The Spark Issue 66 by Blue Sax Publishing Ltd

Changes start with...

the best of the alternative west

autumn issue 66 â&#x20AC;˘ sept - nov 2011

FREE l get fired up & be inspired by our essential local events guide l everything from acupuncture to zen in our unique A-Z directory l holistic health, local food, community, activism, green & ethical living

l WIN Cornish eco-coat, Bristol book bundle, William Bloom workshops

2011 RENEWABLES SHARE ISSUE

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This advertisement is issued by Triodos Bank NV (Triodos) for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Triodos (incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands with limited liability, registered in England and Wales BR3012) is authorised by the Dutch Central Bank and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Services Authority. Details about the extent of Triodos’ regulation by the Financial Services Authority are available from Triodos on request. Registered office: Brunel House, 11 The Promenade, Bristol BS8 3NN. Any investment decision should only be made on the basis of the Prospectus and not on the information contained in this advertisement. By making an investment, your capital will be at risk. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. It may be difficult to sell or realise your investment or to obtain reliable information about its value or other risks to which it is exposed and you may not get back the full amount invested.

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The Spark

the spark issue 66 autumn edition Free, thinking and independent: welcome to the UK’s biggest ethical quarterly.

welcome

the team 2.

diary dates for your next 3 months

ignite event ads

classes, events, meets, retreats

q&a

critical thinker martin poulter

12 q&a

ignite

Sadly my short time editing The Spark has come to an end. It has been wonderful working on a magazine I love to read so much. From September I’ll be returning to teaching languages at a Steiner school after over a dozen years in the media, which is exciting and scary in equal measure. It’s been a joy working with the team at The Spark and I’ll be sad to go. Thank you to them for all their help and support and to you the readers for all your input. Vicki will be back with you in the winter issue. Peace, love and happiness, Bill Photo by Kevin Connors

out! gorgeous spots by the water

planet

critical thinker Martin Poulter

14 18

swish your way to fashion heaven 4.

social change

(1.) Ann Sheldon, advertising manager (2.) Darryl Bullock, publisher (3.) Bill Heaney, editor (4.) Beccy Golding, production manager (5.) Andy Ballard, ad & cover designer (6.) Naomi Ross, finance worker, Tilly Black (proof reading), Alex Cater, Jo Halladey, MorgueFile (photography) Contributors: Darryl Bullock, Alice Cutler, Rachel England, Beccy Golding, Andy Hamilton, Bill Heaney, Hannah Latham, Kristina Lupton, Fiona McClymont, Naomi Ross, Rachel Savage, Anton Saxton, Tom Sykes, Will Simpson, Noreen Wainwright, Melanie West. Interns: Lucy Prentice-Miller, Liam Corcoran The Spark was created by John Dawson

what we do

The UK’s biggest free independent ethical quarterly, The Spark reaches 99,000 readers in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Taunton, Glastonbury, Swindon, Bath and Bristol. Our editorial is independent so no advertorials for us. We report on local solutions and people making a difference to their lives and their communities, while our adverts cover a range of ideas to help make the world a better place. We’re looking for new freelance writers (green issues and social change) so get in touch and share your enthusiasm/expertise.

the people’s supermarket

food

14 out!

family kids in business

mind, body & spirit

water a loverly spot!

soul midwifery

food

ethical food for your furry ones

interfaith transition to the afterlife

www.pefc.org

autumn courses

spark listings

A-Z directory of complementary therapists, eco-services and more

rear view

our resident cartoonist Kate Evans

letters & comps win great prizes!

www.thespark.co.uk

PEFC/16-33-228

doing it yourself

marketplace 34 26 green goodies, ethical products mind/body/spirit

editor@thespark.co.uk

This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources

special adult education guide

Tel: 0117 914 34 34

PEFC Certified

save seeds and make free booze

86 Colston Street Bristol BS1 5BB

office open Tuesday to Thursday 10am - 5pm The Spark is printed on PEFC-certiﬁed paper. Please recycle when you’re done.

ethical food for your pets

the small print

Advertisers are advised that all copy is their sole responsibility under the Trade Protection Act. All adverts must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. We reserve the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to us at our absolute discretion and without explanation • Blue Sax Publishing Ltd can accept no liability for any loss or damage resulting from omission or inaccuracies relating to telephone numbers, wording, spacing or positioning or other material regardless of how caused • We reserve the right to vary print run by 1000 up or down • Blue Sax Publishing Ltd, who publish The Spark, cannot take any responsibility for the quality of an advertiser’s service or advertiser’s conduct. In choosing an advertiser you may wish to consult the appropriate professional bodies • The Spark title can only be used under current licence from Blue Sax Publishing Ltd • Intellectual copyright remains with the publishers of The Spark - Blue Sax Publishing Ltd© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission of the publishers.

54 changemaker

28 doing it yourself

seed-saving and foraged booze

green power with Reg Illingworth

changemaker

53 54

green energy advocate Reg Illingworth

advertising

buy an ad to reach 100,000 people

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4 ignite august-september compiled by Liam Corcoran and Darryl Bullock

get involved!

the main event: Stroud Valleys Festivals

Could you help to find local singleparent-friendly services in your area? If you would like to help One Space as a volunteer whilst learning new skills why not become a One Space community champion?

give me ﬁve If it’s hiking, nature, sustainability, entertainment or local food you’re interested in why not take a trip to Stroud during their Festival Fortnight September 2- 18? The famous

fun in the sun Get your skates on,

Five Valleys are celebrating with five festivals: the Stroud Walking Festival (now in its fifth year) with over 30 guided walks for all ages and all abilities; the town’s cafés, pubs, restaurants and award-winning farmers’ market are taking part in the Stroud Food and Drink Festival; the Festival of Nature, a day of free

you might still be able to buy a ticket for Shambala August 25-28: a fantasic line-up of the best world music, over 200 workshops, complementary therapies and oodles of kids stuff too. It’s Beccy’s favourite weekend away! www.shambalafestival.org

activities in Stratford Park; the Eco-Renovation Open Homes weekend, offering you the chance to visit more than 20 ecohomes in the area, and the Stroud

Phone Jacquie on 0117 9514231 or email jacquie@spanuk.org.uk

Bath’s beautiful Parade Gardens will be the setting for the city’s frst ever meditation ﬂashmob September 28. Inspired by a similar event which took place in Trafalgar Square, this non-denominational mass-meditation has been organised by local meditatiors from all traditions. www.universalyoga.co.uk

Fringe Festival, with live bands, buskers, street theatre and more. They’re even laying on a special London to Stroud Festival train! If you’re a local or visitor, you’re bound to discover something new about this historic Gloucestershire town. www.stroudfestivalfortnight.com

go ﬂy a kite

The Bristol International Kite Festival celebrates its quarter century September 3-4. Kite-ﬂyers and enthusiasts from all over the world will be gathering in Ashton Court for two days of ﬂying displays, kite battles, musical synchronised routines and air sculptures. www.kite-festival.org.uk

meditate on this Timsbury, near

Bath, is hosting the first ever UK visit from Swami Govindananda, from southern India September 2-4. Much loved by his students for his unique style and humour, the swami will be spending three days in the village teaching yoga, meditation and lecturing on yogic philosophy. Ffi Charlotta Martinus 01761 470658

room with a view The fifth

priston proud For the fourth year

green day join in the debate about

what makes a sustainable city on Sept 10 at the CREATE Centre, which is hosting an exhibition, Inspiring Change - Bristol’s Green Roots, examining Bristol’s green history through personal stories, archive documentation and contemporary footage. Developed by The Schumacher Institute and CREATE as part of celebrations to mark the centenary of the birth of E.F Schumacher, the inspirational thinker and pioneering green economist. www.createbristol.org

glorious reading

Roundabout Art Trail takes place in and around Keynsham and Saltford September 11-12. Showcasing the work of local painters, ceramicists, glass workers, jewellers and photographers, it’s a chance for you to meet the artists, view their work and bag yourself a bargain! Free entry. www.roundaboutarttrail.co.uk

running the village of Priston, near Bath is hosting its own music and arts festival September 16-18, with free activities and music concerts in the village hall and historic Norman church, and fringe events in the pub. Dance and sing or just relax and enjoy an unforgettable end-of-summer experience. www.priston.org.uk/festival

Bath Festival of Children’s Literature is back Sept 23-Oct 2. Taking place all over the city, the festival hopes to encourage children to read more and will include guests Jacqueline Wilson, Andy Stanton and Jeremy Strong. On the Friday, look out for anything a little bit spooky. www.bathkidslitfest.org.uk

autumn almanac

Birthdays, anniversaries etc: autumn goes New Year crazy: September 11 is Ethiopian New Year’s Day, celebrated worldwide by Rastafarians; Sept 29 is Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year; and November 26 will see Muslims celebrate Al Hijra, their New Year festival. September 3 is the

anniversary of the death of both Oliver Cromwell (in 1658) and Ho Chi Minh, revolutionary leader, prime minister and later president of Vietnam, in 1969. Bristol icon (even though he was born in Portsmouth) Isambard Kingdom Brunel died on September 15, 1859; October 15 is the feast day

Full moons: September 12 (sunrise 6.42am; sunset 7.35pm), October 12 (sunrise 7.31am; sunset 6.37pm) and November 10 (sunrise 7.21am; sunset 4.31pm). The autumn equinox is on Sept 23; Issue 67 of The Spark is published on Nov 28.

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www.stopnewnuclear.org.uk

The Organic Milk Cooperative is running a series of ‘hedgerow safaris’ on its farms around the UK, including Hill House Farm in Dundry near Bristol. The safaris are aimed at children at Key Stage 2 level and are an excellent way of having fun while learning about organic farming and the environment. There is no charge for these events and the kids get some goodies to take away too. Book your school’s hedgerow safari at www.teach-organic.org.uk

food for thought

The Soil Association Organic Food Festival returns to Bristol September 3-4. This annual celebration of organic farming, shopping, wining and dining has evolved a lot over its 11-year history, but at the core it still offers visitors the chance to meet with the people who grow and cook the food on your plate. Expect lots of chef demos, expert talks, loads of great food and the chance to shop until you drop. Tickets cost £5 per day (weekend tickets are available for £8), entrance free for Soil Association members and children 15 and under. www.organicfoodfestival.co.uk

There will be a non-violent blockade of Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset on October 3. While the blockade will be the key focus, there will be plenty of roles and activities for people who do not wish to risk arrest. There will be a camp and local accommodation for people over the weekend and non-violence training will be provided.

Buy and sell your secondhand books on the Green Metropolis website and save trees! For every book sold, Green Metropolis donates 5p to the Woodland Trust to plant more trees. All books cost £3.75, of which the seller gets £3. You can also nominate a charity like the Woodland Trust, Age UK or Macmillan and donate 50p or £1 to them. www.greenmetropolis.com

Tynings Field Community Group is a new environmental horticulture project in Shirehampton near Bristol. Volunteers are needed to work in small organised groups on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, 10am-1pm. Workshops, which are free to members and open to anyone, include a chicken keepers’ support group, seed-swapping, bat-box making and bat walks. £5 membership a year gives you free seeds and plants and eventually a share of whatever is available. www.tyningsfieldcommunitygroup.com

Get involved with the Bristol Cycle Festival September 17-25. Organise an event, create a bike carnival troupe, join the festival team, write a blog, share your ideas and help promote the festival. www.bristolcyclefestival.com

of St Theresa of Avila, the patron saint of headache sufferers; British Summer Time ends on October 30, so remember to put your clocks back an hour; Saint Homobonus (Latin for ‘good man’) the patron saint of business people and clothworkers, is celebrated on November 13.

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Fantastic leisure courses, on your doorstep!

RALEIGH ROAD, SOUTHVILLE, BRISTOL. BS3 1TF

CINDERELLA: A FAIRYTALE

WHY NOT TRY… alexander Technique be your own liFe coach cooking wiTh chocolaTe complemenTary Therapies counselling creaTive wriTing dance de-cluTTer your liFe and mind FiTness FlorisTry garden design horTiculTure hoT sTone and crysTal Therapy inTerior design inTroducTion To greek inTroducTion To japanese liFe drawing local hisTory organic gardening phoTography pilaTes public speaking sign language swedish massage Taijiwuxigong upholsTery PLUS MANY MORE!

www.cityofbristol.ac.uk

for full course listings

0117 312 5000 MAKE IT HAPPEN WITH CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE

PUPPETRY / OPERA / COMEDY SHAKESPEARE / FAMILIES / CHRISTMAS & MUCH MORE

Sh a pe s h i f t Da n c e www.shapeshift.co.uk

We’ve got something for everyone this season at the Tobacco Factory Theatre; here’s a tiny taster...

Dawn Morgan working with 5 Rhythms, Movement Meditations, Ritual, Eco-Earth Paradigm Shift & Laughter.

NORTHERN BROADSIDES

Remembrance 28th-30th October 2011 in Stroud, GL5 1BB

WE ARE THREE SISTERS 4 - 8 OCT

Against the backdrop of a dark, remote northern town, the remarkable young Brontë sisters live their lives brightly.

An Evening and Weekend of Ceremony, Creating Community & Celebrating, Halloween/Samhain An opportunity to gather; dance, sing and create a magical ritual party to remember our ancestors and those who have passed into the spirit world. We will celebrate the final harvest of the year and contemplate the dance of life and death.

OPERA PROJECT

LA BOHEME 11 - 22 OCT

Love, lust, heartbreak and hardship: Puccini’s masterpiece, La bohème, is one of the most loved operas ever written.

Friday Evening 7.30-10.30pm £20 (a pre-requisit for newcomers) Free as part of the weekend.

FILTER & LYRIC HAMMERSMITH

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM 21 - 26 NOV

Saturday 10am - late and Sunday 10am - 4pm £150 (concessions) (includes lunches and one evening meal). Discount available for assistants.

Celebrated for their unique take on classic texts, Filter present a magical new version of Shakespeare’s The Dream. TOBACCO FACTORY THEATRE & TRAVELLING LIGHT

CINDERELLA: A FAIRYTALE 7 DEC - 15 JAN The team behind Treasure Island (BOV) return to the origins of the Cinderella story to bring you a brand new version of one of the oldest, best loved fairytales of all time.

For info 01453 750 608 dawn@shapeshift.co.uk www.shapeshift.co.uk

For full details and over 60 other shows this season visit:

WWW.TOBACCOFACTORYTHEATRE.COM 5

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6 ignite october-november

get involved! It’s European Shiatsu Week September 19-25. www.shiatsusociety.org

sing out!

Last year’s Gathering Voices Festival attracted 2,500 participants, featured a choir performing along the harbourside and 400 people in a Cabot Circus song raid. What more can they offer this year? Either way it’s set to be huge! October 7-16 www.gatheringvoicesfestivalofsong.yolasite.com

book now The Cheltenham Literature

Festival returns for its 62nd year with writers, thinkers and agenda-setters brought together for 10 days of discussions and debates October 7-16. Party with your favourite literary character and discover what the best minds are thinking. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature

Photo by Rosie Tomlinson

super store Knowle Community

Group and the Show of Strength Theatre Company have joined forces with local authors to present a series of 5-minute monologues. Trading Local, October 8, will be performed by professional actors in Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Bristol. www.showofstrength.org.uk

pagan party The Pagan

Federation celebrates its 40th birthday Oct 8-9. Celebrations include a day of pagan art, lectures and workshops, followed on Sunday by a treeblessing on Clapham Common, with fancy dress positively encouraged. www.paganfed.org

Photo by Jeremy Fennell

rock your socks Oxjam is

returning to Bristol October 18. This year’s venue is The Croft, which will be playing host to the night with a rock/punk vibe. The night aims to raise money for Oxfam by showcasing great local talent including We Start Partys, famed for their electro pop punk. www.oxfam.org.uk/Oxjam

sculpture sessions Join sculptor

Tony Eastman and community forester Jim O’Shaughnessy at Ashton Court, Bristol, Oct 22 for a woodland sculpture day. Learn about trees and create your own woodland sculpture. Tools and material provided; just bring a picnic. www.bristol.gov.uk/items/events

Organised by the British Union of Spiritist Societies and the International Medical Spiritist Association, the third British Congress on Medicine & Spirituality will be held at ‘The Rich Mix’ in Bethnal Green, London, November 5-6. With the theme ‘Bridging Medicine and Spirituality’ this third biannual congress will present the latest research and case studies reported since the previous highly successful second event held in London in 2009, and will have speakers from the US, Brazil and the UK. www . medspiritcongress . org The University of Bristol Botanic Gardens will be abuzz September 3-4 as members of the public and potential beekeepers find out all about honey bees and honey at the Bristol Beekeepers’ annual Honey Show and Festival. Sunday September 4 is also Open Day at the Botanic Gardens. www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/BotanicGardens

Volunteers from across Bristol are being sought to take part in a new project from locally based charity, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Bristol Volunteers Get Energy is looking for people from across the city who are either already volunteering within local groups or communities, or are keen to become involved in volunteering The aim is then to pass on to them the skills and knowledge necessary to enable these ‘volunteer leaders’ to help people within their communities and groups save energy - and hopefully reduce their fuel bills. Visit www.cse.org.uk/volunteers or email volunteers@cse.org.uk to find out more

let’s all go to the lobby

Bath Film Festival returns once again Nov 10-19. Nine days of previews, re-releases, undiscovered gems and an open-air cinema, with visits likely from patrons Ken Loach and Peter Gabriel. There will be something to make you laugh, cry and fill you with warmth. www.bathfilmfestival.org.uk

saving money Challenge yourself to

switch off from shopping and tune in to life, for Buy Nothing Day, which highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism, is back on November 26. Get involved; there’s no purchase necessary. www.buynothingday.co.uk

did you know? Happy Birthday Bristol Buddhist Centre!The second oldest Buddhist centre in the city is 30 years young this November. Established in 1981, and currently in its third location, the centre has a vibrant sangha (community) of over 200 people

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popcorn at the ready

The UK’s longest-running short film and animation festival is back in and around Bristol from November 16-20, the Encounters Film Festival. With live action and animated creations, this is one festival that the international film community don’t miss out on. You shouldn’t either. www.encounters-festival.org.uk

hug a tree National Tree Week runs

ask the expert The Trauma

Symposium, which takes place in Stroud November 18-19 is a two-day event designed for therapists and professionals working with trauma, with more than a dozen expert facilitators, specialist workshops and discussions www.ionara.org.uk

don’t get lost

Nov 26-Dec 4 and is a great opportunity for you to give back to your local treescape. With events happening all over the South West, there will be something near you: anything from treeplanting to gentle walks. www.treecouncil.org.uk

Bring your walking shoes and be up for travelling Nov 25-27 as the North Bristol Art Trail returns, hoping to celebrate the 100s of artists that live or have studios in the north of the city. Get a glimpse into up-and-coming artists, along with well-established ones. www.northbristolartists.org.uk

and more are welcome to join. An open day on September 10 starts a busy term of activities, courses and a weeklong International Urban Retreat October 8-15. But this isn’t the only Buddhist centre in Bristol: the city has something for everyone. There are 10 Buddhist centres throughout the city, five located on or near Gloucester Road. His Holiness

Sakya Trizin, head of the Sakya tradition, opened the Sakya Buddhist Centre, the city’s longest-established centre, 34 years ago. The Lam Rim Centre in Bedminster plays a big part in Buddhism throughout the whole country; with two authentic Tibetan monks it also helps to arrange teaching visits to the UK for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. There

Almost 30 homes and businesses in the Forest of Dean will open their doors to the public September 10-11 as part of an Eco Open Homes event. The benefits of solar panels and air source heat pumps among others will be on show as well as insulation techniques to help make properties more energy efficient. www.forestecoopenhomes.org.uk

Interrogate! 2011, the UK’s first festival of social justice, is taking place on the Dartington estate in Devon September 23-25. Through performance, debate, comedy, film, music, workshops, podcasts and ideas, Interrogate! is about inspiring people to take action. www.dartington.org/interrogate Community Service Volunteers Make a Difference Day is on Saturday October 29. Register your and claim your free Action Pack, which includes certificates, stickers, t-shirts and a handbook. This year’s challenge is to tackle loneliness and isolation. There are six how-to guides to help you. www.csv.org.uk/difference Stroud Short Stories wants 50-1,500 words on any subject (maximum of three stories) by Sunday September 18 for an event on October 16. Write to stroudshortstories@yahoo.co.uk

are also a variety of different teachings from Zen and New Kadampa Tradition to Aro Ling and Triratna. Triratna means ‘three jewels’ and symbolises the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings) and Sangha (spiritual community). Bristol Buddhist Centre is part of the Triratna community. www.bristol-buddhist-centre.org

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A unique workshop that will bring Spirit into your daily life with Anna Gatmon, Ph.D. (candidate), founder of Towards Wholeness with contributions from Rosalind J.Turner of Walking to Meet Ourselves

Nonviolent and Mindful Communication

Live a Spiritually Guided Life A weekend workshop for women, Nov. 4th – 6th, 2011 To ﬁnd out more, contact us: Anna: contact@towardswholeness.com www.towardswholeness.com Rosalind: 0117 3309024 www.walkingtomeetourselves.co.uk

for personal and professional development

Autumn workshops and courses in Bristol with Shantigarbha Warren

♦ 13th September: 8-week Mindfulness-Based

A complete Qi Gong System Founded by Dr Shen Hongxun and taught by Andy Henry

Stress Reduction course (Tuesdays).

Bristol Workshop 2011 12-13 Nov

♦ 24-25th September: Nonviolent

Shirehampton Public Hall 32 Station Road, Bristol, BS11 0UH Learn a simple yet powerful system of Chinese healing exercises to clear your body, energy system and emotions. Old tensions are quickly released leaving a sense of lightness, clarity and vitality. Students will also receive healing from the teacher. Open to all. £85 per w/end 10am - 5pm Sat & Sun

Communication Foundation Training.

♦ 8th November: 6-week Mindful Communication course (Tues)

♦ 26-27th November: Deepening + Empathy intermediate Nonviolent Communication Training.

Contact: Bristol Weekend Workshops and Healing Clinic T 0117 3770103 / 07766 100383 E Taijiwuxigong@waitrose.com Meditation Retreat at Hawkwood College, Stroud on 18-22 September. Info at www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk

A LTERNATIVES St James’s Piccadilly / London

“I wanted to improve my communication skills both professionally and personally. Shantigarbha was an empathic and intuitive workshop facilitator; direct but gentle and extremely understanding and supportive.” Ruth Carney, Director of Great Bay Services, Portsmouth, NH, USA.

I n f o r m a t i o n a n d B o o k i n g a t w w w. S e e d o f p e a c e. o r g

Amazing presenters to inspire your heart, mind and soul

MICHAEL BECKWITH The Life Visioning Process Sunday 9 October – London Founder and Spiritual Director of Agape Spiritual Centre in California and featured teacher in The Secret

RICHARD BANDLER The Technology of Success and Happiness Thursday 13 October – London Co-creator of NLP and world renowned presenter and author

SHARON SALZBERG The Power of Meditation Sunday 20 November – London One of America’s leading teachers of Buddhism and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society

Book now at www.alternatives.org.uk 7

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8 ignite

three months of essential events. to book an ad in our winter issue go to www.thespark.co.uk • 90p a word

regular

august

Daily

Sat 27 - Mon 29 August

Amitabha Buddhist Centre and World Peace Cafe. Daily drop-in meditation classes. Open Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm. Old Vicarage, Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NX. t: 0117 974 5160 www.meditationinbristol.org

August Bank Holiday with Herbs for Healing, Barnsley, Cirencester. Saturday 27th: Oils, Ointments and Creams. Sunday 28th: Tinctures and Syrups. Monday 29th: Flower Essences with Saskia’s Flower Essences. www.herbsforhealing.net

Wednesdays

september

Welcome to HAWKWOOD! Relax, unwind, enjoy the gardens, Relaxation and Meditation Classes. Near Frome. views Every Wednesday beautiful & delicious food. evening and intermittent * * * * * sessions. ***************** introductory www.fromemeditation.co.uk A TASTE OF FINDHORN 14-16 Oct 01373 832460

Landscape Painting Wednesdays fortnightly Runes & Wyrd * Facilitating Groups Nutrition * Understanding Biodynamics Exploring Sacred Traditions see 7th Sept Qi Gong * Healing Power of Vocal Sound Wednesdays Creativitymonthly as Gateway to Healing

See you soon! Katie

Yoga Therapy course, for yoga teachers (from any tradition).

Wednesday 7 September

Mon 19 - Sat 24 September

“Exploring Sacred Traditions” through discussion & practice, with visiting speakers. Fortnightly, Wed 7 Sep - Wed 14 Dec 7.30-10pm. Bristol (BS7). neesacopple@gmail.com 01453 759689

European Shiatsu Week - Bristol talks and low cost treatments for everyone. www.shiatsusociety.org

Friday 9 - Sunday 11 September

Exploring Sacred Traditions, Stroud/Gloucester. see 7th Sept

Self Knowledge Global Responsibility Symposium: Three days of informed and uplifting conversation, talks, music, meditation, wonderful food and company. www.skgr.net/symposia/2011-2 or info@skgr.net Friday 9 - Sunday 11 September

1/8 PAGE AND IGNITE BOX

read all about it!

