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IMPORTANT INFORMATION PLEASE READ:

It is with great regret that I have decided to cancel the Spring 2020 A Nest of Gentle Makers Retreat.
As you all know, we are now in a global pandemic of Covid-19, and the scientific modelling for the UK is suggesting that we will be at or near the peak of the infection in May 2020. I feel it would be irresponsible of me to bring people together from all over the UK at that time and I suspect that in time, we will all, attendees, teachers and organisers, be either self- isolating or caring for family and loved ones. All retreat attendees have been informed and will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to carry their booking over to the Autumn 2020 retreat.

I am really sorry to have to cancel, as these retreats are such a wonderful thing to organise and I love meeting and getting to know everyone who comes. I know that we gain so much by coming together and connecting. I really hope that you all stay safe and well in these coming weeks and that as a country and a global community we can all pull together for the common good.

I am planning on still issuing my Full Moon emails each month, with some additional contributions from our wonderful yogi Kate. I would love to hear from you if there is anything you would like us to cover in the emails, or if you have any thoughts or making you would like to share with our little community. Just email me at anestofgentlemakers@btinternet.com

With love,

Charlotte Jenner

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I am so delighted that you have chosen to find out about A Nest of Gentle Makers. We are a small team working to provide beautiful, restorative retreats. We hope you will be able to find out everything you need to know about the retreats we are running in 2020. We first started holding retreats in May and October 2019 and we are really looking forward to holding retreats in 2020. 

What I believe:

That taking time for oneself is so important in this very busy world we live in.

That spending time outdoors is very beneficial to our mental health.

That taking time to connect with nature,  will help you to connect better with yourself. 

That connecting with nature, yourself and others, will help unlock your creativity.

That there is joy in the as yet unknown connections that will be made at these gatherings. 

These retreats are NOT a luxury spa break or a country house hotel break.
Accommodation is rustic with no power in the shepherd’s huts. There are shared showers and toilets. Most of the activities will take place in the large central ‘Carpenter’s Barn’ which is heated by a wood-burner, but we rely on our guests to wear adequate warm clothing and sturdy, waterproof footwear. We will have some sofas and comfy chairs in the main barn but generally seating is arranged as chairs around tables.
The cost of the retreats is not cheap, we acknowledge that, but this is necessary to cover the costs of exclusive hire of a beautiful site, surrounded by woodland, with two creative teachers providing five hours each of formal tuition in the workshops and plenty more informal tuition over the weekend. Our resident yogi is on hand to offer three classes of yoga over the weekend and a lot more wisdom throughout! There is opportunity for a guided walk and of course the price includes sleeping accommodation and all meals, tea and coffee and cake.

With all that outlined, and what the retreat is not, we need to think about what it can offer.
The ability to fully switch off. There is no wi-fi. No electrical power in the shepherd’s huts. This is the perfect opportunity to detox yourself of the internet and technology. Warm your shepherd’s hut in the early evening by lighting your little wood burning stove, climb into your bunk in a lined sleeping bag with a duvet over the top. Read your book by the light of your torch, and if you are lucky, you will hear the call back and forth of the owls in the trees.
The chance to learn a new creative skill under the tuition of our brilliant teaching team. The teachers are chosen for their expertise in their particular field. But also they will be taking part and resident at the retreat with you, encouraging a spirit of togetherness.
The chance to stretch yourself a little by not having all of your creature comforts around you. To lean into the responsibility of lighting and maintaining your little wood-burning stove in order to keep your shepherd’s hut warm. To acknowledge that you might get a little wet walking to the loo, or out on a guided walk, but if you have your wellies and a mac on then that is ok?

The opportunity to bring your own project to complete alongside the formal creative classes. That’s absolutely fine by us! Many people have things they want to make and do and just need the time and space to do it. You might want to just come and absorb the beautiful surroundings and, if you want to, share in the company of others. The focus is on gentle creativity in an un-pressured and unhurried environment.
The ability to walk in nature, observing your surroundings. To sit around the campfire (weather permitting) and chat with people you perhaps did not know before the weekend. To walk in the rain or to lie in your hut and listen to the rain. To sit outdoors in the sunshine! To stretch during early morning yoga and to completely relax in the afternoon restorative yoga session.
And if you want to spend the weekend in your (warm) pyjamas- that is fine too!

If what our retreats can offer speaks to you, then we would be delighted to have you along!
The next retreat will be the Spring retreat on the 8th-10th May 2020 at the New Forest Outdoor Centre.
The Autumn retreat will take place on the 2-4th October 2020, venue to be confirmed.

 A little video to inspire you to come on A Nest of Gentle Makers Retreat:

 

Interested in Coming Along?

Please explore the pages of this website to get a flavour of what we offer at A Nest of Gentle Makers. You can follow along on Instagram @anestofgentlemakers and sign up to a monthly newsletter via the contact page below. Looking forward to having you along some day!

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