FACILITATOR & PERMACULTURIST I live in Meole Brace on the outskirts of Shrewsbury. I originated from Birmingham, huge busy city and moved across to Shrewsbury when I became a teacher and a mum. I remember feeling really privileged to live in a town which tourists visit and I felt that I was on holiday here for quite a long time. A farmers grand daughter I have always felt connected to nature, even when small, remembering the scent of the Hawthorn Trees under which we played ...so I suppose this is why I felt moving to a more rural setting just felt right. You don't always understand the responses at the time, do you? I was the teacher who created role-play corners with ponds and camping sites, all inspirational until the tadpoles in the pond grew too quickly on the cat food we were feeding them and ended up hopping around the classroom much to the delight of the squealing children. I tended to get reprimanded for messy art areas and lots of activities but generally I really enjoyed the curiosity of young minds. Which lead on to having four children of my own and lots of part time work and activities. As they have grown so has my time to focus on areas close to my heart. So here I am several years later retraining in Horticulture, Garden Design and now Permaculture… We bought Seaways in Polperro twelve years ago, renovated it over a couple of years and brought many family and friends to share valued time together. The village of Polperro is an idyllic place for children to explore rockpools and build dams on pebbly beaches. The village has a strong community and there are links with the local environmental group. We are now hoping to share this space with those looking for a retreat offering wholesome food, gentle activities and reconnection with themselves and local communities. I facilitate these retreats which involves leading sharing circles, guiding mindful walks and providing an overview of Permaculture.
Emily Robson
YOGA, TRAINER & NUTRITIONIST As a self confessed nomad, home tends to be where I’m sleeping that night; I grew up in the Middle East, and after graduating with a degree in Biology, and training to become a nutritionist and personal trainer in Bath I moved to Shrewsbury with my other half to pursue a lifestyle that is forever active and engaging. I’m excited to find out where we head off to next. My mother died when I was young and this has instilled a deep need to experience as much as possible, and growing up abroad has given me a real passion for new cultures and connecting with new people. I have been practising yoga for around 12 years, and found it had such profound effects on my mental health, my outlook in life, and helped me to grow so much as a person that I wanted to be able to help other people find the amazing benefits not only from the physical aspects of yoga in the asanas, but the spiritual benefits as well. To this end I travelled to Bali, Indonesia to train to become a multi-style yoga teacher and haven’t looked back since.
Michelle Terry
YOGA & MEDITATION TEACHER, MASSAGE THERAPIST & REIKI HEALER I remember the first time I tried yoga, I was age 18 and intrigued by a flashy looking MTV yoga video (that's right...a video). I remember loving the flow and challenge of the poses but was surprised to find that the part I loved the most was savasana (final relaxation) and the sense of peace and calm that I experienced. There weren't any local classes around at this time so I just watched the video over and over again, learning the different variations of the poses and looking forward to savasana every time. When I was 19 I went travelling to Australia on my gap year. I fell head over heels in love with Sydney and my gap year turned into a decision to stay and I was able to settle in Bondi and it was here that my love affair with yoga and healthy living really began. Suddenly I was living in an area of the world where yoga was mainstream, with yoga studios on every corner and a culture that encouraged health and wellbeing. My time living in Bondi began to spark an interest in eastern philosophy, natural health and holistic therapies so I decided to train as a massage therapist and a Buddhist meditation teacher. I ended up living in Aus for about 8 years all in all and moved back about 2 and half years ago as the pull of home began to get too strong. I qualified as a Hatha yoga teacher in the UK in spring 2016 and began teaching classes in my home county of Shropshire. One of the things I love the most about teaching yoga is the amazing people you meet at classes. It was through teaching my Saturday morning class in Shrewsbury that I met Lucy and she expressed her idea for these beautiful Eco retreats in Cornwall and asked if I'd liked to be involved. So here we are...I now share my time between Shropshire, Stourbridge (where I now live with my partner) and the beautiful town of Polperro in Cornwall.
Chris Jones
CHEF I originate from Birmingham, just round the corner from Lucy, we've been firm friends for over 45 years! I happened upon my career really, but it's worked for me; I went to the College of Food and Domestic Arts in Birmingham to do an HND in Hospitality Management and thence to Scotland to work in a wonderful hotel bordering Troon Golf Course. I worked for Trusthouse Forte for several years and then decided, out of the blue to go sailing! A year sailing, which incorporated South Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean, brought me to Cornwall where I have lived for the last 25 years. I have taught and worked at a local College for over 22 years now, mostly in Hospitality but I now work with learners who have specific learning needs. I am a domestic cook, but passionate and excited about food, the possibilities are endless!
Shakira
CHEF I grew up in Worcestershire in a small town called Evesham where I enjoyed lots of country walks with my dog and munching on fruit from nearby orchards. I have always loved being outdoors and had a curiosity for the world and the environment. I became interested in gardening from a fairly young age from spending time helping my Nan and her teaching me plant names as we went round the garden centre. From my early teens I started to recognise more fully my deep love for the earth and felt a heartfelt desire to do something that would leave a positive mark on the planet. I completed a degree in Clinical Psychology and a few years later a 1 year Permaculture course. Time spent during those years included working in restaurants and delis which has gave me a huge passion for food, particularly Italian cuisine and also a continual ambition to develop my cooking skills and knowledge of different flavours. I also love working with people and helping people and so over the years I have volunteered in various settings supporting the elderly and adults with disabilities, providing activities to youth groups, assisting with gardening projects and mental health events. From this I came to realise that food, especially the notion of ‘grow it, cook it, eat it’ was the platform from which I loved to work but very much with a community focus. Food is a universal language that can bring people together, build resilience, and empower - I truly believe in the idea that “let food be thy medicine.” The last few years I have been involved in a number of not-for-profit events putting waste food to good use as well as grassroots retreats and workshops related to Permaculture and political activism. Nurturing and nourishing our well-being is vital particularly in this current day when life can feel like it’s often moving in the fast lane. So for me, being part of a space promoting positive self and connections with others is something I feel really excited about.