| |
| Listings |
| |
... I found the peace and solitude I needed, yet with the comfort and security of not being alone. The love and care of the community is almost tangible, but not intrusive. This time and space was vital for me to make sense of the recent past and wait on the future with God. Sheldon has offered me the opportunity to take/see first tentative steps on the next stage of the journey - thank you. (The food is wonderful; the Pig Pen was cosy and generally the room was conducive to my current needs, although just occasionally felt very open to neighbours/passers by)
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... I would have swapped the 2 easy chairs for one old comfortable chair in which to curl up and read! Thank you for finding space for me - I'm truly grateful. May God continue to bless all that you do and offer. |
| |
... I needed a place which felt welcoming and open and Sheldon did just that from the first 'phone call through to the reality of arrival. I felt valued and cared for, evident from the flowers on the table to abundant food in fridge and larder. (I rose to the challenge - after all mind, body and soul)! Looking for space, rest and peace I was given all I needed and felt held in the palm of God's hand. Thank you.
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ...
~ tissue box in Pig Pen
~ spare plastic wallet in file to take walk maps out in the rain
~ spare Flora containers and/or bags to pack picnic lunch in for walks. I used my clean ones, but after 2 days I had enough
~ prayer stool in chapel |
| |
| ... I arrived and felt peace. Everything has been just right! I have felt freedom to do my own thing and just "be". Practically I can't fault it. I have done several of the guided walks (all easy to follow) and found some of the sights and views breathtaking, especially the reservoirs and the circular walk around Fingle Bridge. I found one special place to pray was on the swing with St Francis. Later that day I happened upon two deer in the copse, rabbits, squirrels and wonderful soaring kites (birds - not sure about the spelling!). Perhaps I just wasn't looking before! Thank you for sharing this beautiful place and thank you for a very blessed few days. That is my only complaint that it was only a few days. |
| |
~ the immense natural beauty ... seen through the Pig Pen's picture window, was a delight for someone who can see only other houses and the occasional tree from the window at home!
~ staying here affords the feeling that everything has been carefully prayed over, and thoughtfully put together
~ the high level of physical comfort, particularly as my other retreat experiences have been austere and a bit grim!
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ...
~ there had been someone who offered help with luggage on arrival - I've been very ill and am unable to do much by way of trying
~ this is a minute grouse ... but what about a table mat or two, a pretty salad bowl and a mixing bowl. We were self-catering so these things were noticed - probably not an issue for the vast majority.
Thank you for a lovely stay. |
| |
... Time and space and real comfort. The patio area is so lovely - almost like another room! Even the weather was good - some miracle! Jacuzzi and massage were absolute bliss - first time in ages I have felt truly rested. Thank you too to the Youth Groups staying - their sounds grounded me in the world but were not intrusive. I love the pig on the bed - could you not sell them in the shop? (the pigs not the beds!)
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... just a reminder that in warm weather with windows open, music and television sound carries! Also the Pig Pen doors need to be shut carefully -they slam very easily! |
| |
| ... It gave us all a complete break from church life. The surroundings at Sheldon are very peaceful - the refurbishment of the Pig Pens has made them modern and comfortable - we especially appreciated the view and the lilies! Our children enjoyed the shop and the woods and the loft. Being able to opt out and do our own thing is important to us - many thanks |
| |
~ Beautiful location with wonderful views across the Teign Valley.
~ The Pig Pens are a good size for one or two people and have great views for the large window.
~ The places of worship (Sanctuary, Old Chapel, New Chapel) are very well decorated and maintained and exude a sense of peace and a warm invitation to prayer.
~ The whole site is painstakingly cared for and very enjoyable to walk around
~ I was welcomed in at very short notice.
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... the mattress was a bit firmer. |
| |
| ... The situation was “out of this world” enabling me to make good use of the opportunities of peace and quiet for my prayerful purpose. … the superb five-star accommodation with all domestic and home mod-cons including the fine touch of the small vase of garden flowers. More than home from home! The small garden outside each Pig Pen offered a warm welcome in itself and the friendly and helpful staff even on very brief encounters all added to the warmth and love of the entire week. |
| |
| ... I was very impressed with the new Pig Pen facility, which I used for the first time. I found it very comfortable and appreciated the view from the picture window. As ever the peacefulness and beauty of the surroundings were a help to my reflections, this time towards the end of a 3-month sabbatical. Many thanks … for this creative and renewing time. |
| |
| ... of the whole ambience of Sheldon. Really appreciated the grounds and especially the locations of various seats where it was easy to get in tune with the glories of nature and 'switch off' from the 'daily grind'. Standard and style of accommodation and catering arrangements also helped along the relaxation and refreshment process. Library another asset (found and read 3 novels in 3 days as well as a 'meatier' tome on Claire of Assisi!). Appreciated the sense of there being a supportive, though not 'smothering' community to hand if such support/care was needed. |
| |
... it gave me much needed space and quality "God" time. It is a wonderful place of peace and tranquility which gives an opportunity to escape from the world and permission to "be". Thank you. P.S. The food is fantastic!
