Reconnect June - July 2015 Issue 37

The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon JUNE/JULY 2015 ISSUE 37

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

Plea

FREE ! se ta

ke on

IN YOUR OWN SKIN Why it’s written all over her face

SWEETWITHOUT SUGAR Pudding it another way

YOURSTARTERFORTEENS

WALKIes TALKIES

Why you must let them go wild

Social media site for dog owners

wellbeing

Big 18-page natural health guide - in our BUMPER 44-page issue!

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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

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

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Upfront IT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

Broughttoyouby...

IN THISISSUE...

OUTDOOR MOVIES

Page 15

4

Art Centre film plans EDITOR Martin Foster

BEER, OATS AND LEF 5 Joined up business

REVOLUTION 7

Spiritual/cultural centre WELLBEING EDITOR Kate Philbin

NATURAL GOODNESS GOING OUT DIARY

ADMIN MANAGER Beth Foster

8

Get herbs in your salads

9

Events in Reconnectland

LAND PROJECTS

12

Community living

IN YOUR OWN SKIN 15 FEATURES WRITER Jon Stein

The art of the truth

Page 4

A TASTE OF HOME 18 Local produce news

BUILDERS’ CRAIC

20

Eco-build project latest

GARDENING

21

Organic tips from Joa

FREELY GIVEN

WELCOME...

IF you read Reconnect with a cuppa, you’ll need a bigger mug, or maybe another cup, because we’ve got an extra four pages in this issue.

Bigger issues are good news for everyone. On a commercial level, we can only add pages when we have extra advertising, so it means business is good. Not book-that-holiday-inIndia-good, but maybe a taste of better things to come.

And extra pages means more editorial too more to read, more space to spread the word about community projects and events and natural health and... well, you get the idea.

But perhaps the very best thing about the magazine going so well, or even about it being here at all, is that it means this area has enough businesses doing good for the community (because they’re the only kind we feature) to support a magazine.

Thanks to all our readers and advertisers for helping us make it happen.

Martin

COVERSTORY...

The good living and community magazine for Exeter, Plymouth and across South Devon JUNE/JULY 2015 ISSUE 37

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

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PlEa

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Retreats for everyone

WELLBEING 24

Natural health latest

CLASSIFIED INFO

FOOD WRITER Jane Hutton

40

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jenny Foster

STAY IN TOUCH...

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

Written all over her face

Check out the small ads

AND FINALLY... 32 That was the geek

DIARY EDITOR Rachel Foster

INYOUROWNSKIN SWEETWITHOUTSUGAR

howto advertise...

PLACE an advertisement in Reconnect and we’ll put your message out across South Devon - 8500 copies every other month.

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If you book a series of three adverts, you get a discount of 10% - and the chance to pay monthly by direct debit.

Pudding it another way

WALKIesTALKIES

WILDATHEART Teens go wild - in a good way

wellbeing

Social media site for dog owners

Big 18-page natural health guide - in our BUMPER 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.

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Main image: Shanni from Totnes, as featured in Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin project see page 15. Bottom images, from left to right: Wildwise Hunger Games page 39; sugarfree desserts from the International Macrobiotic School page 18; Angel Dog social media site page 34.

discount, so you pay £845.10.

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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!

Aug/Sept issue out end of July - deadline July 3 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.

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Please recycle this magazine by passing it on to someone else after you’ve read it

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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

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news&views Open art show entries call THE Exeter Contemporary Open 2015 exhibition has made its last call for submissions.

Organisers say it’s open to “exciting emerging and established contemporary artists from across the UK and beyond” and runs September 11 to October 31.

There’s a £100 overall award up for grabs , plus £500 “additional award”, £200 audience choice and Moving Image Award.

Find out more at www. exeterphoenix.org.uk/ creative-hub-area/ exeter-contemporaryopen-2015-call-forentries

Intimate Ed WE’VE got news of a gig that’s not happening until November but it’s a big name at a small venue so we thought we’d give it an early mention.

Ed Byrne, he of numerous TV programmes but especially Mock The Week and Dara and Ed’s Big Adventure, will appear at Exmouth Pavillion on November 18 as part of his Outside Looking In tour.

Call 01395 222 477 or visit www.ledleisure. co.uk.

What matters THE amazing Tarte Noire Women’s Playback Theatre will present (with the help of the audience) a womenonly performance called What Matters to You – Politics from our Hearts in Teignmouth on June 9.

The venue is the United Reformed Church, Dawlish Road in Teignmouth; doors open at 7.45pm for an 8pm start and the cost is £10/£8 (concession).

If that doesn’t convince you (oh, come on!), visit www.tartenoire.co.uk or find them on Facebook.

Folk day SOUTH Brent Folk Day has come around again – look out on July 4 for singing, music, dancing, a poetry competition, concerts and workshops.

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

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The impressive (but very expensive) screen at last year’s Royal William Yard film show.

Rural crafts

Arts centre takes movies into city

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LYMOUTH Arts Centre has ambitious plans for outdoor and ‘off-site’ cinema shows this year following the success of 2014 events – and an extra £7,000+ funding.

As last year, there will be three Open Air Cinema screenings at the Royal William Yard, with the possibility of a fourth.

An injection of funding from Plymouth City Council, public crowdfunding and Arts Council England means they are now also looking at new “challenging and unusual venues” for more screenings across the city.

“The National Marine Aquarium has expressed a serious interest,” said Arts Centre head of communications Kate Foster. “We’ll be looking for an appropriate movie to screen in front of their main display tank.

“And Devonport Guildhall is a definite – we’ll show a children’s film there in the afternoon and an adult programme in the evening.

“All the screenings will be part of Plymouth’s Ocean City Festival in September.”

Other venues are under consideration but Kate couldn’t reveal any details yet – you can sign up at their website (www.plymouthartscentre.org) to be notified as they are confirmed.

Showing films outdoors and at other venues has proved very popular in Plymouth – all three shows sold out in 2014 – but it is very expensive.

“We have to pay at least 35% of our takings to the distributors,” explained Kate. “And other site expenses are incredibly high – the screen and scaffolding at Royal William Yard costs around £7,000, for example.

“There have been massive cuts in Arts Council funding too – ours has just been cut by 27% - so we are increasingly dependent on independent funding.”

The Arts Centre set out to raise £5,000 for the film shows, including an application to Plymouth City Council’s City Change Fund, which this year is linked to Crowdfunder.

Kate explained: “When our independent fundraising reached 25% of our target, £1,250, the City Change Fund added £2,500, which gave the campaign a massive boost. And because we currently receive 50% match funding from Arts Council England for donations we receive, we will be applying to draw down this funding too, bringing our total to £7,762. It means we can invest the surplus in other areas of the visual arts and local community arts projects.”

The programme for the 2015 shows is still being worked on, but following the popularity of last year’s screening of Grease, it will include a singalong version of Mama Mia at Royal William Yard. Again, more details will be available from their website, www.plymouthartscentre.org, where you can also register for updates.

Council first to use crowdfunding to deliver grants PLYMOUTH City Council has teamed up with the online website Crowdfunder in a pioneering project to distribute money to local arts and community groups.

The first of its kind in the UK, the scheme uses money from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a charge made on the companies behind developments, including housing, student accommodation and supermarkets.

Community and arts groups are invited to apply to the council and, providing they meet certain criteria, the council pledges a percentage of the money they require.

Once the group has raised

25% of their target through Crowdfunder, the council’s money kicks in, giving the campaign a massive boost.

The scheme, which is being trialed for a year and will then be evaluated, has already given £2500 to the Plymouth Arts Centre cinema project (see above) and £3000 for the Children’s Creative Hub (www. stiltskin.org.uk), which aims to turn a disused building in Plymouth’s Devonport Park into an arts studio and theatre for children and their families.

Find out more by searching for City Change Fund on the Plymouth City Council website (www.plymouth.gov.uk) and visiting www.crowdfunder.co.uk.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

AS ever the Devon Rural Skills Trust have some great workshops coming up over the coming months.

There’s pole lathing at the S Devon Steiner School in Dartington on June 6, Stone Walling at Hennock on June 20, Tool Sharpening at the Steiner school again on September 12, and Stone Walling near Ashburton on September 22.

All courses run 9.15am4.30pm and cost £30 (£20 for members).

Find out more at www. drst.org.uk and check availability of places (all bookings must be paid for in advance) on 01548 821156 after 6.30pm.

Family fayre THE Rainbow and Daisy Family Fayre on July 4 will raise money for the two children’s centres in Totnes.

The Rainbow Nursery and adjoining Mansion Courtyard will be buzzing with stalls, soft play area, games, tombola, café, cakes, a “vast range” of community groups and music from KEVICC pupils.

Get along there from 10.30am-12.30pm with your children and some cash to support these two local groups.

World Transition AS we revealed in the last issue of Reconnect, the inaugural Transition Network International Conference will be September 18-20 at Seale-Hayne, just outside Newton Abbot.

Rob Hopkins, cofounder of the Transition movement, says: “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Transition in all its forms in Devon, the place where it was born.”

Find out more at www. transitionnetwork.org.

Totnes movie

The Plymouth City Councilsupported Children’s Creative Hub project on the Crowdfunder website.

THE Hitchcock classic Strangers On A Train will be shown at Follaton Community Cinema on June 27. Doors open at the Follaton Community Centre at 7pm for a 7.30 start.

Find out more and watch the trailer at www. follatoncommunity cinema.co.uk.

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editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

news&views

New three-in-one story offer!

The Children’s Garden

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VEN with four more pages than usual, there’s just so much good stuff going on across South Devon that we’re always looking at ways of getting in more stories.

So here’s two pictures and one story that ties together three amazing local projects.

Steiner Education for Early Years Places available for Kindergarten, ages 3 - 6 years Parent and toddler groups for the under 3’s The Childrens Garden Exeter is looking for a Steiner-trained kindergarten teacher for September 2015. Please contact 01392 427 200 or thechildrensgarden@phonecoop.coop for details.

Children’s Garden, 80 Merrivale Road Exeter EX4 1PT

www.childrensgarden.org.uk

Story one First up is The New Lion Brewery.

Inspired by Transition principles (one of their founding directors is Mr Transition himself, Rob Hopkins), this Holly Tiffen with Rob Hopkins, left, New Lion head local craft brewery brewer Mat Henney, right, and his assistant Jacek produces three Ziegler, centre. Below: the KEVICC pitch. main beers and has recently opened Story Three a bar at their brewery in Totnes.

The 2015 Local Entrepreneur Forum Open Friday and Saturdays, was, in a word, incredible.

5-9pm, you can sample beers on the premises or take them home, In considerably more words it including their new stainless steel was staged at Totnes Civic Hall ‘growlers’. Pay a deposit, take

by Transition project REconomy away two litres of beer and bring it and provided local, communityback for a £9 refill when ever you serving businesses with a chance to fancy (like an hour later). Very cool. network and ask for help from the community.

The brewery also works with local businesses and community projects, After a morning of talks, discussion producing collaborative brews to and networking, followed by a mark special events – including a very wonderful Kitchen Table lunch special (we’ve tried it at LEF) Black from Hannah and Sima, four local Oat Mild to support the Grown in businesses/projects pitched for Totnes project, which brings us to… help: Wild and Curious, who are making healthy snacks from local Story two fruit and wild, foraged food; the We mentioned Grown in Totnes Dartmoor Pony Training Centre, and The Oat Project in our last who save ponies and give them issue. For those who missed it, new, active lives; the Underground their plan is to grow and sell grains Chocolate Company, a bunch of and legumes in the Totnes area – inspiring kids from KEVICCS school, starting with oats. who have set up a business making They had a massive fundraising chocolate; and the Green Funeral blitz in May but their campaign Company who presented a hugely is on-going so if you’d like to get passionate pitch extolling the virtues involved (and particularly if you of an alternative to cremation using have experience of growing or a speeded up natural process called processing such crops), email alkaline hydrolysis, which they would holly@transitintowntotnes.org. dearly love to see happen here.

Grown In Totnes received its first They all received amazing offers of public airing (and a lot of financial practical, professional and financial and practical support) when driving help – Reconnect has offered free force Holly Tiffin pitched at the publicity in the magazine, so you 2014 Local Entrepreneur Forum. will read more about all these And that takes us to… projects here in Reconnect over the coming months but we didn’t want to miss a chance to briefly share their visions and to say that yet again, the Local Entrepreneur Forum has shown that business is better done together.

Do NOT Miss the 2016 event!

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Meditation RetReats in the Buddhist tRadition

www.gaiahouse.co.uk

est. 1999

“I have attended over 4,000 funerals in my 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 Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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news&views

New buildings on Steiner Academy Exeter’s new site at Thomas Hall.

Film school is kids’ stuff

School’s summer move

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Empowering families across Devon & Cornwall since 1999

The Brake Inspiration to reconnect to our hands through art, making and being

Creative Being Weekends with artist Dolly Kary Maybe you long for some creative outlet.

Perhaps you think you have no time, no space and you have to be “good’ at it.

I believe we were all born creative beings, each with a unique quality. In a playful and simple way this workshop will take you on an adventure where you will discover, explore and celebrate your own distinct creative being. No art experience necessary.

Saturday and Sunday May 30 and 31 9.30am to 5pm Cost £160, including all art materials.

The Studio at The Brake, Blackawton, TQ9 7DE

Call 01803 712 303 or 07735 424 583 Email info@thebrake.net and visit www.thebrake.net 6

IGHTEEN months in and the Steiner Academy Exeter, already bursting at the seams, is planning a Summer move to its new, permanent “and very beautiful” site at Thomas Hall on the Cowley Bridge Road.

Says the school’s Jenny Salmon: “Our school has come a long way in a very short time, such is the timescale of start-up projects under the Free School programme.

“With 120 pupils last year, 180 this, and expected to rise to just under 300 by next September with an intended age-range of 4 to 16, there is never any shortage of activity, challenge and delight here on our temporary site in Exwick.”

Jenny says the children have grown fond of the temporary classrooms and the rambling, halfderelict location – but mindful that “pastures new await them just down the hill, not quite in view, but very much in our awareness.”

Steiner Academy Exeter is one of only four statefunded Steiner schools in the UK and aspires to make this particular type of education a viable option for the children of Exeter.

“A move from ramshackle improvisation to a bespoke and inspiring new home is the perfect metaphor for the bigger journey we are sharing together,” says Jenny.

There are places available for Year 7 in September.

Find out more at www.steineracademyexeter.org.uk, or call 01392 757371.

LAST summer, the Summer Film School in Exeter created the short film The Sqweakening, the story of an evil Were-hamster taking over a school.

This year Exeter Phoenix and Colourburn are working with Four of Swords to give kids aged 10-13 the opportunity to again work with highly skilled filmmakers to create a professional short film.

The finished film will be shown at a special premiere screening and submitted to film festivals around the world.

The 2015 Summer Film School will run at Poltimore House in Exeter, 9am4pm, from August 3-7. The cost is £200, limited to 20 children.

Visit summerfilm school.co.uk or call Exeter Phoenix on 01392 667 080.

Give yourself a little more resonance!

PETER Scott, right, of the Funky Bizness Community Choir in Exeter continues his occasional series of singing tips.

Mmmmm…

ESONANCE. It’s a lovely word.

Especially if you say it with resonance!

And if you want more resonance in your voice, it is quite easy to find.

You start by singing ‘mmmmmm’ on any note you fancy with your lips touching lightly. If you feel them vibrating slightly, place your hands lightly on your forehead and see if you feel a vibration there too. If you do, it’s a sign that the nasal cavities in your head are vibrating. It’s exactly the same as the body of a guitar vibrating with a plucked string.

Then repeat the ‘mmmm’ with your hands lightly on your chest. Is that vibrating in the same way? If you are not feeling any vibration at all, or to maximize the vibration, try this: 1 Sing ‘mmmm’ with your teeth together and again with your teeth as wide apart as possible (lips still touching).

2 Then repeat but exploring the middle ground. Vary the distance between your teeth until you get the

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most vibration in your lips and a ‘ring’ in the sound. Once you find that point, remember the sensation.

3 Repeat 1 and 2 above but this time vary how far your lips are in front of your teeth. Start with them touching, then wide apart, then again explore the middle ground.

When you have found the maximum vibration and ring, try singing ‘mmmmaaaah’ and see if you have the same resonance in your vowel sound. Experiment with that for a while, then sing something you know, and experiment until you can get the same resonance in your singing.

If you are interested in this and other ways to develop the power and resonance in your voice, visit www. funky-bizness.co.uk and download ‘Find your voice – 8 simple steps to a powerful resonant voice’, the simple, free guide I wrote for people who join the choir I run.

And if you want to have fun singing, visit us at Funky-Bizness Community Choir Tuesdays, 7.15-9pm in St Sidwells Community Centre - beautiful funky songs sung by a lovely bunch of people! It’s all on the website, www. funky-bizness.co.uk. Mmmmmmh!

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Therapist and Revolution shop helper Mandy Rodrigues at the till/reception.

‘Revolution will bring balance’

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EVOLUTION, the spiritual and cultural centre at the top of Fore Street in Exeter, has a simple and worthy ambition – to bring balance to the lives of those who frequent it.

Run by The Revolution Foundation, it offers a shop, an events and therapy centre and a cafe across its three floors.

Foundation spokesperson Brendan told Reconnect: “The chief purpose of Revolution, where most of the work is done by volunteers, is to make available some of the best of human skills, knowledge and values, for the purposes of spiritual development, education, healing and the restoration of what the Egyptians termed ‘maat’ - which translates very imperfectly into English as ‘balance’, in a drastically unbalanced world.”

The centre is a successor to Evolution, which occupied the same premises from 1989-2014, selling books and crystals and providing a venue for holistic therapies.