A LTERNATIVES Events to inspire your heart, mind and soul

MICHAEL BECKWITH

Advertising in the Spark can help you reach up to 100,000 readers in Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham, Frome, Glastonbury, Gloucester, Stroud, Taunton, Wells, South Wales, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall... and all points inbetween. the Spark: shouting about the west country since 1993

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The Life Visioning Process – 9 Oct

Thursday 15 September Early Bird deadline for The Spark Winter issue. Get the discount then sit back and start knitting your mittens. 0117 914 34 34 sales@thespark.co.uk Book and pay for ads online at www.thespark.co.uk Saturday 17 September www.festivaloflight.biz Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare. Free Admission 10am-6pm • Readers • Healers • Therapists • Crystals • Presentations. 01934 624939 Sat 17 & Sun 18 September

Hatha Yoga Course starts. 126 Hampton Rd, Redland, 7.30-9pm www.yogabristol.com Call Charlotte 07533 732 035

Icon Paintings (and more) by Fran Whiteside, Cardiff, at the Christian Community, 20a St Johns Road, Clifton, BS8 2EX. Enjoy the intimate setting; meet the artist; ponder on these “traditional modern” paintings. A free event. Saturday 10.30-4.30, Sunday 2-5. Ffi: Gerhard on 0117 950 2512

Tuesday 6 September

Sunday 18 September

Monday 5 September

Yoga Course starts. 126 Hampton Rd, Redland. 7-8pm www.yogabristol.com Call Charlotte 07533 732 035 Tuesday 6 September A new introduction to Tai Chi course starts at St Aldhelm’s Church, Chessel Street, Bedminster. Suitable for beginners of all ages any level of fitness. Learn the Tai Chi short form for health, balance and calm - for fun and as a moving meditation. £36 for 6 weeks, £60 for 12 weeks. Call 07766 100 383 for more info.

Sunday 25 September

St James’s Piccadilly, London

HAWKWOOD

Herb Walk at Herbs for Healing near Cirencester. www.herbsforhealing.net

october

www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk

SPARK ISSUE 66 Aug-Nov 2011

Friday 23 September

Mayan Calander 2012 Workshop. 01458 835506 www.mayancalendar.net

September 2011 -

Only Bristol 40 mins from Courses all yearvocal round. . . . Warm welcome guaranteed. Venue hire, please enquire. June 2012. FeralBristol. Choir - group Hawkwood College, Painswick For more information improvisation and performances.Old Road, Stroud GL6 7QW Tel 01453 759034, please call Fun, feral and friendly with clearly 01392 420573 structured led classes. Cost or email The Devon £5. Fantastic location at Bristol info@devonyoga.com School Greenhouse Studio, 292 Ashley Yoga www.devonyoga.com Down Rd. See listing in Voice section. www.bristolferalchoir.org.uk call 07837 599239 email bristolferalchoir@gmail.com or AUTUMN COURSES FOR YOU! find us on Facebook. The Sacred Clown 2-4 Sept Power of Poise (Alexander Tech) 2-4 Sept Saturday & every 2nd Dreaming our world into being 4 Sept Wednesday Creativity as Gateway to Healing 24 Sept Your Community Clinic – Making Soapmaking Day 25 Sept therapies affordable! Open to All. Landscape Painting 30 Sept-2 Oct Low Cost Treatments Runes & Wyrd 1-2 Oct available. Therapies to suit Facilitating Groups, Leading workhops 8 Oct everyone including the pregnant/ 40 mins from Bristol near Stroud elderly. Massage - Deep tissue, Facials, Hot Stone, Indian Head, 01453-759034 Shiatsu, Thai. Homeopathy, Hopi www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk Candling, Reflexology, Reiki treatments plus shares and courses. Thursday 1 September Ffi Teresa 0798 224 3804 (Wednesdays), Saturdays 0780 973 6187. Venues, dates etc: Ashtanga Yoga Course starts. www.yourcommunityclinic.com BGS Sports Hall, Clifton Triangle, 7.30-8.30pm www.yogabristol.com Call Charlotte 07533 732 035

Thurs 22 Sep - Thurs 1 Dec

New Dimensions A monthly meeting of like-minded people to hear talks on a wide range of esoteric subjects

Sunday 18th September 2011 CLAIRVOYANCE Katherine Langley Sunday 16th October 2011 AVEBURY AND ITS EARTH ENERGIES Maria Wheatley Sunday 20th November 2011 HOW ASTROLOGY CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIFE Steve Judd Held at: The Friends’ Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol. BS6 6JE Everyone welcome. Refreshments included 3.00pm – 5.00pm Entrance £5.00

MANTAK CHIA Supreme Inner Alchemy – 29/30 Oct

JOE DISPENZA Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself – 26/27 Nov

www.alternatives.org.uk

Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 October Home Remedies with herbs at Herbs for Healing near Cirencester. www.herbsforhealing.net Wednesday 5 October Living Voice sessions exploring voice and creative expression through sound, breath and movement. 7.45 to 9.45pm. Wildgoose Space, St Werburghs. www.realvoice.co.uk 0795 005 2100 realvoice.info@gmail.com Saturday 8 - Sunday 9 October Animal Daoyin with Dr Shen Hongxun. Contemporary versions of the traditional Chinese exercises for health based on the characteristic movement of animals. Each exercise treats specific joints and muscles. Learn to fly free as bird, let your inner tiger roar and monkey around with these very enjoyable exercises. London To book or ffi call 0117 3770103 or e-mail: buqibristol@buqi.net Monday 10 October Borjghali, Bristol Georgian Choir: new term starts, new members welcome! 7.30pm. bristolgeorgianchoir@gmail.com

Ffi please contact 01225 722963 leasurs@tiscali.co.uk

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The Bath School of Shiatsu & Yoga 1 day workshop Sunday September 18th (£35) 3 weekend Foundation starting 1st & 2nd October (£250) 1st year starting 26th & 27th November

For more information call: 01225 859209 www.bssy.co.uk Whether looking for a new direction, or to take your first step towards a more sustainable future, Schumacher College has delivered transformational courses that skill and inspire people for 20 years.

How can I live more sustainably? Cultivating an Ecoliterate Worldview A fundamental step in living and operating in a sustainable way. Two week intensive within a six month online study group: October 2011 to April 2012 Schumacher College is a department of The Dartington Hall Trust a registered charity.

Please visit our website for more course details or

www.schumachercollege.org.uk

discover

homeopathy

Find out more about this great healing practice and the School of Homeopathy. We have been training the world’s professional homeopaths since 1981. If you’re interested in homeopathy, healing or healthcare, then get in touch? Become a homeopath Attendance Practitioner Course, one weekend a month, held in Stroud, enrolling now for Sept.

Try a Home Study Course First Aid Course (1 month), Taster Course (4 months), Foundation Course (1 year) and more.

Find out more Request a free prospectus, look at videos online or come for a free School visit and sit in on class.

home of homeopathy T: 0800 0439 349 · E: info@homeopathyschool.com · www.homeopathyschool.com

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10 ignite

three months of life. to place an ad call 0117 914 3434 or email ads@thespark.co.uk its only 90p a word!

Wednesday 12 October

Saturday 22 October

Saturday 12 - Sun 13 November

Starting a Social Enterprise? 8 workshops plus mentoring. see ad in Courses section

Christmas Steps Apple Day celebrations and Cider Festival www.BristolCiderShop.co.uk

Thurs 13 Oct - Sun 13 Nov

Saturday 22 October

Taijiwuxigong with Andy Henry at Shirehampton Public Hall. Learn a system of simple Chinese exercises to clear your body, energy system and emotions. Old tensions are released leaving a sense of clarity and vitality. Call 0117 3770103 or email: taijiwuxigong@waitrose.com

Waging Peace Festival Bristol Quakers will host a series of events this autumn with a focus on peace work and related issues. From a Culture of War to a Culture of Peace Bruce Kent of CND will talk about how we might change our attitudes to give peace the place it deserves. Tuesday 4 October, Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, BS2 9BD 6.30pm for 7.00pm Positive Money: What’s Wrong with the Banks? Ben Dyson of Positive Money talking about our dysfunctional banking system: • why it separates the mega-rich from the rest • how it can be changed Thursday 13 October Redland Quaker Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE 7.30pm

Waging Peace

Three informal evenings in which Quakers share their experience and understanding of Quaker peace work. There will be opportunities for questions and discussion. Monday 17 October Waging Peace I: Peace and Sustainability Sustainable living, peace & economic justice. Monday 24 October Waging Peace II: Peace on Earth Quaker peace work in the international sphere. Monday 31 October Waging Peace III: Peace in our Hearts Quaker initiatives for peace in local communities All three Waging Peace Evenings will be at: Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, BS2 9BD Light refreshments 6.30pm for 7.00pm Quaker Peace Testimony Workshop Two local Quakers will lead an exploration of the Quaker Peace Testimony: “All bloody principles and practices we do utterly deny, with all outward wars, and strife, and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretence whatsoever, and this is our testimony to the whole world.” [1651] Sunday 13 November at Redland Quaker Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE 1.30pm following a sharing lunch. Bristol Quakers hope to add to this programme.

Visit: www.bristolquakers.org.uk or call 0117 942 9142 for more info. Thursday 20 October Final deadline for The Spark Winter issue. Great time to advertise your solstice, Christmas and new year events, fayres and shindigs. 0117 914 34 34 sales@thespark.co.uk Friday 21 - Sunday 23 October Celebration of Pregnancy Weekend Retreat, Croydon Hall, Somerset. Yoga, rest, relaxation, sharing experiences, creative exploration of pregnancy journey, massage, delicious food, beautiful surroundings. More info: www.bristolcityyoga.co.uk/retreats

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Intuition Intention & Synchronicity. 1 day workshop. Connect to your flow, ignite inner wisdom & create effortlessly! With Clare Russell at the Pierian Centre. Clare runs events & retreats in the UK & internationally. www.metalife.org.uk 0796 625 3111 Wednesday 26 October The Big Equality Debate - Equality Bristol ask “What are the effects of wide income inequality on our society?” Richard Wilkinson, co-author of The Spirit Level, + local speakers. 7pm (light refreshments from 6.30pm). Oddfellows Hall, 20 West Park, Bristol BS8 2LT. www.equalitybristol.co.uk Fri 28/Sat 29/Sun 30 October The Template: Sacred Geometry Activation. 01458 835506 www.stargaia.com Mon 31 October - Sunday 6 Nov Since 1997 National Adoption Week has gone from strength to strength, reaching people across the UK who want to know if they can adopt. National Adoption Week reminds people about the backgrounds of children waiting for adoption and the difference adoption can make to a child’s life. This is a chance to transform a child’s life for ever. www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk

november Thurs 10 - Sun 13 November Aquarian Gathering, Gaunts House, Dorset. Nourish your heart and soul on this 3 day retreat. A universal alchemy of yoga, dance, full moon gong meditation, devotional singing and more! Early bird £295 before 15th sept, then £325. www.AquarianGathering.co.uk Friday 11 November Concert with Georgian male voice choir Sakhioba, Bristol 7.30pm. bristolgeorgianchoir@gmail.com 0795 005 2100 Saturday 12 November Antar Mouna: The Ancient Tantric Practice of Inner Silence. A day with yoga & meditation teacher Peter Bligh, on tour from New Zealand. Venue: Frenchay Unitarian Chapel, Beckspool Road. Frenchay. BS16 1ND. Info: l.hindley@talktalk.net 0117 910 9841 Saturday 12 November Georgian singing workshop with Malkhaz Erkvanidze. Bristol, 10am–4.30pm. bristolgeorgianchoir@gmail.com 0795 005 2100

Sunday 13 November Yoga Workshop for hips, hamstrings and groins. www.yogabristol.com Call Charlotte 07533 732 035 Fri 18 - Sat 19 November

TRAUMA SYMPOSIUM 18-19 NOVEMBER 2011 STROUD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE Bringing together counsellors, therapists and other practitioners to share learning and expertise from different approaches and a variety of contexts. Registration: £120 before 1st Oct. Contact: iona@ionara.org.uk or 07590 567350 See www.ionara.org.uk for full details of speakers and topics.

Saturday 26 November Awakening the Voice – one day workshop, with Anthony Johnston, freeing your natural voice. 10am-4.30pm, St Werburghs. 0795 005 2100 www.realvoice.co.uk (see ad in Voice section) Monday 28 November New Spark out today. Get some chestnuts roasting on an open fire and snuggle down to read the new issue. 0117 914 34 34 sales@thespark.co.uk Tue 29 Nov & Sat 3 Dec Mindfulness for Well-Being. Introductions and orientation to Mindfulness for Stress Reduction (MBSR) - efficacy for stress, anxiety, and chronic pain. Tim Mason 07789 200685 tim.mason@dsl.pipex.com www.mindfulness-west.com

december Saturday 3 - Sun 4 December Lying Down Daoyin with Dr Shen Hongxun Designed by Dr Shen to strengthen and lengthen the spine. They can be learned for personal use. Therapists can use them to help re-mobilise the spine of those who find it difficult to stand or sit for very long. Suitable to work on a bed or on the floor. Most people enjoy lying down exercises. With the body weight supported by the floor the spine relaxes and stretches for optimum health. London. To book or ffi call 0117 3770103 oe e-mail: buqibristol@buqi.net

classified Jobs Opportunity - Andes Mountains. We are seeking energetic people committed to personal growth and motivated to work towards a new world who can contribute with ecological/cultivation skills to ‘Alma’ our beautiful ecological and personal growth centre in the Andes mountains. In return we offer you free board and lodging, plus a high level of personal development guidance (including workshops, individual sessions and guided retreats, adjusted to your needs), plus the chance to live in this marvellous setting (mostly woodland with many fruit trees and grapes and vegetable gardens - all organic) situated at 6,000’ at the end of an Andean valley in Chile, with its pure water, clean air, permanently blue skies, and direct access to large tracts of virgin Andes mountains. Get in touch for more information (including photos) to discover if this is for you and you are for us... John and Veronica, e-mails: almajohnlogan@hotmail.com and veronicatierra@hotmail.com Job With A Difference & Unconventional Hours! Lively disabled woman values: integrity, positivity, and Holistic Living. Loves…. music, good food, gardening, nature and creativity…. Requires PA’s for facilitated assistance with all practical aspects of daily life, personal support, and getting out and about on a 24 x 7 basis (Please note: this is not a care position however). No previous PA experience necessary but basic common sense required of running a home. Involves all types of driving, a varied work day, adaptability, dependability and the capacity to be selfmotivated, focused and “on the go”. • Essential requirements: female, 25 yrs+ with a full clean UK driving licence & one year’s driving experience; fluent written and spoken English. • Also: hardworking, practical, a fast learner; with a high level of physical fitness and stamina (comfortable with busy days). • Desirable: Applicants should be mature (not necessarily in years), genuine, flexible, reliable, positive, willing and easy going. Gross Pay: £7.86/£9.16 per hour. Block shifts: 24hrs+. Location: Keynsham/Bristol area. For accessibility reasons, please reply by texting your name and address to receive written details and application pack to 07984 819469 This advert complies with Section 7 (2b) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975

Rooms available Room for Rent, Bishopston, Bristol. Room in friendly house. Quiet street, parking, near Gloucester Rd, landline, TV, broadband, use of therapy room negotiable. £380 pcm incl. all bills. catriona.mundle@blueyonder.co.uk 0117 924 7163

Business opportunities Home Plus Income For Sale £389,000. Profitable four star guest house in Northern Ireland. Detached Edwardian Villa with seven en suite guest rooms plus excellent owners’ accommodation. South west facing garden, parking, garage and workshop. Turn key condition. Contact: Ivy 028 28273269. www.derrinhouse.co.uk email: info@derrinhouse.co.uk

Office space available

Flexible Office and Desk space in Bristol & Bath! Are you a voluntary organisation or social enterprise looking for space? Ethical Property offer a range of cost effective, fully managed, flexible spaces. For more information, email info@ethicalproperty.co.uk or ring 0117 916 6489 www.ethicalproperty.co.uk

forgot to list your event, course, festival, space for rent or job? don’t panic! even if you miss our print deadline you can still add event ads (the date-specific ones on these pages) and classified ads (situations vacant, rooms to let, houses for sale etc) to our spiffy new website. For just 90p a word you can reach the thousands of unique visitors who come to

thespark.co.uk every week.

the Spark: we’ve got a website and we’re going to use it

12/8/11 16:19:46

Saturday October 8th - Sunday October 9th - in Bristol

The Schumacher Centenary Festival

A weekend celebrating the life and vision of E.F. Schumacher, author of Small is Beautiful and pioneer of green economics

Time for a New Direction SATURDAY Oct 8, at COLSTON HALL:

SUNDAY Oct 9, at @Bristol:

Caroline Lucas MP, leader of the Green Party Bill McKibben 350.org, author of End of Nature Prof. Tim Jackson author of Prosperity Without Growth Polly Higgins environmental lawyer Rob Hopkins co-founder of the Transition Network Satish Kumar editor of Resurgence magazine Peter Blom CEO of Triodos Bank Matt Harvey poet

Vandana Shiva, environmentalist, global campaigner Simon Trace, chief executive, Practical Action

A day of talks and workshops (10am-6pm). Speakers include:

An Evening Concert - a real ‘festival’ of world music, with Trilok Gurtu, the Dhol Foundation, Mabon, Seckou Keita and Patrick Duff

Opening keynotes (10am)

Followed by a day of workshops and films at @Bristol, The Watershed and other Harbourside venues Towards a Guild of Green Economists - Molly Scott Cato, Citizen Science - David Gee (European Environment Agency) Local & Renewable Energy – Juliet Davenport (Good Energy) & CAT Common Cause - Tom Crompton (WWF) The Work That Re-connects – Lisbet Michelson, Meretta Hart Film Premieres ‘The Four Horsemen’, ‘Animate Earth’, ‘Future of Hope’ and ‘Voices of Transition’

Details & online booking: www.schumacher.org.uk Tel: 0845 458 5925. Tickets for the Saturday talks & concert also available at Colston Hall Prices: Saturday, including concert: £45 (concessions £30); concert only: £15; Whole weekend: £55 (concessions £37.50); Sunday - £5 per event Sponsored by: at the heart of earth, art and spirit

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“Simply stunning” Circomedia’s spectacular Bristol venue for your event - perfect for parties, conferences, workshops, wedding receptions. Contact Jude or Adam on 0117 924 7615 www.circomedia.com

B EYO N G R E I KI

ASCENSION HEALING, COURSES AND Retreats Learn how to heal, grow and live joyfully under any circumstances, and help others do the same Ascension Healing Courses go beyond the fourth dimension of Reiki, attuning you to Christ Consciousness and the magic of living in Unity Consciousness. Become awakened to your Soul and the vibration of the fifth dimension of Ascension, aligning with the shifts of 2012

CHOCOLATE FOR THE SOUL RETREATS Earlybird Discounts available

Discover who you really are with an enlightened, supportive healing teacher in the company of Angels For details of Courses and Retreats visit www.divineembrace.co.uk Tel: Ruth 0117 986 2675 Email: healing@divineemrace.co.uk

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The Relaxation Centre To relax is to enjoy life

12 q&a

Martin Poulter, critical thinker or the Murdoch media, but those forces will try and shape people into particular lines. There’s also a moral dimension to it. As citizens in a democracy, like it or not we have a responsibility to ask what is truth, what is knowledge and how are those things decided? What gets you to the truth? There’s no easy way! But it all starts with asking questions. Not questioning as in cynicism, but questioning as in seeking an answer. What’s your greatest fear? That we don’t learn quickly enough how to handle any of our global and national problems. Resource crises and biodiversity threats are just not exciting enough on the news agenda – we’d rather deal with the shortterm stuff like premier-league footballers and glamour models having sex. Our culture and our obsession with particular things and our tendencies to stick to particular beliefs is actually really harming us. It’s deeply worrying; we’re in a sleep-walking state.

Hidden in a quiet street in Clifton the Relaxation Centre is so much more than a health spa – it is a secret which you discover. We are an oasis in the middle of the city. A place to let the cares of the day slip away and replenish your vital energy. There are only a few decisions you’ll have to make. A sauna perhaps? Maybe a steam? Relax in the hot tub or are you brave enough for the cold plunge pool? We also have a blissful floatation room and a full range of treatments including Holistic Massage, Reflexology and Hot Stone Therapy.

Open 7 days a week: Sunday - Friday: 10am - 9pm Saturdays*: 9am - 10pm Women only on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat daytime Mixed on Tues, Thurs and Sat evening Couples on Sunday 9 All Saints Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2JG Tel: 0117 970 6616

Gift vouchers available

Buy gift vouchers online at: www.relaxationcentre.co.uk *Booking required for the spa on Saturdays

Interviewed by Fiona McClymont • photo Jo Halladey Martin Poulter, 39, is a voluntary director of Wikimedia UK, a nonprofit company that supports and promotes Wikipedia and its sister projects. He is passionate about critical thinking and the free dissemination of information. A contributor to Wikipedia, he is also a member of Bristol Skeptics and does work on cult monitoring and Scientology. He has degrees from Oxford and Bristol and a PhD on the subject of “Value and Belief”. He is new media manager for the Children of the 90s project at Bristol University. In his spare time he enjoys music, comedy and singing. What’s best about the South West? The cultural scene. There’s so much going on and lots of different scenes. I spend a lot of time at The Cube cinema. I like nights out that give ... something unexpected... that I didn’t know was going to happen. And there’s the intellectual dimension in Bristol too, things like the Festival of Ideas and Ignite (which I’ve spoken at twice). What would you like to see more of? All the different things that go on here need to be more joined up, at the moment it’s very fragmented. As a city, we could be reaching more people, publicising what we do here and getting known around the world. There also needs to be more work across different language communities as well - reaching out to the Somalian or Bengali communities for example, and having them documenting their culture and language. Why devote your free time to Wikimedia? Like all the other people who work on it, I just want to get this done, to share the world’s knowledge and culture. Corporations and public organisations can’t make sense of this because in theory it doesn’t work:

Spark66.ab14.indd 12

thousands of people turning up and devoting lots of time to documenting whatever it is, for free? But it’s happened and it’s become one of the top ten websites. Two of Wikimedia’s seven (voluntary) board members, are in Bristol; I am one. Earlier this year Wikipedia had its 10th birthday and there was only one public lecture given and that was at the Victoria Rooms here in Bristol, by its founder Jimmy Wales. What’s your biggest achievement? Getting my PhD when I had no funding. I was just so curious about issues of beliefsystems and how people get attached to beliefs, somehow I managed to self-fund. What’s been your biggest mistake? I did a series of gigs as a comedy music act called Glandscape Hardeners, which was great fun but is now recorded forever on the internet. Sometimes I get: “Oh, you’re asking us to do this serious thing, but aren’t you also the guy who sang that rude song about your penis?!” What inspires you? Social value. Our whole political system is based on individual rational choice and individual incentives, basically, people doing what’s best for them. I really dislike that. We should be thinking about what has the best outcome for everybody. For example, voluntary work may hold your career back and reduce your time and money, but the total of what everybody benefits from it is huge. I wish more people thought that way. What is your belief system? Sceptic and above all critical-thinking in everything. It’s easy to get trapped into beliefs, it’s a natural human tendency, so watch out for that. Question yourself and question other people. Be self-challenging and be your own devil’s advocate. Why is critical thinking so important to you? Why should it be important to us? Everybody is entitled to their own opinions but not to their own facts. For example, there are people saying that climate change is threatening the world and there are other people saying, “No it’s not, it’s nothing to worry about.” We should intensely care about what the truth of that is. We shouldn’t say, “Well, it’s probably somewhere in-between; there’s always two sides.” If people don’t take responsibility for their own beliefs and judgements, then other forces will try. It might be commercial forces, political forces,

What is your favourite book? Metamagical Themas: Questing for the Essence of Mind and Pattern by Douglas R. Hofstadter. I read it when I was just leaving school and it set out the intellectual agenda that I still have. Hofstadter is a professor of computer science, a psychologist, philosopher, professor of comparative literature and a concert pianist. He’s my ultimate hero. What drives you mad? People complaining about government interference in their lives and governmental subsidies. It’s such hypocrisy. Our lifestyle pollutes, pollution causes costs to other people, so in effect our lifestyles are subsidised by other people. Why not complain about your own consumption or stop and think about the way your life impacts on other people? What gets you into trouble? I’ve done some anti-cult work and twice had threats of legal action from the Church of Scientology. I’ve had to move a website I run out of the country. They are very rich and powerful and I basically have to do what they ask. I was talking about their materials, things they claim are “religious trade secrets”. I don’t agree with the concept of religious trade secrets! I’m not a Christian, I have a lot of disagreements with Christianity, but at least they put their holy book free in hotels. Any common ground with The Spark? I like the bottom-up, grassroots movements attempting to change things in the direction of people-power. I really believe people should seek an alternative to corporate and capitalist culture and I’m excited by that. Unfortunately the “alternatives” often turn out to be just people selling a different product. It’s a fake alternative. For example, Starbucks have opened a rival coffee house which looks different and sells coffee in different packaging for those who want to rebel against Starbucks, but it’s the same corporation! A lot of the “alternative” health and lifestyle things out there are still essentially about selling us stuff. That isn’t subversive. And I’m very big on critical thinking so some of the adverts in your magazine – well, let’s just say I have a problem with them. What has life taught you? That people may be concerned about propaganda or manipulation by governments or corporations, but ultimately the most damaging deceptions are self-deceptions; people persuading themselves they’re moral, in the right and in control. www.infobomb.org (Martin’s personal website) www.wikimedia.org www.bristolskeptics.co.uk

12/8/11 16:20:38

Interfaith Seminary Training Ministers and Spiritual Counsellors

Who am I? What is life?

