Frances will be conducting a series of herbal walks around Watford during the autumn of 2015 - details of meeting places to follow. Each walk will start at 2pm and last approximately 2 1/2 hours.
The main focus of the walk will be discovering medicinal plants used in Western herbal medicine that can befound in our hedgerows and local woods. Cost is £7 per person and weather permitting, bring along something to share and we can have a picnic afterwards. For further details call or email

Herbal Workshops and Seminars in 2015

Herbal Infusions, Decoctions and Syrups Workshop
Saturday 26 September, 10-4 pm
Reveley Lodge
88 Elstree Road
Bushey Heath
WD23 4GL

Medical herbalists Frances Watkins and Jill Wright will introduce you to kitchen medicine using herbs to keep away coughs, colds and flu. You will be making your very own relaxing infusion from a selection of dried herbs, a soothing decoction to help relieve coughs and sore throats and a syrup high in vitamin C to help keep away colds throughout the winter months. Spaces are limited so do book early.
The workshop is £25 per person and includes all the herbal remedies that you make and refreshments throughout the day. You will receive a handout for the herbal remedies, a reading list of books for inspiration to make other simple remedies that can be used in the home and we will visit some of the medicinal plants in the garden. Please do bring your own lunch, perhaps something to share with other participants on the workshop. Spaces are limited. To book a place on the herbal workshop please call or email .
Directions to Reveley Lodge gardens
Reveley Lodge is situated at the corner of Elstree Road and Clay Lane in Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire. There is very limited parking at Reveley and for major events it is better to park in Caldecote Gardens just opposite Reveley Lodge, or in Clay Lane.

Trade, Discovery and Influences in the History of Herbal Medicine seminar
Wed 14 October 2015
Wellcome Trust, London NW1 2BE

The aim of this day is to bring together researchers to explore issues related to trade and commerce of medicinal plants in the history of herbal medicine. For programme and registration form click here. Please email poster abstracts of not more than 300 words to .

Medicinal Herbal Tea Blending Workshop
Saturday 21 November,10-4 pm
Reveley Lodge
88 Elstree Road
Bushey Heath
WD23 4GL

Medical herbalists Frances Watkins and Jill Wright will introduce you to the aromas and tastes of medicinal herbal tea blends for relaxation, mood enhancing and a better quality of sleep. Spaces are limited so do book early to avoid disappointment. We will discuss the medicinal properties of each plant, when and where to collect from the wild and how to harvest and store your herbs. Spaces are limited so do book early.
The workshop is £25 per person and includes all the tastings throughout the day, 3 x 25 g blends of your choice to label, pack and take home, handout for the teas discussed, herbal refreshments throughout the day and we will visit some of the medicinal plants in the garden. Please do bring your own lunch, perhaps something to share with other participants on the workshop. Spaces are limited. To book a place on the herbal workshop please call or email .

Shirlie Roden facilitates sound workshops in the UK. An introduction to using your voice for release, self-healing, relaxation and meditation. Using a simple, practicle mehtod working with the tones of the voice, you will discover and learn to use your personal sound to suit your voice, body and emotional needs. No musical experience necessary. For details visit www.shirlieroden.com

Sweatlodge
The sweat lodge is an old traditional native ceremony that is still in practice amongst various North American Indian tribal nations. The practice of sweating has historically been performed amongst many cultures including in Europe but the ceremonies and ritual practices have been forgotten and disappeared with time. An atmosphere is created which is often referred to as being in the womb of Mother Earth; it is a place of safety, giving, sharing, receiving, releasing, cleansing and healing. For booking information email   

Vision Quest
Since time immemorial people have gone to the wilderness to seek guidance and renewal, to let their old selves and old lives die and to find the conditions where spirit may be rekindled and reborn within them. The Hartwell Vision Quest has been created to assist those who seek to find their true nature in Nature and who wish to knock on the door of spirit in a gentle yet profound way. Much of the time will be taken up with preparation and integration. The true work of the Vision Quest awaits us when we return to our people. Visit http://www.hartwell.eu.com