesis: Re-authoring Your Life. The programme introduces the principles of Narrative Transformation, which is the idea that changing your life is as simple as changing the stories you tell about what is possible for you. Have you ever had the experience that, over and over again, you tell yourself that you can’t do something? And, then, one day you wake up and think “damn it, I’m sick of this, I’m just going to do it”. And, guess what, you do it! The fact is, all along you had the ability to do it, but when you believed you couldn’t, you couldn’t. And, once you believed you could, you could. By changing your narrative – or the story you were telling yourself – about what was possible, you changed the outcome. We all have stories we tell ourselves habitually. It can feel like having a voice in our head – not always

a particularly helpful or supportive voice. Maybe it tells us we’re no good, or we’re going to get found out, or we can’t do what we want to do. And, everywhere we look, we see the evidence to back this up. This reinforces our story, so then we look for more evidence - and so it goes on. The Genesis programme will help you uncover some of the hidden stories you’re telling yourself. You’ll get to see how focusing on this one story blinds you to the evidence of anything different. And, you’ll discover that if you actively look for different evidence, you will find it, and your life will start to change. The impact can be life-changing. Carey Marks who participated in the last programme said: “It’s a powerful experience of self-discovery that belied its short weekend period.” The next Genesis programme takes place from September 11-13 and again from November 6-8. It is part of the Experience Living series of transformational training programmes run by InterBe at Seale Hayne near Newton Abbot. Visit www.interbe.co/courses or call 01392 346224.

Discover your inner horse goddess

Touch Workshops with Dr. Betty Martin, CSB: Learning to Touch Receiving, giving, taking and allowing Saturday September 5th

How to Give and Receive an Erotic Massage (or a tender, healing or enlightening one) Sunday September 6th

Quodoushka, Level 1 Shamanic Sexuality woodland retreat 24–27th September 2015 with Batty Gold and Rose Fink www.quodoushka.org.uk

Contact: Kian 07952 469848 or Katie 07540 571745

www.seaschoolofembodiment.com

THERE are surprisingly powerful resonances in the 2000-year-old goddess myths for today’s women, according to Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, which is running a course in September to help modern day women to reconnect with their inner-goddess, via horses. Lia Ponton, who will facilitate the course alongside fellow dramatherapist, Susie Thompson said: “The ancient goddess stories help modern women to engage with the goddess within, to develop feminine strengths, such as spontaneity, instinct and intuition - and to enhance their wellbeing. “Add in the learning that can come from mindfully engaging with horses, and you have a powerful and potent mix for women’s empowerment. That is what we will be exploring at The Horse Goddess weekend.” The Horse Goddess weekend takes place on September 26 and 27 at Sirona in Seale Hayne near Newton Abbot. Participants will spend time with the horses as well as working playfully and creatively in a supportive group, there is no riding involved. Susie explained: ‘The opportunity to

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work in an embodied way like this, with the horses helping you access your wisdom is very exciting.” Lia and Susie have been combining ideas from equine assisted therapy with dramatherapy for several years. They also run an Introduction to Equidramatherapy which has proved popular both with horse lovers and nervous newcomers alike. The next one is at Sirona on August 29. For more information about The Horse Goddess and the Introduction to Equidramatherapy courses, contact Susie on 07939 268227 or email susie@wildandwise.co.uk. www. sironacic.com

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Canoeing is just one of outdoor

activities on new Sharpham course. local people local events local food local health local environment

Who is receiving in your relationship?

HAT does it really mean to give sexual consent? Why is it sometimes so difficult to know whether we want intimate contact or not? And why do we so frequently end up in relationships where both people feel like they are giving and no-one is receiving? Media discussions of consent tend to focus on the importance of (usually) men gaining consent from their female partners prior to sex and respecting their partner’s boundaries if they say ‘no’. While this aspect of consent is obviously extremely important, it is not the whole story. Kian de la Cour and Katie Sarra of The Sea School of Embodiment help people find their own answers. “Our ability to give sexual consent authentically is heavily influenced by our understanding of the nature of touch,” says Katie. “Much depends on the motivations - conscious or otherwise - of the person delivering the touch. Are they touching to meet their own needs or to gratify those of the person they are touching? “Does the person being touched actually want it? Or are they simply allowing it to happen to please the other person?” Kian points out that an awareness of these subtle distinctions, and the ability to communicate clearly around them is crucial to developing genuinely satisfying intimate, tactile relationships. “Without these skills it is all too easy to

