tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84754722238158238392024-03-14T01:11:23.001-07:00RESURGENCE & ECOLOGIST BLOGSBlogs from the Resurgence & Ecologist team on conservation, environment, green living & craft.Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-75104580122382969802018-03-16T08:40:00.000-07:002018-03-16T08:40:32.206-07:00COLOURFEST: A restorative alternative to summer festival madness<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9plM75twrzh5v4fPVStrHtaNqDdRPLYVv0FtEpa9XRlcjfITrDlPRghWcQC3E0d_LdOcjUwctIqaFc3gEiirz034QN1fqRi6lP1Uc4Piq9sySbt_hCevbuyhBOlmTAXahyphenhyphenis1wgMnuHU/s1600/Colourfestflyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9plM75twrzh5v4fPVStrHtaNqDdRPLYVv0FtEpa9XRlcjfITrDlPRghWcQC3E0d_LdOcjUwctIqaFc3gEiirz034QN1fqRi6lP1Uc4Piq9sySbt_hCevbuyhBOlmTAXahyphenhyphenis1wgMnuHU/s1600/Colourfestflyer.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4-day Celebration of Yoga, Dance, Music, Theatre and Arts</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The seventh <a href="http://www.colourfest.co.uk/"><span style="color: #0079cd;">Colourfest</span></a> returns to Gaunts House in the beautiful Dorset countryside from Thursday 31 May to Sunday 3 June, bringing a unique opportunity for celebration and connection through yoga, dance, music, ceremony, theatre and arts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Set amid open landscapes, stunning vistas and ancient trees, the alcohol and drug-free event offers a restorative alternative to the many hedonistic music festivals in the UK summer calendar. With yoga at the festival’s heart, the many workshops, performances and fun-filled activities are infused with its spirit and ethos, bringing the chance for deep connection and nourishment, and generating a calm and uplifting ambience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Robbie Newman, co-organiser of Colourfest says:<span style="color: #6c6c6c;"> </span>“Colourfest blends inner rest with more active expressions and promises to be playful, enriching and insightful, celebrating the many colours of life. The delicious blend of yoga, movement, music, creativity and spirited celebration leaves you feeling connected, in the flow, and full of the joy of being alive.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For lovers of movement, the festival offers collaborative dance jams and a variety of workshops covering yoga, dance, and the psychology of movement. Dance highlights include ceremonial dance with African dance superstar Denise Rowe; the UK’s first ecstatic dance band, The Urubu Collective; and silent ‘5 Rhythms’ dancing in the woods with disco headsets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Denise Ro-dance, photo: Andreia Dias</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year’s <a href="https://colourfest.co.uk/programme/yoga/"><span style="color: #0079cd;">yoga programme</span></a> features many high calibre teachers including internationally-renowned hatha yogi, Swami Ashokananda, Director of the New York Integral Yoga Institute. Catering for a diverse range of styles, and including acro yoga and partner yoga, many classes will be accompanied by live music, from DJ sets to kirtan chanting. The wider wellbeing programme also includes gong baths, sound healing, meditation, and other personal development workshops. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the music front, the eclectic line up of bands and musicians in the Colourfest Café are selected to soothe, inspire and uplift. Confirmed 2018 highlights include Glowglobes with their French-lilted mix of acoustic gypsy-jazz, folk and vocal harmonies, and “good time jazz-band” Skedaddle blending jazz, klezmer and Balkan gypsy songs and dances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The festival’s kids’ area is a safe and creative space for children to learn and grow. Complete with an outdoor pool, the area also includes a woodland fairy walk and tents for crafts, storytelling, children’s yoga, hooping and theatre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The venue, Gaunts House, provides clean on-site toilets and showers and the option of indoor accommodation for over 100 people, while cafes and vendors across the site proffer a delicious range of vegetarian and vegan cuisine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rowan Cobelli, co-organiser of Colourfest says: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“<i>Upbeat, nurturing and family friendly, Colourfest is a constantly evolving gem of a gathering created for people looking for a connecting and restorative festival experience. Our programme caters for those just starting to explore themselves and life in a deeper way, as well as offering more intensive opportunities for those more experienced in transformative work. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Alongside the uplifting workshops, keeping the event alcohol and drug free really charges the atmosphere in beautiful ways. We encourage you to come for the full four days as it takes time to drop into a slower pace and build sufficient resources to really open up to and benefit from the wellspring of natural treasures this festival offers.”</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colourfest takes place from 31 May–3 June 2018 at Gaunts House, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4JD. For more information and tickets visit: <a href="https://colourfest.co.uk/tickets/"><span style="color: #0079cd;">https://colourfest.co.uk/tickets/</span></a></span></b></div>
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Will Gethin is the founder of <a href="http://www.consciousfrontiers.com/">Conscious Frontiers</a>. </span></i><br />
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Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-34911108230456655822017-06-09T08:59:00.001-07:002017-06-09T09:09:40.736-07:00The Artist’s Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubXVWBI9dugYm2b5xm4NiXr7FJxTHZh8bh79IQmveUoZgXMDhyeJJYJx5yTqGRpOp0Opfvf2FjCLXMxZ12tZodaPuyXARY1KTh8bQUBJVqIfzqkZ2AdtlQ-n86A5Yf2ILagOwQFdaDeg/s1600/TheArtistWay.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="407" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubXVWBI9dugYm2b5xm4NiXr7FJxTHZh8bh79IQmveUoZgXMDhyeJJYJx5yTqGRpOp0Opfvf2FjCLXMxZ12tZodaPuyXARY1KTh8bQUBJVqIfzqkZ2AdtlQ-n86A5Yf2ILagOwQFdaDeg/s200/TheArtistWay.jpeg" width="161" /></a></div>
<i><b>Sharon Garfinkel, fundraising manager at Resurgence, discovers the key to connecting with our creativity. </b></i><br />
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Along with over 200 people, I spent one of the hottest weekends of the year doing a workshop led by Julia Cameron, best-selling author of <i>The Artist’s Way.</i><br />
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First published in 1992, the book has sold in its millions. Its central premise is that if we want to get in touch with our creativity we need to embark on two regular activities. Every day we must commit to writing Morning Pages – these are three pages of stream of consciousness which must be written as soon as we wake and before our brain gets into gear ie before looking at our phone, or even cleaning our teeth. In addition, we must take ourselves on a weekly Artist’s Date. This is a key mechanism for reawakening our creativity and we can go anywhere which speaks to us such as a gallery or market.<br />
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The course worked by getting us to write freely under pressure. These exercises included listing ‘five lives it would be fun to have’, ‘A great adventure I would like to have’ and ‘If my ego would allow it, I’d try…’<br />
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After the exercises, we then worked in clusters discussing what we had written. Each cluster activity lasted no more than 15 minutes. At the end of each group exercise, we gave those in our cluster “popcorn” – ie scribbled words of encouragement. The beauty of this exercise is that we were constantly changing groups and regularly meeting new people.<br />
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Organised by Alternatives – an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness and offering practical, inspiring and alternative solutions for everyday living – the weekend was fantastic. Everyone left with a beaming smile and a determination to continue this exhilarating work.<br />
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At 69, Julia – the ex-wife of Martin Scorsese – shows no sign of stopping. She is regularly in the UK and if you get the chance to go on one of her workshops, please do so.<br />
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<b>Find out more about <a href="http://juliacameronlive.com/">Julia Cameron</a><br />Find out more about <a href="http://www.alternatives.org.uk/">Alternatives</a>, including forthcoming courses and events. </b><br />
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<i>Sharon Garfinkel is the Fundraising Manager at The Resurgence Trust.</i>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-6104166708441866332017-05-05T07:27:00.000-07:002017-05-05T07:28:43.082-07:00Resurgence Summer Camp is back...<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Bringing
the art of gentle protest to this year’s festival season!</span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The ideas,
ethos and spirit of </span><a href="http://www.resurgence.org/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Resurgence & Ecologist</span></a><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> will spring to
life again at our annual </span><a href="http://www.resurgence.org/summercamp"><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Resurgence Summer Camp</span></a><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">from Friday 30 June to Sunday 2 July, when we
<span style="background: white; color: black;">return to the beautiful </span></span><a href="http://www.greenandaway.org/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Green and Away</span></a><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> tented eco village, near Malvern, </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">in rural Worcestershire. Please note the
early booking deadline is 15<sup>th</sup> May.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Having taken
a break in 2016 to make space for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resurgence’s</i>
50<sup>th</sup> anniversary ‘One Earth, One Humanity, One Future’ festival in
Oxford, this year’s Summer Camp – billed ‘Resurgence Live’ – is an invitation
to “build community and share solutions for a <span style="background: white; color: black;">sustainable future”. </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />“Continuing our
quest to inspire a happier, healthier, more sustainable world, our ‘Resurgence
Live’ Summer Camp is a weekend of inspiring talks, workshops, music,
storytelling, poetry, craft, and gatherings around the campfire,” says Greg
Neale, Editor-in-Chief of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine. “It’s a time and
place to share rich experiences, recharge, rest and enjoy. <span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join </span>us for a live experience
of <i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal;">Resurgence & Ecologist</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal;">in action</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></i><span style="background: white; color: black;">and share inspiration for living a more
meaningful life.”</span></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;">Headline speakers at the event include Satish
Kumar, Editor Emeritus of The Resurgence Trust; Leo Johnson, co-presenter of
the BBC Radio 4 series <i>Future Proofing;</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> “free thinker” </span>Matthew Shaw, who advises ethical cosmetics
company Lush on activism and social change in the digital age; nature
connection facilitator and grassroots activist Kara Moses; and </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;">Sarah Corbett, who uses </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;">craft
as a tool for gentle activism to influence long-term change. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;">The Craftivists’ approach </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;">“If we want the world to be more beautiful, kind and fair,
then shouldn't our activism also be more beautiful, kind and fair?” </span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;">is a theme that runs throughout
the weekend programme, with talks and workshops that will be both challenging
and uplifting.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></i></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Music
highlights include Ombiviolum, with their </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">magical
mbira-infused Zimbabwean rhythms, and </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Eleanor Brown, a creative activist and songwriter using
words, music and rhythm to connect, express and uplift.<span class="apple-converted-space"> Poet Matt Harvey brings his inimitable
sprinkle of humorous, lyrical activism, and – by popular demand – Denise Rowe
and </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">members of Ombiviolum will also
be running an African dance workshop.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
tranquil, riverside Green & Away site, charged primarily by solar power, has
a range of “back to nature” accommodation on offer, including the chance to
rent bell tents and yurts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For more info and to book visit </span></b><a href="http://www.resurgence.org/summercamp"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;">www.resurgence.org/summercamp</span></b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt; text-decoration: none;"></span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt; text-decoration: none;">or email us at the <a href="mailto:info@resurgence.org">Resurgence office</a><a href="mailto:info@resurgence.org"></a></span></b><span class="MsoHyperlink"></span></div>
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Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-3990034469809415432016-12-20T09:19:00.001-08:002016-12-22T03:00:07.140-08:00Sixties Songs of Revolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae-fOkdyZ1A0q8_ilQ3nhCKsnIKudQgftahevKRYuR098H2bqkqbIcHms4buwHCUb9txN6nwD3vVYX-Sh-33EpyRK9Vcr5koVel6Bcv7Smfg8Zqb9a9mv2z9sSbvKF-eNWBsNQgQEdV8/s1600/Resurgence_300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae-fOkdyZ1A0q8_ilQ3nhCKsnIKudQgftahevKRYuR098H2bqkqbIcHms4buwHCUb9txN6nwD3vVYX-Sh-33EpyRK9Vcr5koVel6Bcv7Smfg8Zqb9a9mv2z9sSbvKF-eNWBsNQgQEdV8/s320/Resurgence_300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In celebration of our 300th issue of <i>Resurgence</i> and the culmination of its 50th anniversary year – we have been looking back to the explosive era of the magazine’s emergence, ’66 - ’70, and have selected the defining revolutionary songs of the times.<br />
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Our 300th issue, just published, aptly coincides with the current <i>You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970</i> exhibition at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. To commemorate this, the staff at <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> have compiled our ‘Top 20 Songs that Changed the World’ from the turbulent late Sixties era which is available on the <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/revolution-songs.html">magazine’s website</a>.<br />
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<b>Here is our Top 10 Songs of Revolution:</b><br />
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1. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZC7sqImaM">Lennon and Yoko – Give Peace a Chance</a> (1969)<br />
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2. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94bdMSCdw20">Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi</a> (1970)<br />
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3. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7qQ6_RV4VQ">Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A Changin’</a> (1964)<br />
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4. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw">The Beatles - Revolution</a> (1968)<br />
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5. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5JCrSXkJY">Buffalo Springfield - For What it's Worth </a>(1967)<br />
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6. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRxvaVhVN7A"> Malvina Reynolds - God Bless The Grass</a> (1966)<br />
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7. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3yCcXgbKrE">Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World</a> (1967)<br />
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8. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VRSAVDlpDI">James Brown - I’m Black and I’m Proud</a> (1968)<br />
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9. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKvnQYFhGCc">Jimi Hendrix – The Star-Spangled Banner</a> (Woodstock, 1969) <br />
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10. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRhq-yO1KN8">John Lennon – Imagine</a> (1971)<br />
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The V&A’s flagship exhibition, <i>You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970</i>, focuses on late Sixties’ pop culture and the wider perspectives which, like Resurgence, it gave voice to - such as the struggles for human and civil rights, a burgeoning interest in Eastern and other forms of spirituality, the development of environmentalism and feminism, and concerns about the impact of consumerism, to name a few. <br />
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Greg Neale, Editor-in-Chief of <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i>, whose article about the flagship V&A exhibition for the 300th issue of the magazine, considers the influence of Sixties’ counter-culture as a stimulus for lasting change, says: “The <i>You Say You Want a Revolution?</i> exhibition provokes the question, ‘did the Sixties really change the world?’ While much of the work considered in the exhibition proved to be ephemeral, the explosion of creativity from the era is undeniable, as is the rising influence of the Green Movement which Resurgence pioneered. The emergent back-to-the-land ideas of self-sufficiency, return to Nature, and new technologies that focused on the Earth’s fragility were to become the most far-reaching of the era.”<br />
