Events in December 2023

Bailey's Wood Festive Winter Walk and Talk
Wednesday 6th December
11.00–12.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a gentle, social walk in the woods with a festive theme
Booking Link

Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 10th December
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

Winter Solstice Walk in the Woods
Friday 22nd December
2.30–3.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a sociable walk in the woods to enjoy the changing seasons
Booking Link

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

31 Days of Halloween: Day 28

Very big day today, with several outfit changes. So much Halloween. So much.

Bailey’s Wood Halloween Litter-Pick

It was the Friends of Bailey's Wood Halloween Fancy Dress Litter-Pick in the woods today. So I went dressed as... Bailey's Wood.

Hannah’s Bookshelf Halloween Special

This afternoon, it was the Hannah's Bookshelf Halloween Special on North Manchester FM, when I played the shortlisted stories for this year's 3 Minute Scares competition (and revealed the winner, of course). As is tradition, I was in fancy dress for the show, and I decided to go monochrome this time.

British Library Weird Fiction Subscription

I've signed up for a monthly British Library Tales of the Weird subscription, and the first one arrived this weekend. It's The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson! (Can't promise my hair will match the cover for every month though!)

Halloween Dinner

Halloween dinner with my parents tonight... autumnal stew and dumplings, followed by apple cake.

31 Halloween Film: Urban Legend

S-S-S-SOMEONE'S IN THE BACK SEAT!!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 23

A really nice day today, as it was the start of my big week of events and activities. There's a lot coming up this week, so it was lovely to kick things off with such a successful event.

Bailey’s Wood Halloween Story Walk

Really loved leading the Halloween Story Walk for Friends of Bailey's Wood today! It was AMAZING to see kids of all ages (plus some adults and a very excited dog) enjoying the woods, exercising their legs and their imaginations, and (most importantly) hunting for werewolves. We never did catch one though...

Halloween Donut

After such a full-on Halloween event this afternoon, I treated myself to a Halloween donut afterwards. And yes, it was a Krispy Kreme.

Halloween Presents

More very cute Halloween presents from my bonkers and lovely mum... a Halloween gonk and an autumnal owl!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 18

Busy but nice day today, with some proper seasonal fun. It was autumnal, but lightly spooky, so all-in-all a good October day!

Bailey’s Wood Ghost Stories Walk and Talk

I led a Walk and Talk session for Friends of Bailey's Wood today, with a ghost stories theme. I loved our ghostly walk in the woods, and sharing a few little tales: 'The Grey Lady of Booth Hall', 'The Boggart of Boggart Hole Clough', 'The Lost Knight', and 'The Devil Came to Dam Head'! They're all 100% true as well (maybe). And what better way to finish off a spooky walk and talk in the woods than with a hot Vimto and a Halloween cupcake?

Halloween Fondant Fancies

Exceedingly good (part 2).

Veg Box

It's here! The first pumpkin of the year! And it's teamed up with a kohlrabi! (We also got leeks, carrots, peppers and potatoes, apples, pears and raspberries in our Groobarbs box this time!)

31 Halloween Films: One Cut of the Dead

Tonight we watched One Cut of the Dead. Pom!

Crown Prince Risotto

More fun from our Autumn Squash Box tonight... an excellent Crown Prince Squash Risotto (veg and recipe from Groobarbs, cooking by Rob)!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 4

It's the fourth day of our Halloween month celebrations. So far, it's turning out to be a nice mix of Halloween activities and autumnal festivities. Today had a good balance of both, so I feel like we did the season proud.

Autumn Walk in the Woods

It was the fortnightly Friends of Bailey's Wood Walk and Talk today, which was a nice opportunity to see some of the seasonal changes in the woods. After photographing acorns from their teeniest tiniest first appearance this year, I was beginning to worry the squirrels weren't going to leave me any ripe ones. But look at this autumnal beauty I found! Plus... mushroom season has begun!

Toffee Whirls

Exceedingly good (Halloween edition).

Veg Box

Halloween season means squash season! And we got a Harlequin Squash in our Groobarbs box today! Plus a massive Savoy cabbage, leeks, potatoes and carrots, apples, pears and raspberries.

Halloween Presents

Awww... my mum came round today with a bag of Halloween presents for us!

31 Halloween Films: House on Haunted Hill

The next film on our list was House on Haunted Hill, and Rob decreed that meant the 1999 version (so no Vincent Price for us tonight).

Bakewell Pudding

I don't know if this is Halloween or just delicious, but my mum and dad went to Derbyshire and brought us back some proper Bakewell puddings!

