|
Q:
What makes Hamilton Hall so different to all the other gay hotels and B&B's
around the country and what do you have to offer that is so special ?
A: We offer a more
supportive, friendly and nurturing atmosphere in which to allow your inner self
to 'just be.' Through a spiritual, metaphysical, holistic,
new age, alternative and complimentary approach to life, love and the universe,
we specialize in workshops and trainings for those seeking self and spiritual
development, in order to offer the gay lifestyle something it has lacked for a
long time.
S O U L
We are open all year for B&B and
offer our life changing workshops from October through until May and the healing atmosphere can be felt as soon as you enter.
Guests are welcome to chill-out, relax and enjoy our lovely surroundings and not
feel 'in the way'. With our lovely lounge, TV / reading room,
conservatory, dining room and community room, there is plenty of space to
relax, chill out and enjoy yourself without - like in most venues, having
to 'go to your room.'
 At a time when many are struggling to find their identity in an ever changing
world that sometimes seems to be leaving them behind, we at Hamilton Hall cater
to more than the physical, and recognise that everyone is mind, body and soul,
and that true happiness only comes when we cater to the whole being and not just
a part.
Regardless of lifestyle or belief structure, everyone is welcome and you will
feel this as soon as you enter and realise what you have been missing from other
venues visited.
Hamilton Hall really is
'one of a kind' - for there are many fine retreats on offer to the gay community
but these are not owned and operated by gay men. They are basically
straight organisations and however wonderful they may be, the energies are
different as no-one appreciates and understands gay men better than gay men, and
the entire aura of Hamilton Hall is dedicated to that of gay and bisexual men.
Q: What time can I 'phone to make an enquiry ?
A: Between 10am -
8pm. We value our rest periods like anyone else
and do not wish to be running up and down stairs of an evening after a long day.
Please respect this.
e mail can be 24/7 and we answer within 24 hours.
Q: Can I attend a workshop
on my own and will I be the odd one out ?
A: Most people
attend alone so there is no need to worry about that.
We all sit and eat at one large table, with John - your host -
encouraging conversation and friendships to blossom.
It's all VERY informal and relaxed and you need have no worries
about being the odd one out.
Q: Being on my own - how
do you do the 'room sharing' bit ?
A: If you are attending
a workshop and we offer you shared accommodation, we put you in a twin or dorm
room in separate beds ( singles ) and all the charges are the same for everyone.
First to make a reservation for the single room, gets it, otherwise you will be
randomly put in a twin room. If you know you snore terribly, DO LET US
KNOW and we shall do what we can to sort this out.
A:
We are gay men facilitating for gay men and this is not always the case with other groups.
Hamilton Halls
charges are fully inclusive.
You pay for the
workshop and we offer
ALL FOOD AND
REFRESHMENTS AND LOVELY ACCOMMODATION FULLY INCLUSIVE
and this is
often not the case with other groups, where expensive hotels can easily double
the cost of the weekend and where everyone is lost to different hotels.
You can view
Hamilton Hall on this web site. You can read anything you wish to
know on the workshop and after all this, if you still have questions, you
can phone and have a chat. No mystery. No agendas. Nothing hidden and all
'up front and honest.'
Hamilton Hall is also the
only venue, owned and operated by a gay man and his staff, in Europe, specializing in events
of this kind for gay and bisexual men in a
beautiful and private residential setting, so why not spend your time and money within the gay
community who are trying - in whatever way possible - to put a little soul into
peoples lives.
If you run
workshops and would like to talk about some free adverts on this web site, or
you would like to rent the venue to host your own event, just
get in touch.
Q: With the new Sex
Discrimination Act going through the UK Parliament stating that hotels cannot
refuse gay couples, how does this effect hotels which are men only.
A: Not one single
word has been forthcoming from any statutory body concerning this - and we have
had TONS of literature sent by the government and council concerning the banning
of smoking in public places - eggs with Salmonella and even about buying
illegally poached salmon... but not a single leaflet concerning this new and
important ruling.
