VOICE OF THE ELDER RETREAT
Re-awaken your wild voice
Samhain Weekend - Devon
4pm Thursday 30th October — 12pm Sunday 2nd November
A transformational Journey into the season of rest, supported by voice, body & earth connection
Only one place left!
Re-connect to the Earth. Rest in Body & Breath. Reclaim your Voice.
As the earth slows and darkness deepens, we invite you to step into the sacred season of rest. This 3-day all-inclusive retreat offers a gentle space to restore your body, renew your spirit, and reconnect deeply with the rhythms of nature.
Samhain—often known as Halloween—is more than just a celebration of the veil between worlds. It marks a powerful turning point in the Celtic calendar: a time to honor the cycle of life and death, embrace the quiet mystery of the dark, and prepare for the inward journey of winter.
Through an immersive blend of voice work, movement, nature connection, and ritual, this retreat guides you to slow down, listen deeply, and reclaim your authentic voice
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What Awaits You:
Vocal exploration, activation, harmony, and intuitive singing
Somatic breathwork and embodied voice practices
Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and guided meditation designed for deep rest
Foraging and crafting wild, seasonal tonics from the land
Connection with plant kin through nature-based ceremony
Wisdom and ritual rooted in ancient Celtic traditions
Shared, nourishing meals that celebrate seasonal abundance
Quiet, intentional time for rest, reflection, and dreaming
Fireside song circles and communal celebration to honor the season
This is your invitation to slow down, come home to your body and breath, and step into the magic of the turning year—deeply connected to yourself, your voice, and the Earth.
Voice & Singing:
Our vocal sessions offer a nurturing space to become familiar with your relationship to your own voice. Michelle and Brigite bring practices and techniques from vocal theatre arts, singing, collaborative vocal improvisation, and somatic breath-work to help us discover, deepen and expand the connections between breath, body and voice.
We will open the inner ear to hear our unique vocal tone, explore how to open up to develop resonance, volume and dynamics and to identify areas of tension/blocks and release them with simple, energising and uplifting exercises.
We’ll connect with our emotional body and encourage authentic, expressive communication from our core. We’ll whisper, call, chant, sing intuitively, in rounds, in unison and in harmony.
Vocal sessions are accessible to all levels of experience-including professional singers and those who believe they haven’t got a voice. If you can speak you can sing and we can show you how!
Therapeutic Nature Practice & The Celtic Wheel
Nature provides us with the tools to heal and grow if we can take the invitation she continually offers & Celtic practices have much to teach us about how to connect more intimately with these lands
Michelle and Brigite have a life-time of experience living closely to and working with nature in off-grid and rural spaces and will share a range of practical, therapeutic and creative practices to help come into deeper connection with the land:
Practices are woven integrally throughout the weekend and will include:
Silence, observation and deep listening
Foraging and preparing seasonal tonics
Time outdoors.
Developing Intuitive and practical connections with Elder and Birch, trees which were sacred to the Celts during October and November.
Creating and working with Natural Mandalas and Alters
Connecting with the Elements
Learning from the wisdom of the Celtic Wheel of the year
Working with Ceremony and Ritual: In particular through a Samhain fire Ceremony.
Yoga & Meditation
Brigite teaches Hatha-Vinyasa Yoga informed by non-dual shiva tantra. Each class will be an opportunity to explore the wider themes of the weekend and will all include an aspect of breath-work, meditation and Mantra.
Morning flows will be active and energising, focusing on building Yang energy through playful movement and grounding us in our bodies to start the day. Afternoon and evening sessions will centre and nourish Yin energy, integrating the coming of winter and nurturing our calmer intuitive feminine self.
Brigite will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about the physical and philosophical aspects of yoga and/or your own practice.
Meditations will be offered daily before breakfast for early risers.
Classes are accessible for all different body types and abilities. Props provided but please bring your own Mat.
