ECC EVENTS 2008

**Gay Men's Week, Laurieston Hall, 31 May 08 - 7 Jun 08, 7 nights

**Gay Men's Week, High Close Youth Hostel, South Lakeland, 2 Aug 08 - 9 Aug
08, 7 nights

**Gay Men's Week, Laurieston Hall, 14 Aug 08 - 21 Aug 08, 7 nights

**Nourishing Body & Soul, Laurieston Hall, 30 Aug 08 - 6 Sep 08, 7 nights

**Escape Christmas Gay Men's Week, Manorbier Youth Hostel, Pembrokeshire, 20
Dec 08 - 27 Dec 08, 7 nights

**New Year Gay Men's Week, Wasdale Youth Hostel, Wastwater, 27 Dec 08 - 3
Jan 09, 7 nights

DETAILS (for the first 4) INCLUDING COSTS AND BOOKING ARE ON:

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

DESCRIPTIONS:

**Gay Men's Week, Laurieston Hall, 31 May 08 - 7 Jun 08, 7 nights**

South West Scotland

This will be a traditional week with up to 55 places available.

Expect all the features you know and love. The organisers intend to include
an additional component activity, as last year, with a view to it becoming
the subject of a themed week in the future. We would like to hold Skills
Sharing workshops. Here, members would teach/ demonstrate/share a variety of
skills in an entertaining/fun/communal activity-based way.

Examples of skills the writer requires to learn: (a) to iron a shirt without
dropping it or losing my temper, (b) the art of short-crust pastry making
(without ditto), (c) juggling with more than one ball, (d) bicycle puncture
mending without tears (or 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, which proved fun and educational
last June, (d) map reading for the nervous, (e) approaching Sudoku with
colours (and maths)!

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.

Some will need prior organising and also consultation with Laurieston Hall
residents. So the organisers request prior notice of intention to run a
Skills Sharing workshop.

**Gay Men's Week, High Close Youth Hostel, South Lakeland, 2 Aug 08 - 9 Aug
08, 7 nights**

Come and enjoy a fantastic summer Gay Men's Week with us at High Close. We
have exclusive use of the hostel in this beautiful part of the Lake District
where you can enjoy stunning views of the hills in the company of lovely
men.

Activities on a High Close week are organised by the participants on the
week. In previous years they have taken advantage of the surrounding
countryside and the hostel grounds to organise leisurely strolls,
challenging hikes, music and dancing, swimming in the tarn, games on the
lawn, meditation and much more. Last year we even tried archery. Do come and
join us, bringing your talents and energy to lead lots of such workshops or
just to join in the fun.

All food is vegetarian, prepared by the very friendly hostel staff and
self-service; in the last couple of years food has been really good.

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 and to
enhance the feeling of 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.

**Gay Men's Week, Laurieston Hall, 14 Aug 08 - 21 Aug 08, 7 nights**

South West 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 structure, 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 in confidence and
to 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 at the piano to organising an activity such as
a workshop, lighting the sauna, volunteering to help co-ordinate the
cabaret, 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 organisational skills and take
responsibility and credit for achievements.

Past activities and workshops have included meditation, storytelling,
singing, poetry, Tai Chi, circus skills, jelly fights, psychodrama, massage,
music therapy, dancing, Yoga, drama, shamanic rituals, healing ... the list
goes on. This time round, who knows? But you can bet your life someone will
organise a cabaret.

**Nourishing Body & Soul, Laurieston Hall, 30 Aug 08 - 6 Sep 08, 7 nights**

South West Scotland

This week invites us to focus on nourishing our physical and spiritual
selves. We will explore our theme through art, dance, movement, theatre and
cookery and, depending on who comes on the week, hopefully other mediums
too, such as massage, music and photography. We can be creative, expressive,
playful, serious and, most importantly, ourselves with each other. There
will also be opportunities, within a safe space, to focus on feelings we
have about our bodies, how others see us, ageing and sexuality. Our aim is
to satisfy our appetite for sharing and exploring aspects of ourselves that
so often go unseen and, as a result, un-enjoyed by the other gay men around
us.

Nobody taking part needs to be a prize winning musician, artist or chef. It
is enough to want to give it a go, experience the result as fully as
possible and relish the moment. Base groups will meet daily before the
evening meal for an opportunity to check in with a small group of people and
offer mutual support. The week will culminate in a sharing of a variety of
creative moments inspired by the week's workshops, events and encounters.
For up to 35 participants.

Laurieston Hall is the ideal setting for our week; surrounded by natural
beauty, close to an exhilarating loch and radiating warmth of every sort.

We really hope you will join us.

**Escape Christmas Gay Men's Week, Manorbier Youth Hostel, Pembrokeshire, 20
Dec 08 - 27 Dec 08, 7 nights**

Details still to come...

**New Year Gay Men's Week, Wasdale Youth Hostel, Wastwater, 27 Dec 08 - 3
Jan 09, 7 nights**

Details still to come...