Tipsy Flowers – March

Participants will spend a morning learning a traditional craft in the beautiful, peaceful and ancient Wyre Forest.

Participants will make traditional gypsy flowers out of hazel, oak or ash (harvested sustainably from the forest) whilst sitting on a shave-horse, using a traditional draw knife. Participants may make as many flowers as they like, and may paint them if desired or leave them natural.

After mastering this easy-to-learn craft, engage with the Spirit of the Wyre with tastings of Wildjac’s naturally flavoured gins, vodkas and rums (non-alcoholic also available).

Participants will take their bunch of flowers home with them, as well as a Wildjac miniature bottle of their choice and a bottle of Wyre Community Land Trust apple juice made with apples gathered from local orchards.

A significant element of the session in the forest will simply be enjoying the peace and quiet of the beautiful surroundings. We hope that everyone will go home refreshed and revitalised, having spent time connecting with nature and learning a new skill.

All materials for the activity, tools and work gloves will be provided. We recommend that participants come prepared for whatever weather we have on the day, with warm clothing, a waterproof jacket and footwear with non-slip soles.

Refreshments will be available in the form of coffee/tea/Ruskin Land apple juice and biscuits, plus a taster from Wildjac gins. Participants will leave with their own bouquet of gypsy flowers, a bottle of Ruskin Land apple juice, and a Wildjac miniature of their choice.

A reasonable level of fitness will be required as we will be working outside or in an open barn on a shave-horse requiring a certain level of balance. The ground is uneven in the yard and the forest (a short walk may be included if participants are interested and time allows).

• This course is suitable for adult beginners.
• No level of experience or ability is required.
• This workshop is practical by nature, and participants will need to have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility to take part and enjoy the activities.
• This will take place either outside or in one our farmyard buildings. Participants must ensure they are appropriately dressed for the activity. WCLT reserves the right to prevent a participant from taking part in the activity if they are not wearing suitable clothes and footwear.
• If you book a place on a workshop, but are then no longer able to attend, you will not be entitled to a refund. If you would like to transfer your booking to another workshop, we shall make reasonable efforts (subject to availability) to rearrange the booking, but shall not provide any guarantee to this effect.
• WCLT reserves the right to cancel a workshop. This will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Those with pre-booked places will be offered a choice of alternative dates.

The Wyre Community Land Trust helps manage and conserve the wildlife and habitats of the Wyre Forest and provides opportunities for the local community to learn and engage with the natural environment and heritage crafts.

The Ruskin Club is inspired by John Ruskin (1819-1900), the Victorian artist and social critic, who’s vision for Ruskin Land was for it to be ‘beautiful, peaceful and fruitful’. Ruskin wanted everyone to see and enjoy the unspoiled, inspirational beautify of the world, both in nature and in art. He argued that work should be creative and so he influenced the revival of rural industries and handicrafts.