Winter is nearly upon us, with its crisp, cold light illuminating our polytunnels like paper lanterns. The abundance of the autumn harvest is over, and all our work now focuses on preparing our grounds and our selves for new growth in the spring.
There are plenty of ways to offer yourselves some all-important rest and recuperation at Newquay Orchard this winter, amid the fun and festivities. And just in case you’re short on inspiration, we’ve devised a winter wellbeing week planner, especially for you!
Your winter wellbeing week planner
Monday: Start with a boost
If it’s a dose of natural focus you’re needing to start your working week, why not try the MushLove mushroom latte from our Café? Our friends at MushLove Cornwall produce many varieties of medicinal mushroom such as Lion’s Mane, which is reported to stimulate brain activity and boost the immune system. Alternatively, a fresh smoothie can bring you a vibrant dose of vitamins to detox from any weekend excesses!
9am – 4.30pm | Heart & Soul Café | Mushroom Latte £4 / Smoothie £5
Tuesday: Tune in to your body
Katie Austin will be a familiar and friendly face to many of you already, having run yoga classes from Newquay Orchard and from Shiva Studio for a number of years. Sharing gems from her extensive mindfulness practice and research, Katie ties each class in with the cycles of nature, flowing steadily and mindfully through a series of poses to create greater strength and flexibility in the body, and greater calm and ease in the mind.
6 – 7.05pm | Mindful Yoga with Katie Austin | One-off class £11 (memberships available)
Wednesday: It’s good to chat
Welcome to Wednesday, the hump of the week for many of us, and the perfect time to check in. ManChat is a “manclusive” session offering a safe space for men to open up and share their feelings. This free session is run by Steve Wright of Newquay Orchard, who has years of experience in holding space for people from all walks of life, as we navigate the ups and downs of our daily existence.
7 – 8pm | ManChat | FREE
Thursday: Get creative
Thursday mornings offer a range of free drop-ins to choose from. Our NHS-backed Community Health & Wellbeing Workers are on hand all morning offering advice and guidance on just about anything that might be troubling you. Alternatively, if arts and crafts are what’s needed to ease the mind and soothe the soul, we offer a weekly creative health session: Heart in Bloom. Finally, toddlers and parents can meet up at the Imagine Outdoors Family Morning for some child-led play, crafts and stories!
10 – 12pm | Heart in Bloom art group / Imagine Outdoors Family Morning | FREE
Friday: The weekly shop with a difference
Friday is veg bag pick-up day at the Orchard! Eating well is vital to feeling well, and our Grown by Newquay Orchard veg bag is the total health creation experience. From the way our vegetables are grown with love and care, to the learning and wellbeing opportunities this creates for volunteers and students in the community… Grown is much more than a veg bag. Our bags are now available as a one-off order, so why not take advantage of our bumper Christmas bag offer?
1 – 5.30pm | Grown veg bag pick-up | One-off small bag £11 (memberships available)
Saturday: Get outside in nature
Getting outside and taking notice are two important ways to wellbeing. That’s why we recommend taking part in the big Newquay Orchard bioblitz, recording all the different species of plants and insects you can find in our seven-acre Orchard! Pop into our Café for instructions and download the free iNaturalist app on your phone. Perfect for families.
9am – 4.30pm | Bioblitz at the Orchard | FREE
Sunday: Warm up!
While there are so many reported benefits of a sauna and cold plunge – notably improved circulation, mood and sleep quality – Katie’s wood-fired Heart Sauna in the heart of Newquay Orchard is unique in its warm welcome and luscious leafy setting. Katie is a natural community builder – so often a sauna session here leads to improbable new connections and friendships! Melt away the week’s tensions together and let a deep sense of satisfaction simmer.
2.30 – 7pm | Heart sauna session | One-off session £12 (memberships available)
Winter festivities
Friday 5th December | Newquay Orchard Student Christmas Stall in Heart & Soul | £1 – £10
Friday 5th December | Scandi Supper Club in Heart & Soul | £25 per person
Sunday 7th December | Christmas Dinner Box making with Blaze Church | Click link to view food items list
Sunday 14th December | Christmas Sunday Lunch Club in Heart & Soul | Main courses £16 / Starters & desserts £6 (kids portions available)
Saturday 10th January | Wassail at Newquay Orchard | FREE