--- In ecc-public-discuss@..., "mc_ala" <mc_ala@...> wrote:
>
> Hi There, anyone from the London area here, are there any ECC groups close by?
Alan
>
Hi Alan,
I am often in London and could meet up with you if you want? Sukki
Thanks for your feedback and tips, that is most helpful. Yes I'm keen to get something going in the future, there's a bit of a lack of this sort of stuff in Brum so why not! Hopefully I will get chance to discuss this with you and others at the autumn weekend.
all the best,
Steve.D
--- On Fri, 18/9/09, Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@...> wrote:
From: Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@...> Subject: RE: [ecc-public-discuss] Hello! To: ecc-public-discuss@... Date: Friday, 18 September, 2009, 5:29 PM
Hi Steve...
No, as far as I know there aren't any Birmingham ECC events.
All 'official' ECC events should appear on the web pages.
Maybe there will be events in the Birmingham area at some point in the future. Maybe you could help make it happen?
If in the future a team of guys wanted to make an event happen in the Birmingham area, they could find a venue and bring the idea to the ECC general meeting.
All ECC members are welcome to put in bids to run events.
Have a chat with people at the Autumn weekend and see if that sparks off any ideas.
Another possibility might be to contact ECC members in that area once an idea has been put together. Again that could be discussed at the general meeting.
Cheers,
Dave.
-----Original Message----- From: ecc-public-discuss@ yahoogroups. co.uk [mailto:ecc- public-discuss@ yahoogroups. co.uk] On Behalf Of steve dewar Sent: 18 September 2009 01:02 To: ecc-public-discuss@ yahoogroups. co.uk Subject: Re: [ecc-public- discuss] Hello!
Hello Dave, Thanks for signing me up on this group. Yes I am looking at going on the Ed Carpenter autumn weekend. I'm also interested if there's any ECC groups/stuff going on in Birmingham? maybe you know if there is.
cheers
Steve
--- On Sun, 6/9/09, Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@ googlemail. com> wrote:
From: Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@ googlemail. .com> Subject: [ecc-public- discuss] Hello! To: ecc-public-discuss@ yahoogroups. co.uk Date: Sunday, 6 September, 2009, 6:29 PM
Hello to the new people that have joined recently! Any of you been to ECC events or thinking about it?
Dave.
No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13..105/2380 - Release Date: 09/18/09 07:49:00
No, as far as I know there aren't any Birmingham ECC events.
All 'official' ECC events should appear on the web pages.
Maybe there will be events in the Birmingham area at some point in the future. Maybe you could help make it happen?
If in the future a team of guys wanted to make an event happen in the Birmingham area, they could find a venue and bring the idea to the ECC general meeting.
All ECC members are welcome to put in bids to run events.
Have a chat with people at the Autumn weekend and see if that sparks off any ideas.
Another possibility might be to contact ECC members in that area once an idea has been put together. Again that could be discussed at the general meeting.
Cheers,
Dave.
-----Original Message----- From: ecc-public-discuss@... [mailto:ecc-public-discuss@...] On Behalf Of steve dewar Sent: 18 September 2009 01:02 To: ecc-public-discuss@... Subject: Re: [ecc-public-discuss] Hello!
Hello Dave, Thanks for signing me up on this group. Yes I am looking at going on the Ed Carpenter autumn weekend. I'm also interested if there's any ECC groups/stuff going on in Birmingham? maybe you know if there is.
cheers
Steve
--- On Sun, 6/9/09, Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@googlemail.com> wrote:
From: Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@googlemail..com> Subject: [ecc-public-discuss] Hello! To: ecc-public-discuss@yahoogroups.co.uk Date: Sunday, 6 September, 2009, 6:29 PM
Hello to the new people that have joined recently! Any of you been to ECC events or thinking about it?
Dave.
No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.105/2380 - Release Date: 09/18/09 07:49:00
Hello Dave, Thanks for signing me up on this group. Yes I am looking at going on the Ed Carpenter autumn weekend. I'm also interested if there's any ECC groups/stuff going on in Birmingham? maybe you know if there is.
cheers
Steve
--- On Sun, 6/9/09, Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@...> wrote:
From: Dave Google <dave.dae.edwards@...> Subject: [ecc-public-discuss] Hello! To: ecc-public-discuss@... Date: Sunday, 6 September, 2009, 6:29 PM
Hello to the new people that have joined recently! Any of you been to ECC events or thinking about it?