Revolution’s shop is run by artist, shaman and therapist Julie Ruth Bramley, and sells, as well as a diverse range of books and crystals, incense, jewellery, positive cultural clothing, tarot decks, greetings cards, remedies, musical instruments, candles, including pure beeswax, and various other goods.

Behind the shop is the café where you can enjoy a range of teas and tasty cakes.

The first and second floors are occupied by the holistic therapy centre and meeting room, where rooms are available for hire by

www.steineracademyexeter 01392757371 admin@steineracademyexete Places available in Reception 2015

www.steineracademyexeter.org.uk 01392757371

admissions@steineracademyexeter.org.uk

Revolution - a spirit and cultural centre on Exeter’s Fore Street. qualified and insured therapists and those wishing to work with groups of up to 40.

“We have renamed our undertaking Revolution,” explained Brendan, “both because of the circular nature of many aspects of the cosmos and to declare our commitment to doing our part to advance a revolution in consciousness on this good Earth.”

Visit Revolution at 117 Fore Street, Exeter, or search for revolutionexeter on Facebook.

Find your ‘why’ - and then find new clients IF you’re in business and looking for new clients, the first thing you need to establish is the ‘why’, says marketing expert Karen Hunt.

“First you have to know what it is you are really in business for,” she says. “It’s the foundation you need to build your marketing on - and the only person who can really tell you is you.”

Fortunately, Karen is running Tranformational Marketing workshops at the REconomy Centre in Totnes to help you discover just that - and how you can then build on it.

Foundations Part One, ‘What is

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your mission and vision?’ is on June 4, 10am-12pm, followed

by Foundation Part Two, ‘Who is your target market?’ on June 25, 10am-12pm.

Other workshops include Websites and Branding on July 10, 10am-12pm, and Marketing Strategy and Communication on July 23, 10am-12pm.

Karen talks in real English, not marketspeak, and the workshops cost just £20, payable on the day, 10% of which goes to the REconomy Centre.

Find out more at www.karenhunt. co.uk.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

7

Naturally nourishing SUMMER means plenty of salads and JANE HUTTON wants to put the case for using plenty of herbs...

So much more than a garnish

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S we ease into Summer, with plants and flowers bursting out all over, gardens planted and tidied, and the winter slipping into distant memory, our thoughts turn to lighter eating. One thing I really love about sunny Summer food is the abundance of herbs available, especially in my dedicated herb garden.

Herbs are often overlooked as anything more than a flavour hint, garnish or condiment; herbal highlights go far beyond that, though!

Did you know that parsley has more iron, weight for weight, than spinach or steak? Not that you’d necessarily think of eating more than a sprinkle of parsley at one time, and that, of course, is the point. We can, and definitely should!

While we’re familiar with herbal medicine, and are turning to more natural personal care products, often featuring herbs, we don’t usually consider using them as natural edible healthcare we can incorporate in a bigger way. The first step is pinpointing what the nutritional benefits are, and then picking which ones to use more extensively.

Basil doesn’t just go well with tomatoes and slices of creamy mozzarella; it’s known for helping digestion and calming an overactive nervous system.

Coriander, marjoram and

oregano have similar digestionsoothing properties, and if you have a tickly cough or tension headache, get oregano and marjoram into your meals too.

Certain herbs have become linked to particular foods or dishes over time, and considering the knowledge of nature and the environment that our forebears had, it will be no real surprise to find these pairings grew from a reliance on natural methods of healthcare.

Rosemary will help to digest fats and stimulate circulation, which may be why it’s traditionally used with fattier meats like lamb and beef, while sage, tarragon and thyme have an efficacious effect on rich food and digestion. Our ancestors certainly knew a thing or two, without the aid of scientific labs and testing equipment!

Medicinal properties go even further with many herbs, making targeted eating easy to achieve.

Turmeric, sage, garlic, lemon balm and borage, to name but a few, all have researched effects, from antifungal and antibacterial properties to soothing rheumatism and anxiety.

So, how do we get more of these wonders into our food? One simple answer is to replace some of our usual lettuce choices with herbs. Add edible flowers for a work of art on a plate that’s almost too pretty to eat.

Supercharged Salad Base GIVE this one a try - it’s bursting with ingredients particularly high on the alkaline scale, and heaving with such a broad spectrum of nutrients, you’ll be dancing on the ceiling! Adorn with any extra toppings you choose – chicken, avocado, goat’s cheese, feta, halloumi, salmon, chorizo, smoked mackerel, the possibilities are endless. Your body (and mind) will thank you! Serves one for a big summer boost. Enjoy!

1 handful of spinach; 1 handful of rocket; 1 handful of coriander leaves; a scattering of mint leaves; half head cos lettuce, chopped; 1 bunch of parsley, chopped; 3 celery stalks, chopped; 1 pepper, sliced; handful of roasted pumpkin seeds and almonds. Mix the salad greens together in a bowl.

Top with celery, green pepper, almonds/seeds, parsley, and the other toppings of your choice.

Dress with a light lemon and olive oil dressing or a balsamic glaze.

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.

8

Building a happier economy individuals and MANY agree our current economic organisations that system is failing, but are already tackling don’t know why, or these issues and what to do about it. demanding economic policy change.

Localisation movement pioneer Helena Hal Gilmore from Norberg-Hodge is Transition Town running a four-day Totnes will run the course, The Economics practical element of of Happiness at the course, taking Embercombe, near participants to see Exeter, focusing on local ‘transition’ “how and why the projects in action. global system is failing Helena Norberg-Hodge Embercombe’s and how we can Becks Scarrott said: “This course practically build a more sustainable resonates clearly with Embercombe’s and happy economy”. mission to inspire positive action in Helena is founder and director of the world. We’ve kept the course Local Futures and advisor on Russell cost minimal to encourage as Brand’s YouTube channel The Trews. many forward-thinkers and social She explained: “Local economies entrepreneurs as possible to join are being destroyed worldwide in.” because of the blind promotion The course runs June 24-27 and of global businesses. Our GDP costs £245, including meals, measure of growth is an indicator of accommodation in Embercombe commercialisation, not progress.” yurts and return transport to Totnes.

The course aims to help participants Visit www. embercombe.org. develop strategies to reach

Town plea for plan volunteers

Student Anya working with Anita Reynolds in her Newton Abbot workshop.

Whole community making A NEW exhibition shows the results of local artists and makers working with people from right across the community.

Freehand, at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, is a celebration of a series of projects run in partnership with a range of organisations through 2014/15.

The Guild’s Simon Williams said: “Our artists and makers have produced truly inspirational work by creating with children and young people from mainstream schools, young people supported by social services, young people with complex needs, older people living in supported communities, refugees, adults with learning disabilities and prisoners from HMP Dartmoor.”

The exhibition, at the Guild’s HQ in Bovey Tracey, runs until July 5. Visit www. www.crafts.org.uk.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

TOTNES Town Council have recruited a new coordinator and chair to work with the community in designing a Totnes Neighbourhood Plan.

Local people are being invited to join task groups to look in detail at issues like infrastructure and energy, economy, housing, open spaces, culture, heritage, environment and traffic and transport.

Project coordinator Thea Platt explained: “Neighbourhood Plans are community-led and can decide the future of the places where local people live and work.

Thea said the plan gives the community the chance to: inform where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built; have a say on what new buildings should look like; help protect and enhance culture, heritage and environment; influence how we get around; protect and create open space, nature reserves, etc; and, in some cases, grant planning permission for new buildings.

The council is recruiting volunteers to join task groups and get involved.

Email Thea Platt on info@totnesneighbour hoodplan.org for details.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Goingout

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

the south devon events guide

JUNE Monday 1

Strangers On A Train - June 27

Contemporary Craft Festival June 5-7

Until July 5 ART: Freehand - work created by artists and makers working with people from across the community, from young people with complex needs and refugees to schoolchildren and prisoners, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey, www.crafts. org.uk.

WORKSHOP: Experimental Drawing with techniques and materials to unlock your creative potential, Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

GIG: Soul Mondays Live, with the return of Steve Down, Rob Whelan, John Cordy and Bill Banwell, 8.30pm, The Sorry Head, Exeter, 8.30pm, www.sorryhead.co.uk ART: Lagoon West - a landscape of swimming pools, sunsets, manicured gardens and beach house enclaves, created by Matthew Houlding, Plymouth Arts Centre, www. plymouthartscentre. org.

COMEDY: Danny Bhoy, the host of BBC1’s Live at the Apollo, Exeter Corn Exchange, www.exeter.gov.uk/ cornexchange.

Land of the Giants - July 10/11

JUNE/JULY

Tuesday 2

Until June 7 ART: The World of Horses and Portraiture - paintings

by Anthony O’Keefe, Harbourhouse gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk.

Until June 7 FESTIVAL: Ignite Exeter festival of theatre presenting a massive range of plays and productions at venues across the city, from the library to the Cathedral and the Synagogue to The Rusty Bike. See website for full rundown - www. igniteexeter.org.uk.

Wednesday 3

MUSIC: Ballad of Ewan MacColl - Sam Richards, improviser and composer, discusses MacColl’s songwriting, with Steve Verge on concertina to sing songs performed or written by MacColl, Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

WORKSHOP: Sewing!

Free Skillshare guided session to inspire sewing, develop confidence and learn new skills with Anna Ash, 6.30-9pm, anna@ilovesewing. co.uk or 01803 847899.

Friday 5

Until June 7 CRAFT: Contemporary Craft Festival with over 200 of the UK’s top makers,

Bovey Tracey, www. craftsatboveytracey. co.uk.

MUSIC: Antimatador, an eight-strong outfit featuring synth and horns, fusing hip hop, funk, jazz, electronica, soul, rock and DnB, 8pm, The Barrel House, Totnes, www. barrelhousetotnes. co.uk.

WORKSHOP: monthly work/play session to establish a community forest garden in the Follaton Arboretum, with Larch Maxey and others, 10am-1pm, www. transitiontowntotnes. org/event.

MUSIC: Nepal Earthquake Charity Relief Concert hosted

by Exeter musician Luke Bliss-Thompson and his band Swarm with The Iscatels, Zuri Aura, Instant Karm, Rapha Ghettia and Lipstick Jumpsuit, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

Saturday 6

And Sunday June 7 FESTIVAL: Exeter Respect - the annual celebration of the city’s diversity, Belmont Park, Exeter, 12noon-7pm Saturday and 11am6pm Sunday, www. exeter-respect.org.

CRAFT: Native Makers, market of local, talented designers, including ceramics, knitwear, jewellery,

CONT PAGE 10

Rachel Foster

Let us spread the word about your gigs and events in Devon WELCOME to another eventspacked Going Out diary.

The diary and its online counterpart (which has even more listings) are compiled

by Rachel Foster.

To get your event in the next (August/September) issue, simply email the details to Rachel at goingout@ reconnectonline.co.uk.

Rachel’s also working hard to spread the word online, including Tweets of events news, so follow us and get in touch at twitter.com/ reconnectmag.

An advertisement on the Going Out pages (like those below) costs £93 - AND you get a FREE advertisement on the diary pages of our website. Or you can pay monthly - just £41.85.

The events diary deadline for the August/September issue is Friday July 3, but don’t delay - email or call now on 01803 868455.

If you’re booking tickets for any of the events, please mention that you saw it in Reconnect. And although all the diary info was correct when added to the listing, it’s always a good idea to visit the organisers’ websites, or give them a call, to ensure nothing has changed.

Rise up Singing July 24th-August 2nd “The singing was amazing,

invigorating, heart-stopping”

Qigong Camp August 7-16th

“Thanks for weaving such potent alchemy and producing pure gold!”

holybrookmeadows.co.uk 07708914336 www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

9

LOTS more events and info online:

GOING OUT FROM PAGE 9 handmade dresses, local food stalls and more, 10am-4pm, free, Devonport Guildhall, Plymouth, www. devonportguildhall.org.

MUSIC: Hendrix and Cream Voodoo Room - musicians pay tribute to Jimi Hendrix and Cream, 8pm, The Flavel, Dartmouth, www.theflavel.org.uk.

TALK: PAC Home Emma Smith’s “social and participatory practice” is site specific and includes events, activities or games, 6.30pm, Plymouth Arts Centre, www. plymouthartscentre.org.

MUSIC: Rambunctious Social Club, The Barrel House, Totnes, www. barrelhousetotnes.co.uk.

CRAFT/FOOD: Overnight Charcoal Experience, making charcoal, foraging for food and tour of woods, Bulworthy Project, www.bulworthy project.org.uk WORKSHOP: Pole Lathing, run by Devon Rural Skills Trust, 9.15am-4.30pm, South Devon Steiner School in Dartington, £30, www.drst.org.uk - check availability of places (must be paid for in advance) on 01548 821156 after 6.30pm.

Sunday 7

WORKSHOP: monthly work/play session to establish a community forest garden in the Follaton Arboretum, with Larch Maxey and others, 10am-1pm, www. transitiontowntotnes. org/event.

Monday 8

GIG: Soul Mondays Live with Steve Down, Rob Whelan, John Cordy and Bill Banwell, The Sorry Head, 8.30pm, www. sorryhead.co.uk .

Harbourhouse gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk.

NATURE: Garden Volunteer Day - every Tuesday on The Sharpham Estate, all day or part of the day, The Sharpham Estate, 10am, www. sharphamtrust.org

Tuesday 9

THEATRE: Tarte Noire Women’s Playback Theatre present What Matters to You – Politics from our Hearts, a womenonly performance, United Reformed Church, Dawlish Road, Teignmouth, doors open 7.45pm for 8pm start, £10/£8 (concession), www. tartenoire.co.uk.

Wednesday 17

Friday 12

WORKSHOP: Ghanaian/West African cookery Skillshare run by Lily John and based on her African heritage, 6.45pm for 7pm start, in Totnes, email lilijohn1990@ gmail.com for details.

Saturday 13

FOOD: Local produce market, 9am-1pm, Old Market Square, Dartmouth.

WORKSHOP: Nature’s Bounty - try your hand at seasonal wild salads, and learn numerous edible, medicinal and creative recipes, Sharpham Estate, www. sharphamtrust.org.

Thursday 18

Until June 21.

FESTIVAL: Sheldon Festival - classical music festival with lineup including VOCES8, Fournier Trio and Chilingirian Quartet with Timothy Brown, www.shaldonfestival. co.uk.

Friday 19

Monday 15

GIG: Soul Mondays Live with Steve Down, Rob Whelan, John Cordy and Bill Banwell, The Sorry Head, 8.30pm, www. sorryhead.co.uk.

MOVIES: Bafta Shorts – featurelength selection of animated short films, all nominated for this year’s British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

Tuesday 16

Until June 24 ART: Water Water Everywhere - paintings and printmaking of the 21 Group,

DEMONSTRATION: Wood carving techniques with Shirley Smith, 10am-5pm, Harbourhouse gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk.

CONCERT: Midsummer Live with line-up including Andy Quick, Dead Ground, Glorious Chorus and the KEVICC Summer concert, 4pm-late, £5 (£2 concessions), KEVICC school, Totnes.

Until June 21 FESTIVAL: Teignmouth Folk Festival, various venues across the town and featuring solo artists and bands including The Young ‘Uns, John Kirkpatrick, The New Scorpion Band and Nick Dow, www.teignmouthfolk. co.uk MUSIC: Cara Dillon, winner of the 2010 Radio 2 Folk Album of the Year Award and this year nominated for Best Singer, 7.30pm, The Flavel, Dartmouth, www.theflavel.org.uk.

Saturday 20

WORKSHOP: Stone Walling run by Devon Rural Skills Trust,

9.15am-4.30pm, Hennock, £30, www. drst.org.uk and check availability of places (all bookings muct be paid for in advance) on 01548 821156 after 6.30pm.

MUSIC: Ruarri Jospeh, singer-songwriter, 8pm, The Barrel House, Totnes, www. barrelhousetotnes.co.uk.

CEREMONY: Summer Solstice Fire Circle, celebration at Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground, including unveiling of Sharpham’s 2015 Artist in Residence Robin Lacey’s cast bronze artwork Circle, www.sharphamtrust.org.

Tuesday 30

EXHIBITION: Benjamin Borley’s photographs taken in response to the architecture of Exeter Phoenix building during a week-long residency in 2014, www.exeterphoenix. org.uk.

JULY Wednesday 1

DANCE: Kathakali classical dance drama of Kerala, originated in the Hindu temples 500 years ago, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

Friday 26

Thursday 2

Until July 5.

ART: Elemental Landscapes - the work of Margaret Deans, Christine Linfield and Anne Scarratt, Harbourhouse gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk.

WALK: Transition Walk - find out about Transition in Totnes, 2-6pm, starts TTT office at 43 Fore Street, Totnes, 01803 867358.

FUNDRAISER: evening of music, dance, chat and film to raise money for community art project In Your Own Skin, 7.30-10.30pm, The Barrel House, Totnes, £15 in advance (www.eventbrite.com), £17 on the door, www. inyourownskin.org.

WORKSHOP: Work/play session establishing a community forest garden in the Follaton Arboretum, with Larch Maxey and others, 10am-1pm, www. transitiontowntotnes. org/event.

Saturday 27

MOVIE: Strangers On A Train (12A) classic 1951 black and white Hitchcock thriller starring Farley Granger, Ruth Roman and Robert Walker, doors open at 7pm for 7.30 start, Follaton Community Cinema, Totnes, www. follatoncommunity cinema.co.uk.

Friday 3

Until July 13 FESTIVAL: Ways With Words, one of the UK’s top literary festivals, Dartington Estate, with Simon Armitage, Mary Portas, John Hegley, Dom Joly, George Monbiot, Ann Widdecombe, Penelope Lively, Caroline Lucas and Ben Okri, www. wayswithwords.co.uk.