Teaching Self-Mastery, The True Nature of Ultimate Reality & Planetary Awareness by Avatar Lady Persia

The Interfaith Seminary's one and two year training brings intense and joyful inquiry to these fundamental questions.

All the tools, skills & knowledge you will ever need for Life, Self-Awareness & Ascension Individual appointments or classes www.spiritualandrogyny.org

Recent students describe the journey as 'radical homecoming, continued awakening, healing and acceptance....'

SUL LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

Training programmes commence each autumn.

English language courses for life

Join us in an experiential introductory event around the UK!

We are a family-owned school with 30 years’ experience in providing English language and activity courses for foreign students. We believe in creating opportunities for students not only to improve their language skills but also to develop self-confidence and creativity.

TEACHERS, HOST FAMILIES & LOCAL ORGANISERS

Call or visit our website to find out more about our introductory events.

We are seeking caring host families, local organisers and EFL teachers in South-West England who want to make positive cross-cultural connections.

SENIOR POSITIONS WITH SUL LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

www.interfaithfoundation.org UK enquiry line: 08444 457004

We are also now recruiting a Sales & Marketing Manager and later a Business Operations Manager to join the expanding SUL team in Cornwall.

Please see our listing in The Spark JOBS section for how to apply.

The Interfaith Seminary is part of the Interfaith Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity No: 1099163 (England and Wales) SCO40148 (Scotland) Registered Company No: 4432622 (England and Wales).

SUL Language Schools, 31 Southpark Road, Tywardreath, Cornwall PL24 4PU. Tel: 01726 814227 Email: efl@sul-schools.com Web: www.sul-schools.com

We are currently recruiting for:

Listening and Communication Skills 10 weeks part-time

Foundation Course in Counselling Skills One year (part-time), Wednesdays 5.30-9.30pm

We have been providing Psychodynamic Counselling Training, accredited by Westminster Pastoral Foundation, since 1983.

Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling Two years (part-time), Mondays 2.00-7.30pm If you would like to know more please telephone 01373 453355 or you can email office@wessexcounsellingservice.co.uk

Dramatherapy

Foundation Course, Teacher Training and Yoga Therapy Courses, Classes, Workshops and Retreats in Devon and North India.

The Devon

School

Yoga

Telephone: 01392 420573 Email: info@devonyoga.com

www.devonyoga.com

P/T University Certificate Course in Dramatherapy October 2011 - April 2012 (5 weekends & spring school) Hawkwood College Stroud. Equivalent to 40 credits at level 5,6. Res/non res.

‘Critical Dialogue’

A member of the Independent Yoga Network.

yoga

Wessex Counselling Service, Fairfield House, King Street, Frome BA11 1BH www.wessexcounsellingservice.co.uk

A dramatherapy workshop including voice, movement, mask, improvisation and dialogue to explore the archetypes that most influence our lives September 10th-11th 2011 Bath

‘Acting 4 Real’

8 week therapy group Starts 13th Sept Bath Scenario Arts in Personal Development Tel: Rachel@scenario59.freeserve.co.uk www.dramatherapy.org.uk

01225 427601

Member of the Health Professions Council

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ignite 14 OUT! great spots by the water

three months of essential events and more • 80p a word

Rachel England and Melanie West check out the best of the West’s watery wonderlands

Lydford-on-Fosse

This Somerset parish straddle s the Fosse Way – an ancient Roman roa d linking Lincoln and Exeter. This is the only Roman road to still be known by its Latin name, and is notable for its extrem ely direct route - six miles in a straight line. The River Brue, which runs through the area, is a relatively small waterway noted highly for its conservational aspects . A tourist trap this is most cer tainly not, so visitors can ﬁnd a sec luded spot beneath the church or beyond the village to enjoy the lovely river surr oundings in total peace and quiet. Leave the car in the village and explore the area on foot for the most beautiful scenery and hidden hidey-holes. The 17th Century bridge ove r the River Brue is a British Listed Buildin g, and makes for a lovely spot to settle dow n and enjoy a picnic. Or spend the day pot tering around in the beautiful country side before heading to the nearby Bell & Crown pub for lunch. Alternatively, ﬁshing fans can take advantage of the river’s generous stock of species – pike in exc ess of 20lb are not unheard of here! RE

ww w.wikipedia .org /wiki/Ly

dford-on-Fosse

Saltford Marina

Chew Valley Lake

Sitting on the northern edge of the Mendips, Chew Valley Lake is a manmade lake, created in the 1950s (when the area was flooded with 4,500 million gallons of water). It’s an important area for wildlife, with the Wildlife Trust working to preserve and encourage many different species of plants and birds in the lake’s vicinity. A popular place for picnics, the lake is bordered by two landscaped picnic areas and is home to a tea shop, small art gallery and two nature trails, which make for a lovely afternoon stroll. Or for those feeling a bit more sedate, day and afternoon fishing permits are also available. The lake is probably best known for its sailing, though, with Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club hiring out leisure boats and dinghies, as well as offering a comprehensive range of sailing courses for those looking for something a bit more energetic. RE

A small, family-run marina on the River Avon between Bristol and Bath, Saltford Marina is nestled among beautiful countryside and is home to the wonderful Riverside Inn pub, where patrons can sit right at the water’s edge with a refreshing pint or delicious meal and watch the boats passing through the adjoining lock. Given its relatively small size and secluded nature, the marina makes for a peaceful, relaxed spot, where visitors can ogle its range of boats (including some beautiful visiting narrowboats), take an amble around the adjoining woodland or even take a dip in the water. The nearby Bristol Avon Sailing Club provides lessons and courses for those looking to take to the high water, or a host of nearby boat hire businesses can kit out pioneering sailors for a day’s jolly on the river. RE

www.saltfordmarina.co.uk

bour.org.uk

Photo by Mark Robinson

Portishead Pool and Boating Lake

When this unique seaside open-air swimming pool was threatened with closure pressure groups and individuals joined forces and campaigned to protect it with the support of the media. The doors were successfully re-opened in 2009 after the formation of a charitable trust to run the pool. The Trust currently uses volunteers for day-to-day running and maintenance although reassuringly the lifeguards are paid for their services! Situated on Battery Point it nestles up to the Bristol Channel on one side and a tranquil boating lake on the other. Its striking and colourful design is offset by two huge stone diving boards (no longer used) and sun terraces to sit with the family and while away a sunny day. In the pool’s earliest days in 1962 the hot water had to be delivered by a tanker from a local factory but today there is a newly installed green biomass boiler keeping the water at a pleasant 28 degrees. Support for the pool has exceeded expectations and with the trust holding a 99-year lease it should be possible to swim al fresco for many years to come… MW

The Esplanade, Portishead BS20 7HD 01275 843454 manager@portisheadopenairpool.org Photo: www.bryanfarrell.co.uk

Spark66.ab14.indd 14

Photo by Tom D’Roza

Caen Hill Locks

Caen Hill locks lies on the beautiful Kennet and Avon canal, an unusual g section of this 87-mile waterway. Lyin on the “White Horse Trail” between e Rowde and Devizes, the 29 successiv locks rise 239 feet in just two miles. Engineer John Rennie designed them in such a way as to surmount an unhelpfully steep hill lying directly in nt the path of the proposed canal. Rece of e som in lted resu refurbishment the old wood being recycled into structures for the Glastonbury Festival site. Boaters who take on this unique watery challenge will need to check permitted passage times carefully and allow ﬁve to six hours to negotiate their ascent or descent through the e locks. Good arm muscles could prov the an advantage. Walkers can marvel at s lock y man the ating navig process of or even offer to lend a hand for a taste of life on the river. Nature lovers can scour the riverbanks for water voles, badgers or dragonﬂies. Everyone can relax and reward themselves at the top of the hill with a cup of tea and a cake at the Caen Hill café. MW Bristol Waterways 01452 318000 OS ST9761

One of the South West’s ur has been landscapes, Bristol Harbo th Century 13 the kicking around since rent form cur its in d ste but has only exi since the 19th Century. 70 acres and The harbour area covers as the water ur’ bo is called a ‘floating har cted by affe un , ant nst level remains co on, which feeds the tide of the River Av into it. hts and places of There are a host of sig bour, including har the d interest aroun , as well as museums and galleries nel’s impressive SS Isambard Kingdom Bru iron-hulled and t firs Great Britain – the r. The new M line an oce n propeller-drive wcasing Bristol’s Shed opened in June, sho all the way back illustrious history dating ing a wee lud inc , to prehistoric times. rryl Bullock. Da her blis pu r feature on ou bour is a Mecca Unsurprisingly, the har s, with no end of for food and drink fan bars lining the and restaurants, cafes ely spot to sit and lov a for g water, makin RE watch the world go by. www.bristolﬂoatinghar

www.riverchew.co.uk/chew_valley_lake

Photo by Bryan Farrell

Bristol Harbour most iconic

Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve

Lying in the shadow of the iconic Glastonbury Tor, Shapwick Heath forms part of the Avalon Marshes on the Somerset Levels. Having risen in fame due to the much-feted murmurations of starlings that form a spectacle in the skies, this wetland nature reserve holds much to delight visitors all year round. This site of special scientific interest (SSSI) comprises reed beds, wild flower meadows and peat lands that play host to numerous species of birds, mammals and insects.You can find rare species such as the otter and bittern here. There’s even evidence of ancient Neolithic construction in the form of the wooden Sweet Track, the oldest known roadway in Britain. The Peat Moors Centre is located nearby for information on the surrounding area. Eight trails cross the reserve some of which are wheelchair accessible and great for cycling too. With wide horizons and peaceful views it makes a great place to go and catch an autumn sunset. MW

The Peat Moors Centre 01458 860120 somerset@naturalengland.org.uk OS ST425415

Photo by Justin Beckley

Appledore

Appledore is a little haven on the North Devon coast, soaked in maritime history, a port and shipbuilding centre which lies at the mouth of the river Torridge. Wandering the cobbled streets you can take in the colourful Elizabethan fishermen’s cottages and then swing down to the quay for some great views and to see the fishing fleet in action. The high quality local ice cream can also be sampled at leisure while watching the world go by. The North Devon Maritime Museum and Appledore Lifeboat station are close at hand if you want to better understand our seafaring heritage. Annual events in the town throughout the year include the regatta, carnival and Visual Arts Festival. In September you can experience the weeklong Appledore Book Festival. If you fancy getting out onto the ocean there are charters to Lundy Island and sea fishing trips that leave from the quay.You can raise the adrenaline and hop on a speedboat trip. If you have any energy left after all that you could track down a native Appledorian and ask “’Ow be knackin vor?” Appledore has its very own dialect too. MW

Tourist Information 01271 375000 www.staynorthdevon.co.uk

12/8/11 16:21:24

OUT! extra

walking meditation retreading an ancient journey from the city to serenity of the Abbot of St Augustine’s Retreat by Satyalila

love seeing where I can walk to from my very own front door.; it creates a thread from my Bristol city-centre home to the freedom of the fields. Eschewing the crowds at Cabot Circus on a Saturday, my beloved and I have sought out byways to take us up to Blaise Castle, trodden our way through the Failand bluebells to Tyntesfield and, over and over again, done the walk out to the village of Abbots Leigh. Abbots Leigh, named after, well, the abbots, of course, going back to the 12th century when what’s-his-name Fitzhardinge founded the abbey. The abbot of St Augustine’s (now Bristol Cathedral) lived about five minutes from where I live now and we share, across a distance of 600-plus years, the experience of quitting the city on foot for a retreat to the country at Abbots Leigh, just a few miles

away. Each summer the monks would spend time in retreat over there; it’s a beautiful bit of high ground across the Avon and looking out towards Wales. It really feels like “proper country” and has remained a discrete settlement since Domesday. Its old green fields, byways and church with an ancient yew tree (certified by Country Living magazine, no less!) hold plenty of places to linger with a picnic or to sit and meditate. The Abbots fishpools are still fished and it’s said one curvy bit of wall of the original retreat house lurks somewhere nearby. Leigh Court is now a business centre but also the home of Leigh Court Farm, one of the the nearest local veg growers to Bristol, which brings produce to St Nick’s Farmers’ Market just as the Abbey once received produce from the estate. It wasn’t all bucolic bliss, however. I was also delighted to find – in the library – an account of a 15th century ASBO in Abbots Leigh (maybe not such a retreat after all!). One Alice Godrige was said to be “a common objurgatrix and perturbatrix of the peace” and was bound over on penalty of losing her home for anti-social behaviour… (According to my dictionar y, the wonderfully obscure word objurgatrix is “a scolding, sharp-tongued, shrewish woman” and the equally wonderful perturbatrix is, as you might guess, “a woman who perturbs or disturbs” - Ed) To get out there, the abbots had to use the ancient Rownham Ferry which used to ply back and forth across the Avon just before the (now) Cumberland Basin. I get to walk across that concrete road bridge or, these days, go via Brunel’s beautiful suspension bridge from Clifton. But the topography itself is unchanged: we have to labour uphill from the centre of town, cross the river and journey on through trees and fields and we finally reach a place of tranquillity, far beyond the city, yet walkable on foot.

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Satyalila is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order and works at Bristol Buddhist Centre See also the did you know? box at the bootom of page 6 for more information on Buddhism in Bristol

Abbots Pool in Abbots Leigh

idden away in Abbots Leigh is a very special bit of water to visit: Abbots Pool. The pool was thought to serve as a fishpond, providing the monks of St. Augustin e’s with fresh fish for their pot. Maybe the monk connection is why it always feels so still and tranquil. In the 1930s, it was apparently landscaped by Melville Wills, the tobacco magnate. There’s a lot of history attached to it, but here’s why me and my kids love it in the spring: the masses of tadpoles! You can get right down to the water’s edge and see thousands of them wriggling about; there are also families of ducks, moorhens, dragonflies etc; the cave (used as a boathouse back in the day) which you can shimmy into across a narrow ledge; also at poolside you’ll find the little waterfalls; logs to clamber over and the ropes to swing on.You can walk all the way round the pond, light shining through the trees onto the water, and it’s just such a lovely peaceful place to be. Mind you, I have never left without at least one of us having soaking feet, having misjudged the distance between those stepping stones! Fiona McClymont Abbots Pool can be reached either by bus from Bristol City centre (numbers 357, 358 and 359) or you can walk to it from Ashton Court (pick up a map from the visitor centre there). By bike you turn off onto Manor Road at the main crossroads in the village on the A369 between Portishead and Clifton. You can carry on past Abbots Pool to Portishe ad via Lower Failand and Portbury on quiet roads and cycle tracks.

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Spark66.ab14.indd 15

12/8/11 16:21:36

Philosophy

A fond farewell to the Pierian Centre

for living

ust as this issue of The Spark was going to print we learned the sad news that The Pierian Centre, which has provided a hub for self-development, training, conferences and community development projects in Bristol since 2002, is to close its doors in December. Here founding director June Burrough (pictured above) writes about how the team at the Pierian Centre feel about the closure, what they’ve achieved and what the future holds. We are closing in December. Our hope is that many thousands of lives have “breathed easier” because the Pierian Centre has existed - and therein lies our definition of success. It has been the most amazing journey, travelled with so many people for whom our thanks and appreciation is boundless. The Pierian Centre started on June 21st 2002, with only one booking in the diary and an ambition to demonstrate a way of doing things based on some simple philosophies. These are that: 1) Everyone is remarkable: if supported in the right way and in the right environment, we can all shine in our capacity to be the best of who we are. 2) Simply taking care of everyone who comes through the door, regardless of who shows an respect for each person as an individual and leaves everyone feeling acknowledged and equal. 3) A business is an integral part of the community in which it exists, not something apart from it, and on this basis, every organisation can live social responsibility in its daily practice. I did not know then that those beliefs and statements would become such a solid ethos for the place – a way of creating inclusive practice and celebrating diversity on a daily basis. I did not yet understand how powerful they would be in giving people a voice, nor how much The Pierian Centre, a dream 10 years in the making, would in a similar time period become such an integral part of Bristol, engaged with so many aspects of the city. I ask myself, in the act of closure of the Pierian Centre, why is it that we see our endeavour as a huge success, with achievements of which we can be proud? It is because the Pierian Centre no longer belongs to one single person, but is like a picture made up of thousands of pixels, each belonging to someone different. Each person who has ever been here, worked here, taken part in our events or supported us as a Friend or Sponsor, now owns a “Pierian Pixel”, which we hope will remain with you forever. It has been an honour and pleasure to work with and serve you all, and we will hold fond memories for the rest of time. When my father died last year, his eternity for me became the enjoyments we shared, the lessons he taught me, and the gift of the lasting impact of his love, none of which can ever be taken away from me - even in his death. In the same way, whilst there is shock, sadness and a sense of loss at the news of our closure, we also know that we have laid some foundations for new prospects and opportunities that will unfold in the open

Does one really know oneself? And the meaning or point of life? Theory is fine, but is there the inner stillness and wisdom yet, to see straight, to live life to the full? This introductory ten week course is designed to engender fresh perception and cheerful discussion with those interested in seeing past life’s troubled surfaces, past opinions and bias, to what is reliable, lasting and true. ‘Without vision the people perish’ Good use of the mind, and positive emotion can arise from hearing the wisdom of mankind’s great teachers. Explore well founded schools of thought and ways of living, from east and west.

space that we are creating - which are as yet unseen and unknown. In the stillness of emptiness there is always the seed of something new, but in order to begin new (and often greater) things we first have to experience the ending of that which has preceded them. For each of us, that which remains after something has gone is unique to our experience of that person or place. For everyone our piece of Pierian will be different, but it is ours alone. Love, compassion, welcome, integrity, justice, creativity, living a life of service - whatever we now mean by a “Pierian Way” - our invitation is for you to take your definition of “Pierian” out into your world and live it - to offer up a Pierian way to those you meet and work with in the future. And to start, as we did, with one life at a time breathing easier. I have always loved Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote about success – it takes us away from the material measures of success into those more akin to the lasting humanitarian legacies that we have it in our power to leave behind us: To laugh often and love much; To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; To earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give of one’s self without the slightest thought of return; To have accomplished a task, whether by a healthy child, a rescued soul, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exaltation; To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded. What remains is an amazingly talented team who will be needing an outlet for their skills in the New Year. With our in-house skills, we have run our own conferences and events, grown a wide reaching audience, provided a professional facility and put on a multitude of courses and workshops, none of which happens without a great capacity to build strong relationships, and a skill to organise and publicise. There is also this beautiful building available to be used in some way, but there are as yet no plans for that. If anyone has ideas about either a future for our team members or a new use of the building (artists’ hub, museum, health centre, conference facility, a retreat etc.) we would love to hear from you!

Is it possible to combine head and heart? The spiritual and the practical? Can one resort to real listening, and sound values for good relationships? What is the nature of beauty, of idea and ideal, what are the roles of science, art, and meditation? Who learns to clear the decks of life, to move into action, from profound stillness? Marcillio Ficino said

He tastes nothing who does not taste for himself. An open mind is always attractive and useful.

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Thanks June. We at the Spark wish you, Nick and the rest of the team all the best for the future. www.pieriancentre.com 16

Spark66.ab14.indd 16

12/8/11 16:21:45

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Spark66.ab14.indd 17

12/8/11 16:21:49

18 planet

got a passion for green issues and experience of writing? email editor@thespark.co.uk

swap til you drop What greener way to get your fashion than at a massive clothes swap? Kristina Lupton gets swept away by ‘swishing’

ou’re standing behind the line, primed and with bubbling anticipation, eyes on the prize. Excitement electrifies the air. The crowd chants three, two, one… suddenly, the whistle blows. We run! A swarm of women fly at all angles towards clothes rails crammed with garments galore, and begin filling their bags with their favoured pieces... This is ‘swishing’. In today’s increasingly frugal and eco-conscious society, it’s a phenomenon that’s sweeping across our globe faster than you can say ‘anti-consumerism’. It’s the act of exchanging clothes with others and women, or ‘swishettes’, have been taking part in this exciting, fun and free experience since the turn of the century. Swishing between friends probably took place long before that, but in recent years it’s really taken off. You only have to turn to Google for proof, which now churns out nearly 7 million results for ‘clothes swapping’, compared to just over 17,000 results in 2006. Swishing takes place in pubs, offices and, quite typically, with the girls over a few glasses of wine on the sofa at home. As a practised swisher, I can verify that it’s more satisfying than your last impulse buy – and without the ethical and financial guilt! So, how exactly do you swish? Lulu

O’Brien, co-founder of Recycle Xchange, a not-for-profit clothes-swap company, explains: “As long as they have something to swap, people can come in.” Swishers are free to browse the items and try them for size but, to make it fair, no swapping is permitted until the whistle blows. It then becomes a free for all, hence the mad dash for popular items. “It’s really fun, a great way to meet people and get a brand new you for free,” comments Lulu, who hosts clothes-swapping events across venues in Bristol. “What’s not to love?” she adds. Swishing also has ethical and environmental benefits. Referring to a swish earlier in the year, Lulu says, “Any clothes left over after the swaps are donated to charity. A lot of decent stuff has been given to the Red Cross.” According to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 2 million tonnes of clothing are bought in the UK per year. Shockingly, a quarter of them end up in landfill. Swishing could obviously play a valuable role in reducing this figure. Janice Heskett, a volunteer at Oxfam’s online shop, has managed swishing events in Bristol, from which leftover clothes are used to refresh their stock. Reflecting on their last

event, she explains its success: “There were people queuing at the door; we needed about three times more space than we allocated.” Janice believes that “people are more generous when they’re getting something back” and “in today’s financial climate, they find it difficult to justify buying brand new clothes.” There’s no two ways about it: swishing promotes sustainable fashion, in both the environmental and economic sense.

battle for the humble bee

milk of human kindness

Anton Saxton explains why natural bee-keepers are preparing to swarm

’ve stumbled on a battle that is taking place in the air and in odd-shaped boxes all over the world. The bee is battling for its very existence. While it’s fairly well known that bees are in crisis, the debate now seems to be about who, exactly, is the real enemy? This has led a nucleus of ‘natural’ bee-keepers to break away from the mainstream colony of the traditionalists. This new breed of bee-keeper, many of whom are women (who may prefer a nurturing approach to bees), see an obvious link between intensive or ‘battery’ bee-keeping and pests (like Varroa mite) and diseases (like Nosema, a digestive system disorder) which threaten to wipe bees out. There’s even a nice scientific name for it, ‘colony collapse disorder’. In the USA alone, the number of colonies has gone down in recent years from about 7 million to 2.5 million. “It isn’t surprising that the bees peg out, in fact it’s a miracle that they live at all,” says Philip Chandler, a veteran natural beekeeper, known as ‘The Barefoot Bee-keeper’. Over the years bees have been subjected to ever-increasing doses of the following: pesticides; loss of habitat; antibiotics and miticides; over-extraction of honey; killing of ‘surplus’ males (drones); artificial insemination of queens (don’t ask me how); and smoking the poor little blighters to ‘calm them down’ (which I’m told scares the hell out of the bees who believe that their home is on fire). Philip Chandler is passionate about changing the way we interact with bees. The philosophy of natural bee-keeping is to offer them a home free from synthetic chemicals, allow them to build their own comb and support their own natural ability to protect themselves from pests and diseases. Great!

Spark66.ab14.indd 18

Makes me want to be a bee – or maybe not, given their situation. “Is there anything that ordinary people can do to help the bees?” I ask, baffled by the severity of the situation. Number one on his list is for us all to stop using insecticides. Even bags of compost which state they have a ‘vine weevil killer’ probably contain Imidacloprid, a toxin which kills useful insects including bees and earthworms. And look out for seeds, some of which are pre-coated with insecticides. Aside from the need to stop spraying stuff on weeds and bugs, more positive things we can do include creating natural habitats with bee-friendly flowers, buying local chemical-free raw (unpasteurised) honey, or even becoming a bee-keeper oneself and build a cheap and simple ‘top bar’ hive (plans available for free on Philip’s website). Philip tells me that bees, if left alone, develop their own local eco-type which develops natural resistance to disease and pests. The only intervention he uses is icing sugar dusting, so the bees groom each other for Varroa mites, and tea-tree oil in the feed. Natural bee-keeper Kirk Anderson says: “Bees are pretty smart; we let them make most of the decisions.” Just as the Battle of Britain was fought over our green and pleasant land, so is the battle for the bee’s survival, only I’m not sure how green and pleasant our land is any more. I hear that genetic modification companies are producing strains of plants which do not need any pollination – could it be that allowing bees to become extinct is part of their game plan? The message from the natural beekeepers is wake up and get busy – before the bees disappear out of our ecosystem. Must fly. I’ve got a top bar bee hive to build.

