UK Playshop VMC Training - Suffolk
Date: March 20 - 22nd 2026
Start: 9.30am / Finish 4pm
Intensive Facilitators' Training (3-day) - Non residential
Core Facilitation Skills
Drum Call • Stop Cuts • Sculpting
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​​A weekend packed with information and hands-on facilitation experiences. Designed to give participants the confidence, tools and inspiration necessary to facilitate a rhythm-based event and build their own rhythm community.
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A very warm welcome to the UK Playshop.
Some of you attending this training have been here before and for some of you it is your first time. As with all the trainings we have hosted in the UK since 2002, your group will likely go through a process and come out the other side as a part of a new family and our wider global community.
We will gather at Wooden Roots on Friday 20th March . You may begin to arrive from 9am.
The training team is made up of Dr. Jane Bentley and Ray Watters who will be more than ably supported by the wonderful Michelle Connolly, all of whom have been working feverishly in the background to make this training happen.
Wooden Roots
Suffolk UK
Closest Airport: London Stansted Airport (STN)
Distance to Wooden Roots: Approximately 80 miles (129 km)
Travel Time: Around 2 hours by train and bus
Directions:
Train: From Stansted Airport, take the Greater Anglia train to Ipswich.
This journey typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Bus: From Ipswich, board a bus to Woodbridge. The bus ride is approximately 20 minutes.
Final Leg: Wooden Roots is located at Building 136, Bentwaters Parks, Rendlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2TW. It's advisable to arrange a taxi from Woodbridge to Bentwaters Parks, as public transport options may be limited.
Train Option: Ipswich → Woodbridge
From Ipswich Station, take the Greater Anglia train to Woodbridge.
Trains typically run hourly.
Journey time is about 15 minutes.
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This is the most reliable way to reach Woodbridge before arranging onward travel.
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Bus Option: Ipswich → Woodbridge
From Ipswich Station, you can also take a local bus to Woodbridge.
The bus journey is approximately 20 minutes.
This option works well if train times don’t align.
Final Leg: Woodbridge → Bentwaters Parks
Public transport to Bentwaters Parks is very limited, so the final part of the journey is best done by taxi.
From Woodbridge Train Station or the Woodbridge bus stop, arrange a taxi to:
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Wooden Roots
Building 136
Bentwaters Parks
Rendlesham
Woodbridge
Suffolk IP12 2TW​
Taxi firms in Woodbridge are familiar with Bentwaters Parks and can take you directly to the correct building.
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PLAN YOUR JOURNEY
What to bring...
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​A couple of your favourite bits of percussion. It’s a wonderful chance to play them. You are also more than welcome to bring your own drum, but drums will also be provided.
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Earplugs: It can be helpful to have some earplugs during the training.
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​Slippers or soft shoes for inside the Training Venue itself.
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A water bottle and or a cup with a lid on. Please note that no drinks or liquids will be allowed in the drum room unless they are in a container with a lid.
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The WorkBook. Please download ( Either electronically or physically ) the pre course reading materials, but most importantly The WorkBook. The WorkBook is a useful thing to have with you as we will be referring to it throughout the course.
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Notebook and pen you will doubtlessly want to take notes.
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A piece of string or ribbon - around 1 metre, your choice of colour, texture, etc - for the closing ceremony
You will find it really useful to also watch ‘ The Art of Drum Circle Facilitation ‘. Arthur Hull narrates an overview of the ‘ 4 - Step Village Music Circles Drum Facilitation ‘ protocol the model on which this weekend’s Playshop and the whole VMC ( Village Music Circle ) training is based.