WORKSHOP: Sewing!

Free Skillshare guided session to inspire sewing, develop confidence and learn new skills with Anna Ash, 6.30-9pm, anna@ilovesewing. co.uk or 01803 847899.

FESTIVAL: 11th UK Taiko Festival, events at Northcott Theatre and Exeter Phoenix, including Ikari Taiko from Japan, www. taikofestival.org.uk,

www.exeternorthcott. co.uk and www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

Saturday 4

MUSIC: South Brent Folk Day with singing, music, dancing, a poetry competition, concerts and workshops, South Brent, www.southbrent. org.uk.

WORKSHOP: Nature Connection Day - solo and group events in nature, Sharpham Estate, www. sharphamtrust.org. See page 22.

FAYRE: Rainbow and Daisy Family Fayre, with stalls, soft play area, games, tombola, café, cakes, a “vast range” of community groups and music from KEVICC pupils, Rainbow Nursery and adjoining Mansion Courtyard, Totnes.

STORYTELLING: Buckfast Abbey Storytelling Festival with storytellers, performers, theatre companies and puppets for schools and families, Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, www.buckfast.org.uk.

Sunday 5

WORKSHOP: Work/play session establishing a community forest garden in the Follaton Arboretum, with Larch Maxey and others, 10am-1pm, www. transitiontowntotnes. org/event.

Tuesday 7

Until July 15 ART: Elemental Landscapes - mixed media with oil paintings by Diana Booth, textiles by Jill Cooper and printmaking and handmade books

by Caroline Barker, Harbourhouse gallery, Kingsbridge, www.harbourhouse. org.uk.

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

10

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk/diary NATURE: Garden Volunteer Day, every Tuesday, The Sharpham Estate, stay all day or part of it, The Sharpham Estate, 10am, www. sharphamtrust.org.

MUSIC: Count Bobo and the Bullion - new ska and rocksteady band from Bristol and Bath, 8pm, The Barrel House, Totnes, www. barrelhousetotnes. co.uk.

Wednesday 8

Saturday 11

Until July 12 FESTIVAL: Hannahs Comedy Festival, standup comedians from the pro circuit, including Edinburgh warm-up shows and a Kids Comedy Picnic and custard pie fight! www. discoversealehayne. org.

CRAFT/FOOD: Overnight Charcoal Experience, making charcoal, foraging for food and tour of woods, Bulworthy Project, (EX16 8DW), www.bulworthyproject. org.uk FOOD: Farmers’ market, 9am-1pm, Old Market Square, Dartmouth.

CHARITY: The Sleep Walk - join the hundreds of women taking part in sponsored walk to raise funds for Rowcroft Hospice, five or 10mile route, starting from Torbay Leisure Centre, 8pm-late, www.rowcrofthospice. org.uk.

Friday 10

And July 11.

FESTIVAL: Glasdenbury Music Festival - popular and family-friendly festival with Billy Bottle and the Multiple (as seen on BBC’s The Voice!), Land of the Giants, The Simmertones, Showhawk, Duo, Tankus The Henge and lots more, Fairfield Farm, Denbury, www. glas-denbury.co.uk.

WALK: Transition walks to find out about Transition in Totnes, 2-6pm, starts TTT office at 43 Fore Street, Totnes, 01803 867358.

Sunday 12

COMEDY: Alex Horne - Monsieur Butterfly, nominated for Best Show at 2014 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, 8pm, Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Tuesday 14

Until July 18 THEATRE: The Magnificent Three Cornwall’s’ Miracle Theatre visits the Wild West with this brand new spaghetti western, written and directed

by Bill Scott, music

by Tom Adams, 7pm, Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

Wednesday 15

MUSIC: Brother Strut, jazz/funk band including Steve Pearce (bass), Frankie Tontoh (drums), Otha Smith (electric guitar), Sam Tanner (keys/lead vocals) and Stevie Jones (Saxophonist/ keys), 8pm, Exeter Phoenix, www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

Thursday 16

THEATRE/FILM: National Theatre Live – Everyman, BAFTA winner Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) takes the title role in this NT production, broadcast live, The Flavel, Dartmouth, www.theflavel.org.uk.

Friday 17

Until July 26 EXHIBITION: Press Gang Printers with

their annual exhibition of printmaking, Harbourhouse Gallery, Kingsbridge, www. harbourhouse.org.uk.

And July 18.

FESTIVAL: Chagstock, a proper festival but small enough to still be friendly and very family-friendly, with New Model Army, Mag Dob McRae, Martha Tilston and Seth Lakeman, plus Saturday headline tbc, Whiddon Down, www. chagstock.info.

Until August 3 EXHIBITION: Nostalgic Photographs Exhibition - Sarah Baker’s personal photography exhibition with nostalgic photographs from bygone eras in support of her grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, 10am-4pm, Devonport Guildhall, Plymouth, www. devonportguildhall.org.

Saturday 18

GHOST HUNT: Haunted Apparitions Ghost Hunt through Devonport Guildhall led by Haunted Apparitions, a group of serious enthusiasts who seek to investigate paranormal activity, 9pm-3m, £30, www. devonportguildhall.org.

LUNCH: Pay what you feel lunch, one of four lunches provided by Food in Community with delicious food produced from local surplus fruit and vegetables, Merthodist Church Hall, Totnes, www. transitiontowntotnes. org/event.

Wednesday 22

FILM: RSC Live: The Merchant of Venice - Polly Findlay directs Shakespeare’s uncompromising tragedy, broadcast live, The Flavel, Dartmouth, www. theflavel.org.uk.

Show - traditional country show with demonstrations, displays and parades in the Main Ring, acoustic music stage, plus sheep, cattle, horses and showjumping classes, poultry, rabbits and dogs, www. totnesshow.com.

Thursday 30

COMEDY: Aunty Donna - Aussie Edinburgh Festival faves return with a tough new show, 8pm, The Flavel, Dartmouth, www. theflavel.org.uk.

Friday 24

Friday 31

Until July 26 FESTIVAL: Kozfest with no corporates, no sponsorship and no profit. Music mainly psychedelia, Uffculme.

Search ‘Kozfest’ online.

MUSIC: Sheelanagig - intricate rhythmically complex arrangements of traditional songs, 8pm, The Barrel House, Totnes, www. barrelhousetotnes. co.uk.

And Aug 1 and 2 FESTIVAL: Hannahs Beer and Music Festival - 70s and 80s party on the Friday evening, the very best local bands on the Saturday and a chill-out session on the Sunday, Seale Hayne, near Newton Abbot, www. discoversealehayne. org.

WALK: Transition Walks to find out about Transition in Totnes, 2-6pm, starts TTT office at 43 Fore Street, Totnes, 01803 867358.

Sunday 26

SHOW: Totnes and District

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

11

LIVING ON A LITTLE LAND

Dartmoor Yurt Holidays

Come and stay in one of our traditional Mongolian yurts, each in its own stunning and secluded setting. The perfect rural getaway from everyday life.

Visit our website at www.dartmooryurtholidays.co.uk Or call Wendy on 01364 631121

A LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE

Organic olive grove and tranquil off-grid cottage Fireplace, sleeping platform, store and 90 olive trees Sierra Mariola Natural Park, Alfafara, Spain.

One hour from airport. £35,000.

Call Anna on 01803 872985 or email manikeleher@btopenworld.com for more info.

12

Loving life on the land

I

T is an irony of off-grid community living that while it often rejects the systems and methods of the mainstream, it usually requires a great deal of planning, meetings and rules to make it work.

How those agreements are reached and whether the community’s ‘vision’ can be kept in focus, will determine whether it is a happy place to live – or even if it survives.

It is a credit to everyone at the Landmatters Permaculture Project (including the founders and everyone who has contributed over the years) that it works very well indeed.

The Landmatters vision is clear: “To be a thriving, nature-connected permaculture community living low-impact solutions that reduce our ecological footprint, so we can be an active part of creating a sustainable world.”

The site stretches to 42 acres, of which 17 acres are “semi-natural, semiancient” woodland, 22 acres are pasture and the remainder is naturally regenerating scrub and hedgerows.

The community consists of eight low-impact homes, including yurts, benders (greenwood-framed structures covered in insulating material and canvas) and a very impressive woodframe/cob walled roundhouse. There are currently seven children on-site, all but one of them home-educated.

A large communal growing area meets much of the community’s food needs and this is supplemented by individual garden areas adjoining the homes, chickens, milking goats and topbar beehives. Their ‘polypod’, a wooden-framed polytunnel, designed and built by Rowan Stickland, has featured in Reconnect in the past.

The community’s efforts to reduce its impact on the world under and around it can also be seen in their shared car pool, their renewable energy systems (solar and wind power and firewood from their own woodland), their composted waste and their borehole water supply.

They use a consensus decisionmaking process and keep their communication healthy with the Way

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

of Council and other relevant tools.

They also work together on food production and other communal projects and share their various skills to maintain their homes and way of life.

Having built (or at least being at an advanced stage of building) a successful low-impact community, and continuing to “learn by doing” they are passionate about sharing the lessons they’ve learned and their methods and skills.

They host educational trips and school visits (there’s a whole field set aside for visiting groups and a huge marquee for catering for them), and in August Landmatters is hosting a full permaculture design course, taught by expert Aranya with a focus on ‘communities in transition’. For more information on that contact Sharon at landmatters@googlemail.com.

Find out more about Landmatters and get in touch at www.landmatters.org. uk, where you can also find details of their guided tours, on the second Saturday of each month. l Landmatters also provides selfcatering yurt accommodation on the land for “quiet retreats and green glamping holidays”. Check it out at: www.landmatters.org.uk/what-weoffer/the-holiday-yurt.

The cob roundhouse, top, communal veg growing, above, and the woodframed polytunnel, below.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

LIVING ON A LITTLE LAND

Back to nature on your doorstep Couple sell their off-grid retreat

I

F you fancy a break from the bustle of life and a chance to get back to nature, without hours in the car before you arrive, Dartmoor Yurt Holidays (if ever a company name described what they did) have the answer.

They have two yurts, both from Mongolia with hand-painted doors and poles, and each is in its own totally private area with its own fully equipped rustic kitchen, compost toilet, shower and firepit.

“Lake Yurt is on the banks of a little lake and surrounded by woodland and Sunshine Yurt is in a

meadow with its own little stream, far reaching views and all-day sunshine,” says Wendy Herman of Dartmoor Yurt Holidays.

“You can access wonderful walks directly from your yurt and experience wild swimming in the river or climb a tor or two!

Or you may not want to go anywhere and just want to hang out at the yurt with all its home comforts while you experience an eco-friendly outdoor holiday of a lifetime.”

Find out more at www. dartmoorurtholidays. co.uk or call 01364 631121.

A SOUTH Devon couple are selling an olive grove and tranquil bothy-style off-grid cottage in Spain to raise cash for their son to start a coffee shop.

The property would be just perfect for someone looking to live (or holiday) off-grid on a limited budget – the house and land is just £35,000.

Mark and Anna Keleher lived in Spain for 15 years, moving back to Totnes when their son Mani was 16 so he could attend sixth year college at KEVICCS school.

They’ve held onto their muchloved rural retreat until now, but Mani has trained as a barista and the sale will finance his dream of a coffee shop of his own.

The Olive Grove is in Sierra Mariola Natural Park, an hour from Alicante airport and 40 minutes from Gandia beach.

There are 90 olive trees, producing about 250-300 kilos of olives, on just under an acre and the land is classed as ‘secano’,which means it doesn’t need watering.

It has been under no-dig organic cultivation for 17 years.

The bothy is whitewashed inside

Inside the bothystyle cottage.

and out and has a simple painted cement floor. The roof beams are solid pine and the roof is naturally-aged terracotta tiles. The three metal-frame windows have original wooden blinds.

“It is a totally off-grid get-away,” says Anna, “so there are no taps or any other mod cons apart from mobile coverage. Spring water is collected from nearby in 8-litre bottles.

“You might want a compost loo and if you decide you need tap water or electricity it is possible to get connected fairly cheaply.”

Find out more about the off-grid Spanish hideaway on 01803 872985, and hear more about offgrid living in interviews recorded

by Anna for radio broadcasts: www.dreamingplace.eu/radio/ episodes.

We are Kingfisher Print & Design.

Working in partnership with Reconnect to print this magazine in an environmentally responsible way

www.kingfisherprint.co.uk sales@kingfisherprint.co.uk 01803 867087

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

13

local people local events local food local health local environment NEWS Transition film festival

Ikari Taiko - headlining the UK Taiko Festival in Exeter on their first European visit.

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s inaugural event, the Transition Town Totnes Film Festival is back this year from November 13-15.

The organisers again promise “groundbreaking films, dynamic workshops, great organic local food, discussions with film-makers, lively conversations and much more.”

To suggest some films or get more information, email filmfestival@ transitiontowntotnes.org, visit www.transitionfilmfestival.org.uk and follow transitionfilmfestival on Facebook.

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

07977 272174 • 01392 811168

www.jeffsleeman.com

Japanese group tops Taiko bill THE highly acclaimed Ikari Taiko is travelling from Osaka in Japan to headline the 11th UK Taiko Festival in Exeter.

3-5 at the Northcott Theatre, which on July 3 will host Feast of Taiko, a concert showcasing the youth Taiko groups from all over the UK.

Since 1987, Ikari Taiko have been astounding audiences with the burning intensity and sheer spirit of their performances, say the organisers.

The festival will also take over Exeter Phoenix with two superb concerts featuring special guest Taiko players from all over the world, Taiko Beats on the Saturday lunchtime and Sunday Beats on the Sunday lunchtime.

“More than that, though, it’s taiko with a powerful back story. Their performance at 11th UK Taiko Festival is highly significant because it is the first time the group has performed in Europe.

The UK Taiko Festival will run July

For more information, and to book tickets to these shows please visit www.taikofestival.org.uk, www. exeternorthcott.co.uk and www. exeterphoenix.org.uk.

City festival celebrates diversity

E

XETER Respect festival will again take over Belmont Park this year to celebrate the city’s diversity.

“Exeter Respect is the city’s annual celebration of diversity,” say the organisers, “where we use the performing and creative arts to engage the wider community in saying no to racism and all forms of prejudice.”

This year’s event is over the weekend of June 6 and 7.

The park venue will have four stages (Diversity, Acoustic, Community and Stephen Lawrence) with a line-up that includes: Melosa, the best reggae/ ska winners at the South The Batch Gueye Band - part of a huge, diverse West Music Awards in line-up at Exeter Respect.

2012 and 2013; the Bristol-based Batch workshop with Steve Crossen of Gueye band, who bring traditional Drum Magic. music and dance from Senegal; Plus lots more – really, lots and lots the award-winning folktronica and lots more! And there will also duo Solarference; Russian singer be events at The Bikeshed, The Dmitry Babichev; Thulatiya, a Barnfield Theatre and in Princesshay multicultural troupe with dancers Square. from England, Venezuela and Italy; See the website - www.exeterExeter University Big Band, Exeter respect.org - to see the full, University’s un-auditioned Jazz amazing line-up.

Ensemble; Exeter singer/songwriter Holly Morwenna; and an African As in previous years, the event has and Middle Eastern drumming no-alcohol, no-drugs policy.

14

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Two more of Katheryn’s IYOS portraits: hillbilly

(his nickname after being accepted by right local people local events local food local health local environment wing extremists), left, and below, ‘creative’.

T

HE In Your Own Skin community arts project is back! Actually it’s never really been away, but driving force Katheryn Trenshaw has been busy collating material, collecting new contributions from home and abroad… and now she’s ready to get it rolling to the next stage.

For those who haven’t yet come across it, In Your Own Skin (IYOS) is a multi-media project that captures the moment someone reveals a secret about themselves.

This moment of revelation might come after hours of talking with Katheryn but once out there, she then paints an appropriate word or phrase on their own skin and photographs the result.

And that result is often a hugely emotive and poignant image – like the one on the cover and like those on this page.

“I never cease to be amazed and moved by the power of the process,” says Katheryn. “All these people are revealing something of themselves that no-one has ever seen before. That puts me and the audience of any part of the project, in a privileged position.

“It also connects us all on a previously undiscovered level and will hopefully encourage more people to open up and share just a little bit more.”

The multi-media bit comes about when some of these images are brought together in a book (already published – details at the end of this story), an exhibition (some have already been shown but there are plans for bigger exhibitions) and as a movie.

The movie bit is The Big One. Big in concept because Katheryn films the whole process when she works with a subject and the movie can tell the whole story

Refurb at Refurnish

Wearing secrets on their skin and capture the full impact of the secret, its revelation and its effect on everyone who shares it.

But it’s big in terms of cost too, of course. It won’t be up there with a lot of movie budgets, but it will be of professional standard and the equipment, materials and people involved in making that happen does not come cheap.

So Katheryn is looking for support, both in practical, physical terms and financial help too.

On June 26 there will be a fundraiser at The Barrel House in Totnes – an evening of music (music guest tba) and dance and interview and sharing and art and

film and Reconnect editor Martin Foster.

Yes, Martin will be there to encourage Katheryn to reveal a secret or two herself about how the project came about.

Tickets are £15 in advance (from The Barrel House or www. eventbrite.com) or £17 on the door. You can also donate (or buy raffle tickets for the Barrel House night if you can’t make it) on the IYOS website – www. inyourownskin.org.

And that fascinating book is available at local bookshops (ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1), or call 01803 863552.

THE South Devon furniture and household goods recycling project Refurnish says a refurbishment and relaunch at their Buckfastleigh shop has been a great success and sales have already doubled.