Acknowledging the mainstream consumerdriven society in which we live, Lulu doesn’t see swishing as a fad: “Bristol’s a really cool city. There are lots of retro and secondhand shops; obviously the people are here,” she comments. “Watch this space!” So, ladies, gone are the days that we compromised on style to be green goddesses: get rooting for those unworn clothes and, three, two, one... SWISH! Facebook Refresh your Threads

In her Rural Voice column, Noreen Wainwright talks of the joys and perils of dairy farming

wouldn’t really swap my lifestyle for all the tea in China, particularly going across the fields to bring the cows in on a sunny morning, or watching them as they settle into the straw on a crisp winter’s afternoon. My husband has no experience of commuting or road rage; there is no such thing as tractor rage, except maybe when bits of it fall off. There is the constant interest too. One of our friends is over 80 now. He still farms in a small way and still goes to the market every week for a look at the prices and the trade and for the chat over lunch afterwards with his fellow farmers. Age doesn’t seem much of a barrier; he is as engaged in life, and the life of work, as a man half his age. But the small or middle-sized dairy farmer seems to be a threatened species. Anyone who follows the agricultural news will be aware that several are exiting the industry every week. There is that bit in the middle of the industry that is hanging in there by a thread – if you can be hanging from the middle. The irony is that this is the size of farm the general public seems most comfortable with. However many dancing cows, hens or happy plaid-shirted farmers you may see in the adverts, the truth is that things in the dairy industry took a dark turn with the demise of the Milk Marketing Board. The processing companies that replaced it split farmers and fought each other for the market. Prices took a steady, sickening downward slide. If it wasn’t for all we had invested in it, it was madness

to stay. The supermarkets woke up to the fact that they needed to do something to maintain their milk supply so they offered a contract to a group of ‘dedicated suppliers’. I’m afraid I’m far too cynical to think that was a move to protect the dairy industry or support the British farmers, whatever the spin they put on it. Every now and then, the supermarkets put an insulting ‘BOGOF’ (buy one, get one free) label on their cartons of milk, using it as a loss leader to get customers in through the door. People within the industry hate this. It delivers a cheap and expendable message about something that takes expertise and a lot of dedication to produce. If you see milk like this at your local supermarket, question it. Better still, support the smaller independent traders (including the milkman) who are fighting a brave battle against the mighty dictatorship that the supermarkets have become. We have to battle the doom and gloom though, and look for the shoots of hope – and they are there. Agriculture and rural life have become much more visible. The farming programmes are no longer buried away, but now occupy some prime TV slots. Best of all, the public are becoming much better informed and more interested in what is going on in the countryside. Farmers’ markets and farm shops have established themselves as part of the shopping experience. I would urge people to support them as they form part of the picture of a more diverse, local and sustainable economy.

Philip Chandler www.biobees.com

12/8/11 16:21:56

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12/8/11 16:22:35

20 social change

happy shoppers Will Simpson examines a positive communitybased alternative to the big supermarkets

he riots are over, the police lines have dissipated and, at the time of writing, it looks like the Tesco store in Stokes Croft is here to stay. So the activists that propelled this hitherto obscure Bristolian thoroughfare into the national media have been forced to ask themselves the question that anyone asks at the end of every campaign: what next? The answer could soon be a little clearer. If all goes according to plan, 2012 could see the opening of a store in the area that provides a true alternative to the retail monolith, one that’s locally sourced and run by and for the benefit of the local community: the People’s Supermarket. The ball initially started rolling for the initiative when in the midst of the No Tesco campaign Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke expressed her support for the campaigners and wrote to Tesco asking them to leave. She also challenged the Stokes Croft community to come up with a viable alternative. The People’s Supermarket is that alternative, as Sam Allen, one of the core group organising the project, explains. “The Tesco campaign was always very much about supporting local shops, celebrating Stokes Croft and looking for alternative ways to feed the area and to think about what the alternatives to supermarkets are. “Part of that was about engaging people more about where their food comes from and helping people understand what the impact is of their food choices.” The idea is that, rather than competing with Tesco or replicating existing shops, the project would provide healthy, ethical and possibly organic food at an affordable price. Sam

explains that they are also keen to develop links with local suppliers and farmers and pay them a fair price for their produce. Modern market logic dictates that doing this and keeping prices low is an impossibility. But, of course, unlike Tesco or Sainsbury’s, the store would not have the responsibility of delivering huge profits to its shareholders. The People’s Supermarket would be a true co-op, owned by its customers, workers and possibly its suppliers too. Much of the inspiration for the project has come from the number of similar stores that have popped up all over the country in recent years: True Food in Reading, Exeter’s Real Food and, most notably, Arthur Potts Dawson and his Holborn-based store, featured earlier this year in the Channel 4 series The People’s Supermarket. “That was really interesting,” says Sam. “We went up to meet him and he offered to help and mentor us. All the problems and dilemmas that we’re facing he’s already been through, so he has been really helpful.” Anyone who saw the series will remember the difficulties and arguments that occurred during the setting up of the London store. Sam claims that the Stokes Croft group have learned from those, have researched their market thoroughly and will have finalised the parameters of the project before it is launched properly this autumn. Even before then there are a number of barriers to be surmounted. At the time of writing they were still looking for core funding and had yet to locate a potential site for the store. In September they plan to launch a pledge site and begin their membership drive. All members would save 10% on the weekly food bill and have a say on

photo: Alex Cater how the shop is run and what food is sold. The core group also have plans to link up with other local groups, such as The People’s Kitchen, based at The Canteen on Stokes Croft, and The Matthew Tree project, an inter-faith charity which is itself embarking on a bold plan that, if it comes off, will go some way to alleviating poverty in the area. The latter is the brainchild of Mark Goodway, who set up the project initially to provide assistance to the area’s neediest residents. “Homeless people are easy to see but we want to get to people before they reach that stage. So what we’ve hit upon is food. By creating a food aid outlet here and connecting with local agencies that will refer people to us who are in genuine desperate need - people who are in accommodation but who are struggling to pay the bills. When people are in that situation what tends to suffer is the food: they stop eating, diets get worse, parents tend to feed the child and not themselves.” But Mark’s vision is that the project will go further and help people find work, either through links with businesses or via community groups like the People’s Supermarket. “I know there are lots of ideas as to where the food is going to come from for the People’s Supermarket. What we would like to see, which I know they agree with, is

In the second of a unique series, Rachel Savage charts the rise of Transition Dursley

Alice Cutler on the newest safe haven for refugees

SAFETY S is for seeking security, Hoping to live life peacefully, Support when we’re far from our family, Sanctuary from what we had to flee. A is for asylum application, Living under the threat of detention, A struggle to get accommodation, Anxious to forget our stressful situation. F is for finding friendly faces,

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Sharing food from far off places, Friends, please tell Bristol of our fears, Thoughts of deportation, bring us to tears. E is for English, ESOL, education, Communication, gives us liberation, Understanding from the population, Helps us beat discrimination. T is for teaching, tolerance and talking, Sharing our knowledge and helping, Together we wrote this poem, side by side, Together us and you, we can bridge the divide. Y is for Yes, Yes you can work, yes you can stay, Yes you are welcome in this City of Sanctuary! We’ve a long way to go but the foundation is laid. So what next? Now is the time to get involved and help Bristol turn its pledges into reality. Two groups doing great work are Bristol Hospitality Network, a practical solidarity organisation linking those made destitute by the asylum system with hosts who can offer a place to stay, and Bristol Defend the Asylum Seekers campaign, who have taken action against cuts to English classes and against deportations to Iraq and Afghanistan among many other things. Migrant Rights Centre, Asylum Seekers Allotment Project and Bristol Bike Project are other places who would appreciate your support.

cityofsanctuary.org/bristol

Facebook: The Stokes Croft People’s Supermarket

start of the transition

Bristol: a city of sanctuary id you know that Bristol is officially the UK’s fi fth City of Sanctuary? Several years in the making, this status celebrates that hundreds of organisations, community groups, faith groups and local government have publicly committed to “recognise the contribution of asylum seekers and refugees to the city” and to welcome and include these people in their activities. At a fantastic launch event on June 22, several hundred people joined a ceremony in the Council House, a dancing procession across College Green and a musical finale performance in the cathedral. Bristol Refugee Rights (BRR), an independent charity that co-ordinates a welcome centre in Easton, is a good example of the culture of hospitality’ that City of Sanctuary is building. BRR members contributed in many ways to the launch and some also wrote and performed this poem:

long-term unemployed people involved in the production of the food. “Many elderly people in the area are housebound but have green spaces in their gardens, which are headaches to them because they can’t enjoy them but can’t let go either. We’ve got unemployed people and we need green spaces to grow food. The idea is that we would have a matching service. We would have someone who would go into that home and use the garden to grow local produce. That produce would come into the supermarket and be distributed locally, so an income would be generated.” It sounds ambitious. But if both projects get the funding they need and the backing of local people, then there is no reason why long-term, between them, the People’s Supermarket and the Matthew Tree project cannot both feed and provide employment in the Stokes Croft area. One thing’s for certain, there is nowhere else in Bristol that is better suited to this; the remarkable work of the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft and the last 18 months of the No Tesco campaign have infused the locality with a pride and self-confidence that was unthinkable just a few years ago. “I think people are ready for it,” says Sam Allen. “The time is now and we have the momentum.”

aunching Transition Dursley feels like stepping back into the dating world. It’s full of excitement, self-doubt and spurts of passion. People come along and check it out. And if they like what they see, they come back for more. If not, they don’t. Our first meeting felt like a bit like a first date. I was really nervous no one would come or that too many would show up. We booked the community room above Dursley Fire Station and in the end half a dozen or so people showed up. We showed them a short film about the Transition movement. Then everyone split off into groups and moved around the room writing their thoughts down on giant flipcharts about the kind of place Dursley is for them and what could be done to improve life for the community. The second meeting was a lesson in itself. I didn’t e-mail the invite out until the week beforehand. I ruffled a few feathers over that one. And I kicked myself… a lot. Luckily, I managed to slay some minor demons that had had me believing I wasn’t responsible enough to form a Transition group, or anything else for that matter. But once I realised that being a leader doesn’t mean doing it all yourself things became a lot easier. Only four of us were at that second meeting. But it was magical. We really got to grips with the kind of projects that could boost Dursley. Like many communities, the district has an abundance of people already doing fantastic things. But much of it happens in isolation. People are so busy

that they simply don’t get a chance to talk. So we chatted about how great it would be if Dursley had a community newspaper that is owned by the community and produced for the community. As an idea it has been knocking around for a while, but if Transition Dursley can help to nurture it into being that would be a real achievement. Around this time we also received an invite to attend Dursley Festival and so we talked about the kind of things we’d like to do there. Things were really starting to take shape now and by the time meeting number three came along things really started happening. A lady called Liz Green, founder of Nailsworth News in a neighbouring town, came along as our special guest and shared her dos and don’ts for setting up a community newspaper. And as we go to print plans are afoot for us to make a short film at Dursley festival in partnership with another local organisation. We hope to capture residents talking about what they like about living here, what frustrates them and the one thing that could improve life in Dursley. It’s great that Transition is starting to take off here, but I’m under no illusions that we are still very much in the honeymoon period. This week I heard that a neighbouring town’s group folded due to too many disagreements between members. It’s a sobering thought and something we need to learn from. But I’m an optimist at heart so I’m still wishful that Transition Dursley is ‘the one’ for me. Facebook: Transition Dursley

12/8/11 16:22:40

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12/8/11 16:22:44

22 food

a real dog’s dinner F

Do you know what’s in your pet’s food? Darryl Bullock lifts the lid on the pet-food industry and ﬁnds healthy, nutritious alternatives

eeding your animals ethically is no easy task. It’s hard enough feeding yourself with worries about GM crops and your carbon footprint, but at least we can choose the foods we consider to be both healthy and ethically sourced. I want to make sure that Henry (pictured licking his lips), my Staffordshire bull terrier, and our three cats (Felix, Nell and Ruby) live long, happy and healthy lives but, with around half of the UK’s domestic animals now clinically obese thanks to a poor diet and lack of exercise, how can I make sure that they’re eating the right things? The UK pet food market is worth approximately £1.5bn annually; is it a coincidence that as that market grows vets are seeing an increasing number of diet-related health issues? Packaged pet food contains a number of ingredients used to bulk up low-quality, reclaimed and factory-farmed meat or to make poor-quality ingredients more appetising: salt, sugar, cereals and worse. The “meat and animal derivatives” listed on the packaging may be sourced from animals considered fit for human consumption but at best it comes from the parts of the animal which are surplus to requirements, such as lung and sinew. Some of this ‘meat’ is rendered: carcasses are boiled until every last bit of muscle fibre, fat and marrow is extracted, dried and added to the mix. Feeding animals a vegetarian or vegan diet also poses a huge ethical dilemma. Although dogs can exist without eating meat, in general cats cannot as they need taurine, an amino acid found in animal tissue which cats cannot produce naturally. Without taurine cats will go blind. Some companies manufacture vegetarian cat food, but these have synthetic or vegetable-based taurine added.

some of their products. It’s a minefield; and don’t get me started on the pet treats market.

alternatives to big business

So how do you feed your animals ethically? Although canned dog food first appeared in the UK in the 1930s, prior to the Second World War, the majority of domestic

by standards such as animal welfare, animal testing, armaments funding and traceability. Henry, a fussy eater at the best of times, wolfed down his tin of Lily’s Kitchen Goose and Duck Feast with Fruits and, incredibly, asked for more: not surprising when you learn that the recipe contains 32% goose and 31% duck, unlike the 42% “meat and animal derivatives (minimum 4% meat)” in a can of Pedigree. He always turns his nose up at dried food, but Lily’s Kitchen Organic Chicken and Herb Bake was demolished

how animal-friendly are they?

But it’s not just about the quality of ingredients: would John Noakes and Leslie Phillips be happy cashing their paycheques if they knew the brand of pet food they advertise is routinely accused of serious animal abuse? How can you be sure that the makers of your brand of cat chow aren’t also vivisectionists? The UK pet food market is dominated by four companies, Proctor and Gamble (P&G, who make Iams and Eukanuba), Nestlé (owners of Purina, Friskies, Go Cat, Felix, Spillers, Winalot and others), Colgate Palmolive (who manufacture Hills Science Diet) and Mars, the company behind the majority of well-known brand names on the supermarket shelf including Pedigree, Kitekat, Pal, Frolic, Chappie, Whiskas and, via Crown Pet Foods, Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved. All four companies have come under scrutiny for animal testing: P&G are the subject of a worldwide boycott instigated by animal rights campaigners, and a cursory glance at their website shows that, even in 2011, the company still tests products, including household cleaners and cosmetics, on animals even though they claim their “goal is to ultimately eliminate all animal research”. As recently as 2007 Mars was exposed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for funding deadly experiments on rodents (see www.marscandykills.com); Nestlé has been unable to hide its animaltesting policies, even with such greenwash tactics as the takeover of the Body Shop via L’Oreal (part-owned by Nestlé) and the launch of Nestle Fairtrade coffee. Although Hills strenuously denies any cruelty, claiming they only “use non-invasive, humane research methods”, owners Colgate Palmolive admit that “animal testing is conducted at outside laboratories under Colgate supervision” for

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animals were fed scraps from the kitchen and didn’t seem to suffer. There is no reason why you cannot give your pets home-cooked food; however you really should consult your vet first, as there is a risk of Henry or Felix missing out on essential vitamins and minerals. Make friends with your local butcher: mine is happy to give me free bones for Henry which, according to the Raw Meaty Bones Support Group, are just about all you need to feed cats, dogs and even ferrets, although you must be careful with uncooked chicken, for example, as it can carry the salmonella virus which can be transmitted via your pet to you. If feeding raw carcasses to your pooch strikes you as a little too feral, and cooking your own isn’t an option, there are companies in the UK manufacturing high-quality pet food; the only problem is finding it on the supermarket shelf. Burns Pet Nutrition, Europa Pet Foods, Lily’s Kitchen, OrganiPets and Naturediet regularly feature in the lists of the best pet food companies produced by Ethical Consumer magazine and the Ethical Company Organisation (publishers of the annual Good Shopping Guide), rating companies

Beccy’s cat Tina loves Burns Chicken and Brown Rice for Sensitive Cats, while Bill’s cats Tommy and Marjorie can’t get enough of all three Lily’s Kitchen tray varieties each morning.

in seconds and I couldn’t get their Apple and Cheese Bites out of the packet fast enough.

food for health

“The ethos of our company is its focus on natural, wholesome and nutritional ingredients,” Katy Taylor of Lily’s Kitchen tells me. “Every ingredient has a specific nutritional purpose and all our food is either certified organic and holistic or certified holistic. We only use free range/organic meat in our food as animal welfare is extremely important to us. All of our packaging is recyclable and our dry food bags are compostable.” It’s not cheap; a tin will cost you about three times as much as a can of Pedigree but, if the look on my dog’s face is anything to go by, it’s worth it. OrganiPets was born when the owners of the company took on Raffy, a rescue dog diagnosed with terminal cancer and given less than six months to live. Five years later, after a diet of home-cooked organic food, Raffy had reached the grand old age of 15. “Our vets couldn’t understand why Raffy was not only alive but very fit and well,” says founder Liz Nuttall. “When we told them about feeding her with our own organic dog food they told us to start a business and OrganiPets was born!” As I’ve already said Henry is no lover of dried food, so I was surprised to see him scarf down a bowl of Burns’ Alert Lamb and Brown Rice within seconds. The common health problems that vet John Burns saw in everyday practice led to the formation of Burns Pet Nutrition. “At a time when it was common practice to treat the symptoms rather than finding the cause of problems such as bad breath, itchy skin and digestive upset, John’s own interest in oriental medicine and traditional philosophy led to the realisation that poor diet was a common factor,” says Rowan Flindall of Burns Pet Nutrition. Europa dried dog food, which like Burns is widely available and realistically priced, is certified by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection as not tested on animals. Henry is a huge fan too of Naturediet’s chicken with vegetables and rice (although neither of us like the plastic packaging); the company proudly boasts that all of its range contains 60% meat and the packs only cost a little more than the most popular tinned brands. “Naturediet is as natural product,” a spokesperson for Naturediet tells me. “It is wheat and gluten-free and we do not use any chemical preservatives, fat emulsifiers, colourings, flavourings, binders, fillers or gelling agents. We also do not add any salt or sugars. We are what we eat; not only does this rule apply to dog owners but also for our canine friends. Giving them a healthy, natural diet means a happy, healthy dog.” “Ethical can encompass a great deal of things and it is unlikely that one company will be able to tick every single box,” Rowan tells me. “The most obvious things to look for are the welfare standards behind the meat and protein sources and whether or not the company is involved in invasive testing or uses caged animals for research. Vague language can obscure all sorts of things: just because something is EU approved or EEC permitted may not mean that it is natural or ethical.” www.ukrmb.co.uk www.burnspet.co.uk www.europa-pet-food.co.uk www.lilyskitchen.co.uk www.naturediet.co.uk www.organipets.co.uk

12/8/11 16:22:52

Ri v

e r f ord

free

cook book

when you tr y a vegbox*

award-winning organic vegboxes, fruit, meat + much more, with free home delivery

01803 762059 www.riverford.co.uk *Free Everyday and Sunday cook book on your 3rd delivery when you place a regular vegbox order. Applies to new customers only.

www.ethically

Provamel Organic soya Yoghurts. 100% soya plant. 0% chemical plant.

.coop

“Where healthy, ethical, organic, fairtrade foods are literally at your fingertips and can be ordered in just a few clicks” Fairtrade Food is Everyday Food These Essential fairtrade products are affordable larder staples that show fairtrade is no longer the ‘occasional luxury’. Increasingly, fairtrade food is everyday food and by choosing it you can really make a difference every day to the livelihoods of the producers and farmers across the world. Tahini - a nutritionally valuable food! Tahini is a paste made from finely ground sesame seeds. It can be made from hulled or unhulled sesame seeds, with the latter being richer in vitamins and minerals and with a darker colour and stronger flavour. Tahini is easy to digest and provides a balanced supply of energy, vitamins, and minerals. It is rich in many vitamins including: B1, B2, B3, B6, biotin, A and E. Tahini contains 18 amino acids and is an excellent source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus. Tahini also contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which are essential anti-inflammatory nutrients. How To Use: Tahini is traditionally used to make hummus. Alternatively try spreading it onto toasted bread and serve with honey for a sweet or miso for a savoury treat. It’s also delicious spread onto crackers and added to dips and sauces. Why not try this delicious Tahini Dressing recipe from vegetarian chef Rose Elliot using the Essential Dark Tahini? Serve it with bean sprouts, green salad and alongside crudités.

Provamel products are made exclusively from organic soya beans that are ethically sourced and sustainably produced by small organic farms in Brazil and China.

Serves 4 2 tablespoons Essential organic fair trade dark Tahini 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice 6 tablespoons water Sea salt Just stir: Put the Tahini into a small bowl along with the garlic. Stir in the lemon juice; the mixture will become lumpy. Don’t worry, keep stirring, gradually adding the water. As you stir, the sauce will become pale, thick and smooth, just like a beautiful, natural mayonnaise. Season with sea salt to taste. You can adjust the thickness of this sauce by adding more or less water.

LOVE YOUR FUTURE

From Holland & Barrett and independent HealtH Food stores.

www.ethicallyessential.coop 23

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12/8/11 16:22:59

24 family

business class

business is baby booming: Beccy Golding meets some of the West’s young entrepreneurs

free-wheeling families green family transport in Bristol by Tom Sykes

oung people in Somerset, some as young as eight years old, have been presenting their business ideas to a Dragon’s Den-style panel. Successful candidates can receive monthly support to build their business, including accounting, legal procedures and marketing, from mentors drawn from local businesses. And other young people who’ve already been helped by the programme, aged 14-19, can go on to become Enterprise Ambassadors, visiting local primary schools to encourage others to get involved. This is the Business Initiative for Schools (BIS), set up with support from Taunton Deane Economic Development Group, recognising the scarcity of employment opportunities for many young people in the area and aiming to show them that setting up their own business is realistic and achievable. The programme aims to be sustainable, offering support throughout a young person’s school career and beyond. Many of the ideas presented to the panel are concerned with sustainability issues too. This year young people from schools in Taunton, Bridgwater, Weston, Yeovil and Exeter had ideas including: coloured boards for dyslexic students, a self-powered air-conditioner, a bath thermometer for babies, a rechargeable fire extinguisher and a thermo-pad for recharging laptops. Abbie Colman from Bishop Fox’s Community School in Taunton is now receiving mentoring from BIS to develop her idea of a new teen magazine. Abbie commented: “I couldn’t believe it when the dragons selected me. Now I feel my idea is being taken seriously by proper business people.” www.bizforschools.biz

guidebooks for kids by kids

Two old school friends from Bristol have launched a new series of guidebooks. Nothing too unusual about that. The guidebooks are targeted at kids aged 7-11. Nice, but

still not earth-shattering. What does make these books special, apart from the fact that they’re packed with illustrations, stickers and photos, is that kids help produce them and the company has a board of directors made up of children under 12 who “help define the company’s strategic goals and develop future plans. They also contribute cheesy jokes and silly illustration ideas.” Emily Kerr and Joshua Perry met when they were at Bristol Grammar School. “We’re both over 30 now and we write for the under 12s: we decided we needed some advice from our target market!” Emily told me. Joshua added, “We originally spoke to 200 kids, and frankly their ideas were much better than ours, so we’ve decided to bring some primary-age expertise into our boardroom. Apparently the average age of FTSE 100 board members is 57. That’s fine if you sell oil or cars, but we need directors who like visiting adventure playgrounds and who laugh at bad jokes.” Emily told me, “The best bit about writing the Bristol and Bath book was going back to all the places we used to go to when we were kids.” Joshua added: “We aim to write the books we would have wanted when we were growing up. We don’t get bogged down in boring details; instead we cut to the good stuff, like how to slide down a rock next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or where to canoe down a canal.” Emily explained: “Basically I write the quirky facts and Josh adds the dodgy puns and dad jokes. So we make the perfect team!”

win south west guide books!