If you want to ask any questions, or just chat about ECC and it's events, there are members in this group too and I'm sure they'd be happy to share their experiences.
Cheers,
Dave.
--- In ecc-public-discuss@yahoogroups.co.uk, "black_gay_uk" <sukki63@...> wrote:
>
> --- In ecc-public-discuss@yahoogroups.co.uk, "Dave Google" <dave.dae.edwards@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello to the new people that have joined recently!
> > Any of you been to ECC events or thinking about it?
> >
> > Dave.
> >
>
> Hi Dave, i have recently come across the ECC and would love to attend one of there events. I know they have an event in the Lake District in December which sounds fantastic.
>
Add other email accounts to Hotmail in 3 easy steps. Find out how.
Hi there.
Yeah there's information on the web site for events.
http://www.edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk/
If you want to ask any questions, or just chat about ECC and it's events, there
are members in this group too and I'm sure they'd be happy to share their
experiences.
Cheers,
Dave.
--- In ecc-public-discuss@..., "black_gay_uk" <sukki63@...> wrote:
>
> --- In ecc-public-discuss@..., "Dave Google" <dave.dae.edwards@>
wrote:
> >
> > Hello to the new people that have joined recently!
> > Any of you been to ECC events or thinking about it?
> >
> > Dave.
> >
>
> Hi Dave, i have recently come across the ECC and would love to attend one of
there events. I know they have an event in the Lake District in December which
sounds fantastic.
>
--- In ecc-public-discuss@..., "Dave Google"
<dave.dae.edwards@...> wrote:
>
> Hello to the new people that have joined recently!
> Any of you been to ECC events or thinking about it?
>
> Dave.
>
Hi Dave, i have recently come across the ECC and would love to attend one of
there events. I know they have an event in the Lake District in December which
sounds fantastic.
Heard about Hebden Bridge falling in water from Nick Dane. Some of us have been once or twice to Whalley Bridge before- it's fine as a venue.
Love from Vyv re-charging our Folleterre batteries with my generator in deep snow here in Winter Wonderland at the Sanctuary alone except the 1,000s of ghosts of loved ones on this Valentine Day:-) x
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
From: "Dave Edwards" Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:54:49 -0000 To: <ecc-public-discuss@...> Subject: [ecc-public-discuss] ! ! L A S T M I N U T E U P D A T E ! !
(Forwarded from Nicholas Spencer)
Hi guys,
I have some updated info for your flyers.
The Hebden Bridge venue has ceased trading so the Easter event has moved to Whaley Bridge.
There's no alteration to the scale of charges but the new venue details are:
Whaley Hall, Whaley Bridge, between Manchester & Buxton. SK23 7BL
(Forwarded from Nicholas Spencer)
Hi guys,
I have some updated info for your flyers.
The Hebden Bridge venue has ceased trading so the Easter event has
moved to Whaley Bridge.
There's no alteration to the scale of charges but the new venue
details are:
Whaley Hall, Whaley Bridge, between Manchester & Buxton. SK23 7BL
And the new enquiry email address is:
eccwhaley2009@...
Otherwise the essential info remains the same.
Cheers and hugs
N
I just want to make people aware that the list of events for 2009 I
posted was only 'passed on' by me. The long hard work of collating that
information was done by our ECC newletter Editor Nicholas.
Thank you Nicholas for all your hard work. It is MUCH appreciated.
Dave.
thanks Dave for all this
please note 12-19 September Laurieston GM is:
the Dance Between Power and Intimacy experimental week.
The 3 organiser/facilitators: Shokti(Marko Whiting), Sunfire, me.
enquiries address, pls note isn't to Marko's old email address, but:
dancepowerintimacy@...
This GMW is for 30/35 men
many thanks, Vyv
--- In ecc-public-discuss@..., "Dave Edwards"
<dave.dae.edwards@...> wrote:
>
> Hebden Bridge
> April 10–12
> Essentials
> When: Friday April 10 to Sunday April 12
> Where: Hebden House, The Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge, between
> Leeds and Manchester, West Yorkshire, northern England
> Number of places: 30
> Breakeven figure: £135
> Bookings to: Adrian Rodgers, 637A Burnage Lane, Manchester M19 1TF.
