Talks, Walks and Sustenance

Human-Nature - Talks, Walks and Sustenance

A Weekend of Events: 17-18 May 2014

Phytology Site, Bethnal Green Nature Reserve, London, E2 9RR

This weekend the Phytology site hosts an exciting programme of talks, walks, discussion, bonfires and music, as part of the Human-Nature series. Join us and investigate ideas surrounding urban wildness, harvestable medicine, alternative urban planning and the role of biodiversity within the modern city. Talks will explore the generative and often overlooked potential of un-purposed growth within and across London, and the perception gap between built and non-built environments. See full details.

These are ticketed events and booking is essential. Events are free for local residents (bookings for local residents: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
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Sat 17 May, 2.30-6pm

£7 / local residents free (booking essential)

Phytology, the making of a medicinal meadow

A day ticket includes entry to the following events:

2.30pm – 3.45pm

Nomad director, Michael Smythe, ethnobotanist, Peter Giovannini (Kew) and illustrator, Talya Baldwin introduce, and take visitors on a tour of, the Phytology Site at Bethnal Green Nature Reserve, where artists and botanists have sown 32 species of common plants in order to explore the useful properties of wild plants and weeds common to urban environments.

4pm – 4.45pm

Sustainable plants specialist, Monique Simmonds (Kew) discusses the health-giving properties of plant species in a local and international context, with reference to Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.

5pm – 5.45pm

Herbalist, Melissa Ronaldson demonstrates the medicinal application of a range of local plant species.

Sat 17 May, 6-10pm - Concert

£10 / local residents free (booking essential)

The Nest Collective

You’re invited to join in the Campfire Club! Folk musicians, The Nest Collective perform around a fire in the Phytology amphitheatre. In time-honoured fashion we will gather around roaring blazes enveloped in music and entertainment. High spirits will be maintained with good ol’ sing-a-longs, storytelling, special guests and who knows what else.

Sun 18 May, 11.30-2.45pm

£7 / local residents free (booking essential)

Phytology, a local story

A day ticket includes entry to the following events:

11.30am – 1pm

Nomad director, Michael Smythe, Margaret Cox and Sarah Beydoun from the Teesdale & Hollybush Residents Association introduce, and take visitors on a tour of, the Bethnal Green Nature Reserve and wider growing projects across the estate. Includes discussion of residents’ ambition to become self-sufficient.

1pm – 2pm

Soup and salad served, from plants grown on the Phytology site.

2pm – 2.45pm

Keeper of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and Ackroyd Drive Green Local Nature Reserve, Ken Greenway discusses the benefits of biodiverse urban ecosystems.

Sun 18 May, 3-4.30pm

£5 (booking essential)

Wild London Walk - Johanna Gibbons

Johanna Gibbons and Neil Davidson of J&L Gibbons, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Practice speak on alternative urban planning and lead a walk from the Bethnal Green Nature Reserve to Tower Bridge, exploring the value of London’s hidden greenery.

About

Human-Nature is a Siobhan Davies Dance project, curated in partnership with Nomad and held in association with Chelsea Fringe Festival and as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2014. Phytology is a Cape Farewell, The Wellcome Trust and Nomad project.
More about Phytology ›