Events
Saturday 03 August 2024
Saturday 24 August 2024
On this introductory day, you will have the opportunity to learn about types of bees and how they live and bee friendly flowers. You will see different types of beehives and their component parts and discuss where you can (and can’t) keep bees. There will be an introduction to honey bee management and the beekeeping year, including the issues of swarming, pests and diseases as well as the honey crop and other hive products. Also discussed will be the cost and time commitments as well as the risks and responsibilities to keeping bees, to enable you to make an informed decision as to whether this is a craft you wish to pursue. This day will not include visits to live bees, but will be supported by extensive pictorial material.
Book nowSaturday 29 June 2024
Learn to make cosmetics containing natural honey and beeswax. You do not need special equipment and can make these recipes in your kitchen. Dr Sara Robb will demonstrate how to make All Natural Beekeeper's Soap with Rose and Lavender using her no-cure method. Made with honey and beeswax and topped with petals, this beautiful bar is safe to use the same day it's made. We will also make Honey Hand Cream with Raspberry Seed Oil, a non-greasy emulsion, to keep your hands in tip-top condition. Super Serum with Honey and Hyaluronic Acid, our final product, is a fantastic facial product made with raw honey. Come along and make your own Super Natural Formulations.
Book nowSunday 30 June 2024
Honey and beeswax have played an integral role in the history of pharmaceuticals prepared by medics and chemists. This workshop with Dr Sara Robb will explore how bee products serve as substrates and active ingredients in early medicines. Examples of these products will be examined, including wax plasters and historic skin treatments. We will discuss the miraculous case of Thomas Marigold, a Londoner "cured" from leprosy by a blend of olive oil, honey and beeswax called cerate. These early pharmaceuticals were precursors of the products we know as cosmetics and many are still available on the shelves today. Learn to make a few of these formulations, including a dietary supplement called oxymel, the honey cerate Mr Marigold used, and a historic skin cream.
Book nowThursday 18 July 2024
During the long history of plant medicine in Britain we have repeatedly either been conquered or settled by other nations, each bringing different ideas about disease and foreign herbs with them. In our multi-cultural society our use of foreign herbs has become substantial. After an introduction on how introduced herbs have shaped our culinary and medicinal recipes, we will take a fresh look at our native heritage.
Foraged herbs for flavourings and seasonings are returning to cookery through the work of innovative chefs – the use of elderflower, angelica, juniper and horseradish is returning. More unusual herbs such as alehoof and meadowsweet will be added as we look at using native herbs in unusual ways for flavour, fragrance and medicinal immune, circulatory and nerve support.
Book nowWednesday 17 July 2024
We will be taking time to look at the history of fragrance and herbs in fragrant recipes, many of which contain aromatic distilled waters. Through cosmetics, cleansers and pest repellents that are for use in the home, cookery and medicine we will trace the theme of what volatile oils in plants have to offer. In addition to enjoyable fragrances this includes antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, mood lifting and sedative or alerting properties.
A range of recipes will offer experience with such diverse herbs as rose, orange flower, bay, peppermint, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon balm and hyssop. These will be for use as cosmetics, in cookery and medicine. Fragrant mixtures will be the order of the day!
Book nowTuesday 16 July 2024
A day to concentrate on the specific needs of course participants according to their own dominant humoral temperaments. Identifying these can be great fun as well as enlightening. Herbal medicine practitioners give herb combinations to suit the basic constitution of the patient as well as addressing symptoms.
Herbs are classified as heating, drying, cooling or moistening in various degrees and combinations. Having identified those most suited to each person, then combinations of useful herbs to grow and use in cookery and home remedies can be suggested. Recipes made will illustrate approaches that are heating, cooling, drying, moistening or balanced in the context of the seasons when they are most beneficial.
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