Showing posts with label Bailey's Wood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bailey's Wood. Show all posts

Saturday 23 March 2024

Spring Equinox: Day 7


It's the big day! The culmination of our week of Spring Equinox celebrations (and the equinox itself, of course)! And I had lots of things planned for today.

Bailey’s Wood Walk and Talk




First up, I led a Spring Equinox Walk and Talk session for Friends of Bailey's Wood, spotting all the signs that spring has sprung in the woods (with cake and Vimto afterwards).

Castlerea Poetry in the Park





After the woods, I took the housemates from Castlerea Care Home to Crumpsall Park for a Spring Equinox Poetry in the Park session. We had a lovely time, with seasonal poetry and snacks, and a wander round the park looking for daffodils, blossom and buds.

Gingerbread Popcorn



A little late afternoon seasonal snack (it's got a rabbit on the packet so I'm counting it)... Gingerbread Popcorn from Joe and Seph's!

Spring Equinox Dinner



This evening, Rob cooked us the traditional Spring Equinox dinner of Vegetable Paella.

Spring Equinox Gifts



And we exchanged our traditional Spring Equinox gifts and cards. These whiskies will go into our tasting sets to be enjoyed in December.

Night of the Lepus




We watched our (now) traditional Ostara film tonight... Night of the Lepus!


And so the wheel of the year turns. We'll be celebrating again at Beltane.

Friday 22 March 2024

Spring Equinox: Day 5


Rob was on a long shift today, so I decided to spend the day mostly wandering around (sometimes by myself, sometimes with others).

A Walk in Crumpsall Park




First up, I had a meeting in the park with Friends of Crumpsall Park. And I spotted the first of the daisies!

Milk Cake and Chai



After the park meeting, I walked over to You, Me and Tea in Crumpsall for some Pistachio Milk Cake and Pink Chai (which both looked suitably seasonal).

A Walk in Blackley Forest




Then after the cake, I wandered through Blackley Forest for a bit, enjoying some springtime peace and quiet.

A Walk in Heaton Park





Later on in the afternoon, me and my mum went for a little walk in Heaton Park.

Bailey’s Wood Spring Equinox Walk




Finally, I led a community Spring Equinox Walk in the Woods for the Friends of Bailey's Wood, sharing stories and folklore of the season.

Sunday 10 March 2024

Events in March 2024




Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 10th March
10.30–5.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf
I'm hosting an online writing retreat for creative writers with writing exercises and structured writing sessions
Members Event

Spring Equinox Walk in the Park
Saturday 16th March
11.00–12noon
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'll be leading a sociable walk in the park to enjoy nature and the changing seasons
Booking Link

Hannah's Bookshelf Spring Equinox Special
Saturday 16th March
2.00–4.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf / North Manchester FM
I'm hosting a special seasonal edition of my regular radio show on North Manchester FM, including Spring Equinox-themed flash fiction
Submission Link

Spring Equinox Walk in the Woods
Monday 18th March
5.30–6.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a sociable walk in the woods to enjoy the changing seasons
Booking Link

Bailey's Wood Spring Equinox Walk and Talk
Wednesday 20th March
11.00–12.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a gentle, social walk in the woods with a Spring Equinox theme
Booking Link

Spring Equinox Poetry in the Park
Wednesday 20th March
1.00–4.00pm
Castlerea House
I'm running a seasonal poetry and storytelling workshop session in the park for residents at Castlerea care home
Private Event

Hannah's Bookshelf Live Poetry Special
Saturday 23rd March
2.00–4.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf / North Manchester FM
I'm hosting my annual live poetry radio show on North Manchester FM, with performances from 12 poets
Submission Link

Easter Stories
Wednesday 27th March
2.00-4.00pm
Castlerea House
I'm running a seasonal poetry and storytelling workshop session for residents at Castlerea care home
Private Event

Interested in booking me for an event? Click here to find out more.

Sunday 4 February 2024

Imbolc: Day 2


Another day of our slightly muted Imbolc celebrations. My temperature's down again (hooray!), but Rob's still really ill. Fingers crossed we kick this into touch soon.

Bailey’s Wood Imbolc Walk




I ran a seasonal walk for Friends of Bailey's Wood today, sharing Imbolc stories and folklore. We had a huge turnout, and everyone was really up for hearing me talk about Jack Frost, the Green Man, winter lights and weather-forecasting badgers. I read a bit from Lia Leendertz's Almanac as well, when we paused at the site of an old hay meadow - 'The Painful Plough' seemed fitting for the location!

