Courses
Experience, Engage & Enjoy - learn from the Physic Garden
Would you like to learn more about the therapeutic benefits of plants, their place in history or the ways in which they can transform your mind and body? Perhaps you are keen to cook with herbs, to make your own first aid remedies or to practice your creative writing. You can explore the mysteries of shamanic plants and learn the folklore of magical trees in the inspirational settings of the garden.
Facilities for courses include use of our new Herbology House, WC and provision of Herbal Tea.
To book a Workshop Course from the list below please use the individual contact in the course details.
MORE INSPIRATIONAL COURSES - you can also book a single day course from our Foundation series - just visit our Foundation Course page to see more and to book a course for 2012.
New for 2012
Herbs, Health, Healing – a new Diploma Foundation Course starting April 2012.
Please visit us again shortly for more information.
Courses 2012
(*optional courses for Foundation Course in Plant Medicine participants: please select one optional course from the list below and write your selection on your Booking Form)
BEGINNERS ART IN THE GARDEN
With Jill Bloodworth
First Wednesday of every month during the summer:
2nd May, 6th June, 4th July, 1st August, 5th September, 3rd October 2012
10.30am-4pm
A great opportunity to learn basic drawing and painting skills in this beautiful and inspiring Physic Garden, with its wealth of individual plants to observe, set in an idyllic Northumbrian landscape. Held every first Wednesday in the month throughout the summer these days will suit beginners who wish to develop their observational skills and learn the basics of drawing and painting. Focusing on plant drawing have fun learning to look, experiment with art materials and build your confidence to go further. Days can be booked individually but those wishing to come along each month can build on their experience step by step. Lots of individual help and encouragement given.
We will work outside if the weather permits, inside if it is wet or cold. Please wear suitable clothes .
Jill is an artist living and working in the area with more than 20 years teaching experience in art colleges.
Cost £40 per day which includes some art materials, homemade cake and hot drinks. Please bring a packed lunch.
To book contact Jill jillbloodworth@phonecoop.coop or phone 01207 562243
FLOWER ESSENCES*
with Phillipa Lee
June 2012 (for date, time & cost please email Phillipa below)
A day discovering the uses of Flower Essences. Flower remedies have been used for over 75 years to treat and help us manage our negative mental and emotional states. They are natural remedies that have absolutely no side effects: they can do no harm – only good. Fears, phobias, stresses agitations and anxieties figure prominently in the flower remedy repertory and are therefore well-suited to use alongside any other therapy in the healing and management of these types of conditions. In fact so benign are flower remedies that the sufferers themselves can self-prescribe in confidence because even if they choose incorrectly the remedies can do no harm.
Please BYO lunch. Tea provided.
To book please email Phillipa on connectingwithangels@gmail.com or phone 01434 607288
MORNING WALKING: MINDFULNESS IN NATURE
With Kathy White-Webster
Saturday 9th June, Wednesday 8th August & Wednesday 29th August 2012
10am-1pm
A morning of walking meditation; step out of the fast pace of life for a morning and learn to let go of stress. The intention of walking meditation is just to walk and let go of worries about the future or memories of the past. Walking meditation is a key mindfulness practice which helps engage fully with our lives. It is a practise which connects us to ourselves, to nature, to each other and to all of life. Dilston Physic Garden offers a sanctuary to learn simple mindfulness techniques to use in daily life. Medicinal plants border the pathways; nature supports us as we come back to our senses.
“When we practise walking meditation, we are not trying to get anywhere. It is sufficient to just be with every step, realising that you are just where you are. The trick is to be there completely.”
Give yourself the space to be here now and learn to let go of worries about the future or being caught up in memories of the past. Feel restored ready to return to the fast pace of life equipped with ways of being more present for ourselves, our family, our colleagues and our community. Techniques to be learned: walking meditation, sitting meditation, 3 minute breathing space to be used in the fast pace. The practices will be guided and take place whatever the weather
Please come prepared with outdoor clothing. Tea will be provided.