Events in October 2023

Why Isn't Failsworth in Manchester?
Tuesday 3rd October
2.00-3.00pm
Failsworth Townswomen's Guild
I'm giving a local history talk on the history of Failsworth and incorporation
Members Event

Park Write - Spooky Season
Saturday 14th October
2.00-5.00pm
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'm hosting a spooky creative writing workshop in Crumpsall Park, using the park as inspiration for creativity
Booking Link

Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 15th October
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

Bailey's Wood Ghost Stories Walk and Talk
Wednesday 18th October
11.00–12.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a gentle, social walk in the woods, telling some ghost stories along the way
Booking Link

Bailey's Wood Halloween Story Walk
Monday 23rd October
2.00-3.00pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a spooky, creative walk in the woods, suitable for all ages
Booking Link

Crumpsall Park Halloween Story Walk
Wednesday 25th October
11.00-12noon
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'll be leading a spooky, creative walk around the park, suitable for all ages
Booking Link

Green Quarter's Eccentric Past: A Weird History Walking Tour
Wednesday 25th October
7.00-8.00pm
GRUB MCR
I'll be leading a weird history walk from Angel Meadow to Red Bank, sharing stories of the area's dark and peculiar past
Booking Link

A Nightmare on Nelson Street
Thursday 26th October
6.30-8.00pm
Pankhurst Centre
I'll be leading a weird history walk along Nelson Street, before returning to the Pankhurst Centre for cocoa and tales of the spookiest suffragettes
Booking Link

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

Events in September 2023

Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 17th September
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

Booth Hall Before the Hospital
Monday 18th September
2.00-4.00pm
NHS Retirement Fellowship (South Manchester Branch)
I'm giving a local history talk on the history of Booth Hall (the house, not the hospital) in Manchester
Members Event

Autumn Equinox Walk in the Woods
Friday 22nd September
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

Park Write - History Writing
Saturday 30th September
2.00-5.00pm
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'm hosting a history-themed creative writing workshop in Crumpsall Park, using the park as inspiration for creativity
Booking Link

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

Lammas: Day 4

It's the fourth day of our Lammas festivities. And I had a couple of nice things planned for today (and only a little bit bread-based!).

Breadmas Calendar Day 4

Behind Bread Wrapper No. 4 today... it's a Pretzel (from Morrison's)!

Bailey’s Wood Litter-Pick

We were out in the Lammas-y woods this morning for the Friends of Bailey's Wood litter-pick. And the rain (almost) held off too!

Hannah’s Bookshelf Lammas Special

I had a blast hosting the first ever Hannah's Bookshelf Lammas Special on North Manchester FM this afternoon, including some amazing seasonal short stories. I can't believe how fast the time went!

Lammas Candle

We lit our Lammas / Lughnasadh candle from Chalice Creations tonight. Lavender, patchouli and lemon to usher in the grain harvest.

Events in July 2023

Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 9th July
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

Summer Holidays in Blackley's Past
Wednesday 12th July
7.00-8.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'm giving a local history talk on the history of summer holidays, with a focus on Blackley and North Manchester
Booking Link

Suffrage Sonnets
Sunday 16th July
11.30-12.15pm, 2.15-3.00pm
The Pankhurst Centre
I'm running a creative writing workshop as part of the Emmeline's Birthday Party event at the Pankhurst Centre
Booking Link

Park Write - Nature Writing
Saturday 22nd July
2.00-5.00pm
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'm hosting a nature-themed creative writing workshop in Crumpsall Park, using the park as inspiration for creativity
Booking Link

Lammas Stories
Wednesday 26th July
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.

Midsummer: Day 7

It's the big day! And gosh... what a week it's been. I feel like we've definitely made up for missing out on Beltane this year, and we've given the summer season a very grand welcome this time. Today was quite a busy one, building up to our Midsummer Dinner.

New Midsummer Earrings

These ones seemed particularly appropriate given the weather today!

Bailey’s Wood Midsummer Litter-Pick

We were back in the woods this morning for the Friends of Bailey's Wood Midsummer litter-pick. There were a few spots of rain, but otherwise a lovely summer's morning to be out in the woods!

Hannah’s Bookshelf Midsummer Special

This afternoon saw the first ever Hannah's Bookshelf Midsummer Special (a special seasonal edition of my weekly literature show on North Manchester FM). I had a lot of fun presenting this show, which featured a selection of seasonal short stories from some amazing writers.

Midsummer Tea Break!

My final Midsummer tea for this year! And today I'm drinking Deckchair Dreaming from Bird and Blend Tea.

Midsummer Dinner

Tonight Rob prepared the traditional Midsummer Dinner of Gratinated Cabbage and Roast Shallots.

Midsummer Gifts

We swapped our traditional Midsummer gifts tonight... more whiskies to add to the sets we'll be enjoying in December.

Jaws

We watched the traditional film (as of this year) of the season while we had our Midsummer Dinner... Jaws! An out-of-town policeman tries to investigate the death of a young girl in the face of stonewalling from potential witnesses, the indifference of the partying locals, and the intervention of the extravagantly dressed and charismatic leader of the island... WAIT A MINUTE!

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