Food & Nutrition:
We are passionate about the healing potential of seasonal, wild, and organic food. Food is what connects us to the land—after all, we are what we eat. The more we eat from the wild and learn about our food, the deeper our connection to the land becomes.
Nourishing food is at the core of the experience we are co-creating—the kitchen is both the hearth and the heart. We will eat together in community, explore the multifaceted healing properties of seasonal produce, and celebrate the deep nourishment it brings.
We’re thrilled to partner with top chef and nutritional therapist Jiordan Hall, who will bring her delicious food medicine to the retreat.
The food will be gluten-free and vegan, with meat, eggs, and dairy offered separately for those who want them. We can cater to all dietary needs and will release the full menu closer to the retreat date.
Alongside enjoying seasonal meals and learning about nutrition to support our bodies through the winter months, we’ll also dive into preparing our own wild medicine by crafting seasonal tonics from the land.
Whois guiding this retreat?
You’ll be held by a multigenerational, all-female team rooted in deep connection—with each other, the land, and the work we love.
Michelle and Brigite (mother and daughter) are co-leading this retreat, joined by chosen sisters Jiordan Hall (Nutritional Therapist & Chef) and Emerald Pes (Environmental Artist & Chef). Brigite, Jiordan, and Emerald grew up together and have spent years living close to nature and collaborating on land-based projects and events.
Between us, we bring decades of experience in voice work, yoga, trauma-informed practice, nutrition, foraging, environmental art, and seasonal cooking.
We’re not just a team—we’re chosen family and we are so excited to come together in this way to co-create this weekend of nourishment, connection, and care.
Michelle Ridings (Lead Facilitator) - Voice Coach, Theatre Artist & Circle of Trees Practitioner
Michelle has over 30 years of professional experience facilitating others to discover and explore their unique voice as a powerful tool for authentic self-expression. She works with both professionals and non-singers, specialising in supporting hard-to-reach communities and individuals.
As a theatre performer and vocal artist, Michelle’s work connects people to a wilder, more authentic version of themselves.
Drawing on her own diverse life experience—including living, birthing and raising two children off-grid —Michelle integrates her deep knowledge of herbs, wild medicines, and gardening to nurture and restore the health of both her family and the land she cares for in Mid Devon. She brings this rich background—rooted in creativity, the land, and seasonal rhythms—to share with us at the Autumn Retreat.
Michelle studied theatre at Dartington College of Arts and trained with Czech gypsy singer and musical director Ida Kelarova. She is also an Associate Artist with Dreadnought South West and a Specialist Practitioner of the Circle of Trees therapeutic modality.
For more information, visit the Circle of Trees Specialist Practitioner Course.
Brigite Rowan (Co- Facilitator) - Voice & Yoga Teacher & Trauma informed Nature connection guide.
Brigite is a folk singer-songwriter and a trauma-informed teacher of voice work, yoga, and nature connection. She is also an experienced event organiser and project director, curating events that bring people into deeper relationship with land, food, and spirituality.
With a lifetime of off-grid living and a deep-rooted connection to the natural world, Brigite is passionate about the healing potential of working with nature, food, and voice in a therapeutic way.
Her work is grounded in personal lived experience—having recovered from a life-threatening accident, Brigite’s journey of healing through yoga, connection to the land, and nutritional therapy profoundly informs her practice today.
She is especially interested in the human capacity to live authentically by integrating earth, body, and voice.
Find out more about Brigite’s background and training at: www.brigiterowan.co.uk
Emerald Pes (Assistant Chef) - Environmental Artist, Gardener & Chef.
Emerald is a multimedia environmental artist, event organiser, gardener, and chef. With a background in permaculture design, food growing, and community cooking, she brings over 10 years of experience as an artist creating photographs, sculptures, and events that connect people to food and the land.
Emerald has worked as a chef in a wide range of settings—from community kitchens and support services for asylum seekers to professional restaurants. Passionate about seasonal food, she brings a sense of artistry to everything she does, especially in the kitchen.
