Manchester Permaculture Dot Net

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th February 2010

Main activities to include:
 

• Forest gardening

• West African drumming (tbc)

• Celebration of the Imbolk festival

* * *

Imbolc or Candlemas

Many people think of Imbalc as the beginning of a new year - the light is noticeably growing now, and we can observe the signs that Spring is on it’s way. It is a time of awakening of the Life Force, and we see new shoots appearing from bulbs and perhaps a swelling in the buds on trees and shrubs. A time often heralded by the appearance of Snowdrops. Nature and the Goddess are returning to the land. A time of beginnings .. a time to begin new plans and ventures – and to start to implement them but with caution. Difficult times might still be ahead.

* * *

"I cannot believe it is nearly a whole luna cycle since I was down your way,
Embraced by you, and the oceans spray.
I stood beside you my lover,
Gave my heart to you and no other,
I kissed your lips as the moon eclipsed,
Suspended in shadow of earth mother ..

.. Spring comes around, bringing life to the trees,
And our woody friends become our leafy buddies ..

.. By silver moonlight the fields were sown,
Then together they sang as the farmers strode home,
But I lingered behind, aloof and alone,
Where I stooped and grew strength from the rich earth loam .."

 

 * * *

Don't fear the cold weather, get yourselves up to Middlewood for the weekend, where we will have a warm fire and some good food on the go, and join us in a weekend of practical activities and the celebration of the Imbolk festival.

In the evenings the moon will be waxing lyricle, and we shall have warmth, fire, and good cheer, and hopefully there will be some African Drumming sessions, but this is still to be confirmed.

* * *

Cost: donations (just get yourselves up there and bring some food to share!)

For more info, or to tell me you wanna come, email Rob, or call 07974 658 745

Forest gardening activities:

Folk wanting to make an early start on Saturday morning are welcome to arrive Friday night.

This is a community event, and the emphasis will be on fun, education and creativity, rather than sweat and toil. There is a lot of work that needs doing in the forest garden, but I am told that this time round, Rod would like us to focus on footpaths and pruning.

* * *

 African Drumming: with the North Manchester West African Drumming Group

* * *

Stuff to bring: torches, wellies, waterproofs (top and bottom), warm socks, wooly hats and scalfs, gardening gloves, herbs for the garden .. more herbs for the gaden,  candles, food to share (cooked or ingredients), chocolate biscuits, drums, and other musical instuments..

* * *

Accommodation:

If you want some privacy then the best bet is to bring your own tent - there is plenty of space. Its going to be cold, so make sure that you bring plenty of cover, and a good role mat, and the floor of the tent can be insulated with straw, to keep out the ground cold.

There is also the option of a communal bell tent, if you do not fancy the idea of being alone in your tent in the dark!

For those who don't like sleeping under canvas in the middle of winter (I cannot believe it but there are strange people for whom this is the case ;-) then there are also various indoor options:

- the classroom (again bring a role mat and bedding as these are not provided), we will be having a lights out policy this time round to ensure that everybody has the right to warmth and a good nights sleep;

- we have access to a couple of onsite caravans, if you do not mind sharing;

- also there is the solar kiln, although this will probably not be any warme than a tent;
- folk with camper vans are also most welcome, especially if you can provide additional warm sleeping spaces.

* * *

For those not familiar with the principles of forest gardening, there will be an opportunity to run through some theory, plus there will be plenty of practical stuff to get stuck into. I have a copy of Martin Crawford's

A Year In the Forest Garden DVD

(50 mins) which he has made at the Agroforestry Research Trust, so we can give that a viewing as well. 

* * *

Middlewood is a beautiful 220 acre permaculture valley farm about 10 miles east of Lancaster. The river Roeburn runs through the centre of the valley and there are loads of beautiful walks in the area if you want to escape for a while. Also their are loads of eco attractions that you can go and see. Take a look at Middlewood's web site for more info.

Getting to Middlewood

Middlewood is in Roeburndale West, about 2 miles south of the village of Wray. Go up M6 and turn east at J34 (Lancaster North). Follow A683 for several windey miles, and look out for the sign to Wray, up the B6480 to your right (sign is easily overlooked - if you get to Hornby you have gone too far). When you get to Wray, turn right off B6480 onto Main Street, and stop of for a quick pint. Then follow the sign to Roeburndale West, and take the lane south out of the village on the west side of the River Roeburn, and up the dale. A mile or so up the hill you will come to a t-junction, turn left and carry on a little further. You will see a sign on your left to Middlewood Trust, just after the cattle grid (if it is dark you might find the sign a little difficult to spot).

Don't forget to shut the gate behind you. Follow the lane down, and round a sharp left, to the car parking space next to the wind turbine - the lane has some large pot holes, so watch out for your exhaust pipes etc. After parking up you will see another gate leading into the farmyard. There is a portacabin on your right, and behind this is a lawn space where we will be camping. The forest garden where we will be working during the daytime is just beyond the camping space.

View Larger Map