Saturday 3 February 2024

Imbolc: Day 1


It's Imbolc! But, sadly, a bit of a quiet one for us this year, as we've both come down with horrible colds that have completely derailed our plans for the season. I'm gutted, because I really love Imbolc, and we had to cancel a few of our seasonal celebrations last year for various reasons. Here's hoping this isn't a sign of things to come this year. Sigh.

Imbolc Litter-Pick






It was the monthly Friends of Bailey's Wood litter-pick today. Rob wasn't well enough to make it, but I limped on and enjoyed finding some seasonal things in the woods. I'm glad I did, because I found some Scarlet Elf Cups! First time I've ever seen these mushrooms in real life!

Hannah’s Bookshelf Imbolc Special





This afternoon was the Hannah's Bookshelf Imbolc Special on North Manchester FM. I shared some seasonal stories and folklore, and then we had some original seasonal flash fiction submitted by four writers. I also contributed a story this time - 'Two Player Mode', a light-hearted take on the Imbolc season. And there were Imbolc cakes too, which I shared with the volunteers at the community centre where the NMFM studio is based.

Monday 8 January 2024

Events in January 2024



Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 21st January
10.30–5.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf
I'm hosting an online writing retreat for creative writers with writing exercises and structured writing sessions
Members Event

Hannah's Bookshelf Imbolc Special
Saturday 27th January
2.00–4.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf / North Manchester FM
I'm hosting a special seasonal edition of my regular radio show on North Manchester FM, including Imbolc-themed flash fiction
Submission Link

Imbolc Walk in the Woods
Sunday 28th January
11.30–12.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a sociable walk in the woods to enjoy the changing seasons
Booking Link

Imbolc Stories
Wednesday 31st January
2.00-4.00pm
Castlerea House
I'm running a seasonal poetry and storytelling workshop session for residents at Castlerea care home
Private Event

Interested in booking me for an event? Click here to find out more.

Sunday 31 December 2023

Countdown to Christmas: Day 22


Back in Manchester after a wonderful pre-Christmas holiday! Lots to do over the next couple of days though.

More Mulling!



Time to mull some more apple juice.

Bailey’s Wood Winter Solstice Walk






I led a Winter Solstice Walk in the Woods for the Friends of Bailey's Wood today. We talked about seasonal folklore and I, as always, shared tales of Captain Christmas. We also saw some amazing mushrooms and stopped for some mulled apple juice under the silver birch trees.

Mulled Apple Juice



There was still some mulled apple juice left after the walk, so me and Rob had it with a mince pie!

Yule Candle




We lit our Yule candle from Chalice Creations tonight. Frankincense, cinnamon, orange and cedarwood to put us in a very festive mood.

Advent Tea



Behind Door No. 22 in my Bird and Blend tea calendar... Salted Caramel Lebkuchen!

Advent Jewellery



And behind Door No. 22 in my Avon jewellery calendar... a gold Christmas tree pendant!

Friday 22 December 2023

Countdown to Christmas: Day 6


It's been a very busy (and extremely festive) day today!

Mulling



I was up early to start mulling for some events today!

Christmas Earrings



I wore my new spangly Christmas tree earrings today - a lovely pre-Christmas present from Rob.

Bailey’s Wood Festive Walk and Talk





Did my best Captain Christmas impression for Friends of Bailey's Wood today, leading a festive walk in the woods and bringing the cheer (mulled apple juice and mince pies) afterwards. The reindeer deely-boppers were because Bailey's Wood was once part of the medieval Blackley deer park, of course.

Alchemy Hairdressing



Quick pit-stop for a haircut and a coffee with Kelly at Alchemy Hairdressing. One of my only non-mulled drinks of the day!

Castlerea Festive Film Afternoon




Festive film afternoon at Castlerea Care Home. We watched Miracle on 34th Street, with mince pies, popcorn and mulled apple juice.

Miracle on Cross Street




We super-charged our festiveness tonight, as I surprised Rob with a trip to a Christmas speakeasy. Miracle on Cross Street is AMAZING!

Advent Tea



Behind Door No. 6 in my Bird and Blend Tea advent calendar... Starry Night!

Advent Jewellery



And behind Door No. 6 in my Avon jewellery calendar... gold star earrings!