Journal
Meadow Weave: Wakehurst Residency, 2014 (13)
The Green Bough. "Keep a green bough in your heart and a singing bird will come" Lao Tzu. It's mid December, a bright cold day, and I'm back at Wakehurst to collect the written messages tied to the wattled walls of the timber-framed building where my Meadow Weave...
Meadow Weave: Wakehurst Residency, 2014 (12)
Connections: ropes and a robin. I first came across Jon Young about 5 years ago. He’s a renowned mentor for nature connection and community-building, and is also a published author. He has a long-standing connection with a community of Kalahari Bushmen, who are still...
Meadow Weave: Wakehurst Residency, 2014 (11)
Hay Wisperer. I've discovered another, interesting use for hay rope. Hay wisps. The Working Horse Trust are at Wakehurst and the horses are turning the hay down in Bloomers Valley, my favourite of Wakehurst's meadows. It's a steep sided valley that's not been...
Meadow Weave: Wakehurst Residency, 2014 (10)
The piece: space, ropes, connection. From the start it was a delight to be invited to be artist in residence here at Wakehurst, working with their meadow plants. I'm in my element with the challenge of working outdoors using foraged materials (as you'll know if...
Meadow Weave: Wakehurst Residency, 2014 (9)
Wild & Hairy Hay Rope. The making is nearing completion out here in the barn at Wakehurst, in my Meadow Weave residency. The looping technique I'm using with the hay rope I've been making is usually done under tension. Doing it on the flat as I am is challenging-...
Meadow Weave: Wakehurst Residency, 2014 (8)
Take Two. I knew with a kind of resigned certainty, even before I reached home as I was driving back from Wakehurst the day it all fell apart, that there was nothing for it but to start all over again. So here I am, out at the barn (my studio for the duration), with...
Forage of the Month
Forage of the Month- April
Cleavers & Nettle Spring TonicI've been watching the cleavers and nettles in my garden over the last few weeks, waiting for them to get big enough to start harvesting for this, my all time favourite thing to make as spring arrives. Cleavers and nettles make one...
Forage of the Month- January
King Alfred's Cakes At this time of year there's not so much around to forage, but these are a favourite for fire-making. I always keep an eye open for them when I'm out in the winter woods. Their Latin name is Daldinia concentrica and if you break one open you'll see...
Forage of the Month – August/September
Elderberry Elixir: this is one of my all-time favourite elderberry recipes, and it comes from Lucinda Warner at Whispering Earth. It's a long-lasting and delicious preparation that Lucinda describes as 'warming your wintery cockles'... I can definitely attest to that!...