It seems ages ago now, although in fact it was only the weekend before last, but in my busy schedule I have only just got round to writing up my day at the Chorlton Big Green Festival. Never mind it was thankfully a memorable one.

Mind you the preparation for the day actually began weeks ago with planting out my Marigold seeds and building my new Ethnomedica stand. The last few days before Festival being given over to creating the mini herb garden with Karen from the Hulme Community Garden Centre and a mad panic rush getting my new practice leaflet printed. (Note to self: Don’t leave printing to the last minute; rows in print shops do not go along with my image of being a calm yummy herbalist!) Anyway eventually at about 10pm on the Friday eve I managed to collapse on the sofa with a can of cold beer having just dropped of umpteen boxes, bowls, posters, herb gardens and Marigolds at St Clements ready for the morning.

After all that, setting up was actually fairly straight forward. This gave me a little time before we opened to have a look around the site. I must say that the space we were in on the top floor of the Church was stunning with its beautiful window, arched ceiling and wooden floor, it added a calming spirit to the event. Outside in the grounds many other stall where busily being put up and delicious smells where wafting past from the various delicacies on offer from the food stalls. I was however quite glad that I was inside as although it was sunny it was cold!

Just before 11 Sue the Wellbeing space organiser (thanks for all the hard work Sue!) gathered all the stall holders together to introduce ourselves and after a bit of harmonious humming we opened to the public.

I must admit that the next five hours are a bit of a blur. I know I must have spoken to hundreds of people because my voice went very deep and croaky just before 4pm when I was due to start my herb walk. I don’t know if it was the Reiki from the next door stall holder, the emergency piece of cake I sent Brian out for or the sage leaves I chewed from my handy herb garden but by the time we gathered for the start of the walk I was back to normal, phew.

Judging from the cards in the Ethnomedica chest quite a lot of those hundreds where remembering their childhood herbal remedies and contributing to our project. Dock leaves for nettle stings as always where a favourite as was comfrey for bruises cuts and rheumatism. Nettle tea used as a hair conditioner was a new one on me but apparently it works. Others included Lavender for sleeping and warmed olive oil in the ear for earache. Big thanks for all who contributed; these will be sent on to Kew Gardens and added to the records.

Of course the major event of the afternoon was my demonstration of how to make a Marigold Healing Balm. I was a bit trepidatious about this to begin with as there where only about 2 people watching at the start but by the end there was quite a crowd. I feel really inspired by it actually and am thinking about developing Green Man Remedy Demo parties as a side line! Have included some pics of the demo, at some point I am going to do a video to add to my growing collection on YouTube.

So finally the day ended with my herb walk. This involved walking from the church down to Chorlton Green and back again; i.e. a very short distance. However we managed to see; Groundsel, Oregon Grape, Chickweed, Hawthorn, Daffodil, Herb Robert, Dandelion, Dock, Feverfew, Wood Avens, Nettles, Periwinkle and ending up under a beautiful Horse Chestnut tree who’s unctuous sticky buds where just opening up. Not bad for especially considering the late spring and the freezing wind!

Thankfully by the time I got back Brian had packed most of the stall away which just left me the heavy stuff to lug to the car (thanks B!). This gave me just enough time to hang out with some old and new friends before it was back home for tea.

All told this was a really successful and enjoyable day. It was a shame I didn’t have time to also enjoy the rest of the festival but hey I’m not complaining. Thanks again to the organisers of the festival and to those who visited the Wellbeing area and my stall for making it such a great day.

Tags: Demonstration, Ethnomedica, Events, Herb Walks, Herbs, How To, Journal, Marigold, Recipes