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Greg Neale continues: “To celebrate our 300th issue of <i>Resurgence</i>, we’ve compiled our ‘top songs from the era which changed the world’. Many of today’s prevailing ideas about the environment, social justice, wellbeing and peace, as continuously featured in Resurgence, were fuelled by the legendary songs of this period – from The Beatles’ Revolution and Lennon and Yoko’s Give Peace a Chance to Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi and James Brown’s I’m Black and I’m Proud. Our list includes protest, civil rights and anti-war songs, as well as tracks that powerfully evoke the emotional and revolutionary spirit of the times. We invite you to share your feedback on our song choices on the Resurgence Trust Facebook page, and we’d love to hear which songs you think most changed the world.”<br />
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The milestone 300th issue of <i>Resurgence</i> comes in a year of milestones for the magazine, including the ‘One Earth, One Humanity,One Future’ festival in Oxford in late September, which united the world’s Green and Social Justice Movements to celebrate Resurgence’s 50 years at the forefront of environmental change, and to share ideas for building a more sustainable, healthy and harmonious future.<br />
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Paul McCartney says: “Happy 50th anniversary <i>Resurgence</i>! My family and I have been involved in animal welfare and vegetarianism for many years and would like to congratulate you for the good work you do for the planet and the creatures who live in it. Best wishes for the future.”<br />
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The pinnacle of <i>Resurgence</i>’s 50th anniversary year, the 300th issue now flies the flag for many of the enduring ideas the magazine has pioneered since 1966, which remain relevant and critical, today. Highlights include Christine Toomey’s profile on global mindfulness pioneer, Thich Nhat Hanh; Roman Krznaric’s elucidation on how cultivating empathy can transform societies; articles by Meg Beresford (former General Secretary of CND) and Ione Bingley highlighting the plight of bees, butterflies and nature at risk; and an article by Fritjof Capra sharing new scientific evidence for the long held supposition of Buddhists and others that humans are interconnected and part of nature. The issue also infuses the magazine’s usual rich mix of news, arts and book reviews, and includes pieces about the growing resistance to fracking worldwide; approaches to ending poverty; green business; natural foods; and the importance of scientific and religious groups cooperating on environmental issues.<br />
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<b>To view Resurgence’s full ‘Top 20 Sixties Songs that Changed the World’ selection, and to read Greg Neale’s article re the V&A exhibition, visit: <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/revolution">www.resurgence.org/revolution</a></b><br />
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<i>Resurgence</i> invites you to share your thoughts on their song choices on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Resurgencetrust/">Resurgence Trust Facebook page</a>. They’d also love to hear which songs you think most changed the world!<br />
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To order the 300th issue of <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> (Jan/Feb 2016) in print or PDF format, visit the Resurgence <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/shop/issues.html">online shop</a>. For details of The Resurgence Trust’s special Gift Membership offer, visit our <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/membership/gift-membership.html">gift membership page</a>.Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-14954968043771505312016-11-22T04:04:00.000-08:002016-11-22T04:04:17.066-08:00Sustainable Ways to Make Old Homes Cosy for Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQq7uO3rdIwrngV1Nl-nF0quWcB-Ka98HnMVZ_1RWCw-qIv3DAfBBSs1qd5NvA4bjntSZ1-qNKFFHaqlNFiEZ4ahMRUMp8-gDpeXLm5EMpaSW02huOt6g6tJZyhsE0mTSNnKYGCWZvKs/s1600/CosyHome_Infographic_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQq7uO3rdIwrngV1Nl-nF0quWcB-Ka98HnMVZ_1RWCw-qIv3DAfBBSs1qd5NvA4bjntSZ1-qNKFFHaqlNFiEZ4ahMRUMp8-gDpeXLm5EMpaSW02huOt6g6tJZyhsE0mTSNnKYGCWZvKs/s320/CosyHome_Infographic_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
With the Met Office forecasting the UK’s coldest winter for five years, Mukti Mitchell - home energy saving expert and author of <a href="http://www.lowcarbonlifestyle.org.uk/">The Guide to Low Carbon Lifestyles </a>- has top tips to share for making old homes warm and cosy for the months ahead.<br />
Mukti is Director of <a href="http://www.cosyhomecompany.co.uk/">CosyHome Company</a>, a leading specialist in sustainable retrofitting solutions for period properties. CosyHome has just been shortlisted for two environmental awards for its work restoring the iconic heritage village of <a href="http://www.clovelly.co.uk/">Clovelly</a>, renowned worldwide as one of the UK’s most picturesque, historic villages. The company was shortlisted for the “Home” category of last month’s <a href="http://www.peaawards.com/about/">P.E.A. Awards</a> and for the "Environmental Champion" category of Devon's prestigious <a href="http://debi-awards.org.uk/">DEBI Awards</a> (to be announced on Thursday 24th November).<br />CosyHome’s exemplary insulation of all 120 properties in Clovelly (having just completed Phase One) provides a timely model for how old buildings – and even whole villages - can be restored and insulated so they are warm for winter, preserve their beauty and character, save energy and protect the environment, while also reducing heating bills. In addition, the sustainable insulation techniques employed meet the ‘e-rating’ energy performance standards soon to be legally required by landlords renting out properties.<br />
<br /><b>Mukti’s ten top sustainable ways to insulate your old home are as follows:</b><br />
1. Draught-proof your doors and windows, which lose 30% of household heat. Old properties do need ventilation though, so only treat doors and windows with noticeable draughts.<br />
<br />2. Top up your loft insulation to 300mm (12 inch) thickness. Rockwool is the cheapest, however Thermafleece sheep wool insulation is more efficient, lasts far longer and supports British farmers. Typical lofts lose 10% of a home’s heat; this is reduced to just 3% after a top-up.<br />
<br />3. Double or secondary glazing can save 70% of heat lost through windows. Rotten windows can be replaced with double glazing, but for beautiful windows in good condition secondary glazing offers nearly the same efficiency, yet with better sound proofing, while also preserving their character. ‘Advanced secondary glazing’ (developed by CosyHome), comprises of Plexiglas fitted to existing sashes which is more thermally efficient and virtually invisible.<br />
<br />4. Insulate sloping ceilings - if your bedroom ceilings have a sloping part this is usually because plasterboard has been fitted allowing cold external air to circulate above to ventilate the rafters, which can lose a phenomenal amount of heat. To prevent this, insulation boards can be fitted on the inside and re-plastered. Called “Room-In-Roof” insulation, this is more costly than the earlier measures but makes a big difference to warmth in the room.<br />
<br />5. Have Radiator Enhancers fitted behind your radiators. These heat-reflective panels stop heat going into the walls and reflect it into the room where you want it. Estimated to save 7% on heating.<br />
<br />6. Seal up the gaps in your floorboards and skirtings. CosyHome Company offers a long-term solution using marine deck caulking, which is completely unnoticeable.<br />
<br />7. Fit thermal lining to your curtains. The speed of heatloss, called a “u-value”, is 5.5 for single glazing, 1.8 for double or secondary glazing and just 1.0 with lined curtains – so curtains save half the heatloss.<br />
<br />8. External wall insulation (EWI). Ideal for rendered or slate hung walls, EWI consists of insulation boards such as Celotex (synthetic) or Diffutherm (wood fibre board) glued to the external walls, covered with wire mesh and re-rendered. EWI has no risk of condensation being trapped behind it, protects the wall, and reduces its u-value from 2.0 to as low as 0.2, majorly effecting warmth. Costs start from around £10,000 for one dwelling.<br />
<br />9. Internal Wall Insulation (IWI). If you can’t fit external wall insulation because your home is listed, or have stone walls you don’t want to render, internal wall insulation can be highly effective. The technique is similar to EWI, and insulation boards are glued to internal walls and covered with plasterboard. IWI is sensitive because if done incorrectly condensation and dry rot can get behind it, so an architect’s specification is recommended.<br />
<br />10. The last measure is floor insulation. If you have cellars you’re lucky because insulation can easily be fitted up between the ceiling joists and covered with netting or boarding. Otherwise floorboards need to be taken up and insulation fitted below. Solid floors can be excavated and insulation put below new floorboards.<br />
<br />Mukti Mitchell - who once sailed a micro eco yacht around Britain (launched from Clovelly) - is aiming to catalyse an insulation revolution across the UK. “Insulating all Britain’s homes would reduce the national carbon footprint by 10%,” he says. “While CosyHome is ambitiously aiming for over 50% growth per year, one company could never insulate even 1% of Britain’s 27 million homes, so we hope other companies will copy our techniques. Meantime, with freezing temperatures predicted across the UK in the coming weeks, now is the time to insulate your period home and get it cosy for winter. And you can do so safe in the knowledge that you’ll also be preserving its beauty, saving energy and money, and helping to avert climate change.”<br /> <br /><b>More information</b><br />For more info about CosyHome Company and sustainable insulation solutions for period homes, visit: <a href="http://www.cosyhomecompany.co.uk/">www.cosyhomecompany.co.uk</a> For more info about Mukti Mitchell and the Guide to Low Carbon Lifestyles visit: <a href="http://www.lowcarbonlifestyle.org.uk/">www.lowcarbonlifestyle.org.uk</a>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-22861550583665420992016-08-26T07:28:00.000-07:002016-08-26T07:31:23.340-07:00Flying the flag for a greener future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<b style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Help Resurgence celebrate 50 years at our festival in Oxford next month!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Leading figures from the environment, peace and social justice movements prepare to gather at Worcester College in Oxford for Resurgence’s </span><a href="http://www.resurgence.org/R50event" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0723ff; font-family: "calibri";">One Earth, One Humanity, One Future</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> festival next month (22nd</span><sup style="font-family: inherit;"> </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;">-25th September) celebrating our 50</span><sup style="font-family: inherit;">th</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> anniversary and setting out a new vision for a more sustainable future. Please join us if you can and be part of the conversation! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Famously described by<i> </i>The Guardian as the “spiritual and artistic flagship of the green movement”, Resurgence – published as Resurgence & Ecologist since 2012 – started life in 1966 as a radical fringe magazine and has gone on to become the leading voice for some of the crucial environmental issues of our times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The lineup of speakers includes Craig Bennett (Friends of the Earth), John Sauven (Greenpeace), David Nussbaum (WWF), Caroline Lucas (Green Party), HRH The Prince of Wales (delivering a video address), Mark Goldring (Oxfam), Jonathon Porritt (Forum for the Future), Jeremy Leggett (Solar Century), Tim Smit (Eden Project), American environmental activist Bill McKibben, Dame Fiona Reynolds, Tony Juniper, filmmaker David Puttnam, Rowan Williams, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, MP Andrew Mitchell, and ‘Earth Pilgrim’ Satish Kumar - who edited Resurgence for 43 years and continues to manage the Resurgence Trust, the educational charity which publishes the magazine and its two websites. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Satish Kumar, renowned for his many long-distance walks for peace and environmental causes, will be making a 50-mile pilgrimage to the festival, travelling from the source of the Thames to Oxford, arriving on Wednesday 21<sup>st</sup> September. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Satish and Greg Neale, his successor as Editor-in-Chief at The Resurgence Trust, said: “Over three days of lively dialogue, discussion, talks, performances and celebration, many outstanding ecological, environmental and political thinkers, plus artists, poets and spiritual leaders, will celebrate 50 years of Resurgence,<i> </i>and share their passion, ideas and inspiration for building a more sustainable world for the 50 years to come.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Indian environmental activist Vandana Shiva, who will address the causes of climate change at the festival’s launch event, said: “For the past 50 years, Resurgence has been championing the interlinked causes of sustainability, social justice and respect for Nature. Now the time has come to design a new way of life and economy, so that we can sustain human existence without harming the Earth.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The festival talks, panel sessions and lively debates, will be interspersed with stirring arts performances, including traditional Indian dance by Nilpah Shah, a performances by the Dragon School’s Idris Choir, and poetry from Simon Armitage, Matt Harvey and US rapper and activist, Prince Ea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Michael Morpurgo, f</span>ormer children's laureate,<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> whose books famously inspire children to discover and cherish nature, and who is also appearing at the festival, said:<b> </b></span>“Now more than ever it matters that we look after our planet, that we feel the belonging that leads to a sense of both wonder and responsibility. Thank you to <i>Resurgence</i> for providing this One Earth, One Humanity, one Future festival as a platform for us to tell the story.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Held in partnership with <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/"><span style="color: #0723ff; font-family: "calibri";">Oxfam</span></a>, <a href="http://www.upliftconnect.com/"><span style="color: #0723ff; font-family: "calibri";">UPLIFT</span></a> and <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/"><span style="color: #0723ff; font-family: "calibri";">Network of Wellbeing</span></a>, the One Earth, One Humanity, One Future festival will critically highlight the importance of respecting and caring for our Earth and all its living creatures and plants as a vital first step to inspiring real and lasting sustainable change. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>For more information about One Earth One Humanity One Future, visit: </b><a href="http://www.resurgence.org/R50event"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">www.resurgence.org/R50event</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>More Information about Resurgence:</b> <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span>magazine and its two websites (<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.resurgence.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">www.resurgence.org</span></a>; </span><a href="http://www.theecologist.org/"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">www.theecologist.org</span></a></span>) are published by The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity (no. 1120414) which promotes ecological sustainability, social justice and spiritual values. For details of how to become a member of The Resurgence Trust, and receive six magazines a year, visit our<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/membership"><span style="color: blue;">membership page</span></a></span>, or contact the Trust: 01208 841824. To order the latest issue of Resurgence<i> </i>& Ecologist (Sept/Oct 2016) in print or pdf format, visit: <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/shop/issues.html"><span style="color: #0723ff; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.resurgence.org/shop/issues.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Will Gethin is a freelance journalist and Founder of </i><a href="http://www.consciousfrontiers.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><span style="color: blue;">Conscious Frontiers</span></i></span></a></span></div>
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Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-82046922239948862652016-08-09T02:03:00.000-07:002016-08-26T07:29:05.637-07:00Satish Kumar turns 80<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Satish Kumar, internationally renowned environmental and peace activist, who has been editor of Resurgence for 43 years, turns 80 today, Tuesday 9th August.</b></div>
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Satish - who once famously undertook an 8,000-mile peace pilgrimage from India to America - will mark his 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Resurgence (<a href="http://www.resurgence.org/"><i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i></a> since 2012) with a festival at Worcester College, Oxford calling for a more sustainable future (22nd-25th September). He’ll also be making a 50-mile pilgrimage from the source of the River Thames to Oxford (arriving 21st September), raising the curtain on this landmark event.<br />
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Entitled ‘<a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/celebrating-50.html"><b>One Earth, One Humanity, One Future</b></a>’, the festival - held in partnership with <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/">Oxfam</a>, <a href="http://upliftconnect.com/">UPLIFT</a> and <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/">Network of Wellbeing</a> - will bring together 50 plus international speakers and performers to share ideas and inspiration for building a healthier, more equitable and united world. And echoing a core theme of the festival, Satish’s pilgrimage - to be joined by 50 walkers for the last 30 miles - will make a stand for the environment. <br />
