Do Lectures

The idea is a simple one.

That people who Do things, can inspire the rest of us to go and Do things too.

So each year, we invite a set of people down here to come and tell us what they Do.

They can be small Do's or big Do's or just plain amazing extraordinary Do's. But when you listen to their stories, they just light a fire in your belly to go and Do your thing, your passion, the thing that sits in the back your head each day, just waiting, and waiting for you to follow your heart.

To go find your cause to fight for, your company to go start, your invention to invent, your book to write, your mountain to climb.

The one thing the Doers of the world Do, apart from Do amazing things, is to inspire the rest of us to go and Do amazing things.

They are fire-starters.

David Hieatt - Co-founder of the Do lectures.

For all enquiries e-mail info@thedolectures.co.uk or call the Do phone on 01239 682878.

The Do Lectures were started from a conversation between David and Clare Hieatt over the dining table one night. They wanted to know what to Do about the things they cared about. Out of that came the idea that the Doers of the world can inspire the rest of us to go Do something. So a set of talks for Doers was born.

The first set of talks were funded by an Earth Tax payment fromhowies. To stand on its own two feet this year we need to find some other way to fund the talks. It could be sponsorship, donations from individuals or charge some people to attend, maybe a bit of all. Lots to do, keep your eye on the blog to get updates.

Hopefully lots. Some practical tools. Some inspirational thinking. A different point of view on stuff. New ideas. Old ideas that have been re-thought to work better. Some speakers just talk about their lives. Or how they think. Some talk about what they hope to change. Some talk about what they have changed.

I have no doubt there is something that can inspire you.

We will invite inspirational people from all fields. From business to science. From politicians to environmentalists. From authors to bloggers to film makers. From the world of technology to the world of saving the planet.

All we ask of them is to give the talk of their lives.

We live and run our business from Cardigan Bay in West Wales. So naturally they take place down here. We hold the lectures at fforest farm in Cilgerran (thanks James), between the spectacular Teifi Gorge and Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve.

fforest is unlike any other campsite. The accommodation is nestled into the landscape offering you full appreciation of the natural environment and wildlife. You'll be sleeping in furnished tents on raised wooden decks, with space to sit out and take in the view. Workshops, lectures and entertainment take place in a diverse range of venues utilizing landscape features and existing buildings at fforest, with emphasis on low environmental impact and outdoor activity. At the hub of the event, fforest lodge provides space for eating, meeting and relaxing. For more info: www.coldatnight.co.uk

Unfortunately places are limited, but don't worry, all the talks will be filmed and placed on this website so you can view each one. Free of charge of course. The 2009 lectures are available now to download.

The aim is to spread the knowledge as much and as far as possible. My feeling is that knowledge needs to be shared. Ideas need oxygen. The internet provides that oxygen. So if you see a talk that really inspires you, you will send it on to a friend. Good ideas spread quickly. Great ideas spread even faster. I believe in ideas. I believe in the people who have them. I believe great ideas can change the world. I believe in the energy that makes those ideas happen. So I believe in Do.

Andy from TYF adventure came to us with an idea of a Do Bursary. He called it 'Do Adventure'. We thought it was a great idea.

Do Adventure brings together the insights that TYF have gained from 23 years of innovation and leadership in adventure with the passion for change and action that underpins the Do Lectures.

Do Adventure is a six-month course for people who are going to change the way that schools, communities, business and government think, work and play.

It will include study and work on sustainability, climate change, peak oil, food security, social justice, and will develop the skills needed to make more of an impact in these areas - confidence, knowledge, communication, facilitation, organising, presenting, questioning and more. Do Adventure will build the skills to teach through play - when coasteering, surfing, climbing and kayaking.

Dates for 2010 are to be confirmed but the first Do Adventure programme ran from mid April - mid October 2009, and cost £5500 for 6 months of learning, adventure, equipment and course travel (excluding accommodation).

Again, two bursaries will be available - one full one and one at 50% off the cost (£2750) - to give away to the people who write the most persuasive letter to Do Lectures about why they want to make a difference, and why they can.

The closing date for applications is yet to be confirmed so to be sure of getting your application in on time, get writing. It's an amazing opportunity. Send your email to play@tyf.com or post letters to:

Andy Middleton
Parc Y Pratt Farm
The Chicken Shed
Cardigan
West Wales
SA43 3DR