Creativity and reconnection
Our ‘Old Ways’ maker space and related activities aim to provide the time, space and materials to cultivate a new or different awareness of interconnectedness. Its more of a concept than a physical space; we have demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, talks, and activities to introduce and/or remind us of time-honoured ways of making, doing and being that work in collaboration with nature and each other.
Listening to the Land with the Nature Effect
Take a journey into our inner and outer landscapes. We will walk into the land with our own intentions and questions, using practices to look and see more deeply what Nature is showing us. We will reflect on what we have seen, heard and felt through the lens of our own questions. For people age 14 and over.
For more information about the Nature Effect, please click the link below:
Feral Singing
Singing to ground you, lift you, inspire and connect you. Elena Harris s deeply inspired by the natural world to sing and serenade respect and gratitude in return for it's incredible gifts. Experience the joy of putting voices together to connect to each other and the earth during this singing workshop.
For more information about Elena, click the link below:
Harmony Singing
Come and sing all sorts of songs with Katy Rose Bennett in sweet a cappella harmony. The songs are taught by ear; all abilities welcome - no previous singing experience needed. Don't miss Katy performing on Saturday evening where you can share what you've learned!
To find out more about Katy's music, please click below:
Sourdough Bread Making
Learn all about the art of sourdough bread baking with Hannah Bironzo (aka The Gypsy Baker). Hannah has taught hundreds of bakers from all over the UK (and beyond) in monthly workshops where she shares her San Francisco sourdough starter with every baker who joins. We are pleased to have Hannah returning to Septembersong to bake and break delicious sourdough bread together.
To find our more about Hannah, please click the link below:
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Song Fishing
Join Dan Whitehouse (who will also be performing on Saturday) for the Songwriting Campfire, a songwriting workshop. No previous songwriting experience needed.
Dan is a part of the Company of Song, a space where singer-songwriters can connect, be curious, share songs, ideas and inspiration. Company of Song hosts and promote songwriting workshops, events and retreats.
For more information about the Company of Song, click the button below:
Equinox Astronomy Walk
Meet after sunset on Friday and Saturday nights for a walk around the camping field. Look for a planet, stars, & constellations, hear stories about them (both scientific & mythical). See just how much we can see with the naked eye & no special equipment. The international space station should be passing too!
Yoga and meditation
Step away from the hustle and bustle of life and connect to your breath through simple, flowing movements, to ground yourself and to quiet the chatter of the mind. The first part of this heart-based practice will invite movement to lift the spirits and energies, and to open the heart, then we'll begin to quieten the nervous system with some soothing restorative practices, before we take our seat for pranayama (breathwork) and dhyana (meditation). To close the practice we will send loving kindness out into the world with a gentle Metta meditation.
For more information about Cerian, please click the link below:
Barefoot Walk and Forest Bath
Take some time to recharge (literally!) Barefoot walking (or grounding) not only helps to strengthen your foot and leg muscles but also puts you in direct contact with the Earth's electrical charge. This contact has been shown to reduce stress and inflammation, and improve sleep. Really feel what is beneath your feet as you tread through the different textures of nature. Just follow the signs through the beautiful wooded areas of Braziers Park and end your walk with a rejuvenating forest bath.
Read what the National Trust has to say about the benefits of forest bathing by clicking the link:
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Indian Head Massage
Learn to give, and receive, an Indian Head massage in this relaxing workshop. Indian Head massage is a wonderful experience to share with friends or family and the perfect way to de-stress and relieve tension in the head, neck and shoulders.
Learn more about what Katie does by clicking on the link below:
Traditional Wood Carving
Ellis James Stacey is a designer-maker based in Oxford. With a focus on tactile sculptural forms, he handcrafts pieces of furniture, sculpture and wooden objects from sustainably sourced materials. His practise blends traditional craftmanship with the aesthetics of geometric abstraction and reflects a love of nature, history, mythology and folklore.
On Saturday, Ellis will be at Septembersong to demonstrate traditional forms of woodcarving with chisels, gouges and a mallet. Festivalgoers are invited to try this ancient craft for themselves and contribute to a unique artwork which will be collaboratively created throughout the day.
