09/06/2026
It's amazing what can happen when community come together 💜 a phenomenal job done by Adam Neale and the team 👏
💜🌿 FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY WILD HEART... THANK YOU 🌿💜
Where do I even begin?
After over a year of planning, dreaming, late nights, early mornings, endless lists, impossible decisions and believing in an idea, the very first Wild Heart Festival finally became a reality.
And what a reality it was.
Friday arrived gently.
Traders settled into their spaces, workshops began, strangers became friends and the site slowly came alive with laughter, conversation and excitement. It was a day of connection and anticipation that built beautifully into an unforgettable evening.
A huge thank you to Marnie, whose beautiful voice opened Wild Heart in the most magical way, setting the tone for the weekend ahead. Thank you to Cloudsong for weaving his own unique music and energy throughout the evening, and to Authentic Medium, Claire and Patrick for creating a heartfelt and moving Mediumship Evening that left so many people smiling, emotional and inspired.
It felt like Wild Heart had found its heartbeat.
Then came 4.30am on Saturday morning.
Mother Nature had other ideas.
Strong winds and torrential rain swept across the site, leaving marquees damaged and forcing us to rethink our plans before most people were even awake.
At the same time, a Met Office Yellow Weather Warning was in place across parts of the South West, particularly affecting Cornwall and Plymouth. A Yellow Warning is issued when adverse weather has the potential to cause disruption and damage, encouraging organisers and the public to take extra care and plan ahead.
Wild Heart itself was outside of the warning area, but we were still faced with challenging conditions, so throughout the morning we continually assessed the site, checked structures and reviewed every decision with one priority above everything else...
Keeping everyone safe.
Standing in the rain with the incredible Sonia and a group of amazing traders, there was no panic, no blame and no negativity.
We assessed the damage.
We made a plan.
We salvaged what we could.
We pivoted.
We adapted.
Then we did something that perfectly summed up the Wild Heart spirit.
We went around the site and spoke with the traders who were there, checking in, listening to concerns and discussing the options.
And in true British fashion, the overwhelming response from around 90% of those we spoke with wasn't to pack up and go home...
It was simply...
"Let's crack on."
This wasn't just a Wild Heart decision.
It was a community decision.
Traders who lost their marquees were quickly relocated into the Pavilion so they could continue trading and still be part of the festival. It wasn't perfect and it certainly wasn't the original plan, but together we found solutions and made the best of an incredibly difficult morning.
Sadly, a small number of traders weren't able to continue, and although we were disappointed to lose them, the Wild Heart team did everything we could to help, support and accommodate them throughout the situation.
In that moment, it stopped feeling like a collection of traders and organisers.
It felt like a community of people looking after one another.
And so...
We opened the gates.
As the morning progressed, the rain eased. The wind remained, but nothing our incredible team and fabulous traders couldn't handle.
Our volunteers kept everything moving.
Our workshop leaders adapted without hesitation.
Our healers, readers and therapists welcomed everyone with warmth.
Our traders smiled through it all.
And the public...
You showed up.
Wrapped in coats, hats and waterproofs, you wandered the stalls, discovered amazing makers and artists, experienced workshops and therapies, listened to music, shared conversations and supported independent businesses when they needed it most.
Every purchase mattered.
Every conversation mattered.
Every encouraging word mattered.
Every smile mattered.
For the safety of our performers and their equipment, we made the difficult decision to cancel our scheduled buskers on Saturday.
One incredible musician chose to continue with his own equipment, filling the site with positivity and music throughout the day and reminding us all that resilience comes in many forms.
As darkness fell, something magical happened.
People gathered.
The incredible Flaming Headcase lit up the evening with a spectacular fire performance before The Dolmen took to the stage and transformed a challenging day into a celebration.
People danced.
People laughed.
People forgot about the weather.
For a little while, there was only music and community.
Then came Sunday.
The skies brightened and so did our hearts.
Hundreds of people walked through our gates.
The hugs.
The smiles.
The kind words.
The encouragement.
The messages telling us we'd created something special.
After one of the most challenging weekends I've ever experienced, you made my heart sing.
To every trader who travelled the length of the country...
To every healer, reader, therapist and workshop leader...
A heartfelt thank you also goes to all of our wonderful buskers on Friday and Sunday, who created the soundtrack to Wild Heart, filling the space with atmosphere and joy
To every single visitor who chose to spend their weekend with us...
Thank you.
And finally...
To my own Wild Heart family.
To my husband, Dan, thank you for sharing this journey with me, for putting up with over a year of planning, stress, excitement, highs, lows and everything in between. Somehow, we got here.
To my incredible son, Rheuben, I couldn't be prouder. You quietly got on with every job that needed doing, never complained and worked tirelessly all weekend. Watching you step up was one of my proudest moments.
Sonia...
You absolute legend.
There simply aren't enough words.
Standing beside me at 4.30am in the pouring rain, helping assess damage, make plans and keep everything moving, you worked your bloody arse off from start to finish and never stopped believing we could make it happen.... I think we've both probably walked 30 miles this last few days at least... My feet certainly feel that way!
Lynn...
You worked like an absolute trooper and then still found the energy to dance like an absolute legend to The Dolmen, reminding all of us that joy is always worth celebrating.
The Moodys, Lou and Mike Anna & Dave, Mel, Sarah and Linda...
Thank you for every heavy lift, every marquee pole, every muddy boot, every table carried, every problem solved, every reassuring word and every moment you quietly got on with whatever needed doing.
People will remember the workshops.
The music.
The traders.
The performances.
I'll remember watching extraordinary people refusing to let a little British weather stop something beautiful from happening.
Wild Heart was never about perfect weather.
It was always about people.
This weekend proved exactly what this community is made of.
Kindness.
Resilience.
Acceptance.
Support.
Love.
You turned strangers into friends.
You turned a brand-new festival into a family.
You turned one of the hardest weekends into one of the proudest moments of my life.
The weather may have written part of our story...
But the people wrote the ending.
And what a beautiful ending it was.
This is only the beginning.
Wild Heart Festival will return next year – bigger, bolder and stronger than ever.
Until then...
👀 Keep watching this page, because our magical December event will be announced very soon, and I can't wait to share the next chapter of the Wild Heart story with you.
Stay wild.
Stay kind.
Stay connected.
With endless love, gratitude and one very full Wild Heart,
Adam 💜🌿✨
