I’ve always wanted to host a local event for local people that celebrates local art and culture. Here is my inaugural attempt. Generally themed around spirituality in Wiltshire, this will be centred around Fathers Day and Summer Solstice. I hope in time to host more and want the neighbourhood to be as involved as possible, so please email me with any feedback and suggestions as time goes on. If you are handy with pots and pans, paintbrushes, planes, musical instruments, pens, stages or a camera and want to showcase your talent, please contact me.

Entrance for six hours of entertainment is free. Drinks and snacks will be available using cash/card. Advance tickets are £5 to guarantee one of the seventy five places available in the Breathing session and Sound Bath described below. The format for the afternoon is as follows. Entrance to the property is at the back of the cottage on Smithys Lane. Throughout the Smithy Gallery and my home, The Old Forge, there will be an opportunity to enjoy an exhibition of photography, painting, woodwork and jewellery. Some of the artists will be on hand to greet you and talk you through their works. My dear friend and neighbour, Colin Younger, will be there to chat about the house and village history. There is seating throughout my home for those who run out of steam so please feel free to relax and soak up its calming aura.

In the garden, Hendrick and Victoria of Chrysalis Freedom will set up a yurt tent for their performance of breath work and sounds. This is the perfect way to release the stresses and strains of life so I thoroughly recommend immersing yourself in the experience. There are only three sessions of twenty five so please buy an advance £5 ticket through this site to guarantee this remarkable experience. In Hendrick and Victoria’s own words, “Freedom breathing takes you on a journey deep into self, into the deepest darkest corners of of our energy bodies where trauma and negative emotions become stored through life, this experience allows us to reach into the darkest parts of ourselves using intense deep life giving breath, vibrational toning and bodywork to bring us back into harmony literally restoring balance one breath at a time. Our breath sessions are followed by a deeply relaxing sound and vibration journey with gongs, didgeridoo, chimes, Tibetan bowls and many more beautiful instruments to aid in the integration of the emotional retuning.” For more information, visit www.chrysalisfreedom.com.

The programme will include music. The music will be interspersed with talks, poetry and book readings with subjects as far reaching as nature, tantra, alien encounters, tarot and the spirit of Wiltshire. Presenters include Hendrick and Victoria, Ivan Brownrigg, James Wallace, Enzo Brabazon and James Sherwood-Rogers. I’m delighted that our very own vicar, Colin Heber-Percy, will be involved, as will I.

For sustenance, my garden shed will be transformed into a bar for cold refreshments. I am licensed to sell alcohol which will not be included in the ticket price. A pint of beer, glass of wine or gin/vodka tonic/soda will cost £5. There will be snacks but no major food so plan your Sunday lunch before or after please.

All in all, it is people that make a party. I hope that this slightly higher brow entertainment is for you. A chance to relax, chat, breathe, listen and soak up everything wonderful about you and our beautiful community. I really hope to see you at my little jamboree.

Guy