> Tel 07748 634 764.
> Email: ecchebden2009@ yahoo.co.uk
>
> Laurieston
> June 6–13
> Essentials
> When: Saturday June 6 to Saturday June 13
> Where: Laurieston Hall, near Castle Douglas, southwest Scotland
> Number of places: 55
> Breakeven figure: £260
> Initial enquiries and bookings to: David Shackleton, 367 Blue Bell
> Hill Road, Nottingham NG3 3DS.
> Tel: 0115 950 2489 or 07961 161 801
> Email: polyglot@...
>
> Laurieston
> August 13–20
> Essentials
> When: Thursday August 13 to Thursday August 20
> Where: Laurieston Hall, near Castle Douglas, southwest Scotland
> Number of places: ??
> Breakeven figure: £260
> Bookings to: David Axten 8 Central Avenue South, Arnold,
> Nottingham NG5 6NG
> Tel: 07533 838 757
> Email: david.axten@ gmail.com
>
> Grasmere August 22–29
> Essentials
> When: Saturday August 22 to Saturday August 29
> Where: Grasmere Butharlyp Howe Youth Hostel, near Ambleside, The
> Lake District, northern England
> Number of places: 50
> Breakeven figure: £290
> Bookings to: David Williams, 38 Arlington Road, London W13 8PE.
> Tel 020 8997 0476
> Email: david_williams 382003@...
>
> Laurieston
> September 12–19
> Essentials
> When: Saturday September 12 to Saturday September 19
> Where: Laurieston Hall, near Castle Douglas, SW Scotland.
> Number of places: ??
> Breakeven figure: £270
> Bookings to: Marco Whiting (Ref ECC) Flat 2,306 South Lambeth
> Road,London SW8 1UQ
> Email: Marco <mark@...>
>
Hebden Bridge
April 10–12
Essentials
When: Friday April 10 to Sunday April 12
Where: Hebden House, The Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge, between
Leeds and Manchester, West Yorkshire, northern England
Number of places: 30
Breakeven figure: £135
Bookings to: Adrian Rodgers, 637A Burnage Lane, Manchester M19 1TF.
Tel 07748 634 764.
Email: ecchebden2009@ yahoo.co.uk
Laurieston
June 6–13
Essentials
When: Saturday June 6 to Saturday June 13
Where: Laurieston Hall, near Castle Douglas, southwest Scotland
Number of places: 55
Breakeven figure: £260
Initial enquiries and bookings to: David Shackleton, 367 Blue Bell
Hill Road, Nottingham NG3 3DS.
Tel: 0115 950 2489 or 07961 161 801
Email: polyglot@...
Laurieston
August 13–20
Essentials
When: Thursday August 13 to Thursday August 20
Where: Laurieston Hall, near Castle Douglas, southwest Scotland
Number of places: ??
Breakeven figure: £260
Bookings to: David Axten 8 Central Avenue South, Arnold,
Nottingham NG5 6NG
Tel: 07533 838 757
Email: david.axten@ gmail.com
Grasmere August 22–29
Essentials
When: Saturday August 22 to Saturday August 29
Where: Grasmere Butharlyp Howe Youth Hostel, near Ambleside, The
Lake District, northern England
Number of places: 50
Breakeven figure: £290
Bookings to: David Williams, 38 Arlington Road, London W13 8PE.
Tel 020 8997 0476
Email: david_williams 382003@...
Laurieston
September 12–19
Essentials
When: Saturday September 12 to Saturday September 19
Where: Laurieston Hall, near Castle Douglas, SW Scotland.
Number of places: ??
Breakeven figure: £270
Bookings to: Marco Whiting (Ref ECC) Flat 2,306 South Lambeth
Road,London SW8 1UQ
Email: Marco <mark@...>
Hi guys - as we hit mid-November some of you might still be undecided about how to spend the Christmas week. So here's a timely reminder about the ECC's first Christmas event in quite some time. 17 men are already booked and there's room for plenty more. At the moment the event is under-subscribed to break even but it will be going ahead. If you can't make it, perhaps you know someone who can? Please nudge them in that case!
Manorbier is a modern hostel with plenty of coastline with fabulous walks if you want to get away from all of the Christmas madness. Have a look at their link here:
'There have been ECC events at this time but not for some years, and this is in answer to many requests for another.
