Friday 18th June 2010.
Pub lunch hosted by Pete Tesseyman
12:30 - 14:30
For early arrivals, there will be a PAYG pub lunch in Worcester. Be
at the University by 12 noon to walk into town (or arrange where
to meet if driving).
Informal Tour of Worcester hosted by Pete Tesseyman
14:30 - 16:30
For early arrivals, depending on the weather, there will be an
informal stroll around the sights of the historic and picturesque
town of Worcester.
This follows on directly from the PAYG pub lunch, but anyone
arriving later may join the tour as long as they are at the University
by 14:00.
Returning in time for tea at the University.
Mysterious Codes and Alphabets hosted by Lionel Fanthorpe
20:00 - 22:00
Lionel will talk about a Mensan type mystery involving unknown
codes and alphabets from Glozel and the strange watermark codes
used by Francis Bacon and his brother, who seems to have been an
Elizabethan spy! He investigated Glozel on his first visit to Rennesle-
Chateau in 1975 (mystery of the Priest's treasure there) and
actually met farmer Emile Fradin of Glozel, then in his sixties. As a
boy of 14 he had discovered the mysterious Glozel alphabet on its
weird clay tablets!
Our own private bar will also be available from 6pm.
Saturday 19th June 2010.
Dispelling the Myths of Witchcraft by Merry Metcalf
9:30 - 11:00
Witchcraft, also known as the Craft of the Wise, has roots that date
back some 8000 years. In those days the knowledge of plants and
herbs, and how to grow and prepare them, was a very important
survival skill. Those who were more learned and experienced in
medicinal herbal lore were respected and sought out for the help
they could provide in these matters. These wise folk were the
midwives, doctors, and pharmacists of their era. They often used
natural elements (such as herbs, oils and minerals) for healing and
also for divining future events. They eventually came to be known
as "witches", derived from the old English verb "to wit", meaning to
turn, bend or shape. This talk attempts to filter out the myths
surrounding witchcraft and provide you with some answers about
where and how these misunderstandings regarding the nature of
witchcraft came about. Merry is a practicing hedgerow witch and,
through her tools of the trade, she will show you what modern
witchcraft has in common with the Craft practiced by our
ancestors. And, yes, there will be a pointy hat and a broomstick,
promise! :o)
Dyslexia by Ann Harris-Lock
9:00 - 11:00
'If you live in Acacia Avenue you are dyslexic, if you live in
Gasworks Terrace you are thick' (T Crabtree, 1975, Letter to the
Guardian 30 Dec) It is estimated that 10% of the population is
dyslexic (4% severely dyslexic). This presentation aims to raise
dyslexia awareness by clarifying what dyslexia is (and is not!) and
how the characteristics of dyslexia impact on achievement in
education and in the workplace. The audience will be encouraged
to participation in activities throughout the presentation to
demonstrate some of the difficulties dyslexia causes.
Dowsing for Beginners by Pete Tesseyman
11:30 - 13:00
A short talk about dowsing followed by a hands-on workshop in
the University grounds. Albert Einstein said, "I know very well that
many scientists consider dowsing as a type of superstition.
According to my conviction this is, however, unjustified. The
dowsing rod is a simple instrument which shows the reaction of
the human nervous system to certain factors which are unknown
to us at this time." Come and decide for yourself!
Origami - the ancient Japanese art of paper craft by Jackie
Lyndon 11:30 - 13:00
Learn how to crack the code of diagrams and instructions. Make
useful and decorative items to keep or give as gifts. This session
comes with a health warning ... it's addictive! Small charge of
£1.50, payable on the day, to cover the cost of materials.
Sacred Geometry Workshop by Fiona Hopes
14:00 - 17:30
In this workshop we will explore the geometry of a Type B
flattened circle, a very common design for stone circles that are
not actually circular in shape, e.g. Bar Brook Circle, in the
Derbyshire Peak District. In the first part of the workshop, we will
draw the design on paper with rulers and compasses; after tea, we
will set out the design on the ground with ropes and canes, using
the same technology as Stone Age Man. Once we have created
the 'circle', we can then explore how it feels, and any effects that it
may have, using dowsing rods and pendulums.
Jewellery making by Chris Dold
14:00 - 15:30
Doesn't it take years of training and loads of expensive tools to
make it? Not necessarily. Chris Dold will show you how to use a
pair of pliers and a roll of wire to make complex designs
incorporating stones, crystals or whatever takes your fancy. He will
also discuss and maybe demonstrate more conventional
silversmithing techniques.