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“<i>Throughout the pilgrimage we will appeal for humanity to reflect on how we’re affecting our planet’s four core natural elements of earth, fire, air and water,</i>” Satish elucidates. “<i>Despite all our developments in science and technology in the pursuit of progress, we have critically overlooked the need to protect these elements on which we depend to maintain life. We will pledge to keep these elements uncontaminated and elebrate 50 years of Resurgence magazine. And our anniversary festival will also celebrate the diversity of cultures, colours and faiths, calling for us to transform our divisions into diversity so we can harmoniously share one earth, one humanity and one future.</i>”<br />
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Born in India in 1936, Satish Kumar renounced the world when he was nine-years-old, joining the wandering brotherhood of Jain monks. Aged 18, he became a campaigner for land reform, working to turn Gandhi’s vision of a renewed India and a peaceful world into reality. He was 26 when he undertook his legendary peace pilgrimage from India to the USA, delivering ‘peace tea’ to the leaders of the world’s nuclear powers in Moscow, Paris, London and Washington. Traveling to England in 1969, he co-founded The London School of Non Violence, and in 1973 was invited to become editor of Resurgence and bring the values of the Gandhian movement to the West.<br />
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Inspired by the ideals of ecological farming, Satish moved Resurgence to rural Wales, ultimately relocating to Devon in 1979, where to this day our magazine is produced from Satish’s home in Hartland. Resurgence has survived, without corporate support, to become the “<i>spiritual and artistic flagship of the green movement</i>”, as the Guardian described us. Our contributors and supporters have included the Prince of Wales, the Dalai Lama, Paul McCartney, Joanna Lumley, Annie Lennox, broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby and gardener Monty Don.<br />
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Turning 50 this year, Resurgence has come of age - having started life as a small fringe journal voicing the radical ideas of Sixties idealists - from environmental causes, nuclear disarmament and human rights to animal welfare, decentralisation and localism – today these ideas have become widespread global issues.<br />
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Satish has been the guiding spirit behind a number of other educational ventures, including the pioneering ‘human scale’ Small School in Hartland; Schumacher College, an international centre for ecological and holistic studies (of which he is a Visiting Fellow); and the Bija Vidyapeeth international college for sustainable living in north India. Satish’s autobiography No Destination has sold over 50,000 copies and his many other books include The Buddha and the Terrorist and Soil Soul Society. In 2008, Satish presented his BBC TV Earth Pilgrim documentary, introducing the sights and wildlife of Dartmoor; and this summer, a new documentary series, <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/shop/being-an-earth-pilgrim-dvd-pr-128.html">Being an Earth Pilgrim</a>, chronicles and celebrates his life and work.<br />
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Following his 80th birthday this week, Satish will step down as Editor-in-Chief of <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> and its two websites, yet will continue to work for The Resurgence Trust, the educational charity which publishes the magazine (and its websites), under a new title, Editor Emeritus. He will also continue his role as Manager of the Trust. Greg Neale, Editor of <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> for the last two years, will succeed Satish as Editor-in-Chief of The Resurgence Trust’s titles after 9th August.<br />
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James Sainsbury, Chairman of The Resurgence Trust, says: “<i>Satish Kumar’s towering achievement in sustaining Resurgence during these last 43 years is already the stuff of legend, and will be widely cherished and recognised for years to come. And it is incredibly heartening that Resurgence has existed in service to the environment and humanity for half a century. It has always punched far above its weight, providing a focus for whole green movement, and being much more than the sum of its parts. The ideas it has long supported and promoted have moved from the extreme fringe to the mainstream.</i>”<br />
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<b>BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR SEATS AT THE ONE EARTH, ONE HUMANITY ONE FUTURE FESTIVAL!</b><br />
Event tickets bought individually for each session/event cost £10.00 per booking; speaker sessions cost £10 per person; a £10 discount is available for all bookings of £50 or over. For further information visit the <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/R50event">Resurgence website</a> or call 01497 822 629 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri).<br />
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<b>More information about Satish Kumar’s R50 pilgrimage to Oxford in September</b>: For details and updates re the pilgrimage and to follow the walk as it happens, visit <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/R50walk">www.resurgence.org/R50walk</a>; please note that the pilgrimage is fully booked, the 50 walkers have already been recruited; For any queries about the pilgrimage contact <a href="mailto:rosalind@resurgence.org">Rosalind J.Turner</a>.<br />
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<b>More Information about Resurgence</b>:
<i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> magazine and its two websites (<a href="http://www.resurgence.org/">www.resurgence.org</a>; <a href="http://www.theecologist.org/">www.theecologist.org</a>) are published by The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity (no. 1120414) which promotes ecological sustainability, social justice and spiritual values. For details of how to become a member of The Resurgence Trust, and receive six magazines a year, visit our <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/membership">membership page</a>, or contact the Trust: 01208 841824.<br />
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<i>Will Gethin is a freelance journalist and Founder of <a href="http://www.consciousfrontiers.com/">Conscious Frontiers</a>. </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Photo credit</b>: Satish was presented with an 80th birthday gift - a 'tree of life' platter made by local potters Frannie and Philip Leach - from the Resurgence team. </span>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-11784201517238232302016-07-29T04:25:00.001-07:002016-07-29T05:17:28.102-07:00One Earth, One Humanity, One Future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Join us to celebrate 50 years of <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/">Resurgence</a> at our festival in Oxford where we bring together 50 plus international speakers and performers to galvanise action for a more equitable and sustainable world.</b><br />
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We’re very excited to be celebrating 50 years of Resurgence at our <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/celebrating-50.html">One Earth, One Humanity, One Future</a> festival at Worcester College in Oxford from 22nd-25th September, which will gather leading international environmentalists, social justice and wellbeing activists, politicians, artists, writers and performers, to explore ways to build a more equitable and resilient future.<br />
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Likened to a “<i>Hay Festival for the green and social justice movements</i>”, the festival will also bring together leaders from Oxfam, Green Peace, Friends of the Earth, WWF and other pioneering NGOs - as well as Resurgence readers, fans and the public – to share ideas and inspiration for creating a more sustainable future, and to collectively reinforce the Green Renaissance which Resurgence helped to initiate. It’s extremely rare and exciting to have such an eclectic range of global change makers all in one place to share ideas and inspiration for making our planet a more sustainable, healthy and happy place to live in for future generations.<br />
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The line up of speakers and performers gathering to expound the holistic vision for humanity which Resurgence has helped sustain for half a century includes US spirit and science author, Fritjof Capra; Indian activist and campaigner for farmers' rights, soil and seeds, Vandana Shiva; Green MP Caroline Lucas; environmentalist Jonathon Porritt; campaigner and celebrity chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall; filmmaker Lord Puttnam; former Children’s Laureate, Michael Murpurgo; bestselling US author Dr Bruce Lipton; ‘new economy’ pioneer Helena Norberg-Hodge; land artist Richard Long; mindfulness pioneer Mark Williams; former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams; and US rapper activist Prince Ea – a celebrated voice for the youth generation. Early booking is advised as events are already selling out.<br />
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"<i>The One Earth, One Humanity, One Future festival promises to be an extraordinary occasion</i>,” says Greg Neale, Editor of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine. “<i>It's rare to have so many distinguished figures from the worlds of environment, social justice, spirituality and the arts together over three days in such beautiful surroundings as Worcester College, Oxford. We are looking forward not only to hearing leading thinkers discuss some of the most pressing topics of our age, but also to celebrating the history of Resurgence, planning the magazine’s future, and sharing ideas and inspiration for building a more resilient world for the next 50 years and beyond.</i>” <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUly36WLRZgPipYIzdVx5A3jTmovFKXOfH9hnXfoqVOxOxcBLFbr3Ft7fXgGN-vPxU8NAS-bMCYeBIqDc6sBFIYzPkAPgL9SDMLsf8QYi3t_nstMW6QZc3ZyqGIQyUZR3Z6EyzElRhyphenhyphen0/s1600/eNews_bannerAd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUly36WLRZgPipYIzdVx5A3jTmovFKXOfH9hnXfoqVOxOxcBLFbr3Ft7fXgGN-vPxU8NAS-bMCYeBIqDc6sBFIYzPkAPgL9SDMLsf8QYi3t_nstMW6QZc3ZyqGIQyUZR3Z6EyzElRhyphenhyphen0/s320/eNews_bannerAd.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Worcester College and its gardens provide a stunning venue and backdrop to this three day feast of dialogue, discussion, talks, stirring performances and celebration. Steeped in centuries of learning, the remarkable college architecture is set amid 26 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, offering a tranquil haven to discuss and reflect on the ideas and inspiration of the programme.<br />
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Other festival highlights include a video message from HRH The Prince of Wales entitled “<i>Quest for Harmony</i>”; US Sacred Economics author Charles Eisenstein’s call for a “<i>Revolution of Love</i>”; leading US environmentalist Bill McKibben’s plea to end our reliance on fossil fuel; Simon Armitage’s “<i>Poems of the Land</i>”; daily performances from the festival’s poet-in-residence, Matt Harvey; a talk by novelist Paula Byrne about the connecting stimulus of Nature poetry; a Resurgence Trust readers session led by Greg Neale; the launch of Satish Kumar’s new documentary Being an Earth Pilgrim; and a talk by Mark Goldring, CEO of Oxfam GB, calling for solutions to global poverty.<br />
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Launched in 1966, sharing the radical ideas of Sixties idealists concerning everything from nuclear disarmament, decentralisation and localism, to environmental causes, human rights and animal welfare, today our once fringe publication Resurgence has become the leading voice for some of the crucial issues of our times.<br />
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Rock star activist Paul McCartney says: “<i>Happy 50th anniversary Resurgence! My family and I have been involved in animal welfare and vegetarianism for many years now and would like to congratulate you for the good work you do for the planet and creatures who live in it. Best wishes for the future.</i>”<br />
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At 50, Resurgence has come of age because the ideals and causes it stands for have become increasingly relevant and mainstream. Edited by Satish Kumar for the last 43 years, the magazine has created a common vision for the once disparate green, social justice and wellbeing movements to work together in service to the Earth and all living beings. Bringing these groups together to celebrate 50 years of Resurgence in Oxford, the festival provides a unifying focus to build a strong movement of ecological sustainability, social equality and spiritual renewal, the three dimensions of a holistic vision.<br />
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The One Earth One Humanity One Future festival is being organised by <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/about/trust.html">The Resurgence Trust</a> in partnership with <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/">Oxfam</a>, <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/">UPLIFT</a>, <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/">Network of Wellbeing</a> and the Tedworth Charitable Trust.<br />
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Mark Goldring, Chief Executive of Oxfam GB says: “<i>We are delighted to be partnering with Resurgence & Ecologist to support this exciting One Earth, One Humanity, One Future festival in Oxford, celebrating Resurgence’s 50 years at the forefront of the green movement and exploring ways to bridge a more equitable and sustainable future.</i>”<br />
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BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR SEATS! Event tickets bought individually for each session/event cost £10.00 per booking; speaker sessions cost £10 per person; a £10 discount is available for all bookings of £50 or over. For further information visit: <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/celebrating-50.html">www.resurgence.org/R50event </a>or call 01497 822 629 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri).<br />
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<b>More Information about Resurgence </b><br />
Resurgence & Ecologist magazine and its two websites (<a href="http://www.resurgence.org/">www.resurgence.org</a>; <a href="http://www.theecologist.org/">www.theecologist.org</a>) are published by The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity (no. 1120414) which promotes ecological sustainability, social justice and spiritual values. For details of how to become a member of The Resurgence Trust, and receive six magazines a year, visit <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/membership">www.resurgence.org/membership</a>; or contact the Trust: 01208 841824<br />
<br />Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-61391684674380019232016-06-07T04:44:00.001-07:002016-06-07T04:44:54.312-07:00Music for Change - Resurgence & Ecologist joins Neil Young on tour<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhXkZcw7MHgNvTIw3pzIs0g3vo-l6YhRk36TgIobIhWTaO-ovNVTCbTWy9C9n8hBn1TjMe6aesPt-BaVqCKfO8cTV6nedEp621MWOpKphfi0XaHwea9bifBm5hgdngUUAymg92oXsaM8/s1600/1+3244713_10156900405080317_3762302468410598784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhXkZcw7MHgNvTIw3pzIs0g3vo-l6YhRk36TgIobIhWTaO-ovNVTCbTWy9C9n8hBn1TjMe6aesPt-BaVqCKfO8cTV6nedEp621MWOpKphfi0XaHwea9bifBm5hgdngUUAymg92oXsaM8/s320/1+3244713_10156900405080317_3762302468410598784_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />We’re very excited that Neil Young has invited <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/"><i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i></a> to join his tour of Britain and Ireland this week, helping to spread his environmental message – the tour starts in Belfast on Tuesday (7th June).<br /><br /><i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> will be part of the extensive ‘Global Village' of activists accompanying Neil Young’s tour, which has already toured the US with the veteran singer, and which will be a feature at the UK/ROI gigs this week in Belfast (SSE Arena, 7 June), Dublin (3 Arena, 8 June), Leeds (First Direct Arena, 10 June) and London (O2 Arena, 11 June), before continuing across France and Europe. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE7XelwoxGJ2xF5e929VjFM3Cn8fK8CerhHHVJlEiOF31V_WRtAubo7eoOczEdYJulM7wljbkOUWOG6m2RbBLHppGo8Y9uXbVDzpSPWz6raDVfbVEBaQ8LTWnRMaWyonTBTspPZ6YdPs/s1600/1+the-monsato-years-extralarge_1433288549360.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE7XelwoxGJ2xF5e929VjFM3Cn8fK8CerhHHVJlEiOF31V_WRtAubo7eoOczEdYJulM7wljbkOUWOG6m2RbBLHppGo8Y9uXbVDzpSPWz6raDVfbVEBaQ8LTWnRMaWyonTBTspPZ6YdPs/s320/1+the-monsato-years-extralarge_1433288549360.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />Neil Young's new album, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monsanto_Years"><i>The Monsanto Years</i></a>, showcases the Canadian singer-songwriter's longstanding concerns for environmental issues, including the dangers of GMOs (genetically-modified organisms) and corporate power. It features songs exploring such topics as global hunger, pesticides and ecology as well as highlighting issue ranging from climate change and renewable energy to social justice, endangered species and ocean conservation. The tour, which is supported by Californian rock band, Promise of the Real, will also promote Neil’s new live album, <a href="http://www.neilyoung.com/earth/?ref=https://www.google.co.uk/"><i>Earth</i></a>.<br /><br />In the Global Village, we will join many other respected local and international green campaigners and organisations on the tour - such as <a href="http://beyond-gm.org/">Beyond GM</a>, Friends of the Earth and Sustain - who have been invited to share their materials and messages at Neil’s gigs. <br /><br />One of the few musical artists to have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of fame twice, Neil Young has been blazing a light on political and environmental issues through his music for decades. His song ‘Ohio’ – written during his days with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – was a condemnation of the shooting of four students at Kent State University in 1970 during anti-war protests. More recently he has protested against the tar sands projects in Canada, made a stand for the rights of indigenous peoples, and initiated a boycott of Starbucks until they stop supporting Monsanto’s bid to block GMO labelling in the United States. <br /><br />Neil Young explains the <i>Monsanto</i> dilemma that fuelled his album and the tour: "The Monsanto Years are here and we are living them. Monsanto is the poster-child for what is wrong with corporate controlled government in our world. <i>The Monsanto Years</i> encompasses several associated subjects that millions of people worldwide are concerned about and active in. Earth is not ours. We are of the Earth. That's how I feel. When we plunder our own home we hurt our children and their children after them. I feel responsible."