The new store is lighter and brighter and the extra business means there is a bigger turnover in furniture – and, therefore, more new stock to choose from.

The reopening was well attended and included refreshments and live music from a local band.

Meanwhile, Refurnish has put out an appeal for furniture donations – and particularly for beds and wardrobes – to help out people setting up new homes.

“Refurnish provides furniture and white goods for people who need help from local authority Crisis Support Funds,” said Refurnish’s David Banks.

“We work closely with councils in Torbay, Teignbridge and South Hams, and with other housing support providers.

“Unfortunately, funding for these needy people has been halved this year and next year will be cut completely, so we need more donations to help where we can.”

If you have a donation, call the central Refurnish number and select the area you require. Call 01752 927002 or visit www.refurnish.org.uk.

For more eco homes stories, turn to Eco Homes on page 20.

College event for whole community MIDSUMMER Live is a combined college and town event at KEVICC college in Totnes on June 17. The line-up includes Andy Quick, right, Dead Ground, Glorious Chorus and the KEVICC Summer concert.

“The Totnes area has a lot of talent,” said a spokesperson for the organisers. “People in the community come together naturally on the basis of good music, creative arts and hanging out – and the college now has a new head who is empowering this community connection.”

The new event, which runs from 4pm until late, was inspired by the success of earlier ‘mini-gigs’ at the last two firework night celebrations.

“The opportunity is there to develop this as a festival type music event in the future - a musical fusion of Totnes town and the KEVICC

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college summer concert,” says the organisers.

“Any money we make could be reinvested to help it grow for future years.”

Tickets for Midsummer Live are £5 (£2 concessions) and as well as the open-air music stage there will be a fun zone, bouncy castle, tie-dye, dress-up photozone and food.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

15

NEWS

Boats at Colliioure

by George Fox

The write stuff

THERE’S a creative writing course with a nourishing difference coming up in October.

Inside Out – Write your Heart and Soul, say its creators, will help you “discover the relationship between your innermost voice and the sounds, shapes, rhythms and colours of the natural world.”

It’s at the beautiful Balabrook, South Brent, on October 22, 10am-3.30pm, and costs £40, including a delicious veggie lunch.

To book contact Lucy on 07795 817935 or Polly on 07929 883147.

Christmas alert BEWARE, it’s our first Christmas story!

The Barbican Theatre are working with the comedy theatre troupe Le Navet Bete for their Christmas production, Robin Hood and His Merry Men - and previous Crimbo shows have sold out.

Visit www.barbican theatre.co.uk.

Devon builds sustainable bridges to Spain

B

ACK in 2012, Reconnect ran a story about filmmaker Emilio Mula and our very own feature writer Jon Stein forming an Anglo-Spanish alliance to strengthen links between Totnes and Andalucia.

Emilio had helped organise Spain’s first national conference for Transition initiatives, while Jon gave an informal talk to the Transition group at Coin near Malaga. Since then they’ve both continued to develop links between Totnes and Andalucia, each focusing on different aspects.

Emilio has continued to document the economic/ Transition element and has now teamed up with REconomy’s Jay Tompt to make a film telling the stories of community-led responses to the economic crisis and the new models emerging in the Andalucia region.

In early July they will visit and film at a number of projects in the region.

“We will visit projects and groups in Málaga, Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, and Cadiz to see what they’re doing and what works,” says Jay. “We will be posting blogs all along the way and, hopefully, building a

Jon Stein at the Cana Dulce community in Spain.

Summer shows at Kingsbridge

network of solidarity, too. Stay tuned…”

Jon, meanwhile, has focused on developing cultural links with the small agricultural town of Alozaina – an hour from Malaga. In March of this year, guitar-maker Andy Davidson (who has also featured in Reconnect) gave his first course at the Casa Pepe Bravo community centre, while Sky Chapman and Jeffrey Gale laid the foundations for developing environmental and artistic projects in the town.

Other visitors, including leather-worker John Hagger, whoworked on establishing trade links, and the first consignment of organic olive oil and artesan pottery arrived

back in Totnes in April.

Jon Stein also took part in a permaculture course at the Caña Dulce community, near Coin. He said: “I learned not only about plants and the environment, but how human communities can work and grow together harmoniously.

We had about 12 visitors from Totnes to Alozaina this year and we’re hoping to see some visitors from there come to Devon this summer. The cultural exchange is really exciting and we’d love to see others bring their skills and ideas to the table!”

If you’d like to know more, email Jon at jonstein1@ hotmail.com, and keep an eye on Reconnect.

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16

NOW’s Larch Maxey (left) and Dan Dawson taking a rest from giving hugs in Totnes.

Grants for wellbeing projects

THERE’S a new boost to individuals, groups or projects that “could really enhance personal, community and environmental wellbeing locally.”

The local charity, Network of Wellbeing (NOW) has launched a new fund, offering seed grants of £100-500 to help new initiatives, which preferably have not yet received external funding.

To promote the fund, NOW has published a short video and an application pack on its website, www.networkofwellbeing.org. The website also features six videos about local projects that have been supported by the Fund during its pilot phase over the last two years.

NOW Totnes project officer Mirella Ferraz said: “Totnes is full of people with great ideas that will improve people’s wellbeing. Often all they need is a little help to get them started. The Totnes Wellbeing Fund intends to give that help.”

Applications should be in by June 30. Find out more on the website, email info@ networkofwellbeing.org or call 01803 849107.

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THERE’S all manner of creative goings on at the Harbourhouse gallery in Kingsbridge over the coming months.

From June 2-7, The World of Horses and Portraiture sees the equine-theme work of painter Anthony O’Keefe, a self-taught artist who has been undertaking commissions for over 30 years.

The paintings and printmaking of George and Hilary Fox take over the walls from June 9-14. George’s work ranges from London cafés and bars to bullfights in northern Spain and Hilary’s current work is based on the direct observational drawing of natural forms and landscapes in the South Hams area and the south of France.

Water Water Everywhere, June 16-24, features the paintings and printmaking of the 21 Group, with a demonstration of wood engraving techniques from Shirley Smith, 10am-5pm on June 17.

From June 26-July 5, Margaret Deans, Christine Linfield and Anne Scarratt will exhibit paintings with the theme of Elemental Landscapes, with a chance to meet the artists at an informal talk on June 24, 12noon-4pm.

There’s a mix of mixed media at the gallery July 7-15, with oil paintings

by Diana Booth, textiles by Jill Cooper, and printmaking and handmade books by Caroline Barker. You can meet the artists on July 11, 10am-5pm.

The ever-popular Press Gang Printers return on July 17-26 with their annual exhibition of printmaking with a chance to meet the artists on July 11, 10am-5pm.

Find out more at www. harbourhouse.org. uk and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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17

Sefton Paine, Liz Parker and Khumbi at The Seed.

produce: local,seasonal,organic,veggie local people local events local food local health local environment Meal for All serves up funds for community grants THE Seed, Buckfastleigh’s community wholefood shop and café, is still going from strength to strength - and with the increasing popularity comes a still greater need for volunteers to help keep the shop running smoothly.

Ideally they’re looking for people who can spare four hours a week. Call Bryony or Jinny at the shop on 01364 644699 if you can help out. The Seed provides an evening of delicious food and gathering for its volunteers on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, The Seed continues to help coordinate weekly talks on a wide variety of topics relating to food, health, wellbeing and the environment. They’re 7.30-9.30pm every Thursday at The Jellyfish Studios in Buckfastleigh.

The Seed also held its first Meal for All in May, attended by around 75 people.

The Seed’s Sefton Paine said: “It was a wonderful afternoon of great food, live music provided by the town’s musicians and much conversation and community buzz!

“Some arrived early to help prepare hot dishes and learn how to cook with affordable and healthy ingredients, others brought their own special dish of food from home.

“The event raised £70 which will be put into a community pot and, along with funds from future meals, will be available for individuals/ groups within the community that need a small cash injection. Diners will get to vote on the most preferred cause.”

Future ‘Meal for All’s will be taking place every 3-4 weeks. Call Sefton on 07810 710677 for more info or if you would like to be involved.

Chef Jon Guest’s sugarfree cheesecake

Treat yourself to something healthy

J

UST because you decide to live a healthier life, it doesn’t mean some of life’s treats are out of bounds, says chef Jon Guest.

And Jon is perfectly qualified to be some authority on the subject.

Having become head chef of a four-star, 60-bedroom hotel, he felt it was time to explore a more holistic approach to food, health and life.

After completing the Looking After Your Health course at the International Macrobiotic School (IMS) in 2003, he decided macrobiotics could guide him on a true mind, body, spirit path and entered the IMS three-year training course in 2006.

Jon is now a chef both at IMS and Riverford’s Field Kitchen – and something of a healthy pudding expert.

“Whether you call them desserts or puddings,” he says, “they play an important part in our collective psyche. A favourite pudding can evoke memories of childhood and the heady aromas of home baking wafting from our mother’s kitchen.”

But if you’re treading a path to a healthier future, are those delights any more than a distant and nostalgic memory?

“Fear not!” says Jon. “We can show you that by making a few

subtle changes you too can enjoy a scrumptious sugar and dairy-free sticky toffee pudding. Or maybe you fancy a slice of sugar and dairy-free Bakewell tart with your nettle tea? Or a vegan sugar-free chocolate cupcake?

“Here at the International Macrobiotic School we can show you how to recreate some of your favourite desserts without the need for butter eggs and processed cane sugar.

“Of course, moderation is key to enjoying a healthy lifestyle, but when a little extravagance is called for, for a birthday, to surprise a loved one or just as a treat for yourself, it’s certainly possible to conjure up a little pudding magic.”

Find out more about IMS on their website, www.macroschool.co.uk, or call 01803 762598.

Howdy foodie

IF you’re a local food producer or retailer, get in touch.

Reconnect readers want to know what you have to offer and you can tell them through our advertisements and editorial.

Call Martin on 01803 868455 or email editor@ reconnectonline.co.uk.

Call Andy on 07980 746622 - www.laydilay.co.uk 18

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editor@reconnectonline.co.uk local people local events local food local health local environment ‘Local’ means buying local too

F

OR local organic egg producer Laydilay, ‘local’ is very much a two-way street.

Or lane, to be accurate.

“We are completely dependent on the South Devon community buying our products to keep us in business because we sell and deliver all our eggs, meringues, mayonnaise and macaroons direct to local independent shops, wholesalers, hotels and caterers,” said Laydilay’s Mandy Johnson.

“And in turn, we also use local suppliers and ethical small scale distributors – all our feed is bought from local suppliers or produced ourselves, for example.”

And keeping it local doesn’t include local supermarkets.

“We support local independent shops because they support the community,” says Mandy. “They stock local

One of Laydilay’s hens with equine friend (right).

products that supermarkets wouldn’t dream of selling because their scale of production of those products is so small.

“I personally, prefer the thought of our hard earned money going to support a local business than disappearing into the large anonymity of a supermarket. And we have also found – and of course this is subjective - that the taste of locally, small scale produced vegetables and meat is often superior to supermarkets.”

From humble beginnings back in 2004, when they first moved 69 hens into a rented orchard in Buckfastleigh, Mandy and her husband Andy have grown a thriving operation that now includes close-on 2000 hens and a team of five humans.

Oh, and a horse that seems to just love the company of hens.

Find out more at www. laydilay.co.uk.

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19

The first two self-build eco homes at Broadhempston - well on their way to

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20

Future neighbours build on friendship

S

IX South Devon families are now well on the way to creating their own eco selfbuild homes.

The project began four years ago when The Broadhempston Community Land Trust was formed by village residents who wanted to build their own affordable homes.

Working with Teignbridge District Council, they located land on the edge of the village that wouldn’t normally have been granted planning permission.

The trust owns the freehold on the land and 25% of the value of the six three and four-bedroom homes they are building there. The project was only open to couples and families living with in a two-mile radius and with ties to the village.

A £900,000 loan from Resonance (www.resonance.ltd.uk), a community land and finance community interest company, has funded the project, providing finance to take it through to the planning stage and then on a draw-down basis throughout the build. When the families move in, in October or November, the repayments will begin.

The families are working alongside contractors as the build continues.

They were able to help with the foundation work, moving concrete beams and blocks, but the current woodframe stage has been left largely to contractors.

One of the team members, Geoff Dowson, who has given up his job to work on the project, explained: “Once the wood frames are up, we will be able to get more involved with jobs like slating, insulation, cladding and rendering, all the time working in consultation with experienced and qualified builders.

“At the wiring and plumbing stages, again the experts will show us how to do it, leave us to do the bulk of the work, and then come back to check and approve everything.”

The group has of course had problems getting even this far not least of which were the neighbouring newts and nextdoor dormice we’ve mentioned

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before in Reconnect and which delayed the project by eight months.

“But obstacles like that have brought the group closer together,” said Geoff. “We’re now a very positive and determined team – and, of course, we will soon be neighbours.”

With eight children among the families, and varying levels of employment, self-employment and full-time working on the build, some people will be able to do more work than others. But the plan is to complete all the homes first and then all move in at the same time.

The homes were designed by Totnes architects LED, who are proud of the extremely high levels of insulation they have achieved for relatively low cost – strawbale walls within the wooden frame playing an important part.

The original plan was for the homes to be connected to mains services, but practical issues, and the resultant high costs involved, will probably mean they will source their water from a borehole and their sewage will be processed in a biodigester.

Reconnect will return to look at these, and other aspects of the selfbuild project in more detail in future issues.

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ECOHOMES; TRADITIONAL & SUSTAINABLE local people local events local food local health local environment ORGANICGARDENING The big consultation continues

M

ORE than 2500 people will have had their say about the Atmos Totnes community development project by the time initial plans are completed.

Around 2000 visited and left their thoughts and ideas initially, including at the Atmos Totnes Hub, which used creative and participatory exercises to encourage local people to contribute to the brief for the architects, LED of Totnes. And over 500 are expected to contribute at various outreach events.

Since the beginning of April, there has been a team of Atmos Ambassadors, each with a patch in the Totnes area and each with a target of 50-100 people to talk to about the project. All this adds up to unprecedented levels of community involvement.

The aim is to submit a Community Right To Build Order (CRTBO) this Summer. The CRTBO is described as “a new route to planning” and means the plan for the former Dairy Crest site, next to the Totnes railway station, will only go ahead if it gets

IT’S all going on in the garden over the next couple of months - or it will be if you get out there and get on with it. JOA GROWER tells all

Sun, water and brassicas

T

the thumbs-up in a referendum.

The Atmos Totnes team have already heard from across the UK and beyond who want to pick their brains for similar community-based projects.

If you haven’t yet had any input, or you would like to know what other people have suggested, visit the Atmos website, atmostotnes.org.

Potatoes need to be earthed up to HE crop produced by fruiting increase the crop. If they’ve got plants likes tomatoes, blight you must take off all the aubergines and peppers affected leaves and burn them, depends on just how much sun or get rid of them - but don’t put we have. As I write this, it’s not them in your compost heap. looking too good but the real Summer is yet to come and we Brassicas (Summer cabbages, might have kohl rabi, hours of cauliflower sunshine and ahead of us calabrese) and if we do, are most in keep up the danger from watering!

Cabbage Whites, so Use recycled look for water when caterpillars or, and where even better, possible and their small if, like today, bright yellow it’s raining eggs. at least you know the You could also watering is start thinking done! ahead to your Winter As we go into brassicas, June and (Winter July, it’s also Always water tomatoes before you cabbages, time to think feed them - and tie them to stakes. kale and about tending purple potatoes, sprouting) and clear beds in brassicas and tomatoes. preparation.

In these Summer months, all your They can be planted as early as vegetable plants will benefit from July onwards, so get them in as an extra feed to give them more soon as you’ve got the space. If strength to produce their crops. you’re buying your plants from us You can buy a decent organic feed from us at Growers Organics at the market or from the nursery, don’t worry, we’ll have them or make up your own from ready for you in time! comfrey or nettle. In particular, your fruit-bearing crops will need And don’t forget brassicas need extra feed, so that of course plenty of space between them means the tomatoes too. (about 30-45cm) because they’ll grow quite big. You can always Always water tomatoes before plant some quicker growing crops feeding them (so the feed doesn’t in between them - plants such as run straight through the pot), and tie lettuces and kohl rabi, which will them up to stakes so they don’t keel be harvested long before your over with all that lovely fruit. Keep brassicas are ready. taking out those side shoots too.

Tips on courgettes, cucumbers and squash EARLY June is still fine for sowing or planting courgettes, cucumbers and squash seeds – or, even better, get a head start by purchasing ready-grown plants (we have quite a few different varieties at Growers). Take care not to over water them at this stage and always water around the plants rather than directly onto the foliage. Start to apply an organic foliar feed when flowers and small fruits begin to appear.

Try not to let the fruits of courgettes and Summer squashes get too big pick regularly or the courgettes will

turn to marrows. Unless marrows are what you want, of course!

Winter squashes are a bit different.

If you want to produce just a few large fruits, pinch the growing tip out when your plants have set about six small fruits - otherwise just let them do their own thing and you should end up with an abundance of smaller squashes, just right for baking whole in the oven.

After harvesting in the Autumn, leave them out in the sunshine to dry properly before storing.

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

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

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21

Mark and Lucy meditating at Brimpts Farm on editor@reconnectonline.co.uk local people local events local food local health local environment Dartmoor.

Below left, the Brimpts Farm building.

Freely given for the benefit of everyone Going on retreat can be a costly business. JON STEIN, right, meets Simon Thompson trustee of a new charity dedicated to making Insight Meditation available to everyone, regardless of circumstances

W

ORKSHOPS, courses, retreats: many of us love doing them. But when you add the cost of travel - and any additional cost from being away from home - to the booking fees, the price can ramp up quickly. Does this mean self-development and spiritual exploration should be a luxury for the few, rather than a right for the many?