Cost £30. To book email Kathy k.whitewebster@btinternet.com (booking confirmed with fee) or phone 01434 683893. www.eastbarneducation.co.uk
MAKING YOUR OWN PERFUME USING FRAGRANT ESSENTIAL OILS*
With Christine Fisk
Saturday 16th June 2012
1pm-4pm
Spend an afternoon learning how to make Eau de colognes, Eau de toilette and Splash cologne using fragrant essential oils. During the afternoon, you will learn basic blending techniques with Christine Fisk, Clinical Aromatherapist, so that you may create your own unique fragrance.
Cost £30 (Foundation participants £25, students and other concessions £20).
To book email info@ethos.uk.com or phone 01388 451886
DIVINATION THROUGH SYMBOLS AND SCRYING
With Lily Oak
Saturday 30th June
12pm-4pm
This course is ideal for anyone interested in divination. As part of the course we will discuss divination practices in general before moving on to the practical elements. As part of this course you will be making a small crystal pendulum and a set of Witches Stones, you will also be given a small black mirror, and reference sheets to take away with you.
Cost £30. To book please visit ebay outlet http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Hedge-Witchery or eventbrite http://symbolsandscrying-eorg.eventbrite.com/
or contact Lily E: hedge-witchery.com@hotmail.com , T: 0191 6450545, W:www.hedge-witchery.com
PLANT SPIRIT MEDICINE *
With Ross Menzies
Tuesday 10th July 2012
10am-3.30pm
Plants have always been revered for their healing properties, in many cultures (and historically in our own) healers have had very close relationships with their healing plants and have often described having a communication with them as part of a healing process. This course will help develop the skills needed to sense the more subtle qualities of plants and to work with plants using their subtle energies to promote healing – physical, emotional and spiritual. Ross believes and has found that working with plants as living evolved and complex beings - coming to them from a place of deep respect and reverence allows a deeper healing to occur. Some basic kinesiology will also be taught.
Course tutored by Ross Menzies, a Medical Herbalist based near Hexham. He has been in practice for over 10 years and uses mainly native plants to treat many acute and chronic health imbalances. He is an experienced tutor and has a strong interest in wild foods as well as a deep belief that Nature can be a source of spiritual nourishment and inspiration, this is reflected in the course.
Cost £45 (£40 for Foundation participants) - a £20 non refundable deposit is required to secure a place, the full balance being paid on the day.
Please bring a packed lunch, hot drinks will be supplied.
You may wish to bring a camera or sketch pad to help identification of plants after the course.
Please bring waterproofs or an umbrella if it is wet as the course will still run.
To Book phone 01434 606619 or email Ross Menzies rossmenzies67@tiscali.co.uk - www.the-herbal-clinic.co.uk.
ARTISTIC, CREATIVE APPROACHES TO HEALING PLANTS *
With Jenny Blayney & Jill Schnabel
Saturday 14th July 2012
10am-4pm
A creative way to discover the Secrets of Healing Plants; close group observation followed by a personal painting and drawing experience with a chosen plant. Or is the plant choosing you? Using Goethe's model of plant observation and metamorphosis
Jenny is an art therapist, working out of the ideas of Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy. She has been running workshops for over ten years on Nature and Art in the Cycle of the Year and on the relationship of the Human Soul and the Spirit in Nature.
£40 including teas and Art Materials but please bring your own lunch.
To book please send £10 deposit to Jenny Blayney, 4 High Buston , Alnwick, NE66 3QH. T: 07909 910107. E: jennyblayney@gmail.com. W: www.magentaarts.co.uk
GROWING COLOUR *
With Tricia Hutchinson
Saturday 21st July 2012
10am-4pm
Dyeing with plants is not a science... the colour obtain can vary greatly and be depend on many factors... the time of year a plant is picked... the growing conditions... the water... the mordents... the method used to extract the dye... as well as the type of fibre used... so each and every time you use plant dyes the results you obtain have the potential to be different... fibres dyed with plant dyes are not always colourfast... over time the colour can change too... but for me all these variants and possibilities make dyeing with plant dyes so exciting...
