This month’s open day is a midsummer special with many reasons to celebrate!
* We’re celebrating the life and work of the ‘peasant poet’ John Clare who lived and wrote in Epping Forest – read below for more details of this inspirational figure
* It’s strawberry time, and we have a pick your own strawberry session on offer, which can be combined with weeding if you wish!
* It’s our bargain plant sale, many reduced price tomatoes and other plants for sale, plus lots of fruit bushes, and a compost giveaway (bring your own sacks); there’s still time to get your garden growing!
And it’s the Forest School too. All welcome on this special day, as usual we’re open from 12-4pm, directions and transport details at www.organiclea.org.uk
Sunday 29 June 2014, 12-4pm at Hawkwood Nursery
Plant sale and compost giveaway all day
Pick your own strawberries and horticulatural task all day
1-2pm lunchsoup £3 or bring your own
2-4pm: poetry-themed site tour
12-3pm (with a break for lunch) Forest School. Children under 6 must be accompanied. Spaces are limited so please email liz@organiclea.org.uk
Celebrating the life and work of John Clare (3 July 1793 – 20 May 1864): Poetry against Power
John Clare lived and wrote in Epping Forest and has provided inspiration for our work. Celebrating John Clare means sharing in the contribution that his poetry made to understanding the impact that the enclosures in the early 19th century had on those living and working in the countryside. Witnessing these changes profoundly affected John Clare’s mental health.
Organiclea pays respect to John Clare both for his unique work as a ‘peasant poet’ highlighting the effects of the enclosures on rural communities, and also because of the link that his life story provides to our commitment to supporting those coming through mental ill-health. The therapeutic benefits of working with plants and being outdoors are well documented and form a vital part of Organiclea’s volunteering, outreach and training activities. For more information about this aspect of our work please get in touch – or come to the Open Day to ask more about it.