get stuck in unhelpful patterns in which neither party receives what they deeply need and both end up resenting the other,” he says. Bringing clarity to these complex undercurrents within intimate relationships has been the life-work of Dr Betty Martin – a chiropractor, certified sexological bodyworker and intimacy coach from Seattle in the United States, who will run her powerful workshop ‘Learning to Touch: Receiving, giving, taking and allowing’, for the second time at The Sea School of Embodiment in September. Lucy Latchmore, who participated in her previous workshop, said: “It was a revelatory experience. Despite my initial reservations, the warmth, groundedness and clarity of Betty’s style created a space in which it felt safe to explore and give expression to the often confusing realms of touch, need and want. I emerged from the experience with clearer boundaries, a sense of trust in my ability to maintain those boundaries and a language through which to communicate them.” Betty’s model forms a central plank of the work of Kian de la Cour and Katie Sarra – trained sex coaches, certified sexological bodyworkers and founders of The Sea School of Embodiment. To find out more about one-to-one sessions with Kian or Katie, and to sign up for Betty’s upcoming Devon workshops, visit www. seaschoolofembodiment.com.

Course explores adventure therapy THE 550-acre Sharpham estate is running a three-day adventure therapy course that will include canoeing, archery, bushcraft…and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Working Therapeutically with Young People in the Outdoors, from October 5-7, is for outdoor educators, counsellors, teachers, youth workers and mental healthcare professionals working to promote recovery and change in young people. “This is a unique opportunity to gain an introduction and understanding of the benefits of working outdoors and adventure therapy for young people,” said Ben Ballard, programme manager at The Sharpham Trust. “The Sharpham Estate provides a wonderful backdrop and setting for connecting people to nature.”

There is also an option to experience a ‘solo’ - a night spent alone outdoors. The course will be led by Nigel Ohlson, a psychotherapist, youth worker and outdoor educationalist, with the help of youth worker and adventurer Charlie Chambers, together with experienced outdoor instructors and one of Sharpham’s pool of highly-experienced mindfulness teachers. All specialist equipment will be provided and course participants will stay in Grade 1-listed Sharpham House, full-board. The course costs £395 per person. Find out more at www. sharphamtrust.org, call 01803 732542 or email bookings@ sharphamtrust.org.

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BREAKING the Taboo on Men Touching Men, Sea School of Embodiment, 7-10pm, 07952 469848, kian@ pleasurelab.org, www. seaschoolofembodiment.com. SATURDAY 22 NATURE’S Bounty, family forage day, Sharpham Estate, £20, 01803 732542, www. sharphamtrust.org/whats-on. FRI 28 – SUN 30 FOUNDATIONS of Facilitation, Sea School of Embodiment with Dr Betty Martin, 6pm Friday – 6pm Sunday, 07952 469848, kian@pleasurelab.org, www.seaschoolof embodiment.com.

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Hilary Martin. Adding in rather than taking out. Creating health. Chapel House Studios, Totnes. For info: www. hilarymartinhealth.uk, info@hilarymartinhealth.uk, 07971 444564. SAT12-SUN 13 CREATIVE Being, exploring multi-media creative expression, The Brake, Blackawton, 01803 712303, 07735 424583, www.thebrake.net. SUN 13-WED 16 NATURE Connection Woodland Retreat, guided meditations, movement & sitting practice, night moon walks, medicine walks, foraging and feasting on wild food, Sharpham Estate, accommodation in luxury bell tents, www. sharphamtrust.org . SATURDAY 19 POP-UP, urban Goddess Temple, Revolution, 117 Fore Street, Exeter. From 2-7 pm. A beautiful sacred space for quiet meditation upon local Saint Sidwell and Goddess’s Sulis and Nemetona. Free, donations welcome to cover costs. THURSDAY 24 MINDFULNESS Drop-in Practice Evening, Sharpham Estate, 01803 732542, www.sharphamtrust.org. THURS 24-SUN 27 QUODOUSHKA 1 shamanic sexuality retreat, Sea School of Embodiment, 12pm Tues – 5pm Sun, 07952 469848, kian@ pleasurelab.org, www. quodoushka.org.uk. SATURDAY 26 DAY of Silent Meditation at The Barn, Sharpham Estate, 01803 732542, www. sharphamtrust.org.

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41 41

And finally...

CONTINUING the theme of our eating out Local Produce pages, editor FOSTER gets his teeth into some meaty issues around food production

Where’s YOUR next meal coming from?

