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This page remains available for reference. For more information about our annual festival go to Our festival weekend.
Our leaders for the weekend
Mary Fleeson
Mary grew up in a small market town in Shropshire, and has lived on Holy Island since 1997. She studied Foundation Art at Stafford College, specialising in textiles, and then gained an honours degree in three-dimensional design from the University of Central England in Birmingham in 1992. Mary thinks that her style originates from doodling in lessons at school (not something she recommends as a way of succeeding in exams!), combined with opportunities during her education to experiment with many different types of media and techniques.
Her Christian faith, together with living on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and being surrounded by its natural beauty and visible history, is the greatest inspiration for Mary’s work – a feeling of being part of a rich cycle of life which began in pre-history and encompasses extremes of peace and violence, poverty and prosperity. She also studies early manuscripts and ancient calligraphy from around the world to gain an insight into how calligraphy and illumination have enhanced works, both religious and secular, throughout the ages.
Ladene Hall
Ladene is an actor, director and workshop facilitator based in Nottingham. She joined the Central Television Workshop in Nottingham age 10 and has worked professionally in film, theatre and television for over 30 years. TV and film credits include Hardwick House, Palace Hill, Boon, Peak Practice, 24/7, Felicia’s Journey, A Room For Romeo Brass, and This is England.
As a drama tutor, Ladene has facilitated groups for ages 7-70, as well as running a number of creative courses for people with special educational needs, disabilities and learning difficulties.
Ladene’s workshop will be a fun, energetic session designed to increase confidence when performing or speaking in front of audience. It will consist of physical movement and games to release those inhibitions; improvisation exercises and techniques; tips on managing performance anxiety (stage fright); and a Q&A.
Bonni-Belle Pickard
The Revd Dr Bonni–Belle Pickard grew up in Florida United Methodism, spent 20 years as a music teacher at Kodaikanal International School in South India, and trained as a minister at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (USA). She has been a circuit minister in the British Methodist Connexion since 2001, serving in Birmingham, North London, and the Kingston-upon-Thames circuit. Since 2015 she has been superintendent of the North Kent Circuit. She loves people, creativity, and following God into new adventures.
Bonni-Belle will lead a session on Celtic hymnody in which participants will enjoy exploring a wide variety of hymns, some well-known and others just waiting to make their way into our communal repertoire of sung prayer and praise. Bonni-Belle is a trained musician and teacher, who is inspired and energised by Celtic creativity.
The Tree of Life
An opportunity to reflect on our place in God’s wondrous creation, facilitated by Allison Lewis, who says: ‘The first time we encounter the Tree of Life in the Bible is in the book of Genesis, where it grew in the Garden of Eden. In the Celtic church, the Tree of Life represents harmony and balance. In this session we will look at what the Tree of Life has meant to Christians over the centuries, and what it can mean for us today.’
And there’s more!
Further sessions include:
- Celtic music for instrumentalists
- Circle dance with Gillian Pengelly
- Photography with Rachel Gallehawk
- Daisy Barnes will lead a session on the art of mandalas
- Craft with Liz Newton
- Drama facilitated by Jenny Harris.
Festival chaplain
This year we weIcome ArtServe member the Revd Nel Shallow as festival chaplain. Nel says: ‘I am a Methodist Presbyter with experience in local chaplaincy. I am delighted to be chaplain for the ArtServe Festival and will be present throughout the weekend. During our time together I will be available for prayer and conversation, and I hope to create a prayer space where we can find a quiet corner to be still.’
The venue
Encircling Love is at:
Swanwick, Alfreton, DE55 1AU
The Hayes is a well-equipped Christian conference centre set in beautifully maintained gardens and grounds. It offers comfortable modern bedrooms and extensive facilities including a residents lounge, sports facilities, games room, and licensed bar, along with friendly, efficient staff. Free wireless internet is available is available.
The Hayes Conference Centre is only five miles from the M1. The nearest railway station is Alfreton on the Sheffield-Nottingham and Liverpool to Norwich lines.
For full details about The Hayes and its facilities, please visit the The Hayes website.