With a few exceptions, it is unlawful
to discriminate directly or indirectly on grounds of sex in the provision of
goods, facilities or services to the public, or a section of the public or
in the disposal or management of premises. The main exceptions include:
Discrimination by non profit making voluntary bodies in restricting their
membership to one sex or providing benefits to one sex only in accordance
with their main object.
Discrimination in the provision of facilities or services to avoid serious
embarrassment to users which would be caused by the presence of members of
the opposite sex.
To this aim, we
will always remain a MEN ONLY VENUE where naked gay and bisexual men
can feel free and relaxed and not worry about women being within the
building causing embarrassment and confusion. We mean absolutely no
offense to women;- while gay men often love women's company, there are
times when we need our own space to be free to say and act how we please
without causing innocent offense or serious embarrassment on both sides.
Sometimes mixing the sexes is just not appropriate, despite what the law
and some individuals claim.
Interesting though that
most adult education centres advertise workshops etc. for women only but there
simply are NONE for men only... and when a bar or hotel wishes to be men only,
women complain. Well they can't have it all their own way.
Our workshops
will always remain exclusively for gay and bisexual men only and we shall do
everything within the law to keep Hamilton Hall MEN ONLY.
Q: Is Hamilton Hall
just an excuse for sex orgies ?
A: No it is not.
Our workshops, which
may be teaching sexuality and sensuous touch, have guidelines in place which no-one has
ever abused.
If someone cannot
respect others attending and the work being taught, and they make a nuisance of
themselves sexually, they will not be welcome.
A workshop is a
training.
All of our weekends are
aimed at adults and have a serious adult theme as we do not curtail our language
and we give it to you straight, honest and bluntly... we find no use dressing
things up to look pretty when the simple truths - plainly given, is so
much more refreshing these days, considering how much spin is placed on the
truth by the government.
We occasionally
facilitate weekends which are more obviously sexual, and even these weekends
have guidelines which need to be respected. If you want a tacky sex den
then there are many other venues to choose from and Hamilton Hall is not for you.
Hamilton Hall is a self
- spiritual and sexual development retreat and offers a mixture of events and -
remember guys - naked does not mean sexual, at least, not to a sexually mature
adult it doesn't. It just means you are naked.
Obviously - during and after the
workshop, we openly encourage practice. Only through practice can
you ever facilitate a change for yourself sexually, and only through practice
with others who - kinda understand where you are at - can you learn.
You may wish to visit other guests in their rooms, and this is not our concern .
You are welcome to enjoy your 'free time' any way you wish, with our
blessing, naked or not.
People are all
different and if you wish to be just 'one of the crowd' then that is your
choice, but if - like me - you would rather be an individual, a 'one
of' and stand up for yourself and be counted, then welcome to my world.
John Bellamy
Q: If I attend one of the events that is facilitated 'naturally naked'
and as I do not have a beautiful body -
does that matter ?
A: Not at all. EVERYONE
has issues around their bodies -
EVERYONE. Underneath the clothes we are all the same
and who cares what someone else may think if I am not as big,
or as slim, or as muscular... that's THEIR conception of what
is acceptable - and we most certainly do not see it that way at all.
Q: I am not use to being naked, especially in a room full of other gay men,
and during the Massage and Man-2-Man workshops we will be touching
each other intimately during the training.
It's only natural that someone might get an erection. Is this okay ?
A: What you chose to do
with an erection is what is either appropriate or inappropriate.
An erection is a very natural thing and we ask all those attending to be
respectful towards others attending and to the work being undertaken.
What you care to do in the privacy of your room, is your business.
These workshops are facilitated with a great deal of humour and laughter
and when someone gets a hard-on, it's no big deal as it happens often.
There's no need to be embarrassed or worried, we are all men together and we all
have a willy,
and as we all know, willies have a habit of going up and down all on their own,
and sometimes not as intended. We all appreciate and understand this.
I like the joke about how
God gave man a willy and a brain and only enough blood to run one at a time.....
ha ha ha
----------------------------------------------------------
and please remember -
only SOME of our workshops and periods
are spent naturally naked
----------------------------------------------------------
 Q: I am really nervous about when we take our clothes off.