<br /><br />Neil Young has also recently launched a resource website, <a href="http://goearth.org/">GoEarth.org</a>, to support people wanting to live a greener life, based around the activities of the Global Village.<br /><br />“We’re delighted that <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> is joining Neil Young’s UK tour and quest to create more environmentally conscious world,” says Charris Ford, Neil Young’s Environmental Campaign Manager. “Like Neil, both Resurgence and the Ecologist have been at the forefront of the green and social justice movements for decades – and since the two magazines merged in 2012 – they have provided a strong united voice in the call for a more just and resilient future.” <br /><br />The Global Village comprises of six themed tents focussing on six different activist topics: GMOs, Earth Ecology, Energy & Climate, Freedom & Justice, Future of Farming, and News You Can Trust. Attending fans will have the opportunity to talk with organisation representatives to learn valuable information about the most pressing ecological and social issues facing our planet today.<br /><br /><i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> will be featured in the 'News You Can Trust' tent, along with fellow green publications including <i>Permaculture, Positive News, Peace News</i> and <i>Earth Island Journal</i>. We’re very grateful for this opportunity to communicate some of our shared ideals and messages for a more sustainable and fairer world to a wider audience via this tour. This year – 50 years since Neil co-founded Buffalo Springfield in 1966 - Resurgence celebrates its own 50th birthday. So like Neil, we were among the early campaigners for the sort of environmental and social issues that have become so relevant and critical today. <br /><br />Do look out for <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> If you come to any of Neil Young’s gigs in Belfast, Dublin, Leeds or London - copies of the magazine will be available in the Global Village and we’ll also have a stand and reps from the magazine at the Belfast and London gigs who will be delighted to tell you more about the magazine and the wider work of <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/">The Resurgence Trust</a> and answer any questions. We look forward to seeing those of you that make it on the road!<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">MORE INFORMATION</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Details of Neil Young’s European tour dates can be found <a href="http://beyond-gm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Neil-Young-EU-tour-dates-2016.pdf">here</a>.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.theletterfromamerica.org/">Letter from America</a> is an open letter from citizens of the US to citizens of the UK and the rest of Europe warning of the risks of GMOs. It was signed by groups and individuals – and celebrities- representing more than 60 million Americans and has been translated into eight languages.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> magazine and two websites: <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/">Resurgence</a> and <a href="http://www.theecologist.org/">The Ecologist</a> are published by The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity (no. 1120414) which promotes ecological sustainability, social justice and spiritual values.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">To order the 50th anniversary issue of <i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i> (May/June 2016) in print or PDF format, visit the <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/shop/issues.html">online shop<br /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">For details of how to become a member of The Resurgence Trust, and receive six magazines a year, visit the Resurgence <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/membership">membership page</a>; email the <a href="mailto:members@resurgence.org">membership department</a> or telephone: 01208 841824. </span><br />
<br />Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-67268826634462289372015-11-09T03:33:00.002-08:002015-11-09T03:37:50.377-08:00Kinkeling Community Garden– Fruit trees and Music make the world go around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This story begins back in 1998 when a friend and I, being young and naïve, bought some land in the Nuimi district of The Gambia in West Africa. I had only meant to have a quick adventure, get some headspace and learn some traditional African drumming. Anyway, we teamed up with some local Gambians and started working together on this four-acre plot of semi wild scrub. The land lies on the estuary of the river Gambia and it supports an amazing array of birdlife, as well as some huge baobab trees, a giant teak, lots of palms, and an area of rice field.<br />
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I fell in love with this place, where life felt very simple and where we were able to work without the sense of bureaucracy that I was used to in the UK. At that time, aged 23, I knew little and learned a lot. On and off, I spent seven years visiting, digging wells, drumming, planting trees and inviting visitors to camp with me over the winter months. We helped to support the maintenance of the project through our humble means. Then came studies, two children, and life. I left my Gambian friend Kabiro and his family living there, I didn't visit for a long time, and lost touch.<br />
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When I returned earlier this year after a seven-year absence, I had no idea what to expect. <br />
What I found was that the place has now become a community garden and is used by several local families. Although many of the wells have fallen in, and the fence has half disappeared, the trees we planted fifteen years ago are now producing coconuts, mangoes, cashews, and other fruits. There is a sense of both dilapidation, and vibrant growth, and I hope and believe, that a <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kinkeling-community-garden-sound-of-the-gambia#/">crowd funding campaign</a> can help to create a sustainable sense of growth within this small community. <br />
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I enjoy getting my hands in the earth, and I am also a musician. One of the things that I love about working in West Africa, is that instead of taking a break to collapse into a chair, people often drum, dance and sing to generate energy. Now that I’ve grown up a bit, I feel that I have an opportunity to do something really positive, and to give my energy to a place and to people who don't have the same benefits and opportunities as we have in the 'West'. If I can keep drumming and dancing I’m sure it will all work out. <br />
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I don’t feel that it’s about ‘us’ helping ‘them’. I feel it’s about helping each other. There’s a lot we can learn from Africa; how to smile in the face of adversity, how to work to a rhythm instead of to a deadline, how to make do with little and how to be in community. <br />
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I'm now hatching plans, not just to maintain this wonderful resource, but to grow it and help to make new and exciting things happen. We are raising money through <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kinkeling-community-garden-sound-of-the-gambia#/">a crowd funding campaign</a> to set up accommodation on site and a borehole for clean drinking water. With these two things, we can improve both the quality of life for the Gambians involved, and create opportunities for visitors from abroad to come and support and experience the joys and challenges of Gambian life. From the amazing birdlife, to the goats that roam and destroy the gardens - From the traditional Mandinka drumming and dancing to the fixation of the youth of living in Europe - From the battle to stave off the Sahara desert, to the peace and tranquility of the nearby Atlantic Ocean, there is a lot to be experienced.<br />
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Some of the things we want to bring to the project in the future are: Facilitate and encourage organic vegetable growing, develop the forest garden, start a community tree nursery, explore alternative technologies, and support local musicians and craftspeople.<br />
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Please help to do this by <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kinkeling-community-garden-sound-of-the-gambia#/">contributing what you can</a>! Every little helps, and you needn’t go away empty handed either. We are offering <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kinkeling-community-garden-sound-of-the-gambia#/">loads of great perks</a> including a range of drums made by our favorite wood carver in The Gambia, kinkeling calendars full of bright images from the garden, music downloads to keep you dancing, and much more.<br />
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Thanks for your support. <br />
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<b>You can support the Kinkeling Community Garden - Sound Of The Gambia project through the crowd funding campaign <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kinkeling-community-garden-sound-of-the-gambia#/">here</a> (until 7 December 2015). </b><br />
<i>Allan Kerr, a musician based in Devon, UK. He performs with the band <a href="http://www.ombiviolum.com/">Ombiviolum</a> who have played at the Resurgence Summer camp. </i><br />
<br />Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-11038711632758994282015-06-23T08:34:00.002-07:002015-06-23T08:46:14.210-07:00Summercamp magic at Green and Away <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year's <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/summer-camp-2015.html">Resurgence Summer camp</a> takes place from Thursday 30 July until Sunday 2 August 2015 - providing a weekend of inspiration, ideas, wellbeing and networking in Europe’s foremost sustainable conference centre.<br />
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The Resurgence summer camp is an opportunity to be inspired, learn, discuss, explore ideas, recharge and relax. The camp takes place on a unique site run by Green and Away, aptly described as a ‘small corner of paradise’, situated alongside the River Teme, near Worcester.<br />
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Throughout the weekend there are talks by <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/"><i>Resurgence & Ecologist</i></a> contributors, workshops, music, craft and performance, with time for networking, discussions, walks, or simply enjoying the beautiful site, nestled near woodland and the river.<br />
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The summer camp gives people the chance to experience truly sustainable living within the context of a small community. It holds the vision of what our lives could and should be like – connected, joyful and inspired, with a sense of sharing and deep understanding, having the space to laugh together, exchange concerns and create solutions. <br />
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There are only 140 places on the camp, so by the end of the weekend there is a real sense of community, connection and wellbeing. An insight into how the camp makes people feel can be heard through the voices of those who’ve experienced the summer camp. Here are some reflections on previous camps: <br />
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<i>The Resurgence summer camp gives me the fuel to carry on living and promoting eco-justice</i>. <br />
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<i>Unique, inspiring and insightful talks. Open and safe space has allowed me to develop my inner wisdom and enabled my vision to come to the surface. Thank you everyone who shared wisdom from the heart on the start of my new journey. </i><br />
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<i>I feel nourished in mind, body and spirit. I have been inspired by the young people here and am full of optimism for the future.</i><br />
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<i>It has been a very instructive, nourishing, fun, and most of all heart-warming weekend. So many thanks.</i> – Shantena, speaker<br />
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<i>A huge thank you for such a magical and wonderful time I had at the Summer Camp, and I was genuinely sad to leave. It really is such a magical spot and the feeling of love for the Earth was so incredibly strong!</i> - Polly Higgins<br />
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<i>Thank you so much for hosting a wonderful and inspiring Resurgence camp. It was certainly nourishing for and a celebration of the soil, soul and society! We really enjoyed participating, exploring how to live Earth Law, and living in harmony with Nature. The camp demonstrated to us the potential of alternative forms of messaging such as poetry and storytelling. We left feeling very creative.</i> - Carine and Tom at Gaia Foundation and Wild Law UK<br />
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Green and Away set up their unique ‘outdoor conference centre’ every summer, thoughtfully constructed and organised to create the perfect space to exchange ideas about sustainable living and build solutions to our current crisis. <br />
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In addition to an eclectic selection of marquees, yurts, large tents and small break-out spaces, Green and Away also provide luxury accommodation for those who prefer to camp, glamping-style!<br />
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This year’s programme for the <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/summer-camp-2015.html">Resurgence summer camp</a> includes: <br />
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<b>Speakers
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Julian Rose: organic farmer and activist<br />
Paul Mobbs: environmental consultant, author & lecturer
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Matt Harvey: author and poet<br />
Joe Hoare: the laughing Buddha
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Satish Kumar: Editor-in-Chief, Resurgence & Ecologist
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Nicola Peel: Eyes of Gaia
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Alex Nunn: Action for Happiness<br />
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<b>Workshops
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Qi Kong - Dong Sticks (bamboo stick exercises): June Mitchell
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Harmony Singing around the fire: Janne Tooby and Toni Gilligan<br />
Indian Raga and embodied voicework: Will Tooby<br />
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<b>Music
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Carolyn Hiller and Nigel Shaw
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Sika
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Open mic - share a poem, song, instrument or dance<br />
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<b>Performance</b><br />
Philip Ralph: The One Eyed Man
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Miti Desai: Indian Dance<br />
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All food is provided in the weekend ticket price (3 meals a day, plus teac, coffee and homemade cake!). The food is lovingly prepared by the Green and Away team - all vegetarian, cooked on site using organic, local produce where possible and of course delicious. <br />
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<b>Booking</b>
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Weekend tickets, including all food: £160
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You can book ticket online on the Resurgence website. <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/summer-camp-2015.html">BOOK NOW</a><br />
For enquiries, please call 01237 441293 or email us. <br />
For more information about Green and Away, including luxury camping options visit the <a href="https://www.greenandaway.org/">Green and Away website</a>. <br />
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<b>Please share on social media</b>: <br />
#resurgencecamp <br />
@resurgence_mag<br />
@green_and_away<br />
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<b>The Resurgence summer camp is fundraising event for The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity dedicated to raising awareness of the key ecological and spiritual issues of our time. Registered charity no. 1120414.</b><br />
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<br />Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-1349829389433526262015-06-04T14:57:00.000-07:002015-06-04T15:00:43.251-07:00Network of Wellbeing Celebrates World Environment Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>Florence Scialom looks at activities lined up by the Network of Wellbeing (NOW) to mark <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/index.php/events/event/world-environment-day/">World Environment Day</a> on Friday, 5 June.</b></i> <br />
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NOW have shared a series of inspiring guest blog posts and videos on the connections between wellbeing and the environment throughout this week, as follows: <br />
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• <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/index.php/blog/post/connecting-with-nature-for-health-guest-post-from-jonathon-porritt-the-cons">Connect with nature for improved mental health</a>: World-renowned environmentalist Jonathon Porritt shares a guest post on the health benefits of nature. In particular, Jonathon talks about his experiences as President of The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), and TCV’s innovative Green Gyms project.<br />
• <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/index.php/blog/post/nature-is-central-to-wellbeing">Nature is central to wellbeing</a>: Campaigner, writer and leading environmentalist Tony Juniper shares a guest post offering his reflections on how Nature is central to our wellbeing, and should not be sacrificed for a misguided pursuit of 'progress'. <br />