I would have found my stay even more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... I could have stayed longer!! |
| |
... no mobile phone reception! Great place to just 'be'. I needed some 'time out' to read, pray, walk and think - so perfect. Pig Pen was just fine - well equipped and pub down the road does good food. Supply of maps and walks was excellent - thank you. I will be recommending Sheldon to my fellows in ministry. The countryside around you is beautiful. I'm very envious of your variety of visitors to your bird feeders!!
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... I was told about the school party when I booked, so no problem. However, me being in a Pig Pen was a bit of an issue for the school party! Each time they passed by in groups, the adult would stop them just short of Tamworth, remind them that "there's a man in the Pig Pen, be quiet", and they would pass by - all staring at me! They probably thought I was half man, half hog! .......It didn't detract from my stay, but it may have been easier all round if I was just ignored and no big deal made of me being there. |
| |
... the Pig Pens have been perfect for personal time with my new baby - without worrying about cooking and escalating housework. We haven't lacked anything, even the neighbours were pleased to have a baby next door and the Pig Pens seem to be effectively sound-proofed. A fantastic bolt hole and hope to be back, the hospitality, as always, is just right.
I would have found my stay at Sheldon more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... it's a small niggle, but a more modern cot mattress would be nice with all the advice about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death). Unfortunately, ours would be too big or I'd donate it when we're done. |
| |
| |
| Listings |
| |
| . We came grieving and as we turned the corner we beheld the beauty of the Farm House, silent tears could not be held back! Here we were placed in the Pig Pen - how appropriate, a place of transformation which we yearned for . in all our being. in the silence and the beauty of the view we encountered LOVE - and 'home bade us welcome' . and asked nothing of us. Love looked at us through the eyes of the community.love touched us by their kind hand shakes.love fed us by the delicious food cooked by the community, love caressed us through the sunshine and the rain, love spoke wordlessly albeit in the silence offered by the community. coming alongside . pouring out water . we felt simply loved and cherished. Thank you for providing a sanctuary, a safe space where we could just BE and BE loved and start the process of BEING restored. We left with hearts full of thanksgiving, having found 'jewels' within a community sharing resurrection LOVE. |
| |
| I came here exhausted carrying heavy burdens and a backlog of work that seemed impossible to penetrate. In 2 1/2 days I have done a huge amount of it and written a difficult letter that has been waiting to be sent for several months. More than that I feel I have been "carried" by the peace of Christ in this place and can once again hear His call. This is so precious. Joining with the Community for prayers was glorious. There was enough in the liturgy that was familiar to make me feel at home! but the moments of silence, which were different to the way we pray at home, were rich with God's blessing and truth. Thank you for everything. PS the jacuzzi was heavenly! |
| |
| ... Thank you for your kind and generous hospitality. We feel that we have been looked after very well. The attention to detail was especially noted. You asked us to mention any problems. Just one or two: the toilet flush needs a certain knack to get it to work (one brief and one long push) and even this does not work sometimes! [Webeditor: yes, broken, now replaced.] There are a few ants around, but not troublesome. (Sat: correction, they are now troublesome). |
| |
| ... I hope that the Pig Pens have now had their final touches and that the group who did the first-footing enjoyed their stay. I was very impressed by the design and the outlook of the pens, I bet they will be very popular with the guests. |
| |
... My time at Sheldon was helpful and restorative. I came exhausted, worn down by the demands of the parish and by a lack of personal space over many weeks. My Tamworth Pig Pen was the most perfect place to be and I really did feel completely alone, uninterrupted and able to sleep, read, write, pray and think - a wonderful 'catch-up' time!... and the food was delicious! All fresh and beautifully prepared. Thank you.
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... The only thing I longed for because of spending a lot of time writing at the table, was a slightly less flimsy straight-backed chair! Everything else was PERFECT! |
| |
| |
| ... We really enjoyed our two days at Sheldon and would like to come again. The plans for the Pig Pens are interesting, they look great and I hope you raise the necessary funds in good time. I think our children would enjoy sleeping on the sleeping platform ... We didn't find the chalet too basic but can understand that they need updating and really appreciated the keyboard you provided for us - thank you so much. It might be worth putting a sign by the bathroom sink as the water was extremely hot, I think a child could scald themselves. [Webeditor: thanks for drawing our attention to a fault in the system, now repaired.] I think it's excellent that SMM emphasizes that their ministry is for spouses as well as people in ministry, as a clergy wife myself that is very welcome. The whole site was so obviously soaked in prayer, I found it one of those 'thin' places where God seems somehow nearer. |
| |
| ... I had the private space for reflection which the centre provided. The quiet grounds and clear boundaries around what was my space were very conducive to thinking and refreshment. Thank you. |
| |
