Past Events 2018

January 2018

Friday 12 to Sunday 14 January
Hayley Slatter Yoga
For more information and to book click here.

Friday 26 January to Sunday 28 January
Something Psychic: The Space Between
Join Kathy Stranks for an opportunity to expand your awareness beyond your physical senses. This weekend-long interactive workshop is aimed to equip you with the tools and knowledge allowing access to your innate psychic abilities. Using techniques that will familiarise you with the workings of your individual psychic processes, you will come to understand the different pathways involved in such communications. This will enhance your own awareness and naturally lead you to recognise how we can connect with others through telepathy, dreams and remote viewing. During the Something Psychic workshop you will also have a chance to look deeper into your personal experiences to discover where precognition and beliefs affect the way you see reality. More…

Book Here Now
Tuition – Non-residential : £230, £185*  (including meals & refreshments)
Tuition + Accommodation – Residential:  £400 (private accommodation), £355*  / £300 (shared accommodation), £255*.

February 2018

Friday 2 to Sunday 4 February
Weronika Chaberko Yoga
For more information and to book click here.

Friday 7th February then weekly
Yin Yoga With Jayne from The Quiet Way
All abilities are welcome to attend, whether you are new to yin yoga or have a regular yang yoga practice. Classes are kept small to ensure individual attention. Wednesday evenings 7.30 – 9pm from for more information and booking details please click here.

Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 February
Snowdrop Teas Open Days
This weekend at Braziers Park visitors will be welcome to walk around the estate to savour the delights of Spring and to come for tea and cake in the temporary tearooms inside the main house. Our collection of snowdrops is spread throughout the woodland and gardens. Free maps of the snowdrop walk will be available from the house and and guided house tours will run at intervals throughout the weekend.

Home to the Braziers Park intentional community since 1950, residents will be on hand to speak to those interested in life at Braziers. Dogs are welcome at this event, but we ask that they do not come inside the house and that they are kept on a lead in the areas surrounding the house.  10 am – 4 pm. Free entry.

Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February
Wider Community Weekend – SOLD OUT
A wonderful community weekend with a wide choice of workshops, talks, walks, films, poetry and games. Options  include a bread making workshop and talk from Cracking Good Food on healthy community cooking and food sharing initiatives, a film and talk about Transition Town movement, a documentary about Braziers Park community, a permaculture solutions film, the inspirational film Tomorrow, a morning meditation, an evening of board games, a nonviolent communication session with Clare Palmer and games in the woods and discussions on outdoor education with Andy Freedman, Forest Schools and Woodcraft movement.

There will be opportunities to discover the history of the house and explore the 55 acres of grounds, including adventure playground, woodland, gardens and meadows, meet the oxen, maybe help with a gardening project or just relax and enjoy some quiet contemplation in beautiful surroundings.

Saturday evening SOLD OUT sees us head to the Barn for a Braziers’ Barn Dance, with a bonfire, bar and burgers (incl. veggie) – see below. This is priced at £10 per person (concessions £8, under 12s £5). Food extra. Come for a session or two, a day, for barn dancing or for the whole weekend. Most sessions are free or for donations, meals and accommodation can be booked if required at Braziers’ 3 tier rates according to income. For the full programme, click here.

Saturday 17 February
Barn Dance – SOLD OUT (no tickets available on the door)
Get your boots on for a stomping big barn dance in an actual barn! For one night only the atmospheric ancient barn at Braziers will be transformed by the live Ceilidh band Chameleons, part of Oxford’s famous Geckoes dance band. No experience needed as the caller will guide each dance and you will be reeling away before you know it to traditional dances such as Seven Stars, Fourpence Halfpenny Farthing, The Coleford Jig and the Morgan Rattler! If the dancing doesn’t warm you up on a cold February night, you can toast yourself by the roaring bonfire. The bar will be open throughout and burgers (including veggie) will be available in the interval. Times: 7.30 – approx. 10.00 pm. £10, concessions £8, under 12s £5.

