Events and Courses

Doon of May spring clean and Beltaine Bash

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The purpose of this event is to network with positive and like minded people who have skills to offer and may be interested in becoming involved in the project. There is much to be done here in the way of clearing up and preparation necessary in order to move to the next phase which will be the planning and building of structures.

Tasks will include:

• Bramble Training
• Garden Reclamation
• Woodland Clearance
• Relocation of Materials
• Fencing
• Woodcutting
• Water Collection
• Structure Dismantling

Depending on numbers, tasks may also include coppicing, stone dyking, path work and brashing.

There are many more things which folk will be able to help out with that are not so physically demanding (i.e., creche, kitchen, stewarding, etc). If you think you may have some useful skills to offer and are interested in helping out please telephone Ella on 07825605044 or email info@doonofmay.org.uk. Likewise if you are interested in performing or running a workshop at the weekend.

Useful Things to bring

• Wellies
• Torch
• Warm clothes
• Waterproofs
• Tent
• Sleeping Bag
• Secatares
• Loppers
• Axes
• Work/Garden Gloves
• Wheelbarrow
• Gardening Tools, Woodworking Tools, Bow Saw, Chainsaw, etc.

Where to stay?

Accommodation is currently limited, therefore, will be allocated to people according to greater need (i.e., disability, dependents, etc). There are camping areas where it will be possible to pitch tents. There is a small area of hard standing, which is our car parking area, where there is a limited amount of room that vehicles, campers and caravans can be parked providing there is space available.

Meals/Food

There will be three meals cooked per day. Please inform us in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. Meals will be provided free so long as you have worked on that day. If you have not, a fair donation will be required to cover our costs.

£3 per day for children
Adults	Breakfast	£1.50
	Dinner	£2.50
	Tea	£3.50

Food will be prepared daily by skilled and professional chefs. There will be refreshments and snacks available over the weekend in return for sensible donations.

Kids Area/Creche

There will be a space available for kids to hang out and be entertained with various activities. All children under the age of three years will need to be supervised by a responsible and capable persons.

During the week we plan to make things for the May Day procession to the hill fort based on the May Day theme -- celebrating the coming of summer, fertility, seed sowing, growth, fairies, green man and hawthorn blossom. We intend to use materials which we have here already which can be reclaimed by the earth afterward.

At the Weekend

We will be enjoying may day celebrations. Children can dance the Maypole. There will be workshops, shows, bands, fireside tales, poetry and other entertainment. Line up to follow.

• Saturday May 1st at 11am - May day procession to hill fort.
• 12 noon circle on hill fort-stories of the maypole. Raising the maypole . Maypole dance.

Prospective Line Up...

• Bill Lloyd Plays Banjo, 3 Kinds Of Bagpipes And Sings Traditional And Contemporary Songs. Storyteller and Dance Caller.
• Friday Night -- Marrik Layden Deft and live band, performing his own style of hardcore-hiphop-punk.
• Saturday 1st of May at 3pm: Alastair McIntosh of the GalGael Trust, author of books including "Soil and Soul" and "Hell and High Water", will give a "Keynote Rant" - a special address which will be inspired by the the exprience at Doon of May and about the spiritual challenge of the extraordinary times in which we are all living.

  In our highly materialistic, competitive and individualistic world the spiritual fire has dimmed in so many people. We may even doubt its existence. But the time has come to seek new life by clearing the clouded heart, and drawing from our Celtic roots. We need to weave this life into the burning issues of our time such as climate change, poverty, war, and the lonely, empty, meaninglessness that drives so many good lives away from the roots of love and towards self-destruction.

• WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

Whilst Here

We expect anyone staying here to observe guidelines and instructions provided and displayed throughout the woodland. You are responsible for the safety and welfare of yourself, your children, and pets whilst here. There are areas in the woodland where it is dangerous due to windblown trees hanging precariously balanced on other wobbly trees. Please avoid these areas and ensure that your children and pets are properly supervised and informed. There is obviously a risk of serious forest fire therefore we ask that you treat fire with the utmost respect and strive to be vigilant and responsible so as to ensure that we avoid this. It is important not to pollute the water supply, please only use designated toilet areas for all toilet purposes. Instructions at the water collection points need to be followed. We have livestock, please ensure your pets are under control, if your dog attacks anything you will be asked to take it away. You must ensure your children keep away from the livestock.

Transport Efficiency

Please bear in mind that it is a long way to the shops and it is sensible to share journeys or combine trips. Think and try and get all that you need for being here before you come and if you do need to make a journey to the shops get enough to last a few days so that you will not need to use your car more than necessary.

Work Safety

Volunteers will be taken though a short risk assessment and procedures for health and safety with a designated lead for each event/activity undertaken. On practical work sessions, volunteers will be given a briefing on work involved and taken though a short risk assessment as to safety measures. Demonstrations and training will be undertaken as necessary.

Acceptable behavior and Noise Awareness

We hope for all visitors, volunteers, children and animals, to have a healing and enjoyable time here. You are encouraged to be respectful and polite to others, careful and considerate to all that surrounds you and to be aware that sound can carry a long way in this area, and echos around over a great distance. We welcome anyone who behaves with respect and compassion. We do not tolerate violent or aggressive behavior. If you ever feel worried about any behavior, it is important to speak to a member of staff and not keep it to yourself. We aim to deal with any issues sensitively and supportive of all parties involved. Staff and other visitors/volunteers expect bullying to be reported, and you will be given support.

Awareness of our Surroundings

This is an environmentally sensitive area, and should be treated not only as a workplace, but as a nature reserve. Please respect all life, people, plants, animals, trees, creatures, mosses and wildlife.

Drugs and Alcohol

We strongly discourage the use of drugs or the misuse of alcohol at the Doon of May. We ask you to respect that there may be sensitive individuals and children here. If you are in recovery from addiction please let us know. If you are found to be working under the influence of intoxicants you will be stopped and very probably asked to leave. We have a policy of not admitting people who are recovering from addictions unless they have been clean for a minimum of six months and are involved in an assisted recovery program.

Storage, Lost Property and Tat

You are responsible for your own belongings and we cannot accept responsibility for anything that may happen to your property while you are here. If you need to know where you can put something (i.e., your bike) please ask a member of staff, who will help you to get sorted. Anything we find we will put into a lost property box. If you have lost something and would like to check the lost property box, please ask a member of staff. Please do not use tools or equipment that do not belong to you without permission.

Refuse and waste

Here at the doon of may we do not have a refuse collection service. We therefore ask you to be aware of the things you bring. Please avoid bringing plastic and perhaps try not to buy things that have unnecessary packaging . You are responsible for all that you bring and will be expected to take all your rubbish and waste away with you. It tends to be easier to use carrier bags and take a bit with you each time you go to one of the towns. Please don't let your rubbish accumulate and don't mix food waste with the rest of your rubbish as this attracts vermin that will tear the rubbish bags and make a big mess. We encourage you to behave responsibly toward the environment and to sort and recycle your rubbish. There are recycling points in kirkcowan, wigtown, port william, newton stewart and stranraer. We ask that you take everything you bring away again with you. Please be aware that putting rubbish into bags and leaving them somewhere makes extra work for others here.

All food waste and veg scraps can be fed to our animals. There will be bins provided for you to leave this sort of waste and it will be collected daily. Don't worry about sorting through it we will do that. Please ask a member of staff to find out where the bins for this can be found.

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.