How is this done ?
A: After dinner
on the first evening, we open with a
Shamanic Circle of introduction, and this includes a meditation.
With just candle light, gentle music, a meditative state of mind
and a gentle atmosphere, we invite everyone to
slowly disrobe together, and we then continue
the meditation.
It is facilitated with great style and caring, for most people are
a bit worried and apprehensive about this part of the weekend,
and we are very aware of this. Doing it this gentle way,
has proven to be easy, relaxing and 'no big deal.'
Q: What is the average age of those attending ?
A: Anywhere
between 24 and 84.
Q:
Can I stay on after the weekend workshop
A:
Yes you can, for B&B only -
we charge you £30 per night.
Q: As a bisexual man, nervous as hell and newly 'coming out' either 'from' or
'from within' a 'straight' relationship -
is this a good place for me to feel free and accepted ?
A: MOST
CERTAINLY. We have heard your story a thousand times and have complete
understanding and appreciation of what it is like - the worries, the
apprehension, the uncertainty etc. and you REALLY do not need to concern
yourself, as we completely 'get the point.' You won't be alone and you won't be
the first. At many workshops between 25% - 50% of those attending are often
married and trying something new for the first time.
Q: Are you licensed ?
A: We are not licensed and you are
welcome to bring your own wine etc. and we have a fridge
in the dining area you can cool it in.
You are very welcome to bring your worry beads,
herbal remedies, knitting, or even your teddy bear,
if it helps you to relax and chill out.
We do not legislate against anything
unless it causes harm to the group.
Q: If I attend a workshop with a friend or lover,
can I concentrate working on him ?
A:
No you cannot, unless it is a specific weekend for
lovers to work together.
We ensure that everyone gets to work
on each other so that different techniques, styles and
body types can be understood and appreciated.
We have special ways of pairing people up so that
no-one is made to feel left out. Regardless of age,
body type or anything, everyone is welcome.
We do ask lovers attending our Man-2-Man and Massage weekends to ensure that
this is okay with them as a couple, before attending the event.
If you have issues at watching your lover giving a 'hands on' massage to someone
else, we do not need to be a part of a lovers tiff. Please sort this before
attending.
Q: What about boundaries of respectability ?
A: Boundaries
and limitations are always to be respected. Some of our workshop trainings
are 'hands on' weekends, and if you have issues around nakedness or being
touched, then these weekends are not for you.
On the Sensuous Massage Weekends - we also expect everyone attending to offer,
in return, the massage they have received while working with their partner. We
do not permit one sided massage where people just take without returning.
( If you chicken out after
receiving a massage, and your partner is left 'high and dry' - your facilitator
is then forced to take your place and give your partner the massage that you are
suppose to, or if we feel you are not giving a massage in return, that is in any
way similar, as thorough, and as meaningful as you have received - and that your
heart is not in it,- then you will be charged £75 extra for his services.)
Q: I am vegetarian, do you cater for me.
A:
Yes we offer vegetarian meals if you tell us
beforehand. However: vegan and gluten free meals we charge an extra
£20 per day as this is costly and time consuming. You need to inform
us at the time of reservation if you require a special meal. Once the weekend starts, we cannot go shopping or
cater individually if we have not been notified in advance.
Q: What are the times for the various weekends, arrival and departure etc.
A:
Please open WORKSHOP TIMES - http://www.hamiltonhall.info/times.htm
and FACILITATOR
-
http://www.hamiltonhall.info/facilitator.htm
for further information.
Q: Do you have a car park and are you easy to find ?
A:
Yes we do and yes it is.
Check out DIRECTIONS
-
http://www.hamiltonhall.info/directions.htm
You can even find the coach and/or train details here.
Q: How can I book my place ?
A:
Open RESERVATIONS
http://www.hamiltonhall.info/reservations.htm
You can either phone or e mail with your credit card
number and we will send you the confirmation details
either through the post or by e mail.