HERE’S a strong outdoor eating theme to our local produce pages in this issue and as I write this, the smell of neighbouring barbecues is wafting through my window. Most of us yearn for a greater connection with our natural environment; and satisfying our most primal of urges while we’re there (well, no, I was thinking of hunger, actually) is surely the greatest connection of all. But assuming we’re talking about something a little more fundamental than pulling over into a lay-by to eat a Ginsters pastie, what is the most sustainable and ethical source of that food? The most natural way to eat in nature is to eat nature, right? ‘Eat the view’, as a slogan for local produce once had it. There is something magical about foraging for food in the wild and then cooking it (or eating it raw) in that same environment. The more adventurous might even catch a rabbit or squirrel and there are certainly plenty of bushcraft courses that can teach you the necessary skills. How you feel about catching, killing, skinning and gutting animals is something you need to deal with yourself. Maybe if you eat meat, it’s something you should face up to? I’ll come back to that later. Living wild is good for the soul, if not the local wildlife, and will certainly remind us not to take our food supply for granted. But for most of us, it’s no more than the

‘

occasional weekend of feral frolics, living on the hedge, before going back home to have a shower and make some tasty pesto with that handful of wild garlic. And I don’t mean that as cynically as it sounds. It’s just not going to sort our ethical food supply problems. Having touched on it during our wild food foray, let’s grab the bull by the horns and look one of the big food issues square in the eyes: to eat meat, or not to eat meat? Let me first state my position. I was brought up on a farm that kept freerange animals (chickens, pigs and beef cattle) alongside an intensive pig unit and battery hens. Although I should add that it was not nearly as intensive, and certainly nowhere near as big, as some of the enormous industrial farm units we see today. The result was that I became vegetarian which, while I lived at home at least, was a far greater sacrifice than you might think. My mum’s idea of a vegetarian meal was a roast dinner without the meat or gravy and until you’ve eaten overboiled Brussels and cabbage with a dollop of tomato ketchup, you know nothing about ethical statements. But once I left home, my diet improved and I lived happily and healthily as a veggie for decades. I was not, though, vegan. And, as we all know, the production of eggs and dairy also produces millions of unwanted male chicks and calves. But when I became uncomfortable with that hypocrisy, I decided not to become vegan but to eat only compassionately-reared meat. Now, I have every respect for vegans and their moral standpoint. And as a ‘less meat eater’ I know it’s not always easy to find ethical alternatives – just how many acres of rainforest have been

I would dearly love to see ALL meat being sold for what it actually costs to raise animals compassionately and sustainably

cleared (with all the loss of life and habitat that that entails) to grow soya, for example? It can be really hard to trace the origins and environmental and social impact of what we eat. Whether we eat animals or not is a big ethical decision and one which I took after careful consideration. We certainly don’t eat meat every day and sometimes go a week or more without eating any, but I do enjoy organic local butter (and dislike all the highly processed vegan alternatives) and a dash of organic local milk in my cuppa. You can’t have missed mention of Hillyfield Hens in Reconnect so you’ll know we are now part of a free range poultry project, which is the source of our eggs and chicken. It means I know exactly what they eat (organic feed and anything they find grubbing around under the trees), how fresh their eggs are (we collect them ourselves) and how the meat birds are killed (I do that too). We also treat them as beautiful living creatures (not always easy when you’ve been attacked by a protective cockerel) and not units of production. Ideally I would eat only meat I had played a part in raising and one day, when I have the time and resources to keep a few pigs (I LOVE pigs) and maybe a few sheep too, I might be able to do that. In the meantime, we buy only locally produced, usually organic, meat from an excellent selection offered by butchers and producers’ markets in Totnes and Ashburton. So is organic meat worth the extra cost? I would dearly love to see ALL meat being sold for what it actually costs to raise animals compassionately and sustainably. Yes, that does mean it would cost more – it should cost more. Meat should, in my opinion, be a fewtimes-a-week luxury, as it used to be – not something we grab for a cheap snack. That can only lead to animals

being reared in truly awful conditions and treated as consumer products, not the amazing creatures they are. I believe that farm animals should be at the centre of animal welfare campaigning. The anti-battery hen legislation was a start but so much more work needs to be done. There are plenty of heartful, compassionate farmers out there, but it only takes a handful of purely profit-driven farm industrialists to cause thousands of animals untold suffering and misery. If you feel as strongly as I do about it, simply stop buying processed meat ‘products’ and buy only recognisable, locally produced meat from your local butcher who will be more than happy to tell you exactly where it came from. That way, one shopping trip will support a small, independent business, support a local farmer, keep money in the local community AND improve animal welfare. The big multi-national corporations that exploit animals (and people) have massive resources – but they need your money to keep going. Take that away, spend it in the local economy instead, and you are exercising real power. Of all the ethical/sustainable/ green/slow lifestyle labels, the one that makes the most sense to me is ‘conscious living’. If we each know and consider the options we have before us, and act according to the way we truly believe, we will be living the best way we can. Reconnect will continue to respect and support vegans and vegetarians. We will also support compassionate animal care and organic farming. And we will always urge people to buy local, organic and seasonal fruit and veg. Each of us really can change the world if we change our own world.

Martin x

Katheryn Trenshaw Passionate Presence Centre for Creative Expression phone: +44 (0) 1803 863552 skype: katheryntrenshaw email: post@ktrenshaw.com

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