Saving Talliston -Escape the Ordinary. Become Extraordinary.

I have the privilege of being part of something called the Talliston Writer’s Circle. It’s run out of a house in Great Dunmow which is, surprisingly enough, called Talliston. I’ve been there just under two years now and every minute spent at this unique venue has been a pleasure and an inspiration. My good friend John Trevillian, together with his partner Marcus Cotton, have spent the best part of twenty years transforming this simple, three bed roomed, semi-detached house into the incredible and unique place it is today. The website is below and I strongly suggest you take a look. It’s breath taking and simply out of this world.

Here are just a few pictures to show the beauty and majesty of the place. You can see more on the website.

Talliston

Talliston Pinterest

We have had our writer’s meetings here, spent numerous wonderful evenings at themed supper club events, socialised and drunk coffee and tea whilst having a chat and just generally delighted in the company of good friends.

And now this wonderful venue needs help. I’m not going into details but you can listen to the story here. The house is in trouble and I would like to do everything I can to help them save this timeless and precious house.

Saving Talliston Dunmow Broadcast

The project is also detailed on the Talliston website, link above. There is currently an Indigogo project to try raise the necessary funds to complete the project. The link is below should you feel you wish to contribute.

Saving Talliston Indigogo Project

I’m not the only person trying to save this house. My fellow writers Duncan Swallow and Michelle Garrett are also passionate about the venue and you can read their blog posts here.

Duncan Swallow

Michelle Garrett

Even the newspapers have got involved….they see the solace and perfection of this place as we do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have people from all walks of life getting involved. Philip Carr-Gomm is a writer and psychologist. He trained with Ross Nichols, the founder of the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, and has been leading the Order for over twenty years. He too supports this project.

http://philipcarrgomm.wordpress.com/2014/05/24/save-talliston-house-and-gardens

I ask you all to take a look at this wonderful place and I dare you not to want to save something that is so magical and special. Even if you don’t feel you wish to contribute money-wise, then please share this message and get the word out. That will count as a lovely gesture towards saving this remarkable place. Thanks for reading this blog post and I hope you feel inspired enough to do something to help.

 

 

 

 

 

How to organise a team building exercise

My friend Duncan’s wonderful post on this past weekend, when we volunteered at the amazing house called Talliston (www.talliston.com). It was an enjoyable and rewarding weekend. Hard work, but everyone enjoyed themselves and the camaraderie was just fantabulous.

nobodysreadingme

You can pay a lot of money to have ‘experts’ come along to your company or organisation and teach your staff all about teams and cooperation. Thousands of pounds.

Or you can do it on the cheap.

For this to work you need some quirky project such as the miraculous Talliston house, (http://www.talliston.com/) gardens, art installation, and dead nun repository. You invite a group of people that includes all of the following. Four published authors, two Pagans, a Wiccan, two guys who work in a department store, a youthful architect, a drama student, a layabout, and your mum and dad. There may be some overlap between the categories. I myself am an atheist layabout, for example.

At 10:00 o’clock on a Saturday morning, you say ‘Here’s what needs doing by 5:00 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.’ Then you  let everybody loose. You have to do some graft as well, or…

View original post 189 more words

How to organise a team building exercise

My friend Duncan’s wonderful post on this past weekend, when we volunteered at the amazing house called Talliston (www.talliston.com). It was an enjoyable and rewarding weekend. Hard work, but everyone enjoyed themselves and the camaraderie was just fantabulous.

nobodysreadingme

You can pay a lot of money to have ‘experts’ come along to your company or organisation and teach your staff all about teams and cooperation. Thousands of pounds.

Or you can do it on the cheap.

For this to work you need some quirky project such as the miraculous Talliston house, (http://www.talliston.com/) gardens, art installation, and dead nun repository. You invite a group of people that includes all of the following. Four published authors, two Pagans, a Wiccan, two guys who work in a department store, a youthful architect, a drama student, a layabout, and your mum and dad. There may be some overlap between the categories. I myself am an atheist layabout, for example.

At 10:00 o’clock on a Saturday morning, you say ‘Here’s what needs doing by 5:00 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.’ Then you  let everybody loose. You have to do some graft as well, or…

View original post 189 more words