Alternatively, you can send a cheque to Hamilton Hall
for the full amount and please detail your name,
address and the dates required.
Q: Do you have a single room or do I have to share ?
A:
If you especially require a single room,
please phone and check that one is available,
otherwise you will be offered sharing accommodation
either in a twin - triple or room for 4.
( We have 6 rooms - 1 single - 2 double - 2 twin - and 1 room for 4
Please check out HAMILTON HALL on this web site.
All beds are separate and all rooms have showers etc.
All accommodation is very comfortable and personal.
All our prices are the same regardless of season and room types and/or sharing.
For the usual price for B&B - please go to -
http://www.hamiltonhall.info/b&b.htm
Q: Do you do any other things besides these workshops.
A:
Yes. Check out the DIARY OF EVENTS -
http://www.hamiltonhall.info/workshops.htm
When not doing workshops, we run as a B&B, especially in the summer months,
as who wants to spend all those lovely hot summer days (???)
indoors doing a workshop ??? We do various 'theme weekends' taking
advantage of the naturist beach etc. and you can use Hamilton Hall
as just any other venue to stay at,
except you will find us a lot more accommodating,
friendly and with a relaxed and chilled atmosphere.
Plus we drive you to the naturist beach which saves you
the hassle of trying to park - finding a bus or even a taxi.
Our workshops are predominantly between October and late May
although if we think of something you feel is worthy of us putting on,
or if you can suggest something, please do.
Q: What time can I
check in ?
B&B - Between 12pm and 2pm -
and 6pm - 8pm
Workshops - Between 4pm
- 6.30pm
If you are going to
arrive outside of these times, it is no problem as long as you have NOTIFIED US
IN ADVANCE of a vague arrival time - and we will then be here with the
kettle on. We have no reception or staff manning the non existent
reception and we do not sit at the front door waiting...
This is because we
also like a private life and need to get out and see the sea occasionally - or
even take an afternoon nap, or on occasions have rampant nookie without being
disturbed... ha ha
Q: Do all your workshops have a spiritual / self development feel to them ?
A:
Yes. But not religious.
Q: What happens if I really have made a mistake and during the weekend I
realize
I do not want to
take part in the workshop I have booked and paid for ?
A:
We can only ask that you
PLEASE READ
ALL THE MATERIAL RELEVANT TO YOUR WORKSHOP / TRAINING PERIOD - CLEARLY, as any
mistake made in your interpretation of our written word, - is your
responsibility and is not the responsibility of Hamilton Hall. If in doubt, ask
when you make the booking.
If for any reason you decide the workshop
you are attending is not what you thought, we ask that you either join in the
workshop - as we have planned and as we facilitate it, and we welcome you
accordingly, or you have the choice to leave. We cater to those who wish to be a
part of what we are offering. We appreciate that some parts of a workshop may be
too much for some people and with advance notice, they can sit one section out,
but only one section. If more than one section is missed, we may ask you to
leave the workshop and you are welcome to remain, peacefully, within Hamilton
Hall until the end of the weekend. You cannot pick and choose what parts of the
workshop you wish or wish not, to partake in.
These weekend workshops are well planned and facilitated and rely strongly on
the group dynamic throughout the entire weekend.
Hamilton Hall holds certain responsibilities for the safe running of the venue
and its workshop periods as well as for those attending our workshops. We cater
to the group as a whole and for the individual, but cannot have individual
behavior causing the group concern.
Hamilton Hall will discretely ask disrespectful and disruptive people to please
change their behavior and/or attitude in order to help facilitate the group as a
whole, and if this is not forthcoming, we have the legal right to ask anyone
disrupting the group to leave the building straight away.
No refunds are available if this is the case.
If you still have any further questions or doubts,
please phone and speak to John directly,
but please - between 10am - 8pm please.
John Bellamy
Our Terms and Conditions can be found by
clicking here
http://www.hamiltonhall.info/reservations.htm
Tel: 01202-399227
info-hamiltonhall@btconnect.com
gaymen@btconnect.com
Exhausted after reading the Diary of
Events...
|
