Journal
Stonehenge: Neolithic houses for Neolithic basketry
I'm delighted to have been invited by English Heritage to run some staff training at Stonehenge in Neolithic-style basketry. They recently constructed a number of Neolithic style dwellings on site (pictured left)... and it's there that I'll be running the training...
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-...
Forage of the Month
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!...
Forage of the Month- June
Elderflower Cake The fragrant, frothy elder flowers are out now, a lovely sign of summer. Elderflower cordial recipes abound, so here's a favourite recipe of mine for elderflower cake. I've adapted a vegan cake recipe for this too, which you'll find further down. Pick...
Forage of the Month – May
Nettle Soup This is my favourite nettle soup recipe of all time. The green peas are the game changer: their creamy sweetness balances perfectly with the robust flavour of the nettles. Nettles are plentiful, easy to forage and packed full of nutrition. Pick the leaves...