The first thoughts for a Ceremony came into Caroline’s mind in the run up to Christmas, 2021. She was researching the spiritual elements of a traditional Christingle, how and where it began and how it might be made most relevant to children today. This led to some wonderful conversations with the local vicar and experiments with different music that year.
She continued researching and composing for the next 12 months, which ended in making a film. This was the first time that Ukraine celebrated their Christmas on December 25th and their predicament was uppermost in all of our minds. You will find the film (number 8 on Meadow Barns YouTube channel), with explanations of the aims and materials that were ready at that time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shKxw1qzcy0&list=PLL19dB7VxtVIEQXmJ_tp5y8YjqbojBUHC&index=8
The 1st Ceremony
This took place at the end of March 2023. It involved 2 special schools – Red Moor in Lanlivery and Greenfield Unit, attached to Bodmin College. Their creative input and total engagement with the theme were magnificent! Also taking part were the Bishop of Truro, 2 vicars and lots of local residents. Each small group lit candles and made their own pledge for Climate Hope. A professional photographer, Keith Larby, attended and his album provides a wonderful record. https://www.bishop-of-truro-atte.akphotos.net/
The printed programme set out all the ingredients of the Ceremony – 8 songs and associated readings about drought in Africa, damage to the Rainforest, water pollution and damage to Coral Reefs in Australasia. If you would like to purchase the music and print materials for this initial Ceremony you will need at least one online or in person planning meeting (starting price for 30 minutes online would be £16) and then select and pay for songs and print you need. Please send an email to enquiry@themeadowbarns.co.uk and explain your possible participants and aims.
The 2nd Ceremony
As it happened during October, this event had a very different autumnal feel. And being half term it was not planned with any schools, but with shops and the farming community around Lostwithiel, plus an Arts and Crafts group and a dance group, called Continuum. Every weekday saw a different workshop, from study of a major regenerative farming scheme and thinking how to grow good food, to a session on bees and honey and taking care of nature. To finish the week participants were supported to plan and deliver a menu of delicious items, including honey, apples, vegetables and meat donated by local businesses, for a final Community Cafe lunch.
The success of this Ceremony was only possible due to the support of Lostwithiel Social Club and the Reverend Sheila Bawden.
The 3rd Ceremony
This time the focus was on a larger urban community, which opened up partnerships with Mid Cornwall Climate and Ecological Hub, The Jason Thomas Dance School, an Oriental supermarket and the Truro BID (for Business Development). Councillor Nolan provided a grant and all came together with a multi-cultural theme for Chinese New Year in the February half term. Once again the workshops involved cooking and crafts – making dragons and practising how to march them to a drum beat. On the day the younger amateurs were supported in their procession by the Jason Thomas dancers, and watched the teenagers performance in awe!
Music available for a repeat of this programme includes the opening march ‘Gong Hay Fat Choi’, a song about the 5 Spice mix of Chinese cooking and pledges from the Climate Hope song, all accompanied by recorded voices of people of Asian descent. This time, through good fortune, the film was made by Westcountry TV, probably the only way that justice could be done for such an astonishing and vibrantly colourful tribute to a far away culture. Thank you!
