⭐️“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop once in a while, you could miss it.” ~ Unknown.

Slowing down does not come easy for most of us. Our modern world means we're often juggling a multitude of personal and professional things that if we're not careful we can get swept away in the rush of it all and quickly become overwhelmed.

For this reason and the fact that slowing down has been a long process for me and a practice I've gained so much benefited from, I have created 'Slow Soul Sundays'.

This mini retreat will give you time and space to nourish yourself from the inside out. To be supported so that you can rest with no agenda, expectations or needing to 'do' anything.

Think of these an antidote to the crazy mess the world is in and a way to find peace, solace and calm, a kind of 'mini retreat' that will leave you feeling grounded, rested and a little bit slower (body and mind!) as you approach a new working week.

Through yoga, mindfulness, breathwork and a sound journey we will create space in the mind, body and soul and re-learn what it means to go slower. Allow yourself to be held in a safe space where you can be just as you are.

Although full lived on the mat, I'll offer tools and techniques that can be used off the mat to maintain this sense of slowing down.

😌 It’s a time of emergence, awakenings and an abundance of possibilities and a reminder that we have made it through the bleakness of winter and that there is strength and wisdom in stripping everything back its bare bones.
🌱 It’s also a potent opportunity to get clear on your intentions for the growing season ahead and listen to your deepest soul self to ensure you are following your aspirations and visions for the future. The inner seeds that you’ve been nurturing over the winter months can begin to take form.
🧘‍♀️ Through yoga, mindfulness, breathwork, reflection and contemplation, radical rest and a deeply healing sound bath, we will come home to ourselves and the rhythm of nature where a natural sense of flow, ease, abundance, freedom and happiness resides.

❓️WHAT HAS LOUISE PLANNED FOR THE RETREAT?
✨️Renewal
Louise will gently guide you through a mindful yoga practice designed to shift stagnant energy, release tension, and open up the physical body. As you move, she will introduce the symbolism of Imbolc, helping you reflect on how its themes of renewal and rebirth can be mirrored in your own life.
✨️Reflection
As we slow down, you’ll ease into restorative and yin yoga poses that invite deep relaxation and calm the nervous system. This is a time to pause, breathe, and look inward. You’ll have the space to reflect on the season that’s passed and thoughtfully set intentions for the one ahead.
✨️Rebirth
We’ll complete our retreat with a deeply restorative yoga nidra session enhanced by sound therapy, preparing ourselves for our own rebirth.

THIS WILL BE PERFECT FOR YOU IF:
🤍 find it difficult to create the time for a full retreat
🤍 experience the 'Sunday blues' as the weekend comes to a close
🤍 find yourself juggling a multitude of things and reaching overwhelm
🤍 are looking for tools and techniques that you can use in  everyday life to re-learn how to slow down
🤍 need some inner nourishment and deep rest
🤍 No experience necessary.

🎟 TICKET COST:
Early Bird Offer of just £45.00 available until 19th January 2025 - £55 after this date.
You can book via the event link.

🎶 Gilles Peterson presents Independent Venue Tour feat Oreglo Matinee show at Esquires in Bedford.

AGE: This is an 18+ event

🤩 We're extremely excited to be bringing one of our absolute faves, Gilles Peterson to Bedford for the very first time in February 2025!

Small independent venues are the lifeblood of the British music industry both as places where artists, bands and DJ’s can develop their craft but also as places where audiences can discover and develop musical bonds that can last a lifetime.

As part of a wider effort to shine a light on this vital part of our cultural landscape and celebrate it in all its diverse musical glory, Gilles Peterson is going on the road for the first instalment of his Independent Venue Tour.

On these dates he will accompanied by young, upcoming band Oreglo and bookending the event with a DJ set.

🎟 TICKETS: £22
You can purchase via the event link.

🎶 Cong-Fusion a 'UK-based act fusing afro-cuban, latin, funk, soul and jazz together' featuring special guest Californian Soul singer Gina Sedman will be playing live.

