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Day 1
Immediately delegates entered the Berrill Lecture Theatre they became aware of the spirit of the dolphins. Standing at the edge of the stage was Dolphin, a large new sculpture by Ginger Gilmore. It dwarfed the lectern and the speakers.
The Mayor of Milton Keynes, John Monk, who welcomed the visitors from around the world and revealed his own personal interest in alternative therapies, gave the Opening Address.
The power of the spirit to bring about modern day miracles was made abundantly clear by the first speaker, Dr. Horace Dobbs. Many of the audience were in tears as he struggled through the emotional story of his granddaughter Rebecca, who was involved in a terrible car accident that left her in a coma with severe brain injury. Despite noble efforts by doctors and nurses at the Hull Royal Infirmary, Rebecca was pronounced dead some 72 hours after the accident. She was kept on the life support machine because her organs were to be donated. Arrangements for Rebecca’s funeral were discussed. Her sister Fiona requested that Rebecca’s ashes should be scattered on the waters of the Moray Firth in Scotland, where the two of them had spent happy hours with the dolphins. Then, one of the doctors noticed a tiny reflex flicker in Rebecca’s left eye. She was immediately put back on the full recovery programme. Every day after that she made a step forward to full consciousness. Spiritual healers worked on her from afar. Prayers were said for Rebecca around the world. The outcome was miraculous. Rebecca’s life had undoubtedly been saved by science in the first instance. However, although her body was technically dead her spirit had survived. “Rebecca has rewritten the rule books,” commented one of the physiotherapists who attended her. Rebecca came back to life. Horace reported that on the day the conference opened, just six weeks after the accident, she had been allowed to return home for a few hours and had played the piano. She is expected to make a full recovery.
This ex traordinary example of how the spirit can influence the physical body, laid the foundation for the conference. All of the other speakers gave outstanding presentations, commencing with Professor David Peters, whose lecture ‘The Need for a New Science of Vitality’ emphasised the interconnectedness of all parts of the body and the need for a shift away from the old attitude in medicine, which regards each organ as independent.
 This was followed by an immensely powerful film presentation by Michael Portelly, who pleaded with big businesses to change their attitudes and embrace practices that would have due concern for all life forms on our fragile planet, arguing that by doing so they will prosper. Michael’s presentation is now available on DVD from the Dolphin Shop.
During the extended lunch break delegates enjoyed peace and harmony in St. Michael’s church where Ginger Gilmour’s sculpture of the angel Gabriel was on display.
The host of other opportunities the attendees were able to avail themselves of included workshops/demonstrations:
Shizuko Ouwehand and Motoko Reinie – Ki Energy
Terry Later and Jay Bosisto – The Colour of Sound
Sister Maureen Goodman – The Art of Self Healing, Naturally
Phillip Sterling – Sympathetic Vibratory Physics
Angel Kershaw – Spirituality in a Modern World
Michael Portelly – Viewing the World Through New Eyes
John Reid – Cymatics
Suzette Talbot – Dilo the Dolphin Stories
Libby Layne – The Sound of the Dolphin’s Psalm.
 In the delightful film by Elise Bayley on ‘Dolphin Communication’ that kicked off the afternoon’s programme, Elise commented on the benefits the Dolphin Dome Project could bring to both humans and dolphins.
This was followed by a pre-release presentation of the video SUNSHINE ON THE WATER that will be launched in 2004 together with a book of poetry (available from the IDW shop).
The atmosphere changed yet again when Roma Spring and Volka Todd  introduced their programme ‘Human-Dolphin interactions as a catalyst in psychotherapeutic and family therapy processes’. Roma and Volka showed a video in which the frisky movements of the spotted dolphins in the previous film was replaced by pilot whales who glided serenely across the surface of the sea in the company of children with neurological disorders and their parents.
The atmosphere changed again when Jeff Moran, who was never still for a moment, flew back and forth across the floor demonstrating “What a difference a sound can make”.
 To close the day, those who could stand the pace wandered to St Michael’s church where they could relax and listen to ‘Music from Dreamtime’ led by Terry Later and Jay Bosisto.
 Day 2 commenced with Horace Dobbs exploring the healing power of dolphins with his usual humour and enthusiasm. His Japanese friend and fellow researcher, Shizuko Ouwehand, who had the audience rocking with laughter with her parodies of the many experiences she and Horace had shared, joined Horace on the stage.
Horace then introduced the Dolphin Dome Project Team, which included networker Shinina Fernandez, and Sheila Butler whose PowerPoint presentation outlined the way in which the Team proposed to take the project forward. This item on the programme included a talk by Hugh Piggott who explained how he anticipated the first stage of the research programme would commence at the National Star College in Cheltenham.
Dr. Ellis Snitcher rounded off the morning session with a masterful lecture ‘The Bitterness and Sweetness of Life’ in which he guided his audience into the endocrine glands and how these affected body functions.
During the lunch break the Berrill Foyer was alive with colourful stands and displays. Alongside the International Dolphin Watch stall, Suzette Talbot exhibited an enticing collection of her Dolphin Driftwood Art. Next to this was an exhibition of elegant white sculptures by Ginger Gilmour.
Meanwhile in the Berrill Foyer/Cafeteria, Ray Worthy demonstrated his  amazing Portable Dome, which he inflated in a few minutes and collapsed in a few seconds. Those who sat inside the Dome were able to get a taste of what the Dolphin Dome Project was all about. Images of dolphins, real and virtual (projected with a special projector by Tim Brunton from the Virtual Reality Centre, University of Teesside) swam across the internal surface of the dome, giving the audience gazing up at them the impression they were under the sea.
Although the Dome demonstration was impressive, it was emphasised that this was a prototype. Planned future domes would have surround sound and even more powerful visual images. 
As well as a Dome experience, delegates were able to participate in the same workshops as Day 1 with the addition of a playshop by Christopher Gilmore ‘Discover Your Inner Dolphin’, a personal oceanotherapy perspective, ‘Dolphin Healing’ with Ali Maclaine
and also a film and talk by Ruth Corner of ‘Wild and Free’ on swimming with totally free dolphins in the Red Sea.
 With so much going on it was decided to delay the start of the afternoon programme, which commenced with Dr. Jason Cressey giving a spirited and fascinating insight into dolphins and whales in world mythology, folklore and sacred rituals. The title of Jason’s presentation ‘Once upon a tide’ is the same as the book he has written which will be published in 2004.
The afternoon session should have closed with the film and report by Barbara Mussi and Angelo Miragliulo, on their impressive research conducted mainly by volunteers off the Island of Ischia, near Naples, in the Mediterranean Sea, which was enjoyed by everyone. But it didn’t: The conference concluded with an impromptu, inspirational video and passionate closing speech by Michael Portelly, which deserved the standing ovation it received.
 As the audience filed out, the emotions they were all feeling were palpable. Many said that it was the best conference they have ever attended, and that Jackie Connell and the team who had made it all possible were to be congratulated – a sentiment echoed in the many messages and e-mails she received later.
CONCLUSION
The euphoria experienced at the time persisted long after the conference was over. A conclusion reached by some, was that the conference had played an important role in initiating a paradigm shift from a physical to a more spiritual way of living in all aspects of life. And that the dolphins were playing a key role in bringing peace and harmony to the planet.
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