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Transitus |
Pictures and web-page by Palden Jenkins
FIRST TRANSITUS FIRST FESTIVAL DAY - 20th June 2009 - at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Thank you to everyone involved. It was a great occasion. Dr Peter Fenwick set
exactly the right tone talking of the NHS and the need for care of the soul.
Attendees included local residents, Transitus members and supporters, palliative
care and other end of life care professionals.
BBC coverage (see
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8111465.stm) included 5 live and the World
service but the Radio 4 coverage (wow!) was cut one minute from going out
because of the tragic news of the deaths of the hostages. (I am also being
filmed about the work and that of the Natural Death Centre by Don Productions
for the equivalent of the Japanese BBC! You may have seen them at the festival.)
Robert's beautiful creation, and serene holding, of the day, the work of the
team, Annie, Jean, Susan - and me! in preparation and back stage help on the day
from Josefine, Sarah, John and Brett, talks and workshops, sponsors, supporters
(like local Funeral Director Donald) and stand holders were all blessed by
Carmella's gloriously inspired opening, the presence of Janice and the Festival
Day chalice. Music and poetic voices filled the air. (See later for a full list
of contributors).
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The Gallery, with art work - The Art of Dying - from members David, Sabra and
Carla, and of Tony Tree, inspired interest and conversation in the lead up to
the Festival and vibrant pictures of the Mexican Day of the Dead, a feast for
the dead by Jean and ribbons of pictures around the stage, contrasted sharply
with the monochrome British way, though changing. Memorial Art work and
Heathcote William's homage to Stanley Spencer gave the hope of more live to
come. (Again see later for pictures.) (All this art work along with reference
books, coffins of many types, soothing tea and someone to talk to - qualified
and amateur) will all be part of The Martinsey Isle Trust's planned Death
Resource Centre in Stur - a pioneering idea to be followed everywhere, it is
hoped, along with natural burial provision), so if you think you could help, do
let me know - offers coming in already!
A beautiful local Victorian Bier complete with local Funeral Director's costume
of the day kindly on loan from the Sturminster Mill and Museum Society, brought
a different conversation and it is hoped to interview these "last of the few"
who remember the old ways.
Thank you to all members of The Taboo Amateur Theatre Company for their moving
performance of Colder Than Here and continue dedication, professionalism and
generosity (see www.martinsey.org.uk
for past and future venues and book with me for Colder or Craig for other
performances.)
Without the support of the local community and everyone at The Exchange -
especially Kerry and Jacqui, Bobby, Robin and Sharon - and the beautifully
prepared food by Jane Montana of Farmyard Picnic (who puts her heart and soul
into her business) and artwork from local artists, Hazel, Mary and Margaret.
none of this would have been possible,
ANYONE - NOT JUST TRANSITUS MEMBERS - do please send any comments, labelled
TRANSITUS DAY COMMENTS, that you would like us to try to put on the web later
and/or use to help us create future events, to me, at:
transitus@btinternet.com
Also, please start thinking about hosting a day in your area! At least one offer
already!
Love
Judith
Transitus Festival
A glimpse of a few participants on the day as they left; dictated by Susan :
"Absolutely marvellous workshops – they really connected with what I am doing
and trying to achieve. I have met a lot of people "
"Very informative, intelligent, touching, well balanced day that I appreciated
thoroughly "
"It covered so much. I shall now join Transitus. It’s all complex and all
encompassing ".
" I didn’t know what to expect. A very thought provoking day and learned aspects
of funerals not known before from talking to the coffin people. I have met lots
of like minded souls".
"Fascinating. People talked about something not normally talked about. I fell
less afraid to discuss death now. "
" I was inspired by Soul midwifery. I learned a lot and would like to learn
more. Really liked meeting new people each with interesting questions. All
talking and learning from each other. I would like to re write Laura Wades play
with lots of types of emotions around dying and funerals – you could have eight
different plays all around the UK. It would touch more people."
"Peter Fenwick had me awe struck. He talked about dying with such ease and I had
never heard of those death visions before. People need to know about them."
" I have met people today that I didn’t think it would be possible to so . I
have made connections today that will last. I feel inspired. Thank you for a
great day"
"Today I feel as though I have received nourishment, not just emotional
nourishment but intelligent and spiritual from the delegates and the immense
energy here today. My funeral celebrant training course didn’t give me that or
those connections I have made today.
I know I belong here, I belong in Transitus."
"The day was so professionally run from the moment we entered. The hall has
never looked like this before – all these coffins. At first I thought it was a
bit much and then I started talking to one of the men who brought them. He
really cares about them"
"I only went to one workshop as I was so moved I wanted to just sit outside and
think and then I came back in and listened to the lovely music from the wooden
bowls. I hadn’t thought about music when people are dying before"
"I now know it is Ok to talk about my funeral with my family. I will show them
the leaflet on how to plan a funeral ".
" I feels so inspired today. I only came by chance and hadn’t really thought
about the topic much before. It has opened a whole new world to me and I want to
go home and discuss planning my funeral with my family. I had never touched a
coffin before and these were so lovely and to meet the people how had created
them’.
And an extract from one so typical of the many members' comments:
Transitus Festival 2009 - Feedback
What a wonderful day! Congratulations and a very big thank you to the whole
team.
I was intrigued at the cross-section of people there, and judging by the
relatively few people wearing ‘proper’ Transitus name tags, there were plenty of
non-members. The hall looked comfortably full for Peter’ Fenwick’s talk, and
it’s no small hall.
The talks and workshops represented an excellent variety. I attended the story
‘told’ by William Essex, the talk by Julie White, and the workshop led by
Christoffer de Graal. Each was very different and I found them all valuable.
The play, Colder Than Here, was marvellous. It felt quite spookily real in its
dealings with the wide gambit of emotions that surface around death, as well as
most subtly getting across some information that few people have.
Congratulations to the players and playwright.
I think a biennial (or annual?) event would be a great asset to the expanding
world of interest in death, dying and continuing consciousness.
While it would be good to spread such a festival around, I thought the venue was
lovely and seemed to suit the occasion and work very well. It’s light, airy feel
is part of what made it so perfect.
The lunches and other food and drinks provision was very good; fair prices and
very good quality.
I liked having the printed programme to refer to on the day and take home. The
colours and design of the material were rather special. My one criticism is that
it was difficult to understand the pricing, on the original brochure.
The day felt like a celebration! The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of the
wonderful team who created the day were absolutely evident. Again, thank you,
each one.