HEALTH & HARMONY FESTIVAL WEEKENDS, 2006

Picture the scene: a stately home overlooking the sea within grounds extending to terraced Italian gardens, woodland walks, a labyrinth of ancient stones, secluded lake, walled kitchen garden and permaculture plot. The scene is one of timeless beauty and tranquillity with hidden surprises around every corner. “Where better to find Health & Harmony?” says Ian Godfrey, as he prepares for a sixth year of weekend festival events at Tapeley Park, near Bideford, North Devon.

Often described as feeling like a “family gathering” by participants and public alike, the “family” that is “Health & Harmony” continues to grow. “Many of our stallholders, therapists and workshop leaders have remained with us since the very first events and have grown with us. Others have joined us by word of mouth and it is always exciting to speak with new people about their work and their passions. Anyone who shares our vision is welcome to become part of it”, says Ian. Priority continues to be given to “fair-trade” stallholders, with free space for charities, local and national, and with 10 per cent of admission fees going to the Save Our World charity.

Ian says that new stallholders are often thrown by what can appear on the surface to be a “laid-back” approach to organisation, but one which is actively designed to ensure that the festival weekends operate in a way that encourages individuals to work together.… “New stallholders still ask about the size of space they get for the £25 weekend fee,” I say, “how much do you need?” It’s good to surprise people now and again – like keeping the charges the same for the past six years! Everyone wins when people working at the festival don’t feel pressured by high costs.” As for therapists – “If as many people as possible are to be able to experience and benefit from the wide range of alternative therapies on offer, then it has to be made affordable in the first instance. With the weekend charge for therapists maintained at only £20 and taster sessions being offered to festival visitors at £6, our aim is to have everyone feel that they are receiving value for money.”

To “cap” it all (excuse the pun!) entrance to Tapeley Park on Health & Harmony Festival weekends, is reduced by 50p. It’s obviously an approach which works, as the August 2005 Festival weekend saw a record number of both participants and visitors. The festival atmosphere is ensured with live music featuring performances from, among others last year, Seize The Day and Amy Newton. With demonstrations ranging from Martial arts to African dance, free workshops and talks on subjects as diverse as Globalisation-Resistance, Shamanism, Meditation, Tree Energies, Didge playing and Tibetan Bowl healing, and with plans to include more local artists and crafts people this coming year, “…rather than ‘watch this space’ – why not become part of it?” invites Ian.

Dates for 2006 Health & Harmony Festival Weekends are:
May 27th/ 28th, June 24th/25th, July 29th/30th, August 26th/ 27th.
Call:08453-458627(lo-cal)or email: healthandharmony@thepurplebus.com