Seasonally-inspired craft, foraging, nature, fire, community, connection, and personal reflection, all in a beautiful ancient woodland.

The first of four seasonal gatherings

Experienced facilitators Sophie and Susan invite you to join them for an immersive day of seasonal connection in bluebell woods. The day will include:

• Tuning into the land and its cycles. What is happening in the ancient woodland at this time of year, and what does it mean to meet the ‘spirit of the land’? You will be guided through practices that invite deep noticing and connection in one of the area’s most diverse and magical natural environments.
• Foraging and wild medicine making: we will get to know particular plants and trees of the woodland and the seasonal gifts they offer, from food and medicine to materials for craft and firemaking.
• Natural crafting. We’ll make traditional, seasonal craft items using foraged materials found in the woodland.
• Seasonal ceremony. We will light our Baltane fire using an ancient firelighting technique, and engage in seasonal ceremony, involving both personal reflection, and celebrating as a community.

Wild teas and treats will be provided.
The venue has a sheltered area and compost toilet.
Please bring:

• A packed lunch
• Layers of warm clothing.
• A mat for sitting on outside if you have one.
• Full waterproofs.
• Walking boots are recommended as the terrain is uneven in places.

About the facilitators:
Sophie Wren: Sophie is a foraging and ancestral skills teacher with eight year’s experience. She runs seasonal foraging courses in various locations across the north of England, and co-facilities a unique long-term programme, The Forager's Journey, in Yorkshire. Sophie's courses at Live Wild come recommended by the Guardian newspaper, and you can hear her talk about foraging on BBC Sounds. She is a pround member of the Association of Foragers and a working group leader for the Woodland Trust.
Susan Crow: Susan has a background and extensive experience in Forest School and Community Arts, specialising in seasonal celebrations and crafts and using natural and foraged materials in art making. She is also a trained yoga teacher and women's group facilitator who has trained with many skilled and experienced mentors over the years, both online and in-person. She is currently working as a gardener and practicing the art of off-grid, seasonal living, whilst exploring art and craft as a therapeutic, sacred tool for ceremony and connection.

**Please note that the meeting point for this course is roughly 20 minutes walk from parking facilities and local transport connections. The ground is steep and uneven in places. Please email us at info@whittledenecic.co.uk if you have any access requirements or if you have any other questions.**

This event is for over 18s only.

Cancellation policy

If a booking is cancelled more than one month before the course date: a full refund will be given.
If the booking is cancelled within a month of the course date: a refund will only be given if Whittle Dene CIC are able to fill the place/ places on the course. Should we be unable to fill the places on the course, we cannot offer a refund.