2012 Programme – Check back for updates…
February
Tues 7th & Tues 21st – Meditation – Approx Every 2 weeks
11am – 12:30
Designed to help reduce stress and find peace of mind – these drop-in classes are for everyone. Learn to deeply relax and find a new approach to solving daily problems and finding happiness. Led by members of Reading Buddhist Centre, classes include guided meditations, a talk on Buddhist teachings and an opportunity to ask questions and relax over refreshments after the class. Cost: £6 Further info Tel. 0118 959 9133, Email: info@learntomeditate.org
Sat 11th Murder Mystery & Dinner – One Night Only
6pm for 6.30 Supper - finish around 9.30pm if the crime is solved!
Join us for a delicious home-made Braziers supper and develop your sleuthing skills to help gather evidence and try to solve a mysterious Victorian murder story in the eerie, creaky, Gothic atmosphere of Braziers Park! Victorian dress is optional.
If you don’t find it all too spine-chilling you may like to stay over, enjoy a nightcap by our roaring log fire and perhaps explore our 55 acres in the morning, stroll to the village pub, hike in the Chilterns or join us for Sunday lunch.
Cost: £25 includes hot buffet supper with wine/drinks (home-reared organic meat or vegetarian option) and entertainment from Murder Most Fun. Optional extras: Bed & Breakfast special offer only £25 – Sunday lunch £15 Booking essential: 01491 680221 admin@braziers.org.uk LIMITED PLACES – BOOK NOW!
Sat 11 – Sun 12 Building with Straw Bales
Practical weekend on our very popular on-going course. Learning the skills and tools for straw bale building including foundations, cutting bales, frame, windows and lime rendering. Creating an unusual, cheap and cosy little home. Cost £75 (including organic lunches and refreshments) B&B, dinner may be available at extra cost. Limited places – Bookings 01491 680221 admin@braziers.org.uk NEXT COURSE APRIL
Fri 24 – Sun 26 ReVitalise Tai Chi
Andy Spragg’s Buddhist inspired Tai Chi includes meditation sessions and is suitable for complete beginners as well as catering for experienced practitioners. Contact 08000 191635 or www.re-vitalise.co.uk
March
Fri 2nd – Sun 4th Inner Yoga Retreat
A very popular, relaxing and strengthening retreat at Braziers. Contact Mel Softley
Tues 6th & Tues 20th Meditation Approx Every 2 weeks
11am – 12:30
Designed to help reduce stress and find peace of mind – these drop-in classes are for everyone. Learn to deeply relax and find a new approach to solving daily problems and finding happiness. Led by members of Reading Buddhist Centre, classes include guided meditations, a talk on Buddhist teachings and an opportunity to ask questions and relax over refreshments after the class. Cost: £6 Further info Tel. 0118 959 9133, Email: info@learntomeditate.org
Fri 9th – Sun 11th Yoga Retreat
Spring Yoga Retreat with Dory Walker and Lila Conway more details Yoga Retreat please email Dory for more info or phone 07896 215044
A talk by Keran James and Michael Keenan looking at Braziers as a setting for artists and thinkers, taking as its starting point Project Sigma, a classic 60′s counter-cultural plan to use art to change the world. Cost £3, refreshments available (donations) please book your place admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221
Fri 16th – Sun 18th ReVitalise Yoga
Andy Spragg’s Buddhist inspired Yoga retreat includes meditation sessions and is suitable for complete beginners as well as catering for experienced practitioners. Contact 08000 191635 or www.re-vitalise.co.uk
April
Fri 31st March – Sun 2nd April
Spring Awakening – Celtic Tantra Yoga Retreat
Contact Marta & Robert for further information and bookings.
Easter Events
Thurs 5th – Sun 9th Kiln building workshop
The main focus of this 5 day non-residential course will be to build a wood-fired kiln, but of course we need to make something to fire in it so there will be chance to try the potters wheel or simple clay pieces! This course is suitable for families – Cost: TBA Camping or B&B available.
Easter Saturday 8th – Gig in the barn – Local bands, beer and BBQ from approx 7.30 pm
Check back for further details – coming soon!
Fri 13th-Sun 15th-An Introduction to Herbal Medicine - Becs Griffiths
This course will help people take their first steps on an exploration of plant-based medicine. We will look in depth at herbs that grow in the local area and discover their fascinating uses. Hands-on, the course will give people the skills to make their own herbal first-aid kit, as well as the creams, tinctures and syrups that they will be able to take home with them.
