Henry Cookson Update

Quick update to let you know that the http://www.teamn2i.com/ website, which was down at the time we posted our interview with Henry Cookson, is now back up and running.

In the meantime we've also just heard from Henry that he's on his way up Aconcagua in the Andes. We wish him best of luck! If you want to follow the expedition, head over to: http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/amg/

Munchatreeaforest

Knoydart - often referred to as "Britain's last wilderness" - has some talented young film makers among its inhabitants. Ten children aged between 4 and 11 have made a film which has been nominated for a National First Light Movies Award. The film, called MUNCHATREEAFOREST, was selected from over 100 films, and is now one of three films in the Best Film By Under 12's category. Munchatreeaforest is the only Scottish film in it's category.

The award is being decided by a Public Vote. The deadline for voting is 10th January 2008. Anyone can vote whatever your age, adult or child.

To vote email info@filmstreet.co.uk and say what you like about the film/why you think it should win.

Munchatreeaforest is about a forest regeneration scheme in Knoydart and the effect it has on the children's lives. The children care deeply about the forest and spend much of their time there. The film explores their hopes and fears about the destruction of the forest.

If you haven't seen the film it is available to watch along with the other nominated films at www.filmstreet.co.uk (you will need a high speed broadband connection) or contact Grant Holroyd at forest@knoydart.org or on 01687 462560 to get a copy on DVD.

Good luck to everyone who has entered the competition.

Essex ACF C Company Light Up Billericay

The annual Billericay Christmas Festival took place on 5th December and Essex ACF C Company where there to raise funds for their South Africa Expedition in October 2008.

This will be the first year that Essex have undertaken a wilderness trail with us, however this is building on the success of previous trails run with Norfolk Army Cadet Force.

We're delighted to have Essex ACF on board for 2008.

To read further details of C Company's efforts visit: http://www.essexarmycadets.co.uk

Seeking Health in an Ailing World

You may recall that our Friend and colleague Mary-Jayne Rust ran a successful workshop for the Foundation in June 2007 - The Power of Wild Places. Mary-Jayne has brought us advanced news of a new residential workshop that she will be running in June 2008:

Seeking Health in an Ailing World:
Therapy with the Earth in Mind

Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd June 2008

A weekend residential workshop in North Norfolk for therapists who wish to
explore ecopsychology in practice.

Therapy is an intensely personal process. Yet our well-being, as well as our suffering, is bound up with the whole web of life. Climate change and a litany of environmental crises come right into our bodies and psyches; in turn, our choices about everything we buy and use affect the lives of others. Spending time in wild places, or simply in our back gardens, can be deeply healing, bringing us back to the ground of our being.

Using experiential exercises, reflection and discussion, indoors and outdoors, this week-end will be a chance to explore areas such as: attachment and bonding with the other-than-human world; our response to increasing trauma in the world; environmental concern as part of recovery ecologically based spirituality as ever day practice. There will be ample opportunity to discuss how these issues come into our therapy practice and how me might respond.

Mary-Jayne Rust is a Jungian analyst, art therapist and ecopsychologist practicing in London.

£225 including accommodation and meals. 9 spaces available.
Deadline for bookings 30th April 2008.

For forms and more info see www.norwichcentre.org Tel: 01603 617709

Jay Griffiths Lecture 19th February 2008

The Worlds Monument Fund Britain are hosting a lecture at the Royal Geographical Society in London on 19th February next year.

We are very excited to have the renowned writer Jay Griffiths speaking for us about her recent book 'Wild: An Elemental Journey'. The book focuses on the time she spent living with indigenous societies across the globe and describes the intimate relationships they have with the natural environment. The book also touches upon how the wilderness is interpreted by differing cultures and religions, and argues that wild land is intrinsic to the health of the human mind

Henrietta Pound, WMF

Jay is a popular speaker and author and was a resounding success when she was our guest with the Gaia Foundation earlier this year. As a Friend of WFUK, you could be eligible for a reduced rate ticket so make sure you mention the Wilderness Foundation UK when making further enquiries. Visit http://www.wmf.org.uk for booking details.