Friday 23 to Sunday 25 February
Nova Milesko Yoga
For more information and to book click here.

March 2018

Friday 9 to Sunday 11 March
Exploring a Universal Spirituality: A meeting of Sufis and Christians Mystics, with Sarida Brown
For more information and to book, please contact Caroline.kuipers@gmail.com.

Friday 16 to Sunday 18 March
Yoga Kutir Spring Retreat with Dory Walker
For more information and to book please click here.

Friday 23 to Sunday 25 March
Spring Equinox Yoga Retreat with Liz Dillon and Tania Plahay
For more information and to book please click here.

April 2018

Friday 27 to Sunday 29 April
Sole2Soul Weekend Yoga Retreat
The ideal way to take time out to focus on your yoga practice at this Idyllic retreat in Oxfordshire – the perfect location to relax, recharge and re-energise. For more information click here.

May 2018

Monday 7 May – Please note there is no May Fayre / Open Day this year

Saturday 12 May
Braziers Park AGM
Members, Associates, Active Associates, Volunteers and Friends are welcome (only members can vote for motions and officers). Please enquire about becoming an Associate, the first step to membership of the Society, BPSISR (Braziers Park School of Integrative Social  Research), founded in 1950 as an experiment in conscious co-existence, understanding our place in nature and taking constructive action in the world.

Sunday 13 May
Annual Glaister Lecture 2018 – Druid Heights: The Legacy of an Unintentional Community For the annual Glaister Lecture, we are pleased to welcome artist Nick Jordan who will give an illustrated talk on the counter-cultural history of Druid Heights: a remote bohemian community  near San Francisco. Established in 1954 by poet Elsa Gidlow and architect Roger Somers. The talk will look at the remarkable cultural legacy of the community, and explore the esoteric features of its psychedelic, vernacular architecture which is gradually being subsumed by nature.  Tea and coffee available and lunch can be booked.  All welcome for this free annual lecture, limited seats- please book  Times: 11.30 am – 1.00 pm (lunch can also be booked)

Friday 18 to Sunday 20 May
Wood Festival – NOW SOLD OUT – NO TICKETS AVAILABLE
The annual family-friendly festival of music and nature. – click here.

Thursday 24 May 
Film Screening: In Our Hands : Seeding Change
Premiered at the Oxford Real Farming Conference in January, In Our Hands is a response to the crisis in food and farming.  The film profiles the emergence of a new generation of farmers who are outgrowing, and debunking the myths of, the industrial food system – creating a vision for post-Brexit food production that redefines our relationship with food and the land.  A growing movement of farmers and food workers are creating vibrant farms, living soils, thriving food markets and a fairer food system for all.  Screening is followed by discussion time with film makers – Land Workers Alliance

A simple supper of hearty Braziers’ garden soup and bread included – available between 6.30 and 7pm – Local beer and organic wine on sale. Film starts 7.30 and runs approx 60 minutes, discussion closes by 9.30  £5 on door (cash only) – please register as seats are limited.  There is an optional free estate tour starting at 5pm from front of house with Trish Whitham.   Doors open 6pm

Friday 25 May 7.30pm
Presentation of Damanhur, a Spiritual Eco-Community 
Join us for a free evening talk about the Federation of Damanhur. Founded in 1975, Damanhur in Italy is now an internationally renowned center for spiritual, artistic and social research. Damanhur is an eco-society, a Federation of Communities and eco-villages with a continuously evolving social and political structure. Recently recognized by the UN as a model for global eco-villages, Damanhur is located in the foothills of the Italian Alps, north of Turin, and is highly organized and integrated community dedicated to the unification of art, spirituality and technology.  Damanhur has just over one thousand citizens, 44 communities, a social and political structure, a constitution, schools, a daily paper and its own currency. To reserve a seat book here

Saturday 16 June to Sunday 17 June  09:30 – 17:30
Womens’ Herbal Medicine  (Cancelled)

This two day non-residential course will focus exclusively on women’s health issues and natural herbal remedies that you will learn to make yourself.  You will gain a deeper understanding of your own body, cycles, hormone balance

and common women’s health issues.