• <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/index.php/blog/post/nature-is-central-to-wellbeing">Strategies to build wellbeing for people and planet</a>: This post shares some recent NOW video interviews, offering insightful perspectives on wellbeing and the environment. One interview is with Alan Watson Featherstone, Founder of Trees for Life and the other is with Chris Johnstone, Founder of The Centre for Resilience, Happiness and Positive Change.<br />
• Friends of the Earth: The final post in this series will be from Friends of the Earth, and will be shared on NOW’s <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/blog">blog</a> on World Environment Day. <br />
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Enjoy more with less<br />
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“<i>Seven billion dreams. One planet. Consume with care</i>.” This is the theme for World Environment Day 2015 shared by the United Nations <a href="http://www.unep.org/wed/">Environment Programme</a> (UNEP), which coordinates global activities for the Day. This theme has served to inspire NOW’s range of activities. “<i>Living sustainability is about doing more and better with less</i>”, says the UNEP. NOW agrees, and therefore is keen to help highlight ways we can enjoy life with less, while being mindful of the world’s natural resources. <br />
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NOW has run a <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/index.php/blog/post/enjoy-life-more-with-less-this-world-environment-day-photo-competition">photo competition</a> over the last month to help celebrate the lead up to World Environment Day, inviting entries which show how we can enjoy life more with less environmental impact. Prizes for the best entries include a free ticket to the <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/take-part/resurgence-events/wellbeing-festival-2015.html">Resurgence Festival of Wellbeing</a> 2015 in London, a year’s subscription to Resurgence and the Ecologist magazine, and a free copy of Satish Kumar’s book, Soil, Soul and Society. Entries have now closed, and NOW will be announcing the winner(s) from the range of beautiful entries received on their <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/blog">blog soon</a>. <br />
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Foraging for Wild Food<br />
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Throughout NOW’s activities for World Environment Day, it’s been emphasised that Nature is essential to our overall wellbeing. Another way NOW will be celebrating Nature’s bounty for World Environment Day is through running a Foraging Walk in Totnes (Devon, UK) together with <a href="http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/event/forage-walk-in-totnes/">Transition Town Totnes</a>. NOW's Dr. Larch Maxey will be leading the Foraging Walk, and he’ll be guiding participants to find Spring treats from alexanders, daisies and dandelions to valerian, wild garlic and yarrow. For those outside of Totnes, NOW have also put together a <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/index.php/blog/post/foraging-walk-for-world-environment-day">blog post sharing some useful resources on foraging</a>. <br />
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Celebrating Nature<br />
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It has been proven that Nature is good for us, and the green life can be a good life. NOW wants to mark World Environment Day by encouraging people to connect with the joys of nature, and celebrate how it’s possible to enjoy life to the full whilst still respecting the environment.<br />
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You can help to spread the word to raise awareness about World Environment Day, through sharing some of the blogs, videos and photos mentioned above via social media. You can find NOW online via their website <a href="http://www.networkofwellbeing.org/">www.networkofwellbeing.org</a>, as well as on social media via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Network-of-Wellbeing-NOW/538322509540858">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/netwrkwellbeing">Twitter</a>, LinkedIn and Instagram.<br />
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<i>Bionote</i><br />
<i>Florence Scialom has a background in communications, community building and research. She works at the Network of Wellbeing (NOW), helping to coordinate NOW’s online communications and community building. She holds a BA in International Relations and Development Studies, and an MA in Anthropology and Development.</i><br />
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<b>Photo credit: Sunny Loch Lomond, in Scotland - World Environment Day photo competition entry from Rebecca Crowther. </b>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-18079301859371415952014-12-02T07:56:00.000-08:002014-12-02T08:08:55.684-08:00Living Food – a feast for soil & soul<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjVqm-fBeUwoRF5p3fo9AgHt80XooUefGZ4QjDbtxAF6F1yrv12-Ayc5jSfhPcx3-eHb2QFZEqGUfA5CDQEL2nDJRBL2o1NMWA7K00-YzWQ7SNVD2HQcGCnQZB_UvE1y63fi5r-4mM98/s1600/Livingfood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjVqm-fBeUwoRF5p3fo9AgHt80XooUefGZ4QjDbtxAF6F1yrv12-Ayc5jSfhPcx3-eHb2QFZEqGUfA5CDQEL2nDJRBL2o1NMWA7K00-YzWQ7SNVD2HQcGCnQZB_UvE1y63fi5r-4mM98/s1600/Livingfood.jpg" /></a><b><i>Daphne Lambert introduces a new model of publishing that connects authors, publishers and readers</i></b><br />
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<i>Living Food – a feast for soil & soul</i> brings alive the connections between the food we eat and the health of the planet; the book weaves its way through the seasons of nature celebrating each new harvest with simple recipes and shares with you a wealth of medicinal nutrition that supports health through the seasons of life from conception and birth through to elder-ship. <br />
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Soil, interconnectedness, simplicity, seasonal alchemy and beauty underpin the <i>Living Food</i> journey. Food is a major part of what integrates every organism into the environment in which it exists, it is our most intimate relationship with nature. By exploring this relationship it helps us to understand that our health and the health of the planet are interconnected: there is no division – we are one.<br />
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A diet of natural foods, sourced locally where possible, simply prepared observing traditional wisdom, acknowledges our inter-being with the Earth. These foods support low carbon living, minimise damage to natural resources, help to mitigate climate change and contribute to thriving local economies and sustainable livelihoods. By being mindful about what we eat, we become aware that nourishing ourselves and nourishing the Earth go hand in hand and in this place of presence, awareness and consciousness we find soul. <br />
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<b>A new model of publishing</b><br />
Unbound has created a new model of publishing – a collaboration between reader, author and publisher. This is how it works: in order to get the book published on its initial print run, there must be enough potential readers pledging to support the book financially. Unbound will publish <i>Living Food</i> as soon as the book has 900 pledges. We invite you to be part of this new publishing phenomenon by making a pledge for <i>Living Food</i>.<br />
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After the book is written, designed, edited and printed, you will receive a copy of <i>Living Food</i> either as an ebook or a limited edition hardback or paperback. By making a pledge you are simply buying the book in advance of publishing. There is no financial risk as your money is returned if there are not enough pledges to ensure that the book is published.<b><br /> </b><br />
<b>Make a pledge for Living Food</b><br />
You can make a pledge for <i>Living Food – a feast for soil & soul</i> <a href="http://unbound.co.uk/books/living-food"><b>here</b></a>. If you make a pledge you will receive a beautiful book full of food wisdom & nourishing recipes,
together with essays from four guest writers: Romy Fraser, Diane Osgood,
Miche Fabre Lewin & Sandra White; as well as some brilliant
rewards.<br />
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<b><i>Living Food – a feast for soil & soul</i> by Daphne Lambert will be published by Unbound. For more information visit <a href="http://www.greencuisinetrust.org/">Greencuisine</a> or contact: daphne[at] greencuisine.org </b><br />
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<i>Daphne Lambert is a medicinal chef, nutritionist, author and teacher. She is the founding member of the <a href="http://www.greencuisinetrust.org/">Greencuisine Trust</a> an educational charity set up in 2011 to deepen the understanding between soil, food and well-being. Through innovative educational programmes and projects the Trust cultivates food knowledge and skills to enable us to rethink our relationship to food.</i><br />
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Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-24174464538764562752014-11-14T07:52:00.004-08:002014-11-19T05:23:10.326-08:00Salvation Within Paradox<b><br />Sara Zaltash reviews FutureNOW – the pioneering Spiritual Ecology conference with Tim Freke, Chloe Goodchild, Joe Hoare, Peter Owen Jones and Satish Kumar. </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSbkXlQTbN7ybsgmBCxCDwnb3L6TUM_8QCJuekMm2cFCWMtgTgottQO7riQBIjyK5MBIUsETCnkMji0n5NV5I8OIYksNXuX9cjvMEseCAWFryMhoEQzUiuJuRRY-ogdcfj0NFKuyjqA8/s1600/altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSbkXlQTbN7ybsgmBCxCDwnb3L6TUM_8QCJuekMm2cFCWMtgTgottQO7riQBIjyK5MBIUsETCnkMji0n5NV5I8OIYksNXuX9cjvMEseCAWFryMhoEQzUiuJuRRY-ogdcfj0NFKuyjqA8/s1600/altar.jpg" /></a>We met there on a grey Saturday drenched with autumn rains, perhaps 120 of the West Country’s bright-eyed devout; activists and herbalists, healers and meditators, growers and thinkers, each seeking the sound and vision offered by the pioneering pilgrims on the panel. As I looked around and locked eyes with a neighbour over here or smiled at a stranger over there, I knew that I had personally been called by the promise of a community coalescing around a certain truth: “that unless you have some roots in a spiritual practice that holds life sacred and encourages joyful communion with all your fellow beings, facing the enormous challenges ahead becomes nearly impossible.” <br />
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Ecology. Economy. Humanity. Spirit. Challenges indeed for a consciousness that is making leaps toward to collective realisation everyday. The Internet, of course, has gifted me the above quotation from Joanna Macy’s contribution to the community-defining collection of essays <i>Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth</i>, edited by contemporary Sufi teacher Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee. At futureNOW I asked myself the same question as in present times: if all beings were truly to be given equal internet access, then why would some choose to become more enlightened than others? Perhaps because enlightenment is shrouded in mysticism, in mandala graphics and incense smoke, and social conditioning against such motifs is so strong that even a geezer like Russell Brand has to mind his patchoulis and quantum realities if he’s to get his meaning made. I confess that I am from another community too: I am an artist, an e’er-do-well and erstwhile academic. But that’s alright. Queuing up for morning tea I asked Will from Wiltshire, a university lecturer in environmental literature, whether he knew anyone else at this rock star convention of spiritual ecology leaders. “Not a soul,” he said, “But that’s alright. It’s important to be brave sometimes.”<br />
<span id="goog_272764396"></span><span id="goog_272764397"></span><span id="goog_272764398"></span><span id="goog_272764399"></span><br />
<span id="goog_272764410"></span><span id="goog_272764411"></span>Brave words indeed flowed from the radical Church of England priest and BBC TV presenter Rev. Peter Owen Jones, from stand-up philosopher and acclaimed author Tim Freke, and from the ultimate guru of this movement, the environmental activist, magazine editor and spiritual guide, Satish Kumar. These men spoke in turn about the need for humanity to relinquish its delusion of dominion over the planet and about accepting the ultimate mystery of existence. Kumar spoke about the loving sacredness of the soil, of society, of sacrifice – the necessary sacrifices of the mother, of the planet and of ourselves. Inspirational speakers, Rev. Jones and Kumar both upheld the twin peaks of land and spirit in their humbly ad libbed sermons, calling for the acknowledgement of the essential present-ness of our future responsibility to “eco”, our home. Bursting with insight, Freke offered <i>paradoxological</i> thinking as a salvation from the impotence that may come from abiding the mystery of all-being. A proponent of love as a political act, Freke claimed “You Are The One” in a perfect paradox of consciousness consciously recognising itself, of humanity living its own dream. <br />
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<span id="goog_272764414"></span><span id="goog_272764415"></span>As an artist-thinker, I enjoy a bit of practical guidance to usher in my cerebral shift. Noting that only in Western cultures does laughter need to be externally provoked, Bristol’s own laughing yogi, Joe Hoare, led us in several easy standing laughter practices. Stellar spiritual vocalist and teacher Chloe Goodchild was full of her own bright chuckles as she gathered us under the wings of her naked voice practice. Leading singing meditations throughout the day, Goodchild opened and closed the proceedings with her adaptation of Rumi’s well-loved verse: ‘Beyond ideas of right and wrong doing there is a field, I’ll meet you there.” Goodchild’s field is a singing field; in that field we met and she shared the seeds of various Eastern spiritual practices that combined with the voice carry our hidden gift for future generations. <br />
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Resounding from that day like the oft-rung meditation bell are some provocative unanswered questions from the closing Q&A session: when does mysticism first appear in children? How can we revere the earth? Are species other than humans involved in the evolution of consciousness? Perhaps the answer, as Hoare offered, is that ‘when you know how to listen, everything is your guru’. Rev. Jones spoke about the need to keep talking, to create space for conversations and community to bring about the changes we wish to be. For a novice pilgrim like me, practical guidance to walk in nature, to wash in the dew and to learn to bake my own bread were as comforting as the evolution of consciousness that is enacted by these actions towards personal, spiritual and environmental empowerment. The challenge of living a peaceful, respectful and unified future <i>now</i> is as real as our fields of land, of work and of energy. Let’s meet in that field, in the future, now. <br />
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<b>FutureNOW was presented by Conscious Frontiers and took place on Saturday 8th November 2014 at Trinity Centre, Bristol. For more information visit <a href="http://www.futurenow.consciousfrontiers.com/">FutureNow</a> </b><br />
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<i>Sara Zaltash is a British-Iranian live artist and performer. <a href="http://www.sarazaltash.com/">www.sarazaltash.com </a></i>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-60020661193454799972014-10-24T04:00:00.000-07:002014-10-24T04:00:20.785-07:00Future Now <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Taking place in the run up to Bristol's year as Green Capital 2015, this groundbreaking spiritual ecology conference calls for Consciousness Revolution.</span></h2>
Satish Kumar will be a keynote speaker for an exciting conference taking place at the Trinity Centre in Bristol on Saturday 8th November called Future NOW, which aims to raise the debate about the future and explore urgent solutions and mindful steps for sustaining the Earth so we can secure sustainable future lives for our children and grandchildren on this planet.<br /><br />Co-organised by Conscious Frontiers, a leading edge speakers, communications and events agency, and Laughter Yoga expert/author Joe Hoare - Future NOW was inspired by the burgeoning Spiritual Ecology movement which seeks a spiritual response to our current ecological crisis, urging us to reconnect with Mother Earth as a sacred living being to which we all belong, and to recognise Her as the source of all life, not a resource to be plundered.<br /> <br />The compelling line up of eco-spiritual presenters for the conference includes Peter Owen Jones, Tim Freke, Chloe Goodchild and Joe Hoare and the day will include interactive breakout sessions exploring and reflecting on the question, “What can I do differently?” <br /><br />50% of the proceeds from Future NOW will be shared between The Resurgence Trust and other charities and causes of the key note speakers - The Life Cairn Project, The Naked Voice and The Alliance for Lucid Living - all of which further the event’s aim to create a happier and more harmonious future for our planet.<br /><br />Future NOW is a call to become more mindful, more peaceful, more connected and more loving to ourselves, to each other and to the Earth. It’s an invitation to take an active role in shaping a more sustainable and harmonious future.<br /><br /><u><b>Event details:
</b></u><br /><i><b>Date: Saturday 8th November, 10am-5pm
<br />Venue: Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, Bristol, BS2 0NW<br />Tickets to Future NOW cost £55 (£65 on the door). For bookings and further information visit:<a href="http://www.futurenow.consciousfrontiers.com/">www.futurenow.consciousfrontiers.com</a></b></i><br /><br /><i>Will Gethin is Director of Conscious Frontiers.</i><br />Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-23511836919315227672014-04-01T04:55:00.001-07:002014-04-01T04:55:38.844-07:00Time to Get Serious About Laughter?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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“Laughing Yogi” Joe Hoare explains the remedial benefits of laughter yoga.<br /><br />‘<i>It’s time to take laughter seriously</i>’, says Dr Madan Kataria, founder of laughter yoga. Laughter has benefits on every level, including mindfulness and presence. These benefits are activated by the act of laughing itself and not by humour, and this is the basis for laughter practices world-wide.
