wild SONGS
An immersion in nature, creativity and song - with Martha Tilston and Andy Raingold
WED 12TH (12pm) TO SUN 16TH (1pm) JUNE 2024
Dartmoor National Park, Devon
“A life changing experience with amazing people.”
“You will forget what life was outside of this place and become who you were always meant to be.”
wild SONGS
As William Shakespeare once said “the earth has music for those who listen.” Wild songs is a collaboration between Andy Raingold and Martha Tilston - an exquisite blend of nature immersion and free flowing creative expression. Over five days, we offer you a full immersion into song and beautiful nature where you can fully connect with your own rhythm and find your authetic voice. It is the perfect tonic for the times we are in - gathering safely with a small group of kindred spirits as we enjoy fires, music and ancient beech trees.
This retreat is open to everyone, no matter what musical experience you might have, as we seek to find a song in all of us. Together we will create songs, words, harmonies, poetry and melodies. It’s an opporunity for our creativity to be expressed freely, while being inspired and rejuvenated by the natural world and our inner knowing. By building community and a sense of togetherness, you will thrive and be held in a non-judgemental environment.
Away from wifi, to-do lists and distractions, we will bask in the joy of creative self-expression and awaken parts of ourselves that may have lain dormant for a long time.
“Astonishingly welcoming sanctuary for song writing, community connection and soulful land-living.”
“A sweet marriage of nature, community, song and creativity.”
“Five days spent making music with beautiful people in beautiful land. It’s been a longed for homecoming. ”
WHAT is in store?
The programme is open to all who are curious - from budding singer songwriters to those who sometimes might think “I can’t sing!”. The 5 day immersion will include invitations to:
Explore our own curiosity and co-create together, sharing our songs, gifts, words and inspirations
Workshops on song writing and poetry
Experiment with creating melodies and tunes
A makeshift mini recording studio in nature to record any emerging ideas or songs (which is entirely optional and the recordings can be kept private)
Mentorship with Martha on voice and the creative process - holding, guiding and supporting you
Experiences and adventures to connect deeply with the natural world
Opportunities to sleep out in nature under the stars
Cooking and eating together, each night is a banquet in the woods!
Time to yourself sitting in the wild and listening to natural harmonies
So much that can never be pre-planned – such as creating a woodland orchestra, jamming sessions throughout the day and singing sweet serenades to weeping willows under the stillness of moonlight
WHAT WILL I come away with?
We hope to touch the state of creative flow that is so closely linked with happiness and contentment, and to be fully present in the natural world. It feels that now, more than ever, we must be deeply and intimately connected with nature – for both the healing of ourselves and the world of which we are part. Song and voice is a gateway to this.
The aim is that you will come away feeling:
Resourced, rejuvenated and (re)inspired – with bundles of creative energy to throw into your various life projects
More confidence to sing, write and perform with your full authenticity and power
Fully alive, aware and present
More intimately connected to your self, others and the natural world
Recorded songs (either group or individual) that are emailed to you afterwards (optional)
“The alchemy of songwriting in the wild. Tapping into the words within us all.”
“I’ve always wanted to make music with others and this has shown me that it is not just possible but the most fun I’ve had in my life. It’s been absolutely magical.”
feedback
At the end of the weekend we ran in 2019, participants said they most valued:
Feeling more inspired and creative
Feeling a deep connection with others
Touching something deep within themselves that they will bring back into their life
and this is what folk said…
“I have never written a song before and now I have.”
“It has been a life-changing experience for me. Everything about the experience allowed me to open my heart and access my authentic creativity.”
“I feel making music for me has taken a next step. The support of experienced musicians and singers was life changing.”
“I felt I found my voice. Thank you for holding a safe space.”
“I feel I have gained the confidence to write songs and believe in my creative process.”
“I really feel in touch with myself again and as though my music is well on its way. It has been magical.”