Not according to Simon Thompson, an experienced meditator and trustee of a new South Devon charity, Freely Given Retreats.

He believes we can learn from the “spirit and culture of generosity” which has sustained Buddhism in South East Asia for 2500 years.

“The Dharma is priceless,” he explains, “in the sense that there isn’t a price tag attached to it.”

Two years ago, Simon joined with some other dharma friends to make the retreat experience available to everyone, regardless of circumstances. Following the centuries old Buddhist principle of dana (generosity), they

established a charity to offer the teachings freely and in Autumn 2013 offered their first week-long retreat for eight people at the High Heathercombe centre on Dartmoor.

This year, they are offering three silent retreats led by Insight teachers including Kirsten Kratz, Zohar Lavie – both associated with the Gaia House retreat centre Frank Uyttebroeck. So what can peo expect to find on a freely given retre The retreats usually attract about 18 and are held in one of two venues: H Heathercombe and Brimpts Farm, a Dartmoor. The schedule, which is co in silence until the last day, follows th typical Insight retreat mode alternating periods (usually minutes) of sitting and walk meditation. Brief instruction around core teachings suc the mindfulness of breathin cultivation of loving-kindne addition, there are three m day, a short work period h with daily chores, and an e of dharma talk.

Simon acknowledges that t schedule, and silence, may suit everyone, but emphasi ‘supportive and gentle atm of the retreat, and points o

Summer events feed the mind, the bod THE Sharpham Estate in South Devon will be feeding the mind, the body and the spirit over the Summer.

You can forage for wild food, spend five days exploring Devon’s fantastic foodie scene or communally experience the power of fire in a schedule of events that aims to nourish participants in all ways.

The Sharpham Trust, which is staging these activities, is a charity that encourages a deeper connection with nature. It promotes mindfulness, wellbeing and sustainable living through its activities, which also include mindfulness retreats and courses.

On June 13, there will

22

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be a chance to try your hand at seasonal wild salads, and learn numerous edible, medicinal and creative recipes on the Nature’s Bounty workshop.

“You will end the day with food to take home and knowledge of these wonderful seasonal plants to last a lifetime,” say the organisers.

On Saturday June 20, Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground will host a Summer Solstice Fire Circle, where Sharpham’s 2015 Artist in Residence Robin Lacey will unveil his cast bronze artwork Circle.

Nature Connection Day, on Saturday July 4, will encourage you to “reconnect with yourself

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local people local events local food local health local environment

In the woods of henchantment

R

- and ople eat?

8 people, High also on onducted he el of y 30-45 king n is given ch as ng and ess. In meals a helping evening

the y not ises the mosphere’ out there

is also some free time to rest or enjoy the beautiful nature of the moor.

As the name ‘freely-given’ implies, there is no charge for the retreats, but people are made aware of the cost of their place, and, at the end of the retreat, invited to donate whatever they feel appropriate. In this way, the retreat experience is being made available to a section of the community that might not otherwise get the opportunity to receive and practice the Dharma. Last year, the donations and costs matched almost exactly. “It was remarkably close!,” says Simon.

If you are curious about Insight Meditation, or want to deepen your practice, this year’s retreats take place June 6-13, July 18-25 and October 23-30. From September 21-28 there is an additional retreat on an ecological theme at Eden Rise Centre, near Totnes. Visit www.freelygivenretreats.org. l Jon Stein is a writer and musician living in Totnes. See and hear more of his work at www.jonstein.co.uk.

dy and the spirit by being in nature, with solo and group activities that will help heal a soul sick with stress or urban life.”

July 5 is a Sharpham celebration, their Summer Open Day, with house and garden tours, activities for children, performances and tasty refreshments.

Running from August 3-7, Food, ‘Earth and Community: explore the local food revolution’ is described as “a holiday for the foodies” with an opportunity to explore (and enjoy) local food production from award-winning sustainable food producers like Riverford and Sharpham Wine & Cheese.

Sharpham will also run mindfulness retreats throughout the Summer, including themes of beginners, yoga, walking and singing.

To find out more about these events and all things Sharpham, visit www. sharphamtrust.org.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

EGULAR Reconnect readers will know that editor Martin Foster and his wife Jenny are also involved in Hillyfield Hens, which breeds traditional and rare chickens on the Dartmoor woodland farm, The Hillyfield.

It’s been a while since we brought you an update on what’s been happening there, so Jenny’s here with some poultry offerings!

“It’s been a time of great abundance at Hillyfield Hens recently. We’ve been working there with Doug for two years now and our established breeding groups are producing strong, happy chicks.

“We’ve had Plymouth Rocks since the beginning and along with our own Hillyfield Gingers (Light Sussex x Barnevelder), they’re our best layers.

“We’ve got some new arrivals too: Black Cochins are big black fluffy birds that wear feathery trousers and slippers as they forage under the trees.

Resting between readings at Dartington.

Talking books at local lit fest

“Our rare lavender Orpington cockerel, The Bishop, now has a truly multi-hued flock with the addition of a gold lace, a blue lace and a rare red. It’ll be interesting to see what amazing mixtures of colours they produce.

We’ve already christened them Rainbow Orpingtons!

“If anyone is interested in coming along to see and ask questions about our poultry and how we do things at The Hillyfield, please email us at Reconnect or jennfoster58@googlemail. com. We’re planning some open days soon where you can lend a hand with some basic jobs and talk along the way.

Let us know if you’re interested.

“And look out for Hillyfield Hens on Facebook too.” l The Light Sussex hens hanging out with Barnabus, the Barnevelder cockerel, left, and above, a Buff Orpington hen.

ONE of the UK’s top literary festivals is back – smack in the middle of Reconnect land.

Ways with Words will again attract big names from literature along with thousands of visitors to the Dartington Estate, this year from July 3-13.

As always, the organisers have struck a balance between the more academic and popularist ends of the literature spectrum.

This year’s speakers will include Simon Armitage, Mary Portas, John Hegley, Dom Joly, George Monbiot, Ann Widdecombe, Penelope Lively, Caroline Lucas and Ben Okri.

Festival co-director Kay Dunbar says: “If you like to relax with books, ideas, beautiful gardens, good food, warm conversation, then you will love this festival.”

To find www. wayswithwords.co.uk.

Spicy tale of house’s past A FIFTEENTH century spice cabinet found in the Elizabethan House is the inspiration for a unique new theatre experience called ‘The Spice Box’.

Writer Jon Nash and Young Writer Jim Crago have written the script which they say will illuminate one of Plymouth’s oldest and most captivating buildings.

You can watch The Spice Box free at the Elizabethan House (32 New Street) on selected dates until July 26 at 2pm and 4pm. Visit www.barbicantheatre. co.uk or call the Barbican Theatre Box Office on 01752 267131 to book your tickets.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.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...

Finding Active HJope

The performance of their lives New sanctuary in Torquay Active role in your massage Unique listening experience

26 27 28 29

Helping kids explore emotion 30 Mediation after separation 33 NEW Emotional Health 37

Away from their screens

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Classified ads

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And there’s lots more to read inside

The paradigms of relating

H

EART of Relating: Communication Beyond Ego is a new book

by Carmella B’Hahn which explores what Carmella calls “the inside-out and outsidein paradigms of relating”.

The book invites the reader to learn “the art of relating from the heart of who they are” and offers 52 sections with stories, wisdoms, and transformational practices to support them to do that – one for each week of the year.

Carmella - who cofounded the thriving Bowden House ecocommunity in South Devon, home to 50 adults and children tragically lost her son when he was five and The cover of Carmella B’Hahn’s new book. went on to become a grief counsellor. relating skills and a shared She said: “Across the globe, we ‘language’ could make a real are experiencing a paradigm difference. She is inviting people shift in how we relate with all that to buy Heart of Relating from her exists. It is a movement towards website and then, if inspired, to relating from our essential Self purchase one or more copies (at – the inherent identity that lies a reduced price) to be given away. beyond our ego. My sincere The first recipient of the gifted desire is that Heart of Relating’s books is a local hospice. teachings add momentum to this The book - and details of Buy One, collective wave.”

SET One Free - are available at A pioneering Buy One, SET One www.heartofrelating.com. The book Free Campaign has been created can be posted or collected from

by Carmella as a way of reaching Bowden House. See accompanying those in caring professions/ advert for details of Carmella’s talks charities to whom advanced and courses.

Kate Philbin

Let us tell your story

WELCOME to Wellbeing, Reconnect’s unique guide to natural health and personal development across South Devon.

Every issue provides an insight into the work of dedicated local practitioners - in a whole range of therapies and treatments.

Spreading the word through Wellbeing is surprisingly inexpensive - a 1/8page advertisement (like those below) can cost just £41.85 a month, if you book a series.

And our Wellbeing editor, Kate Philbin, will write an editorial for you free of charge to ensure you get your message out there without compromising your ethos.

Call us for a chat and find out what we can do for you - if you haven’t advertised before we can give you all the help you need.

Ring Martin on 01803 868455 or email wellbeing@ reconnectonline. co.uk.

INSIDER ART Courses in Exeter 2014 ART IN HEALTH: Practical Applications ART IN MENTAL HEALTH: A Foundation Course in Art Therapy Short courses in Sandtray Therapy - Practical Applications; Art, Conflict & Anger Management.

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For information see www.insiderart.org.uk or e-mail info@insiderart.org.uk

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Chamtrul Rinpoche returns to

Totnes from the Himalayas. local people local events local food local health local environment

Good for relationships too...

Chamtrul Rinpoche is back in town RENOWNED master and Khenpo (equivalent to a doctor of Buddhist philosophy) Chamtrul Rinpoche returns from the Himalayas to Totnes this June for the third time.

He will teach at The Mansion, 36 Fore Street, Totnes, from June 17-21: 7-9pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Booking is not required and teachings are by donation. There will be a different theme each evening, including: The Bodhicitta Practice of the Four Immeasurables to Open the Heart; Meditation for the Relaxation of Body and Mind; The Healing Power of Tonglen and The Essence of Words of My Perfect Teacher. The full

programme is on the website.

Chamtrul Rinpoche is from the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the oldest school in Tibet. He is the eleventh in a line of recognised reincarnations and is a renowned master and scholar of the Buddhist teachings of Sutra, Tantra, and Dzogchen.

Having trained under the some of most eminent teachers of the 20th century, he became a Khenpo. Through his invaluable knowledge and practical advice, he compassionately guides people towards inner peace and happiness.

Visit www.Bodhicitta.org

Centre welcomes new therapists

T

the sports they HE next love, pursue stage in Ola their dreams, or Chiropractic’s simply to walk expansion plan without pain.” is complete with the addition of a Franziska studied new Chiropractor Chiropractic in and additional New Zealand consulting rooms and Wales and is at their Totnes also a qualified clinic.

Heilpraktiker.

Her interests in The Fore Kinesiology led Street centre to Certification has expanded to welcome Ola has rooms available for therapists in Nabudripad’s Allergy Elimination in clients on a flexible, affordable basis.

Technique (NAET). from Align She is particularly Chiropractic, keen to work with chronic conditions. which they took over in March. And “Here the body’s innate healing the extra space also means there is abilities really come into their own,” room for new therapists. she said. “The more ease we have New to Ola’s Chiropractic team in our bodies, the more this reflects is Franziska Bockenheimer, who in our lives and the choices we make has worked in both the UK and and live.”

Germany and specialises in Ola is holding an open day on Reorganisational Healing and July 4, 11-4pm, when there will Sacro-Occipital Technique. be free taster sessions in massage, She said: “I have worked with a reflexology, acupuncture, shiatsu and wide range of complaints and much more. people from all walks of life, Said Ola’s Claire Ryan: “It will also including many be an opportunity different types of to check out our athletes such as new space and the triathletes, kayakers rooms we have and professional available to hire by polo players. therapists - ad hoc, “I am interested in half day or full-time all aspects of the bookings. We offer functional system flexible arrangements of the body and as low as £4 per how it ties into the hour, backed up by mental, emotional marketing support, and biochemical in-clinic referral balancing of network and a strong the body/mind. online presence.”

I emphasise to Find out more at www. clients that this work can support them totneschiropractic. to have a better co.uk or call 01803 quality of life – to play 862565.

Franziska Bockenheimer

www.reconnectonline.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

THERE’S a very special benefit of sharing the Metamorphic Technique – it can also transform relationships, as practitioner and teacher Hélène Demetriades, right, experienced herself.

“Two years after learning the Technique and becoming a practitioner, I gave my first session to my elderly dad,” explained Hélène.

“We had had a very challenging relationship as I grew up, and in a real sense we had lived ‘centuries apart” - he is a Greek from Turkey, born over a century ago now. Gentle touch had never been part of our relationship.

“I had already let go of so much around him when I came to the Metamorphic Technique, and yet when I offered him that first session, something magical seemed to happen between us.

“Suddenly I felt him soften towards me, and a new sense of trust opened up. I remember him talking of a dream he had had

during the war, in which he had ‘left his body, was free floating in the air, and everything was golden’. I had never heard my father express such sentiments before!

“Every time I went to stay with him (he lives abroad), I would give him a session and the softening and relaxation between us continued. I have been so grateful in the last two months to have been able to offer him this touch, as in his 103 year his health has rapidly and suddenly deteriorated. He is now coming to the end of his life, bound to a wheelchair and helpless, but I will always remember us sitting out in the gardens in the sun, with him telling me ‘to get on with my business’ as he offered me his foot!”

Metamorphic Technique is a simple practice consisting of a gentle touch on the feet, hands and head. Hélène’s next training course is in Dartington over the weekend of October 3/4. Call 01803 868655 or visit www. helenedemetriades.co.uk.

Fire in the Head & The Wild Ways with Roselle Angwin

24 years of inspiring holistic writing courses now including ‘ecosoul : the ecological imagination’ • Hebrides, France, Cornwall, Dartmoor, Exmoor • One-day workshops • Residential retreats • Online courses • Mentoring Creative & reflective writing www.fire-in-the-head.co.uk Ecopsychology & ecowriting www.thewildways.co.uk

roselle.l.angwin@gmail.com

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

For information/enquiries contact Jenny on 07925 654 228 or email jennyquicktm@gmail.com

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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Performers in The Nearly Real local environment local people local events local food local health Theatre Company.

Giving the performance of their lives

W

E all have a story to tell.

How would you turn yours into a one-person performance?

The Nearly Real Theatre Company is putting on a festival of solo autobiographical theatre in Ashprington from July 9-12 with powerful performances from people in our community who will share aspects of their life story.

Mo Cohen, who founded the theatre company and the festival, will also be telling the story of his own life and the cultural and social Mo Cohen, the founder of The Nearly narratives he inherited from his family. Other performers will share Real Theatre Company their experiences, discoveries and by moment, allowing ideas to reveal triumphs over adversity. themselves – through character There is something particularly development, through monologues, powerful about people giving through play, improvisation, writing, personal performances drawn from keeping a journal and simply their own life experiences and this through reflective conversations is the third year that Nearly Real over coffee. In this way, powerful Theatre Company has returned to performances begin to reveal the stage. themselves.”

The performers have spent time Nearly Real Theatre is performing a series of shows at Ashprington together through the winter and the Village hall near Totnes. For tickets spring exploring and rehearsing and more information visit www. their own stories through weekly nearlyrealtheatre.com or email workshops. Mo said: “It is about mo@nearlyrealtheatre.com. trusting the process and, moment

Playing the ‘inner-game’ of attraction

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

www.totneschiropractic.co.uk

WHAT if it was possible to ‘flip a switch’ in our psyches and suddenly find ourselves easily attracting as much time, money, energy and love as we long for?

Thrivecraft’s Maggie Kay, right, claims it can be as simple as that and at her forthcoming Totnes workshop - Say Yes to Abundance on June 13/14 will be teaching techniques that can make it happen.

“It is astonishing how much of an ‘inner game’ creating and manifesting success and happiness really is,” says

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

We offer: • Flexible, low-cost bookings • Marketing support

Maggie. “Although external resources can support us on our way, unless we have attended to our own, often hidden, beliefs about what we deserve to have in life, our progress can be difficult.”

“Say Yes to Abundance is an opportunity to put what many of us already know about the art of manifestation into practice and give our abundance attracting power a massive boost.”

For more information and to book, see www. maggiekaywisdom.com or call 07905 628905.

FIND SOME SPACE IN THE CITY Exeter rooms to hire on demand – pay as you go • • • • •

Training room for up to 25 people seated Smaller spaces for one-to-one client meetings Affordable rates (from £12ph) - pay as you go City centre location with nearby parking Perfect for any green business or group

• In-clinic referral network • Online presence

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

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Exeter Natural Health Centre, off Gandy Street Contact Ali on 01392 422555/info@enhc.org

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

email: wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk

WELLBEING

All-over workout for mind and body ZEN-GA combines Pilates, yoga, dance and Zen philosophies to give you an all-over workout that exercises both mind and body.

Chapel House Studios in Totnes has launched a new Zen-Ga class on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, suitable for beginners and more experienced participants as well as all ages and levels of fitness.

Based on Four Mindful Movement principles - breath, support, yield and flow – Zen-Ga aims to develop a clear mind, inner-stability, stamina and resilience, leaving participants feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Practised over a long period,

Zen-Ga will improve muscle coordination, making your movements feel much more fluid and youthful.

For more information visit www. chapelhousestudios.com, or call them on 01803 866461.