<br />Laughter yoga practices have a long pedigree. In Awakening the Laughing Buddha within my co-author Stephen Russell, the Barefoot Doctor, writes that the state of laughter readiness is a core Taoist principle, one with great antiquity. The Taoist insight is that sometimes laughing at the madness of life is the only sane response. As my valued co-author, his Taoist perspective on modern laughter practices adds depth to contemporary techniques.<br /><br />The heart of laughter practices, whether in laughter yoga, laughter therapy or my own <b>nls: natural laughter skills</b> is the practice of laughter for its own sake. The benefits come from the act of laughing itself, not from waiting to find things funny. The curious and rather lovely spin-off is the more you laugh, the more you find to laugh about. This is where the mindful, empowering and healing dimensions take effect.<br /><br />Laughter practices make you present. Whether you use them as a meditative practice or as a distraction, they pull attention into the present moment. When we have our attention in the present moment, we are not fretting about the past nor worrying about the future. This is the state of mindfulness. Associated with this state is a sense of peacefulness and happiness because except in exceptional circumstances, when you bring your attention into the ‘<i>Now</i>’ you experience joy. The progression, therefore, is that via mindfulness and empowerment, laughter practices help you access your own innate sense of joy. After all, as Deepak Chopra says: “<i>True spirituality means not taking ourselves too seriously</i>.”<br /><br />As we outline in <i>Awakening the Laughing Buddha within</i>, laughter practices are easily initiated by smiling exercises, the experiential approach to Louise Hay-style affirmations. <br /><br />They are surprisingly effective: ‘<i>Vedant has really taken what you said on board and now everyone at our hospice is doing their 15 second smiles morning and evening. The patients respond really well to such a simple device - it is lovely to see the effect it has</i>.’ (Christine West, Chair, National Association of Complementary Therapists in Hospice and Palliative Care)<br /><br />Smiling exercises are exactly what they say – exercises in putting a genuine smile on your face and holding it there for at least 10-15 seconds. To keep it genuine requires an effort of will, also known as willingness. This willingness changes your mindset by inducing a sense of positivity in the same manner as a classical Louise Hay affirmation.<br /><br />Smiling exercises are an easy starting point into the 5-stage model of walk the walk, feel the feelings, speak the words, think the thoughts, and live the life. Using this model, your whole being becomes engaged with the process. The cumulative effect transforms people’s lives, as a student of Joe’s laughter therapy testified:<br /><br />‘<i>I am writing to tell you what a positive and lasting effect the Laughter workshop has had on me. The workshop itself was fun, but also deeply serious in intent. Since then my husband’s deteriorating condition has put an almost unbearable strain on me. I have been practising the techniques I learned that day and sometimes they transform the situation and lift my spirits. I can’t begin to tell you what a difference that makes.</i>’ (Carer delegate, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust).<br /><br />With evidence like this, isn’t it time for us all to add this approach to our spiritual tool-kit?<br /><br /><i><b>Joe Hoare</b> is one of the UK’s leading Laughter Yoga therapists. He has dedicated himself to encouraging people to connect with their benign, creative individuality and to perform at their best. A charismatic facilitator of courses, workshops, retreats and one-to-one sessions, he is author of new book </i>Awakening the Laughing Buddha Within<i>, co-authored with Barefoot Doctor.<br /><br /> </i>Joe is facilitating his next LFS: Laughter Facilitation Skills course on Friday 25th & Saturday 26th April at the Unitarian Chapel in Bristol. This course includes his <b>nls: natural laughter skills</b>. He is also hosting a laughter yoga seminar with the legendary “Grandfather of Laughter Yoga”, Dr Madan Kataria of India, founder of laughter clubs international, on Monday 9th June in Bristol. <i><br /></i><b>For further details visit Joe Hoare’s website: <a href="http://www.joehoare.co.uk/">www.joehoare.co.uk</a></b><i><br /></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-25883620866979696572012-12-11T04:58:00.003-08:002012-12-11T04:59:30.965-08:00A Wild and Untamed Landscape <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am now in a very beautiful studio miles out in the mountains, only 1 hour by car from Canberra. On the hill road this morning driving out to the studio from a small town, called incongruously Bungendore which sounds like something from Harry Potter – in 22 miles we saw only 2 other cars. Yesterday a car overtook us which was a major event. The place is empty. Out in the bush, miles from anywhere, there are only hills and trees and kangaroos for company, I could just make out a tiny village in the distance. Yet in the middle of bush and scraggy eucalyptus trees there is a mainline railway from Sydney to Canberra which stops a mile down the road at Tarago, the village. <br />
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Jane Crick, the potter who invited me and who organised my whole tour of Australia, runs a teaching studio out here in the bush, and has 50 acres. She has a tin shed studio, a tin shed for the kilns, a tin shed gallery, a tin shed toilet and an old yellow railway carriage on a very short track as a sleeping space. She has solar powered electricity and, and no water except rainwater, which is stored in a huge tank.
Jane lives in Canberra and comes out here to her studio, as do all her adult students – some of whom travel for miles to get here. They are desperately keen to come as the Adult Education centres where they were going regularly are being closed due to government cutbacks. It is absurd that the government should close the vocational courses, as the economy here is very strong. Pounds sterling don’t go very far here, certainly not as far as they did last time I was here 24 years ago when everything seemed cheap.
Now Australia has managed to keep hold of some regulation of its banks and so did not get caught up in the crash bang wallop which affected banks in the UK. Consequently the dollar is strong against the pound. And China is buying up all their minerals. There are rare earths here which do not exist anywhere else in the world, tantanum for example, which is used in mobile phones. It does seem bonkers to depend on selling capital materials, like a giant Ponzi scheme.<br />
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Out here in the purple hills it is a beautiful location, truly amazing, like being in a national park except it is just wild country. Often in Australia I get the sense that I could just start walking out the door and go for thousands of miles to the other side of the country before coming to any sort of obstruction. And that is in spite of white people having been here for over 200 years and in spite of all the damage they have done. Still the landscape is wild and untamed. White people could leave tomorrow and I get the impression that in a few years the trees and wild life would overrun their doings. The strength of the landscape is in the psyche of Australians and is reflected in a national longing for art which expresses their relationship with it. <br />
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There is a large pond in a dip in the hills below the studio, which is manmade, and is a magnet for birds and frogs. They sing and croak and gargle and hum all through the night. We paddled around in the marshy land at the edge of the large pond, which locals call a dam, looking for clay to use as a slip on the pots. It’s not that easy to find clay here, nor soil either actually, as even though the landscape looks wild and original, the trees are sparse because the land was cleared. So the soil was blown away. It never was very deep at all, and that has given me a deeper appreciation of soil as an entity. We have a huge amount of it in England, it goes down deep in many places and is moist and full of nutrients. Here in these hills it is only an inch or so deep; and seems like a valuable and rare resource. You can’t just make it overnight. <br />
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During tea breaks my students on the course inevitably talk about wildlife: about wallabies, about goannas, and bandecoots. Some people have seen pelicans flying around. Enkidnas, which are prickly creatures that lay eggs and are related to the duckbill platypus, often crop up in conversations too.<br />
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I bought a musical instrument called a zyladrum from the only craftsman in the world who makes them. He lives near here and has developed a method of making a tuned wooden box drum. It sounds divine, it is impossible to make a bad sound. I am not particularly musical, have never played anything like this before, and on my first attempt made sounds which were meditative, hypnotic and tuneful. People told me I should make a recording! I am completely hooked on it.<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sandy Brown
is an internationally renowned ceramicist who lives and works in North Devon.
She is the Art Advisor at <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/magazine">Resurgence magazine</a>. </span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Find out
more about <a href="http://www.sandybrownarts.com/sandybrownarts.htm">Sandy Brown</a></span></i>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-53062303693660035682012-11-19T03:09:00.001-08:002012-11-23T02:03:36.230-08:00Trust your hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am in Brisbane now, giving a workshop in creative throwing to the potters at the Brisbane Institute of Art. This is an independent non-profit organisation which is not a government art school but a place which runs art classes at various levels and is open to anyone. They have a wonderful building – after years of being peripatetic and homeless, operating out of temporary accommodation, a football club with glorious premises went bankrupt, and now the Brisbane Art Institute has their huge building. What an interesting metaphor of society here, that it cannot afford football but it can afford art. There are classes in printmaking in a well-equipped printmaking studio, a massive painting studio, facilities for sculpture, bookbinding, and ceramics of course.<br />
They do award their own diplomas which are recognized by the government art colleges, and interestingly their own diplomas are awarded after students have achieved a certain level of ability, without the need to write long dissertations, in fact without the need for them to do any written component at all. So it focuses on the activity itself, and is not en route to academia as are all government art courses now here and in the UK. <br />
The only difference between the old vocational HND courses in the UK and the new BA Hons courses with which the universities rushed to replace them is that the BA course has a dissertation component which accounts for a large proportion of the assessment. As far as the practical content is concerned it is the same on both courses. Here the emphasis is on doing, and it seems to be what the participants want, as it is thriving.<br />
There is a mixed bunch of participants on the course, from well-established professional ceramic artists to beginners, including one middle-aged Japanese man. I am enjoying teaching his culture back to him in the form of the clay preparation method and kneading which I learned in Mashiko where I lived for four years as a student potter. He seems to know it is something significant to him and has taken to it like a duck to water.<br />
Yesterday we were focusing on using the potters wheel as a creative tool, not just a vehicle for mass production, which of course it can be too. But too often in the rush to master the technique of throwing pots we can forget that it is a creative medium just as poetry writing is, or composing music is, or dancing is. I have been surprised to see that the less I teach about the technique the more it is possible for students to grasp what I am saying and to be free to experiment and to play. <br />
So now I am holding right back, and just suggesting that they focus on playing and being loose, and trusting their hands. After all, they told me yesterday that the reason they have come on this workshop is because they respond to my lively throwing and also my use of colour, which we will come to later today. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sandy Brown
is an internationally renowned ceramicist who lives and works in North Devon.
