Brighton hosts Britain’s first divorce fair

A divorce fair to help those going through separation drew exhibitors ranging from
financial consultants to psychic healers and ‘ministers’ offering separation ceremonies. The Starting Over Show was organised by 44-year-old Suzy Miller with the aim of offering ‘the sort of exhibition [she] would have liked’ when she went through her separation six years ago. On hand for the 300 visitors were family lawyers, debt advisers, alongside chocolate manufacturers and feng shui consultants offering advice on redesigning client’s living space from a spiritual perspective.



Ministers of the Rhythm of Life church, a growing organisation with over 350 ministers, offered rituals to help couples and children forgive and ‘let go of their pain’. Paula Hall, a Relate psychotherapist, said she was concerned about the number of financial services present. ‘Vulnerable people going through a divorce are not in a good position for the h ard sell,’ she said.



Source: The Times (16/3)
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/relationships/article5914401.ece

I have very mixed feelings about this divorce fair, partly because i feel that it could encourage couples to rush to explore what is on offer there instead of trying to work at their relationship and finding reconciliation, and partly because there appears to be little input from the mainstream Christian churches or other faith groups nor any form of careful scrutiny of organisations wanting to exhibit help.