THE FULL BAND LINE UP
⭐️ Ryan McCaffrey - Keys
⭐️ Johnny Diggle - Tenor Sax
⭐️ Tiago Coimbra - Bass
⭐️ Joe Taylor - Drums
⭐️ Andy Sedman - Percussion

🎸 ABOUT THE BAND:
The band has released a single called ‘Turned Tables’ which is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and features MC E-Mix from Soul II Soul. Three of the members went on the TV Channel London Live and various radio stations such as BBC Radio Berkshire to promote the tune which was written about Ryan’s own experiences of bullying and released in time to coincide with Anti-bullying week 2018. Last year during the pandemic, they recorded, produced and released ‘Don’t you Dare’ which was featured on Indie Soul Radio and they also produced and released a music video featuring members of the band.

🥂 UPGRADE TO CLASSIC OR BOTTOMLESS AFTERNOON TEA
Why not upgrade your experience with a Bottomless Afternoon Tea at the same venue (consisting of sandwiches and cakes but with alcohol instead of Tea) starting an hour earlier at 16:00 allowing you to get started earlier.

The entertainment starts at 5pm, giving you some quiet time before, to catch up with friends or family and enjoy your afternoon tea. You can then choose to stay in the Purple Room and enjoy the music in the background or go full throttle and move to the main bar for a fully immersive experience. And don't worry you will still be able to get your bottomless glasses filled up as soon as they empty!
Below are different packages are available.

Includes a glass of Prosecco or soft drink
▪️£25 per person

Includes Prosecco, Gin/Rum/Vodka, Spritz and Bellini’s
▪️£45 per person

Includes Prosecco, Gin/Rum/Vodka, Spritz, Bellini’s & our handmade cocktails:
Pornstar Martini/Espresso Martini/Sex on the Beach/Mojito/Tequila Sunrise
▪️£55 per person

✅️ BOOK YOUR AFTERNOON TEA HERE:
https://www.thecellarbarbedford.co.uk/afternoon-tea/

☎️ Phone: 01234 815115

WHAT'S FREE?
⭐️ Free entry
⭐️ See the farm animals
⭐️ Outdoor play area
⭐️ Pedal Karts

 WHAT'S AN EXTRA COST?

HANDS ON ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
(Book online via the event link as spaces are limited)
🐐 Greet the Goats: £5.00
🐰 Pat a pet: £7.50
🐷 Pig pop in: £12.50
🦙 Llama Walking (ages 12+): £8.00
🐴 Pamper a pony (ages 6+): £15.00

 😋 THE FARMERS GRILL: 10am-3pm
Enjoy a freshly cooked bite to eat at the Farmers Grill. Indoor & outdoor seating available.Whether you fancy burgers and baps, or coffee and cakes, our Grill has something for all appetites.
There's a Kids Menu for the little ones too!

🥩 FARM SHOP
Visit our Farm Shop. You'll find locally sourced, delicious produce at Knotts.Take home goodies from the Farm Shop.

👩‍🏫  HOME EDUCATION SESSIONS ON FRIDAYS
We are delighted to now offer Home Education Sessions at Knotts of Tempsford.
​Each Friday during term time, there will be a new topic to explore, a worksheet to complete and the chance for hands on learning experiences at the farm

Sessions cost £8.50 per Child Learner and £5.00 per Supervising Adult.

👶 A market for all baby, parent, maternity and postpartum related essentials, buy or sell and beat the cost of living crisis. Located at The Orchard Community Centre in Biggleswade.

🙌 We have made a huge impact as one of the busiest parent markets of Cambridgeshire and now branching out to Bedfordshire.

ℹ️ EVENT INFORMATION - CASH ONLY

🪙 BUYERS ENTRY PRICE: £2
(Under 16's free)
Entry is £2 per person and this is a cash only entry fee, some sellers may have a card reader with them, but it’s best to bring cash to avoid disappointment.

🧸 ITEMS TO EXPECT
Products such as clothing, essentials, buggies, toys, ect, all in new/ next to new condition at an incredible price.

🛝 OUTDOOR PLAY PARK
There is an outdoor play park close by for families who want to make a day of it.

💰 SELLERS - £10 PER PITCH
Parents and guardians of Bedfordshire are invited to sell your preloved and unused items to make room for the things you do need!
email parentspreloved@hotmail.com to book your table, tables are provided and these will go FAST at just £10 a pitch, reserve your space to beat the rush! 

🙋‍♀️ FREE soft play for a 60-minute play session in Woburn Sands Emporium. The soft play area  is for ages 1 - 6, plus adults go FREE anyway. This FREE offer is walk ins only and is subject to availability (please dont book online otherwise you will be charged). The voucher can be seen on the website by clicking the restaurant offers link below and can also be seen in the photos below.