Five lucky Spark readers can win a copy of Bristol & Bath Unlocked and the new Devon & Cornwall Unlocked. Simply answer this question and post to The Spark (see competition page): What did Kardy, the illustrator, want to do when she was little? Hint: the answer can be found on the website www.unlockedguides.com

Six Healing Sounds

s you read this book to your child, meet its characters Lisa and Ted, and look at the friendly quirky illustrations, you’ll enjoy the repeated rhythms of the words as they describe each part of the body, a thank you to each of six organs with a simple explanation of their job, a colour and an image of them working at their best. For example, “‘Thank you lungs for bringing fresh air into my body.’ She imagines her lungs are like two smiling white clouds.” Then Lisa or Ted gets into a situation which causes a difficult emotion – anger, jealousy, fear – but has a thoughtful moment when they decide to turn it into something positive – patience, kindness, trust – and then we are shown the simple breathing, sound and movement

Spark66.ab14.indd 24

exercises, based on ancient Chinese qigong techniques, which help the child to feel better. The final one is about Ted trying to get to sleep when busy thoughts are buzzing round his brain, so after enjoying the stories and getting in touch with different parts of the body, this will be a lovely book for the kids at bedtime, and might also help you find a little extra calm for yourself. Six Healing Sounds: Qigong for Children with Lisa and Ted. Written & illustrated by Lisa Spillane, published by Singing Dragon. There’s a short video in which the author demonstrates the sounds here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE_FCn3fiaQ

ow does a modern family get around a city or town without a car? How does it make the school run, do the shopping, take daytrips? Walking can be time-consuming and tough on small kids. Public transport isn’t always the answer either: it’s still pollutive and where I live in Bristol on Hotwell Road buses don’t stop due to heavy traffic and bad parking. So six months ago my family found the solution: a tagalong bike attachment that allows a little person to ride behind your bike. These contraptions may look like something out of a Victorian circus, but they are sturdy, safe and highly efficient. And they’re just the tip of the iceberg: there are many other options for family bike travel. So what are they and where can you find them? The not-for-profit Bristol Bike Project (BBP) recycles, repairs and re-sells bicycles of all kinds. They’ll hire you a tagalong for only £6 per day which, as employee James Lucas explains, is “easily interchangeable between bikes”. Tandems (£15 per day/£35 for 3 days/£80 per week) are an alternative, ideal for family members of roughly the same height. The BBP keep their prices low to encourage cycling and plough all their takings back into the project. This sustainable approach recently won them an Observer Ethical Award. Really Useful Bikes in Rodford near Westerleigh north of Bristol sells several ‘cargo bikes’, the “Rolls Royces” of green transport. Proprietor Rob Bushill tells me that “choosing the right one is subjective: it depends entirely on where you live and how old/young your family is”. For the hills of Bristol he recommends the Workcycles

FR8 which can carry three kids on a rear seat, an extra saddle with footrests and a Bobike mini seat behind the handlebars. There’s also space for luggage on the FR8. The Gazelle Cabby (£1,400) also has a vinyl passenger compartment with clips for a baby’s MaxiCosi, a protective seat that can be used in the car or in a buggy. The quintessentially Dutch Backfiets NL (£1,700) boasts a hardy wooden box (plus seatbelts) where you can put children, groceries, and plenty else. When the weather turns bad you can attach a waterproof canopy. Eight-speed gears, roller brakes and a dynamo all make for a smoother journey. Adam Faraday from BBP lives on the flatter side of Bristol and his only problem with using cargo bikes is “the crazy designs of barrier they put in” on the roads and cycle tracks, and the amount of time he spends explaining his Danish-made cargo bike “to people who’ve never seen one before”. If the hills are too steep, you can always invest in a Sparticle motor (£650), an electric motor that attaches to the front wheel of the bike and is powered by a rechargeable battery, not hugely ecofriendly but still better than driving. Next to cargo bikes, my tagalong suddenly sounds rather low-tech! After an initial resistance to tagalongs, Rob from Really Useful Bikes is now a fan: “The more expensive ones are pretty solid, they can take a lot of bashing!” www.thebristolbikeproject.org www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk the bike pictured is a Velonom Prana

young vision Katy Taylor, 17, tells us about her experience of volunteering

“

Before Envision came to my college in September 2010 I didn’t realise how much I could learn and achieve through tackling the issue of human-trafficking. Envision, a charity set up to empower young people to tackle any project/issue of their choice, gave me and my college friends the chance to choose any issue to tackle in any way we wanted. We decided on the issue of human-trafficking as it seems so wrong that slavery can still exist in today’s developed world. We were guided and mentored by Envision staff, but what we decided to organise was down to us. Raising awareness of human-trafficking was the main part of our project. We took a (free) peer education workshop from the Red Cross and used the skills we had learnt to put together an interactive assembly on humantrafficking, which included a short film and a quiz for students and teachers. Despite being nervous, we presented the assembly three times to groups of 200 students at Redcliffe Secondary School. It went really well, and we all left feeling a lot more confident! Another aspect of our project was raising money for the charity Stop the Traffic, by organizing

an Easter raffle. Working with my team has really helped me develop my own leadership and teamwork skills There were several Envision teams at my college, Redcliffe, that approached other issues such as homelessness and body image. The year ended with an amazing awards ceremony which included free lunch, goodie bags and competitions, in one of which a friend of mine won an iPod! Envision challenged me with a wicked opportunity to do something I’ve never done before and I’ve given and gained loads. For anyone considering taking part in Envision: go for it!” Gemma Timons, Envision’s Bristol Coordinator adds: “As for how other young people can get involved, we have been working at 11 schools and colleges in the Bristol area this year. Next year this will be increased to 16. If we are working in their school and they are in year 12, then we will be visiting in September to do a big presentation to the whole of their year and then they can sign up to take part. If we are not at their school at the moment, then maybe they could ask their teachers to get in touch with us!” www.envision.org.uk 0117 315 5113

12/8/11 16:23:08

Can you help shape the future of Milestones Trust?

photo: Adriano Gallo

local families for local children Could you foster a young person from the Bath and North East Somerset area? We are looking for people with child care experience and the time and energy to care for young people aged 11 and over. Carers receive an excellent support and training package, as well as a competitive allowance – those caring for older teenagers are likely to receive up to £400 per week.

he mission of Milestones Trust is to enable people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and dementia in the South West of England to lead fulfilling and empowered lives in the community. We want to be wellknown for meeting the unique needs and aspirations of each person we support, no matter how complex or unusual. In April 2011 we celebrated our 25th Anniversary, a quarter of a century of supporting people to achieve their own milestones. We are recruiting three new Trustees to join a Board of 12 Trustees who guide our overall mission and the successful implementation of our current strategy. Candidates should have a range of skills and experience, preferably with some board level

“Becoming a foster carer has been a huge challenge but is immensely rewarding and satisfying in ways that I hadn’t anticipated” To find out more, call The Family Placement Team on 01225 394949 or email fpt_duty@bathnes.gov.uk www.bathnes.gov.uk A2 KWADS Final poster 4_5_1.pdf

12/3/10

experience. We are particularly keen to add direct experience of health and social care, financial management and marketing to our Board’s existing skill set. We are Bristol-based. The closing date for applications is 12th Sept 2011 If you are interested please contact Karen Bowden, PA to Chief Executive on 0117 970 9324 or email karenb@milestonestrust.org.uk A charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 2011021. Registered charity no. 294377

19:58:52

CMY

P H O N E T O D AY 0 1 1 7 9 5 3 3 8 7 0 Knowing someone you care about is using drugs and alcohol to cope can be devastating. 25

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26 mind body & spirit

midwives of the soul Hannah Latham tells us about a new way of helping the soul to make the transition at the end of life

ast year my mother died of cancer. Treatment was looking positive until there were complications following an operation, making her extremely ill. The cancer then returned. The medical professionals broke the sad news that she was nearing the end. At 56 with so much energy for life she could not accept this. After the operation she never seemed entirely herself again. Conversations, although physically difficult, at first seemed normal; she was understandably shocked but understood. Her need to know exactly what was going on medically seemed intact. However the next day it was as if the conversation had never happened. Repeated attempts to explain didn’t work. It was like a sort of post-traumatic stress, I imagined like a war veteran.

emotional help

The palliative care team empathised at first but soon pressured me to get her to accept she was dying. They needed her to agree to a do-not-resuscitate order. She refused to engage with it, paranoid that they were trying to kill her. They persisted and she went further into denial. She would not talk openly to family or friends. Death became the massive elephant in the room. As her daughter and main carer I needed to know how to deal with this. I had so many questions. How long did she have? Why did she not seem like herself? Was her inability to take it in a physical side effect? How was dying affecting her mentally and emotionally? Was she suffering PTS? What could we expect in her behaviour? How could we support her emotionally? The palliative care team were great at attending to her physical needs but when discussing death they were only comfortable referring to it as an undetailed physical process; they medicalised it; they had little to say about how it affected her mentally despite working with dying people all the time. They could not engage in an in-depth conversation about how to emotionally and spiritually help her. Getting a chaplain in was inappropriate. She was spiritual but did not follow any group or church. This gaping hole in her treatment left me feeling neglectful and lonely for her. I was due to give birth to our first child when she was in intensive care. I was so stressed just coping I didn’t have space to look into what was available for her outside of the NHS. If only I had known that there is a growing movement of people in the UK working with the dying and their loved ones addressing these spiritual and emotional needs.

a framework for knowing

Felicity Warner, in Bridport, Dorset, is a soul midwife, a midwife for the dying. After witnessing various loved ones pass on, she worked in palliative care and her skills evolved. She consults privately – much like a counsellor – offering emotional support and practical advice. “We have a model of what the dying process is, based on Eastern medical systems such as Tibetan, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines,” Felicity explains. “They have a fantastically precise view of what dying is. Western medicine is clunky; they just say you get ill, your organs fail and you die. In Chinese medicine there’d be about 29 stages that come in between all of those.” Soul midwifery’s simplified version provides a framework for knowing how to help at certain stages. Denial like my mother’s, Felicity explains, can be a huge part of the process. “But because we know

when to expect it we can help people come through that,” she says. She’s used to working with people who can’t talk about it. Often they find it easier to open up to someone they’re not close to. Based on old traditions, Felicity uses sound, massage, visualisation and tools like writing a death plan to help people transition through each stage. Her approach can also give a rough idea of how much time someone has.

a soul midwife in every hospital

Having done this for 10 years, Felicity found other people wanted to learn her skills. She now runs training sessions and has 100 qualified soul midwives in the UK. It’s open to anyone. The course is six days over a series of intensives with a break to gain practice, often through volunteering in a hospice. It’s not an officially recognised qualification, however it is finding a place within the professional environment. Reflexologists,

palliative care nurses, funeral directors want to complement their professional skills. Some soul midwives set up privately (charging £30-40 an hour) where demand is growing. Felicity speaks regularly at major conferences for palliative care professionals. Hospices are looking at taking on soul midwives, and even more groundbreaking, the NHS is taking an interest. “What we do is cheaper to deliver long term,” Felicity explains. “The government has also brought in new guidelines for GPs around palliative care. They’re saying ‘look, we must be looking at people’s spiritual and holistic needs as well as their medical needs’. We haven’t signed any contracts in an NHS setting yet but I’d say we’re on the cusp of it in the next couple of years.” Felicity’s dream is to have a soul midwife in every hospital. Felicity is part of a growing movement in the UK working to change attitudes towards death and dying, challenge fears and get people talking openly. The Transitus Network provides a networking system, resource centre and museum (in Sturminster Newton, Dorset) and an annual festival. It was set up by Judith Pidgeon and David Wasley as part of their Glastonbury-based green burials charity, the Martinsey Isle Trust. “It’s a difficult subject and a lonely path to follow,” Judith says. They’re doing everything they can to get the subject talked about: workshops on burial choices, children’s bat walks looking at the life-death cycle, art exhibitions, producing plays…

“Cut out this article and save it. I wouldn’t wish what I have been through on anyone, but this information may be invaluable to you or someone you know one day” Judith found her passion after 18 years caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. She believes every hospital should have a hospice within it. “It is fine to die,” she says. “That’s why the dialogue is so very important.” People like Judith and Felicity are challenging the medical and wider attitude that death is somehow a failure that we don’t talk about. It would have been so helpful to have access to this for my mum. She may not have been open to it, but I would have welcomed the support. The University of Bath offers a post-graduate course in death and dying. Attitudes are clearly changing. I look forward to the day that quality of life for the dying includes a holistic quality of death, not just pain management. Knowing someone you love is going to die is a mixed blessing. You may have to watch them slip away piece by piece but you also have the chance to love and cherish them and

School of Bodywork opening in Bristol

he School of Bodywork in Exeter has had so many students travelling from afar they’ve set up courses in Bristol as well. They’ll be starting their Diploma trainings in Bristol City Yoga near Stokes Croft from October. “Lots of people are coming to us for a career change or to fit work in around family life,” says Emma Gilmore who took over the school two years ago. The Basic Bodywork Diploma takes a year and works out to around one weekend a month with home study in between. They also offer shorter courses in Indian head massage, remedial, sports massage and a new technique from the USA called myofacial, working specifically with the connective tissue. It has found success with problems that have not been resolved through other forms of massage. “I think people are wanting to retrain in something they feel gives back to society,” says Emma. Courses range from £300 to £1,495.

www.schoolofbodywork.com 07711 656011

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to hold a space that respects their transition off this earth. Soul midwifery is making this happen so cut out this article and save it. I wouldn’t wish what I have been through on anyone, but this information may be invaluable to you or someone you know one day. Soul midwifery one-day intro, Dorset & London, £95: Contact Felicity Warner, 01297 489314 www.soulmidwives.co.uk info@soulmidwives.co.uk Transitus Network: Judith Pidgeon 01258 475125 www.martinsey.org.uk/transitus University of Bath, Centre for Death and Society, 01225 383595 www.bath.ac.uk/cdas/education/msc

MS Centre moves to Bradley Stoke

fter 26 years in Nailsea, the West of England Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre is moving to larger, purpose-built premises in Bradley Stoke, North Bristol following the success of its Moonstone Appeal which has raised £1.1 million. Building work on the new centre, located between Wheatfield Drive and Bradley Stoke Way, started in May. It is scheduled to open its doors in January next year and, like the current centre, will serve the Greater Bristol area, Somerset, South Gloucestershire and South Wales. The site was chosen for its easy access to the M4 and M5 motorways and the ring road. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system, usually affecting people aged between 20 and 40. Its symptoms can include speech difficulties, problems with walking, loss of sight, memory loss, incontinence, pain and fatigue. Monies raised are being used to build a new oxygen therapy chamber, physiotherapy gymnasium and three specialist treatment rooms, providing those with MS with a range of benefiting therapies such as oxygen therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology, exercise classes, counselling and botox (used to reduce muscle spasms). The centre will also offer support and information to people with MS, their families and carers. The move allows the centre to double in size to almost 7,000 square feet so it can increase the number of people it assists from the current 250 to around 600. It also means there are opportunities to develop additional services such as occupational therapy. An estimated 1700 people with MS live in the Greater Bristol area and 100 new cases are diagnosed each year. The centre is run as a charity and receives no government or NHS funding. It still needs to raise £100,000 to fund the fit-out of the centre and has launched its Buy a Brick initiative to do this. For a £10 donation, donors can have their name and other details inscribed on a brick to be used in the construction of the centre.

www.mstherapybristol.org.uk 01275 852043 Read about a couple doing something special for the therapy centre on our website www.thespark.co.uk and search “ms centre”

12/8/11 16:23:35

FIRST CLASS FREE www.bristolcityyoga.co.uk/offers

Specialist Yoga Studio Therapy Room Teacher Training Courses info@bristolcityyoga.co.uk www.bristolcityyoga.co.uk 16 Backfields Lane, near Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS2 8QW. 0117 924 4414

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With John Lynch (IDHP) & Elanor Evans

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Hilary Allen

Clare Hudman

Heather Malcolm

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 Moving through judgement and fear; learning skills that will benefit all of our relationships.

Weekend workshops @ £110 (concessions available) * Stroud 9-11 Sept * Bristol 7-9 Oct * Glastonbury 25-27 Nov

Booking: www.communitycircles.co.uk 01452 813220 27

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28 doing it yourself S

isters (and brothers) are doing it for themselves! Whatever you’re building, brewing, creating or inventing we want to know about it! Email your insider info to editor@thespark.co.uk and we’ll print the best of ’em each issue. Here are some great ideas for autumn.

BOOZE FOR FREE FROM THE HEDGEROW

G seed-SAVING AND INVESTIN FOR THE FUTURE by Anton Saxton

f growing our own food is revolutionary, then knowing how to save seeds must be evolutionary. Reasons to save your own seed include resilience from unstable economic and climatic conditions as well as developing your own local ‘eco-type’ variety. These are likely to be healthier and more resistant to disease and pests. General advice for seed saving is to harvest from healthy plants as late as possible in the season and let the plant mature as long as possible. Essentially there are two types of seed collecting, wet and dry. For wet seeds (such as squash) harvest as if for eating, but leave extra time for the seed to mature. Remove seeds from flesh by soaking in water. Healthy seeds sink to the bottom. Sieve and rinse well. Then place seeds on a china plate somewhere warm and out of direct sunlight to dry. A few plants, such as tomato and cucumber, require that the seed and water be fermented for three days (stirring twice a day) to get rid of the jelly-like coating around the seed. This also helps kill off disease. For dry seeds (such as sunflowers) leave on the plant as long as possible and harvest the seeds on a dry day, or bring inside and hang upside down to finish drying. These seeds may also need some threshing and separation to gently break and remove the seed out of its protective shell. Crushing seeds in an old pillow case can be good fun, followed by ‘winnowing’ outside in a gentle breeze to remove the chaff. All seeds once harvested must be totally dry prior to storage. Spread out on trays and

TRIED & TESTED Goose grass, some call it sticky Willy, is a great remedy for nettle stings. Pick a great big bunch, squeeze it in your fingers to create a mash and rub it over the area that has been stung. Much better than dock leaves, our Andy Ballard says.

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keep temperature below 35ºC, ensuring there is good airflow. The ultimate test is the ‘bite test’. If you bite the seed, assuming it is big enough to do so, it should not bend nor leave a dent if it is truly dry. I like these kind of tests, it appeals to my ‘peasant’ mentality. The ideal temperature for storing seed is between 2-5ºC in little paper envelopes and sealed in a container like a glass jar and put in the dark. Some seeds can last many years, but ideally they should be planted up each year and the seeds collected again. This keeps the gene pool vibrant. When its time to get the seeds out, allow the jar to warm to room temperature before opening to prevent condensation activating the seed. More and more people are realising the importance of seed saving and there is a proliferation of seed-swap groups springing up all over the place. However the race is now on to preserve as many ‘heirloom’ food plants as possible before hybridisation and genetic modification go bananas, so to speak. In the future, those who have the skills and knowledge to store seeds properly will be worth their weight in carrots. Final piece of advice: don’t forget to label your seeds with variety and date harvested. Happy saving! further reading: Back Garden Seed Saving by Sue Strickland Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe Basic Seed Saving by Bill McDorman

make do & mend tarnished jewellery

lace a piece of aluminium foil in a glass bowl with two tablespoons of baking soda and boiling water. Tarnished items must be touching the aluminium foil. The tarnish will migrate to the foil! Featured in ‘Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It: a DIY Guide to the Good Life’ by Billee Sharp, published by Cleis Press

he autumn has become my favourite time of year. It’s not just the oranges, browns and deep red colours of the trees, the smell of bonfires, the emptying of the parks and countryside of the hectic holidaymakers, picnickers and sunbathers: it’s those red orbs gleaming on apples trees, it’s beating squirrels to your favourite hazel tree, methodically picking sloes with Radio 4 in your ears for company or the unexpected find of a mulberry tree filled to bursting with its delicious juicy fruits. But what to do with all this abundance? Yes you can make another apple crumble, or try turning your face inside out by eating a raw sloe, or make a few dozen pots of jam that get given to friends, family, friends of friends, the postman, the milkman, your kid’s teachers, a passerby... Or instead you can create booze, and enough to throw a great party. Beer’s very easy to make, it just takes a bit of forward planning. If you know you are going to throw a party at the end of the month, then a decent beer can be made at the start. If you are a wine drinker, the timings are a little longer: a decent blackberry wine can be ready to drink in a little under three months. If you don’t have much time, in three days you can turn a cheap bottle of vodka into a tasty horseradish vodka. These are all things that are explained in detail in my book, Booze for Free, along with over 100 other recipes, but rather than tempt you with a recipe from the book, which I am sure (well I hope) you will buy anyway, I thought I’d tempt you with a unique recipe exclusively developed for The Spark.

spiced hawberry wine

There are haws (pictured) everywhere and most foragers will try and find a use for them. This tasty wine goes great with rich meats or even rich nut roasts. Ingredients • 2kg/4lbs hawberries • 500g/1lb of chopped raisins (don’t go looking to buy them ready chopped, do it yourself, you lazy tyke) • 1.25 kg/2.5lbs sugar • Juice of one lemon

by Andy Hamilton

• 4 litres/7 pints of water • 1 tsp pectolase and • 1 campden tablet (optional) • Red wine yeast (all three above available from home brew shop) • 1 tsp yeast nutrient • Half a cup of cold black tea • 2.5cm/1-inch bruised ginger root • 5 cloves • 1 liquorice stick (available from healthfood shop)

method

Take out the stalks and all the bits of twigs. Rinse the hawberries with cold water then squeeze every last berry with your hands so that you get right messy (make sure you have washed your hands). Strain. Boil 3.5 litres/6 pints of water. Place the crushed haws into a sterilized fermentation bin (or large food grade bucket), pour water over the top of them and leave loosely covered for a couple of hours. Add the raisins, lemon juice, spices and campden tablet (if using) leave for 24 hours After the 24 hours are up, bring the last 500mls/pint of water to almost boiling point and stir in the sugar a bit at a time until fully dissolved. Pour this into the fermentation bin then add the yeast and yeast nutrient. Keep covered in a warm place for 5-7 days. Strain into a demi-john, fit an airlock and leave for about three months, rack (i.e. siphon into another demi-john leaving the sediment) then bottle after a month, storing the bottles on their side. Ensure that the wine has stopped fermenting before putting into bottles. This is very important or they can blow up. Remember bubbles mean fermentation! I sincerely hope that next time you walk past a big haul of fruit or nuts instead of shaking your head knowing that they will become rotten at your feet by the time the next Spark comes out, you will be thinking of ways of turning them into a great night with friends and family. Andy Hamilton is author of Booze for Free, the definitive guide to making hedgerow and garden wines, sherries and liqueurs, beers, ales and stouts, ciders, perry, and also cordials, teas and other soft drinks. It’s out September 1 and is published by Eden Project books.

household TIPs - OLIVE OIL

have used olive oil on my children’s skin since they were both born. I use it all over their skin and hair. When they were very young, I used it on their scalp to help soften the dried skin on their heads. I also use it in the bath to soften their skin as it absorbs into the skin better in the water. I use olive oil as a base oil to add different essential oils to, for example lavender. I rub it onto their body after bathing to help them relax. Olive oil is not a heavy oil and it absorbs into the skin very quickly.

I also use olive oil as a treatment for my hair; it softens the roots of the hair and the hair itself. It could also help if you get a dry scalp or dandruff. I also rub the oil into my nails. It helps them stay strong, gives them natural shine and helps soften my cuticles. Also great for keeping my lips feeling supple. Olive oil is good used as a facial cleanser. I rub it onto my face, and then wipe it off with cotton pads. It makes my skin feel smooth and supple. Naomi Ross.

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Spark AUTUMN

courses

It’s the start of the new school year and students of all ages are filling up their pencil cases and getting their thinking caps on. Our Autumn Courses Guide aims to inspire you to join them.

dult education faces a difficult future in the UK. Even during the boom years it was often on the receiving end of cuts by local authorities. Now, with further cuts due to be implemented from this new academic year and increased tuition fees coming in from 2012 in many areas up and down the country, it is fighting for its life. And yet it is enormously important, both for the future of the economy in improving its skills base, and for individuals. For countless adults, the humble “night class” has acted as a portal to a brighter, more exciting world. Education creates possibilities of career enhancement, of new academic and spiritual horizons, even a new social life. And for some - say, migrants who have just arrived in our country - it is a lifeline, without which any sort of normal life is unthinkable. Will Simpson interviewed some people whose lives have been turned around in different ways by their experience of adult education.

asking for help because I didn’t know English but now life is so much easier. If I don’t know something, I ask people to repeat it again. How has adult education transformed your life? “It has changed my life. If you don’t speak English what can you do? Without it, it’s not easy. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without it. It would be bad. But I have a flat of my own in Bristol and I am meeting people now. Why is adult education important? “It’s important for everybody. It gave me confidence to find out the things I need to live in the UK.”

Amadou Soumahoro Lives in Bristol

Studied at The Old Co-op, Easton What course did you do and why do you do it? “I come from the Ivory Coast originally. I did English classes because it is very important to speak good English if you live in the UK. What were the good things about the course? “I enjoyed meeting people and learning English. The teachers were very good, very nice people who taught well. I made friends on the courses too. How have you used the skills you learned? “I’m not scared now. Before I was scared of

for English classes in Bristol search ‘adult education’ at www.bristol.gov.uk

e d i gu

Juana Romero Lives in Bristol Studied at Barton Hill Settlement What course did you do and why do you do it? “I took first and second level literacy courses in English, and creative writing. I am Colombian so I wanted to express myself better in English. What were the good things about the courses? “The teachers were great, very open to questions. It was a very friendly environment in Barton Hill, the facilities were really good. The class was very stimulating because you got feedback from other people on the course. How have you used the skills you learned? Have you had anything published? “I haven’t had anything published but I have been

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aught locally in a dynamic, interactive way in small classes by a qualified and accredited teacher and full time hypnotherapy practitioner. Our Hypnotherapy Diploma Course is run part time over one year and has 450 hours of combined classroom tuition (face to face 120 hours plus monthly tutorials) and directed independent study. Or Fast Track 1 day a week training over 25 weeks. Training to take place in Bath and Somerset/Dorset/Devon. Upon successful completion of this course you will receive: • Diploma in Clinical and Advanced Hypnosis and • Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma and you will be eligible to use letters DipCAH and HPD after your name. The price includes a choice of specialist certifications in Ericksonian, Stop Smoking, Anxiety and NLP Practitioner further training. Plus, short courses for practising hypnotherapists in NLP Self Esteem and Confidence and helping problem gamblers. Evening, weekday and weekend classes available. For course details and interviews contact Hilary Norris-Evans on 0788 771 4892 or via info@getmindﬁt.co.uk www.getmindﬁt.co.uk To download a brochure go to www.hypno-nlp.org Course accredited by the National Council For Hypnotherapy (UK) and the National Guild Of Hypnotists (USA) and NCFE (UK)

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12/8/11 16:24:00

30 AUTUMN courses guide writing little booklets for my family to read. How has adult education transformed your life? “Before I did the course I was feeling very low. My health is quite poor - I have diabetes - and I didn’t know how to express how I felt. But the courses gave me the ability to put my feelings in writing. Why is adult education important? “Just because you are old you are not unable to learn. Actually, when you’re young, when you are busy with family or children you often don’t have the time to dedicate to learning things. So I think it’s an opportunity to do that and...not feel old.” for creative writing courses in Bristol search ‘adult education’ at www.bristol.gov.uk

Lucy Prentice Miller Lives in Bristol Studied at City of Bristol College What course did you do and why did you do it? “I was working as a beauty therapist and had got to the point where I thought ‘I don’t think I could do this for the rest of my life’. So I did an access course and that led to doing a degree in Steiner Waldorf education. More recently I did a course in office skills. I knew nothing about office work apart from a few teenage temp jobs. I had never really used a computer. What were the good things about the courses you did?

