We welcomed Andrew, who I'd met at last Septembers Climate Conference, and who came with knowldge of squash seeds and seed breeding. But first our circle and collecting our homework. It was a cold wind so we were brief and our brief was plants for our potential dye garden in the community garden Gunnera root… Continue reading Elders 2 – Andrew and breeding seeds
We could not have wished for a more glorious spring day. After lunch of the last of last years potatoes from our community alotment (before we planted some more), we gathered in our circle and said what we noticed had changed: Running water in new kitchen The ritz The kitchen roof looks ever so much… Continue reading Elders 1 – Welcome back explore of land and egg decorating
This is what the Elders have said this year, Elders has given me a whole new lease of life. It provides me with a safe space, in a beautiful environment, where I can feel free and myself. I do not have to worry about my difficulties or people judging me. It lifts my spirits and… Continue reading Testaments from Elders 2025
Our last session this year, we crammed in Eco-printing for those who had not had a chance, and many of us took back home some beautiful scarfs, imprinted with leaves. We took Colin's 3 silver birches on to the land to plant in the centre and replace the 3 missing birch. Perfect timing, thank you… Continue reading Elders 26 – Eco printing, planting silver birch, celebrating
It was the stalwarts who came today, and amid the rain, the dull light and wind, we prepared our cloths (already mordanted by Kally) scattering with leaves. As they steamed around the fire we ate squash soup, danced and played air guitar. The reveal was glorious: the holly and ivy gave nothing, but the briar and the… Continue reading Elders 25 Stalwart Eco printing
Our homework being tannns here's what we gathered, enlivened by tasting tannins in a sip of red wine (Sicilian, Lidle £5 a bottle a bargain) Tannins act like a skeleton, giving the wine its structure and a more robust feel. Tannin cuts through the intense meaty protein of a dry-aged fat-marbled steak, permitting subtler flavors… Continue reading Elders 24 Tannin’s, ecoprint, black poplar planting, & moving Roger
It was cold and wet, so the option given to rock up if wanted and we'd be based in the cabin. Here we exchanged stories of paths we did not take in our lives. Partridge, chipolata cake and chai. Dogs particuarly taken with partridge possibility.
A pleasure to welcome Horward Mottram to Kaliwoods. He came specifically to see Greg and his collection of fossils that he'd found on the land. Greg and all of us enjoyed his easy company and his reminder of that life millions of years ago. Homework: Tannins. Around our circle we spoke of seeds, catching up… Continue reading Elders 22 Fossils with Howard Mottram
Written by Caroline Way, to match the one she had written a few years ago here (LINK) I once loved a dogOr should I say — this dog loved meWe sat by the fireIsn’t it good in Kaliwood Rachel tells me to ‘stay'And I bark ‘I’m glad you’re here'I curl up beside While she sits… Continue reading Kali in Kaliwood
At one point we were 27 around the fire, to welcome in Samhain, the time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. The time of inviting our ancestors to join us, to turn our minds to think about them again, remember their life and all that they gave to… Continue reading Elders 21 – Samhain
Kinda Elders in the woods 