Sowing the Seeds of Good Health		Thursday 25th March
Tutor: Christina Stapley BSc Phyt MCPP		Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Venue: Calne, Wilts		Cost: £30 (Lunch not included)
The day will be about planning a source of fresh herbs for your harvest to suit your lifestyle. Discover herbs for salads and teas, from growing in windowsill pots to sowing and planting a small herb garden to delight you all year round. We will be looking at tasty seeds to eat and trying new recipes. There will be a special emphasis on herbs offering useful herb seeds; this includes how to gain the most from them in food and home medicine. Fennel, sunflower, pumpkin, aniseed, milk thistle and more plus a planting plan for the 12 most helpful herbs for your garden and information on their uses.
Georgian Herbs in Peace and War		Saturday 29th May
Venue: 23 Bennett Street, Bath, Somerset		Time: 10.15 am - 4.15 pm
Tutor Christina Stapley BSc Phyt MCPP  & Ruth Mannion-Daniels BSc Hons Biol, BSc Phyt MNIMH		Cost: £40 (Lunch not included but may be taken in nearby Assembly Rooms)
Within the Georgian period 1714-1830 great changes took place, yet herbs were used to save lives throughout that time in very different circumstances. The herbal secrets of the ladies’ stillroom medicines, cosmetics and preserves in the early years will be opened in the perfect setting. Ruth, a specialist in the work of naval surgeons at the end of the period, will reveal which herbs were essential to the work of naval surgeons at the Battle of Trafalgar as they worked to try to save limbs and lives. An understanding of the treatments will be given alongside practical experience making authentic recipes from household books and herbals. A fragrant day is promised with distilled aromatic waters, herb sugars, dried herbs and gum resins amongst the ingredients of recipes for everyday problems and serious illnesses alike.
A Medicine Chest from Garden and Hedgerow		Saturday 28th August
Tutor Christina Stapley BSc Phyt MCPP		10 am - 4 pm
Venue: Calne, Wilts		Cost: £30 (Lunch not included)
Beginning by thinking about looking after your herbs as autumn approaches, we then explore the most useful first-aid herbs to grow or be aware of when on country walks. These include treatments for bites and stings, sunburn, sprains, stomach upsets, stress etc. There will be experience in making herbal oils, teas, herbal syrup, poultices and compresses. You will learn about commonly grown herbs and their uses for everyday problems, their preparation, dosage and contraindications. Rules for safe home medicine will be given alongside some hands on experience. Fruits and berries feature, contrasting with soothing leaves such as houseleek and ribwort plantain. From peppermint to Calendula there will be plenty of interest.
How Well Are You Aging? A series of workshops intended to inform in a fun way with a mix of facts, recipes and activities - both gently physical and mental. The workshops are suitable for anyone over 30 years of age. The sooner you begin understanding and looking after your body the better; however, there are always helpful changes you can make . . . The workshops all take place in Calne, and can be booked singly or as a block. Each session is complete in itself yet forms part of the whole understanding. For further details, click on the "more" button for individual workshops. 1. Brain & NervesWednesday April 28th Would you like to understand and improve your memory and generally remain mentally alert into old age? A wealth of techniques and advice at a light-hearted level.  More 2. Heart & CirculationWednesday 2nd June We know how to care for our hearts. This is a motivating day taking a deeper look behind the advice. A blood pressure check is included. Poor circulation is an area much less well known and important to explore.  More 3. Digestion & BreathingWednesday June 23rd A full day including discussing diets, practising breathing exercises and making recipes. A mix of fun, tasters and information.  More 4. Kidneys, Skin & HairTuesday 21st September The condition of our skin and hair reflects our health in so many ways. Particularly inner cleanliness and how we relate to the world around us. Learn more on giving inner support to looking your best. Luxurious recipes enliven the practical session.  More 5. Immune SystemTuesday 19th October With so much auto-immune disease and concern about infections, this is a vital workshop for anyone wanting to care for or improve their health. Recipes to protect and aid the immune system are teamed with bacteria busters.  More 6. Muscles and JointsTuesday 9th November Exploring why some people are able to walk for miles at 90 years old and others are restricted in movement long before. An encouraging day for all with simple ways to help your mobility now and in the future.  More Meeting the Herb Families Exploring the botany which links family members amongst plants can be a fascinating way to aid recognition and remember individual herbs. In these family workshops we will be taking a close look at the herbs and some of their chemistry, and recording some as pressed plants in a guide to making your own reference herbarium. Hands-on sessions of a variety of recipes add enjoyment to these practical, fun days. The workshops all take place in Bath, and can be booked singly or as a block. For further details, click on the "more" button for individual workshops. 1. Primulaceae and RubiaceaeSaturday 20th May The year opens with the flowers of spring, primroses and cowslips, and new green growth of goosegrass for the lymphatic system. Practical work with medicinal recipes for teas, wine and syrups plus starting your own herbarium of pressed plants.  More 2. Labiatae FamilySaturday 24th July Work with familiar Mediterranean herbs, learning their qualities in depth. Thyme, hyssop, mints and rosemary offer recipes from gentle medicated shampoo to footbaths.  More 3. UmbelliferaeSaturday 18th September An important family to know as it includes both beneficial herbs such as fennel, caraway and wild celery; also hogweed and hemlock. Learn to tell and record the difference. Enjoy making health-giving recipes.  More 4. RosaceaeSaturday 9th October From the lovely rose to hawthorn, hips and haws of the hedgerow; and meadowsweet to raspberry leaf. A wide ranging family with both fruits and roots to explore in autumn. Preparing these for medicinal teas, jellies and more.  More
Herbal Christmas Gifts and Decorations		Saturday 12th December
Venue: 23 Bennett Street, Bath, Somerset		Time: 10.15 am - 4.15 pm
Tutor Christina Stapley BSc Phyt MCPP		Cost: £30 + cost of materials (Lunch not included but may be taken in nearby Assembly Rooms)
Seven items to make. Complete up to five on a day filled with fragrance, colour and the spice of Christmas in a Georgian house. Choose from 1. A cinnamon sled with sacks of frankincense, myrrh and spices, pulled by reindeer. 2. A leaf printed scarf or herb-filled sachet. 3. A candle decorated with pressed flowers. 4. Small wreath of kitchen spices, seasonings and herbs. 5. Afternoon Tea Collection – a selection of nicely presented winter herbal tea blends and herb jellies to spread on bread or scones. 6. Novelty Scented Tree Decorations, Lavender angels or hanging stars and balls covered with spices. 7. Arabic Myrrh Tree, using gum Arabic and myrrh crystals to decorate tiny branches stood in a decorative pot for the festive tablee.

For further details, or to book a place on any of the workshops, email or telephone 01249 821087. Vouchers are available for these courses and make welcome special occasion gifts.

For a full list of Christina Stapley’s lectures and herb workshops taking place at various museums and other centres, click here or go to www.heartsease-herb-books.com