The Bluebell Woods at Arlington have a kind of magical quality. Everyone experiences the effect: under the sheltering branches, in the mossy hold of the ancient wood, we become peaceful and settled.
Tucked away from the wider world, there is beauty, fascination, inspiration and wisdom. This is your chance to immerse yourself in all that the woodland has to offer.
You can make this opportunity into what you want, or need. You can speak to others and share thoughts and experiences, or be entirely silent. You can learn new skills and crafts or simply observe. You can delve into the library or bring your own book, the one you never have time to read. You can light the fire to make the tea or just happily take the mug offered to you. You can sit with others or find your own space and rest against an oak. Whatever your wish, you will gain a deeper connection to the woodland, and take that strength with you.
These experiences are on Fridays, once a month, between 12.30pm and 2.15pm. You can stay in the wood after the event until 2.45pm.
There will be a theme and a guided activity that you can join, if you like.
We have a woodland shelter, with seats and blankets.
Hot and cold drinks, and cake, biscuits or homemade bread are included.
Each session is £14 per person.
Book them individually, by emailing [email protected] or call or text Sarah on 07887 556336
Tucked away from the wider world, there is beauty, fascination, inspiration and wisdom. This is your chance to immerse yourself in all that the woodland has to offer.
You can make this opportunity into what you want, or need. You can speak to others and share thoughts and experiences, or be entirely silent. You can learn new skills and crafts or simply observe. You can delve into the library or bring your own book, the one you never have time to read. You can light the fire to make the tea or just happily take the mug offered to you. You can sit with others or find your own space and rest against an oak. Whatever your wish, you will gain a deeper connection to the woodland, and take that strength with you.
These experiences are on Fridays, once a month, between 12.30pm and 2.15pm. You can stay in the wood after the event until 2.45pm.
There will be a theme and a guided activity that you can join, if you like.
We have a woodland shelter, with seats and blankets.
Hot and cold drinks, and cake, biscuits or homemade bread are included.
Each session is £14 per person.
Book them individually, by emailing [email protected] or call or text Sarah on 07887 556336
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WEAVE June 19th
This session weaves together Sarah's woodland knowledge with Philippa Vine's incredible seasonal food. Philippa lives and works on the farm, and has created many woodland feasts for us over the years. She has written an utterly gorgeous cookbook, "Summer", the first in a series of four. Philippa will cook for us, so we'll weave a willow platter for our Jewelled Cornbread and Rose Petal Biscuits. We can sit amidst the wild flowers in the meadow, or snug at our den, listening to the summer birdsong. Full of her distinctive colours, Philippa's "Summer" book is available for £20 if you would like to order one with your booking for this session - but don't feel obliged to! If you would like to buy one on the day, or at any other time it's £25. Take a look at the book here. |
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PONDER July 10th
Spend an afternoon by the lilies on the pond, watching for the kingfisher. You can do a little pond dipping if you like, some sketching, and fashion a dragonfly from oak twigs and acer seeds. We might ponder the symbolism of trees, and find inspiration to use every day. |
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HOLD September 18th
Learn the art of making cordage, using woodland-foraged fibres. You could use the twine to hold together the pages of your own book. Watch how the woodland honeysuckle uses the oaks for support as it climbs to the light. As we turn into autumn, might think about what to hold and what to let go. |
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FASCINATE October 9th
When you start to notice fungi, you’ll discover them everywhere. These fascinating organisms are beautiful in their own right, but the interconnections they explore allow us to think more deeply of the woodland ecosystem. Make a collection of the shapes and colours, light the fire using a fungus and try making spore prints or inkcap-ink drawings. Philippa Vine will also be bringing her new "Autumn" cook book, and bringing us something delicious from the featured recipes. Special offer of a £5 discount on the book if ordered along with this session. Optional extra: £20 for "Autumn" book by Philippa Vine, saving £5 www.myseasonalkitchen.co.uk |
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WARM November 6th
Expand your knowledge of fire lighting using the fungi we gather from the ash trees and try a bow drill and fire steel. We will make some charcoal to draw the wintering shapes of the woodland, with plenty of cosiness to keep in the warmth. |
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WINTER December 4th
After a wildlife-spotting stomp to warm us, we will light the fire and craft something beautiful for Christmas. As the seasons turn, the circle of a woven wreath reminds us that winter will be turning toward spring. We will think about the process of wintering, and take inspiration from the woods. |
[email protected] 07887 556336