Meetings
Planting a Garden for a Herbal Medical Cabinet
Date: Wednesday 1st February at 8.00pm
Details: Gillian will advise which plants to grow for a herbal medical chest, what she would use them for, and which plants are suited to Hertfordshire gardens.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Black Death ~ Healing Herbs
Date: Wednesday 2nd November at 8.00pm
Details: In this talk historian Julie Wakefield (Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret) will look at the herbs that were used in various ways to ward off the plague, and show how our examination of these herbs can open windows into the way people in the medieval period viewed medicine and the world itself. The evening will include herbal astrology, alchemy, and demonstrations of the home-made remedies resorted to by the poor.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Modern Drugs Derived from Plants
Date: Wednesday 5th October at 8.00pm
Details: Medical Herbalist Frances Harris will explain how in the past 25 years 50% of prescription drugs were derived from chemicals first identified in plants. Plants continue to share their medical secrets and you may be growing some of them in your garden.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Allison Metcalfe
Date: Wednesday 7th September at 8.00pm
Details: For our September meeting we are welcoming Allison Metcalfe a qualified aromatherapist and self taught chandler. She has founded her own company - Rue Candles - creating natural vegetable wax candles and home fragrances using her own natural vegetable wax. She will be bringing along some of her delightful items for us to buy - they would make beautiful Christmas presents! As usual we shall have our bring and buy table and raffle. And don't forget the 'Show and Sell' table where you can bring along anything you have made or want to sell. All we ask is that you donate 10% of any monies received to the HHG. This gives you an outlet for your handywork and some income for the group.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Herbs in Literature
Date: Wednesday 6th July at 8.00pm
Details: Thought that herbs were just used for cooking? Come along and learn how herbs have been written about in literature as diverse as the Bible, Shakespeare, Peter Rabbit, Wind in the Willows, Harry Potter, Cadfael and more.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Natural Treatment for Your Pets
To be given by Richard Allport MRCVS
Date: Wednesday 1st June at 8.00pm
Details: Local vet Richard Allport specialises in the treatment of companion animals using homeopathy, acupuncture aromatherapy, herbs, Bach flowers, and more. Come along and learn about natural treatments for your pets.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Eyebright Evening
To be given by Kate Rouse and Karen Lawton
Date: Wednesday 4th May at 8.00pm
Details: Kate and Karen will talk about the history, folklore and modern uses of this remarkable plant.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Waste Not Want Not
Date: Wednesday 6th April 2011 at 8.00pm
Details: Isabel Barnes talks about her innovative scheme "Waste Not Want Not", a horticultural enterprise which rescues plants and horticultural materials from landfill.
They also create and maintain gardens and green spaces for individuals, charities, schools, churches and businesses. There will be a selection of their plants for sale. They welcome volunteers from 16 to 70+ years, particularly those seeking companionship, recovering from a life crisis and/or seeking a more enjoyable and satisfying life.
They need people to help with all aspects of the organisation: gardening, administration, transporting volunteers, fundraising, site maintenance, etc. If you have some spare time and you would like to do something worthwhile please contact Isobel on 01438 820154 or email isobelbarnes@aol.com.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2 (Members: £1)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Permission To Poison
The Hertfordshire Herb Group's 15th Anniversary
Date: Wednesday 2nd March 2011 at 8.00pm
Details: Established in 1996, the Hertfordshire Herb Group will celebrate its 15th Anniversary in 2011.To mark this, we will be presenting a special event on Wednesday 02 March, when distinguished garden historian and designer Caroline Holmes will talk about the Poison Garden at Alnwick Gardens in Northumberland.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2 (members) ~ £4 (non-members/conc)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Transition Town Welwyn Garden
To be given by Peter Lowe
Date: Wednesday 2nd February 2011 at 8.00pm
Details: Peter will talk about the new City and Guilds registered centre at Digswell Nurseries, Young Cooperatives and Transition Welwyn Garden
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Medicinal Plants of Anglo-Saxon England
To be given by Medical Herbalist Frances Watkins
Date: Wednesday 3rd November at 8.00pm
Details: Frances will talk about Old English medical texts and the different methods used to treat infection whether it was a war wound, animal bite, ulcer or boil
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
The Witching Herbs and Flying Ointments
To be given by Karen Lawton of Sensory Solutions
Date: Wednesday 6th October at 8.00pm
Details: As Halloween approaches learn about the history and current uses of our most infamous poisonous herbs
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
To be given by June Crew
Date: Wednesday 1st September at 8.00pm
Details: **As Autumn approaches fungi are growing fast** Before you start foraging let June explain those that are safe to eat and those to be avoided at all costs!
