HAZELWOOD NEWS!

JANUARY 2012

The World seems to be changing fast and is making new demands on us all. Hazelwood is no exception and we are determined to keep on keeping on!

Many people have said, for a long time, ‘we would love more news of you’ so this is our first attempt to put out a Newsletter on our website – hopefully it will be enjoyable to read, and not too long!   Give us feedback.

Hazelwood has many aspects to it – the hotel side – the hosting of events – the putting on of our events and the bringing in of musicians and artists throughout the year.   Many visitors this year have commented on Hazelwood giving them real rest and restoration leaving such comments in our guest book as:

 “a haven of joy peace tranquility and excellent food.” (Susan & David 4^th Dec 2011) and “lovely change from the city, great food, friendly people.” (Ron, Amanda, & Jacob 19^th Sep 2011)

We were honoured to host a group from “Room 2 Heal” – this was a group of twelve people from around the world who were all survivors of torture and abuse of human rights.   See fuller report featured below this article.

Sadly at the end of 2010 our much loved Daisy Dog was run over on a dark night by someone tearing through the property but last Easter we had the joy to offer a new home to Lily, a little Jack Russel.  Her previous owners were very sad to part with her but the circumstances of their lives meant leaving her shut in alone for most of the day.  They did, however, send her a Christmas present of a toy that looked strong enough to withstand a much larger dog.   Lily’s delight and dedication to it had in pieces within a few hours, however she still loves what is left of it.   She is pure joy and finds everything a source of fun and play she reminds us daily that life is for enjoying!

CONCERTS: 

We had seven during the year with delicious buffet suppers beforehand. They included Julie Felix, truly a veteran of the great protest singers – she just gets better and better and her songs are both heartwarming and profound. It is always a delight to have her with us.  She returns this year on 30^th May so don’t miss her.

Nick Harper, another well-known musician, gave a wonderful evening – It is always a delight to have him back. Emily McGuire returned with her poignant and pertinent songs.

Lively Concert nights, with a generous buffet supper beforehand, were given by Claude Bourbon, Cristof Sors and Joe Topping – all great guitarists varying in style from classical, latino & flamenco to slide guitar.

“Matthew and Me” a lively young band from Dartington was a great success and brought in a young and vibrant energy. We look forward to more collaborations of this kind.

WORKSHOPS (put on by others):

Robin & Bina Williamson –long-time faithful supporters of Hazelwood – gave two workshop weekends with a concert on the Saturday night.
They always fill the house with wonderfully versatile musicians.

Tobias Kay ran a beautiful workshop on the use of his magical sounding bowls - it was special to have him, his work is so in tune with Hazelwood.

Another inspiring workshop was “Warriors of The Heart” – An International group which focused on showing how the principles of Aikido can be
applied in our daily life. It was great to attend and the sword ceremony by the river was breathtaking!

In July Hazelwood acted as hosts, for the first time, for a group of Play Therapy therapists – we are so happy to be supporting this important International work.

HAZELWOOD EVENTS:

In January we had friends, both distant and local, gather with Gabriella Kapfer and Heather Cowen to sense into the coming year. They are both practiced sound weavers, using cello, violin and many other instruments to cause a magic to happen that heightens awareness and connects the heart nature and the bigger picture.  They will be with us again this February.  It is hard to describe their work but anyone who experiences it is enchanted.

Also in January we had a most informative and extremely amusing weekend with “Tombman” and “Rat Scabies” (the ex lead drummer of The Damned) – they both proved very knowledgeable on the subject of The Mysteries of Rennes le Chateau and shared with us some amazing discoveries.

Janie continues to offer weekends on watercolour and mixed media and in February this year is doing “Sketchbook Dairies”.   Anyone who has seen her sketchbooks will long to learn some of her skill.   She also had an exhibition in October for the South Hams Arts Trail (SHAF).  The opening night was well supported by local artists and friends and was a really fun evening.

CELEBRATIONS:

Ideally each day is a celebration!   Hazelwood loves to host special occasions and at the end of last year we had our first 100^th Birthday Party.  It was a great success   – such events leave us feeling privileged.  We also had a joint 70^th making it a 140^th party – this was very special and lively with dinner and dancing until late!

