Newsletter
An end of year ramble
I’m drinking a lavender & marshmallow tea, considering the Terry’s chocolate orange my mother bought me yesterday. Reflecting, but not actively in a post-christmas soup of gestation & mild anticipation for the sprouting of seeds (both literally & metaphorically)
Within this in-active reflection, I have come to occupy the feeling that there is more I would like to share here and I thought, perhaps, it would be wise - as I’m often told - to share about what I’m up to with all you wonderful, wonderful people who subscribe & pay me to keep this space going.
Given that I am a writer, a herbalist, and an artist - and I am not a tech savvy social media queen - I often forget, or more accurately fail to organise myself into such configurations that I utilise this space to be all I vision it could be & to share the work I’m doing in the moments I’m doing it. Still, there is time - I think 2026 will be the year. We shall see. Let’s start with good intentions, good rhythms & new writing projects.
Very many things have unfolded this year & I wanted to take time to share, to bring folk up to speed with this unruly project of mine, this u n r u l y b o d y.
Things have been a’happenin
I have been accepted by the Centre of Women’s Studies at York 'University (The leading international institution on violence against women) to study my practice based PhD…to top it off - my PhD has been fully funded, enabling me to continue to focus on my other projects (namely Hedge School, art practice & book writing) alongside the PhD <3
The thesis of my PhD is: ‘Unruly Bodies’: A Critical Pedagogy - an exploration of enclosure, corporealization & recovery in survivors of sexual violence.
In January 2025 I started the beginning of what was a fully funded 6 month intensive programme of creativity for one of the UK’s most progressive Rape Crisis centres. A centre that promotes an approach to feminism which is intersectional & leads radical programmes of education - some of the best I’ve seen in the country. The finale of the programme was a community arts exhibition showcasing the work of 7 women including; performances, spoken word poetry & art. We had 100 guests arrive to see the exhibition. Since attending the event, some participants have informed me they have reported historic incidents of abuse to the police, have disclosed incidents to family and friends & are seeking help to navigate the waters of recovery. This project has received a second iteration of funding and will be running again from 6th January 2026.
3. I’ve been published in Issue 4 of the radical journal for herbalism Wort -
4. I started my Advanced Herbalist training with Master Herbalist Nikki Darrell at the Plant Medicine School in Ireland & spent one month, working on an organic smallholding in East Clare, Ireland with another Master Herbalist Leslie Souchere of East Clare Herbalist. Working in the clinic, harvesting & processing herbs, learning all about organic growing & vegetables.
5.
Whilst I was there & over the last year, I’ve been cooking up a course that offers something I see a lack off in other Herb Schools. A Herbal teaching that also interrogates systemic oppressions & incorporates critical theory…Drum Roll…
Thus, I bring to you ‘Unruly Herbalism':
Unruly Herbalism is a blended course.
Sessions will be delivered through the forms of in-person teaching, at home study & online sessions. The delivery of this course utilises radical approaches to community learning.
You can expect to explore:
8 plants in depth
Deepen knowledge on Queer Theory, Feminism, Systems Thinking
Botanical Folklore specific to the British Isles & Scotland
Practical skills; foraging (plants, pigment & natural fibres) medicine making.
Deepen knowledge of Medicinal Herbalism & application & uses of plants
Ethnobotany
‘Tactics of Togetherness’ - Mutual Aid, Cooperativism, Restorative Justice & Community as Activism
Wild Food Recipes
Your own creative practice
In many ways Unruly Herbalism is a carnival of ideas - an approach to herbalism that centres both a rigorous experiential study of plants & their constituents alongside an accessible & approachable criticality of the structures & scripts our human lives are enmeshed with.
It aims to foster a foundational practical knowledge of medicine making, native medicinal herbs & foraging alongside a nurturance of ideas within critical cultural theory & possibilities to continue this work in your communities amongst others.
Fundamentally, Unruly Herbalism aims to invite participants into a process of shedding; the shedding of a pattern of perception that harms rather than helps. This offering is an invitation to reclaim relationship, to replenish the ways in which we relate, both to one another & other kin.
This course has been designed & developed by me, and will be facilitated by both me & my wonderful friend Johanna / Hana who is the master behind the beautiful poster.
Sign up starts with an expression of interest - email womanofthehedge@gmail.com
Sign ups will be accepted until 28th February 2026
I have been invited to write chapter for a collection of chapters in a series commissioned by Edward Elgar called: Environmental Education: A Multidisciplinary Approach.
The Chapter I will be contributing will be on Ecofeminism & Justice.
I spent another month between Germany & Denmark - working on an incredible arts project titled Earth Wise run by the incredible artist Christine Fentz. A residency project that combines Arts with Land. In August, I supported with the production of Earth Bound - an arts & science festival that is also run by Christine through her sister company Secret Hotel. In February, I will return to help support with the delivery of their ‘Curious Encounters’ residency programme.
8. I RECEIVED MY FIRST PUBLISHING DEAL - with a small, independent publishers. A decision as to whether I accept is yet to be made but alas, to have longed all my life to be a published author, to have my books available to buy, and to have now an opportunity where this could become a reality is nothing short of magical. Here’s to dreaming eh & keeping on, keeping on.
9. A BIG EXHIBITION - HOLY ANIMALS & SACRED PLANTS: that I will also be exhibiting my work in. In Cornwall alongside one of my favourite living painter Kate Walters & other amazing artists.
10.A lecturing position at University of Ulster teaching Hedge School Pedagogy & Practice <3
11. I headlined the main tent at the UK’s biggest plant festival - Power of Plants & spoke at the British Wild Food Festival & The Great British Food Festival.
12. Alongside four other incredible Herbalists, I have been invited by the formidable Rasheeqa at Hedge Herbs in London & commissioned by the Herbal Medicine Trust to co-design a bespoke & radical curriculum for the most established Herb Schools in the UK: Betonica & Heartwood.
13 -I started a Podcast!
Alongside all this, I have read - I have read a lot. I’ve been captured by the writings of James Baldwin & Bell Hooks, by Audre Lorde, Virginna Woolf, Anais Nin & Adrienne Rich. I have re-enchanted my life with the poetry of John Clare & the love of travel & amongst the hectic-ness of life, finding moments of stillness. This year I’ve met some incredible people. People who have had a transformational impact on my life & the way I feel. I am enriched, truly in so many ways, especially by the people, by the places, the plants & the moments.
Deepest thank you’s to all who continue to subscribe & follow my work. It means so much to me.
HM
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