We do not intend a religious content but leave that to men's own discretion. There will be services locally for those who wish to attend them.
As any winter week's weather might prove too cold for many outdoor activities, the organisers hope that there will be many things on offer from the membership, and then there's always eating, dreaming and perhaps reading!
As you might expect, we would encourage you to consider what you could offer to the community in a `cabaret' and in other workshops or events.
In case you were worried, Lionel is very keen not to appear as Santa but, there you are, he is the spitting image.
Martin, the former warden at Wasdale, will again be catering for us.
Already we have men who have 'earmarked' a place, so don't be too long in deciding to book. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Breakeven: £265. At Manorbier Youth Hostel in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with up to 36 places available. It is for men who do not enjoy the commercialisation of this period in the year and who would enjoy spending the time with others in a traditional-style week.
My partner had not long since died and a friend introduced me to Lawrie Shaw who told me all about ECC & Stonewall Breaks (no longer running but loosely affiliated to ECC, and run by people who were also ECC members)
The Stonewall Breaks were usually weekends with 15 to 20 odd guys, often - but not always - with options to do things like walking, rock climbing, abseiling, caving etc.
I felt like a whole week with people I didn't know might be too stressful if I didn't like it, so I opted to do a weekend first.
Having read all the blurb, and talked to various people, I'd built up a complete 'mish-mash' of perceptions in my head about how the event would be.
I hadn't realised that - for me - it's the human interactions that make it OK or not OK, work or not work.
So for me it wasn't so much the structure or the activities or how well organised and planned the event was that made it work, it was more about the one to one communications with various people. Some exactly like me were there for their first time, and every bit as apprehensive as myself. Those interactions and the chatting in small groups, the sharing. That's what made it work.
I was made to feel at home and part of the group. People put effort into making sure I knew where everything was, that I had everything I needed to be comfortable.
And it's infections! Once you feel more at ease, you can do the same for other newcomers.
My overall experience of ECC is that it does those things really well.
As Vyv said ECC events are about intentional community building, but maybe some people who aren't familiar with such terms might think that all sounds a bit 'high brow' or serious.
Being considerate with each other, listening to each other, sharing meals and chatting together, either one to one or in groups, dancing, playing, being creative, all these activities add up to intentional community building.
Coming to ECC events for myself and for many others I know has literally been a life changing experience, I can't recommend it enough.
For me ECC events offer time, space, location to be, open, share, converse, learn, experiment, meet resistances + try to discover what they are about (whether to individuals, behaviours, cultures..) It is about intentional community and building that, optimally-based on loving kindness, even for a weekend, week or as you went to, a "tweek".
Hugs, see you @ Wasdale,
Vyv
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
From: itsagroup@... Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 13:36:38 +0000 To: <ecc-public-discuss@...> Subject: Re: [ecc-public-discuss] ECC events.
Hello all,
I don't have much to say right now but thank you Dave for initiating something.
I've only been to one ECC event - a 10 day Gay Men's Week at Laurieston in 1992 (I think) which was absolutely wonderful. And I've never been back for another!! Also, I've had one holiday in the Lake District in 1985 which was wonderful. And I've never been back!! This time, I'm planning to combine the two over New Year.
For me the ECC 'week' was an opportunity for nature, beauty, fun, intimacy, depth, and sharing. It's something that really makes me feel alive and was definitely one of those "This is what life's about" times. I look forward to meeting some of you in Wasdale if that's where you're headed ...
Stephen
x
On 4 Nov 2008, at 14:43, Dave Edwards wrote:
Hi everyone.
My name is Dave. I've been going to ECC events for quite some time now, and it recently occurred to me that this group is a place for people - especially people who haven't yet been to an ECC event - to discuss and chat about ECC, what it is, how it works etc.
So far this year there has been no one discussing anything, though Graham did send a message saying he wanted to join.
Graham I don't know if anyone replied to you, but you already are joined & your messages are coming through loud & clear.
So, are there any people getting this message who would like to know more about ECC and it's events?
Would you like to ask any questions about how ECC puts it's events together, who goes, what happens, etc?
Please feel free to use this space to open up discussion about anything to do with ECC.
I don't have much to say right now but thank you Dave for initiating something.
