9.30am to 4.30pm

The course

From the earliest times plant recognition – whether of foods or medicinal herbs, has been vital for the survival of mankind. Today our children’s lives are centred on computing technology, largely unconnected with the natural world around us. Few young people are able to identify even 6 wild herbs. In order to reverse this trend we need to capture their interest by helping them to identify, experience and come to value, plants. We will explore their scents, unique and often amusing characteristics. We will delve into their stories and herbal uses for material to draw children in and make preserving specimens as a record for the future an attractive idea.

On this day expect to gather herbs, explore their stories through folklore and uses, note their beauty or eccentricity and learn to preserve samples as a record. This will be a great workshop for grandparents, teachers, and anyone caring for children.

The tutor

Christina Stapley BSc (Hons) MCPP is a qualified medical herbalist with a degree in Phytotherapy (plant therapy) and practises in Wiltshire.  She has grown some 300 herbs, studied and used them for over 30 years.  Her Hampshire garden was featured on television several times. Her knowledge of herb history is shared in historical herb workshops at Butser Ancient Farm, the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, the Chiltern Open Air Museum and other centres in Somerset and East Anglia.  She has written three books on cultivating and using herbs in cookery, fragrant recipes, wines and liqueurs, crafts and home remedies.  Christina has also edited and interpreted a 17th century book of cookery and physic recipes.
http://www.heartsease-herb-books.com/workshop.htm

Participant information

Places are limited to 12 people. Please bring with you a pen and paper for taking notes and a camera if you wish. Participants should make the tutor aware of any allergies at the beginning of the day.

Fee

£50 per person, including tuition, teas and coffees.
The Museum café will be open for lunch-time snacks or alternatively participants can bring their own packed lunch.

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation validated by Bournemouth University. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.