Field Journal

Looking Back at our First Festival
Words & Photography by Abbie Merrit // Additional Photography by Rachel Keenan
Film be Sean Delahay

Sidetracked hosted a gloriously stormy and anything-but-seamless weekend retreat packed with activity, intimate workshops, and inspiring talks. We began as strangers, wrapped head to toe in waterproofs (summer in England, what did we expect?) and parted as close friends. What more could you ask for amongst like-minded folk?

The rugged Cornish Kudhva hosted us perfectly – from yoga in the morning through to dancing in the evening, the tipis and yurts sheltered us rain and shine. We spread into every corner the wonderful site had to offer. Down in the Danish Cabin, From Trees taught a meaningful, slower approach to drinking tea, while up at the top tipi Howl Bushcraft encouraged us to return to more primal skills such as fire starting and net weaving. Alongside these beautifully calming activities, we also took to the cliffs on foot and with ropes. Jenny Tough led runners through the elements, climbers took to the crags, and a local lifeguard crew offered surf sessions on a beach nearby.

From lino printing with Clara Jonas to cold-water swimming with Gilly McArthur, the energy was high and the options diverse, but always centred around our love for being outdoors and celebrating the natural world. We packed as much as we could into the long weekend from June 14th to 16th, hosting 19 different workshops – some multiple times to ensure everyone had a chance to get to a session.

We want to share thanks with our wonderful event partners, without whose support we could not have done it. Blundstone boots, you carried us with confidence over the rocks. VOITED, thank you for keeping us warm post-dip at the quarry and beach, and also for hosting our beach clean down on the Cornish shores. Thank you to Solo Stove, whose firepits were at the epicentre of both our lunchtime workshops and our evening chats, and to Norrøna, who not only inspired our trail run and climbing session but whose tents also sheltered us, literally, in the storm.

Many workshops took place throughout the weekend, featuring experts from a variety of fields. Amongst them were Lizzie Daly, a scientist and wildlife presenter who hosted a talk on storytelling in the natural world; Ted Simpson, who discussed film from his perspective; Ben Quinn, who (with the help of a trusty Solo Stove) taught wild cooking; and Mora and Mike, who supported our guests with some foundation training.

The weekend was full of creative conversations, particularly at some of our expert sessions with photographers Cat Vinton and Ian Finch, and the incredible filmmaking duo behind Summit Fever Media – Ellie and Matt Green. Meanwhile, the Sidetracked editorial team hosted a series of creative writing workshops over in the bookshop tent. Jenny Tough’s Single Moment workshop yielded fantastic ideas from an engaged audience, and the rest of the sessions, led by Jenny alongside Alex Roddie, Emily Woodhouse, and Daniel Neilson, were well attended and led to fascinating conversations about working as an adventure creative.

When we say we packed in a lot, we really do mean it – it felt like every inch of Kudhva was pulsing with inspiration.

This was evident throughout the entire weekend, but particularly in the cosy evenings where we grouped together over pub quizzes, sea shanties, pizzas, and a range of produce from lovely local suppliers. We listened to the soulful sounds of Jack Bessant, danced to the Barrett’s Privateers, and were taught how to actually dance by Brim Ceilidh Band. The evenings were full of cheer, and we dispersed slowly after the sets of Sync&Tonic and the Antidotes were over.

This joyful weekend was a huge celebration of Sidetracked’s 10th birthday and 30th issue. We can’t quite believe we’re 30 issues down, nor can we thank you enough for your support. It was clear to us, as we gathered in the library for our writing workshops with friends old and new, that these words we print and the moments we share truly can forge a trail for positive change. Without this community of storytellers, adventurers, and lovers of the natural world, we wouldn’t be here. So as much as this weekend celebrated our birthday, it also celebrated you, the readers, and all the connections possible because of our journey together.