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Famed ornithologist, Peter Holden MBE returns to Bristol to help us identify common British birdsong and discover why birds sing.

Peter is the author of the RSPB handbook and developed the RSPB bird identification phone app. He originally pioneered the RSPB’s Young Ornithologists Club (now Wildlife Explorers) after co-presenting TV programme, Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979 with Bill Oddie.

In recent years, Peter has been collaborating with his son Andy to create, ‘Natural Selection’ an art exhibition which was featured on 6 Music last year and returns to Bristol Museum later this year.

Peter’s much sought-after workshops are very entertaining and informative, so prepare to have a lot of fun while learning!

During this workshop we’ll be:

• identifying common British birds
• listening to examples of birdsong and learning tips to recognise each song
• exploring the purpose of birdsong

The following morning (very early indeed) a DAWN CHORUS WALK* will take place. We’ll be able to put all our identification skills to practice!

Date: 27th April, then early hours 28th April for dawn chorus walk).

Time: 09:30 – 16:00 (dawn chorus walk will be 04:00 – 06:00 following morn).

Venue: Bedminster Quaker Hall, Wedmore Vale, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 5HX.

Cost: £35 – £50 (self -choose scale of affordability e.g. low/un waged rising to full wage)

Restrictions: 16+ event.  Not suitable for children

Deposit £20 secures your place (plus Eventbrite booking fee)

Peter will be selling RSPB handbooks at the event.

*NB: The walk is free but only open to attendees of the workshop. Walkers join us at their own risk and will be required to sign a disclaimer.

Join legendary ornithologist, Peter Holden MBE as he returns to Bristol to teach participants how to understand and observe the birdlife around us as we move from summer into autumn.

Bird communication is not so obvious, but what should we be listening out for at this time of year and what else is going on that the curious observer might discover for themselves?

For birds the urge to breed evaporates and other urges take over – moulting feathers, finding new food supplies, joining flocks and perhaps leaving the country – how will they navigate across the globe and be back again ready for nesting next spring?

Peter is the author of the RSPB Handbook and pioneered the RSPB’s Young Ornithologists’ Club (now Wildlife Explorers). He co-presented the TV programme, “Bird in the Nest” in 1994/5 with Bill Oddie and also created the annual “Big Garden Birdwatch”. More recently Peter collaborated with his son Andy to create an art exhibition, “Natural selection” (coming to Bristol next year) which has already featured on 6 Music with Jarvis Cocker, and Peter has developed an RSPB bird information app.

Peter’s much sought-after workshops are very entertaining and informative, so prepare to have a lot of fun while learning!

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During this workshop we’ll be:

– identifying communication (songs and calls) in autumn and winter
– learning tips to recognise which bird they belong to
– changes in bird behaviour during these seasons
– exploring migration: where do they go and how do they get there?
– images of birds in art and interpretations

A walk in the Bristol area will also be included (more details to follow soon) which will reflect the content of the workshop. This is a great opportunity to put all your new knowledge and identification skills to practice!

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Dates: Workshop Saturday, 29th September / Walk Sunday 30th September
Times: Workshop 09:30 – 16:00 / Walk times to be confirmed
Workshop Venue: Bedminster Quaker Hall, Wedmore Vale, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 5HX.
Cost: £35 – £50 (self-choose scale of affordability).
Book tickets 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/birds-in-autumn-winter-workshop-walk-with-peter-holden-mbe-tickets-47684402331

Restrictions: 16+ event. Not suitable for children.
Deposit: £20 (plus £2.15 EventBrite booking fee)

*NB: The walk is free but strictly only open to attendees of the workshop. Walkers join us at their own risk and will be required to sign a disclaimer.

“Nordic Nights and Northern Lights with Ana Adnan”

This workshop gives us the opportunity to explore Yggdrasil, the mighty tree upon which Norse mythology hangs, through some of its key stories.

We will conclude the day with a ritual using the inspiration of the runes, which we will create together.

(No prior knowledge or experience of ritual is necessary).