- a range of plants will be used during this workshop... the colours... shades... & hues obtain will be different...
- the day will start with a walk through the garden gathering plants...
- once the vats of colour are simmering away... we will talk about the different types of fibres & mordents available...
- then it will be time to add you fibre to the dye pots...
- you will end the day with a selection of plant dyed natural fibres to use in your own projects...
Cost £40.00 per person to include a selection of fibre to produce samples but less if workshop participants bring their own if they wish to dye a length of cloth to produce a garment.
To book email tricia@triciahutchinson.com or phone 01947 840278
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ANIMALS: USING HERBS & HERBAL REMEDIES WITH OUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS *
With Leigh Smyth
Thursday 28th July 2012
1pm-4pm
This course will help you to learn about how your companion animal (focusing mainly on horses, dogs and cats) has evolved using natural remedies. Learn which ones are useful for you to grow, and use with them for common ailments. Devised and presented by Leigh Smyth who works therapeutically with humans and animals using a number of healing modalities, including the use of herbs, essential oils and other natural remedies.
Leigh Smyth of ‘Essentials for Equilibrium’ is passionate about the medicinal/ healing properties of herbs, essential oils and other natural substances for our animal companions. Having trained at the Institute of Zoopharmacognosy, Leigh is keen to help as many animals as possible. Leigh is also a Registered Nurse and Reiki Master. She says all animals can and do heal themselves with the earth’s natural products,
Cost £25 (less for Foundation in Plant Medicine participants).
To book contact Leigh on 01830 520098 / 07814822531 or email leigh@essentialsforequilibrium.co.uk
GUIDED INTRODUCTION TO JOURNEYING
With Lily Oak
Saturday 4th August 2012
12pm-4pm
An introduction to journeying via guided meditations. A series of guided meditations designed for those with or without previous experience. The day will start with a discussion on what shamanic journeying is for, and the theory behind the practices. We will then visit your gateway to the middle world and go through it in search of your spirits guides and guardians.
Cost £20. To book please visit ebay outlet http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Hedge-Witchery or eventbrite http://introtojourneying.eventbrite.com/. You can contact Lily via W: www.hedge-witchery.com, E: hedge-witchery.com@hotmail.com and T: 0191 6450545.
MOSAIC WORKSHOP
With Victoria Harrison
Saturday 11th August 2012
11am-4pm
Learn how to make mosaics with artist Victoria Harrison. Anyone can have a go from beginners to advanced, no drawing or artistic skills required and you will be delighted by the results. You will take home a stunning piece of mosaic to impress friends and family. Please view my website: www.living-mosaics.com.
Cost £45 includes all materials. Please bring own lunch. To book please contact Victoria on 07768 080947 or email v.a.harrison@btinternet.com
DAVINA’S HERBOLOGY CLASS FOR KIDS
With Davina Hopkinson
Tuesday 14th & Tuesday 21st August 2012
9.30am-12.00
Make your own Herbal Potions to take home.
Suggested Age: 7-11 years.
All materials provided.
Davina Hopkinson is a qualified herbalist
Free. Booking essential! - please contact Davina for at davinaherbalist@gmail.com or phone 01661 842897.
Volunteer Assistant required! - please email or phone if you are interested. Workshops for School Groups: can be arranged that are not only fun but can tie into your National Curriculum needs from Living Things (plant structure, use of plants, herbs in cooking) to History (herbs used for 1000’s of years from the Egyptians to World Wars to modern medicine). Please contact Davina for more information.
DOWSING FOR REMEDIES
With Keith Belmont
Saturday 18th August 2012
10am-1pm
Dowsing can be useful if not an essential tool to solve all sorts of problems. We can spend a life time trying to get our selves out of the way and stop over thinking...