Weddings of course come under Celebration and we had eight last year, some large, some small but all a brilliant success and each leaving Hazelwood untidy on the surface but much enhanced by all the joy that such an occasion brings.

OTHER EVENTS

The Kingsbridge Writers Club had their annual dinner at Hazelwood for the third time, this is an evening much enjoyed by hosts and participants.

Exeter University, and Kingsbridge Community College both had “away time” at Hazelwood – it is great when local organizations come to enjoy the peace and good food offered here.

In May St. Lukes Hospice once again had an Open Gardens Day.   May is always a lovely month at Hazelwood and people enjoyed roaming the wild river valley and relaxing over lunches or cream teas.  Look out for their Open Day this year on 27^th May – it will celebrate 30 years of St. Lukes!  

Apple Pressing Celebration - Each year Wendy Stayte has organized a wonderful team to pick and press our apples – the scene in the stable yard on a misty autumn afternoon is almost one out of the Middle Ages as groups of people sit and cut and peel –some others pressing and others bottling, children running between the groups and everything suffused with a wonderful appley smell – music and dancing all being part of the day.   So this is where we want to acknowledge all that Wendy has given to Hazelwood.   For ten years she has given her time and incredible energy to nurture our orchards, fruit cages and generally tussle with the wildness of this place and our rather taxing ideas about allowing nature, in general, to have the upper hand!  She will be sadly missed.  Wendy is a past master at gathering amazing people for volunteer weekends, if you are someone who would value being part of the life of this fantastic valley and have experience with land and gardens please get in touch with us. We are looking for a new way forward.

So the year ended with a gentle and heartwarming Christmas, which was full of singing beside the open fire.   New Year’s Eve saw friends joining us for a long and delicious dinner and then our special candlelit midnight ceremony.

Alex, our chef, has done a brilliant job in making Hazelwood a place to find excellent and real and healthy food. Microwaves are never used and we do our best to use fresh local and, where possible, organic produce.   We thank Alex, Carmen, Scott and Wojtek (recently joined us from Poland) for doing so much to keep Hazelwood in good shape and with a warm welcome.

During the coming year we are planning an exciting program of concerts and events so please keep checking out the website.

SEE 2012 EVENTS 

ROOM to HEAL AT HAZELWOOD

October 2011

Hazelwood has its own ability to be an agent of healing and it makes the heart sing to witness this in big and small ways.

In October we had a group from the Charity “Room to Heal.” Room to Heal assists individuals who have experienced torture or organised violence in their countries of origin, by helping them to create a thriving community through which they can heal and integrate. The charity works closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation which for many years has not only been seeking justice but been giving hope and healing to survivors of torture.

Mark Fish heads Room to Heal and apart from giving endless emotional and practical support he provides a space for people whose lives have been torn apart by the often horrendous situations in their own countries.

They come to Britain for a safe haven but without people like Helen and Mark they often sink in the jungle of London suburbs, friendless and lost. Sadly this can result in deep depression, sickness and attempted suicides.

Hazelwood has been privileged over the last few years to be able to offer respite breaks to Mark and groups of Room to Heal members.  They can only come for five days due to having to sign on at the Home Office, but it is astounding as to what can be achieved in this small slice of time.

The October group was the first mixed group of men and women.  This was a delicate undertaking as most of the women are extremely afraid to be in the company of men, given their experiences.  On the first evening a beautiful young African woman was too afraid to sit in the same room as the men but after five days she was laughing around the campfire with everyone and talking freely. Even Mark was amazed and thrilled by the progress made in this mixed group.

It is the simple things that count and help to build the trust.  Working together in the garden, cooking, going on outings to wild coast walks; sharing feelings and experiences spoken into the glow of an evening fire, singing, making music, telling jokes; just being in a place that is supportive and peaceful all works wonders. 

 A very different group piles into the mini-bus to return to all the cold challenges of being an “Asylum Seeker” in London. They are full of good food, smiles, and trust.  Fresh air has filled their lungs and friendship filled their hearts.  Hazelwood has also been blessed by so much warmth and courage.

If you would like to find out more about or support Room to Heal, you can visit their website at www.roomtoheal.org.uk