Facilitator, Ana Adnan is a storyteller and timeless weaver of magic, who has been facilitating workshops and creating rituals since 1990.

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Cost: sliding scale of affordability £50 – £75
Timings: 09:30 – 18:30
Date: Saturday 9th June 2018
Location: Bedminster Quaker Hall, Wedmore Vale, BS3 5HX.
Deposit secures your place: £20 click here for: Eventbrite tickets

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yggdrasil-workshop-viking-runes-and-ritual-tickets-46293644537

Contact: scarlettofthefae@gmail.com

Spaces are limited so please book early. 

This summer, R E T R E A T to the peace and wild of the East Devon Forest Garden, “The Garden of Complete Being,” over four days to replenish, reconnect to our deepest roots of stillness, nature and creativity. We’ll create a healing space together supporting each individual to take a next step in their life, letting go of the past.

This transformative and healing experience strengthens the relationship with your essence and truest way of life, held and supported in surrounding nature.

Take a journey, as your mindfulness meditations and creative art deepen in interactions with the land and it’s materials, kind supportive community and meditative foraging.

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Facilitator Naomi West, is an accredited mindfulness-based psychotherapist with a long background in meditation, Karuna Institute psychotherapy, arts and creative therapies. Naomi has been running retreats internationally since 2012. More information at www.artsinmindfulness.com.

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V E N U E:: Hidayabija (Seed of the Heart) also known as the East Devon Forest Garden is a 3-acre food forest and ecosystem. Visitors are encouraged to fully integrate with the land during their stay and many of the meals will be foraged from the garden. The project was started 8 years ago from a bare horse paddock and is now an abundant pure land, which aims to nourish visitors on every level. Home to over 700 varieties of edible perennial plants, it incorporates enhanced warm microclimates, outdoor living rooms and a natural swimming pond – so bring your swimming gear! A hot tub will be provided. Hot solar showers are also available.

E X C H A N G E: we are offering this 4 day retreat on a £300 to £400 sliding scale based on low to high incomes. An alternative 2 day option is available from Friday to Sunday (£200)

Camping (BYO) and food included. £75.86 deposit secures a place (two concessionary places are available by application)

L O C A T I O N: Kerswell, East Devon.

T I M I N G S: Four Day Option: arrive from 5pm Friday to begin at 7pm, finishing at 3pm on Tuesday. Two day retreat option will finish at 3pm on Sunday.

A C C O M O D A T I O N: This is a camping retreat. However two shared yurts are available on site at a rate of £20 per person, per night. Get in touch for further details.

T R A V E L: Hridayabija is a 10 minute drive from Junction 28 on the M5. Nearby train stations are Tiverton Parkway (6 miles) and Honiton (7 miles). Falcon buses (very cheap!) arrive hourly into Collumpton from Plymouth and Bristol.

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F E E D B A C K:

“The perfect combination of meditation, creativity/healing in the wonderful environment of the Forest Garden – what an amazing space to be nourished and restored.”

“Wowsers! Thank you so much for a completely re-energising and restful weekend. This really is an open heart-space. So looking forward to returning next year and seeing how the garden has developed – so many special places. Inspiring!”

“So many seeds of inspiration, nourishment, courage, determination and strength have been sown. Thank you. Inner garden and outer garden – all one and the same. This place embodies this effortlessly.”

Join famed ornithologist, Peter Holden MBE to identify common British birdsong and find out why birds sing.

Peter is the author of the RSPB handbook and pioneered the RSPB’s Young Ornithologists Club (now Wildlife Explorers) after co-presenting TV programme, Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979 with Bill Oddie.  Peter more recently collaborated with his son Andy to create an art exhibition which has featured on 6 Music, and has developed an RSPB app which you can find here.

Peter’s workshops are very entertaining and informative, so prepare to have a lot of fun while learning.

