Other Attractions
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Sunrise: Off Grid is more than just a festival. Its a forum for meeting others of a like-mind and sharing invaluable information and skills. Our aim is to facilitate this in as many ways as possible, and in the simplest manner.
The Information Centre, which will be manned all day, every day, is the place where you can find out about whats going on. Its also the place where you can sign up to share your own workshops, talks, presentations, performances and other offerings. Plenty of space has been left in the timetable for people to offer their own contributions to the gathering, as well as take part in already scheduled discussions. We will be providing an open workshop space as part of the set-up, whilst The Maloca has one or two free slots for holding of BIG Discussion groups and forums. Other programmed venues have spaces deliberately left open so that you can contribute what you know.
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The Information Centre will also have a board for people to post notices and requests. If you are looking for somebody to build you a compost toilet, or someone to teach you how to make an Earth Oven, here is the place to post that. Off-Grid will be brimming with skilled craftspeople, off-grid livers, community builders and eco-pioneers, each with their own tid-bits of information that could help somebody else in need. Keep an eye on the noticeboard to see if anyone needs what YOU yourself know! |
Thursday evening in The Maloca will host a meet & greet session for Off-Grid livers, lovers and dreamers, to introduce ourselves to each other, hold an introductory discussion to the concepts and practicalities and start building the community.
The Wildcraft Camp is hidden amongst the trees adjacent to the main site. The camp is open round the clock for those needing to retreat and spend some time at a fire or in nature. The camp will have a perpetual fire and will be home to some extraordinary craft and bush people, who will be teaching informally basic wildcraft skills such as firemaking, whittling and cooking on the fire. The camp will also be hosting a Mens Night for those wanting to spend some quality time together in the woods, sharing laughter, stories and adventure.
At the heart of each of our festivals is the hearth; the fire that's expertly and lovingly tended by a team of dedicated fire keepers.
The hearth is the ideal place to meet old friends and new, to jam with amazing musicians and pontificate on the mysteries of being. Its the still centre at the beating heart of the festival, the point around which all things revolve - from the first day of construction to the cleaning of the site. Amidst the great gateways marking the 4 Directions, the fire burns continuously and holds a place for you to come to cleanse your fears and worries, to connect deeply with the Earth and Ancestors and with each other.
Hosted by Avalon Rising, the Esoteric Cinema invites you to journey into the world of the wyrd, through conspiracy theories and end-time concepts, back to the days of the great builders and into the far future of theoretical physics!
Meanwhile, in the Transition Tin Village, there are plans to show inspiring movies related to sustainable community and making a positive difference in the world.
Everybody is a participant at Off-Grid 2010. As part of the programme, we will be laying on some Big Site-Wide Games for kids and adults, some friendly, non-competitive sports and the chance to take part in some playful activity (Don't forget to bring your pillow!!). You can expect, amongst all the serious learning, plenty of circus, performance and interactive fun will be had!
We're blissfully happy to welcome the new Birth Art dome to Sunrise 20-10.
Hosted by 'Da-a-Luz' (translated as 'bring to light'), a project set up by thetraditional midwife Vanessa Brooks, this space dedicated to changing the face of childbirth. It's also supported by the famous Ina May Gaskin, midwife, writer and birth activist.
"It's a project to inform, inspire and wow families through the journey of pregnancy, birth and parenthood."
This fabulous space holds the birth art gallery, info on pregnancy, birth and home schooling, workshops for preggy women, dads and kids.
Be part of Changing Birth
In 2005 the folk at Fernhill cleared out the original farm quarry that had been filled with scrap and rubbish to create a wildlife pond next to the new kitchen garden. It is now emerging as a sunken micro-climate of compost and cultivations and is taking on a second role of "therapy Garden" for visitors with 'Let Nature Feed Your Senses'.
The Glory Hole Garden (GHG) now consists of these areas:
- At the lowest level is a large pond to encourage 'Wildlife' and although work is still in progress it has not deterred the frogs, dragonflies and wild birds from thriving.
- Natural rock terraces and dry stone walls create raised and key hole beds within the tiers to give easy access to the growing areas.
- 1000+ school children have learnt the construction processes for a Key Hole & Bag Garden, while making Plant Tea, Drip Irrigation systems and a Tip-tap to wash their hands - visit www.sendacow.org.uk/Growitglobal for all the information.
Permaculture underpins the Sunrise philosophy and is central to what we stand for as a festival. The permaculture garden is not only a beautiful little sanctuary to find your peace in, but also demonstrates the way efficient growing systems can work. We hope you take some time to come and sit in stillness and enjoy whats on offer in this quiet, blessed little corner of the site.
Have you ever wondered what permaculture actually is? David Holmgren, the co-originator of the concept wrote in 2002:
"Permaculture is a design system based on ecological principles which provides the organising framework for implementing a permanent or sustainable culture. It...draws together the diverse skills and ways of living which need to be rediscovered and developed to empower us to move from being dependent consumers to responsible producers. In this sense, permaculture is not the landscape, or even the skills of organic gardening, sustainable farming, energy-efficient building or eco-village development as such, but can be used to design, establish, manage and improve these and all other efforts made by individuals, households and communities towards a sustainable future."
Permaculture means taking natural eco-systems as a model for our own human habitats. Natural eco-systems are sustainable in thereown right, so by observing them and understanding them we can also learn to live more sustainably. By looking at the priciples on which natural systems operate we can then apply them to our own lives, whether it be in our gardens, on farms, buldings or whole settlements. We can learn from nature, and so learn to work alongside it, not against it.Permaculture is about being part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. At its core is a strong sense of ethics, which are : Earth care, People care, and Fair share.
* SAUNAS *The Meltdown Sauna is a fabulous new arrival at Off-Grid, offering luscious sauna facilities under a glass roof, so you can watch the stars as you cleanse at night! The Sauna is kept clean and discrete, offering a safe space for people to let go and unwind, to be still and silent, or to sing and socialize. The heat is maintained from an outside fire-door, at a comfortable yet effective temperature, while those enjoying it can sit back and enjoy the view of the night sky through the all glass ceiling above. (This is covered during the day to keep the light levels low for privacy and comfort).
The Rawgeous Cafe accompanying the sauna offers all raw, organic, high-quality foods, freshly prepared and delivered to demonstrate the ease of the transition to nutritious healthy foodstuffs. Things on offer include delicious super food smoothies, raw cereals and muesli, fresh fruit salads, raw soups and raw chocolate, plus main meals including raw lasagne and pizza and much more.
There is also a little workshop/discussion space to talk about and demonstrate things like raw chocolate making, raw food recipes and transitioning to a raw food lifestyle, wild foods and herbs, wood carving and sculptures...