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
The Magic Of Trees
To be given by Mary Barton
Date: Wednesday 7th July at 8.00pm
Details: Group founder, Mary, will tell us about the mythical and magical nature of trees. Come along and be inspired!
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Perfect Moment
To be given by Cindy and Samantha Jackson from ‘Perfect Moment’ florist
Date: Wednesday 2nd June at 8.00pm
Details: Using fresh herbs, hedgerow and seasonal flowers they will make a variety of floral arrangements and wreaths
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Ruby Red Cosmetics
To be given by Martine Burford
Date: Wednesday 5th May at 8.00pm
Details: Co-founder Martine Burford will talk about her life changing journey through Asia where she discovered a culture of natural ingredients that were to be the inspiration for her natural, organic, ethically sourced vegetarian beauty products.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Cooking Using Spring Herbs
To be given Marcia Kaye
Date: Wednesday 7th April 2010 at 8.00pm
Details: Following the briefest AGM possible, talented chef and group member Marcia (ably assisted by Geoff) will show us how to use Spring herbs when cooking. Come along to taste, learn and be inspired by the wonder of herbs.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
History of the Luton Hoo Walled Garden
To be given Oohagh Kennedy
Date: Wednesday 3rd March 2010 at 8.00pm
Details: Oonagh, for many years curator of the Wernher Collection at Luton Hoo, is now directing research on the restoration of the gardens. She will talk to us about the history of this six-acre octagonal garden dating from the 1770s.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Hard to swallow – what’s a sore throat and herbs to help it
To be given Karen and Fiona of Sensory Solutions
Date: Wednesday 3rd February 2010 at 8.00pm
Details: Karen and Fiona are medical herbalists who will share their wisdom to let us know what causes sore throats and what herbs are useful in their prevention and cure.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
The Magic of Trees
By Mary Barton.
Date: Wednesday 6th January 2010 at 8.00pm
Details: Mary is a medical herbalist and founder of the group. She has a special interest in trees and will talk to us about their history, folklore and medicinal properties.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Christmas Social Evening
All Welcome
Date: Wednesday 2nd December 2009 at 8.00pm
Details: Come along and enjoy an evening sampling herbal food and drink. Marvel at the herbal handiwork of the group members. Bring along your favourite food and drink for everyone to sample. *Grand Raffle*
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Spice Up Your Life
To be given by our talented committee.
Date: Wednesday 4th November 2009 at 8.00pm
Details: Learn about the history, medicinal properties and uses of Cardamom, Nutmeg, Mace, Star Anise and Saffron.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
BuzzWorks – Beekeeping and Bee Gardening
Date: Wednesday 7th October 2009 at 8.00pm
Details: Robin Dartington, founder and director of Buzzworks, will talk to us about this community centre dedicated to beekeeping and bee gardening in Hitchin. Sam Thomas will give a slide show to describe the creation of the Flower Garden at BuzzWorks. The garden contains plants that provide pollen and nectar for honeybees and native wild bee species, and has been designed for education, inspiration and relaxation purposes.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
An Introduction To Plantlife
To be given by June Crew of Plantlife
Date: Wednesday 2nd September 2009 at 7.30pm
Details: Wild flowers and plants help give the UK its unique character, from woodland and meadows to uplands and coastline. However most are under threat from intensive farming, habitat destruction, invasive plants from overseas, over-grazing, climate change and pollution. Plantlife is a charity working to protect Britain’s wild flowers, plants, fungi and lichens in the habitats in which they are found.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Invite all members to the Summer Social
Kindly hosted by Geoff and Marcia
Date: Wednesday 5th August 2009 at 8.00pm
Details:
*Cunning quiz*
*Plant swap*
*Raffle*
Please bring along food and drink to share. Look forward to seeing you! Please could you all put in a request for *NO RAIN*
Thankyou.
Dyeing Using Plants
To be given by our talented committee
Date: Wednesday 1st July 2009 at 8.00pm
Details: Learn how to use plants when dyeing wool and material.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
The Trees Of Welwyn Garden City
By Oliver Waring of Welwyn Tree Dept
Date: Wednesday 3rd June 2009 at 7.30pm
Details: Oliver will take us on a gentle guided tour of Welwyn describing the trees in the city. If raining the meeting will be in the hall.
Please note earlier start time!