Jiordan Hall (Head Chef) - Nutritional therapist & Director at Lokis Fire Kitchen,
Jiordan is a nutritional therapist and has been a dedicated chef for over 14 years. She is the founder, owner, and director of Loki’s Fire Kitchen—a fully solar-powered, travelling wood-fired catering company.
Passionate about the healing power of food and the connection between nutrition and well-being, Jiordan brings a deep understanding of nutritional therapy into every dish she creates. Her cooking is rooted in a love for nature and a life lived close to the land, often preparing meals outdoors—whether in the woods, in fields, or over a wood-smoked fire.
Her food draws inspiration from Mediterranean flavours and centres around seasonal, locally sourced produce from across the UK.
We’re able to cater to a wide range of dietary needs.
Follow Loki’s Fire Kitchen on Instagram to see what Jiordan’s up to!
What people have said about our offerings
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After a long cold Winter I was intrigued by the idea of a rich ritual feel welcome in the spring though usually I don’t like being told what to do I really enjoyed Brigite’s guided yoga and felt completely enlivened and refreshed for the playful warm-ups and vocal games. The atmosphere felt nurturing gentle and safe which completely put me at my ease and help me to release some outmoded patterns of self-criticism etcetera and really enjoy the beautiful space that Michelle and Brigitte had carefully crafted. At one point I felt as if I was a Bee in a hive, all of us making our individual contribution to an overall harmony that felt like a unique and mysterious healing practice. All in all experience was both energising -I noticed a definite buzz for several days after - and cleansing in a gentle and playful way. Ritual and song are use within a safe space being both powerful and transformative, which helped me to release many old tensions and create a clear space to usher in new joyful experiences thank you both very much I feel humble and lucky to have received such a precious gift.
- Grant Oatly after attending Michelle and Brigite’s day retreat
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I want to thankyou for a beautiful day on Saturday.🌹 You really are an amazing teacher. You know your subject so brilliantly and have such a massive tool box to be able to teach with such skill. Any other place I would have hid behind a wall,a book, a door, a person,with Shame of my voice. Your quite wonderful at what you do. You make magic happen 💜🙏
Sam Cann - After attending Michelles Workshop
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I first came to a workshop with Michelle Ridings 8 years ago because I'd been shamed for singing (badly) as a child and hadn't been able to sing with others for many years. I wanted for my children (who were small at the time) to be confident about singing as they grew up and for me to be able to relax and enjoy singing with them. Having attended the first workshop with Michelle, I gained in confidence and from there joined her singing group (something that would have been inconceivable to me at one point). With Michelle's breath and vocal techniques, patience and encouragement I discovered that I could actually (just about) sing! The testament to Michelle's teaching expertise is in every car journey with my kids singing our hearts out along to our favourite songs. Michelle is an artist of great compassion and integrity and I feel honoured to call her a friend. Thanks for everything Shell.
Marianne Kavanagh - Reccomending Michelles Work
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I wanted to thank you again for yesterday’s Spring Equinox retreat. I loved it and it felt the perfect way to say goodbye to winter and welcome in the joys of spring. I felt so much better in my spirit for coming together with everyone. And I feel more positive about the future.!
Jane Airey-Regardso after attending the Spring Equinox retreat with Brigite and Michelle
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I had arrived blocked up with little breath or confidence and I love to sing, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. By the end of the retreat I was singing heartily with our wonderful group a Nina Simone song ‘And I’m Feeling Good’ Michelle taught us, taking us step by step and I tell you by the end we were sounding really cool and definitely ‘’Feeling Good’, It was great. On the final morning of the retreat Michelle took us on a beautiful singing woodland walk, crunching on Autumn leaves, stopping at the river to sing rounds, and connect even deeper together, culminating in our singing the chorus of 'Wade in the Water’ a beautiful old spiritual song covered by Eva Cassidy amongst others, all the way through the woods, up over the fields and back to our Closing Circle before homeward bound. All I can say is, wade in the water with Michelle and join this retreat, you’ll love it.