Becs is a qualified Medical Herbalist with a BSc (Hons) First class degree in Herbal Medicine. She practices at the graduate clinic at Neal’s Yard Therapy Rooms, Bristol and at Rhizome Community Herbal Clinic. She also leads herb walks and gives talks on any aspect of herbal medicine. Educating people about the local herbs that grow around them and basic herbal self-care is central to her values. Cost: £170 weekend full board, £75 non residential (includes lunch) Concessions available admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221
Sat 14 – Sun 15 Building with Straw Bales
Practical weekend on our very popular on-going course. Learning the skills and tools for straw bale building including foundations, cutting bales, frame, windows and lime rendering. Creating an unusual, cheap and cosy little home. Cost £75 (including organic lunches and refreshments) B&B, dinner may be available at extra cost. Limited places – Bookings 01491 680221 admin@braziers.org.uk
Fri 20 – Sun 22 ReVitalise Tai Chi
Andy Spragg’s Buddhist inspired Tai Chi includes meditation sessions and is suitable for complete beginners as well as catering for experienced practitioners. Contact 08000 191635 or www.re-vitalise.co.uk
Sat 21 – Sun 22 The Food Garden
A 21st Century Peasant course. Learn how to establish a sustainable food producing garden – no experience needed. Understand the fundamentals of planning and managing a food garden in time for a bountiful harvest this year. Cost £75 (including organic lunches and refreshments) B&B, dinner may be available at extra cost. Limited places – Bookings 01491 680221 admin@braziers.org.uk Concessions may be available
Sat 28 & Sun 29 Holistic Therapies Weekend
Mind, body and spirit will be soothed and inspired – further details to be announced – Still some places for Therapists
admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221 B&B / camping available
May
Fri 4 – Sun 6 Late Spring Gathering
For members, associates, residents and friends. Programme to be announced but will include some preparation for our annual Open Day as well as films, talks, workshops and chance to enjoy Braziers - rates tba admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 68022
Monday 7th OPEN DAY!
Our annual open day when everyone is welcome to enjoy the house and grounds. Music from local bands and musicians including The Horns of Plenty, Morris Dancing , Maypole dancing, Poetry, Arts & Crafts & workshops, Kids games and activities, Plant stall, local produce stalls, Fair Trade stall, bric-a-brac, Teas and our famous organic home made cake stall, BBQ with home grown organic meat and delicious vegetarian offerings. Local beers and ciders. Historic house tours, community & sustainable living talks and tours and much much more! FREE ENTRY – £5 per car
Fri 11 – Sun 13 ReVitalise Tai Chi
Andy Spragg’s Buddhist inspired Tai Chi includes meditation sessions and is suitable for complete beginners as well as catering for experienced practitioners. Contact 08000 191635 or www.re-vitalise.co.uk
Sat 12 – Talking Peace, David Mowat, 10am – 4pm
The first in a series of talks from people with first hand experience in areas of conflict at home and abroad. There will be opportunity for questions and discussions along with refreshments and lunch. Cost £35 please book admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221
Sat 19 at 7.30pm
Braziers International Artists Workshops – Beyond Braziers
The importance of the international and national residencies programme – examining grass roots networks where knowledge and experience are shared. Anna Boggon, Will Cruikshank, Nicola Gray, Jonathan Parsons and Gill Ord. Cost: £3 refreshments available (donations) book your place admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221
Fri 26 – Sun 27 Permaculture – Perennial Edibles
A 21st Century Peasant course – we will concentrate on choosing and caring for perennial edible plants. We will also look at the philosophical and practical applications of permaculture and forest gardening. Cost: £75 (including organic lunches and refreshments) camping may be available admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221
June
Fri 15th- Sun17th – Peace, non-violence and pacifism
Mel Rohse and Roberta Holanda Maschietto
This course is the second in an evolving series with peace as their theme. Tutored by two lively members of Bradford University Peace Studies Department, the course content responds to the questions generated, but not answered by, our first Peace Studies course in September 2011. This excursion will take us through the philosophy of peace with a general look at the main cultural understandings of peace throughout world history, encompassing a closer look at Christianity, peace and non-resistance, and Gandhi and non-violence. This series of presentations will consider the historical dimension and changes in the understanding and application of the principle of pacifism in the 20th and 21st centuries, illustrating the varieties of peace movements, their objectives and expressions.
Cost: £170 weekend full board, £75 non residential (includes lunch) Concessions available admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221
Sat 23 June to Fri 6 July- Permaculture for People
A unique 2 week full design course focused on the application of permaculture to people based designs, including ourselves. Led by Looby MacNamara, Author of People & Permaculture – Caring & Designing For Ourselves, Each Other & The Planet, published March 2012 by Permanent Publications. This course is residential (camping) and includes all meals and refreshment breaks (limited number of guest rooms at extra cost).
Contact Mel Chambers for costs and bookings mel@designedvisions.com
Read an article on Looby and her book in Pemaculture Magazine
Fri 15th- Sun17th – Introduction to Bee-keeping
A weekend for potential beekeepers with Martin and Seth Wright. All you need to know to decide if bee-keeping is for you and to get started if it is. Includes theory and some practical sessions. Protective suits provided. Cost: £170 weekend full board, £75 non residential (includes lunch Saturday) Concessions available admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221
July
Sat 23 June to Fri 6 July- Permaculture for People
A unique 2 week full design course focused on the application of permaculture to people based designs, including ourselves. Led by Looby MacNamara, Author of People & Permaculture – Caring & Designing For Ourselves, Each Other & The Planet, published March 2012 by Permanent Publications. This course is residential (camping) and includes all meals and refreshment breaks (limited number of guest rooms at extra cost).
Contact Mel Chambers for costs and booking information mel@designedvisions.com
23 – 27 Summer Sensory School and Reunion
The theme of this year’s summer school is Exploring Interdependence. We shall take several different views of this topic, for example social, scientific, artistic. A detailed programme will be available soon. admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 68022
The annual reunion is organised by Ken Chiba and is for any past residents and volunteers – working 4 hours a day with the community and also paying a contribution. Plenty of time for outings, socialising and reminiscing. Contact Ken and book a room with admin@braziers.org.uk 01491 680221