Talks for 2024

The South African flora has been used for thousands of years by traditional peoples as herbal medicine. Nick Wray, Curator of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, will look at some of these plants, the context in which they grow, and the conservation efforts that are being made to protect threatened herbal plants. 

Sebastian Pole, herbalist and co-founder of Pukka Herbs, set up Earthsong Seeds in 2020, to ensure a British herb seed supply. They grow 70 medicinal species on an organic nursery in Somerset, and believe in the joy and benefit of growing your own healthy herbs.

Sebastian will explore the mystery of germinating the seeds of these often rare and always precious species, as well as how to grow them and make something healthy and useful. With sales of seeds and plants.

Bristol-based medical herbalist Helen Rideout MNIMH will talk to us about the importance of healing and balancing our gut microbiome using herbs, and the positive impact this can have on reducing a host of potential diseases. She will also focus on the gut−brain axis and how a healthy gut supports mental health and gives clarity of mind.

Learn more about the wild bees in your garden from award-winning author Jean Vernon.  Jean is on a mission to unravel and demystify the intricate balance of nature and to introduce everyone to the familiar and unfamiliar bees that live and breed in our gardens. She will offer a glimpse into the secret world of these incredible insects, including their nesting requirements and the 'power plants' that make a difference. With a little understanding of the needs of your garden bees, you can transform your plot into a true, bee-friendly, pollinator paradise.