On Saturday September 27 Graham Ellis, who lived off grid for thirty years in Hawaii, brought a fun day to Tilling Green Community Centre with his juggling workshop. In Hawaii he taught circus skills and juggling, later returning to East Sussex, where he was brought up, and settled in Rye. Graham has become an active and important part of Rye having also started a compost business to help locals and share a better way to plant. He is an environmentalist and gives talks on sustainability.
The workshop at Tilling Green started with an easy-looking game. He explained to people who arrived to participate that each should take one of the bright different coloured small scarves. He then showed how to throw it up across the body and catch it again with the other hand. A lot of laughter ensued when asked to take two scarves and throw and catch with opposite hands. It’s difficult to explain but some individuals ended up with about four of the scarves and were doing really well under Graham’s instructions.
A couple of people tried juggling with balls so it was a very busy room. In mid-morning a mother with three children turned up: the eldest a boy, and two younger sisters. They were delightful, the boy catching on quickly and the middle child, a girl, using the fine pink, green and orange scarves to include into her dance routines. She was very good and graceful.
While the fun continued till 1pm, in a room next door Bernadette Russell was preparing the space for a story telling afternoon. There was a lovely wall hanging of a path through the wood with dressing up items in front. She is an author and storyteller. A great option to entertain the children at a birthday party, including adults. She can be contacted on 07815719997.
To get to know more about Graham Ellis go to Juggling Life, an article in Rye News.
Image Credits: Dena Smith Ellis , Heidi Foster .