Author: Laura P
-
Wild Resources
We’ve reached the time of year when green shoots entice us outdoors more, and their growing abundance may lead to ideas of gathering and foraging. Our definition of herbs as ‘plants with a purpose’ recognises the many ways herbs can be used for medical, creative, culinary, utilitarian, or other purposes. However, we’d still caution care…
-
February Herb Walk
Typical of most our days this February, it was raining on the morning of our monthly herb walk. However, a trusty group were undeterred so the dozen or so of us, and slightly fewer umbrellas, enjoyed the walk along the Cam in Littlecombe. First leaves Our first pause was appropriately by the willow. This is…
-
Violets in the Spring
One of the first woodland flowers to bring delight, once the initial flurry of snowdrops is passed, are violets. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch their scent on the air when a patch of their purple or white flowers is nearby. Gerard summed up violets as ‘delightfull to looke upon and pleasant to smell’ John Gerard…
-
Aphrodisiac Herbs
History has many tales of herbs being deployed to stimulate connection between lovers. While the warmth of sharing a pot of carefully brewed herbal tea is charming enough, it’s fascinating to hear about some of the herbs that have been deployed for their stimulating properties. We turn to Hilda Leyel as our guide for curious…
-
Wellness Wisdom from Dr Viv
As we have passed the Winter solstice and are peeping into the lovely lighter days of Imbolc, I wonder what herbs are resonating with you? Teas for renewal As many people tend to have rested, feasted and recuperated over thewinter, the New Year could be where we want to focus in on better habits. Pine…
-
January Herb Walk
Breakheart Quarry was our chosen location for our January herb walk as a space of renewal, a good place to start the new year. This 54 acre area of land has been a community space now for over 15 years. In nature’s terms this is still young, a gradual recolonisation taking place so we expected…
-
Begin with Birch
Ground never remains bare for long, nature will soon move in. One of the first trees to establish itself is often birch. Young birch trees will grow quickly and provide the shelter that enables the rest of the habitat to develop. This is one of the reasons birch has traditionally been associated with new beginnings.…
-
December Herb Walk
On our December herb walk we were particularly looking out for the winter plants that have become a natural part of our festivities at this time of the year. Having met at the tall pine trees outside the police station on Dursley Road, we didn’t need to move far to find copious examples of fantastically…
-
Festive Calm
December is the time of year when our activities can seem most out-of-kilter with the natural world around us. While much of nature beds down, tucks in and takes respite to gather energy for the sprouting and blooming months ahead, we throw ourselves into parties and activities, gatherings and feasting. Of course there’s good social…
-
Holly
At this time of the year, our woods are full of sleeping giants. The dark, muscular trunks of beech stand in slumber, their leaves coating the ground with a russet uniform. The green that gives us hope of life ongoing is holly, present on every corner, at every turn – evergreen. Despite her glossy spikiness…