GREEN FAIR 2009

The third annual open day and Green Fair at White House Farm took place on Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day, which encouraged many visitors to this secluded wildlife site, to participate in nature-inspired activities, see craftspeople and therapists and be inspired by the beauty of this sacred land.

The open day included wild herb walks by Emma Eastham, a barn owl walk by Paul Jackson, a sacred fire workshop by Alex Moore of the Albion Group, and guided meditation sessions in Alice's rustic yurt. There was a wonderful variety of craftspeople including spinners and weavers from local villages, a pole-lathe turner, a tree-table maker, and Jo Hammond the willow weaver (Jo takes workshops here).

We were also honoured to have Cosmo the Crystal Merchant from Bury St Edmunds, Rima and Tui with their beautifully converted horse box and displays of artwork, as well as all the natural therapists. Folk musicians played in the morning and a classical string quartet performed in the afternoon in the open-fronted barn. Rami sat at the turf labyrinth in the mid-afternoon and blessed the land with his overtone singing. Listening to Rami's astounding range of tones and absorbing the resonance for just a short while was a deeply healing experience and I felt as if I had meditated for hours!

The Green Lady of White House Farm walked gracefully about Ley Meadow speaking to children. The Green Man was very entertaining and even helped with washing up when the refreshments volunteers were so overwhelmed with the number of visitors this year!

It was heartening to see so many happy expressions at the farm on Sunday and to receive a great amount of positive feedback from visitors. Thank you to all volunteers who helped on the day, and to those who committed time and support before and after the open day.

Our small herd of rare breed British White cattle enjoyed seeing the visitors on Sunday - they are very curious about any activity at the farm and so the open day is a highlight of the year for them too.

The nature trail signs are in place now for future events and other markers, including the great oak totem signs for the tree circle and labyrinth are standing as guardians at the gateways. Ross and I have become quite taken with pyrographing letters onto wood and making signs from off- cuts of wood or chopped logs from the farm. The lettering tones beautifully with the wood, especially once oiled.

(Below : Spider's Wood Pathway, The Arts and Crafts Summerhouse, British White Cattle in Upper Ox Eye Meadow )

( Below: Entrance from Herne Wood to Ley Meadow)

When one walks through wholesome land one is surely inspired, at some level of consciousness, to reclaim an inner relationship with Mother Earth. Nature's pathways, if unhindered, will call the innate understanding forth and reconnect us with the unlimited source of healing of the vital force.