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Brigite is a person centred practitioner who listens and gives instructions to suit the individual. At the moment I live with fibromyalgia, fluctuating blood sugar and she helps me to accommodate these factors. I find Yoga with Brigite nourishing both physically and spiritually. I always feel calmer and happier after practicing with her.
Jay Tomlinson - Regular attendant of Brigite’s Yoga sessions
Middle Coombe Farm is set in its own valley in the breath-taking Devon countryside, We will have access to over 400 acres of private grounds and wild woodland. Middle Coombe Farm is a real West-country paradise, full of atmosphere, energy & character.
The farmhouse and adjacent converted barn combines the cosiness of country life with a little luxury. With beautifully decorated large bedrooms, bathrooms, drawing room, lounge library, large kitchen diner, secluded courtyard with large open fireplace and an outdoor hot tub and garden.
All yoga, voice and nature workshops will take place in the thatched Cider Barn with underfloor heating , soft lighting and views of the meadow and woodlands beyond.
You are invited to attend as many or as few of the workshops as you choose and there will be periods of quiet time for you to relax with a book, explore the extensive grounds or take a dip in the hot tub.
Whats included?
3 night’s accommodation.
3 Delicious, seasonal and nutritious meals per day throughout your stay.
Teas, coffees, cacao, cordials, fruit and snacks.
4 x Yoga Classes
Daily Voice and singing workshops.
Guided meditations & Breathwork
Yoga Nidra Deep Rest Practice
Facilitated Vocal Sound Bath.
Somatic nervous system regulation tools
Songs to take home and share with friends
Fire Side Samhain Ceremony.
Nature connection activities
Simple Foraging Guidance
Seasonal Nutrition, herbal knowledge, recipes, hints and tips
Walks on the land.
Space for silence and deep rest.
Hot Tub.
All workshop materials.
Not included
· Travel to and from Middle Combe Farm.
· Personal travel insurance
· Extra snacks of your choice.
Pricing Information
We’re committed to making this retreat accessible while providing a comfortable and nourishing experience. This year, we’ve chosen a venue that offers more space and a touch of luxury, which means ticket prices are slightly higher than for events we have done previously but we are also offering day tickets.
Every penny from ticket sales goes directly towards the venue hire, organic food, materials, and some of the time of our team— Our chef, facilitators, and assistants.
Non-Residential Ticket Option (NOW SOLD OUT)
For local guests or those camping off-site, we offer a non-residential ticket priced at £280. This includes full access to all activities, meals, and the venue facilities during the day.
If cost is a concern but you’re keen to attend, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to discuss options to help make the retreat possible for you..
Rooms
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**SOLD OUT* ( King Sized Single Occupancy En-suite)
A spacious en-suite room with a kingsize bed.
£650
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*SOLD OUT* Single Occupancy, Shared Bathroom Shared Access
A cosy single room through with shared access and a shared bathroom.
£500
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*SOLD OUT* Shared Occupancy En-Suite
A shared bedroom (maximum of two people per room) with an en suite for you and your roomie.
£575
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*SOLD OUT* Single Occupancy Shared Bathroom
A deluxe king sized bed, lovely views and plenty of your own space with access to a spacious thread bathroom
£600
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*SOLD OLD* Non residential option
We have 5 non resdiential spots for local people who would like to stay of site and join for the say time only - £280
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Large twin room
Spacious shared occupancy room for two people, shared bathroom
Twin Room - £525 (1 Left)
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* SOLD OUT* Large twin room with private bathroom
A Beautiful large room to share between two with a kingsized bed and 1 single
£525
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* SOLD OUT* Double En Suite (Single Occupancy)
A lovely & spacious double bed with its own bathroom. - £650