Martha Tilston: Musician, writer, director and actress
Martha Tilston has developed a successful musical and film making career with a large and loyal following worldwide. She has played her music on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals and released several critically acclaimed albums. In the world of film making, Martha has gained nominations for best arts film for The Clifftop Sessions and recently released her feature film The Tape which she writes, directs and performs in. Martha also studied theatre and lectures in song writing, performance and the telling of story through song. Nature is a big influence in the songs that Martha writes and the way she chooses to live.
Andy Raingold: Change maker, speaker and nature facilitator
As Co-Founder and Director of Change in Nature, Andy supports people and organisations to make meaningful action in this pivotal time. He is a facilitator, coach, speaker, environmental campaigner and social entrepreneur with a wealth of experience leading people through transformation. At Change in Nature, he facilitates deeper connection through creativity, imagination, myth and embodied practices to radicaly shift perspectives. He has written for the Guardian and been interviewed on BBC Newsnight, The Sunday Times, BBC Radio 4, The Independent and Guardian Environment Podcast.
“My eyes, ears, nose and mouth feel as though they sense the world anew. My mind is clear and my heart is light. My body has been shaken awake and I am full of love and gratitude for this community and this wonderful, beautiful world.”
“The way this land has held us and how you have woven us and our songs into it and into us – just magic and alchemy. Wow.”
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Exclusive use of a wild and remote site in Dartmoor National Park with cosy, covered spaces
Facilitated workshops and experiential practices to connect you with nature and your creativity
Freshly prepared, healthy and delicious vegetarian meals - all cooked over the open fire
Optional meditation and movement practices
The space where we can have physical distance in the great outdoors
Night-time songs and stories around the fire
Bottomless supplies of tea and coffee
5 day digital detox
Comprehensive insurance
The world’s best woodland swing!
“An indescribably powerful experience that helps you to find your authentic creative expression.”
“A life-changing journey into the wilds. A rediscovering of ourselves, life and the old ways that feels like a home coming.”
“Raw, pure nature and sober celebration. I rediscovered connection with many parts of my life.”
“If you have a song in your heart, or if you would like to find one, then this is your place… A warm, connecting vessel for rich sounds to emerge around fires and bluebells.”
book NOW
All programmes have been fully booked, so early booking is recommended
There are only a limited number of places so that we create an intimate experience, so book early to guarantee your place. Low income places can be booked if you feel this applies to you (we leave this totally up to your discretion).
We don't want price to exclude anyone. If the course fee is unaffordable for you, please do get in touch. We’d really like to hear what would be possible for you and may very well be able to reduce the fee if you’d otherwise not be able to attend. Please click here to enquire about one of these places.
Arrivals are from 12pm on Wednesday 12th June (to start at 1.45pm). We will finish by 1pm on Sunday 16th June. The fee includes all dinners and breakfasts (you bring your own packed lunches).
The venue is a beautiful private 60 acre woodland and rewilding project near Moretonhamstead, Devon. There will be shared taxis from Newton Abbot if you are taking the train. The train from London takes two and a half hours. This is a camping experience, so please bring a tent and all your camping gear. It is also possible to bring a camper van.
Secret Location: Dartmoor national park
We use a secluded and magical 62 acre woodland in Dartmoor National Park which is exclusively used to rewild nature and rewild people. The woods are rich in natural habitats, in badger setts, deer beds and fox dens, including an ancient beech grove, spruce forests, hazel coppice, wild flower meadows, stream and mixed broadleaves. The site is home to an abundance of wildlife and rare birds, including nightjar, wood pipits and the mythical white deer. It is the ultimate escape from modern living with no electricity, road noise or wifi, and replaced with a sky full of stars and the sound of birdsong all around and owls calling at night.
We create a temporary village with fire pits, sheltered spaces, compost toilets and wild camping spots to provide an authentic, yet comfortable, experience in nature. We cook all our meals over an open fire, provide a smattering of solar powered fairy lights and fetch our water from the stream. At the centre of it all is the White Deer Lodge, a large covered area where we gather in the evenings. A place where the old stories are told and heartfelt songs are sung. It also has the best swing in the world!