🧒 Let their imagination run wild for one hour from 9am till 3pm!
🌧 Perfect for rainy days!

😋 RESTAURANT OFFERS
The restaurant has some January offers which are below in the photos.
You can also view the full menu and January voucher offers on the website here:
https://wsgardencentre.uk/restaurant-offers/

🤩 THIS WEEKS OFFER 27/01/25 - 02/02/25
The vouchers can be seen also in the photos.
▪️Get a deluxe hot chocolate for the price of a large one.
▪️50% off all bagels.
▪️Regular hot drink and a Toasted Tea cake for £3.95.

🎤 We’re back with our popular Jazz Jam on Sunday 2nd February, so come join us for the first Jam of 2025: jam with our wonderful house band led by Rob Mach or sit back and relax over a drink or three and enjoy an afternoon of live music, courtesy of the many Jammers who join us from all corners of the UK and beyond.

▪️DOORS OPEN: 13:00 – 18:00
With our DJ Mr JazzyVibe Niv Hammond playing the tunes before, between and after the live music.

🎟 COST: £9 payable on the door (cash or card)

▪️NOTE: the Bear Club bar is card only so bring your plastic for your drinks!

☎️ CONTACT DETAILS: 07989 413650

👋 Gather at the cafe inside Wardown House, chat on health and wellbeing topics, followed by an optional walk in the park; organised by Wellbeing Friends Herts Bucks Beds In Person Meet Ups a welcoming group for people to try health and wellbeing activities as part of an encouraging community.

😌 WHAT WILL WE TALK ABOUT
Over the last month, what lesson has life taught you, or what new resources have stepped in to support you (people/things/tools) , or any other significant thing that's come up in the last month. That's fairly loose and should give everyone something to work with. See you there!

🎟 FREE TICKETS
Click on the event link to check availability and click to attend.

✅️ TO JOIN AND MEET OTHERS IN AND AROUND BEDFORDSHIRE TAKE A LOOK HERE AT MORE EVENTS AND JOIN THE GROUP
New attendees very welcome.
https://www.meetup.com/wellbeing-friends-meetup-group/

🤩 We are super excited to welcome you all back in 2025 to Stockward Discovery Centre!
Pop in to take a stroll around our Carriages or perhaps grab a bite to eat with a coffee in the café! There is also a small play park onsite to!

🙋‍♀️ FREE ENTRY!

WINTER OPENING DAYS & TIMES
▪️Wednesday - Sunday
▪️10am till 4pm.
(Open Monday - Sunday during School holidays)

☕️ CAFE DETAILS & MENU 
https://www.culturetrust.com/index.php/spaces/garden-cafe

🧸Table Top Sale at Cotton End Village Hall
Open to the public 10am to 1pm.

ENTRY:
▪️Adults: 50p
▪️Children: Free

ℹ️ STALL HOLDERS
Book a table to sell your unwanted things from home or if you make things, you can sell them.
▪️£5 for half table (approx 3.5ft)
▪️£10 for whole table (approx 7 ft)
...or donate your items and the hall will sell.

💍Woodland Manor Hotel is excited to announce our annual wedding show, taking place on February 2nd, 2025.

TIMES
▪️12.00pm to 3:00pm for new couples
▪️3:00pm to 4.00pm for booked couples

💐 WHAT TO EXPECT
Join us for an unforgettable day where you can explore our stunning venue and meet a handpicked selection of trusted suppliers who can bring your wedding vision to life.

🥂 Enjoy complimentary arrival drinks, delectable canapés and a variety of exclusive offers as you immerse yourself in the beauty and elegance of our Bedfordshire based venue.

📝 REGISTER TO ATTEND
Best of all, the event is completely free to attend! Simply register through the event link to secure your place and start envisioning your perfect day at Woodland Manor Hotel. ⬇️

🏺 Antique and collectors Fair is held on the first Sunday of the month at Flitwick Village Hall. Open 9am until 3.30pm.

2025 DATES
▪️Sunday 5th January
▪️Sunday 2nd February
▪️Sunday 2nd March
▪️Sunday 6th April
▪️Sunday 5th May
▪️Sunday 1st June

⭐️ Catering all day 
⭐️ A full hall of great items for you
⭐️ Free parking

📍The post code is MK45 1HP