Winter 2025/26 Newsletter
The Micro-blog:
Well, here we are – March already, and some of you might be thinking this should be the Spring newsletter but here in Scotland, high in the hills, it is still Winter. We have snowdrops but no daffodils yet. Outside a fierce North wind is blowing and the rain is heavy.
A little ‘fresh’ Winter weather doesn’t stop me sharing Council though, and a couple of weeks ago 6 people from 3 different continents took part in my February Council 1 course:
Council 1 online - Feb 26 cohort
It’s always a pleasure to share Council with a new group of people, but there was something particularly satisfying about working with 6 people so focussed on getting the most from the experience and on sharing it with their communities.
I said last time that there would be no Meaningful Circles Online workshop in 2026 – unless somebody asked for one. Well, they have. So now there will be an MCO workshop on the 23rd-24th May.
If you would like to know how to have everyone on the Zoom call see the same image of who’s sitting where, and how to have a centrepiece that’s actually in the centre (for everyone), and few other tips and tricks to tame Zoom and have online circles that enable the same Council experience you get in person, drop me a line (or go to the website and book!). Then your online Councils can look like the one above!
Coming up next is an in-person Council 1 course in Horsham (a little South and West of London for those that don’t know). It’s a great venue I’ve used before (a converted 17th Century barn), and I’ve managed to persuade the same terrific vegetarian chef that we had last time, to come and (over-)feed us again. It’s going to be great – and what a way to spend the Bank Holiday weekend! (2nd - 4th May).
Then there’s the two Council 2 courses in the Fall/Autumn: one online, one in person.
So what am I going to do with myself all Summer? I’m glad you asked: I’ve begun a collaboration with Jindy Mann from LeaderBrotherSon, to take the Way of Council and some other practices into some of the most deprived, disadvantaged, exploited-and-then-abandoned communities in the UK. Places where the current messages of division, othering and hatred are being peddled hardest. The programme is called Forward Together.
We’ve run a proof-of-concept day already and it was both a stern test and a strong affirmation. Personally, I found it both moving, and inspiring. I won’t forget the beautiful, brave, honest people who took part.
Now we want to deliver the full 6-week version of the programme. We are in discussion with funders and local grass-roots organisations. There’s a lot more to do, and a lot of hurdles to clear but we are really fired up for this. I’ll say more in the next newsletter.
Below you’ll find details of the training programme for the rest of 2026. Do get in touch if any of these call to you.
For now, I’ll wish you a sloooow reveal Springtime and clarity and energy for all your Council projects. Get outside whenever you can, and let (the rest of) Nature tend to you and teach you. Sit in Circle whenever you can, and let the circle hold you and heal you.
Till the next time,
Dave
And if you don't want another newsletter in your in-box just let me know and I won't send you any more - no hard feelings.
+44(0)7525 689 082
Upcoming Courses:
Chairs set for a Council circle at Micklepage Barn, West Sussex
Council 1 - in person (West Sussex, UK)
Saturday, 2nd May 2026 1pm –Monday, 4th May 2026 3pm (Bank Holiday Weekend)
Micklepage Barn, Horsham, West Sussex
Residential, and fully catered.
This is a more spacious 3 day version of this training that allows you to more fully experience and lean into this powerful set of group practices, and to learn the basics of facilitating your own Council circles.
An online Council circle with a centre in the centre, and the people arranged in a circle!
Meaningful Circles Online (online workshop via Zoom)
Saturday, 23rd May 4pm UK time – Sunday 24th May 2026 6pm
Delivered online, via Zoom, across a single weekend
Come and learn how to transform Zoom’s little square boxes into actual people who are experiencing being in a circle together, and finding real human-to-human connection
Since 2020 I have held over 700 online Council circles, so I think we can say now that this approach is tried and tested. Come and find out how to make your own Council-conducive set-up, try it out and get coaching to help you optimise it.
A circle of chairs in a sunlit garden, ready for a Council circle
Friday 11th September 2026 1pm - Sunday 13 September 2026 3pm
Venue: Micklepage Barn, Horsham, West Sussex
· A 3 day training specifically for Council facilitators with at least one year’s experience. This course delves into the joys, the nuances, the challenges, and the perils of being a regular facilitator of Council circles.
A Council circle centrepiece with many talking pieces
Council 2 – online via Zoom
Saturday, 3rd October 2026 4pm UK – Sunday, 11th February 2026 9.15pm UK
Online, timed to suit N.A. and European time zones, spread across 2 weekends
A training specifically for Council facilitators with at least one year’s experience. This course delves into the joys, the nuances, the challenges, and the perils of being a regular facilitator of Council circles.
· Delivered via Zoom but in small groups and with a technical set-up that maximises the experience of sitting in a real circle with other humans. Feels like real council, real Council magic happens. Since 2020 Dave has facilitated over 700 online Council circles, and delivered 19 Council trainings online.