West of England Herb Group
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Are you interested in herbs and their uses? Would you like to learn more?
	The West of England Herb Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm at Abbots Leigh Village Hall, near Bristol. Everyone is welcome - come along and bring a friend!
	Events 2011-2012
	Meetings start at 7.30pm with refreshments and a chance to chat to other members and swap ideas.
25th Oct	Herbs for bees Former bee keeper Ginny Owen and botanic artist Fiona Williams look at our gardens from the perspective of these familiar yet threatened insects (with plant sale and raffle)
22nd Nov	Aromatherapy for a stress-free life Local aromatherapist Caroline Blake-Symes looks at how we can combat stress in a natural way
6th Dec (1st Tue)	Christmas supper and AGM A Christmas bring and share supper with a herb theme brings our year to a happy close (preceded by a short AGM) (with raffle)
24th Jan	The heart of herbcraft Medical herbalist Nathan Hughes MNIMH talks about his method of healing through herbs (see Ruskin Apothecary)
28th Feb	Local herbs for local people Max Drake MNIMH of Urban Fringe, the herbal apothecary and natural medicine clinic in Colston Street, Bristol, will tell us about his work using local herbs for medicines and his involvement with a youth project, growing herbs (with raffle) (see Urban Fringe)
27th Mar	Herbs of Malaysia Jekka McVicar, our widely travelled President, will show us herbs from another part of the world (see Jekka's Herb Farm)
24th Apr	Growing herbs for hanging baskets Caroline Pakenham has exhibited hanging baskets of herbs at the RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. She will talk about the cultivation of some unusual herbs and show you how to incorporate them into your own hanging baskets
22nd May	New life in an old garden There has been a garden at the Old Deanery in Wells for over 850 years! For the last 8 years, a energetic group have brought it back to life using plants familiar to William Turner, the father of English botany, who once lived here (see Wells Old Deanery Garden)
6th Jun (Wed)	Afternoon outing - Old Deanery Garden, Wells Following the May meeting, a chance for members to visit the restored Old Deanery gardens (note this is not an official tour). Meet at the gardens at 1.30pm. Please use your own transport, and car share where possible (see Wells Old Deanery Garden)
26th Jun	Cooking for the immune system Victoria Kubiak (APNT, Dip ONC), nutritional therapist and very popular speaker, returns to share her wisdom, with a demonstration and tastings (see Victoria Kubiak)
8th Jul (Sun)	Summer outing - Oxford Botanic Garden This year we travel to Britain’s oldest botanic garden, featuring a new collection of plants showing the importantance of plants in modern medicine. Further information to follow (see Oxford Botanic Garden)
24th Jul	Herbal skincare Gail Francombe runs local company Goodness and Wonder, creating her own range of 100% natural skincare products. She shows us how to make a simple yet luxuriant treat for the skin (see Goodness and Wonder)
25th Sep	Winter tonics and tastings Medical herbalist Ann Freeman MNIMH looks at ways of boosting health and energy through the coldest time of year (with plant sale and raffle)
23rd Oct	An introduction to ayurveda We take a look at India’s ancient system of healing with local therapist John Smith MURHP DipCH. John has studied in both India and China, and draws from the traditions of Ayurveda and Chinese herbal medicine in his practice
20th Nov	Wreath-making with seasonal herbs Sue Amesbury of Green Garland works with locally sourced, natural, compostable materials to create beautiful, fragrant, individual wreaths. Come along to hear her tips for festive decorations (see Green Garland)
4th Dec (1st Tue)	Christmas supper and AGM A Christmas bring and share supper with a herb theme brings our year to a happy close (preceded by a short AGM) (with raffle)
	Venue
	Our meetings are at Abbots Leigh Village Hall, which is just off the A369 to the west of Bristol (2.5 miles from M5 J19, 1.5 miles from the Clifton Suspension Bridge). Turn off the A369 opposite The George pub. The hall is the first building on your right, up this road. The address is 6 Church Road, Abbots Leigh, Bristol BS8 3QP. Here is a map.
	Membership
	You don't have to be a member to attend our meetings - but it will save you money! Come to a meeting and join while you're there. Annual subscriptions: Single £20 Double £30 Non-members: £4 per meeting
	Contact us
	For more information phone 0117 9733305 or send us an email.
	Links
	Some other herb-related sites: Jekka's Herb Farm We are proud to have Jekka McVicar as President of our Group. Her herb farm, north of Bristol, has a huge selection of organically grown herbs for sale by mail order. The Herb Society The UK's national society for increasing the understanding, use and appreciation of herbs and their benefits to health. Arne Herbs A well-known herb farm to the south of Bristol, owned by Anthony Lyman-Dixon, our previous President. Garden Organic Garden Organic (formerly HDRA) promotes organic methods for growing all plants, including herbs. National Herb Centre The National Herb Centre runs an excellent nursery and other herb-related activities from its base in Banbury. Tree Aid Tree Aid is a Bristol-based charity that supports communities in Africa by planting trees to reduce their vulnerability to drought and famine. Avon Organic Group The Avon Organic Group is a forum for everyone in the Bristol area who is interested in organic gardening and organic foods. (Please note that we are not responsible for the content of other web sites.)
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