New ‘peaceful sanctuary’ in Torquay

R

ELAX, heal and reconnect with your inner self. That’s the offer from a new therapy centre in Torquay, based on Castle Road.

Pure Holistic Therapies is set over three floors and provides a range of treatments, including: traditional body massage, chakra balancing, Reiki, crystal therapy, holistic aromatherapy facials, hot stone therapy, body treatments and a variety of meditation sessions in Hannah Huteson, left, and Katy Watts of groups or one-to-one.

Pure Holistic Therapies - new to Torquay.

Co-founder Hannah Huteson provide complimentary water or said: “This is a centre for herbal tea.” body, mind and spirit. Our beautiful healing and treatment rooms create Pure Holistic Therapies are a peaceful sanctuary where you can independent consultants for Neal’s experience a sense of balance and Yard Remedies Organic and use calm and relax in the hands of our these products in all their treatments. expert therapists.

Therapists are full registered members of the Complementary “Our elemental rooms are Medical Association and the Guild of specifically designed as treatment Holistic Therapists. spaces and we also have a large meditation room fully equipped For more information, email info@ with everything you need to sit pureholistictorquay.co.uk or call comfortably in focus. We also 01803 295391.

QUI NE · E F

A R N I NG ·

www.reconnectonline.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

I L I TAT E D

LE

AC

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING

Participate in your massage

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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 Join us for six weeks of guided visualisation meditation beginning on the 2nd June 2015 at 7.30pm or 5th June at 10.30am. £36 for all six sessions (payable upon booking).

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

ODYWORK is a slightly different take on conventional massage, explained Remedial Massage Therapist, Judit Meixner, who has recently relocated to South Devon from London where she practiced at the prestigious City Sports Massage.

Whereas massage tends to be a fairly passive experience, with the client lying down while the therapist “does their thing”, bodywork involves a slightly more active role for the client as Reconnect’s Wellbeing Editor Kate Philbin found out when she sampled a bodywork session: “It was late on Friday afternoon when I visited Judit. I was pretty worn out after a busy week and I had a headache that had been lurking around for days.

“What struck me during the session was how Judit got me to participate in the massage by breathing and stretching. I was more used to just lying passively during a massage, but far from detracting from the experience, I found being asked to breath and stretch deepened and intensified the feeling of relaxation.

My headache worsened before it got better, as Judit said it might, but the following day it was gone.”

Judit, who qualified in Remedial Massage in 2008 in Sydney, Australia, said: “Sometimes, the experience of surrendering to a massage and not having to do anything is exactly what clients need, particularly when they lead busy lives and just need

Judit Meixner to recharge. In a bodywork session, I use breathing and encourage movement and awareness of the sensations in the body throughout the treatment. It becomes more of a conversation and exploration of the body, for both the client and therapist. I tend to not only see a diagnosis or an injury that has to be fixed, but a dynamic and healing journey towards wellbeing.”

Judit is offering discounted treatments throughout June and July – a 60-minute treatment is £30; a 90-minute is £50 and 30 minutes is £18.

For more information call Judit on 07585 447450 or email juditmxnr@gmail.com.

Jenny’s Quick sketch reveals all IN the last issue of Reconnect, we explained how Jenny Quick, right, discovered in an art class how the human form could be ‘aged’ by altering the relationship between the head, neck and spine.

It was this revelation that prompted her to train some years later as an Alexander Technique teacher.

Meanwhile, Jenny has continued with her artwork and she’s sent us this simple sketch to illustrate her point. The figures are aged simply by changing the position of their heads.

“Anti-aging cream might smooth

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out some wrinkles, but it doesn’t have any impact on our alignment,” says Jenny. “The Alexander Technique brings about a rejuvenating, 3D sculpting. Gentle hands-on teaching and guidance help you to become more aware of unhelpful habits and to restore natural ease and grace.

“While it may have therapeutic benefits, the Technique is taught and so it is not a therapy. Wrinkles with poise? Bring it on!”

Visit www.jennyquick.co.uk, email jennyquicktm@gmail.com or call 07925 654 228.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

email: local wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING Plymouth mindfulness on the move THE mindfulness courses and workshops being run by the lovely people at The Waterloo Wellbeing Centre in Plymouth are growing by the week.

Such is the demand that the decision has been made to run them all from their other venue at Crownhill Fort.

So, the regular Tuesday evening drop-in will be held at the Waterloo Wellbeing Centre for the last time, from 7-8pm, on Tuesday, June 9 and will restart at the Crownhill Fort in the near future.

The sessions are suitable for beginners wishing to learn more about mindfulness and for people

THERAPY ROOM HIRE

Clean, light, spacious & fresh.

Town centre location Base your practice here. wishing to maintain/develop their existing practice.

To find out more, and check on the new Crownhill Fort venue, call 01752 560002, email info@ psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk, or visit www.psychotherapyplymouth. co.uk.

A unique listening experience

M

people a choice in their AINSTREAM medicine healthcare decisions is cannot help what motivates him to everybody and many practise homeopathy. people either cannot He added: “Over tolerate the drugs and many years I have treatments or are simply listened, really listened, averse to them, says to what happens inside homeopath Mo Morrish. human beings - ‘where He points out that God learns’, as Rilke almost any complaint said - and I continue to you might take to your be astonished by our GP can benefit from a ability to carry deep homeopathic approach. grief and woundings So, how does for so long and yet still homeopathy differ from find the courage and conventional medicine? innate wisdom to heal Mo Morrish ourselves.

“Central to this approach is a profound “Homoeopathy is one listening experience quite unlike of a number of authentic solutions any other in medicine in which the and my continued practise of it, I like whole unified field of body, mind to think, might also contribute to our and spirit is explored in depth,” collective conversation on openexplained Mo. mindedness and respect for the right to choose our own way back to “Connections are made, insights health.” are shared and then a medicine may be chosen which provides a For more information or to book clear stimulus for positive, healthful an appointment, contact Mo change. Sometimes the experience at The Homoeopathic Practice, of being listened to so profoundly is Exeter Natural Health Centre. medicine enough.”

Call 01392 214074 or visit www. thehomoeopathicpractice.co.uk.

It is clear that Mo’s desire to give

Bellacouche... thinking outside the box

The Leafcocoon is a soft coffin made of wood and wool, for a comforting and gentle return to nature.

Regionally sourced materials, natural dyes, affordable and hand-made in Moretonhampstead

Station Rd Totnes TQ9 5HW

01803 866461

info@chapelhousestudios.com

www.chapelhousestudios.com

Emotion Explorers!

Emotional development & self-help strategies for children.

Storytelling, Laughter Yoga & Mindfulness.

07716 804 656 kaiamea4children.co.uk • www.kaiamea.co.uk Lesson plans for schools covering PHSCE & SEAL Private consultancy • Workshops Founder Kay Arwen MEd

Genesis

Change your stories, change your life “It was truly mind-blowing.”

“Inspired and inspiring”

A two and a half day introduction to the life-changing power of Narrative Transformation.

Overcome your disempowering beliefs and create a life you love.

July 10-12th September 11-13th £199

www.interbe.co/courses 01392 346224 info@bellacouche.com

01647 441405

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

www.bellacouche.com

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

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WELLBEING

Kay Arwen with a fellow performer from her storytelling.

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

Kids explore emotions through stories

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ANY of us experience problems with emotional issues – but what if we had been taught at school how to find a way out and forward?

Kay Arwen has developed a schools programme called Learning To Live, which is based on Kaiamea, a therapy that she developed.

“Much of the work is based around storytelling, especially for the younger children,” explains Kay. “Talking about the emotional aspects of the character in the stories means the children feel safe to explore things like empathy and gain an insight into behavior and its impact.”

Learning To Live provides a selfdevelopment programme that follows the child through from reception to Key Stage 3 and can be picked up at any time. It fulfils all PHSCE and SEAL criteria.

“Once we’ve explored emotions, we can look at how they effect others and how we can deal with unwanted emotions,” says Kay. She uses laughter yoga to release tension and then calming strategies including mindfulness, meditation and art therapy.

“All children are different and respond to different techniques, but they soon latch onto what works for them.”

Kay can work with a one-hour lesson plan over the term or one-off programmes to look at specific issues like bullying. One school ran a programme over two weeks to help with stress around SATS. Find out more at www. kaiamea4children.co.uk, call 07716 804656 or email info@ kaiamea.co.uk.

Rules to keep your arguments safe each other in growing WE all have ways of and realising their looking at the world, individual potential.” says writer, researcher and psychotherapist, He points out that it is Peter Crowe, one thing to achieve including what we this when there is want from a partner. just the two of you but quite another to “Unless we take achieve it in the face time to examine of the competing the undeclared demands of time, assumptions we bring distance, work, into a relationship, the money, kids, parents idealised partner we and friends. started out with can Peter Crowe pretty soon become a “Any combination of source of resentment. these can put a strain on a relationship. It can be difficult “All couples argue, but the trick is to to find time even to talk, and when agree rules about how to keep those talking dissolves into quarrelling, it is disagreements safe. If you do that, easy to lose sight of the love we have the energy created during arguments for our partner. can be used to draw you together rather than driving you apart.

“Those challenging times are crucial and often our partner just needs just “It is when we’re at our most tested that to hear that we are prepared to stay we need to find the courage to listen and work it out. Each of us comes from the heart…oh, and to be able to with different expectations so we hold onto our sense of humour!” have to create our own version of a Peter, who trained in psychosynthesis relationship together.” in New Zealand and London, and Peter is based at The Practice Rooms, is an experienced psychosynthesis 15-16 Castle Street in Exeter, where counsellor and psychotherapist, said: he works with couples to negotiate “We’ve all heard that a fruitful their respective needs, argue safely relationship, like a garden, takes a and grow together toward authentic bit of work. A strong couple needs emotional and physical intimacy. Call not only to offer a nurturing frame for 01392 966845 for a consultation, or family and friends, but also to support visit www.petercrowe.co.uk.

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Wellbeing editor Kate Philbin’s daughter Beth at the Adventures with Horses workshop, left, and below left, Kate makes a new friend.

Horses show us way to mindfulness

H

ORSES have a lot to teach us about being more present in our bodies, learning to trust our intuition and connecting in a non-verbal way says Sue Blagburn.

After many years working in the commercial world as a graphic designer, Sue recently gave it all up to follow her dream to help people to overcome challenges and reconnect with themselves by working with horses.

Adventures with Horses is based at Holne on Dartmoor. It offers equine-facilitated learning for organisational and personal development. Sue runs horseassisted education workshops and adventure days for organisations and individuals, including young people with challenging behavioural problems.

Sue explained: “Just being around horses encourages people to be more mindful, authentic and empathetic. Horses look to us for leadership. When we display these qualities, they trust us and are willing to follow us. It can be easier for a 10-year old to connect with horses in this way than it is for many adults, who are constrained by their own disempowering stories and beliefs.”

This was certainly the case when Reconnect Wellbeing Editor, Kate Philbin, went along to one of the workshops with her 10-year old daughter, Beth.

“There were three of us on the workshop and three horses. The horses chose who they wanted to work with, rather than the other way around. Beth connected with her horse really easily. When we went into the arena, where there were obstacles for us to navigate with our horses, Beth’s horse followed her willingly, even without a lead rein.

My horse was not so sure, although interestingly, Sue encouraged me to forget trying to get the horse to follow me and to think about something that made me feel confident and happy. As soon as I did that, my horse followed me. When I stopped feeling confident, he stopped

following. It was fascinating” Adventures with Horses runs group workshops and one-to-one sessions for organisations and charities, young people and individuals, including artists, writers and anyone

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

seeking to become more mindful and self-aware.

For more information visit: www. adventureswithhorses.co.uk or call Sue on 01364 631444 or 07831 865259.

Opening June 1st

Rooms to hire for individual, play, body, couples and family therapy. Group and training room.

Please contact Ruth or Pete Baker at : nautiluscentre@gmail.com or call 07736334454.

Sandplay Therapy A series of courses including:

Introduction to Sandplay Therapy (two-day course) June 13/14, July 11/12

Introductory & Certified Sandplay Courses (contact Ruth for details)

Ruth Baker counselling and psychotherapy

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

• For counsellors, teachers, psychotherapists, social workers, etc.

• Introduction to theory & highly experiential.

• Set up sandplay in your work setting.

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

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

• Small teaching groups.

Ruth Baker at ruthbaker1@gmail.com or 07736334454.

www.sandplaytherapy.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

31

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

The Chelston Wellbeing Centre, Torquay

•

Oats Healthy Living Store, Brixham (or mail order)

www.greenwyse.co.uk --Consultations with Dawn Ireland Medical Herbalist

Changing how we are with illness

www.torbay-herbalist.co.uk 07962 664 294

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.

HOW can meditation help us to find different ways of being with illness or bereavement and the many challenges they bring? That is the question being posed in a new retreat at Gaia House near Newton Abbot.

Entitled Living with Illness and Loss, the retreat will explore being present with experience just as it is, without judgment or blame, and it will invite participants to begin to realise the possibility for change that this approach brings.

Participants will be invited to take part in guided meditation, reflective exercises and contemplative art/writing, as well as sharing

experiences with others and doing private interviews.

Caroline Jones, who is leading the retreat alongside Zohar Lavie, said: “As we explore the territory, we find that we are able to experience more freedom and ease in relation to what can be very challenging life circumstances.”

Gaia House is a Buddhist meditation retreat centre set among quiet woodlands. Living with Illness and Loss runs from July 9-14 and costs £265, or £225 at a supported rate.

The programme is restricted to 30 places.

For more information visit www. gaiahouse.co.uk.

Tests and relief for allergy sufferers

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Health & wellbeing

Seek peace of mind?

Contact Peter Crowe Counselling & psychotherapy 01392 966845 www.petercrowe.co.uk 32 32

increasing for LLERGY sufferers in years and many S Devon can patients are now find relief in a disappointed in the therapy that both options available tests and treats, in conventional says practitioner medicine.

Juliet Wilson.

“We test using New to the Bioresonance UK, Bicom and EAV (electroBioresonance acupuncture) was invented in to identify the Germany where allergen and it has been used then gradually for over 20 years desensitise the in the treatment body.” The first of allergies.

Juliet Wilson session is to The use of identify the primary Bioresonance as a therapy for allergens and subsequent sessions allergies was pioneered by Dr use bioresonance therapy as Peter Schumacher, a paediatrician treatment. With food allergens working in Innsbruck Austria. it may be necessary to remove Juliet, who trained with the them from your diet during the IMU College and Institute for treatment period.

Bioresonance in Germany, Treatment is non-invasive and explained: “Bicom Bioresonance is painless, suitable for babies as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool well as adults. It works by using that uses resonance oscillations or the principle of resonance or frequencies to identify and treat oscillation to carry the information health issues, thus restoring health of harmonious frequency to the to the body. body. Pathological frequency “It is extremely successful in is ‘inverted’ in order to reduce the treatment of allergies, the stresses in the body and detoxification and addictions, but I in so doing assists the body to treat most forms of illness.” reduce its toxin or stress load, thus restoring the self-regulation In Germany, the Bioresonance healing of the body. method is well-known for its ability to treat allergies swiftly and Find out more or book a treatment effectively, says Juliet. at www.naturalmedicinedevon.

“The number of people suffering co.uk, or call Juliet on 01803 from allergies has been steadily 868484 or 07428 793693.

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email: wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk

WELLBEING

Mediation after the separation SEPARATING couples often turn to mediation to help them reach some form of post-separation agreement.

But the mediator can also help to bring together a professional team to support the couple.

JOHN HIND, right, himself a mediator, coach, trainer, explains his role.

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HEN couples separate and choose mediation, the family mediator faces the challenge of helping and supporting two people to work together in reaching their own post-separation agreements, when their decision making processes, communication and trust are likely to be heavily impaired.

The joint decision making process will involve ‘listening to each other to understand’ views and perspectives which are likely to be quite different to their own.

Joint decisions also often means making concessions in the process of reaching agreements when this is the last thing they may feel like doing.

Trust and communication has often all but broken down and neither person feels able or willing to give each other the benefit of the doubt when it comes to misunderstandings or misperceptions, along the way.

So, what is the answer?

As well as constantly developing their ‘toolbox’ of skills, the mediator has other family professionals to call upon, to support the couple.

As well as a facilitator of the mediation process, mediators often find themselves being the ‘professional team’ facilitator, responsible for identifying and bringing together the right family therapeutic or counselling professionals to support the couple and their children, as they map out and navigate their journey through separation and beyond.

This family mediation professional team approach involves each member of the team knowing and understanding each other’s roles and

skills so they can collaborate for their mutual clients, in the most effective and efficient way.

Not only does this require a good knowledge and understanding of the role of each professional in the team, but also a trust in each other to work together for the common purpose to help and support the separating couple and their children to reach their own post-separation decisions about their children and finances.

This ‘help and support’ often includes varying degrees of emotional and psychological support for the couple and sometimes their child(ren).

Knowing where to go for which kind of support is a key knowledge and skill they have to learn when the tendency is for each of them to work within their own professional fields.

The mediator has to understand, for example whether it is individual, couple or family therapy or counselling which is required, or a combination of all of them? Then, it is a question of finding the therapist or counsellor who is appropriate and compatible.

And third is the question of funding the therapy, especially at a time when so much mediation is free and funded by the Government. Many couples are put off by the additional charge of therapeutic support.

The challenge for the mediator, therapist and counsellor is to ‘normalise’ the process for the separating couple, of using the mediator/therapist/counsellor team to support them in reaching their own decisions about their finances and children. The benefits for their family and the cost savings will be huge.

