Sholing Valleys Study Centre

Come along and celebrate the humble apple with us on Apple Day!

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You’re invited to join in and press apples into delicious apple juice! If you have any spare apples, please bring as many as you can. Please bring containers to take the juice home.

We want to stop as much fruit being wasted as possible so if you know where we can get apples, please let us know.

At 13:00 we will run a guided foraging walk that will take in the nature reserve, collect as many apples as we can, and talk about the richness and diversity of landscape, ecology and culture too.

Apple expert Chris Bird from Sparsholt College will be joining us with the College Fruit collection, including their National Plant Collection of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Apples. If you have an apple tree in your garden or allotment, and would like to know what type of apple it is, they can help you ID it! Simply bring your apples with you to find out!

If you are after some autumn inspiration, we will also be selling pumpkins and squashes for both display and eating.

We will be selling the usual refreshments, and cakes. We will be selling various apple based foods like vegan pumpkin and apple soup, apple butter, chutneys, and more.

This event is FREE

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Facebook event is listed here

Join host Willow and Crafts on the 30th of October for a hands-on willow weaving workshop.
You'll be guided through the process of weaving your very own willow bat sculpture time for Halloween.

Learn traditional willow weaving techniques and shape and form this striking creature from natural materials.

No previous experience necessary – All the tools and materials are provided, as well as light refreshments.

All materials and refreshments and use of tools are included; you will need to bring your own lunch.

Price £45 Venue. For booking see website
https://www.willowandcrafts.co.uk/willow-weaving-workshops

Come along on the last Friday or Sunday of the month and learn about how we can help support nature.

Tasks include a range of activities that all help improve the site. From litter picking, and tree planting, to hedge laying training. 

We want our volunteers to learn something new, and enjoy themselves.

 

More info here

All details are added to our facebook page.  

Sat 25 Oct - 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

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Explore and honour the ancient celebration of Samhain (better known as Halloween) with Lucie. 

First we'll meet at the Sholing Valley Study Centre where where you can drop off your things and get ready to venture out into the nature reserve. The study centre is full of specimens and biological trinkets, helping to set the scene at this traditionally 'spooky' time of year.

We'll spend some time exploring the nature reserve, allowing time to pause and connect to the abundance of surrounding trees and plants. We'll talk a bit about the traditions of Samhain as a marker of the end of harvest season and its associated folklore. 

Whilst on our walk, we will forage with intention for natural trinkets from the land to craft with upon our return. Use your intuition to collect organic objects like sticks, pine cones and feathers. 

Samhain is traditionally a time for contemplation and honouring our ancestors, so our time outdoors will include optional time for sharing and reflecting together. You'll each be provided with a little 'offering' bag full of herbs to offer the land in return for our foraged gifts. 

When we return to the study centre, we'll relax into the space and have time for blended tea using seasonal medicinal herbs and spices such as mugwort, rosehip and clove - a combination of plants that are calming and immune system building. There will also be an optional 'pick a card' oracle card reading.

During the second part of the workshop, Lucie will guide you through the process of making and storing a lavender infused oil to take home with you. Lavender has many benefits including being extremely calming, anti-septic and soothing for wounds, bites and burns, amongst other things. 

The final part of the workshop will be spent creating either a wind chime or woven web from your foraged organic materials. Lucie will demonstrate the process for creating these, ready for you to take them home to display.

Please arrive around 10 minutes before the start time. 

Full details are here;

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/artworkshopswithlucie/1891514

Last Sunday of the month (excluding August and December)

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Naturewatch encourages children’s interest in nature through fun craft activities and learning.

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Each session starts with indoor art and craft activities before we head outside to look around the nature reserve.

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For accompanied children aged 4-11.

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Session start at 10:30am and finishes 12noon.

Session costs £1.50 per child - pay by cash or bank transfer.
First session is free and all sessions are included in SVSC membership.

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We are limited to 15 participants, so sessions are on a first come first served basis. No pre-booking is required, but you can help us to monitor potential numbers by selecting 'going' on the event page. If on the rare occasion the session is full you are welcome to take a scavenger hunt sheet and enjoy a walk around the nature reserve instead.

 

Drink and a snack is provided. Please let us know in advance if you have any allergies.

 

All children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.

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All the details are kept up to date on our facebook events page

Saturday 29th November - 11.00 am - 2.00pm, Masonic Hall Woolston.

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More details will be added nearer the time.

There are a limited number of tables available, we are looking for a selection of local handmade crafters, if interested please contact Karen & Val via email at eventsvsc@btinternet.com, (this is the only contact email address for this event). Please supply a description of products you offer with photos.

Sunday 7th December -11:00 am - 2.30pm

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Join Lucie for a workshop of foraging, folktales and organic craft.

We'll begin with a cup of mulled winter warmer (non-alcoholic), followed by a guided walk around the Sholing Valley nature reserve to forage for our materials. Together we'll explore the abundant and ancient folkloric history of the yule-period and its associated botanicals, as well as the origins of wreath-making as a folk practice.

You’ll be guided through the process of how to make your wreath and provided with all the necessary materials, ready to take your creation home and hang on your door.

There will also be an optional 'pick a card' oracle card reading at the end of the workshop.

Please arrive around 10 minutes before the start time and wear sensible shoes/warm clothes for our walk around the nature reserve.
Please also bring a basket or bag for carrying your foraged materials; spares will be available just in case.

Included in your ticket

All materials and tuition to create your wreath, a folklore and foraging walk, access to the Sholing Valley workshop space including facilities and refreshments are included.

There are a limited number of lower priced tickets available for those who would benefit from paying a reduced ticket fee. If you are able to cover the full amount, please allow others who may benefit to have priority for these tickets. Lucie is self-funded and self-employed so any support you provide through attending these workshops goes a long way.

To book tickets, follow this link.

About Lucie

Lucie is a conceptual artist, educator and researcher based in Southampton. Through art she explores innate connections between the human condition and the landscape. She believes deeply in the healing power of nature, sharing stories and folk knowledge.

Lucie is currently studying a Masters in Contemporary Art and Archaeology and has a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art.

Lucie works with communities, organisations and individuals around Hampshire and regularly exhibits in locally and further afield.

See Lucie’s work and read more about her practice and experience here: luciesmithart.com.