The course will be led by two female tutors, a  qualified medical herbalist and an experienced women’s group facilitator  and as well as group sessions they will offer individual, private consultations. Many of the ingredients will be found in the meadows and gardens of Braziers Park and you will learn to identify your healing plants, practice different methods of preparation and take your own remedies home.
£150 including lunch and  refreshments. Accommodation in the house or camping can be booked with rates on a sliding scale based on income Book here

Saturday 16 June to Sunday 17 June  09:30 – 17:30  
Introduction to Permaculture   (Cancelled)
(see also November below)

June 2018

Friday 8 to Sunday 10 June
Yogaktir/ Yoga on a Shoe String Early Summer Weekend Retreat
A hatha yoga based practice with an integration of other traditions will naturally open the heart and nurture you to a space of surrender and stillness. A typical class will include asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), hands-on adjustments, guided relaxation, chanting and a taste of philosophy. More information here and here.

The Big Breath Company Weekend Retreat
This Reclaim Your Breath weekend in the house and gardens is designed to remove all distractions so you can focus on healing yourself from the ‘inside out’. For more information, click here.

July 2018

Friday 6 to Sunday 8 July
Om & Bass Yoga Festival with Rachel Cox
The Om & Bass Yoga Festival is back! This big outdoor event will connect us with nature and balance our chakras. Dance, laugh and relax in heavenly surroundings with like-minded people. For details, visit the Facebook event page and book via the website.

Friday 13 to Sunday 15 July
Isis Cyclists 10th Anniversary Celebration
“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel.” – Susan B. Anthony, 1896. See their website for more details.

Friday 20 to Sunday 22 July
Middle Way Society Weekend Retreat
Would you like to develop a positive relationship with the riches of the Christian tradition, without believing five impossible things before breakfast? This retreat is for anyone, whether self-defined as ‘Christian’ or not, who seeks the balance of that creative way, combining receptivity to meaning with critical avoidance of absolute beliefs. Click here for more details and booking information.

Monday 23 to Thursday 26 July
Braziers International House Team Reunion
Another chance for past ‘house team’, volunteers and residents from around the world to spend a few days living and working at Braziers and meeting old and new friends.  Working alongside the current residents in the mornings  – cooking, cleaning, gardening, hosting, flower arranging and spending the afternoons and evenings relaxing in good company.  There’ll be time for reminiscing, walks, outings and entertaining ourselves.
Cost: £27 a day for a single room, £22 a day for a shared room (This is on half-time working basis).
To book please contact admin@braziers.org.uk.

Friday 27 to Sunday 29 July
Mindfulness-West – A Residential Weekend Retreat
This will a perfect way to take your practice deeper, meet yourself more fully, and to experience a few summer days more richly than ever before. It is open to anyone who has completed a recognised course in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy or Stress Management. Click here for more details.

August 2018

Friday 24 to Monday 27 August
Mini Indi Film Festival and Wider Community Weekend

Following last year’s huge success we have another equally varied and compelling weekend of independent films, discussions with their makers and poetry, art, screen writing and drama/improvisation workshops, games, outdoor and social activities with a big BBQ* on Sunday night (including Vegan/gluten free) and bar.  There is also space to enjoy the beautiful grounds, woodland walks, quiet contemplation and good company.  All activities and meals are included for residential guests – book the whole long weekend or individual days at our 3 tier rates according to income – individual drop in sessions and/or BBQ are just £5 (but booking for the BBQ is essential).
(*BBQ home grown pork sausages with all the trimmings).

