HEALTH & WELL BEING FESTIVAL DRAWING IN THE CROWDS
HUNDREDS of visitors attended a city Health and Well-being festival at the Plymouth Guildhall.
The Aquarian Events showcase is featuring over 60 exhibitors and businesses from across Plymouth and the South West region, with 10 start up companies promoting for the first time.
A variety of stallholders ranging from crystals, Reiki, colour therapies, readings, flower essence therapy, Quantum Touch, Indian head massage, clothing ranges, skin products, jewellery, paintings, photographers, presentations, advice shops, and live music to relax the soul is on offer, said organiser Lisa Mechen.
Mrs Mechen, a former Royal Mail business manager, has joined forces with Cornish business entrepreneur Debbi Walker and founded a new company called Aquarian Events.
Debbi Walker, said: “Having both used holistic therapies for our own health challenges over the years, we wanted to bring an event into the heart of Plymouth were people can use complementary therapies by local businesses, and supported at our Well-being festival at the Plymouth Guildhall.”
Ro Boulton-Nash, who runs a children’s inter-active playtime business called ‘Twinkle Rose’, said: “I have travelled all the way from Wiltshire to exhibit at the festival this weekend. The South West is building a strong reputation as a hub for healthy well-being businesses.”
“My firm is celebrating our first year anniversary, and we are a craft enterprise where kids can sit down and make things from recycled paper, wood, and making playtime fun. But also allowing parents to visit other stallholders while we keep the kids happy for 10 minutes.”
One of the most popular stands at the Guildhall festival was the Porfell Wildlife Sanctuary, and is based in 20 acres of land, near Looe. Two exotic rescue owls were especially drawing in the crowds.
Wendy Winstanley, manager at Porfell Wildlife Sanctuary, added: “We have been running since 1989, and offer sanctuary to over 250 exotic animals from across the globe. We get calls about neglected animals, injured, imported, or simply no longer wanted. The UK Customs and Border Police call us to come and collect, and re-home exotic animals being illegally smuggled into the country.”
We have a living attraction quite unlike a zoo. Children (and adults!) can get up close to wildlife, feed the animals, touch them and learn all about them. We have the oldest Lima in the world aged 35 years. We are open from Easter to November every year, and love to promote our centre at shows like this.”
Debbi Walker, said: ” The holistic community has come out in force this weekend for a Plymouth festival promoting and supporting our health and Well-being sector which is a quiet success story for the South West economy. We plan to run larger events going forward.”
Anyone looking for more details about the showcase: Telephone 07946 310239 or contact: www.facebook.com/AquarianEvents
Picture 1: Ro Boulton-Nash of Twinkle Rose
Picture 2: Organisers of the Aquarian Events Festival, Lisa Mechen and Debbi Walker
Picture 3: Lisa Mechen and Debbi Walker
Picture 4: Wendy Winstanley of Porfell Wildlife Sanctuary