“The access course was really broad so it was like doing a batch of A levels all in one. University was a different kettle of fish, but the good thing was that it was flexible. You can do it part-time if you have children. How has adult education transformed your life? “Before I didn’t see myself as an academic person and felt that the only sort of job that I could do would be something practical. The access course gave me the confidence to apply for an academic course and by the time I finished my degree I felt a lot more self-worth. Why is adult education so important? “I think it’s really important to grow as a person both intellectually and academically. People should never stop learning, whether it’s learning tai chi or learning a language.” www.cityofbristol.ac.uk

Caroline Harlow Lives in Cullompton Studied at Schumacher College

What were the good points about it? What did you like most about it? “I love the whole ethos of Schumacher College. I found it a wonderfully nurturing and intellectually comforting retreat, and also great fun. What skills and information did the course provide you with? “Complexity theory, Goethean science and holistic thinking, but it also reinforced how I felt about my place in the world, which hopefully is a low impact, respectful way of treating both the Earth and life upon it. What positive effects has the course had on your life? “It’s made me much more aware of how I eat. I shop locally, I cook much more at home, in a slower, more thoughtful way. It’s had an impact on how we travel: we go by train much more. And I’ve joined my local Transition group. Why is adult education so important? “I had to finish my job sooner than I wanted to for family health reasons and it’s absolutely kept me going, by letting me explore new avenues and allowing me to meet new and interesting people.” www.schumachercollege.org.uk

What course did you do and why did you decide to do it? “A two-week course in eco literacy. I wanted to expand my knowledge of holistic science and ecology.

photo: bristol college of massage & bodywork

Andrew Baggs Lives in Stroud Studied at Stroud College What course did you do and why did you decide to do it? “I wanted a different direction in life, so I decided to do the course on complementary therapies because it allowed me to be insured, licensed and ready for work at the end. What sort of therapies did you learn on the course? “The three main therapies I learned were aromatherapy, reflexology and massage. What was good about the course? “The teaching was first rate, the lecturers were supportive but the amount of work involved was huge. It was a challenge, but you just had to rise to it. What positive effect has the course had on your life? “The course has changed the direction of my life and with the support of my girlfriend we’re setting up a holistic therapies business together. Why is adult education is so important? “Because our society is being so badly serviced by mainstream education. Kids are coming out of school now ill-equipped, without any skills and the adult education sector has to pick up the pieces.”

Jan Bellamy Lives in Bristol Studied ‘Relationshapes’ working with couples counselling training led by Jill Gabriel “I enrolled on this year-long course in September 2009, having made the decision to open my own practice that same year and wanting to further my professional development . Not considering myself to be a great academic but more of an experiential learner, the information that I was able to glean prior to enrolling from Jill was very encouraging in that it had more of an onus on discussion and exploration of relationship in all its forms than huge amounts of evidencing in written work. I really enjoyed learning from others’ experience as I had no experience of working with couples in any ‘shape’ prior to attending the course. I found the contributions from others’ and Jill’s own well of experience very valuable to my own understanding. The support from Jill throughout the year was remarkable and I remain in awe of her capacity to care for each one of us as though we were her only pupil, particularly when some of the course content pressed our own buttons. Her understanding and ability to hold me, appropriately challenge and impart wisdom, was phenomenal. This has not always been my experience when attending further professional development courses or workshops, so this is much to her credit. There were elements to the course that have not only enhanced my professional practice but my own relationships. My husband and I have built a ‘differently shaped’ partnership because of my learning on this course and one that has benefited the both of us! This isn’t to say that this is a course to fix your own relationship, but what it has achieved in my experience is an understanding of my own in order to come from a greater place of understanding of my clients! Sally Walters, who studied on the same course, told The Spark: “I have had the privilege to attend Jill’s course this year. It is both suitable for those new to working with couples and for those who want to be stimulated to apply their work with couples with fresh awareness. I have found Jill’s course enlightening, both from a personal view as exploration in relationship takes place within the course group, and in transferring this insight to my professional view within my work. It has undoubtedly enhanced my work with couples. I personally previously obtained a certificate in couples counselling 10 years ago, and have had experience of supervising for a couples’ organisation; however Jill has helped me discover new depths of relating to couples. Her passion for the work is infectious as she wholeheartedly believes that the shape of ourselves as individuals can form a third shape as a couple together that holds potential for growth, intimacy, connection and transformation. Jill’s beautiful home environment helps to provide a safe and comfortable base for challenging work and self exploration. Find out more about Jill Gabriel’s courses at www.jillgabriel.com. janbellamy@christiancounsellingbristol.co.uk

www.stroud.ac.uk

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AUTUMN courses guide Richard Nixie James Royds Scott

Maryse Boullé Jan Bellamy

Lives in Bath Bristol

Lives in West Sussex Studied ‘Relationshapes’ at The British Academy of Sound working couples Therapy with (BAST) counselling training led by Jill Gabriel

Studied Acupuncture at The College of Traditional Acupuncture (CTA)

It has been several months since I completed my “I enrolled on now this year-long course September training. I am a practitioner andinalso work 2009, having made the in decision to open my own with therapeutic sound the community. practice thatansame year wanting to further I first saw advert forand sound therapy training my development Not considering in aprofessional magazine. I knew I wanted. to add to my myself to be a great academic more an complementary training and tobut work withofgroups experiential learner, the thatvaried I was as well as one-to-one in information a different and able prior to enrolling from Jill was way. to Asglean I investigated, it drew me more andvery encouraging in that itthat hadthis more onus on more and I realised wasofa an truly powerful discussion and exploration of relationship in all its healing modality. forms hugeforward amounts of evidencing in written I wasthan looking to being challenged work. personally and intellectually and coming out with really enjoyed learning a Iworthwhile qualifi cation from at theothers’ end; I have not experience as I had no experience of working been disappointed. I enjoyed the whole process with couples in any ‘shape’ prior toamazing attending the and the fact that sound produced results course. I found the contributions from others’ for all the people I worked with and it continues and well of experience very valuable to to beJill’s theown case. my own gained understanding. I have so much from my training TheBAST. support froma Jill throughout the year was with I have much clearer working remarkable and in awe of her capacity knowledge of theI remain subtle energy system, and the to care for each one ofhas us as though we self-refl ective process enhanced mywere own her only pupil, particularly life when someprofound of the personal and professional in such course content our own Itbuttons. ways I could notpressed have imagined. has been Her understanding and ability to hold me, a catalyst for overcoming personal obstacles. appropriately and impart wisdom, has Working with challenge ancient and sacred instruments was phenomenal. This has not always been my

I first came to acupuncture in the early 80s when I received treatment from an experienced American lady practitioner who had trained under professor JR Worsley. I was so struck by this approach to healing and its beneficial effects that I applied to join the same college in Leamington Spa, where students were taught the beauty, depth and wisdom of “five element” acupuncture, treating body, mind and spirit as a whole. By the time I qualified (in 1984), I was thoroughly imbued with a system of medicine which derives its principles from the observation of nature and the cycles of the seasons although, in truth, it is a lifelong learning of how we as human beings can live healthily in harmony with nature, our own nature and external nature, one a reflection of the other. Out of this background came my idea to deliver experiential workshops. It is my desire to give participants the opportunity to learn about and experience the cycles and rhythms of the seasons, based on the Chinese five-element acupuncture theory and the corresponding relationships to our own selves. www.cta-uk.net www.naturalbalanceacupuncture.co.uk

experience attending furtherI professional been such awhen privilege, sometimes still cannot development courses so this is believe that this is whatorI workshops, do. much to her credit. The course content was all coming from a There were elements to the course have “sound” knowledge base, being very that grounded not enhanced myallowed professional practice in itsonly approach. It also the space for but my own relationships. Myintuition. husband and I have development of my own built a ‘differently shaped’ All of the information waspartnership supported because by of my learning on thisccourse and one that has research and scientifi knowledge, thereby benefi ted the both of us! toprocess. say that I providing a framework forThis the isn’t whole this is a courseand to fiencouraged x your own relationship, felt supported by my tutors who but whatguidance. it has achieved in my experience is an offered understanding of any my own order toiscome Sound work, as otherintherapy, a from acommitment greater place of one understanding my clients! and that I wouldofchoose all over again. The Isbourne Centre in Cheltenham isSally holding a practitioner-level Diploma in Sound Walters, who studied on the same course, Therapy September; a course to in attend told The starting Spark: “Iinhave had the privilege Therapeutic Sound Community in Jill’s course this year.inItthe is both suitablestarts for those October at Holycombe Houseand in the new to working with couples for Cotswolds. those who want be stimulated to apply their work with BAST: to www.sacredsound.net couples with fresh awareness. I have found www.equilibrewellbeing.co.uk Jill’s course enlightening, both from a personal

Darryl Bullock

Lives in Bristol view as exploration It might surprise youinto relationship takes place know that, for someone within thespent course and inintransferring who has 16group, years working the media and this to my professional view within my whoinsight is no stranger to both television and radio work. has undoubtedly my work work, ItI used to suffer fromenhanced chronic stagefright. with I personally previously obtained In mycouples. early 20s I played bass in a band but amy certifi catewere in couples counselling 10often yearsbe nerves so great that I would ago, and have had experience of supervising

for a couples’ however hasto physically sickorganisation; before walking onto a Jill stage helped discover depths of relating performme and, as I gotnew older, that stayed withtome. couples. passion the‘journalist’, work is infectious As a writerHer (I loathe thefor word it always as she me wholeheartedly believes the shape of makes feel dirty), I often havethat to interview ourselves as individuals can form a third shape as people, attend press launches and glad-hand agroups coupleoftogether that holds potential fornormally growth, people, experiences that would intimacy, connection transformation. Jill’s have me running to theand nearest exit. beautiful home helps to provide Then about sixenvironment years ago John Dawson, who a safe and comfortable challenging work at that time still ownedbase The for Spark, asked me if I and selflike exploration. would to attend one of his Public Speaking Find out more Jillthe Gabriel’s courses atof courses. John isabout one of only facilitators www.jillgabriel.com. the Speaking Circles technique in the UK. Over the course of four Wednesday evenings I and a half dozen other people, who each had similar problems dealing with groups of strangers, learnt through a series of simple exercises how (to quote Radiohead) meeting people is easy. John is a great communicator, expressive and engaging. He taught us a technique of making eye contact with groups of people – invaluable if, for example, you’re giving your daughter away in marriage (as one of our group was about to) – which was totally at odds with the perceived wisdom, but so much more effective. I can’t give too many of his secrets away here (he’d go out of business), but John concentrates on exercises which enable you to feel comfortable in whichever environment you happen to be. It’s something I have carried with me ever since, have passed on to others and which has helped me invaluably. I’m far more confident now, and much more at ease within groups and with myself. www.speaking-infront.co.uk

Putting Health

Back in Your Hands The Contemporary College of Homeopathy

Bristol

• Weekend introductory courses • One year foundation course (part time) Four year professional training for • practitioner level (part time) CALL NOW to book a place on our next FREE OPEN DAY Tel: 0845 603 2878

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Professional training in the heart of the city Bristol • Exeter All diploma courses APNT accredited Exeter Natural Health Centre • Bristol City Yoga Introduction to Massage & Bodywork: 2 day course £140 Complete Bodyworker Diploma: 22 days over 10 months £1,295 Remedial Massage Diploma: 10 days over 6 months £695 Sports Massage Diploma: 12 days over 9 months £995 Indian Head Massage Diploma: 3 days over 6 weeks £240 Hands Free Techniques: Protect Your Body: 2 days £140 Myofascial Release: 2 days £140 Seated Acupressure Massage: 5 days £350

info@schoolofbodywork.com www.schoolofbodywork.com

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07711 656011

The CLIFTON PRACTICE Classroom courses in Bristol Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy for future practitioners.

The Clifton Practice (CPHT) Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma Course is a comprehensive ten month course part-time. Two-day weekend courses or small group weekday courses are available. The course is approximately 150 hours of classroom study. After successfully graduating the practitioner course you will be awarded a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (DHP) and the Hypnotherapy Practitioners Diploma (HPD) accredited by the NCFE(NVQIV). Designed and written by practising professionals the course will give you a thorough and sound knowledge of the application of ethical clinical hypnosis enabling you to become an effective practitioner. Students travelling from outside the Bristol area may be helped with travel and accommodation expenses. For a brochure and details of forthcoming courses please telephone The Clifton Practice on 0117 973 3260 or simply visit our comprehensive website www.thecliftonpractice.co.uk

12/8/11 16:24:15

32 AUTUMN courses guide Matthew Greenwood Lives in Bristol Studied at the Bristol School of Shiatsu (BSS) Why did you decide to do the course and where did you ﬁnd out about it? I had been interested in shiatsu ever since a practitioner diagnosed a potentially critical condition whilst I was having a treatment. Even though I was unaware of any symptoms, nor was my GP, I demanded an x-ray only to discover my lungs and lymph nodes riddled with abnormalities. Having my logical mind challenged by my experience of this powerful diagnostic and healing discipline I wished to find out more. I found details in The Spark What was good/bad about it? What did you like most/least about it? I loved spending two whole days each month with beautiful people exploring, inquiring, stretching, screaming, learning, hugging, crying, relaxing, holding, sharing and laughing together. I found the coursework and the exams challenging but rewarding. What kind of support did the college/tutor offer you? In most classes there would be at least one tutor and two practitioners for a class size of between

10-16. You have scheduled one-on-one tutorials with a lead tutor throughout the course as well as informal support as and when required, be it in person or by phone. You also get feedback by treating your tutors directly. At the end of the course, what skill/knowledge did you have? After studying intensely the anatomy, physiology, counseling/listening skills, traditional Chinese medicine, Five Elements diagnosis, massage, practice setup etc., I acquired the confidence to meet, listen to, and accept another through presence, movement and touch by the inner exploration and acceptance of myself. How has the course changed your life? I have a healthy, balanced and grounded view of myself and my place in the world. Through realising my own worthiness I assist others to remember and reconnect with theirs. Why would you recommend it to anyone else? Because life is too short spending it looking for the missing piece of the jigsaw. You’re already more than enough! BSS: www.bristolschoolofshiatsu.co.uk for Healing with Matthew call 07977129650

Nixie James Scott Lives in Bristol Studied at the Interfaith Seminary What course did you do and why did you do it? “I trained to be an interfaith minister. I had been looking for some way of working more as a celebrant, because I felt really called to do funerals. What were the good aspects of the course? “In our first year we looked at all the major religions and had spiritual counselling training, but it wasn’t just about learning, it was also a journey of self-discovery. It found myself, I suppose, not really knowing who I was but over the two years going, ‘Aha! That’s who I am.’ What skills did you have at the end? “Well I’m now an interfaith minister and a spiritual counsellor, and although they’re not tangible things, I have the skills of being able to hold sacred space and creating ceremonies. In what ways has the course changed your life? “Friends are often better judges and one friend has mentioned how I seem ‘more complete’ now. I feel happier in my own skin. Why is adult education so important? “Because it offers these wonderful opportunities in all sorts of areas - spiritual, intellectual, academic - where we can blossom and become fully who we should be.”

our spring courses guide will be out on February 27 2012

To make sure you’re included call Ann on 0117 914 3434 or book an ad online at www.thespark.co.uk

www.nixiejamesscott.co.uk

Learn EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)    

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We have 5 courses to choose from featuring Himalayan bowls, mantra, gongs, drums, voice therapy, crystal bowls, tuning forks, reliable diagnostic methods and reflective practice. We are enrolling now for courses in Chichester, Cheltenham and Whichford.

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AAMET Courses available for self help or professionals Level 1: open to all for self help, family and friends Level 2: practitioner level course Discount available for combined level 1 and 2 courses

brating 10 Celegh quality t years of raining hi

For information on course content and dates www.lynatkins.com lyn.atkins@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07500 837180

20/4/11 14:24:48

Professional Training in Counselling and Psychotherapy At BCPC we provide well established, professional courses which enable our students to become BACP accredited counsellors or UKCP registered psychotherapists. All courses are experientially based, draw on humanistic core values, and allow students to integrate psychodynamic and humanistic approaches. At the moment we still have places available on our Foundation Certificate Course for the year 2011/12 which starts in September. This is a one year, part-time training course which can be used as a stand alone course for personal and/or professional development or as your first step to a Diploma in Counselling or an MA in Psychotherapy.

For further information visit our website www.bcpc.org.uk or contact us by email using mail@bcpc.org.uk or by phone on 01225 429 720

o al s s e in urs ble r o C aila te av rces Wo

PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELLING TRAINING

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AUTUMN courses guide

watch this space

Fiona McClymont finds out about an exciting use of derelict space to provide a new hub for community activity in South Bristol

hen Bristol City Council shut down its Bedminster College site, off Marksbury Road, earlier this year, it left a void at the heart of the south Bristol community. What had been a vibrant place of learning was now yet another huge, wasted, vacant building, like the ones we see all over the city. But that was before Artspace Lifespace got their hands on it. The artist-led initiative is familiar to many of us as the group behind the Island project in Bristol city centre and the weird and wonderful happenings of The Invisible Circus. Turning abandoned buildings into creative spaces is their speciality but the college is their most ambitious venture yet. Walking into an enormous empty shell, the group’s first job was to establish a base for the caretaking crew, five folk and a dog. Their presence means the site is kept clean, functional and secure (which is why the landowners allow it). As Alex Harvest, the caretaker and systems co-ordinator says: “If we weren’t here this site would be vandalised. The reception from the local community has been very warm and positive. They were very sad to see the old college go and they’re happy to see some activity happening here instead of an empty, boarded-up building.” What makes them different from your every-day caretakers, however, is that Artspace Lifespace are determined to provide the community with a

programme of creative and educational activity. And they are staying on site “’til development starts, in whatever form that development takes”. What exactly are they doing in the college? Well, the old motor mechanic workshops have been reborn as studio space for (amongst others) set builders, metal workers, artists and puppet makers; the portacabins were then transformed into the ‘Energy Space’, hosting various yoga,

kung fu, taijiwuxigong and martial arts classes; the old sports hall is now a centre for youth and community work, run by the Amanzi Foundation – recent activities have included five-a-side football, gardening and bike workshops - and currently evolving are their Mind Space, Green Space, Skate Space and even a Mother Space. As Alex explains, “We want to create a place and environment that allows learning to happen in a

safe, playful and spontaneous way rather than the usual boxed-in way of doing things.” He sees Artspace Lifespace’s role as one of curator; managing and making available a space for people wanting to get involved in learning and creating in some way. And there are plenty of ways you can contribute to their vision. If you have something you want to teach, they can make classroom space available to you; you can attend one of their classes; you can volunteer – they are always on the look-out for gardening, admin, practical maintenance skills, etc. If you’re a community group or an artist, you may be able to rent a cheap studio from them, or help them turn the whole site into a giant art gallery. Basically, they’re seeking to fill the building and make it flourish and they need your help and input! So venture down there, look beyond the razor wire that unfortunately still surrounds the site, and take part in the change they’re bringing about. An open day is planned for September (check their website for details), which Alex says will be the perfect opportunity to “come and see what can be achieved with a limited budget but a huge amount of enthusiasm and good will”. For info and a full timetable of classes etc. visit www.artspacecollege.com For info about the possible development of the campus into a sustainable community, visit www.bs3campus.org.uk

Aromatherapy and Reflexology Professional Diploma Indian Head Massage Certificate Course

With an excellent reputation, the Bristol School of Holistic Therapies offer the only AC / AAPA / IFR / IIHM accredited training in Bristol.

CPD and Introductory Courses Our approach to training is holistic throughout. All tutors are experienced practitioners with full teaching qualifications. Classes are small, ensuring plenty of one to one tuition and time for hands on practice. We have specialist tutors for different subjects, ensuring you get the most up-to-date knowledge available. The Aromatherapy Diploma and the Reflexology Diploma courses provide in-depth tuition of their individual therapies and include the IEB certificate in Anatomy, and Physiology. Also, to ensure the best start to a new career as a therapist, they include modules in business studies, client practice management and nutrition. Courses start in October and April. The Certificate in Traditional Indian Head massage includes Indian head massage practice and theory, anatomy & physiology, study of chakras and clinical practice. Professional accreditation is by the Institute of Indian Head Massage. Courses run September, January and May. Anatomy and Physiology gives in-depth training required by insurance companies and professional bodies for anyone training or planning to train in the area of complementary therapies. Certificate awarded by the International Examination Board. Introduction to Aromatherapy and Introduction to Massage, Two one-day courses for complete beginners. A great and fun way learn about the therapy to use on your family and friends. Both courses are over one weekend and can be taken individually or together.

* No previous experience is required for any of the above courses. *

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More information on our courses can be found on our website: www.bristolschoolofholistictherapies.co.uk For full details, you can request a copy of our comprehensive prospectus by emailing: info@bristolschoolofholistictherapies.co.uk phoning:

0870 889 0350 or writing to:

The Bristol School of Holistic Therapies, Kings House, 14 Orchard Street, Bristol BS1 5EH

12/8/11 16:24:39

marketplace

for shops, products & services

art

spark_betterfood_aug11_nofonts.pdf

04/08/2011

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getting away

• Arts • Crafts • Gifts OPEN TO ALL

Supporting Children’s Scrapstore.

OPEN: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm

Artrageous at The Childrens Scrapstore Scrapstore House, Sevier Street, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9LB Tel: 0117 914 3025

Reg. Charity No 2624238

food & drink

There’s lots of new things happening down at the farm!

CMY

your 5-a-day the easy way loads of recipes

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New Exciting EventsNew Sunday Opening 10-3pm for (locally sourced) Breakfasts. New programme of courses-New Picnic Area-New Nature TrailNew membership scheme Come on down and check it all out! And make sure you follow us on facebook and Twitter!

organic great value

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gift shops

Jewellery, Gifts and Curiosities from around the World. Watches, Silver, Costume and Body Jewellery. Watch Batteries and Straps fitted Free. Aromatherapy Oils, Crystals, Music Tarot and Meditation Cards. Candles Woodcarvings Furniture, Soft Furnishings and more.

organic veg, meat, dairy + more fresh from our farm vegboxes around 20% cheaper than supermarkets

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free delivery 01803 762059 www.riverford.co.uk

SUNDAY gift shop SUNDAY MARKET MARKET

who cares sustainable

supermarket

Trading in a peaceful environment in the heart of Bristol's busy shopping centre, we offer gifts and homeware, 3/4 of which are bought direct from developing countries and small suppliers. We work Every week 10amEVERY - 2.30pm SUNDAY 10:00am - 2:30pm with the communities who supply our goods, providing them with access BRISTOL’SSUNDAY SUNDAYMARKET MARKET MORE CHOICE THAN EVER BEFORE BRISTOL’S to larger markets and asking them where they OverMORE 30 stalls - offering affordable fresh farm food, locally made bread, home CHOICE THAN need support. Our profits go to fund Buddhist made cakes, sausages, EVER BEFOREpies and much more. Excellent local crafts in a friendly projects internationally and community projects atmosphere at the heart of the community. Over 30 stalls - offering affordable amongst our suppliers.

Weavers Walk, 33 Silver Street, Bradford-on-Avon

Every week 10am - 2.30pm

• Organic • Fairly-Traded Vegetarian Foods • Supplements • Remedies • Essential Oils & Toiletries • Organic bread in daily

fresh farm made ‘Tobacco bread, Join food, us onlocally Facebook Factory Market’ for regular updates Visit us on the first floor of the Galleries, home made cakes, sausages, pies Broadmead (next to Waterstones) and much more. Excellent local crafts Tel: 0117 922 5877 in a friendly atmosphere at the heart E-mail: bristol@evolutiongifts.co.uk of the community.

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Join us on Facebook ‘Tobacco Factory Market’

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For details of our ethical trading policy visit our website www.evolutiongifts.co.uk or pick up a leaflet in our shop.

