Dulwich Festival Fair
Last Sunday, I eagerly participated as a proud stall exhibitor in the Dulwich Festival Fair on Goose Green Park. It was fantastic as I made arrangements for wheeling the ‘wunda chair’ across the green towards my car and asked a passing cyclist for his assistance. Thank you, Doug. 
This yearly event was organised by Angela Burgess and her team of volunteers who do such amazing work to get it all together. They volunteer their time and efforts to make it an incredibly pleasant day for local businesses and the community at large.
I was unaware how much time and effort goes into such things, but I observed the day from a distance and was able to take in some incredible delights such as the marvelous stage where some music and singing ricocheted in the background with the dulcit and melodious tones of local singer and musician Amanda and Stewart.
Visits from other stall holders, who came round to appreciate my service was really nice too.
I also heard the happy voices of children having free go’s on the bouncy castle in the background and later found out how disappointed my nephew was at the long queue and the bouncy castle, finishing early.
A couple that popped into the fair from North London said hello and had come to South London to look at a flat to buy. I promptly directed them to my friends Adam Shea and Paulo Ulivi of Pickwick Estates, who’s lovely green car was in the middle of the park, full of balloons. They held a raffle of guess how many balloons are in the car? And the money they made from that goes to a children’s charity. Pickwick Estates was one of the sponsors of the day’s events.
Oh Dear, I forgot to take any pictures. The day was so busy and full and I had a wonderful surprise visit from my brother and his family. My nephews were pleased to see me after what seems like an age and it was wonderful to get some hugs from them all.
This was my very first time at presenting my specialist movement skills and what I do, to the public and it was a fantastic success. I learnt a lot about direction and clarity that day. The lady in the stalI next to me was the lovely Rose, who is a massage therapist. She goes all round the city with her massage chair into offices giving massages to stressed out employees. It was great to find some common ground and to talk about being Self-employed. I also got to speak with a friend of hers who was also a dancer many moons ago. And she had a go on my wunda chair and discovered the delights of really using your core stability and deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles to whisk yourself up into the air. Great fun.
With Rose’s massage chair at the front of her stall and my wunda chair at the front of my stall, we soon attracted attention and I’m sure that Rose was happy to give massages to some of the people that had a go on my wunda chair too.lol.x
I talked to and met some great people that day and spoke to people about all kinds of postural issues such as lower back pain, shoulder and neck pain. It was great to give some handy hints and tips to a gentleman who had fractured his Tibia and Fibula about 3 months ago during the snowy weather and who wanted to keep moving albeit improvisationally. I was able to demonstrate a sun salutation that he can adapt in a non-weight bearing fashion, whilst being mindful of the healing process. I enjoyed this so much as I know it will encourage him to move forward with the challenges that patience can present with injury.
It was also so wonderful to be able to share experiences with a lady that I had met last year in Camberwell, when I had commented on her posture as she was carrying her baby in a sling. She said she recognised me and came over to show me her now bigger gorgeous baby who became instantly fascinated by my Yellow Bumpy Ball – Yes I just couldn’t resist taking a couple of these along. x
One of two most poignant moments of the day was talking to a lady about breathing and relaxation and even though my wunda chair was there for demonstrating some nice gymnastic and athletic feats, it’s also a good respite for sitting and breathing. To listen to this lady say that inspite of her past medical history, that she has never been shown how to breathe deeply like this before, caused me some concerns about our health system.However, I’m just so aware of how everyone is busy being busy, that the seemingly little but very important things will often get pushed to the back of the queue.
The second poignant moment was when Kirsty Meynell turned up with her boyfriend and his sons to support me. The day before, she had started her practice walk and completed a 60km walk in preparation for an event on Kilimanjaro in October that she is doing, raising money for a children’s charity. Thank you Kirsty, you are an inspiration.
Onwards and upwards in movement.
Enjoy.
Many Blessings.x
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
George Bernard Shaw.