She is the Art Advisor at <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/magazine">Resurgence magazine</a>. </span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Find out
more about <a href="http://www.sandybrownarts.com/sandybrownarts.htm">Sandy Brown</a></span></i><br />
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<br />Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-51059382498042440852012-11-09T08:07:00.001-08:002012-11-23T02:03:51.355-08:00Coral island in a changing world<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nick Brennan, the warm hearted fair-haired guide on Lady Elliot Island, which is an eco-resort on the Great Barrier Reef, has been chatting with me about the effects of climate change and the state of the coral island in this changing world.<br />
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At first, I was struggling with the inherent contradiction in that we fly to this island: it is in fact the only island on the reef with an airstrip, and it is the only eco-island on the reef. And we stay there. How can that help the environment I asked? Nick replied saying that the Great Barrier Reef, in spite of being ‘protected’ and called a ‘Marine Park’, is not well managed at all. He talked about the ‘Hunters and Shooters Party’ being in power in New South Wales and allowing general use of the reef, saying they don’t protect it and certainly don’t police it.<br />
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Lady Elliot Island is the only green zone, and is the only eco-island on the entire Great Barrier Reef. It means no fishing, no moving coral, no moving the numerous sea cucumbers without putting them back exactly where they were as they only move a foot a year. It means no taking anything from the island!<br />
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The island has to police itself if people turn up to fish, which they do – the young staff have been known to canoe out to offending boats to tell them to go. The fishermen say ‘There are no fish anywhere else”. Yet surprisingly the island has pulled itself back from the brink of extinction. <br />
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Over 200 years ago the guano (Bird droppings) which was over 1 meter deep was drastically harvested for fertilizer, and all the vegetation and trees died. The birds died. It was practically a dead island. Some time later, the government had to build a lighthouse and they imported goats onto the island to feed the lighthouse keepers. That meant that any new vegetation that tried to shoot up was promptly eaten by the goats.<br />
<br />
Then in the late 60’s one man, Don Adam, visited the island and determined to re-vitalise it. He planted native trees, coconuts, pandanus, casuarinas and shrubs. As the lighthouse was now being automated he shot all the goats. Gradually the seabirds returned. There are now thousands of resident birds, including many white-capped noddies. They like to nest and breed in the pisonia trees which are now healthy and plentiful.<br />
<br />
I snorkeled around the coral and marveled at the abundance of fish; the colours are astonishing underwater; so bright, lit up from the inside like neon. Nick told me that even in the last five years since it has become a Green Zone the number of fish in their waters has increased considerably; it is amazing how quickly marine zones can recover. Even the coral is in good shape here, and is not suffering too much from bleaching as it is elsewhere on the Great Barrier Reef.<br />
<br />
The main danger that they are all worried about is the acidification of the seas. The more carbon dioxide we use the more the oceans absorb it, and that is what is causing the bleaching and thus the death of much of the coral further north from here. Coral is an extremely sensitive living animal; it is not a plant, it is an animal, and it cannot tolerate temperatures too high or too low, and certainly not too acidic. That will kill it.<br />
<br />
Nick believes that the way to justify the use of the island by tourists is education. He is immensely knowledgeable about the coral, fishes, birds and vegetation of the island and greets each new arrival with an introduction to the ways of the island. Don’t stand on the living coral, don’t move anything, don’t take anything away. Here we value each living being, including the 300,000 birds on the tiny island. <br />
<br />
It is so small you can walk round it in an hour, as I did. And that includes time to stop and wonder. Yet it has so many fish. He takes visitors out on reef walks, gently pointing out that what looks like scum at the shoreline is in fact sunscreen made by the coral itself to protect it from the sun, and is the active ingredient in the suncream which we use. He can spot a clam from a long way off, and can name almost every fish we see, including the striking blue Picassotrigger fish. He encourages us to pick up sea cucumbers, which feel rubbery like car tyres, and which squirt. He tells us to put them back exactly where we found them as because they move so slowly, a foot a year, they will be completely disorientated if they are moved.<br />
<br />
It is deceptive, as when you look at the water from the shore, particularly when the tide is out and the water is just in the lagoon, it looks as if there is nothing much happening in the water. You can see the shape of the coral, its amazing mushroom layered growth, some are like huge brains, and you can see the white sand which is actually dead bleached coral. It dies when it is exposed to the sun, so when it grows upwards and pokes through the sea to the sun, it dies, or the central bit does, and its only recourse is to grow sideways instead, thus staying under the water and eventually forming a lagoon. Some big corals grow very slowly, at just one millimeter a year, and we calculated that one particular coral in the lagoon which we were walking around, was two meters across which meant it was actually a thousand years old.<br />
<br />
Yet when you put a mask on and look through it, beyond the surface to the life underneath, you see that even right up to the shoreline there are fish swimming about, lots of little intense ultramarine blue ones, long moray eels, tiny little baby fish which are what the birds eat, transparent butterfly fish which are exactly like butterflies you might see in a meadow, sometimes there are turtles. In the nesting season there are thousands of turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs. We just missed that as we are too early, but we saw turtles mating and gently swimming past.<br />
<br />
The island uses solar power for most of its energy needs, and desalinates sea water so that it is self-sufficient in water. There is still much more to be done, as they do still need to import fuel.<br />
<br />
I went on a snorkeling safari this morning, which means spending longer out in the deeper water, again with Nick to guide us. We were taken out by boat, and then urged to jump in when it was 4 or 5 metres deep. Nick does put himself under pressure to ensure we see turtles and also Manta rays, and swims about looking for them for us. And occasionally he will take a deep breath and swim down to the sea bottom and pick up something to show us. This time it was a pineapple cucumber; a sea cucumber which is much larger, looks like a pineapple, and is squishy. He brought it to the surface to show us, and then minutes later took another deep breath and gently placed it back in the sand where he had found it.<br />
<br />
I am completely hooked now; I could spend ages looking at this extraordinary world. I don’t mind whether we see a turtle or a manta ray; just the everyday shoals of fishes are amazing. They move so quickly; I look up out of the water to check where Nick is for example, then immediately look under water again and new different fish have teleported themselves right beside me. They are not afraid; of each other, or of us. They bump into me, checking me out. One delightful turquoise fish stayed with me for ages, swimming around my face and touching my cheeks. I felt as if I had a friend. Other snorkelers said the same; that a big shoal of fish would adopt the human fish and stay with him or her, incorporating them into the group.<br />
<br />
At night, I was most surprised to see in the pitch darkness that the sky was full of stars and that there was a new moon. Something didn’t look quite right; it was wrong somehow. Then Patrick, my partner, pointed out what it was: the new moon crescent was at the bottom of the moon, lying along the rounded bottom. Where I come from in Appledore the new moon crescent is either to the left or the right of the moon. It did look odd, as if we were on a new planet.<br />
<br />
Now I have unfortunately left Lady Elliot Island and am in Brisbane where I am due to give a workshop to the Brisbane potters tomorrow, on Creative Throwing and Intuitive Sculpture. We shall see what transpires!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sandy Brown
is an internationally renowned ceramicist who lives and works in North Devon.
She is the Art Advisor at <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/magazine">Resurgence magazine</a>. </span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Find out
more about <a href="http://www.sandybrownarts.com/sandybrownarts.htm">Sandy Brown</a></span></i>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-45837051221462116582012-10-26T01:31:00.001-07:002012-10-26T01:57:30.177-07:00Australia: craft, culture and coral<style>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
I am currently in Australia where I have been invited to do a series of presentations, workshops and artist residencies. I arrived first in Townsville, in the tropics, where there are crocodiles in the creeks and a potter friend we visited, who has tall massive mango trees, was being kept awake at night by huge bats squeaking playfully as they drop unripe mangos onto the tin roof of her bedroom.<br />
<br />
They have wonderful plentiful clays in Australia, some of the best in the world. Particularly they have very white clays which are extremely plastic. This is unusual as to achieve whiteness potters have been known to incorporate all sorts of materials into the clay, most famously Josiah Wedgewood who used ground animal bones, hence bone china. And even in China where it is possible to achieve a wonderful translucent whiteness that comes at the expense of plasticity. The clay there is short, like short crust pastry, ie crumbly and very difficult to work. <br />
<br />
Here in Australia however you can have both superb plasticity in clays which are sensual delights to use on the wheel, as well as a beautiful fired whiteness which takes colour well.<br />
<br />
Since I got to know Noel Butler, a dynamic Aboriginal artist who came to Appledore for the Visual Arts Festival two years ago, I have become more interested in Aboriginal people, so I asked my Townsville hosts whether there were any indigenous people there. I had not seen any so far. I was told that it was very sad. There had been several different countries of Aboriginal people here, who each spoke different languages, and who had a history of animosity with each other. <br />
<br />
Some time ago they were shipped off to Palm Island, about 30 miles off the coast, and there they remained. They fought each other, were depressed and often drunk, and it is not surprising. Australia still has not come to terms with its Aboriginal people, in spite of the fact that Quantas staff wear fabrics printed with an aboriginal artist’s painting. I know Noel well, I am going to visit him, and it hurts me to think that people like him are virtually imprisoned and devalued in their own land.<br />
<br />
Noel is a great campaigner for Aboriginal culture. He lives Resurgence values. He runs a centre for delinquent boys and has them live in the bush, showing them how to survive on plants and available food. I will write more about him when I visit him, and have been planning for some time to write about him for Resurgence magazine. He also teaches a module on a university training course for Doctors, showing them the healing properties of plants. He is a truly remarkable man, and has survived a terrible childhood. It is absolutely shocking how he and his people were treated in the name of civilization by a white government, and I feel shame when I think about it. And it still goes on.
Even here, where I am now on the great barrier reef on a coral island which is a green zone, there is a poster advertising a DVD about the coral reef which is called Coral Reef Dreaming. It seems white Australia is happy to appropriate the art, or what it thinks is the art, of Aboriginal people, while still keeping them down.<br />
<br />
I am currently having a break on a coral island, called Lady Elliot Island, which is in a Green Zone. It is all protected. We are told on arrival not to walk on any living coral, not to touch any shellfish or living creature on the reef. I have been snorkelling this morning looking at turtles, manta rays, and beautiful colourful fish. Before I leave this eco-resort I will interview our young guide, who is very knowledgeable about the effects of climate change on the island. His name is Nick and he has done two degrees in Marine Biology and Marine Science. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sandy Brown
is an internationally renowned ceramicist who lives and works in North Devon.
She is the Art Advisor at <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/magazine">Resurgence magazine</a>. </span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Find out
more about <a href="http://www.sandybrownarts.com/sandybrownarts.htm">Sandy Brown</a></span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com1Palm Island QLD 4816, Australia-18.7364785 146.5812638-18.7966275 146.50229979999997 -18.6763295 146.6602278tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-41145883037599760922012-07-05T07:05:00.000-07:002012-07-05T07:09:09.696-07:00Royal Hampton Court Palace Flower Show<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Going to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Show with open shoes was
perhaps not the best thing to do. When I went, my feet got cold and damp and I
was very tempted to buy a pair of wellies from one of the many gardening stalls.