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shopping 55 Gloucester Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8AD Tel: 0117 942 5625

available now from all good bookshops and gift shops

Open Tues-Sat 10:00-5:30 Fairtrade clothes • Bags • Gifts • Funky Tights Comprehensive range of Jewellery • Body Jewellery Scarves • Cards • Knitting yarns • Haberdashery and other Fantastic Stuff

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Ta n t r i c H ea l i n g Massage for Lovers 2 DVD set equivalent to 3 courses 13 Tantric rituals Phone 07875435104

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special offer: advertise in this space for just £280 (inc VAT) for a whole year! Call Ann on 0117 914 3434

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PLEASE GIVE They need food and water

Donate any time day or night

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0370 60 60 900

Text ‘SUPPORT’ to

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35127_EastAfrica ad_COL_THESPARK_182x132mm_PHASE2

Artworker:

Proof:

DATE:

Client: DEC

10.08.11

Description: Press

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comp - comp

Providing complementary healthcare since 1988. Individual appointments with highly qualified, experienced practitioners. Some evening appointments available. • Acupuncture • Osteopathy • Cranial Osteopathy • Homeopathy • Counselling • Kinesiology • Reflexology • Chinese Herbal Medicine • Holistic Massage • Reiki. We have disabled access to all therapy rooms and provide a peaceful, safe and caring environment in South Bristol. We also run courses and classes including Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation, Massage and Shiatsu. The Centre houses the Lam Rim Bristol Buddhist Centre, a small bookshop and refreshment area. Beautiful, large hall available for hire: some dates still available for 2011. For appointments and hall booking enquiries: 12 Victoria Place, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1BP. 0117 923 1138 www.centreforwholehealth.org info@centreforwholehealth.org SABC

General Practitioners. Lisa Clarke - Alexander Technique 0790 440 1421 lisaeclarke@btinternet.com Jon Muscaty - Osteopathy and Naturopathy 0796 868 0851 j.muscaty@virgin.net www.pps-web.co.uk/jonmuscaty.htm Heidi Spindler - Therapeutic/Aromatherapy Massage, Reflexology 0796 645 3815 spindlygirl@hotmail.co.uk Hypnotherapists. Claire Brigg 0798 430 5239 therapy@clairebrigg.com www.clairebrigg.com Susan Cassidy 0788 756 5907 scassidy@blueyonder.co.uk www.solutionsinmind-hypnotherapy.co.uk Susan Rodrigues 0774 389 5513 susan_rodrigues@hotmail.com www.susanrodrigueshypnotherapy.co.uk Matthew Dyson 0798 957 6456 matthew@dysontherapy.com www.dysontherapy.com www.happinessclasses.co.uk Stephanie Burton (nee Hill) 0791 515 8089 info@cliftonhypnotherapy.co.uk www.cliftonhypnotherapy.co.uk Hypnotherapy Information and Appointments Line: 0117 973 3260

Ad-Hoc & Permanent Therapy Rooms currently available. • £20 per 4-hour session • £15 for additional 4-hour sessions •£10 per 1-hour ad hoc sessions Call 0117 9425832 for further information

Three new well-equipped therapy rooms and a comfortable waiting room in a landmark Georgian terrace with views from Bristol’s Redcliffe Parade over the water towards Welsh Back. Excellent parking, great transport links (including Temple Meads), excellent facilities and prospects. City centre, south Bristol, Temple Meads and beyond. We’re looking for established, accredited and insured practitioners to provide a range of mainstream complementary therapies that will build and maintain a solid reputation for excellent care, all within a warm, professional, and sensibly priced environment. For more information just get in touch: phone Clive on 07947 023371, go to http://theharboursidepractice.co.uk or e-mail clive@theharboursidepractice.co.uk

New: Healing House Frome. Treatments, Courses, Spiritual Parenting, Meditation. A welcoming place for people from all walks of life for transformation, healing, meditation and ”simply loving what is”. We offer treatments: Advanced Hypnotherapy, EFT, Theta Healing, Reiki and Tuning Fork Healing. Our accredited courses are: Theta Healing (Basic and Advanced), Reiki up to Master/ Teacher Level and Magnified Healing. One of our passions is Spiritual Parenting, where we hold monthly themed classes for introspection, sharing and meditation. Every Sunday you are welcome to join us for our Sacred Sound Meditation Classes. www.healinghousefrome.co.uk 0778 391 2900 juliajeremiah@ymail.com ABT

want to advertise in The Spark? see inside back cover for info

Our qualified practitioners welcome you to the peaceful atmosphere of the Healing Rooms: Acupuncture Sandra Arbelaez 0794 7808484, Eleanor Breen 0783 416 0906 Aromatherapy Belinda Jeffery 07941 501660, Sarah Mortimer 07851 307062, Geraldine Simms 0795 836 3056 Chinese Herbal (Medicine) Sandra Arbelaez 07947 808484 Career Coaching Stan Patrzalek 07999 599572 Counselling Beate Lippik 07768 181724, Mo Cahill 0117 973 6503, Rosalind De-Silva 0754 181 5085 Holistic Massage Karunavapi 07709 284056, Sandra Arbelaez 0117 378 9426 Hypnotherapy Sarah Mortimer 07851 307062, Stephanie Betschart 0117 908 9478 Indian Head (Massage) Belinda Jeffery 07941 501660, Geraldine Simms 0795 836 3056 Pre/Post Natal Massage, Doula Trish Utaboon 0776 622 4006 Psychotherapy Peter Lowis 07981 798165, Andy Mckeown 07976 436149 Reflexology Belinda Jeffery 07941 501660, Sarah Mortimer 07851 307062, Geraldine Simms 0795 836 3056 Reiki Sandra Arbelaez 0117 378 9426, Geraldine Simms 0795 836 3056 Shiatsu Hannah Currant 07981 992178 Thai Yoga (Massage) Stan Patrzalek 07999 599572. To discuss which therapy would suit you, purchase a Gift Voucher or for enquiries regarding becoming one of our professional therapy team, contact our Coordinator, Karunavapi 0770 928 4056 or healingroomsbristol@gmail.com The Healing Rooms, 162 Gloucester Road, Bristol. BS7 8NT. www.healingroomsbristol.co.uk

“we thought it was an extremely straightforward and streamlined process” You can now book and pay for your listings ads online:

www.thespark.co.uk

All therapists practising at Neal’s Yard Therapy rooms are fully qualified to a high standard. Therapies available: Acupuncture • Aromatherapy • Shiatsu • Naturopathy • Massage • Homoeopathy • Medical Herbalism • Pre-conception care • Ayurveda • Chinese Herbalism • Kinesiology • Reflexology • Cranio-Sacral Therapy • Ear Candling • Bowen • Holistic Facials • Bach Flower Remedies. Workshops. We run various talks and workshops on natural medicine and healthy living. Appointments can be made by visiting the shop or by telephone. We are happy to help you choose which treatment may be appropriate. In addition most practitioners will give 10 minute free consultations to help you decide. Open Monday to Saturday 9.30-5.45pm and Sundays 11-5pm. Gift vouchers available and are interchangeable between Neal’s Yard Remedies shops. Neal’s Yard Remedies Therapy Rooms, 7 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 466944 e-mail: info@nyrbath.co.uk

complementary practitioners

Are you stuck in a maze of confusion? Bewildered by therapies and remedies? Don’t know what advice to believe? The answer is simple! I can unlock what your body already knows it needs to restore or maintain health, with the fine detail of Kinesiology. Help resolve major & minor problems: digestive disorders, food intolerances, fatigue & low energy, allergies, asthma & eczema, migraine & headache, stress-related problems, PMS, menopause, muscle & joint pain, poor immunity to infections, vitamin & mineral imbalances, etc. Diana Sheppard KFRP. Natural Health Caring with Kinesiology. Call 0117 977 6354 for free discussion of your needs www.dianasheppard.co.uk

ad orrates visit www.thespark.co.uk on inside back cover for more info or to book online index comp - coop

computers & web design

PC problems? Mac misery? Wireless worries? OK, so you’ve tried switching it off then on again, and that hasn’t worked. What now? Simple: if you’re in Bristol, just pick up the phone and Dial a Geek... We’re an IT support emergency call-out service for businesses and home users. We’re fast. We’re friendly. And despite our name, we never baffle our nice customers with confusing Geek-Speak. Our charges are very reasonable, too. And best of all, we’re very, very good at sorting out all kinds of IT issues whatever kind of computer, whatever the problem, we can take care of it for you. Gildas Jones Technical Support Engineer. Call us Free on 0800 955 7878 www.dialageek.co.uk support@dialageek.co.uk

Clear, expert and competitive computer support • PC repair - at your location quickly solving your PC problems (including viruses) on all Windows systems and most software programs • Helping you buy - advice on new equipment, helping you make the ideal purchase for your system • Maintenance - speed up your system with a spring clean • Training - get the most from all your Microsoft products by learning how to use them effectively • Efficient and straightforward - no nonsense communication explaining everything clearly without lots of techie jargon. Free initial survey of your equipment. Graham Simmonds 0117 909 2690; 0797 714 9171 graham@gscservices.co.uk www.gscservices.co.uk Supporting individuals, voluntary, NHS and private organisations across the Bristol area for over ten years

conferences, talks & lectures

What can igeek do for you? • We design, deliver and support great websites for all kinds of organisations • We have a talented team of developers, using the most creative, robust and secure technology available, to give your organisation real online presence • We are experts in e-commerce with a wealth of experience that enables us to maximise your online selling potential • Using FileMaker, one of the world’s most popular and versatile desktop database systems, we design, create and support outstanding database solutions for Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone. Why not speak to us today and make a fresh start for your business? www.igeek.co.uk 0117 370 2469

Are you one of 183 million people who play online games daily? Don’t you wish life was more like a game? Co-create world-first, world-changing, simple, edgy gamification. Join our UK Hotbed exploring serious games, Mobile Massive Multi-Player Role Playing, Alternate Reality and game-based learning, for pleasure and social good - from October 7th! Great speakers, like-minded participants and refreshments. Networkshops: Fridays (5pm-7pm) £12.50 Gamestorming: Saturdays (10am-12noon) - breakouts for 7-11’s, 12-17’s & 18-25-year-olds £7.50. The Innovation Centre, Broad Quay, Bath, BA1 1UD. Booking includes refreshments: www.gamificationnetwork.com ABC

constellations New Macs, repairing sick Macs, advice, upgrading your computer, printers, ADSL Broadband - all in one shop. Easy parking & helpful staff with years of experience. Macs have a lot to offer: professional MacPro Tower, powerful MacBookPro, budget iMac MacBook, all with Intel Core2Duo Processors, extremely fast and stable. Virus resistant. Macs are so much easier to use than PCs. We supply doctors & practitioners, designers, musicians, architects, writers & creative people in the South West. We provide advice & service, new & old equipment, printers & scanners, upgrades & repairs, software, memory, Giclee printing & Internet Services. iMacs from £999, MacBooks - £820, MacBook Pros - £1399, MacPro Towers £1725 + VAT. New and second-hand available. Talk to Pete Douglas - 0117 983 6999. Tantra, 48 Kensington Park Rd, Brislington, Bristol BS4 3HU (9-6.30 + Sats) Off Bath Road past HTV, near MFI) e-mail: pete@tantraweb.co.uk web: www.tantra.co.uk

Create Your Own Website - The Easy Way Short courses in Bristol

Learn how to create an easy-to-update multimedia website, optimise it for Google and use social media to promote your business. Four 3-hour sessions, £180. 5-8 participants. Just bring your own laptop! Call 0800 118 5322, www.gbwebtuition.co.uk

A radical way to explore difficulties in ourselves and our families, founded by Bert Hellinger. Current illnesses, addictions and relationship difficulties are often linked directly to the actions of our ancestors. Family constellations can bring these difficulties to light and help us find healing for ourselves and our families. Supervision: Professional Mentoring Day for people already facilitating constellations: Bath. Sept 23, £65 per day. Non-residential workshops: Sept 17/18 Brighton, Oct 15/16 Kelshall, Herts, Oct 22/23 Co. Tipperary, Ireland, Nov 27 Camerton, Bath. Email for details. Barbara is a gestalt psychotherapist (UKCP reg) and Family Constellations practitioner, trainer and supervisor. She works in Bath and Frome and elsewhere in the UK and Ireland by invitation. Email for further details or to join mailing list. Barbara is also a trainer with Constellations Work Trainings, offers apprenticeships and edits the International Constellations Journal The Knowing Field. theknowingfield@gmail.com www.ordersoflove.co.uk 01373 301168

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Heart-Centred Constellations, Bristol

Constellations are beautiful. They offer to modern Westerners what shamans have always done: help us into harmony and balance with ourselves, others, environment and life. • Beyond Dilemma 10-11 September • Lineage Healing 8-9 October. Private consultations: please enquire. Dr. Kerstin Schmidt www.honeyspring.co.uk 0791 001 2419

cooperatives

Co-operatives are a good way of doing business with social or shared goals - they are member-owned and guided by internationally agreed values, ethics and principles. The CDA can advise you on all aspects of setting up a co-operative: whichever type of co-operative you are interested in, be it a Worker, Consortium, Community, Housing, Food or Consumer co-operative and whichever sector of business, be it renewable energy, alternative therapies, food or any other. There are many reasons why people set up co-operatives, talk to us about yours. Using nationally recognised model rules incorporating can cost as little as £40. CDA (BRAVE Ltd), Tel: 0117 989 2536, Email: info@cda.coop Website: www.cda.coop

‘like’ The Spark on facebook meet Spark-minded people share your thoughts, ask questions read our random jottings catch regular postings of interesting sparky news & events. search The Spark on facebook, enter http://band.to/thespark/ or search: facebook the-spark magazine go on, we’ll be your friend..

ad orrates visit www.thespark.co.uk on inside back cover for more info or to book online index courses

Do you like being the centre of attention? Dear John, I got the job! The course really helped as it gave me the confidence to be myself amongst strangers - a massive thank you. Sally Hello John Just to thank you for your help and encouragement earlier this year. My daughter’s wedding was last Friday. The sun shone, my daughter looked fabulous and every one came up to me afterwards and said how much they enjoyed my speech. I even found myself enjoying it! Looking forward to the next occasion. Many thanks and kind regards, John Hi John, I’ve been meaning to email for ages to let you know how much public speaking I now do! I have a new(ish) job and a big part of it is training. This is something I thought I’d never be able to do, I still have a bit of a wobbly tray, but I’m not so bothered by it and I carry on regardless. Your course really gave me the tools and the strength to face what I thought was going to be a barrier in my career I’d never get through. So a BIG THANK YOU. Cheers, C. Hi John, Just wanted to say a really big thank you, it’s a brilliant course you run - you do a fantastic job, it has definitely helped me change the way I think about public speaking which I honestly didn’t think was possible for anyone to help me with so I can’t say thank you enough really. Rachel Way above expectations. Life-changing weekend. Quite apart from feeling far more confident about public speaking, I peeled a layer of stuff off that I don’t need. Liz

(letters quoted from have been received in the last year)

Yes, you CAN learn...

My passion is helping you find your voice when you are the centre of attention so you can take part in life more fully. It’s about helping you to understand what’s going on and how to be more yourself in front of a group. My purpose is to help you take your space in the world. To do this I teach public speaking courses with a difference and courses for people who want to be more themselves at presentations. I run courses in Bristol, London and Manchester. I’ve been a Licensed Speaking Circles® facilitator for 11 years. (I was also the founder of the Spark magazine way back when!) All courses come with a money back guarantee. For a chat or to book a course ring John Dawson on 01225 425300 or email john@speaking-infront.co.uk or see my website for course dates and information

www.speaking-infront.co.uk

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cours - des

Touch for Health Kinesiology

Regular weekend workshops to learn fun natural healthcare system using muscle testing, close to M5, Bristol. Suitable for all. Call Tamsyn 0845 257 1137 www.touchforhealth.co.uk ABC

Trust Your Body, Spirit And Heart

Have more ease and flow in your life • Feel much better because you are much better, in tangible ways • A key listening skill for therapists and counsellors • Develop your empathy and Presence • Experiential small group - practice in pairs. Focusing course October 1 and 2. 01837 840165 www.fionaparr-focusing.co.uk

The Wisdom And Power Of The Seasons with Richard Royds. Five Element Acupuncture

Discover and experience the energetics of each season and the corresponding relationships to our own selves for positive, sustainable health at all levels. Five weekly evening sessions to discover each of the Five Elements, both in Nature and in the nature of our own being, followed by a seasonal workshop, beginning with Winter. For further information contact Richard 01225 723856 richard@naturalbalanceacupuncture.co.uk www.naturalbalanceacupuncture.co.uk Member of British Acupuncture Council.

want to advertise in The Spark? see inside back cover for info

craniosacral therapy

death & dying

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

Bath based. Low-cost clinic available. Contact Elise 0774 769 1484 www.in-stillness.com

Colston Street, Bristol

Enabling stillness, healing and meaning. Matt Gothill 0777 573 5523 www.mattgothill.com

Craniosacral Therapy. Chiropractic McTimoney Method. Spinal Touch

Joanna Hanstead DC. Using and teaching gentle bodywork since 1987. Free spine checks. All ages welcome. Bath, Frome. www.johanstead.co.uk 0777 390 6273

Subtle Bodywork: Adults, Children, Babies • Injury • anxiety • stress • anger • trauma • autism. Millie Wood Swanepoel RCST. Bristol, Dursley, Stroud. 07754 182 082 / 01453 757 506 m.wood.swanepoel@googlemail.com www.milliewoodswanepoel.com

Shapeshift Dance works with the ecstatic exhilaration of the 5 Rhythms Wave and the gentle internal listening of somatic body awareness exercises. Dawn has been practicing the 5 Rhythms for 20 years and is currently completing an MA in Dance & Somatic Education at UCLAN. Occasional visits to Bristol, check website. Weekly • Open Monday evenings Sacred Dance 7.15-9.15pm and • Wednesday Mornings 2 Taster sessions; 14th & 21st September followed by closed group ‘Liminal Shapeshift’ 10am-12.30pm with Dawn & Nick Twilley (live Music) both in Stroud GL5 1BN. Weekly Class • Birmingham, B13 9LR Thurs term-time, 7-9.15pm. Autumnal Waves Hereford 16th October info Gail 01432 840952 Weekend Halloween Event 28th eve-30th 4pm GL5 1BN. www.shapeshift.co.uk dawn@shapeshift.co.uk 01453 750608

dance

Would You Like To Set Up An Ethical Business?

Thinking about starting a business that is not just about profit, but about people and planet as well? Join an experienced social entrepreneur (plus guests) for a series of 8 practical introductory workshops (plus two individual mentoring sessions) covering formation, planning, raising money, marketing and all the other tasks needed to start up your ethical business. Starting Weds Oct 12th in central Bristol, from 7-9pm. £239 (concessions available) for course. Contact Stephen or Patricia for further info. 0787 674 0864. pat.finnegan@btinternet.com

☞ Exploring Sacred Traditions Bristol & Stroud See Events section 7th & 22nd Sept

☞ How to Go Grey Outrageously

Exploring change, growth and transformation at mid-life. See Women section

☞ Practical Introduction to Permaculture Ragmans Lane Farm, September 24th-25th, www.ragmans.co.uk See Centres & Venues section

☞ Retirement/Reduced Hours Workshops with Deborah Clarke, Chartered Psychologist. See Coaching section

The home of Dance Movement Psychotherapy in the south west offers part-time courses in Dance Movement Psychotherapy. Masters Programme in Dance Movement Psychotherapy validated by Canterbury Christ Church University Interviewing now for September start. Please enquire. National Certificate in Dance Movement & the Therapeutic Process (Edexcel Award) - Interviewing now for September start. Please enquire. Dates for your diary • AGM Thursday 27th October 2011, 7pm followed by usual buffet & dance • Annual Performance - 21st April 2012. Ffi: Dance Voice, Quaker Meeting House, Wedmore Vale, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 5HX Tel/fax : 0117 953 2055, e-mail: admin@dancevoice.org.uk www.dancevoice.org.uk

Somaterra is dedicated to cultivating intimate, sensitive, restorative, empowered ways of being and relating within the web of life through movement, eco-somatics, and feminine medicine ways. Inhabiting the Feminine Earth Body: Nine weeks journey into the magic of being a woman in a woman’s body, awakening the creative expression of deep feminine qualities as we explore the anatomical, energetic, archetypal cyclical female body-self, and how it’s deeply connected to the Earth, assisting us in cultivating inner medicine towards physical, psycho-emotional and spiritual well-being. Course includes movement, sound/breath work, arts and self-care practices. Starts October, Mondays evenings. Bath. Carla c.esteves@live.co.uk www.somaterra.org

Bath. Ecstatic Dance. Sue Kuhn

Wednesday 6.30-8.45pm. St Marks School, Baytree Road. Weekends. 01225 465846 www.suekuhndance.com

Dance Meditation, Bath, Monday Afternoons For details ring 01225 830200 or email

dorothyjerrome@btinternet.com

Heaven on Earth Award-winning Green & Pink Bespoke Funerals from £1550. Eco-coffins. www.heavenonearthbristol.co.uk 0117 926 4999 (24 hours)

dentists & dental care

Friendly, family dental practice in the heart of Hotwells, offers you a complete dental service, from replacing your mercury fillings to a full mouth make over - giving you back your healthy Natural Smile. We take the time to understand you as an individual, your concerns and desires, and view your dental treatment as part of your whole health. Sensitive, caring, dentist and team who take pride in minimising their impact on the environment. Selection of natural oral hygiene products available and free checkups for children (see website for more details). Principle practitioner Dr Nicola Bone BDS DPDS. 251 Hotwell Road, Hotwells, Bristol BS8 4SF. www.thenaturalsmile.co.uk 0117 929 2165

design, writers & print Beccy Golding

Writer, copy editor, proof reader

With 15 years experience as a Youth & Community Worker in Bristol and 8 years as Production Manager for The Spark I have the skills and experience to help you or your organisation with • annual reports • publicity leaflets • advertising • website content • press releases • funding applications • essays & dissertations • CVs and job applications • any other written material. For friendly, efficient, thorough and professional help with anything from brainstorming your first ideas to a completely finished, proof read document email beccygolding@blueyonder.co.uk

or visit www.thespark.co.uk for more info or to book online

personal growth centres

The nicest, most peaceful place I've ever been in Health and Wellbeing Talks DAVID HAMILTON

The Contagious Power of Thinking Tues 13th September, 7.30pm With new scientific evidence on the contagious nature of emotions, David Hamilton’s latest book

Autumn 2011 Ivor Gurney film

Remembrance Day: 11.11.11 Severn and Somme

An evocative drama documentary about Gloucestershire's creative genius, poet and composer – the untold story from the trenches of WW1 to the asylum. Redcliffe Film Productions

Tickets: £5 (plus concs). Screening: 7.30pm. Booking essential on 0117 924 4512 or info@pieriancentre.com

The UK’s longest running laughter workshops

group of people really can change the world! www.drdavidhamilton.com

SATISH KUMAR

Laughter workshops

The wellbeing of person and planet are two sides of the same coin. If one is not healthy then the other will suffer. Satish will explain how we can live well whilst also keeping the earth in good

www.bristollaughterclub.com 0781 215 9943 3rd Tuesdays monthly: 20/9, 18/10, 15/11 etc. 7.30-9pm, group prices from £6pp

Picture Space

Thursday 29th September 7.30pm

We Are Here: photographs by and of the older generation.

shape. www.resurgence.org

SERENA RONEY-DOUGAL

Cost: £12 (£10 in advance) www.cancerucan.co.uk / www.natureworx.com

Contributors are all users or residents of Nursing Homes in Bristol or Chatham. Out of sight and out of mind they are not! 20th Sept–17th Dec: Tues–Fri 10–6 & some weekends. Free entry!

Introduction to WordPress

Life Healing Workshops

Find out how to use this fantastic free software to build your own website.

CREATE THE WORLD YOU WANT Sat 10th September, 10:30–3:45 Investment £60 (lunch & refreshments provided) LIFE HEALING – a weekend based on Louise L. Hay Sat 5th & Sun 6th November, 9:45–5:00 Investment £175 (lunch & refreshments provided) CONFIDENTLY LIVING MY LIFE Friday 11th November, 9:45–5:00 Investment £85 (includes manual, lunch & refreshments) 07854 242952 or beccy4@gmail.com www.lifehealingworkshops.net

Web expert Mark Renwick demonstrates how to build a website from scratch using WordPress. 7-9pm Weds 21 Sept @ Pierian Ctr £15 Call Mark 07973 750 204 mark@webtrails.co.uk | webtrails.co.uk

ManagingChange We cannot avoid change. But unplanned or traumatic change is hard to deal with. This 6 week course takes you on a journey to help you cope – using writing, drama and art as tools. While dealing with serious issues, we hope to have some fun along the way! With Sue Weekes & Lucy Prentice-Miller. Tuesdays 10am–12: 6/9, 13/9, 20/9, 27/9, 4/10, 11/10. And also: 8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12. Price: £65/£30 if unwaged/£15 if on benefits. BOOKINGS & INFO: 07729 555576 or lucy.p-m@hotmail.co.uk

with Beccy Holland

DISCOVER YOUR LIFE PURPOSE Who are you...... going to be from now on? Join David Humphreys & David Griffiths to: • move from feeling lost • discover what’s holding you back • change your feelings of stuckness • find your inner calling • activate your personal resources • identify your personal pathway • begin the next stage of your journey 2 WEEKENDS: 5th & 6th, 19th & 20th November, 9.30–5.30 TO BOOK: 0117 9423310 or david@metamorphosis.me.uk

Unique Conference Centre! From 50-strong Conferences to small meetings, this Grade 1 listed Georgian building offers you a warm, professional welcome!

The corporate world says: “All my delegates commented on the lovely atmosphere that you have created. As far as I’m concerned there is only one place to run seminars in Bristol.” WARM THANKS FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT TO:

Tibetan Psychic Traditions

Weds 23rd November, 7.30pm Tibet has been renowned for its psychic practices since the days of the earliest oracles. Serena Roney-Dougal’s PhD in Parapsychology was the start of over 35 years studying and writing about scientific and spiritual aspects of the psyche. www.psi-researchcentre.co.uk

Shakeela recovered from 'terminal' cancer twice - declining conventional medicine, and turning instead to diet, vegetable juices, herbs and energy psychology treatments. Now fit and healthy, her delight is to pass on to others some of the valuable information she has acquired. Whether you are facing a health challenge or simply wish to remain well, this evening will inspire you!

Person/Planet Connection Weds 26th October, 7.30pm

With Joe Hoare

Get Well - Stay Well A talk by Fiona Shakeela Burns

shows how happiness can travel – and how a small

Tickets: £10 (concessions available) Booking essential on 0117 924 4512 or www.pieriancentre.com

AWAKEN YOUR CREATIVITY An introductory workshop in

MUSIC and IMAGERY

A new and hopeful perspective on how to release and unlock trauma "trapped" in the body.

Give yourself some creative space & find new directions. Deep listening to music, guided relaxation and image making – no musical skills required. Facilitated by experienced music therapists Helen Mason and Annie Tyhurst.