During this workshop we’ll be:

– identifying common British birds
– listening to examples of birdsong and learning tips to recognise each song
– exploring the purpose of birdsong
– putting those skills into practice

The following morning (very early indeed) a DAWN CHORUS WALK will take place*.    We’ll be able to put all our identification skills to practice!

May Day or Beltane, is an ancient pagan festival marking the beginning of summer, when cattle returned to pastures. A celebration of fertility as the land warms and yields once more, couples are invited to ‘jump the Beltane fires’ together, invoking passion and potency.

Our workshop draws upon the rejuvenating energy of Beltane, the liminal space between Spring and Summer to invite connection with the Fae, elemental beings that exist within the resonance of the magical Avebury landscape.

The day unfolds like this:

• a short history of human understanding of the Fae
• an exploration what the Fae mean to us
• cases of reported modern fairy encounters
• indoor guided exercise to open inner vision (third eye)
• outdoor meditation to connect with Fae energy in Avebury
• shared discussion on experiences

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Date: Monday 7th May (Bank Holiday Monday)
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
Location: Upstairs at The Hengeshop Avebury Bookshop
Cost : £40 (deposit £20)
Lunch: bring your own lunch which we’ll eat on site
Breaks: Teas, coffees, water and biscuits are provided

Spaces are limited.  Please contact scarlettofthefae@gmail.com to reserve a place.

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Facilitator: Jo Hickey-Hall is a folklorist and fairy researcher, she holds a Masters in History from the University of Bristol on the Portrayal of the Fae in Medieval Irish literature.  Jo also runs Facebook group, Modern Fairy Sightings where people share their experiences of fairy.  She has worked as a healer and workshop facilitator for over 20 years.

Folklorist, Jo Hickey-Hall is co author of new book, ‘Magical Folk: British and Irish Fairies 500AD to the Present’. She set up research project, Modern Fairy Sightings two years ago and has an interest in fairy encounters that people continue to report.

This talk will discuss people’s sightings and look at how we’ve arrived at the Disney-fied idea of fairy. We’ll also examine the taboo of reporting such experiences and why Jo feels the research is important.

Where: The Old Bookshop
When: Monday 9th April – 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Exchange: It’s free, so indulge yourself with excellent ale

**The Old Bookshop is Bristol’s most loved, family run bar and kitchen. Winner of Best Bar 2017 at Bristol Life Awards. Winner of Best Sunday Roast 2017 at Foozie awards. They provide fine drinks, an ever evolving kitchen, and the best live entertainment.**

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NB: this event is not suitable for children.

Death and Music with Folklorist, Gideon Thomas

Gideon is author of a book on the same subject and a member of the Folklore Society. His talk will examine ghosts and the undead in a selection of traditional songs found in the oral traditions of England, Scotland, United States and Canada. We’ll explore:

– different types of ghosts and revenants
– sentient creatures who desire to complete some sort of goal
– the behaviour of these undead figures in various songs.

Where: The Old Bookshop
When: Monday 26th March – 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Exchange: It’s free, so indulge yourself with excellent ale

**The Old Bookshop is Bristol’s most loved, family run bar and kitchen. Winner of Best Bar 2017 at Bristol Life Awards. Winner of Best Sunday Roast 2017 at Foozie awards. We provide fine drinks, an ever evolving kitchen, and the best live entertainment.**

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Upcoming Folk in the Pub Events:

Monday 9th April: Modern Fairy Sightings with Jo Hickey-Hall

If you’d like to talk on a folky-wyrdy-curious subject, direct your messenger raven to scarlettofthefae@gmail.com

Folklorist, Jo Hickey-Hall is co author of new book, Magical Folk: British and Irish Fairies 500AD to the present. She set up research project, Modern Fairy Sightings two years ago and has an interest in fairy encounters that people continue to report.

This talk will discuss people’s sightings and look at how we’ve arrived at the Disney-fied idea of fairy. We’ll also examine the taboo of reporting such experiences and why Jo feels the research is important.

Where: The Old Bookshop
When: Monday 9th April – 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Exchange: It’s free, so indulge yourself with excellent ale