Hopefully the weather will improve before the event closes on 8 July, so that
when you go, you’ll be able to wear sandals…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This year’s event is sponsored by Ecover, which is exhibiting
a Show Feature that takes inspiration from the firm’s new packaging,
Plant-astic, which is made entirely from sugar cane. Tom Domen, Innovations
Manager at Ecover says: “Ecover stands for making the cleverest usage of
plants. We are dedicated to making highly effective products that are kinder to
people and nature.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year the company introduced its new Plant Plastic
bottles across the product range, which was an industry first. Fifteen hectares
of sugar cane can produce all the material needed for a year’s supply of Ecover
bottles. As well as using plant materials for packaging, Ecover products have
always been developed and manufactured using sustainable and biodegradable
plant-based and mineral ingredients. They really are a must in my kitchen!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Other environmentally conscious exhibits at this year’s show
include a garden designed by Tony Smith which questions whether it is possible
for us to manage the rainforests in a way that benefits everyone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The show also features ‘The Bee House and Garden’, a
collaboration between the British Beekeepers Association, The Bumblebee
Conservation Trust and the RHS, which celebrates the way in which nature and
gardens combine to create a honey pot for bees. The feature demonstrates how to
make one’s garden bee-friendly. There are also a number of impressive show
gardens, including the Discover Jordan Garden and the Badger Beer Garden. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately, I was at the flower show for only an hour –
although I managed to spot Princess Alexandra and Moira Stuart<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8475472223815823839" name="_GoBack"></a>
(not together) – and so didn’t see all the delights. Judging by the many attendees,
they all had smiles and were enjoying the experience. So, if you’re stuck for
something to do until 8 July, a visit to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower
Show is well worth a visit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Please visit <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/">www.rhs.org.uk</a>
for more information.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Image: Anneliese Dianthus by Darcy & Everest © The Royal
Horticultural Society</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sharon Garfinkel is Marketing & PR Manager at The
Resurgence Trust. </span></i></div>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-88763109634445430862012-05-28T06:13:00.001-07:002012-05-28T06:15:26.299-07:00Green House event<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh654wQIAq_2xdjiB1Qs_CclhYm-0_EzBFfwev-m5IWkIp6mpJiuzzKiRB6srpqBiWoi4TITGiyyj4keIBvsQPLFGp5fzZx88BW-NAucSCsBqna5EpfpWWVTxd_oieDWi6RMMljt4McHDk/s1600/greenhouse_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh654wQIAq_2xdjiB1Qs_CclhYm-0_EzBFfwev-m5IWkIp6mpJiuzzKiRB6srpqBiWoi4TITGiyyj4keIBvsQPLFGp5fzZx88BW-NAucSCsBqna5EpfpWWVTxd_oieDWi6RMMljt4McHDk/s1600/greenhouse_logo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Green House Think Tank is an exciting new environmental organisation which was created last year with the remit of “challenging the ideas that have created the world we live in now, and offering positive alternatives”. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I attended its recent event at The Guardian’s headquarters in London where Green House think tank chair Dr Rupert Read and Polly Higgins, environmental barrister and Damian Carrington, head of environment at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Guardian</i>, explored the idea of the ‘Guardians for future generations’ idea which Rupert had developed in discussion and collaboration with the membership of the Alliance for Future Generations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over 40 people attended this event which included a mini-try-out of Rupert’s idea. Twelve of those attended the meeting – including me – were picked at random to form a mock-jury to decide an issue of vital importance to future people. Our topic was fracking and as a ‘super-jury’ we agreed<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8475472223815823839&postID=8876310963444543086" name="_GoBack"></a>, on balance, that it would be against the basic interests/needs of future people. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRcJuaky-gBkq81JDAtoU0RDTTVixn_zPB_ZDeutRsCydCiZsI3bBdL5z9Z8QCpjWlgAAFNxN1ZnG1wfiUy6oVkHGhf0SAvew1nmNniwlEv25i9p6RlTynkGe7qFvlw29qxjAuTOti-A/s1600/Pollyhiggins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRcJuaky-gBkq81JDAtoU0RDTTVixn_zPB_ZDeutRsCydCiZsI3bBdL5z9Z8QCpjWlgAAFNxN1ZnG1wfiUy6oVkHGhf0SAvew1nmNniwlEv25i9p6RlTynkGe7qFvlw29qxjAuTOti-A/s200/Pollyhiggins.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This mock-super jury session was modelled on Polly Higgins’s ‘mock ecocide trial’ of last year, which has been featured in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.resurgence.org/magazine/article3554-what-will-your-legacy-be.html">Resurgence</a>.</i> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This event represented a new idea to charge a ‘super jury’ of ordinary people with more extensive powers than the House of Lords. It followed Rupert’s launch of the ‘Guardians for Future Generations’ report at the House of Commons in January. The report proposes that a council of randomly picked members of the public should be placed above the House of Lords to oversee all government decisions. The Guardians’ central powers would be a veto over new legislation that threatens the interests of future generations and a right to force a review of existing legislation that is already damaging their basic needs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For more information on Green House Think Tank, please visit: <a href="http://www.greenhousethinktank.org/page.php?pageid=home">http://www.greenhousethinktank.org/page.php?pageid=home</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sharon Garfinkel is PR and Marketing Manager at Resurgence. </span></div>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-14767146793174070652012-05-15T03:58:00.000-07:002012-05-15T03:58:19.857-07:00In It Together<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YTU4F3rvKXVfb7XOgJiecUi7vAaaGg_yA0HQcse0CceruL1zm7WRvuiXLjWwS07bH1IevGGwAJANmN0t2dgsYYlq0TLKbyR71KYIzpAJ23y1UhSmbpPIFFFYtJJfUU_RS6SqyNCHI-Y/s1600/Camp+Yurts+sea+view+300x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YTU4F3rvKXVfb7XOgJiecUi7vAaaGg_yA0HQcse0CceruL1zm7WRvuiXLjWwS07bH1IevGGwAJANmN0t2dgsYYlq0TLKbyR71KYIzpAJ23y1UhSmbpPIFFFYtJJfUU_RS6SqyNCHI-Y/s1600/Camp+Yurts+sea+view+300x150.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Turns out I have a sister I didn't know about. Not only that but she lives just down the road. We have the same parents but up to now have led relatively separate lives. Interestingly despite this I was intrigued to discover we share many of the same values. This sister in question is another charity – The Resurgence Trust.<br />
<br />
The charity I represent is the Yarner Trust nestled away on the Atlantic Coast on the border of North Devon and Cornwall and about 10 miles from The Resurgence offices in Hartland. The biggest surprise to me was that I am in fact a little sister and not a husband, son or brother that I'd been led to believe for the past 33 years. I thought I'd been making a good play of things as a bloke – culminating most recently as a hedge laying, coppicing and firewood-chopping caretaker at the Yarner Trust.<br />
<br />
Resurgence has 12 years on Yarner (which is in fact exactly the same age as me and anything else starting things off in1978), and we met this week to discuss ways of working together to promote various ways of ethical living. Both charities were conceived by the Dartington Trust and following a couple of sit-downs recently we have some interesting plans on the cards ranging from a 110mile walk around London to a joint nature writing competition and a regular blog from Yarner to feature on this website. Well that's the blog done, I best go for a walk.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jon will be doing a sponsored walk along The Green London Way, 28 May – 2 June 2012. More information <a href="http://www.yarnertrust.org/dotnetnuke/Default.aspx?tabid=192&ihPRID=105&ihvCM=PD&ihv=The%20Green%20London%20Way%20-%20Sponsored%20Walk"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. </span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jon Every is a botanist, working as Care Taker and Education Officer at </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.yarnertrust.org/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">The Yarner Trus</span></i><span style="color: blue;">t</span></a>. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-48728046759633414042012-04-27T05:53:00.000-07:002012-04-27T05:53:40.713-07:00Walking The Talk<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SxlczoQby_V8AezDLgLJmJa2RM19dIULFQBt9bbCatYgBrm0PYqt4iwduqiXW8TaUdA5vleOTs4ExS5E7RkjWQr3dAMwf7cPwszj6y5Bhk9NBR_klSM97PVETowZttvFBK0GKois7Gk/s1600/atimg_272_27_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SxlczoQby_V8AezDLgLJmJa2RM19dIULFQBt9bbCatYgBrm0PYqt4iwduqiXW8TaUdA5vleOTs4ExS5E7RkjWQr3dAMwf7cPwszj6y5Bhk9NBR_klSM97PVETowZttvFBK0GKois7Gk/s200/atimg_272_27_1.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Steps towards a sustainable life.</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For too long now, or maybe for just the right amount of time, I have been living in a way that I knew was not right for me. <br />
<br />
To give you a bit of background – before I became the Care Taker at The Yarner Trust I was a gardener and nurseryman. I spent a good 10 years tending to plants, digging, conditioning soil and trying to put plants first whilst caring for the local environment.<br />
<br />
I then reached the point when I wanted to know more, to get both the big picture view and the microscopic insight into the workings of a plant and their place in the wider scheme of things.<br />
<br />
For me, that meant going as a mature student to university. I had scraped through school and college and was more interested in travelling, partying and visiting my friends who had gone off to uni in various parts of the country than studying for another three years. But now felt like the right time. I don't know who was more freaked out by the sight of me in a white lab coat – my mates and family who had gotten used to me as a bit of Worzel Gummage meets Jack the lad or me? Whenever I caught sight of myself in the reflection of the fume cabinet with my goggles and lab coat on I would wonder if I was in an episode of Quantum Leap and was catching a view of me in another person's body. <br />
<br />
Sitting in class doing quantum physics, macro evolution or organic chemistry I just had to keep reminding myself that I had come into this with nothing to lose and with the mentality that you can do anything you put your mind too even if you had failed GCSE maths. <br />
<br />
Sandwiching in a year at Kew, a plant-collecting trip to Puerto Rico and a place on an EU funded biodiversity mapping project – alongside being taught by some of the most distinguished lecturers in plant diversity – made me aware of four things:<br />
<br />
1. The world we live on is facing an extremely difficult future<br />
2. There appears to be very little work being done to create realistic solutions to the problem of global change<br />
3. The entire human race and the whole biological world depends completely on the plant kingdom<br />
4. The only way to make a real impact is to practice what you preach (or hear)<br />
<br />
For me, this makes working at the Yarner Trust the perfect job. More specifically, I can help to organise and run courses that offer practical solutions that contribute towards leading a more sustainable lifestyle. I can also take what I’ve learned about the importance of respecting the natural world into schools, colleges, prisons, business forums, garden societies and anywhere else where there are people in a position to make a positive difference. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Finally, I can use a compost toilet, grow my own food, produce some of my own energy and hopefully by the end of my time here be able to build a sustainable home which will have a minimal impact on the Earth's resources.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Jon will be doing a sponsored walk along The Green London Way, 28 May – 2 June 2012. More information <a href="http://www.yarnertrust.org/dotnetnuke/Default.aspx?tabid=192&ihPRID=105&ihvCM=PD&ihv=The%20Green%20London%20Way%20-%20Sponsored%20Walk">here</a>. </span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Jon Every is a botanist, working as Care Taker and Education Officer at </i><a href="http://www.yarnertrust.org/"><i>The Yarner Trus</i>t</a>. <a href="http://www.yarnertrust.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photograph: Ferns by <a href="http://www.colleenslaterphotography.co.uk/">Colleen Slater</a></span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475472223815823839.post-40606937783437048862012-01-06T02:43:00.000-08:002012-01-06T02:43:09.613-08:00Kongzi's Crystal Balls<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeut66zCSVwal97dGgiFOm6oKkT_mUzU_lFlMMzjWxJ7y250eNxal2wleTbdT7GmOLpN2ejdxkx3THoPjbRur93ovy2WFY-fkYNeOB64f29AN4UPvn8Y2bJhLE0QK2jsZciS4es4ubqVM/s1600/confucius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeut66zCSVwal97dGgiFOm6oKkT_mUzU_lFlMMzjWxJ7y250eNxal2wleTbdT7GmOLpN2ejdxkx3THoPjbRur93ovy2WFY-fkYNeOB64f29AN4UPvn8Y2bJhLE0QK2jsZciS4es4ubqVM/s1600/confucius.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">It is a tradition of sorts for seers to commit themselves to prophesy at this time of year. A New Year is a new start – an ideal vantage point from which to gaze in to the future and make sweeping predictions about what on Earth happens next.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The picture is of the secular Chinese prophet Kongzi – better known to us in the West as Confucius. While the warring states of China were tearing themselves apart, It was Kongzi’s habit to roam round the various kings and courts, about 500 years before the birth of Christ, advising them on how best to run their affairs.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Amongst his most famous sayings are: “<i>Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves</i>,”, “<i>The only constant is change….</i>” And “<i>Study the past as if you would define the future</i>”.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The last one that strikes me as the most pertinent for this New Year.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Firstly because Confucius was Chinese. If I had to make any predication at all about the future I would have no hesitation betting that China will continue its charge to become the most powerful nation on Earth. In many ways, China already has this status. However hard we try NOT to remind ourselves, the vast majority of products we will have purchased for our loved ones this Christmas will have been made in China. What does this simple reality tell us about our past, present and future?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It tells us that today in England we are no longer willing or able to manufacture items considered essential for economic growth and wellbeing at a price that consumers are willing to pay.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I often fantasize about challenging someone to stand naked in Piccadilly Circus with £250 to spend ONLY on clothes they can find that are actually made in England. I wonder: how long would it take them, and how far would thy have to go, to get themselves fully clothed? And here – in Blake’s land of Satanic Mills that gave birth to the industrial revolution! Oh how things have changed!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ever since China attached itself to the World Trade system, from the late 1970s onwards, wealth has been gradually shifting from West to East as the momentum behind the manufacturing monster that is now China has grown inexorably greater. And, since our thirst for consumerism is fueled by cheap products (a condition Karl Marx cutely called commodity fetishism), so our addiction to cheap Chinese labour has grown ever greater.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In order to prevent its new found wealth leaking back westwards, communist China has exercised its supreme state control to maintain barriers to free trade and has consistently massaged its exchange rate to maintain its status as the world’s cheapest source of labour. China is now easily the world’s biggest one-stop-shop mass producer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a result, prophesies about the future seem to point one of two ways. Either the West continues to go bust and China becomes all powerful – initially economically but gradually militarily, too. Or, globalisation breaks apart and there is a return to protectionism in which each nation-state is pitched in a battle of survival where eventually self-sufficiency will become all the rage and we will start growing vegetables again in the moat surrounding the Tower of London.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On a global level either outcome could be construed as good news.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A liberally inclined God may look down on such a world and see some long overdue justice in the swing of economic might Eastwards after nearly 1,000 years in which the tide has been generally pulling West.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And if economic globalisation collapses, the idea of reuniting production with consumption can only be good for the Earth itself – after-all we can’t sustain making things on one side of the world and shipping them to the other forever without causing even more gross, irreparable ecological harm.</div><div class="MsoNormal">From a British perspective, I am convinced there’s a lot to learn from the past to help us through either eventuality – but not much from the study of British history. Rather it is the story of China that has most relevance today.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In a world where China is the biggest global power, a better understanding of the past as seen by them would be a smart start to forging a new, more constructive understanding and dialogue between our cultures. How about an apology for the many atrocities we have committed there (e.g. the Opium Wars) coupled with a little less bleating on our behalf about human rights? That would be a start….</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the event that globalisation breaks down, there are few better examples I can think of about how to build an effective self-sufficient society than those of the Far East before seventeenth century western powers began to mangle them up. Late medieval and early modern Korea, Japan and China contain many fine lessons about how to build successful, self-sufficient societies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s why I believe Kongzi’s dictum “<i>Study the past as if you would define the future</i>” has particular relevance just now. So, my New Year’s message for our dear Education Secretary Michael Gove, is simply this:</div><div class="MsoNormal">If history is to be a compulsory subject in the national curriculum (which I believe it should be) then if we want to be a relevant, strong and successful society in the future then please, please, please make Chinese history, beginning with the study of Kongzi himself, at least as central to the subject as the Normans, Tudors, Victorians and World War II…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Read weekly postings by Christopher Lloyd on the <a href="http://www.whatonearthbooks.com%20/">What on Earth</a> website. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1825540071"> </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1825540071"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Christopher Lloyd is the founder of <a href="http://www.whatonearthbooks.com%20/">What on Earth Publishing Ltd</a>, the company behind the <a href="http://whatonearthbooks.com/wallbook"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">What on Earth? Wallbook</span></a>. His books include: <a href="http://whatonearthbooks.com/happened"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">What on Earth Happened?</span></a> and <a href="http://whatonearthbooks.com/evolved"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">What on Earth Evolved?</span></a> Christopher divides his time between writing books, journalism, and lecturing mostly in schools, museums and literary festivals.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
<a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=37725122&msgid=1084052&act=J3KC&c=287054&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whatonearthbooks.com"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a></b></div>Resurgence bloggershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09436901097805074787noreply@blogger.com2