Wednesday 2nd November, 7.30-9pm

Sunday 25th September, 2-5pm. £25: booking essential on 07759 938 803.

1:1 Sessions

Introductory Talk Day Workshop

Saturday 26th November, 10.30-5pm

www.musicimagerytherapy.co.uk www.annietyhurst.co.uk

07854-381-801 or rissa.mohabir@gmail.com www.trauma-awareness.com

MINDFULNESS

The Secret of the Second Chance

in Bristol

Courses, retreats & 1:1 programmes plus CPD for professionals. Contact breathingspace@blueyonder.co.uk www.breathing-space.biz

worried about public speaking or presentations? public speaking courses for people who don’t like it! John Dawson • 01225 425300 www.speaking-infront.co.uk

Now is the time to change your life. Using Hypnotherapy, Positive Psychotherapy, Coaching and Dream-work you can start changing your life today

Make a new life resolution today. Specialising in all addictions including gambling, gaming, smoking and food. Free personality test with every initial consultation

www.thechangingman.com Tel 07595 895634 in confidence

THE HEALING POWER OF VOCAL SOUND with James D’Angelo, author of The Healing Power of the Human Voice.

A workshop to resonate, balance and re-tune the chakras through various kinds of toning, mantras, natural sounds and tuning forks, complemented by simple movements. No previous experience necessary, only the deep intent for self-transformation.

Sunday 16th October, 10am–5pm Info/Booking: Tel: 01452 413220 / info@soundspirit.co.uk www.soundspirit.co.uk

The Pierian Centre Community Interest Company Company No: 6275797 27 Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8SA. Tel: 0117 924 4512 Email: info@pieriancentre.com Web: www.pieriancentre.com

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Rear View

vol index - yoga

Are you ordinary enough to be a Samaritan Volunteer? Unlike most other helplines, Samaritans are available to offer emotional support 24 hours a day to those people in distress or despair as well as those who may be feeling suicidal. Join our volunteer team supporting others and receive free training, ongoing support and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Volunteers for night duties are particularly needed. To find out more phone 0117 927 9387 or visit our website at www.samaritans.org/bristol

Bristol Lesbian & Gay Switchboard 0117 922 1328

Our free, confidential service providing information and support to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transvestite community, is looking for new volunteers. If you have a couple of hours to spare and want to help maintain this important service, call us on 0117 922 1328. Lines are currently open Wednesday and Thursday, 8pm-10pm.

Yoga can improve strength, flexibility and co-ordination. The various postures also promote relaxation and the release of tension. We offer weekly drop-in classes and courses that take place in our fully equipped and beautiful shrine room. Maximum class size is 16. The Centre shop (open Monday to Saturday 1-4pm) sells yoga mats, blocks, belts etc. Drop-in Classes (suitable for beginners and more experienced practitioners): Tuesday & Thursday 10.30am-noon, and Wednesdays & Thursdays 5.45-7.15pm. Improvers Class. Mondays 5.45-7.15pm. All classes cost £8/£5 or £75 for 10 classes with yoga card. Contact us for more details. Bristol Buddhist Centre, 162 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NT. t: 0117 924 9991 e: info@bristol-buddhist-centre.org w: www.bristol-buddhist-centre.org Reg Charity No. 900165

by Kate Evans

In a single house I know there lives a single parent and her single child. She has no mortgage, pays no rent and does no-one any harm. The Government is about to criminalise squatting. That’s her, and her daughter.

women How To Go Grey Outrageously

Re-weaving your story at mid-life and beyond. A ten-week course for women exploring change, growth and transformation. www.anna-courageousliving.com 0777 910 3968

Shiva Shakti Dance

A dance of remembering your deep feminine within. www.natalie-brooks.co.uk/shiva-shakti

yoga

Welcome to Yogasara. Dedicated to offering quality yoga, chi kung, pilates, movement and meditation teaching, you will easily find a class and a teacher that satisfies your needs. All Yogasara teachers are trained to the highest possible standards and have up to thirty years of experience teaching and practicing daily. We are passionate about the devotion, wisdom and integrity of our teachers and invite you to give yourself the best. Bristol’s only ‘not for profit’ studio & Community Interest Company. People and practice before profit. Committed to sustainability, community and making this planet a better place for all of us. Sarah/Christopher 0778 950 1884 www.yogasara.co.uk Picton St, Montpelier, Bristol

Birthlight Yoga

Pregnancy, birth, mums & babies. Bristol/Stroud. Frankie: 0789 099 6782 www.yogafrankie.co.uk First Class free. A Specialist yoga studio near Stokes Croft in central Bristol, open throughout the week with over 40 classes a week. Come and enjoy our beautiful, light spacious studio. Beginners are welcome and classes include: Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Pregnancy yoga, Children’s yoga, Mum-Baby Yoga, Baby Massage, Belly Dance and Pilates. All our teachers are chosen for their expertise and experience. We welcome families with our classes for pregnancy, the postnatal period and babies as well as children of all ages and family yoga. We offer weekend, in-house workshops and we regularly host visiting teachers. We also offer Yoga Teacher training courses, recognised internationally through Yoga Alliance. A warm welcome awaits you. First class free when you log onto www.bristolcityyoga.co.uk/offers www.bristolcityyoga.co.uk info@bristolcityyoga.co.uk 0117 924 4414

Friendly Yoga Classes, Bishopston

Postures, breathing, relaxation. Mondays. All welcome. yogahilary@virginmedia.com 0776 301 0591

Holistic Yoga Sessions - One-To-One

Are you suffering from stress, depression or needing to make difficult decisions? If so, Holistic Yoga could be of great help. Deborah Clarke of LifeChanges, is offering one-to-one, holistic yoga sessions to provide therapeutic support for managing change. Sessions available in Clifton, central Bristol and Portishead. Cost £30.00. 0117 9466 988

Kundalini Yoga

Tuesdays 10-11.30, Yogasara, Montpelier, Bristol. All welcome. Anjali: 0796 110 5780 satnam.anjali@hotmail.com

Kundalini Yoga

Hamilton House & The Healing Rooms Practice, Bristol. Contact Satya 0795 836 3056 T

Satyananda Yoga

Movement to stillness: body, breath, mind. Bristol/Stroud. 0789 099 6782 www.yogafrankie.co.uk HT YogaWest has new owners! Diana & Mike Penny and our wonderful team of teachers would love to welcome you to YogaWest this Autumn. We are running a full timetable of Iyengar yoga classes, seven days a week, for all levels of ability, including beginners, pregnancy and children’s classes • A six-week foundation course starts on 27 Sept and more are planned regularly throughout the year. First class free with this advert. For full details visit our website at www.yogawest.co.uk YogaWest, Denmark Place, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NW Telephone 0117 924 3330

Yoga Bodhi

Centre for yoga & wellbeing in the heart of Bath

We have created a warm, quiet, light yoga space with yoga mats and props available. Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Anusara and many other styles of Yoga. See www.yogabodhi.co.uk for our timetable. Pregnancy, Beginners, Mummy and me Yoga and Baby Massage Courses. 01225 464848 info@yogabodhi.co.uk

Yoga Day with Bill Wood

Bristol City Yoga on November 13th. www.billwoodyoga.co.uk

Yoga Holidays at Huzur Vadisi, Turkey

‘My favourite yoga holiday destination’ Simon Low, The Yoga Academy

The Devon School of Yoga brings together classes, workshops, retreats and training courses under one umbrella, covering all aspects of the subject. Set in locations across Devon, ideal surroundings are provided for yoga practice, study and contemplation. The school teaches a holistic approach. The next two-year teacher training course and new post graduate yoga therapy course starts September 2011. The next foundation course starts January 2012. Plus year round day workshop programme, seasonal residential weekends and annual North India retreat. For information or a copy of the programme, please contact us: The Devon School of Yoga, 4 Barnfield Hill, St Leonards, Exeter EX1 1SR. 01392 420573 info@devonyoga.com www.devonyoga.com

Huzur Vadisi, established 1993, is renowned for its stunning location, food and hospitality. Courses and retreats with top yoga teachers Easter-October. Swimming pool. ‘Idyllic’ Michele Pernetta, Bikram Yoga College, London. www.huzurvadisi.com

When you reply to an ad please say you saw it in The Spark. This really helps us. Thanks.

Despite what you may have read in the papers, it is already illegal for squatters to invade somebody’s home. In such cases, the homeowner can force reentry, and the police will arrest the squatters. Empty homes are different. When these are occupied, owners can’t force their way in. Instead, a judge in a civil court hears the rights of the owners and the claims of the tenants, and the police don’t get involved. The law works like this because anyone could become a squatter, just by falling behind with the rent. The same law that protects squatters prevents families from being evicted at midnight with baseball bats. Until the Government abolish it. The house had been empty for 12 years when she moved in. Kids broke windows, and lit fires. Her neighbours, initially hostile, were relieved and supportive once she explained: “I just need somewhere to live with my kid.” Squatters rights once gave poor people the right to live on common land. If you could build a house between sunrise and sunset, and have smoke coming out of the hearth by the end of the day, the freehold was yours. Then came enclosures. Now housing is a commodity, not a right. After WWII ended, thousands of returning soldiers squatted wartime requisitioned houses; a mass movement which inspired councils to build social housing. Council housing fell by 1.4 million in the ten years to 2009, to 1.8 million. There are 5 million households on the waiting list. The numbers of homeless people jumped 23% in the first three months of this year. And that’s before the cuts in public spending and caps on housing benefit have begun to bite. There are more than 700,000 properties sitting empty in England alone. It matters when the Government legislate to remove our fundamental freedoms. We are subjects of this country, not citizens. We have no constitution. “The Government is acutely aware of the misery squatters can cause.” Grant Shapps, Housing Minster. Reflect on the misery this Government can cause.

The government consultation on their proposals to criminalise squatting closes on 5 October. If you’d like to contribute, or for more info visit the SQUASH: Squatters’ Action for Secure Homes website: www.squashcampaign.org

Letters & Competitions

Letters Write to: The Spark, 86 Colston St Bristol BS1 5BB The author of our Star letter will receive a Kitchen Pack, Deep Clean Mop and Water Spray (worth over £33!) from e-cloth, a range of environmentally-friendly cleaning products which allow you to clean your home using nothing else but water. Recommended by Allergy UK, research has shown that using e-cloth and water removes over 99% of bacteria. www.e-cloth.com @eclothuk on Twitter Dear Spark, Just a note to say what a wonderful paper. I have so enjoyed reading it. I only occasionally visit Bristol to stay with friends. One of the highlights for me is going to the Better Food Company to shop and have lunch. Just by chance I picked up The Spark. It had great articles on sustainability, fair trade, music and spirituality (from Christianity to the ancient power of group chants). I am passionate about fair trade and sustainability and it was a joy to read. I just wish we had something similar in the South. Thanks for such a great paper. I’ve no idea when we’ll get to see it again, but I trust you keep up the good work. Best wishes, Christina Macleod Winchester, Hampshire PS I have chemical sensitivity, a little understood illness, but if you suffer like this, sustainability and fair trade make complete sense. Dear Spark, (On winning tickets to Green Gathering) That’s fantastic news! Many, many thanks. We entered your competitions because our family couldn’t afford any festivals this summer. We got married/handfasted four weeks ago, so it’ll serve as our honeymoon too!! Jeremy, Alison and Family Glastonbury, Somerset Dear Christina, Thanks for your lovely letter. We are slowly expanding and you should be able to get The Spark ordered from your local health shop if they order from Essential Trading Co-operative Ltd. Alternatively you can subscribe for £10 per year and get The Spark delivered to your door. Bill Heaney Editor

Dear Spark, Sooo... sat here reading the, excellent as usual, Spark and saw your request for more baking soda tips. Now I could cheat and look super knowledgable or I could admit that next to me on the sofa is my birthday present from my parents, a book called “Bicarbonate of Soda, Expert Advice”. It has hundreds of uses for the white stuff...we’re off to try the paste made with vinegar to clean our bikes. Keep up the good work. Cheers for a great read, blending the practical with the interesting with the thought provoking. Kara Stanford via e-mail Dear Spark, Regarding your article on bicarbonate of soda: 1. After cleaning out your fridge, give it a wipe over with bicarb solution to remove lingering food odours 2. I bought a secondhand car that had filthy carpets - I think the previous owner had kept his dogs in it! I doused the carpets with dry bicarb and brushed it in, left it 24hrs then vacuumed it out. I had to do it a second time for the worst bits, but the carpets came up almost as new. Peter Tyzack via e-mail Thanks for all the tips. We’d love more for our doing-it-yourself page!

competition winners 65 Embercombe winner: Jeanne Hutton, Frome. Embercombe runners up: book winners - Ana Bamber, Stoke Bishop and Amy West; Bristol. CD winners - Caroline Frances-King, Bath, Maddy Longhurst, Linda Sheppard, Clive Gray, Watchet and Graham Blay, Bristol. Firewok: Angela Gerrish, Frampton Cotterell. Living Room meal for five: Amanda Feather Baird, Bristol.

festival comp winners Boomtown: G Easton, Henley in Arden. Gaunts House winner: Chris Money, Bristol. Gaunts House runners up: book winners were Debz Leaverland, Gloucester; Nicola Smith, Warminster; Mary Warden, Wellow; Karen Goodfellow, Wedmore and Carolyne Taylor, Yeovil. Green Gathering: Jeremy Bull and Family, Glastonbury. Larmer Tree: Charlotte Bufton, Burtle, Somerset. Off Grid: Rosy Benson, Mendip Hills. Quest: S Cullmore, Wotton-under-Edge. Shambala: Andrew Dommett, Tividale.

Competitions WIN! lush Lily’s Kitchen pet food

id you see our article on ethical pet food on page 22? The Spark has teamed up with Lily’s Kitchen, makers of fine certified organic and holistic dog and cat food, to offer four lucky readers the chance to win 50 (yes, 50!) trays each of their fantastic canine or feline food. Lily’s Kitchen believe that pet food should be made from proper ingredients: delicious, recognisable ones that you would be happy to dish up to your best friend. Their recipes contain whole meat, grains, fruits, vegetables and they use 14 different types of botanical herbs - no fibrous leftovers - so that your pet can get all the wholesome nutrition they need. There are no unnecessary additives, preservatives, colourings, sugar or salt: every single ingredient is itemised on their labels

and Lily’s Kitchen use the best possible ingredients they can source. To win 50 trays of Lily’s Kitchen Organic Dinner with Lamb for cats (100g), or 50 trays of Organic Lamb and Spelt Supper for dogs (150g) just answer the following question: What health problems did Lily the dog have which prompted Henrietta to set up Lily’s Kitchen? You’ll find the answer at www.lilyskitchen.co.uk Answers (postcards only please), to Lily’s Kitchen Comp, The Spark, 86 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB. All entries must be received by October 20. You can also enter online at www.thespark.co.uk Please note: winners have to be able to pick up their prize from The Spark office in Bristol.

WIN! £100 Nomads ethical wear

he Spark has teamed up with Nomads Clothing to offer readers the chance to win one of three £100 shopping sprees. If you’re looking for ethically sourced womenswear then look no further than Nomads Clothing. Designed in the UK and handmade in India, their exquisite range includes divine handembroidered velvet coats and organic cotton dresses and tops. Nomads believe in Fair Trade, working with skilled artisans often in underprivileged rural villages. Keeping traditional techniques alive such as printing, dying and handlooming means that communities are able to survive and maintain a reasonable living wage. Nomads has been working with the Tara (Trade Alternative Reform Action) project, which helps local communities in India with education, medical relief and micro credit. Nomads autumn/winter collection includes work from women’s groups who hand-stitch vintage cotton prints which are then made

into unique jackets and skirts. Reusing fabric supports artisans and is the perfect choice for eco-fashionistas. For feel-good clothing with individual flare, check out their new site at www.nomadsclothing.com or ring for a free catalogue on 0800 655 6261. For a chance to win £100 worth of Nomads clothing simply tell us what Fair Trade organisation does Nomads Clothing belong to? You’ll find the answer at www. nomadsclothing.com (click on Fair Trade). Answers (postcards only please), to Nomads Comp, The Spark, 86 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB. All entries must be received by October 20. You can also enter online at www.thespark.co.uk. The prize is worth the regular retail value of £100 of Nomads Clothing and must be claimed by December 16 2011. Clothing styles and sizes are subject to availability. Prize cannot be used on discounted items and cannot be exchanged or refunded for cash.

WIN! Preserving for Christmas course at Westley Farm

estley Farm, an 80-acre Cotswold hill farm where the wild woods and banks of cowslips are as important as raising cattle and sheep, are branching out from their award-winning holiday business with an exciting series of courses, events and workshops. To celebrate this, they are offering

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one lucky Spark reader the chance to win two places on their Preserving for Christmas course in November, plus a stay in their most popular holiday cottage! This two-day course will teach you how to transform citrus fruits into crystallised, chocolate-dipped confections, make sparkling jellies, warming onion marmalade and prepare exemplary fruit curds. You’ll be shown how to preserve excess garden and hedgerow fruit and veg and how to use up those bits and pieces in the back of the freezer. There will be time to learn about the different ingredients and methods used to keep fresh food safe, and to answer your questions so you can go home with the confidence to make exceptional preserves. To win this great prize just tell us how many courses are being held at Westley Farm between September and November 2011.

Hint: Have a look at www.westleyfarm.co.uk/calendar.htm. The prize, worth £390, is for four nights accommodation and includes two places on the course (Mon Nov 21 – Fri 25), staying in the charming, two-bedroom Jackdaw cottage. Prize would suit two friends or a group of four with two attending the course, which runs Nov 22-23. Answers (postcards only please), to Westley Farm Comp, The Spark, 86 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB. All entries must be received by October 20. You can also enter online at www.thespark.co.uk. Westley Farm Holiday Cottages is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and the Cotswold Green scheme, and works closely with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust on habitat management. For more information about the cottage see www.westleyfarm.co.uk/jackdaw.htm.

12/8/11 16:25:18

54 changemaker

Reg Illingworth, green energy advocate Interview by Fiona McClymont • photo by Jo Halladey Reg Illingworth, 52, was born and brought up in Liverpool. He moved to Bristol in the 1990s and eight years ago bought a house in Shepperdine, next door to the nuclear power station at Oldbury, Gloucestershire. This decision led to his passion for renewable energy which does not rely on fossil fuels or nuclear power. Earlier this year he set up Altereco (based in Portland Square, Bristol), a company which supplies and installs renewable energy systems for homes and businesses in the South West. He also heads SANE, a local group campaigning against the government’s decision to back nuclear fuel options in both Oldbury and Hinckley Point in the South West and further afield in the UK. My life changed when I took the decision to buy a house just one mile away from Oldbury Nuclear Power Station. I was very apprehensive about deciding to move there for two reasons: it was in a flood zone and it was extremely close to the nuclear plant. But, reassured by people living close-by that there had never been any issues, we moved in. The first weekend we were there, we woke up to discover a strange deposit – a rusty, powder-type substance – all over the six acres of old apple orchard at the back. The whole area was uniformly covered with it. I’ve never found out what that substance was. At that point I started to inform myself about the place I was living so close to and the nuclear industry as a whole. The first thing I discovered is that it’s not easy to find out anything! But the facts in the public domain were enough to concern me: Oldbury is currently the oldest nuclear power plant in the world: it’s lived its life and is increasingly dangerous. It was due for decommissioning in 2008, but then granted a six-month extension, then another six-months and it’s still operating. Ten years from now, the government plans to replace it with a new, larger nuclear power station right next to the old one. It’s often more comfortable to ignore things, but this issue was literally on my doorstep, so I couldn’t. I’m not the obvious candidate to head up an anti-nuclear campaign. My background is in business and I didn’t come into this from the usual kind of Greenpeace angle. But my experience comes in really useful. It’s prepared me for my fight with the nuclear industry. I can understand and speak their language and I’m not intimidated or impressed by all their corporate talk and the lavish spreads at stakeholder meetings.

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What changed things for me was the realisation that there was no need for nuclear. The whole way it’s been sold to us is just a story. Look at Germany. Horizon (the name of the consortium formed by power companies E.ON and RWE) are not allowed to build any more new nuclear power stations in their home country and there’s a recent ruling by their government to shut down the 17 existing ones by 2022. If they can do without nuclear in Germany, probably the third most successful economy in the whole world, why should we in Britain just accept it into our society? I’ve become pretty stubborn – you have to be to get anywhere. I’ve been persistent. I’ve been outside virtually every meeting Magnox (who run Oldbury) have had, handing out leaflets, sometimes on my own, other times with support. At first I didn’t want to raise my profile or get into ‘trouble’, but I don’t give a damn anymore. I have support from the core members of SANE. I’ve definitely changed in the last two years, possibly I’ve become more cynical. I certainly question the government and big business more than I used to. Power companies were denationalised 15 years ago. Multinationals such as RWE, E.ON and EDF came into the market and they are playing a game with the government. They will not invest in renewables ’til they get nuclear. Hergen Haye, the head civil servant at the Office of Nuclear Development confirmed this recently when he said, “If you play hardball with these large companies, they will go and invest in places like China instead.” These companies have got the government exactly where they want them. I don’t understand how people can be so mobilised and vocal against wind turbines but do nothing at all about the

two nuclear power stations in their area. It doesn’t make sense to me. People talk about nuclear being the only way forward because the emissions are low etc. Well, the emissions aren’t low for a start. Once every two years Oldbury performs what they call an ‘outage’, when they basically blow out into the atmosphere 150 tons of carbon dioxide, full of radionucleids and heavy toxins like argon 14. Would you call that low? And the reason the industry talks so much about their ‘stringent’ safety rules is because when something does go wrong, the side-effects are catastrophic. Just look at Fukushima. A lot of people are happy to be against something and apportion blame, but the key is to take alternative action and make a positive choice. Good intentions are fine, but there needs to be someone offering a different way and saying, “Right, this is what we need to do instead.” A guy interviewing me for Bristol Radio said “OK, there’s a group of you stood outside Oldbury, big deal. We all want electricity don’t we? What’s your solution?” At that point I realised that you had to offer people a viable alternative. So, I spent 18 months travelling to different countries, meeting experts and researching all the green energy solutions and it led me to start up Altereco. Change comes from education. Energy efficiency has a massive part to play, that’s what we should all start with. After that, it’s about holding meetings with every kind of community group – from the WI to big business – and showing them what’s out there. What’s missing at the moment is advice tailored to the layperson. To get people to take alternatives on board you’ve got to make the information very accessible, understandable and practical, and not assume a lot of knowledge that actually isn’t there.

There’s a lot of negative press about renewable energy. It often comes from sources which have a vested interest in seeing renewables fail. I want to try and change that view. The public have been led to believe that any kind of alternative energy is expensive and doesn’t work – “We don’t have enough sunshine for solar power in England” – that kind of thing. If we had half the investment that’s been put into nuclear industry, then we’d be a lot further on with renewables than we are now. I have always been on an expedition in life, trying to find something, the bigger picture. I did transcendental meditation in my twenties and became a Buddhist when I was 37. Nobody’s perfect, are they? But I do have a spiritual awareness and I believe in something above and beyond just myself. These energy issues are going to be massive over the next 50 or 100 years and I want to be part of a solution. I’ve invested my money, my time and my heart and soul into it; it’s become my vocation. Start beating the drum and get a movement happening! People think nuclear is a done deal, that it’s too big a thing to tackle. It’s not! Bristol’s a fantastic place to live, everyone rides their bikes and composts their food waste etc., but we have to do more than that now. All you fantastic people who’ve bought into the whole sustainability idea, you’re obviously aware and thinking of the planet: together let’s take it to the next level. Use your energy and start generating! SANE (Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy) shepperdineagainstnuclearenergy.blogspot.com www.altereco.co.uk On October 3, a mass protest is planned at Hinkley Point. See SANE website for details.

12/8/11 16:25:23

be inspired

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The Spark

guide Courses AUTUMN

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Pay monthly by standing order: Standing orders (4 issue minimum) help spread your costs, you get Early Bird prices; you don’t miss an issue, and you CAN change your words each issue. Contact beccy@thespark.co.uk for more info. Images TIFF, JPEG or PDF format only please, 300 dpi. Headers are 63mm wide & 25mm high. Artwork should be CMYK not RGB.

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12/8/11 16:26:08

A sign of the times? A new Alter Altereco Solar PV array overlooks the ageing Oldbury nuclear power station.

Every person counts...

We are a commercial enterprise with a heart, hoping to give everybody we touch the opportunity to grow in knowledge

Altereco is a new kind of renewables business that wants

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world for the better. We are a small company with big goals

We believe that the six major energy companies have too much power and some of them are holding the government

and would really love the support and help of individuals

and the British public to ransom over energy policy.

and local communities of Bristol and the South West. We

We believe that this country can achieve its energy goals and carbon reduction without nuclear energy, just

now want every person to hear the Altereco Buzz.

like Germany!

of renewable technologies and in personal development in life.

We believe in power to the people!

AND 25 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED INCOME

Altereco’s Communities Competition is now open for entries Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to enter

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Altereco’s extraordinary competition. We are giving your

We want to know why your community deserves to win

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this unique prize - who would benefit from the free daytime

solar PV system for your community building. Any group

electricity? How would your community invest the money

can enter provided they fit the definition of a ‘community

made from the Feed-in Tariff?

group’ as detailed on our website and use a community

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08456 718 441 • info@altereco.co.uk • www.altereco.co.uk

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12/8/11 16:26:12