Tales from the Hedgerow and Moor

Episode 6 June — Elder, Glow-worms, Golowan, the Midsummer Bonfires and Three Ways to Mark the Solstice

The old English word for the solstice was sunstede — the standing still. June has two distinct characters: the building light of the first half, and the turn that begins after the 21st, almost too small to notice at first. This episode covers June in its fullness, the plants coming into flower in the hedgerow, the creatures of the long evenings, the old customs of Midsummer, and what is overhead in the sky this month. In the hedgerow: the elder in full flower, its folk tradition and the rules around cutting it. Honeysuckle (woodbine) and why Victorian girls were forbidden from bringing it indoors. St John’s Wort gathered specifically at Midsummer, its old name chase-devil, and its use as protection against spirits at the year’s most charged moment. The glow-worm and why its cold light is declining. Badger cubs and fox cubs in the long summer evenings. The swift — 3,400 miles from Africa, returning to the same nest site every year. Midsummer customs: the bonfires lit on the headlands, the word bonfire and where it comes from. Golowan — the Cornish Midsummer festival, its name meaning light in Cornish. And three small things you can do to mark the solstice or Midsummer’s Eve yourself — from lighting a candle at dusk to floating St John’s Wort in water overnight. Read more about the elder tree and its traditions in the hedgerow this month: hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news/elder-tree-folklore-uk-hedgerow [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/pages/podcast] The June Almanac — 32 pages on the folklore, plants and creatures of Midsummer, written and illustrated by Emma: hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/products/june-almanac-zine [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/products/products-june-almanac-zine?variant=53663753273687] The June Almanac box — the zine, two original signed art prints, 2 products, wooden animal totem and moon phase calendar: hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/products/june-almanac-box [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/products/june-almanac-box?variant=53659022721367]

Episode 5 May - Oak Apples, Beltane and Changelings

In this episode I take a look at the festivals and customs of the month of May, both those that are still celebrated today and those that were celebrated by our ancestors but ave now faded away. I look at Beltane and May Day and how the Christian church pinched some of these ancient customs and festivals and adapted them into something different. I also take a look at how some of the plants and flowers blooming in this month had a significant part in the May celebrations and how they helped our ancestors connect to this special month. I take a little look at the fairy folk and some of the plants they are associated with. If you want a more detailed delve into each month, take a look at my monthly zine which takes a look at the seasonal folklore, nature lore along with a few seasonal projects and recipes to help you get the most out of each month and enjoy the seasons. https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/collections/almanac-subscription-pre-order-now-open [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/collections/almanac-subscription-pre-order-now-open] Also check out the blog for more seasonal tips and how to connect to nature. https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news]

Episode 4 April - Airy Mice, cuckoos and Walpurgis night.

April is one of the most exciting months in the countryside when spring is fully underway. The weather can swing from warm, early-summer sunshine to sudden wind and rain across the moor, a changeability that has long shaped how the month is understood — what Shakespeare called “the uncertain glory of an April day.” In this episode, we explore the traditions and turning points of April, from the mischief of April Fool’s Day to the deep-rooted folklore of Good Friday, when bread baked was said never to spoil and seeds planted would never fail. We move through St George’s Day, St Mark’s Eve, and Walpurgis Night — each marking a different stage in the season’s progression. Alongside this, we look at what’s unfolding in nature now: the return of the cuckoo and swallows, the reappearance of bats and bees, and the quiet activity building across hedgerows and woodland floors. We explore the value of early spring plants such as nettles and dandelions, and how they can be used in simple, practical ways. This month’s focus is the art of noticing; paying closer attention to the small, daily changes that define the season. From birdsong and blossom to scent in the air, April offers something new to observe each time you step outside. Link to the blog for recipes using spring plants https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news] The art of noticing blog https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news/the-art-of-noticing-an-early-march-field-guide-and-download [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news/the-art-of-noticing-an-early-march-field-guide-and-download] Sign up for the weekly Almanac collection box, full of things to help you connect more with each month. https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/collections/almanac-subscription-pre-order-now-open [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/collections/almanac-subscription-pre-order-now-open]

Episode 3 March - Saints, spiders and herby beer!

Chorus & Seed SowingMarch Seasonal Living Podcast | St David’s Day, St Piran, St Patrick, Primroses, Dawn Chorus & Seed Sowing In this March episode of Tales from the Hedgerow & Moor, we focus on seasonal living, folklore, and early spring rhythms. We explore the traditions of St David’s Day, St Piran’s Day, and St Patrick’s Day, including the history of the leek and shamrock as national emblems. We look at the folklore of the Borrowed Days at the end of March, and what these stories reveal about the unpredictability of early spring weather. This episode also reflects on the beginning of the dawn chorus, the return of primroses (Primula vulgaris), and the old spring dish once made from crushed primrose petals. And find out what the core nourishing ritual for this month. If you are interested in slow living, seasonal wisdom, British folklore, Cornish traditions, reconnecting with the rhythms of the land, this episode offers calm guidance without pressure or instruction. It offers a steady companion for March, as the light lengthens and the growing season quietly begins!

Episode 2 February - Imbolc, Shrovetide and Sour sauce!

In this February episode, we take a closer look at the quiet turning of the season as winter begins to loosen its hold. We explore traditional February themes of preparation, purification, and early signs of movement in the natural world, including the return of light, shifting weather, and the first plants and birds to watch for as the month unfolds. The episode touches on seasonal folklore and traditions associated with February, including Imbolc and Shrovetide, and what these moments in the calendar can tell us about how people once marked time, food, and the approach of spring. We also look at what can be noticed outdoors this month — from early flowers and catkins to bird behaviour and changing rhythms on the land. Alongside this, we have the regular activity / ritual that will help you live a little more in tune with the month. As with all episodes, this is an invitation to slow down, pay attention, and move through the month with a little more awareness of the natural world around us. Link to the herb garden blog post: https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news/planning-a-herb-garden-in-february-a-uk-guide-for-small-spaces-and-borders [https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news/planning-a-herb-garden-in-february-a-uk-guide-for-small-spaces-and-borders]