With dowsing quick answers can be found for emf lines in the home...tracing missing objects...checking if food or drink are alright for consumption and much more. How about choosing the right therapist at this time how about where and when to do just about anything. If you want to know rather than guess come along and play in the garden....with Keith....
Cost £25. Please contact Keith at gaiahex@btinternet.com or phone 01434 603360.
POETRY, PROSE AND PLANTS OF POWER
With Valerie Laws Writer in Residence
Thursday 23rd August 2012
1pm-3.30pm
Mind-altering magical herbs, poisonous and healing, grow here in this beautiful physic garden, rich in ancient myths and modern science. Create poetry or short prose, or kick-start that novel, from the sights, sounds, and scents of this wild garden of drugs and simples, rushing river and sighing trees, devise powerful spells to focus the mind – to change your mind, and even your life. The garden won’t be open to the public so we can spread out and expand our minds! Find inspiration in this creative writing workshop with Writer in Residence Valerie Laws (www.valerielaws.co.uk). Outdoor if possible, or in the Herbology House.
Cost £5 including revitalising fresh herbal infusions and homemade cake. To book contact Valerie on valaws@yahoo.co.uk or 07949 956253
POISON PENS - CRIME WRITING WORKSHOP
With Valerie Laws Writer in Residence
Saturday 15th September 2012-01-17
1pm-3.30pm
Skullduggery in the herb garden, as we unleash the deadliest poisons and their evil effects on our imaginations! Learn about the powers of herbs grown to heal and to harm, how they work on the mind and body, the signs and symptoms to look out for, and have a go at committing murder – fictional of course! In this remote physic garden, with its wild waters rushing by and beautiful but potentially sinister woods and fields, anything can happen. Start something scary to continue at home, as you choose your poison!
Cost £5 including revitalising fresh herbal infusions and homemade cake. To book contact Valerie on valaws@yahoo.co.uk or 07949 956253
BOTANICAL BRAIN BOOSTER *
With Elaine Perry
Saturday 22nd September 2012
1pm-4pm
How medicinal plants/ herbs enhance mind/ brain activities - improving memory and attention, promoting healthy sleep, reducing anxiety or depression, and fostering a positive state of mind/ happiness (including safe herbal highs). Exploring evidence on these phyto neuro therapies from legendary traditional /folk uses and medical herbalism, through chemical, biological and clinical research to new drug development. An afternoon with Elaine Perry, neuroscientist and Garden Curator exploring these fascinating facts, together with the relevant plants growing in the garden, and trying samples of teas and tinctures.
Cost £15. To book please email Elaine at e.k.perry@ncl.ac.uk or call01434 632308
TREE MEDICINE *
With Ross Menzies
Saturday 29th September 2012
10am-4pm
A day devoted to getting to know some of our wonderful healing trees. Learn how to identify them, discover some folklore around each tree and explore their many healing properties. Prepare an elderberry winter cold and flu tonic, an acorn antiseptic / antifungal rinse that can be used to stop bleeding and a medicine from willow that can act as a natural painkiller. The course will have a strong practical element – preparing remedies and getting out and about getting to know the trees.
Course tutored by Ross Menzies, a Medical Herbalist based near Hexham. He has been in practice for over 10 years and uses mainly native plants to treat many acute and chronic health imbalances. He is an experienced tutor and has a strong interest in wild foods as well as a deep belief that Nature can be a source of spiritual nourishment and inspiration, this is reflected in the course.
Cost £45 (£40 for Foundation participants) - a £20 non refundable deposit is required to secure a place, the full balance being paid on the day.
Please bring a packed lunch, hot drinks will be supplied.
You may wish to bring a camera or sketch pad to help identification of plants after the course.
Please bring waterproofs or an umbrella if it is wet as the course will still run.
To Book phone 01434 606619 or email Ross Menzies rossmenzies67@tiscali.co.uk - www.the-herbal-clinic.co.uk
More courses will be added as the year progresses, so please watch this space!
If you think you would like to run a course yourself
please email Elaine Perry e.k.perry@ncl.ac.uk.