Secular retreat (redux!)

A few years ago, in February 2020, I planned a retreat for the summer of that year. A bunch of people paid deposits to come along, and we were due to have a great weekend!

However, my timing was “sub-optimal”, and a few weeks later it effectively became an illegal endeavour. Thanks Covid!

Anyway, it’s back.

What is it?

On the weekend of 8th-10th Sept 2023, about 15 interesting and thoughtful people (if you’re reading this, that means YOU!) will be in a beautiful farmhouse in Monmouthshire for a weekend, using the time to talk about some stuff that’s important to us, in a semi-curated way. Talks and discussions at the beginning and end of the day (bring your own topics!), chatting around the firepit in the evening. Some walking if the weather’s good. Star-gazing. Plenty of time to sit on your own and reflect, too.

It will also be a case of mucking in together a little bit, in order to keep costs down. Shared rooms, all cooking together etc. But I think that will be an important part of bringing us all together, too.

I’d like to find a way to do this that wasn’t too pretentious and pseudy, and hopefully would bring some people together to be inspired, maybe remove “blockages” on a current project, maybe spark some new ideas…..

We’ve booked a LOVELY farmhouse, which has loads of space, and is in some GORGEOUS countryside. I’ve attached photos to give you an idea.

Where will we sleep?

There are 4 accommodation options for the two nights:

1 – Single bed in shared room – £225 (3 rooms of 2, and 1 room of 3).

2 – Single bed in own room – £275 (just one left)

3 – Shepherd’s Hut (double bed) – £330* (booked!)

4 – Separate apartment on-site (double bed) – £380* (booked!)

* If you want to take one of these spaces as a couple, that’s fine, but there would be a £50 surcharge on this price to cover food costs.

Food is included in these prices (we’ll be self catering, but food will be provided). We’ve tried to make this work so that it is pretty much break-even.

How to attend?

If you’re interested, please drop a line ASAP to [email protected]. I’m anticipating this will sell out pretty much immediately.