Detailed  Programme Here

Bookings now closed
£5 On the Door Tickets Available
Email braziersownbookings@zoho.com for BBQ requests

Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September
Cotswold Edge Internal Arts Weekend Retreat
More information and booking here.

Saturday 8 to Sunday 9 September
Celtic Spiritual Healing
This special weekend retreat is designed to nurture and transform your relationship with yourself. Come and learn ancient Celtic methods for deep, gentle change: adapted for our present time by inspired friendly teacher Kate E. A. Berridge. In this beautiful location, discover your soul’s own power, using natural methods rooted in a loving respect for life and learn skills you can take home with you to use in your own meditations. The ‘Earthall’ Celtic meditation system is compatible with all spiritual paths and philosophies which honour the sacred energy of Nature and all life.

£150 for non-residential two day course. Lunch & refreshments provided. Additional meals and overnight stays available; Braziers three tier rates apply. Times: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm  Book here

Saturday 8 September
Autumn Herbal Medicine and Foraging

Expert medical herbalist Rasheeqa Ahmad of Hedge Herbs  will lead foraging sessions in the beautiful and bountiful meadows and woodlands of Braziers Park.  Learn how to identify beneficial plants in the early autumn, discover how to connect with instinctive plant wisdom and practice different methods of preparation to make your own healing, herbal remedies for yourself and as special gifts.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Additional meals and accommodation available at Braziers’ 3-tier rate.    Cost £75 , Times  09:30 – 17:30  book here.

Saturday 8 September
Open Gardens & Plant Family Display in the Greenhouse
Explore the grounds and gardens of Braziers Park, particularly the Victorian greenhouse which this year features a display of culinary, ornamental and native/naturalised plants ordered by plant family. A family is the taxonomic rank above genus and species. In the central beds of the greenhouse 8 major plant families are represented. Our Grower will be on-hand to talk about the display which hopes to increase botanical awareness through the appreciation of family features. Open 11am – 4pm. Entry is free. Donations towards much-needed greenhouse maintenance are most welcome. Teas and coffee are available.

September 2018

Friday 14 to Sunday 16 September
Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine
More information here.

Tuesday 18 September-09.30 for 10.00 – 17.30 (ish)
Family Landscapes

£60. Please bring your own lunch. (Members and Associates discount £30)

A creative psychotherapy workshop, Familial Landscapes shines a curious and compassionate light on our family relationships. It is an invitation to discover how past and present dynamics in our families have shaped who we are and the lives we live today. The work we shall do together in a group and in one-to-one sessions will help us understand these influences so that we can meet our lives with more clarity and freedom, as individuals and family members.

The day will include group work and one-to-one sessions and will experiment with creative imagination and techniques such as sand tray, play therapy, music and drawing.

Facilitated by, Natalia Peace: an integrative psychotherapist based in Wallingford. She has been in practice since 2009. Ever since her psychotherapy training at the Centre for Counseling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE) in London, she has had an avid interest in constellation and systemic therapy as a philosophy to understand the power of family dynamics, initially those of her own family (she grew up in a three-generational home). Her integrated personal experience, coupled with professional knowledge and skills provide a solid grounding to facilitate understanding and transformation.

Natalia would be looking for six participants and would plan to speak to them by phone before confirming places. We recognise the vulnerabilities around this kind of work we will create a safe space for participation.

To express interest click here.

Friday 28 to Sunday 31 September
Yoga Kutir Weekend Retreat
This weekend retreat is an opportunity to revitalise and enjoy reconnecting with self and others.
For more information and to book please click here.

October 2018

Friday 19 to Sunday 21 October
Dawn Wright Weekend Yoga Retreat
For more information click here.  

Friday 5 to Sunday 7 October
The Yoga Hall Weekend Retreat
For more information and to book please click here.

Friday 26 to Sunday 28 October
Wider Community Weekend
After a sell out weekend in spring another chance to join us for a programme of Autumnal walks, talks, films, fun, food, relaxation, thought, conversation and community activities to suit everyone – programme coming soon – save the date!
Book Here.