I've only been to one ECC event - a 10 day Gay Men's Week at Laurieston in 1992 (I think) which was absolutely wonderful. And I've never been back for another!! Also, I've had one holiday in the Lake District in 1985 which was wonderful. And I've never been back!! This time, I'm planning to combine the two over New Year.
For me the ECC 'week' was an opportunity for nature, beauty, fun, intimacy, depth, and sharing. It's something that really makes me feel alive and was definitely one of those "This is what life's about" times. I look forward to meeting some of you in Wasdale if that's where you're headed ...
Stephen
x
On 4 Nov 2008, at 14:43, Dave Edwards wrote:
Hi everyone.
My name is Dave. I've been going to ECC events for quite some time now, and it recently occurred to me that this group is a place for people - especially people who haven't yet been to an ECC event - to discuss and chat about ECC, what it is, how it works etc.
So far this year there has been no one discussing anything, though Graham did send a message saying he wanted to join.
Graham I don't know if anyone replied to you, but you already are joined & your messages are coming through loud & clear.
So, are there any people getting this message who would like to know more about ECC and it's events?
Would you like to ask any questions about how ECC puts it's events together, who goes, what happens, etc?
Please feel free to use this space to open up discussion about anything to do with ECC.
My personal feelings on this - others may disagree, is that actually, we
match Carpenter in a number of ways.
As a group, we have widely mixed incomes, freedoms, skills and so on. We
value what everyone brings to the group to share whether it be skills,
time, money etc.
By engaging with the group, people's outlooks are changed, whether by
becoming more in tune with them selves, or exposed to and appreciative
of others in different circumstances (or both).
I would not say that everybody comes to the group with socialist ideals,
but I think that joining in with the groups activities brings those
ideals to life for people in personal rather than political ways.
But more important than any of that for me is that making friends in
this group has enriched my life in deeper and broader ways than anything
else I can think of. I am far away now, living in China, but I still
think of the friends I have made in ECC as my family.
Chris.
On Wed, 2008-11-05 at 10:57 +0000, davy wrote:
> Hello all
> Has anybody read Sheila Rowbotham's recently published biography of
> Edward Carpenter ?
> And how would ECC generally relate to Carpenters socialist politics ?
> Davy
>
>
>
>
>
I've not read the book myself, though one of our members had a launch of the book as his shop in London, and another of our members interviewed Sheila on his LGBT radio program in Manchester.
I'm sure many ECC members will be reading it.
My personal take on the relationship between Edward Carpenter himself & ECC the gay man's community, will be just that, my personal take, & I suspect each & every ECC member would have differing angles & opinions.
ECC has a set of Principles & Intentions (P's & I's) rather than a constitution, and I think I'd be correct in saying that in creating and maintaining those P's & I's, the ECC membership has always tried to keep in mind those values and beliefs held most strongly by Edward Carpenter.
We are a geographically scattered group of gay men who come together to hold events which engender community building for all gay men in all walks of life. The decisions our community makes about how it does things are made wherever possible by consensus, and any ECC member is welcome to be part of that decision making process.
If you look at our P's & I's the connections with Edward Carpenter and his philosophy should be quite clear.
Here are the P's & I's currently available on the ECC web site. I should add that ECC is currently making slight amendments to these, but the overall concept is unchanged.
The Edward Carpenter Community (ECC) exists to provide opportunities to express our identity as gay men.
We are committed:
To personal growth.
To achieve greater trust and intimacy among ourselves and all gay men.
To create and maintain a supportive network of gay men.
To live in a way that is not exploitative of our fellow creatures, our environment or its resources.
To strengthen our membership by welcoming more men from groups which have traditionally been oppressed in our society; to continue to encourage and support disabled, black, older and younger men to become involved in our events; to do what we can to reduce the impact of sexism and other forms of oppression.
To overcome the effects of our own oppression as gay men.
To share skills and work co-operatively rather than competitively
To look at non-exploitative social and economic structures as alternatives to the current economic and social system.
To act as a resource for each other, interested gay people and individuals and groups who share our concerns and objectives
We intend:
To encourage an atmosphere of trust, support and sharing in each other's lives.
To encourage creativity (music, dance, drama, art, fun etc) in our lives.
To make personal commitment to the community.
To promote activity concerned with therapy and health issues which concern gay men and to acknowledge the major role of self-healing (emotional and physical) in our lives; to encourage a healthy lifestyle and vegetarian/vegan diet.
