Discover a Victorian housewife’s secrets at Acton Scott Farm
Expert tutor Janet Bradley will share secrets passed down through the generations in two fascinating day-long courses at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm this summer.
In ‘Secrets of a Victorian Housewife’s Herbal – The Myth & Magic’ on Sunday 30 June, join Janet to explore the social history of herbs and the traditional myths, magic, folklore and old-fashioned common sense surrounding their use.
Visit the farm, churchyard and wider estate to identify plants and trees in situ and investigate local customs, practices, and remedies associated with them. Then gather ingredients from the cottage garden, larder and dairy to prepare once-common household receipts to make a little something to take home.
On Sunday 11 August, Janet will be leading a hands-on introduction to aromatic herbs and flowers in ‘Secrets of a Victorian Housewife’s Still Room – The Scented Home’.
Discover sweet-smelling plants grown in the farm’s traditional English garden and their wild country cousins in field and hedgerow, and explore their many uses around the Victorian home. Spend a relaxing lavender scented afternoon in the parlour making a summer scented rose pot pourri and beeswax and lavender pomander, using an original Victorian volume on the language of flowers for guidance, and compose a tussie mussie posy that carries a message for a lover or friend. Please bring along an apron and a little basket to carry everything home.
Each course runs from 10am until 4pm and costs £50 – or book both courses for £90. For further information and to reserve a place, call 01694 781307 or visit www.actonscottmuseum.com.
Councillor Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:
“Shropshire is at its vibrant greenest at this time of year – with gardens, hedgerows and verges bursting with new growth. Our native herbs and flowers were a valuable resource in days gone by, but sadly this wealth of knowledge has been lost to many. Not so with Janet. Both these courses make a lovely unique present for a friend or why not treat yourself to a special day at Acton Scott.”