Pulling all this together, the overriding challenge for mediators, therapists and counsellors is to form regional practice teams enabling them to cross-refer and collaborate with each other in support of the separating couple and their families, bringing together the right family professionals, in the right role, at the right time, in the most efficient, cost-effective and targeted way.

hilarymartinhealth.uk Coaching for women with stress-related health, weight and mood issues • 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 For event updates on Weight, Sugar, Gut Health and Stress sign up for newsletter: info@hilarymartinhealth.uk 07971 444564 www.hilarymartinhealth.uk

John Hind, director of Compass Resolution Ltd, is based at The Practice Rooms in Exeter. Visit compass-resolution.com or call 01392 848482/07789 275907.

Take a deep BREATH...

Learn how to use the power of your own breath to overcome stress and re-energise your body. Improve your health and help clear emotional blockages.

Workshops and 1:1 sessions available.

Intro workshops in Teignmouth by arrangement.

Two to four people required.

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

07828 566553

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

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email: wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk

WELLBEING Minerals put the fizz back into your life

M

ANY deficiency.” years of Says Angie: com“A daily intake mercial farming, of Sizzling synthetic Minerals can additives and have significant acid rain have health benefits, compromised including antithe life-giving ageing, less joint minerals from pain, increased our soil and energy, amazing that has had a hair, improved detrimental effect skin, stronger on the nutritional nails, heart value of our food health and many - and, therefore, more. on our wellbeing.

“When I was Totnes-based young I used to Angie Jacobs be very energetic.

Angie Jacobs says her life has Over the years I been transformed became less and by taking plantless fit, and more and more tired based minerals and is now referring and constantly ill. people to Sizzling Minerals.

“Several months ago, I started “Mineral deficient soils are used to taking Sizzling Minerals and quickly grow our food,” says Angie, “which started feeling clearer and calmer. typically contains an average of My ears cleared up from an eczema 8-20 minerals, yet Dr Gary PriceI had for 15 years, I now sleep Todd has said the human body beautifully, my feet don’t hurt any needs around 60 trace minerals to more and I feel positive for the first remain healthy and disease-free. time in ages. The energy that used And in the absence of minerals, he to drive me so many years ago is points out, vitamins are basically now back!” useless.”

For more information and Dr Linus Pauling, two times Nobel testimonials, contact Angie on Prize Laureate, stated: “You can 07970 922 231, or visit www. trace every sickness, every disease simplyamazingminerals.com and and every ailment to a mineral www.sizzlingtestimonials.com.

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Sam working on the new site, with encouragement from Kit.

Angel Dog reaches out to owners ON a recent Australian trip, mother and son team Rachel and Sam Bolton agreed there was a demand for a social media site where dog owners can meet each other and share all their amazing stories, photos and videos.

Rachel is a healer who frequently works with animals (you might have read about her before in Reconnect) and her son is “gifted with computers”, so she employed him to make it happen.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Six months later and you can now sign up at www. angeldognetwork.net – and all just after his 12th birthday.

Says Sam: “The Angel Dog Network is a great way to meet new people who have a passion for dogs as well as keeping your paw on the pulse with news and events that are happening in each others lives.”

You can find more on mum’s work at www.touchthespirit.co.uk.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

WELLBEING

Zeljko and Ana Bozic of The Clay Cure Company.

Mother Nature’s living product

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NCIENT Egyptians used it. Ancient Chinese used it. Indigenous peoples use it. Clay has a long history of being used for natural healing, including detoxification, purification and mineral supplementation, say South Devon-based Zeljko and Ana Bozic, right, who are now bringing a range of pure clays to the UK. For Zeljko this is the culmination of over 30 years of experience and research as a nutritionist and holistic health practitioner.

“Clay is a living product, an incredible gift from mother earth,” he says. “It provides a simple and cost-effective method of healing many common ailments.”

It can be used internally for conditions ranging from arthritis to poisoning, and externally for wound healing, eczema and acne, he says.

“It also has uses in beauty care, such as face masks, shampoo, natural toothpaste and cleansing baths. And it has been shown that animals use it

instinctively to release poisons and to supplement their diets.

Already used more widely in France and the USA, Zeljko and Ana have created The Clay Cure Company, to bring “the purest, highest quality clays: to the UK. Ana says: “The earth is made of stardust, and our bodies are literally made of the dust of the earth. Clay is our mother healer.”

As well as providing a range of the purest clays available, The Clay Cure Company also has an educational role, “to help you learn about all the many ways you can use it for health, for beauty and in the household.” l Reconnect readers have the opportunity to find out if clay can help you. The first 25 people to send a stamped addressed envelope to The Clay Cure Company will receive a clay sample and information on how to use it. Visit www. theclaycure.co.uk for the address and to let them know which of our clays best suit your needs.

Healing - Insight - Guidance - offering hope, clarity and health Qualified Kinesiologist, Astrologer and Psychologist Movement Medicine Apprentice Teacher

Call Xenia 07748 614961 Xenia@healing-insightguidance.com

www.healing-insight-guidance.com

Healing space with natural support

I

N 2013 Chiropractors Ian and Sophie Doble started Wholesome Life Chiropractic in Ashburton. Their aim was to “create a space where everyone can expect safe, gentle care with the benefit of natural, supportive lifestyle advice to promote optimal health and wellbeing.”

They have now expanded to include two additional therapists and Sophie is making the transition to the practice after “having had the privilege of” working at Ola Chiropractic, Totnes, with NSA (Network Spinal Analysis) Chiropractor, Claire Ryan.

Sophie says she’s really looking forward to working from her family practice as it continues to grow.

“It’s a real blessing to work so closely with people and to help them discover the amazing benefits of Chiropractic,” she says. “It’s so much more than just providing relief for back pain - it’s fascinating to see how much can shift and change in peoples lives just by improving the functioning of the

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body, using gentle, hands-on work.”

Sophie sees a wide variety of people from babies all the way through to our maturing population. After experiencing Chiropractic from an early age and throughout her own pregnancy and labour, Sophie says she’d love every pregnant woman to benefit from the natural balancing, healing effects of Chiropractic care at this incredibly important time.

Since graduating in 2009 with a Masters degree in Chiropractic, she has continued her learning with training in cranial, pregnancy, and paediatric techniques, and NSA. l To celebrate Sophie’s new beginning, she is inviting Reconnect readers to take advantage of a special introductory offer throughout June and July: £20 for an initial consultation, report with recommendations and first adjustment session. Call 01364 654661, email info@ wholesomelifechiropractic.co.uk, or visit www. wholesomelifechiropractic. co.uk.

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

35

email: wellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING New Totnes centre due to open

W

PSYCHIC INTUITIVE GUIDANCE AND READINGS

Lucie Dudley • Fourth generation healer and intuitive offering Angel oracle and tarot readings and one-one consultations • Spiritual development circle in Totnes • Spiritual house clearing and blessing work FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT luciedudley@btinternet.com OR CALL 0797 99 88 753

developing ORK on these rooms, Totnes’s but the new centre is not centre for mindexclusively based therapies, for talking mindfulness therapies. and bodywork The rooms is progressing comprise well and as we of therapy go to press all rooms and the building a larger work has been training/ completed and group room, rooms are being which will painted prior also be to the fitting of suitable for carpets. meditation The Nautilus and Rooms are the bodywork.” vision of Ruth Ruth’s own and Peter Baker.

Ruth and Peter Barker of The Nautilus room will “Sofas and Rooms on their small holding. house a furnishings are substantial stashed away in barns and garages sandtray collection for sandplay ready to be transported to the therapy and also materials for using centre,” said Ruth. “The centre will art creatively in the therapeutic open on June 1 and already there space. There is also a kitchen. has been substantial interest from Ruth will move her training practitioners wanting to use the programme to the Nautilus Rooms space. Anna Karthauser massage and she is working with colleagues therapist is joining us from the to develop a CPD programme for outset.” counsellors, psychotherapists and Ruth and Peter have accumulated anyone interested in Sandplay work life experience as managers in and mindfulness. large and small organisations, The Nautilus Rooms are situated working with people in education, behind 35 Fore Street in Totnes, counselling and psychotherapy. tucked away in a quiet location They live on a small holding in with minimum noise from the South Devon with their collie dog surrounding area and a public car Molly, a flock of chickens, quails park to the rear of the property. and two geese.

Find out more at www.

“The vision of the Nautilus Rooms is nautilusrooms.uk, email: to create a small centre with lovely, nautiluscentre@gmail.com or call user-friendly rooms,” said Peter.

Peter on 07826414404 or Ruth on “The needs of talking therapists 07736334454. have been kept in mind when

Just dance and become ‘unstuck’

Wholistic, Healing, Happiness Experienced chiropractors Ian and Sophie Doble offer you a warm welcome to their family-friendly Chiropractic centre.

11-13 North Street, Ashburton YQ13 7QJ ☎ 01364 654661 email: info@wholesomelifechiropractic.co.uk

www.wholesomelifechiropractic.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFER Throughout June and July: £20 for initial consultation, report with recommendations and first treatment session Daniel, from Ashburton: ‘A very professional, friendly and effective practice. Has helped my condition greatly and it is always a pleasure to visit.’

36 36

JUST Dance is the name of a new dance class at Countess Weir Village Hall in Exeter. Xenia Berndt, who runs the class, describes it as “a guided dance class with no steps to learn based on Movement Medicine.”

She explained that the class is for people who, maybe, find it hard to let go in an open space or who want to experience the freedom and self-expression of dancing without being restricted by having to learn particular dance steps.

Zara is one of the participants in the new class, which began in April.

She said: “A few weeks ago, if I’m being really honest, I was feeling pretty depressed. Life was a bit of a struggle and I felt a bit ‘stuck’. I really did not feel like dancing.

“I knew that exercising would be good for me but I just didn’t have the energy to take that first step until a friend of mine suggested this class. After about 20 minutes, I realised I was dancing and not caring (too much) about what anyone was thinking about me… and I was really enjoying it.

“I enjoyed the freedom and the

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Xenia Berndt sense of confidence that I was building for myself and I was really getting in touch with my body and the way it was moving. I was becoming ‘unstuck’. Something was shifting for me. I found it really healing.

“I have now attended three of Xenia’s classes and I’m in a better place. I find Xenia puts me at ease; she’s gentle and encouraging. She allows the space for us all to be ourselves, to do whatever dance we want to at that time and allow our own individual expression and creativity to flow.”

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local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

WELCOME to a new regular column in Reconnect’s Wellbeing section - and to its contributor, Leigh Smith, who has some valuable tips about looking after your emotional health...

Welcome to your emotions!

H

ello and a warm welcome to my new column, Emotional Health. As I enter the first few paragraphs, I am feeling very excited, a little nervous and aware of some selflimiting beliefs about writing a column, but here goes!

For over a decade I have studied, taught, practiced and counselled the art of emotional health. I have an all-consuming passion for emotional health and I fill my life with the pursuit of understanding how emotions can help, heal, and harm us.

Which is why I am so excited about the opportunity to share some golden nuggets on emotional health advice with the Reconnect family.

The world of mental health can often be a dark place - diagnosis, and medication can create a negative impact upon us, and the hard edge of clinical care can feel disempowering and leave us with a sense of being unable to control our emotions.

Don’t get me wrong, I value the work of the medical profession greatly, and see medical intervention as the correct course of action for many mental health issues.

However I believe there is much we can do to care for ourselves.

Given guidance, information and support we can empower ourselves to be the guardians of our own emotional health.

We are all unique, and have different needs, but I hope that by

reading my columns you will find ways to make sense of your own issues and be empowered to take steps toward better Emotional Health.

Let’s first take a look at what it actually means to be emotionally healthy.

Emotional health effects us all to varying degrees but we often only pay attention to it when it has gone ‘out of kilter’.

Emotional health isn’t just in your head! It’s a combination of: feeling good, having meaning in your life, good relationships, resilience and a sense of accomplishment.

Living with a degree of stress, anxiety and uncomfortable emotion is perfectly normal.

Quite naturally we all create coping strategies to deal with the trials and tribulations we face daily. When our emotional health is good we are able to cope with life’s challenges and can ‘bounce back’; when we are on top of our emotions we can create and build healthy relationships, and enjoy living full and creative lives.

But when our emotional wellbeing is suffering, we feel the burden of everyday stresses more acutely and we don’t ‘bounce back’ so easily. Perhaps we notice a higher level of anxiety, a feeling of falling apart, of despair and hopelessness, we might start avoiding situations and turning in on ourselves. So what’s the first step towards emotional health?

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

www.bioenergetichealth.net

Exploring your inner landscape EARLY detection that our good emotional health is slipping is the first step toward taking control of it.

In order to spot the changes and see the signs we need to know as much as we can about the emotional side of ourselves. It amazes me that we can often explain which foods and flavours we love and hate, but have no idea what makes us feel anxious or happy.

It’s time to become curious about your own emotions: what makes you smile? What lifts your spirits? What do you find yourself worrying about? What causes you

to despair? What does it feel like when you become excited? And how is this feeling different from when you feel anxious?

I invite you to investigate your inner emotional landscape and develop a curiosity for all things emotional. We might have been told that this ‘naval gazing’ is obsessive and self indulgent, but it is this self enquiry that will give you valuable insights into your own emotional health.

It is time to develop a healthy interest in your emotional palette, the bitter, the sweet and the sour, Bon Appetite!

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.

www.reconnectonline.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

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37 37

40 staff and seven GPs from St Thomas Health

Centre before their sponsored bike ride local people local events local food local health local environment WELLBEING

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

Cyclists boost dementia research “DEMENTIA is on the increase,” says Gina Awad, founder of the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance.

“By 2025 there will be one million people living with dementia in the UK, yet it is still such a misunderstood condition. We want to change perceptions and support people and their carers to live better with the illness, including reducing stigma and social isolation.”

Along with 40 staff and seven GPs from St Thomas Health Centre, Gina recently cycled from Exeter to Exmouth and back again to

raise funds for dementia research.

Together they raised around £2,300. Next on the agenda is a fundraising trek along the Great Wall of China. Gina added: “Dementia friendly communities require a community response and this inspired me to create the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance. We have events lined up to spread the message and are looking forward to an Autumn launch at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.”

For more information, email ginasfreespirit@yahoo.co.uk.

Drawing on a world of wisdom SCHUMACHER College’s Rachel Fleming explains how they’re keeping the Elmhirst legacy alive with a new programme called Soul, Spirit and Story.

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ANY people are now calling for a global shift in consciousness – a new story for mankind. If we are to do this, and hope for a future that is just and sustainable for all, we need to draw on spiritual traditions and indigenous wisdom from around the world and a contemporary understanding of the nature of mind and consciousness. We need to explore the interface between our inner landscape and the outer world.

The social, ecological and economic challenges that face us are a clear demonstration that information and expertise alone will not create the shift we want towards more resilient, creative, equitable and sustainable communities. Instead we need to dig deep to the core of humanity to explore the myths and stories, beliefs and values that define our purpose and action in the world.

In the words of Satish Kumar, cofounder of Schumacher College and editor of Resurgence and The Ecologist magazine: “Spiritual values are at the core of human wellbeing. At the root of environmental and social crisis the world is facing a spiritual crisis. To explore the world’s wisdom, tradition and spiritual values is a bold step we can take in the right direction.

We need a shift from the old story of materialism to a new story of creating harmony between the material and the spiritual.”

38

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To find answers to some of the big questions of our time – Why are we here? How can we live according to our values and beliefs? How do we make a meaningful contribution?

- and to celebrate their 25th birthday this year, Schumacher College is offering a new short course programme, Soul, Spirit and Story, at the Elmhirst Centre in Dartington, the home of ‘Dartington experiment’ pioneers Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, who pioneered radical education, transformation and regeneration at Dartington in the 1920s.

The programme will host people from all over the world, from different backgrounds and beliefs: talking, teaching, inspiring, remembering and co-creating the stories of the future.

Early contributors to the programme include Iain McGilchrist, Bruce Lipton, Scilla Elworthy, Anne Baring, Matthew Fox, Charles Eisenstein and Colin Campbell. Courses will follow the ‘head, heart and hands’ model of education that Schumacher College has been pioneering for 25 years.

To find out more and to book, visit www.schumachercollege.org.uk.

(First published in Holistic Science Journal - www.holisticsciencejournal. co.uk).

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Having fun away from

distractions. local people local eventson-screen local food local health local environment

Camps win them away from screens

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ALF of my generation, growing up in the 70s and 80s, regularly played and roamed in wild places compared to just one in 10 today, says Robin Bowman of WildWise.

“With the average British teen spending 37 hours looking at screens and only one in 10 playing in wild places anymore, it’s clear many of our children are suffering from what Richard Louv coined Nature Deficit Disorder.”

Research shows that the benefits to children who are exposed to nature is overwhelming. They score more highly in virtually

every category, including concentration, reasoning and leadership.

But how to entice teenagers into the great outdoors when there are so many temptations to keep them indoors… video games, Facebook, countless TV channels?

Robin has come up with the idea of running a series of five-day camps based on and inspired by the Hunger Games, a trilogy of books and films with huge popular appeal among teenagers.

They 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.

Robin said: “When I saw the film a lightbulb came on in my head and it was then I realised this could be just the siren we needed to call the teenagers outdoors and into the woods.”

The teenagers practise nature awareness skills such as sneaking and ambushing each other, camouflage as well as

wilderness and bushcraft skills such as fire-making, shelter-building, and discovering edible and medicinal food.

Harry Smith, who has been on the camp, said: “These camps pull you away from the screen and

modern society into nature, which brought about a new change in me which is really healthy.”

Three camps will run during August. For more information visit www. wildwisehungergames. co.uk.

Finding your way to Dartmoor’s field of dreams WE always make a point of running contact details at the end of stories in Reconnect so you can find out more information from their website or get in touch by phone or email.

