ECC Event details for Summer 2007 now available on website; and advance
notice for New Year 07/08.

http://www.edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk/

9-16 June 07, Gay Men's Week, Laurieston Hall, Scotland
4-11 Aug 07, Gay Men's Week, High Close, Lake District
16-23 Aug 07, Gay Men's Week, Laurieston Hall, Scotland
8-15 Sept 07, Thriving, Not Just Surviving, Laurieston Hall, Scotland
28 Dec 07 - 4 Jan 08, New Year Gay Men's Week, Wasdale, Lake District

Descriptions are shown below. Full details for summer events, including
booking details, are on the website.

9 - 16 JUNE 2007, GAY MEN'S WEEK, LAURIESTON HALL, SCOTLAND

This will be a traditional Gay Men’s Week at Laurieston Hall with up to 55
places available, and as any early summer week’s weather may prove too
inclement for many outdoor activities, the organisers intend to include an
additional component as a prototype activity with a view to it becoming the
subject of a themed week in the future, if successful.
Expect all the features you know and love, and as well as the workshops
traditionally offered and organised by members after arrival, we would like
to hold ‘Skills Sharing’ workshops. Here, members would
teach/demonstrate/share a variety of skills which they possess but others
don’t, in an entertaining/fun/communal activity-based way. In fact, this is
not essentially different from the usual singing, circle dancing, T-shirt
painting, aromatherapy etc. workshops regularly offered.

The difference is the subject matter. Examples of skills that the writer
would like to learn: (a) successfully to iron a shirt without dropping the
thing or losing my temper, (b) the art of successful short-crust pastry
making (without ditto), (c) juggling with more than one ball, (d) bicycle
puncture mending without tears, (e) enhanced massage skills. There are many
more.

What the writer could offer: (a) bread making, (b) hedge laying, (c) the
fast route to foreign language learning (what your teacher never told you
but I can), (d) map reading for the nervous, (e) a new approach to Sudoku
(with maths and colours!).

These are examples to get you thinking, as most of us have myriad skills
that firstly we do not consider as skills, and secondly do not realise
others want.

Obviously, some will need prior organising and also prior consultation with
Laurieston Hall residents (for example, if a workshop needs a kitchen, that
may have logistical implications if the small one off ‘flight deck’ isn’t
big enough, and if there is to be hedge-laying, we first need to be sure
there is an unkempt hedge to lay – and tools to lay it with). So the
organisers request prior notice of intention to run a Skills Sharing
workshop – at least where the above consultation needs apply.

Other than the above, come expecting a traditional GMW with all the familiar
features - and more. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

4 - 11 AUGUST 2007, HIGH SUMMER AT HIGH CLOSE, LAKE DISTRICT

Come and enjoy a traditional summer Gay Men's Week with us at High Close,
where we have exclusive use of the hostel in this fabulous part of the Lake
District.

Activities on a High Close week are organized by participants themselves. In
previous years they have taken advantage of the stunning scenery and the
hostel grounds to organise leisurely strolls, challenging hikes, swimming in
the tarn, meditation, games on the lawn and much more. We will be
encouraging you to bring your talents and energy to lead, or just to
participate in, lots of other workshops; and if people are keen hopefully
this year somebody will reinstate the boat trip.

All food is vegetarian, prepared by the hostel staff and self-service;
feedback about previous years’ cuisine has been very positive. Base groups
and/or heart circles will meet daily before the evening meal, and provide an
opportunity to get to know 5 or 6 gay men really well which can be
beneficial when living as part of a community.

Sleeping arrangements are in dormitories accommodating between 4 and 14
people; but with the week limited to a maximum of 55 places, plenty of space
will be available as the hostel usually sleeps over 100.

16 - 23 AUGUST 2007, GAY MEN'S WEEK AT LAURIESTON HALL, SCOTLAND

Another opportunity for first timers, and regulars to enjoy building a
community of gay men who subscribe to our ‘principles and intentions’.

The week aims to be laid back, open, relaxing, supportive and above all fun.
We will be sticking to a tried and tested, simple structure for the week,
including an opening gathering at the start of the week and a closing
gathering towards the end, where all participants will have the opportunity
to speak. There will also be the option of `base group' meetings, where a
smaller number of people meet each day to check in with each other in
confidence and offer mutual support. Beyond this, what happens on the week
depends largely upon what the participants bring to it.

The organisers aim to kick-start the process and maintain the week on an
organisational level with minimal intervention. Participants are encouraged
to take responsibility for events within the week and choose their own level
of activity and involvement. This could range from sitting quietly by the
fire or enjoying a sing song round the piano, to organising an activity such
as a workshop, lighting the sauna, volunteering to help co ordinate the
cabaret team from an early stage, facilitating a base group, overseeing
smooth running of the timetable or duty rota, helping first timers to settle
in etc. Any number of responsibilities can be adopted by participants,
giving the organisers more time to enjoy the space, and just as importantly,
giving participants the opportunity to develop their organisational skills
and take responsibility and credit for achievements and events throughout
the week. Hopefully for some, this will lead to the confidence or additional
skills required for them to consider participation in organising a future
event.

Activities and workshops in the past have included meditation, circle
dancing, drama, storytelling, singing, poetry, Tai Chi, circus skills, jelly
fights, creative arts, psychodrama, massage, guided fantasy, music therapy,
5 rhythms dancing, Sufi dancing, Yoga, shamanic rituals, healing ... the
list goes on. This time round, who knows? But you can bet your life that
someone will organise a cabaret.

8 - 15 SEPTEMBER 2007, THRIVING, NOT JUST SURVIVING, LAURIESTON HALL,
SCOTLAND

Creativity, motivation and self-esteem - how do we as gay men keep ourselves
inspired and moving forward in life? How can we balance discipline and
delight, planning and play?

This week will be for up to 35 men who identify as gay. We will seek to
dare, to dream and to do, using the unique community that we create on the
week as inspiration and a springboard for fulfilling our potential. The
intention is that we will look at where we have come from in our life
stories and, through workshops and simply the experience of being together,
re-evaluate what changes we might make to enable our lives to be more
fulfilled. Expressing ourselves, whether through art, music, the voice, the
body, or our technical and intellectual skills, we'll work towards a shared
group 'event' involving performance, multi-media and whatever participants
bring in terms of their own talents and interests.

We hope the relationships we form on the week will extend into our lives
beyond to give long-term support & inspiration in pursuing our heart’s
desires.

There is no guarantee that this week will change your life for the better,
but that is what we hope for.

Granted, it might sound like an ambitious ‘heavy’ week, but we intend to
have lots of fun, relaxation & play.

28 DEC 07 - 4 JAN 08, NEW YEAR GAY MEN'S WEEK, WASDALE, LAKE DISTRICT

Description and details to come.





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