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Treating Allergies and Hayfever with Herbs
By Karen and Fiona from Sensory Solutions
Date: Wednesday 6th May 2009 at 8pm
Details: Many herbs have an antihistamine action to help with allergic reactions to dust, pollen, mites etc. Come along and learn how to prepare your body using herbs - before the pollen count soars!
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Love Potions - History, Fact and Fiction
Date: Wednesday 1st April 2009 at 8pm
Details: Due to the snow in February this meeting had to be cancelled but is back by popular demand! Following a (very) brief AGM our talented committee will look at the various ways plants have been used to influence feelings and perceptions. From caraway and mandrake to ginger, garlic or rose we will explore the tastes, textures and scents that surround us.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Agrarian Renaissance at Church Farm Ardeley
Date: Wednesday 4th March 2009 at 8pm
Details: Come and learn about Agrarian Renaissance at Church Farm, Ardeley, where the owners have been restoring and creating a traditional, mixed, sustainable and high welfare food and farming system. The farm is a place for wildlife, beauty, diversity, community and people as well as a place to produce authentic local food.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Love Potions - History, Fact and Fiction
Date: Wednesday 4th February 2009 at 8pm
Details: With St Valentine’s Day imminent our talented committee will look at the various ways plants have been used to influence feelings and perceptions. From caraway and mandrake to ginger, garlic or rose we will explore the tastes, textures and scents that surround us.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Christmas Social Evening
Date: Wednesday 3rd December 2008 at 8pm
Details: Come along and enjoy an evening sampling herbal food and drink and test your herbal expertise in a light hearted quiz. Bring along your favourite food and drink for everyone to sample.
*Grand Raffle*
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Preserving Herbs - By Our Talented Committee Members
Date: Wednesday 5th November 2008 at 8pm
Details: Come along and hear how to preserve herbs for the winter months in oils, tinctures and creams. Learn how to freeze and dry herbs and use them to enhance your cooking. Herbs make thoughtful presents – if you know how! Promises to be a sparkling evening!
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
An Introduction To Anglo-Saxon Herbal Medicine - A Talk by Conan T. Doyle
Date: Wednesday 3rd September 2008 at 8pm
Details: An introduction to the fascinating world of Anglo-Saxon herbal medicine, inherited by the Anglo-Saxons from the Roman world, and derived from a tradition of herbal medical texts originating in Greece in the second century BC. Recent scholarship suggests that the Old English translations of the Roman herbal texts were in fact modified specifically for the British climate, that the recipes were effective, and that the Mediterranean herbs prescribed in these recipes were grown or imported by Anglo-Saxon monasteries.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
"The Ancient History of Corn Dollies" - A Talk by Jane Woolman
Date: Wednesday 2nd July 2008 at 8pm
Details: Jane will talk about the ancient art of corn dolly making, how the craft has spread throughout the world and also the many myths and legends that have been handed down through the ages. There will be a display of a variety of types of corn dollies and a demonstration of how a corn dolly is made.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
"The Lost Gardens of Hertfordshire" - A Talk by Anne Rowe
Date: Wednesday 4th June 2008 at 8pm
Details: Anne will give an illustrated talk looking at some of the interesting gardens that have been lost through changing gardening fashions and land usage. Anne is a landscape historian and co-ordinates the research of the Hertfordshire Gardens Trust.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Future Nutrition - A Presentation by Mary Barton
Date: Wednesday 7th May 2008 at 8pm
Details: Mary is a medical herbalist and founder member of the group. She will be advising on plant based living for optimum nutrition. Join us for what promises to be a very informative evening.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Following a (short!) AGM, the committee will present a talk on Aniseed Herbs
Date: Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 8pm
Details: Following a brief AGM the committee will give a presentation on Aniseed Herbs. From childhood sweets to sophisticated sauces, from gripe water to pastis, aniseed flavouring has been used for millennia. Join us to learn more about the history, horticulture, culinary and medicinal uses of anise, fennel, dill, chervil and tarragon.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.
Good in Bed - A Presentation by Anne Godfrey of Daisy Roots
Date: Wednesday 5th March 2008 at 8pm
Details: Now that Spring is almost here, start planning your Summer garden. Anne will look at plants that naturally earn their keep in the garden with an extra long season of interest, plus tips on how to keep plants flowering for longer. Plants also available for purchase.
Venue: St. Bonaventure's Church Hall, 83 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JF.
Entry: £2.00 (Members £1.00)
Contact: info@herts-herb-group.co.uk
Light refreshments included. Everyone welcome.