Camphill MK Hosts a 3-Day Festival of Camphill

Aug 8, 2024

Camphill Communities from all over the United Kingdom came together for the very first Festival of Camphill, hosted at Camphill Milton Keynes. The three-day event represented 17 different Camphill Communities and welcomed over 250 people, including staff, residents, volunteers, co-workers, and alumni.

The Festival of Camphill 2024 was the first event of many years across the movement, and we hoped we could make it a memorable debut. We are super proud of our community and were thrilled to showcase the work we do!

We organised 27 workshops, activities, and acts, including performances from local musicians, ceremonies, community and local tours, talks, theatre performances, and delicious meals in our Café. We also hosted the AGM for the Association of Camphill Communities, which explored Camphill’s history and our shared vision of the future for intentional community settings.

Camphill Communities from all over the UK and Ireland attended the Festival of Camphill, some flying and driving for many hours. We want to thank them all for their incredible positivity, unity, and moments that make the Camphill in supporting those with learning disabilities so special. We are also very grateful to our community members here in Milton Keynes for their tireless work over the three days.

Tom Bridle, our Registered Care and Support Manager who organised the event, said, “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of those who came along and helped to provide activities, brought a delegation along, participated in the ceremonies, or just came and enjoyed the festivities.” He added, “More than anything, I hope that the impulse to continue to bring our communities together in the spirit of celebration can be sparked from this event. I look forward to seeing what we can create in the future.”

Workshops & activities included:

Inflatable football & lawn games on the Green
Backstrap weaving on the Green
Flax Fibre Weaving in the Weavery Workshop
Tote-bag making in the Pottery Workshop
Filming and Newsletter activities in the Art Room
Arts and Crafts workshops
Circus skills
Gardens Workshops – mulching around the orchard
Local walking tours
Music and singing in the Crypt & Auditorium Floor
Eurythmy and hand-bells in the Auditorium Stage
Macramé in the Café
Backstage Tours: in the Foyer Theatre
Boxercise classes, morning Yoga & table tennis
Woodwork & guitar making workshops

Entertainment & Activities included:

Adrian Stranik, an acoustic performer
UkieToons, a ukulele band
A Silent Disco in the Chrysalis Theatre MK
Happy Dance workshops
Acoustic sets with lunch and dinner from Rory O’Kane and Tom Craven
A performance from the Collaboration Choir
Karaoke sessions
The Free Peace Band
Theatre performance of My Neighbour Thor in the Chrysalis Theatre MK
An introduction from Dave Mitchell, the Chair of the Association of Camphill Communities
A performed interpretation of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream from The Mount Community

The event was partly funded through the Association of Camphill Communities (AoCC), which held their AGM with member communities during the festival, alongside talks on the history of the Camphill Movement and the work that we support in South Africa.

Here’s some feedback from the attendees:

Jaki – “I have really enjoyed seeing the joy and pleasure on everyone’s faces. I have learnt and helped teach a new skill (thanks, Ewa) and met some wonderful people from other Camphills. Everyone I met seemed truly passionate about where they lived and worked, and I learned so much from them, too, especially from those who were supported. It would be great to visit their communities! I loved seeing my colleagues getting stuck in. It had a wonderful vibe and seemed incredibly easy-going, although I know it was no mean feat! Roll on the next one!”

The Mount Co-Housing – “Our Cohousers had lots of fun at the Festival of Camphill in Milton Keynes, which brought together 17 communities from all over the UK to celebrate all things Camphill. We took part in bespoke workshops and enjoyed live performances, stalls, games and a silent disco. It was a fascinating bonding experience, and everyone’s happy smiles prove the amazing work and effort put into organising an event on this scale. We would like to thank the hosting community, and we are taking away the best memories!”

Corbenic Camphill Community— “We had a great time at the Festival of Camphill. There were lots of wonderful workshops, great concerts, wonderful meals and tea breaks, and best of all, meeting friends old and new. Thank you to Camphill MK for all their hard work organising this amazing festival.”

Camphill Devon– “Everyone had an amazing time at the festival and still won’t stop talking about it. Well done for all your hard work to pull it together!”

The Collaboration Choir – Bedford, Milton Keynes & Woburn Sands

“What an absolutely BRILLIANT experience we had singing at the Festival of Camphill in MK. We sang on the Chrysalis Theatre stage before all the residents and guests joined us for the BEST evening of singing and dancing!”

Joan— “What an event! Thanks to ALL involved in bringing this Festival about. It’s wonderful to have a connection to other Camphill communities. May sharing continue.”