Film: The Bentley Effect (85 mins)
As part of the WCW
Award winning documentary by Brendan Shoebridge.
The story of fracking (hydraulic fracturing for gas) in Australia , its impacts and the massive social movement that sprang up to resist it.
The film will be followed by discussion time with Reclaim The Power Oxford and a look at fracking plans for the UK

November 2018

Friday 9 to Sunday 11 November
Yoga & Meditation Retreat with Ladan Soltani
Join Ladan for a rejuvenating weekend of yoga, meditation and relaxation. A special haven to be still, calm the mind and energise yourself. For more information and to book, please click here.

Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 November
Introduction to Permaculture 
With Trish Whitham and John Baker
Permaculture Association curriculum.
A wonderfully inspiring weekend in an idyllic location learning Permaculture basics – ethics, principles and design tools to re-imagine your life, your garden, farm, community or any project for sustainability, regeneration and abundance – it’s not just gardening!
Cost: £150 including lunches and refreshments. Extra meals and accommodation available at  3 tier rates. Book here.  Further info here

Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 November
Winter Herbals Weekend – Making Winter Tonics & Christmas Presents 
Spend a cosy winter weekend at Braziers preparing for the season of darkness by concocting healing herbal goodies to support the immune system and to give as beautiful handmade Christmas presents.   
Cost £150 including lunches and refreshments. 
Accommodation and extra meals available at 3 tier rates.
Book here.

Tuesday 20 November
The Power of SOLEs 
 SOLES are self-organised learning environments used to foster student self-management and self-reliance in any learning situation. They began their evolution with the work of Sugata Mitra (google it!) and are now used in many settings the world over. As a group we will refine our BIG QUESTION. My starting point will be how powerworks in our macro and micro societies, but we’ll see what the group chooses. After an introduction, the main part of the day will be practical SOLE working, with a self-organised plenary and discussions of the application of your day’s experience to your own settings.

This day is offered at part of Braziers Park’s personal and professional development programme. Cost £60, concessions available. Half price for members and associates. Book here.

Friday 23 to Sunday 25 November
Sole2Soul Weekend Yoga Retreat
The ideal way to take time out to focus on your yoga practice at this Idyllic retreat in Oxfordshire – the perfect location to relax, recharge and re-energise. For more information click here.
SOLD OUT

Friday 2 to Sunday 4 November
Yoga With Chris
Prepare for winter with a weekend to nourish your body, mind and spirit. Slow down, quieten, and renew your inner resources. Leave feeling relaxed, de-stressed and ready for the world. For more information and booking click here.

December 2018

Wednesday 12 December, 2018 – 7:30-10pm
SOUL TALK
This free session is an opportunity to be seen and heard, without anyone fixing you. Communication and connection without judgement or dogma. Experience what goes on inside you and how you feel without the usual mind chatter.Utilising the ancient form of ‘Council’ this session will be regularly offered at Braziers Park and is held by Natalie Vickers.
             To find out more about The Way of Council, click here.
¬ Spaces are limited, booking essential: book your place, here.

Friday 21 December, 2018
                7:30-10pm
Winter Solstice Fire Ceremony 
     with Liz Brown  & Chris Waters
Winter Solstice is the shortest day, and the darkest time of the year. It’s a time to reflect, to go within and to dream. To reflect on what has gone before, to sift out what we no longer need for the time to come, and to envision what we want to invite in, the seeds of something new that we could sow into the web of life.    Book Online, here.

Saturday 29 December, 2018 to Tuesday 1 January, 2019
New Year Yoga Retreat with Atiya Khan & Kat Bayly
We are planning a deeply nourishing few days of yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, kirtan (singing), wholesome vegetarian meals, good company and plenty of time for rest and reflection too. For more information and to book click here.