To acquire places for housing gay men; to make provision for communal living places large enough to provide everyone with privacy and individual space.
In communal living spaces there shall be regular meetings, a disputes procedure, with commitment to sorting out personal problems as they arise, a commitment to welcome visitors and to provide a relaxed atmosphere for them.
To encourage the setting up of a rural centre and living space. To introduce people to new ideas and ways of living.
I hope this goes some way to answering your question Davy.
Cheers,
Dave.
-----Original Message----- From: ecc-public-discuss@... [mailto:ecc-public-discuss@...] On Behalf Of davy Sent: 05 November 2008 10:58 To: ecc-public-discuss@... Subject: [ecc-public-discuss] Re: ECC events.
Hello all Has anybody read Sheila Rowbotham's recently published biography of Edward Carpenter ? And how would ECC generally relate to Carpenters socialist politics ? Davy
Hello all
Has anybody read Sheila Rowbotham's recently published biography of
Edward Carpenter ?
And how would ECC generally relate to Carpenters socialist politics ?
Davy
My name is Dave. I've been going to ECC events for quite some time now, and it recently occurred to me that this group is a place for people - especially people who haven't yet been to an ECC event - to discuss and chat about ECC, what it is, how it works etc.
So far this year there has been no one discussing anything, though Graham did send a message saying he wanted to join.
Graham I don't know if anyone replied to you, but you already are joined & your messages are coming through loud & clear.
So, are there any people getting this message who would like to know more about ECC and it's events?
Would you like to ask any questions about how ECC puts it's events together, who goes, what happens, etc?
Please feel free to use this space to open up discussion about anything to do with ECC.
Back by popular demand, men with or without frocks to go with hard hats
and chain-saws are holding the 3rd annual Lumberjanes wood-cutting *
other pre-winter work at Folleterre Faerie Sanctuary- "free radical
rural faerie space in Europe". Come and join us for work (and play)-
there are also things to do in the house, so you could also hide
indoors or do anything you want as it is faerieland:-) Cooks (and
cocks) always useful.
Contact me, the organiser, if you think you'd like to come- one or 2
car seats availale for early takers) out for this experience- everyone
who took part in previous years had a real good time- accommodation
will be available inside our famhouse unless you wish to sleep
outdoors in your own tent- we hope the weather wil be fair, but nights
will be chilly.. new powerful wood-burner this year in our Friendship
Room plus the cosy communal kitchen and camp fire outdoors.
Anyone wishing to stay on for Samhain (Hallowe'en) is welcome- there
is likely to be a special inauguration of an ancestor altar/shrine/cairn.
Contact me, Notre Dame des Arbres at vyvyan_chatterjie@... or
phone me on +447858658930. You may reach me on land line +441288354687
but I cannot PROMISE this, nor to return calls left on the voicemail
there (if I have left Cornwall when you ring). Am presently in UK so
calls to my numbers won't cost you a fortune.Want to talk more about
Lumberjanes or Folleterre? Come along to ECC AG at Lower Shaw Farm,
Swindon, Wilts 17-19 October (need register with Jimmy MacSweeney first:-)
Edward Carpenter, socialist and gay rights activist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is bought back to life in this extensive new biography by Shelia Rowbotham. Join us to celebrate this new publication. The event is free and refreshments provided but please do reply if you want to come so that we have an idea of numbers
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...
Lots of places still available on the following:
Moving Words - Moving Music
February 8, 9, 10
at The Nightingale Centre.Great Hucklow, Derbyshire
The theme of this weekend is to create and have fun around words and music
(no experience or particular skills necessary!)
Cost: between £70 and £115
For further info see
http://www.edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk/movingwords.html
Some of you might be interested in this event:
Albion Faeries present:
Yuletide at Featherstone Castle,
a UK EuroFaerie gathering.
Join us 20 - 28 December 2007 for:
- log fires,
- faerie feasts,
- heart circles for the body and soul,
- music,
- drumming,
- dance,
- solstice celebration.
Faerie is a self-chosen identity - this gathering is for all adult faeries
(16+), irrespective of gender and sexuality.
Probably most of the faeries at this event will be gay men, but there will
probably be some women as well.
For details see:
uk.geocities.com/albionfaeries/
Frank Sierowski / Frank of Albion
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