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Entering into 2012

06 January 2012

Already dawn and the Owl are arriving a little earlier each morning as we move onward from the Winter Solstice and Christmas fesitivies into 2012, a year seen by many ancient cultures as heralding great change. Whatever our individual understanding of this is, there is no doubt that we currently face momentous challenges in many areas of life. A New Year marks a point of change and traditionally we celebrate this in various ways -  Dragons, Church bells, Fireworks, Reflections, Resolutions. The liminal point between one year and the next brings the opportunity for things to be different, the possibility of new opportunities, often scary, often exciting.

I have some idea of events that are planned or are in the pipeline for Eastcott Barn over the coming year. 2011 saw the flowering and development of ideas that were seeded years ago but I have found that though I knew things were seeded I have never been sure of what would  result. The whole process has taught me so much about trust, being open to possibilities, giving space to new ideas to come in, so that events, meetings, friendships have emerged that I had not even envisaged, let alone planned for. 

The start of our 2012 programme can be found on the Workshops page but there is a lot more still in the planning stage. We will shortly be designing a new format for newsletters. Do contact us if you are not on our current mailing list but would like to be included. 

Harvest and Autumn plans.

12 September 2011

As we step into the "Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness", there is an opportunity to review the harvest of the busy Summer months before turning attention to plans for the Autumn. A succession of Wwoofers (volunteers interested in organic gardening, sustainability, permaculture etc) have worked on various projects at Eastcott, in exchange for bed and board. The result is new raised beds in the vegetable garden, deer fencing and steps to make our 11 acres more accessible to visitors.

The recent Sound Healing evening was a great success. Sheila Whittaker brought 4 large Gongs and we were able to experience their strong reverberations as well as those of some of her Tibetan Bowls. Much interest was shown in a further evening and we have decided to hold a special Christmas Sound Healing evening on Friday 23rd December. This is an opportunity to deepen into Christmas away from the commercial razzmatazzz. Festive refreshments will be served after the Gong Bath. Why not book to stay the night and share a special Christmas Eve breakfast by the fire in the Blackbird room?

This Autumn, in addition to the two Yoga events and Clive Tempest's Chi Gung retreat, we have two new workshop retreats. Flowering of the Heart, Mind and Soul will be led by Lisa Anslow and Todd Lochhead. Then in November, Camilla Nock will lead the first in a series of workshops centred on Healing through Creativity. To see further details of our Autumn programme, have a look at the Workshops page. If you are not already on our mailing list, do let me know if you would like to be included.

Midsummer

22 June 2011

Last year I was able to watch the Midsummer Sun rise over the horizon but this year, cloud hid the morning fiery glory. Nevertheless all is green and abundant here after the recent rains.

There is still time to book for Levannah Morgan's workshop on Saturday 2nd July. I have taken part in one of her workshops previously and was so impressed by her knowledge, wisdom and openness to working at a deep level with the ancient tools of the Western Mystery Traditions. 

The Western Mystery Tradition

20 May 2011

A wonderful opportunity to learn and deepen into aspects of The Western Mystery tradition with Levannah Morgan. Levannah is a teacher and practitioner of many years experience. A one day workshop to be held Saturday 2nd July 2011 at Eastcott Barn.

Go to Workshops page for more details on this and the June Chi Gung meditation retreat with Clive Tempest.

June Chi Gung Retreat

25 April 2011

Clive Tempest will be holding his 4th Chi Gung Retreat at Eastcott Barn from 10.6.11 - 12.6.11. 

This follows two very enjoyable ( and powerful) retreats in early April when we were joined by several participants from Finland, escaping their long hard Winter and bursting into Spring at Sheldon!

For more details see Clive's website www.bigger-picture.net or contact Jenny 01404 841 450

Wild Daffodils

17 March 2011

The wild daffodils are out in the field, the primroses and violets are taking the place of snowdrops in the hedges. Just a lovely place to be in the Spring sunshine.

Owls at Eastcott Barn

15 February 2011

Was just sitting at the computer, thinking what news I wanted to write about, when I heard the Owl.   Quickly I went out and there in the Sycamore just above me, was the Owl, hooting into the dusk. For years the Owls have come to me at particular times. This New Year at quarter to 12, they started hooting - three of them calling across the valley, one in the Sycamore just outside the Blackbird room. For half an hour until quarter past 12 they created such a cacophony of farewell to 2010 and greeting to 2011.

Then, for the next two or three weeks, each morning at dawn and each evening at dusk, the Owl returned to the Sycamore. Recently he has been taking a slightly different route via a big Oak tree but tonight he was back. What an amazing thing it is to see his dark shape above me and watch his silent swift flight down into the woods, the moon hazy behind the Larch tree. 

New therapeutic group

11 January 2011

Already - and amazingly after the recent bitter weather - the snowdrops are starting to push through in the hedges.Their appearance forms the theme for the start of a new group to be held at Eastcott Barn, starting in Febuary.

The small group will meet for 2 hours every Tuesday, for an 8 week period. The cost is £25 per session. After the first group on Tuesday 8th Febuary, participants will be asked to decide whether they want to commit to the remaining 7 sessions. This is to ensure continuity and to build the feeling of safety within the group.

The first half of each session will provide a confidential space for participants to discuss and be supported with difficulties and issues they are facing. After coffee and cake, we will then look more generally at the way we do or do not resource ourselves. This will include experiential work in finding a quieter place within ourselves.

The Snowdrops can be an inspiration in realising that we too can come though challenges.

For more details contact Jennifer.

Last week's Open day.

01 December 2010

Thank you to those intrepid people who braved snow and ice, to come to our Open Day last Saturday. To sit by the fire or in the warm kitchen, talking with old friends and new acquaintances, was very pleasant. We look forward to welcoming you here again and to meeting those who were unable to come last week. 

Invitation to our Open Day in November

16 October 2010

                         An Open Day is to be held at Eastcott Barn

            on Saturday 27th November 2010, from 10.30am - 6.00pm.

 We invite you to see our comfortable surroundings and discuss what we offer here.

                      Gym Facilities, Circuits and Personal Training.

                            Psychotherapy.      Medical Qi Gong.

                         Retreat Facilities.       Bed and Breakfast.

               Light Refreshments will be served throughout the day.

                               We look forward to meeting you

Breakfast in the Blackbird Room

27 August 2010

Completion of our Retreat's new Group Room and Gym

24 August 2010

Our wonderful Builders have now completed the two beautiful additional rooms to our Retreat Centre, giving a large sitting/group room and a fully equipped gymnasium. Both look out over the trees to the valley and fields beyond - a typical view of the Blackdown Hills.

Photo - view from Chapel Field.

09 October 2008

View from Chapel field as Summer comes to an end.