There will be a charge for materials on the day, probably in the
region of £5 - £10 depending on what you want to make!
Hedgehogs by Heather Singleton
16:00 - 17:30
Are you interested in learning about Erinaceus europaeus? An
informative presentation by Heather Singleton. How can you
encourage the gardeners' friend to come into your garden? All Ages
welcome
Relaxation and mingling
Evening
We will have our own private bar from 6pm and after dinner there
will be the chance to chat with old friends and new whilst doing our
special Worcester quiz (with prizes) and/or playing games.
Sunday 20th June 2010.
Possibility of life on other planets by Jack Cohen
9:30 - 11:00
Arguments and evidence about alien life has been based in
chemistry and naive biological philosophies; evolutionary biology
can tell us the likelihoods of biological innovations on this planet,
and we can use comparable argument about other evolutions. Life,
and indeed intelligence, is common - but the peculiarities of our
evolutionary history, like airway-crossing-foodway, and our kind of
excretory/reproductive mix-up, will not be found elsewhere; they
are parochial. Knees and elbows are also Parochial in (pentadactyl)
detail, but joints-in-the-limbs are Universal; so are photosynthesis,
life on land, flight and many other multiple inventions here. Jack will
take us through the possibilities and probabilities.
Hypnosis by Christine Dold
11:30 - 13:00
Have you ever wondered about hypnosis? Seen it on the TV? or
perhaps attended a show and wanted to know how it's done. Well
now your questions can be answered. Christine Dold was 'Mystique'
the lady hypnotist and gave performances on many stages in the
United Kingdom. She is now retired from performance, but will be
giving a demonstration\workshop on the mysterious subject of
hypnosis.
Life story writing by Lynne Ashburner
11:30 - 13:00
Have you ever wondered about the lives of your parents and
grandparents? By the time we appreciate the interest and value
this might have for us, it is often too late. What of future
generations? If the social environment continues to change at such
a rapid pace, what we remember of our childhoods will seem quite
alien to our grandchildren. What did my grandparent get up to
when they were children? What games did they play and what did
they do before television came along? Guidance will be available on
how to start, how to organise and plan the work as well as
discussion on the different approaches that may be taken.
Recording, editing and structuring the work all need to be
considered. This is an opportunity to consider writing about our
own life or the life of a family member. If anyone wants to write
something in advance that would be fine. we can discuss it.
Constructive advice is available if it is requested. Help can be given
in all aspects of writing. No life is ordinary, and we each have
fascinating stories to tell which bring the past alive. We need to
recognise the value of recording our memories both for future
generations of our families and as a small part of social history.
How to channel healing energy by Barbara Harrison
14:00 - 15:30
Even if you only ever use it to help yourself relax, if you can set
aside your skepticism (and I still struggle with mine at times) you
will not regret learning to channel energy. I call it a skill because it
is something that anyone can learn to do.
So, come and learn a little of the history of healing energy and its
manifestations in different cultures, take a tour of the chakras, and
hear some scientific (?!) evidence. Move on through a short chakra
meditation and then start to learn how to channel healing energy.
If there's time, and if everyone feels like it, we will have a brief look
at healing through Oneness (no channeling involved) and maybe
give it a try.
Quiz by Glenys Hopkins
14:00 - 15:30
A general knowledge Quiz influenced but not dominated by the
themes and location of this weekend. May be team or individual
depending on the numbers. Prizes for the winners.
Ghosts, Ghoulies and Goblins! By Anne Leonie
16:00 - 18:00
Honestly, I know about the first and last ones but, to my
knowledge, have not run into one of the middle ones! Then, of
course, there are Spirits, Angels and Fairies and the list goes on.
Do you know the difference between ghosts and spirits, I wonder?
Do you watch those certain programmes on television and find
them riveting, factual, sheer entertainment or just plain ludicrous?
I have been a clairvoyant, clairaudient, clairsentient psychic all my
life - hereditary on my father's side - and have been a professional
consultant for many of my adult years. Come and listen and then,
hopefully, join in a lively discussion! See you there!
Treasure hunt by Ann Rootkin
16:00 - 18:00
This is a chance to explore Worcester while trying to solve clues.
Go in groups of up to four people or on your own. There will be
prizes for the winners.
Sunday evening - PAYG meal in Worcester
from 19:00