Well, when we say always…

Singing around the campfire at Holy Brook Meadow.

In the last (April/May) issue, we ran a story by our feature writer Jon Stein titled Field of Dreams, about Qigong, singing and meditation camps run at Holy Brook Meadow on Dartmoor

by Brad Richecoeur and Daverick Leggett.

But somehow the ghost in the machine managed to knock off the contact info.

We’re guessing you’ve probably Googled them by now, and we know a lot of people have been in touch, but if you do want to know more about their camps - Rise Up Singing (July 24-August 2), Qigong (August 7-16) or BuddhaDharmaSangha (August 22-30) - visit www.qigong-southwest.co.uk/summer_camps. htm or www.riseupsinging.co.uk. Rise up Singing and Qigong Southwest have Facebook pages too.

And if you missed Jon’s article (or anything in any other back issue), you can read it at www. reconnectonline.co.uk.

BEAUTIFUL ROOMS for groups and individual practice.

FOR TALKING THERAPIES AND HOLISTIC HEALTH

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

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

39

classifiedads THE WELLBEING SECTION SMALL ADS - email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk Young People, some concs available. Ruth Jenni Adv Dip Couns, 07974 097787, ruth@oakflower. co.uk, Buckfastleigh, Dartington and on Skype.

COUNSELLING

FOR READERS...

our classified ads are the at-a-glance, alphabetical listing for Wellbeing services and products.

Who can resist the small ads? Who knows what, or who, you might find?

FOR ADVERTISERS...

these pages are the most affordable way to get your message across.

The single and double column boxes, below, cost just £55 and £98, respectively.

The lineage ads cost just 90p a word, with a minimum of 20 words - and the photos come free!

Call to find out more about the single and double column boxes or email your classified ad to adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk (please include a postal address and phone number if they’re not in the ad) and we’ll simply send you an invoice.

THE DEADLINE... for the August/September

issue is Friday July 3. But call now on 01803 868455 to beat the rush!

MASSAGE

DAVID OXLEY MA Fully qualified Accredited BACP counsellor and psychotherapist.

Psychosynthesis and Core Process. Working with Relationship, Depth, Integrity and Soul.

Central Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth. www. davidoxleycounselling. co.uk, 07876 051093.

Myofascial Release Deep Tissue Massage Discount off first treatment only £25 (normally £35) Vimmi Vatish IIHHT BA Hons APNT vvatish@gmail.com www.mfrmassageindevon.com 07859 915353

CREATIVE Counsellor.

Heartful, Supportive counselling. Creative Exercises including Art, Sandplay, etc. Adults,

REIKI

COMPASSIONATE and creative counselling with Chris Smith MBACP. Qualified integrative counselling for anxieties, depression, stress and a wide range of life issues. Based in Dartington, also in Newton Abbot, www. heartseedcounselling. co.uk, 07886 917937.

COUNSELLOR/ psychotherapist working with the creative arts, sand tray, visualisation and outside amongst nature, Annie, 07760

Secluded farmhouse near Totnes with heated indoor pool, sauna and hydrotherapy.

April 25, June 6, July 18, 10am-3pm

Call 01803 847674 or visit www.sandwellfarmhouse.co.uk

LIFE Drawing Class.

Venue: Matthews Hall, Topsham. Times: Fri mornings 10am12pm; Wed mornings 9.30-11.30am (no booking required); Wed evenings 7.309.30pm. Booking required. For details email: louisealive@ outlook.com or phone 01395 223048.

RELAX, cleanse, strengthen. Full hour or 40-minute treatments at Totnes Natural Health Centre. Contact Nicola Moulton - Reflexology Practitioner MBRCP R Assoc BRCP OM, 07522 344291, or email nicolasuzanne@ hotmail.co.uk.

PAST LIFE THERAPY AND HEALING

SPIRITUAL HEALER

PAST Life Experiences, Past Life Therapy and Healing. Longstanding physical and or emotional issues.

Create your soul family tree. Awaken and enlighten with your Divine Self. Holistic Healing and Clinical Hypnosis. Peter Spencer BSCH registered.

01803 525997, email: pete.hcs100@yahoo. com.

HEALING sessions with guidance and support on death and dying, managing your soul’s life changes, training in meditation, stress and relaxation techniques and spiritual insights.

John Barrett MNFSH, ANLP. Email: jbarr_38@btinternet. com. Buckfastleigh/ home visits arranged.

Call now on 07930 370595.

THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING

Therapeutic Counselling Supervision Hypnotherapy and Stress Management

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

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

40

GARDEN BEDS

SHIATSU

Pat Hoare

Relax and unwind with meditation, juicing and lunch, plus optional add-on therapies.

REFLEXOLOGY

RAISED beds and planters for your garden. 100% local timber, affordable, durable, natural and toxin-free.

Growing made easy.

Thehillyfield@gmail. com, 07976 589927.

LIFE DRAWING

SPA DAYS

OASIS OF WELLBEING SPA DAYS

439760, www.natures waycounselling.co.uk.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

24a Gandy Street Exeter EX4 3LS Tel: 01392 410090 Email: pat@pathoare.eclipse.co.uk Web: www.caseconfidential.com

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

email: WELLBEING localwellbeing@reconnectonline.co.uk people local events local food local health local environment TAROT READINGS

WORKSHOPS&COURSES

The perfect locally sourced ethical gift!

To advertise your workshops or courses here, simply email us the words, along with your name, address and phone number and we will invoice you. The cost is just 90p a word, with a minimum of 20 words. Email adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk, or call us on 01392 346342.

TAROT Readings with local Clairaudient Bell Bartlett. For a chance to win a FREE reading, visit my website www. conscious-tarot. co.uk or call 07756 593863.

WOMEN’S WORK

LIVING With Presence, with Agata Krajewska - Bodymind Therapy and Trauma Release, Creativity and Performance Coaching, Women’s Awakening Work, visit www. yournaturalpresence. com, or call 07795 002816.

Small ads with big impact!

If you have lots to offer Reconnect readers, but limited funds, you can get the word out for as little as £18.

Classified lineage ads are just 90p a word, with a minimum of 20 words and early bird bookings get a free photo too!

Call us now on 01803 868455 or email us at adverts@ reconnectonline. co.uk.

JUNE Equine Facilitated Learning workshops: Introduction to EFL - 14 June, 27 June; EFL in a framework of ecological and nature-based learning - 7 June, 20 June; EFL Leading from the heart - 6 June, 21 June, 11 July. 10am-5pm, £190.00 per person.

Taster Sessions: The Art of Leadership taster sessions - 9 June, 16 June, 23 June, 30 June, 8am-11am £70 per person. Introduction to EFL taster sessions - 11 June, 18 June, 25 June, 6-9pm, £70 per person.

Adventures with Horses, nr Ashburton. All bookings in advance.

Further details: 01364 631444, sue@ adventureswithhorses, www.adventureswith horses.co.uk.

JULY Equine Facilitated Learning workshops: Introduction to EFL, 1 day -12 July; EFL in a framework of ecological and nature-based learning - 5 July, 25 July; EFL Leading from the heart - 26 July.

All above workshops 10am-5pm, £190 per person. Summer Holiday Adventure days for young people, age 9-18 years or families. 6hrs, 4hrs or 2hrs - 27July - 21 Aug. From £45 per person.

Adventures with Horses, nr Ashburton. Further details and bookings: 01364 631444, sue@ adventureswithhorses. co.uk www.adventures withhorses.co.uk.

Thu 9 - Tue 14

INTRODUCTION to SandPlay Therapy (two-day course) with Ruth Baker, The Nautilus Rooms, Totnes. Contact: ruthbaker1@gmail. com or 07736 334454. www.sandplaytherapy. co.uk.

LIVING with Illness and Loss, a new retreat at Gaia House, near Newton Abbot.In a quiet woodland setting, learn how meditation can help us to find different ways of being with illness or bereavement and the many challenges that they bring. £265, or £225 at a supported rate. The programme is restricted to 30 places, visit www. gaiahouse.co.uk for more info.

Tue 16 - Sat 20

Sat 20

EQUIDRAMATHERAPY for young people, Equine-Assisted Therapy & Learning with Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, Hannah’s at Seal Hayne, Newton Abbot, TQ12 6NQ. Day course £150, details & booking: info@

www.reconnectonline.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk

KATHERYN TRENSHAW ALSO OFFERS

sironacic.com 07958 356114 / 07818 453402 www.sironacic. com.

Sat13-Sun14

LOOKING After Your Health - create lasting positive changes and understand the condition of your health with oriental diagnosis techniques and five days of hands-on cooking. International Macrobiotic School, to book: tel: 01803 762598, email info@ macroschool.co.uk, www.macroschool. co.uk.

Book of rich, full colour photographs and stories revealing what is normally hidden.

ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1

Sat 11 - Sun 12

INTRODUCTION to SandPlay Therapy (two-day course) with Ruth Baker, The Nautilus Rooms, Totnes. Contact: ruthbaker1@gmail. com or 07736 334454. www.sandplaytherapy. co.uk.

LOVE Health, Love Cooking. Create nourishing meals to delight your family and friends. International Macrobiotic School, to book: tel: 01803 762598, email info@ macroschool.co.uk, www.macroschool.co.uk

Creative Presence consulting sessions by phone or in person

www.passionatepresence.org post@ktrenshaw.com

01803 863552 skype: katheryntrenshaw email: post@ktrenshaw.com

Restore-me Therapies Holistic Therapies for the Mind, Body & Soul

] Body Massage (Swedish, Aromatherapy, Therapeutic) ] Indian Head Massage ] Reflexology ] Hopi Ear Candling ] Holistic Facials ] Reiki ] Special Offers ] Packages ] Mobile service Gift Vouchers available To find out more, please call or visit online

Beryl Roseblade MICHT MFHT, Brixham ▪ Paignton ▪ Torquay Tel: 01803 853605 Mob: 07753 471618

www.restoremetherapies.com

Hillyfield Hens

Organically fed, pasture-range poultry

Do you want to keep chickens in 2015?

We are hatching these traditional breeds now:

l Wheaten Marans l Barred Plymouth Rocks l Salmon Faverolles l Our Hillyfield Gingers l Rainbow Orpingtons l Buff Orpington ducks And if you want help and advice on any aspect of keeping hens, just give us a call.

Call Jenny on 01803 868455 or Doug on 07976 589 927

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

41 41

And finally...

Editor Martin Foster on new technology - a Mac running InDesign software to be precise (no creative processes were compromised in the making of this magazine).

Take the second exit to Torkway

‘

software so I could plot my drop-offs and calculate the most direct route between them. And taught myself to use it.

The satnav is, of course, really useful. As well as making magazine deliveries easier and more efficient, I also use it to track down all manner of other addresses and it is certainly a massive improvement over my previous method of navigation, which involved a combination of Googlemap, notes, tatty roadmap, asking directions (yes, men can and do) and swearing a lot.

Interestingly, just a few weeks ago, the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) said increasing dependence on technology means people are losing the ability to find their way by traditional methods. And they want schools to encourage the teaching of basic map-reading because few pupils can read one.

RIN president Roger McKinlay said society is “sedated by software”.

“It is concerning that children are no longer routinely learning at home or school how to do anything more than press ‘search’ buttons on a device to get anywhere,” he said.

“Many cannot read a landscape, an ordnance survey map, or find their way to a destination with just a compass, let alone wonder at the amazing role astronomy plays in establishing a precise location.”

My own little electro-voiced guide has tried to lead me up the garden path on occasion (almost literally – I now use my own human judgement if it’s suggesting a lane with grass growing down the centre), and I’m learning to find its occasional strange phonetic pronunciation (it insists on saying ‘Tor-kway’ for Torquay, for example) as quite endearing and proof that technology might have the edge on our information

‘

R

EST easy, dear reader, Reconnect has successfully navigated its way into the 21st century - using satnav technology.

After the frenzied week before going to press, during which I am hardwired to my AppleMac, it’s a great relief to load up my trusty estate car with freshly printed magazines and get out on the road to deliver them. A chance to get back out of the office and call in on the lovely people who stock Reconnect.

A few months back we reorganised the order in which we make the drop-offs (all our outlets are listed on our website, incidentally) and I needed to create new, efficient routes between outlets. The solution was obvious – plug in the technology.

I realise that for the geekists among you, satnav technology ranks somewhere marginally ahead of sundials. Apparently, motorists are increasingly relegating their satnavs to the I-don’t-use-this-any-morebut-paid-a-fortune-for-it-so-can’tbring-my-self-to-throw-it-awaycupboard and instead plug in their smartphones when they want to be shown the way home. Something that is reflected in the fact that satnavs were recently dropped off the shopping list used to calculate the Retail Price Index.

That I’ve only just bought one probably says something about my attitude to technology. Although in my defence, and perhaps salvaging the odd point of techno credibility, I did download Garmin’s BaseCamp

Back when Apple was still experimenting with stone tablets, it would have taken four people to do my job...

retrievel systems but still sometimes has problems communicating, which we humans seem to have pretty much got the hang of over the years.

I know from conversations with friends and colleagues that I’m not alone in my techno-unease (I wouldn’t go so far as call it technofear) and people’s relationships with technology are at best variable – and sometimes seriously troubled.

Personally, I just don’t get the gadget buzz. I mean, I do understand it – a fascination with new (and so-soon outdated) technology is simply a modern version of our ancestors’ wonder at mechanical advancements, and their ancestors’ delight in the discovery of basic tools. And I can see that if hi-tech hi-jinks floats your titaniumhulled, nitrogen-powered, satellite controlled boat, you’re going to just love something that does it faster, more ‘intelligently’ or, in case of many new Apple toys, simply more stylishly.

But I don’t GET it – I don’t experience that buzz. Ironically, I use new (ish) technology all the time - I’m using it now. Without my AppleMac and the software it runs, Reconnect simply wouldn’t exist.

When I first entered publishing, when Apple was still experimenting with stone tablets, it would probably have taken four people to do my job, which would have made Reconnect an economic impossibility.

And while it’s been sad to watch the gradual (and in some areas, quite sudden) reshaping of the publishing industry and the thousands of jobs that have been lost along the way, I am excited by the fact it has resulted in the existence of Reconnect, and thousands of other small, independent magazines.

So, I’m excited by the outcome, but not particularly moved by

Passionate Presence Centre for Creative Expression

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phone: +44 (0) 1803 863552 skype: katheryntrenshaw email: post@ktrenshaw.com

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Re-Membering l Re-Invention l Re-Vision Two-hour, one-to-one sessions for professional, personal and artistic development - by phone or Skype

For enquiries and practical weekend dates, contact course administrator Liza at www.greenlaneherbs.co.uk Read Frances Wright’s blog - click the link on the website home page

42

Martin x

Katheryn Trenshaw

Herbal Medicine Practitioners’ Course at the Althaea Herbal Healing Garden, Nr Totnes

start when you like ● Accredited by the Complementary Medicines Association

the means. I still love writing and editing, the multi-stranded process of pulling together all the components and bolting it together into a magazine - the creative process hasn’t really changed. But the means by which it is produced now all happens inside a series of small plastic cases, rather than in rooms full of people.

Does that mean computerised, chipcontrolled technology is less of a craft than the traditional techniques of times past? Is it pure romanticism to suggest that most of the people engaged in those earlier processes the hot metal compositors, the waxand-stick paste-up artists - actually saw them as any more than jobs to make a living?

Unions fought to hold back the tide of technology because it threatened, and ultimately killed off, the jobs of their members. Flags bearing £ signs mark the land won in the wars of technological progress.

But craft does still exist. And not just in the more obvious, but nevertheless wonderful, examples of spinners and potters and woodworkers and yes, traditional printers.

If craft is the skill in doing or making something (usually by hand) - and my online dictionary tells me it is there is craft too in the humane care of animals; in the restoration and repair of things that would otherwise be scrapped; in the loving and conscious parenting of children; in the maintenance of our countryside and coastline.

Technology is with us. It does a job and it does it well. But craft is what we, as humans bring to the table - and the workshop, the farm, the nursery. We must value it and invest the time and money and energy it requires to keep it alive.

Discuss. Or Google it, maybe.

Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk

Feel welcome to sign up for our free newsletter at

www.passionatepresence.org www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Counselling and Mindfulness Practice and training in Plymouth

MINDFULNESS COURSES Mindfulness drop-in @ Waterloo Wellbeing Centre

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Mornings of mindfulness @ Crownhill Fort

Starting Thursday 17th Sept, 5.30-9pm

Sat 13th June 2015

Course Induction Day

Sat 18th July 2015

Sat 4th July, 10am-3pm

An Intro to mindfulness @ Crownhill Fort

New Courses starting in 2016 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Level 5)

Monday 14th Sept, 7.00pm - 9.15pm

Certificate in Supervision (Level 6)

8-week Mindfulness-based stress-reduction course

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PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELLING

We provide therapy and counselling for individuals, couples and families.

Our team of practitioners are: • Highly skilled and experienced • UKCP, BACP and HPC registered • Experienced in working with mental health and trauma; and • Abide by a strict code of ethics

We have spacious, light and well-appointed rooms for rent at the Waterloo Wellbeing Centre and Crownhill Fort. Group rooms also available.

We welcome and support practitioners who are passionate about developing a private practice and want to work in a dedicated therapeutic setting.

For further info or to book an appointment call 01752 560002 or email info@psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk

Crownhill Fort Waterloo Wellbeing Centre Plymouth PL6 5BX Plymouth PL1 5RN Call 01752 560002 Visit www.psychotherapyplymouth.co.uk

www.reconnectonline.co.uk

Editorial: 01803 868455 editor@reconnectonline.co.uk

43

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