Retreat near Wells offers breath of fresh air

If the opportunity to ‘stop and stare’ seems to constantly evade you and the demands of a busy lifestyle leave you feeling a little wilted, why not take a chance to rejuvenate your spirit at a very special local & nurturing country retreat and rediscover your zest for life.

I was lucky to meet the owner, Joy Buchanan of ‘Fairmead’ by chance at a Wells City Band concert and as she began to describe the retreat, I gradually realised what a wonderful home it sounded, combining nature with a virtual cleanse for the soul I felt compelled to invite myself for a visit!

She describes the idyll thus: “Our house, in the middle of the street..... there’s always something going on and it’s usually quite loud” – great words from Madness, conjuring up an image of a home full of life, of coming and going, people calling out, having fun, needing things, forgetting things – life tumbling on.  At Fairmead Life Centre there’s always something going on, but it’s usually quite quiet.  A tree in full blossom hardly makes a sound, unless a breeze is rustling the new leaves or a bird is singing from its branches and although there is constant movement as the grass grows and the garden flowers, it can feel very still and settled here."

As soon as I arrived I was overtaken by a deep peace and as we wondered through the beautiful gardens and orchard she explained how she had arrived at her calling in life:  “Growing up, my family home was also the home of people from all over the world, staying with us as paying guests and later, people with mental health problems who needed to live with a family and yet develop their own independence. “ 

Continuing, she said: “I trained a s a teacher and then as a  Registered Nurse before developing my work by training as a Healer, Progressive Counsellor, teacher of Meditation Foundation and Transformation Hatha Yoga.  Now I draw on all these experiences and skills to run Fairmead Life Centre, providing a space for people to come for individual appointments or to for retreats.”

Joy and Alan are very kind and gentle hosts and Fairmead itself is such a wonderful space, I have brought away a lasting peace and tranquillity as well as a new friendship. If you would like to contact them to discuss how you might benefit from one of the many wonderful healing opportunities I hope you will treat yourself, because your inner self is most definitely worth it.

A wonder through the gallery of images I took that morning I think does far more justice to the stillness and joyful peace than my words ever could.