Author: Laura P
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Herbal Gathering
The last weekend in September saw the Herb Society Annual Gathering. This year the event was held in Birmingham at the Midlands Arts Centre. Whenever the Society holds an in person event they vary the location to provide opportunity for all members to attend at some point, wherever they are in the UK. While most…
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Hazel
Corylus avellana There are various types of Corylus, all of which are edible. Corylus avellana is the Common Hazel, and the tree we will most commonly find in woodlands and hedgerows. The ‘avellana‘ part of her name comes from the Italian province of Avellino where there is a village called Avella. Hazelnuts were the dried…
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Wreath making
Wreath making is an ancient and highly symbolic art, a way to bring seasons into our homes. A simple circle of branches has a deep and long history drawing together power, poetry, prayer and persistence. Thresholds There are many traditions associated with placing herbs to protect thresholds. For example, branches of elder were hung over…
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Canalside Walk 2
A second opportunity to explore the canalside herbs with Stroud Valleys Project (read about the first walk here). This time we chose the stretch of water from Fromebridge Mill. You might have noticed the brilliant bit of architecture that puts the canal underneath or ‘through’ the roundabout on the A38. While this is currently a…
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September Herb Walk
Field Lane, The Quarry, Cam And all of a sudden, it’s September. We seem to have come very quickly around to the second anniversary of Cotswold Herb Centre. Two years into our monthly herb walks, and still we’re finding new treasures. This month certainly didn’t disappoint. Having seen hedgerows bursting with fruits early this year,…
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Herb in a Vase – September: Rosehips
Are you an autumn person? I never used to be, I was always a summer fairy who thrived on long, barefoot sunny days and felt only disappointment when the ‘back to school’ time of year came around. But as I’ve mellowed with age, like the seasons themselves you could say, I’ve learned to love the…
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Mint
While there are well over 100 species of mint across all the cultivars and hybrids we may have in gardens and nurseries, they fall into three main categories: Spearmint, Peppermint and Watermint. Spearmint Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is also known as common mint or garden mint. It’s the one you’re most likely to find in a…
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August Herb Walk
Eastington Church and Community Orchard In true holiday fashion, our August herb walk was an away day and a rather special event. Reaching beyond our normal Cam and Dursley stomping ground, we headed a short way North to Eastington. Here we were welcomed by the local organisers and joined by many from the local community…
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Herb in a Vase – August
Feverfew As a lifelong migraine sufferer, I have a special place in my heart for feverfew, which I’ve found to be helpful in managing the condition. But even if I’d never had a migraine in my life, I’d still be head over heels in love with this pretty little herb! Feverfew, Tansy, Cow bitter, Golden…
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Canalside Herb Walk
Stroud Valleys Project, working with Heritage Lottery funded Cotswold Canals Connected, are providing a series of events, workshops and happenings to encourage enjoyment of the canals and their surrounding natural heritage. As part of this, Cotswold Herb Centre were invited to lead herb walks along the canal with a specific aim to enable women to…