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2008 SUMMER FESTIVAL FORTNIGHT  

In 2008 we are delighted to be staging a double birthday celebration
The Society of Mary and Martha is coming of age at 21
and the Sheldon Open Air Theatre is 30

Festival booklet (1.7MB pdf) screen view version print version
Festival handbill flyer
It's not Greenbelt, it's not Glastonbury, it's not Spring Harvest - this year it's Sheldon!
All welcome - activities to suit all ages and dispositions.
The key events are listed below for our Festival Fortnight 19th July to 2nd August
Why not come and stay for some or all of the festival? Local bed & breakfast contacts.
Other activities during the Festival
We'd love to see you. Come and help us celebrate. The more the merrier!
 
 
Sat 5 July

The Osiligi Maasai Warrior Troupe from Kenya giving a one hour performance either on the Pound House lawn or in the Open Air Theatre. A feast for the senses with music, story telling and dance. A fascinating and highly entertaining glimpse into tribal African life.
Admission free. A collection will be taken. The troupe are in the UK raising money to bring water to their village and educate their children - especially the girls. Please give generously.
7.30pm start. 1 hour performance. Food on sale.
Last minute info on the day.
Leaflet (Word) Flyer (pdf)

 
 
Open Gardens
Sun 20 July A rare occasion when the whole Sheldon grounds (gardens, fields, woods) are open for you to enjoy. Explore. Meet the sheep. Shop open. Stalls and craft demos and displays in the marquee*. Introduce friends and family. Enjoy our famous Cream Teas. Round off the afternoon with Evensong sung by Sine Nomine at 5pm. They will also be singing at intervals during the afternoon. Flyer.
£5 per car entry. 2.30pm - 5.30pm. Cream teas on sale. Shop open.

* Booked so far: Devon Wildlife Trust, Judy Percival and friend with basket making, weaving and alpaca fibres, pictures and cards from Suzanne Ahmed,quilts and textiles from Melinda Schwakhofer, and Traidcraft food, drink and crafts with Richard Lemon.
garden
Community Rededication
Fri 25 July Friends of Mary and Martha are invited to join a short and intimate liturgy when members of the Community dedicate themselves in service for the coming year. Followed by supper.
7pm. Open to Friends of SMM. Please let us know you’re coming. Fat Pigeon bar open.
Buy a supper ticket.
rededication
Coming of Age Liturgy
Sat 26 July

More
info
Colourful liturgical celebration all round Sheldon on the 21st anniversary of the Society’s Inaugural Eucharist. Includes noisy procession around the site led by Street Heat samba band. Bring your own improvised percussion to join in. 21 prayers of thanksgiving and, blessing all round the Sheldon site. 21 gun salute by the Star Gun Company at noon.
Download your invitation here.
Everyone welcome. Please let us know you’re coming. Wear colourful clothing. Starts 11am. Please give generously in the offertory in thanksgiving for 21 years of Mary and Martha. Followed by simple lunch for all to share.
streetheat
 
 
Theatre 30 Thankyou
Sun 27 July Everyone who has contributed to the building, stewarding and performing in the theatre since 1978 is invited for supper, sharing of memories and a short thanksgiving. May include candle-lit Taize chant in the the theatre.
7pm supper (probably BBQ). 9pm thanksgiving . If you have contributed to the theatre in any way, please ask for an invitation and contribute your memories to the website. Buy a supper ticket.
theatre
Blessing of Benedict's Wood
Mon 28 July Atmospheric prayer walk, blessing and dedication of Benedict’s Wood and its newly created prayer space. Expect striking lighting effects and quiet reflection.
7pm supper. 9pm blessing. Open to everyone. Please let us know you’re coming. Buy a supper ticket
benedicts
Sheldon Beat
Mon 28 and Tue 29 July Come and make music - whether sweet sounds or an unholy racket, it’s to be enjoyed! Flyer/booking form.
A treasure trove of ethnic percussion plus song and dance from traditions all around the world. Led by multi-instrumentalist music teacher Sue Ashby.
10.30am to 4pm. £15 advance booking to cover both days. Buy a lunch ticket here, or bring your own. Ideal age 7 – 14, but younger possible if accompanied. No previous experience needed. Instruments provided
drums
Open Stage
Wed 30 July An informal evening with an open stage on the Pound House lawn. We expect a rich mix of short musical, poetic and other contributions, including those who have taken part in the music workshop and many others.English Folk with Sue & Trevor; Irish Folk with the FOS Brothers; Teignmouth Jazz Machine; Bluegrass with Teign River Riders; A capella quartet Voicemale; and Breton folk with Chabote. Flyer.
7pm. BBQ food on sale and Fat Pigeon bar open. FREE ENTRY.
stage
Wed 30 July Radio Devon will be recording their Bank Holiday show in the Open Air Theatre at Sheldon during the afternoon. For free tickets, please apply direct to Radio Devon with an SAE stating the number of tickets required. Tickets for this event cannot be obtained through Sheldon. Apply to: BBC Radio Devon at Sheldon, PO Box 1034, Plymouth.  
Wild about Sheldon
Thu 31 July Walk on the wild side of Sheldon with Dartmoor Park Ranger Simon Lee. Discover, learn and explore. To include amazing bird of prey demonstration from Dartmoor Hawking. Flyer/booking form.
10.30am to 4pm. £10 advance booking - now REDUCED to £5.. Buy lunch tickets if wanted. Suitable for all ages. No unaccompanied children
wild
 
 
Informal Communion
Sat 2 Aug For everyone who has been part of the Festival Fortnight. An informal service led by Phil Searle will complete the celebrations.
6pm. Please let us know you’re coming. Buy a supper ticket
communion
   
Other activities during the Festival
  Prayer Walk
  A prayer walk will be laid out around the 45 acres of Sheldon grounds. Turn up, walk, and pray in whatever way you wish. Allow about an hour. Collect a small handbook with a map and some prayer suggestions from Reception. Some days will be quieter than others - check this booklet for what is taking place on site. You are welcome to share a meal or join Community prayers if it coincides with your visit.
19 July – 1 Aug. No charge
Open 9am to 8pm daily (except closing 5pm on theatre nights)

  Splish Splash Splosh
  If you are staying at Sheldon (whatever your age!) you can enjoy the bouncy castle and the splash pool (both free) and the jacuzzi (£5/session).
  Community Prayers
  Our regular Community routine is short (15 minute) prayers at 8am and either 5pm or 9pm. All welcome. Usually in the Chapel of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, sometimes elsewhere– check out the timetable. The refurbished medieval chapel is always open for private prayer.
  Magical memories and horrible histories
  What’s your earliest memory of Sheldon? The funniest thing that happened? What does Sheldon mean to you and why? We’d like it all on film for a special festival report. As long as we can get the technics sorted out we’ll have a film booth and a roving reporter.
  Leave your mark
  We have lots of ideas of ways that festival-goers might be involved in creating a lasting memento of the week. It might involve paint, fabric, thumbprints or hoofprints (but not in wet concrete this time!). Sue Price will be at the helm for creating stuff where everyone can contribute.
  The Fat Pigeon
  The famous Fat Pigeon will be hosting at the bar each day – a great place to socialise and well-stocked with local juices and beers. Just occasionally music breaks out ...
   
Food

Supper tickets £6 adult £3 child (14 and under) - barbecue, or casserole-style meal
Lunch tickets £4 - soup and bread and cheese, sandwiches or other simple meal