for folk who don't know - new followers this year! - I have several books in print: setting out with much optimism to inform, provoke, inspire or maybe just disturb your peace a little. There is 'Sacred Animals' offering ways of creatively reinvigorating your relationship with the animal-cousins,
'Waiting for the Snow" is my latest collection of poems ranging from the frivolous Birken Hoss to the melting darkness of an Arctic night and the simple loneliness of waiting for the snow. And 'Baba Yaga" - a small collection of poems inspired by a great old witch!
Ordering details: /2024/05/witches-snow-and-wonderful-creatures.html
#magic, #naturebooks,#paganism, #BabaYaga, #naturepoetry
A great sense of personal achievement: I reversed off the Nigg ferry! And didn't hit any cyclists or stray pedestrians or send the car off the slipway! #ferry, #cromarty, #nigg, #pictsculpturetrail
Fascinating visit to @boleskine.house today. A beautiful restoration work and an exciting space to be in! #Boleskine, #historicbuildings ,#aleistercrowley. #jimmypage
Join us in Glossop....Glossop Festival is THIS Saturday! 🌿
There will be stories and storytellers, performers, and if you are really lucky you might the wonderful Lady of the Loom....
Derbyshire Makes arrives in Glossop on Saturday for a joyful day of making, folklore and storytelling ☀️
The day begins with the Lady of the Loom awakening in Norfolk Square – a moment that sets everything in motion. From there, the town opens up. You’ll find making happening in all corners, stories unfolding, music drifting through the square.
You might find yourself crafting creatures and flags for the parade. Or weaving something small into a much bigger shared artwork. Or just pausing for a while and watching it all happen around you.
There’s a strong sense of place running through the day. Local voices, local stories, local makers – whether that’s inside Partington Theatre with storytelling and film, or out in the square with music, knitting, and hands-on making.
You’ll also find moments of play and surprise woven in.
Step into Val & Friends Community Living Room for a mix of crafting, comedy and connection.
Or catch Thingamabob – unexpected, chaotic, and guaranteed to draw a crowd.
🚐 And The Makory will be there too – with artist Jenny Steele inviting you to print ribbons and create your own hand-crafted tassel, inspired by Derbyshire’s textile heritage.
As the day builds, everything comes together in the Celebration Parade – a shared moment made from everything created along the way.
✨ A day to explore, join in, and celebrate making together.
🗓️ Sat 9 May
🕚 From 11am
🎟️ Free festival
👉 Head to the website to explore more and plan your visit
Let’s make something together in Glossop 💛
@highpeakcommunityarts@maisonfoo@mattpangcreates@artsderbyshire@weare.local
#DerbyshireMakes #DerbyshireMakes2026 #Glossop #MakeSomething #CreativeDerbyshire
may blossom, bluebells and fern seed: Beltane is almost here so I thought I would share my Beltane Bannock recipe. I'll make them for tomorrow morning. I have had this recipe for YEARS: and found it originally in a book on Craft and celebration. BELTANE BANNOCK
MIX:
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup butter (40g)
½ cup brown sugar (60g)
1 tablespoon white wine (optional)
ADD
11/2 cups flour (180g)
1/2teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
11/4 cups oatmeal (150g): go for oatmeal rather than crushed porridge oats,
Optional extra: a pinch of cinnamon
Heat the ‘mix’ in a saucepan until everything melts: make sure it doesn’t burn
Add to dry ingredients, stirring well adding a little water if needed.
When you have a rollable dough, shape into crescent moons or small flattened balls
Bake at350F, 180C, Gas Mark 4 for ~15mins until light brown. They overcook very easily and become hard biscuits!
#Beltane, #bannock, #festivalfood
Wandering in spring sunshine: flowers and ferns on the banks of the Severn and a fascinating barn at the house where we were staying. #springflowers, #ferns, #nature, #historicbuildings
A day of lovely firsts for me for this year: first bluebells, first butterflies in numbers (whites, Brimstone, peacocks) first hatching of river flies, first visit to the Anchor Church Caves, #nature, #rivertrent, #history, #sacred landscapes
I am excited to add my Toad-croaking song to the notice below. #storytelling, #storymaking, #forestschool, #storytraining, #natureconnection, @theforestschoolassociation
🌿 Workshop Announcement
FSA National Conference 2026
25–27 September
Walesby Forest, Nottinghamshire
🌿 Stories Everywhere
with Gordon MacLellan @creepingtoad
What if stories are already all around us… waiting to be found, shaped and shared?
In this playful, hands-on workshop, Gordon MacLellan invites us into imaginative and collaborative play — where words, materials and moments come together to create something new.
Together, we’ll explore simple activities that spark storytelling through found materials, shared conversations and wild imagination
Moving between outdoor spaces and indoor reflection, you’ll experiment with ways to create storywalks and hold onto the stories that emerge.
This is play that connects —
creative, social and full of possibility.
A chance to step into story, follow curiosity, and rediscover the quiet magic of storytelling.
#fsaconf2026 #EmbersThePowerOfPlay #forestschool #storytelling #imaginativeplay outdoorlearning creativeplay natureconnection
I've been trying to post the information about my friend @alicev.taylor 's exhibiton about 5 times now and Ig is not letting me do so! let's hope this time! If you are in Inverness, drop into the museum and wonder at beauty! /attractions/inverness-museum-and-art-gallery/whats-on/alice-taylor
#nature, #natureart, #paintings, #exhibition
