Statutory regulation issue out now!

The new issue should be with you by now. If you want to write letters, articles etc on the theme, I'll need them early this time - by 12th July at the latest, as I'm heading off to Voice Camp in August and need to put it together early.
Looking forward very much to seeing you at the AGM and/or the festival - it's going to be a good one. Julian has been working his socks off, and the news is that we've just broken even - but there are still spaces available if you want to book, especially for camping.
The next issue of S&S is about death and dying, edited by my friend Anne Bury, who has years of experience of working in hospices and in education. It's going to be a good one. It will also be my last issue as editor, as Neill Thew will be taking over - I'm really looking forward to wherever it goes from here.
Maxine.

Statutory regulation issue coming out soon

Hi all
UKCP members received a shock letter asking them to contact their MP - the word was that humanistic and integrative psychotherapists would be excluded from the categories available. We've pulled out all the stops to put together an issue of S&S about statutory regulation, with articles by Derek Lawton of AHPP, Denis Postle and Guy Gladstone. But I'm sure they won't have the last word. If you want to contribute to the debate, post your thoughts on this blog.

The festival tickets are beginning to sell, so get yours now before they go - it's going to be an excellent weekend, and the AHPB AGM will be held then too.
Maxine.

Festival issue out now!

The festival issue of Self & Society is out now, and I hope those of you who are members of AHPB have received it. There's a taste of the weekend for those who didn't come, and for those who did a chance to relive some of the high points. Your feedback and additional thoughts are always welcome.

If you're not a member and would like a copy, please send a cheque for £5 made out to AHPB to Julian Nangle, 12 South Walks Road Dorchester DT1 1ED. Please note there are no free copies of this issue available. Or of course, you could join, get your copy, and a discount on next year's festival. The plans are well underway and Julian has booked Diane Glouberman, founder of Skyros and Andrew Samuels, as well as a return visit from Seize the Day, as well as drumming, singing, Chi Kung, dreamwork, poetry, meditation, drumming, singing, shiatsu and much more. Plus the children’s festival!

Booking forms will be out early next year.

Being alongside my mother during her illness over the past two months has raised a stronger interest for me in death and dying. As well as dealing with some of the issues first hand, I've put in plans for an issue of Self & Society next year. If anyone wants to write for it, or has suggestions, please get in touch.

The festival issue!

I'm putting the final touches to the festival issue - there's so much to say that we've decided to focus the whole issue on the festival and leave reviews and regular columns for next time. There'll be lots of photos, and I'm hoping to put all the photos we have onto www.flickr.com for everyone to download their favourites.

And there's news of next year's festival - so far Julian has booked Diane Glouberman and Andrew Samuels for a new, bigger festival at the Leela Centre in Dorset, from 18th-20th July. There's lots of room for camping, and some indoor spaces to sleep too. There may be a children's festival as well.

The new board met last Saturday at Russell Square cafe, and there's enough energy to put together more events. AHPB is alive and flourishing.

Personally, my mother has been in hospital for three weeks now, and we're trying to find a way of getting her back to her beloved flat with support. At 90, she's had a wonderfully active life up to the last few weeks. It's taking a lot of energy and love to be with her through this, but I'm receiving so much from the process too.

Maxine.

AGM

The word is that not many people have signed up to come to the AGM so far. I hope that's because everyone's away on holiday and will flock in after that. It will be a good day with a clowning workshop in the morning and all the AHP news in the afternoon. We'll also be saying goodbye to some people who have kept AHP going through difficult years, and thanking them for everything they've put in.

New people are coming forward to join the board, and we're already looking at possibilities for activities next year - another festival at least. We're hoping to be able to show David Beasley's photos of the weekend.

Meanwhile, back at S&S, the latest issue has gone to press and the Festival issue is well on the way. If you have any reports or feedback - we even have a poem! - then get it off to me now.
Here's a taste of that poem....

I was sitting at home, missing my college friends,
Wondering how to fill ten weeks ahead
When along came the postman - a flier from AHPB
‘That is what’s meant for me. I’ll do that instead.’

How's this for feedback?

"Just want to say WOW! This was one of the most important weekends of my life - I felt a shift inside me right at my core as well as outside in relation to others. I grew, I learnt and I loved it. Thank you."

I've just been reading all the feedback from the festival, and it's overwhelming. Nobody liked the mud, but the comments are wonderful.
Maxine.

After the festival

It was a week today that we arrived in Worcestershire, after two weeks of anxiety - would the festival happen at all or would it drown in the floods overwhelming the area? But it happened, and it's hard to imagine it now, although I've still got a trace of the glowing smile that I wandered round with all weekend.
This week we've been fielding comments, receiving feedback, and beginning to make plans for the future. This is the most exciting time in AHP's history since I've known it - real possibilities of reaching new people who can use what we offer and offer us energy in return.
Right now I'm sitting in my garden in the sun with piles of books, trying to work on my dissertation but drawn back into dreaming about the possibilities and remembering the realities of the weekend we had together. Sorry if you missed it - it was a treat. Come next year and find out for yourself - people have already been offering workshops and ideas.
I'm going to try to keep posting on this blog even if nobody finds it - so join in and let me know you're reading it!
Maxine.