The wonderful Day of the Dead celebrations are happening from 12 pm at Colombia Rd this Saturday. I recommend, I went last year. There is a procession, a marching band, stalls and great outfits. Go dressed up if you can. I am going with my grandson.
Philip Tracey in W magazine. Of course he knows all about hats. I love a good hat or headdress even. Philip Treacy knows the power of a fabulous hat. “The great misconception is that you need confidence to wear them. Actually, a beautiful hat gives you confidence,” he says. Thirty-five years after Isabella Blow first introduced him to Karl Lagerfeld, the legendary milliner has created some of fashion’s most unforgettable headpieces for everyone from Alexander McQueen and Queen Camilla to Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga and Jonathan Anderson at Dior. For W’s Originals portfolio, Treacy looks back on the people, shows, and royal occasions that shaped his career—and explains why hats remain a form of rebellion.’
It must be a theme. Look at Catherine Howley and her husband at the Fabulous Forever photo booth at Rebel Later Life: the ideas party looking absolutely fantastic. Great photos by Peter Wallis. And I’ve got that red flower and intend to wear it to a party soon.
Article in the Guardian. What a couple! Tim and Geli Harris - he's 79 and held a senior position in shipping and then they bought a farm in Norfolk - have spent a lot of money trying to protect their land from the pollutants that drain across from a neighbouring farm. Taking Natural England - the name is obviously a misnomer - to court to stop their legislative inertia. The inertia is causing the death of our wild life which is in crisis. This is happening everywhere ie rivers and land and good on them for pressurising Natural England to do what they should be doing anyway. More checks, more grassland barriers between farms using pollutants and other land etc..
Gabby Jimenez is a remarkable end of life doula and hospice nurse. Here she talks about her last words to people in her care before they die. ‘My last words to someone who is dying are often simple, but never small. “I’ve got you.” I say it softly, with my hand in theirs or resting gently on their shoulder. I want them to know that they are not alone. Not now. Not in this moment that can feel so unknown, so final. I want them to feel held, not just physically, but emotionally, and spiritually. To know that someone is bearing witness. That someone is walking them to the very edge and not turning away.
As they take their final breath, I stay. I whisper goodbye, and I thank them… for their trust, their courage, and for allowing me into such an intimate chapter of their story. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly. These moments change me. Every time. And no matter how many times I’ve done this, it never becomes routine. It’s sacred. Always.’
This camp without camping sounds great. Lots of dancing The Dances of Universal Peace. What actually happens at Camp Without Camping? Christalla is in AofA. Here’s what they say.
’Well, first of all, nobody has to sleep in a tent!
We wanted to recreate something of the atmosphere of living together in community at the camps—not only dancing and practising together, but sharing meals, making music, lingering over conversations, laughing and enjoying all the ordinary moments that allow connections to deepen. But with rather more warmth, comfort and care—which feels especially important in November!
The Dances of Universal Peace will be at the heart of the weekend, with dance leaders and musicians sharing their experience and inspiration.
It won’t be nonstop dancing. There will also be embodied Sufi practices, walks in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, shared meals, rest and plenty of time simply to be together.
The programme will be partly planned and partly shaped by the people who come. There’s no expectation that you need to lead or contribute—coming to dance and be part of the circle is more than enough.
To those of you that haven't come across the Dances of Universal Peace before, I cant recommend them highly enough, and I encourage you to come and give them a go. You don't need to worry about what to do, the movements are super simple and we use mantric chants from the various different spiritual traditions. Each dance is taught in the moment it's shared, so no experience is necessary. A dance lasts about 15 mins and takes you on an inner journey, eliciting state change without the use of recreational drugs!
Friday 6–Sunday 8 November 2026 The Nightingale Centre, near Buxton
Everyone is warmly welcome, including friends and family.
Find out more and book your place: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfvvRrh6AS.../viewform...
With love, Christalla Demetriades (and all the members of the Guidance Panel: Christina Gulzar Lausevic, Robert Salik Orange, Jackie Singer, Rowan Brook-Thompson our amazing admin & Ruth Ochsmann our wonderful Pastoral care officer)’.
ALWAYS 🧡