To find out more about Ellis' work please click the link below:
Living Systems Coaching
Drop in to the Old Ways Makerspace on both Saturday and Sunday to speak to Nature Effect founder Annie Davy, a qualified and experienced coach, about one to one nature based coaching for anyone with questions about their connection to nature and living systems they want to explore in more depth.
For more information about Nature Effect's Inside Out project, please click the link below:
Thai Yoga Massage: Holding Each Others' Hearts
David Hirtenstein will be offering a Thai Yoga Massage workshop. Following the principle of sharing Metta - loving Kindness - through touch, from the beautiful tradition of Thai Yoga Massage from the Sunshine Network, participants will be giving and receiving a massage with a partner (bring one or make a new friend!)
For more information about David's work, please click the link below:
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Macramé with Restore
Make a simple keyring, bracelet or plant hanger using the ancient art of knots. Enjoy the meditative benefits and the power of sitting and making alongside others. Learn to appreciate the flow of the process regardless of the end product. This activity is for adults and children over 12.
Restore has been supporting individuals across Oxfordshire since 1977. People are supported towards their own mental health recovery goals, such as rebuilding confidence and skills, often moving-on to employment, volunteering or training. Members can attend recovery groups weekly for up to two years and receive one-to-one coaching. Restore is also home to Oxfordshire Recovery College for courses that support recovery, and Restore provides workplace mental health training.
To find out more about the work Restore does, please click the link below:
Yin Yoga and Moon Salutation Yoga
Yin yoga is inspired by ancient Chinese Taoist practices in which stretches were held for long periods of time. It is a deeply grounding style of yoga that emphasises stillness and conscious breathing to calm the mind.
The Moon Salutation is the cooling and calming counterpart to the more commonly-practised Sun Salutation. It is a flowing, slower and more meditative yoga sequence that draws energy from the earth and cultivates a sense of inner peace.
Amy's belief that yoga is for everyone is at the heart of her practice. All are welcome. no experience necessary. For more information about Amy, click the button below:
We are arriving!
Come and be a part of this opening ceremony as we join our voices in song. Everyone is welcome, no singing experience necessary. If you can make a sound, there is a part for you! We’ll weave harmonies together to uplift the spirits and usher us into festival mode.
Lisa Doscher is a Wantage-based singer-songwriter and song leader, offering choirs and workshops that re-connect us to ourselves and community. Lisa runs a 9-month mentorship program starting soon as well as bespoke coaching for singers.
To find out more about what Lisa does, click the link below:
TRE® - Tension and trauma releasing exercises
TRE® is a body-led series of simple, safe and powerful exercises to release stress, tension, and trauma developed by Dr. David Berceli, PhD.
It safely activates the body’s natural reflex of shaking or vibrating, which helps calm the nervous system and release muscular tension. When this process occurs in a safe and controlled environment, the body naturally returns to a balanced state.
This process goes beyond a muscular release, the vibration interacts with the nervous system and myofascial network working like a tuning fork created by your own body. When performed in a group setting it is possible to resonate with others’ the to create a deeper harmony and conference with all.
Everything is vibration.
This activity is for adults only.
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Intuitive Craft Creative Space
A free drop-in space of ‘intuitive craft’, where everyone’s invited to doodle and play with natural materials.
The space features three experienced makers and teachers, but will have no formal workshop structure - more like a jamming session with willow, wood and friendly tools. Just like when you doodle, this process of exploring will have no planned outcome. Instead, we’re excited to see what unexpected shapes and twisted forms we can all create. But it’s not only for explosions of creativity, feel free to relish the sensory joy of feeling and manipulating materials.
We are a stone carver, a wood sculptor and a geenwood-worker, otherwise known as Amanda, Robert and Simon. But we won’t be demonstrating our specialisations at September Song, instead we’re excited to explore, learn and play with everyone else. In the interest of skill sharing, we’ll display some of our tools and creations, and be available to share our knowledge and enthusiasm.
So please drop-in from 10 till 5 to join our very fluid experiment in ‘intuitive craft’. It’s free to use, but a small donations to cover materials are welcome. No knowledge or briefing required, and every age is heartily invited to stay and play.
Amanda Randall
Amanda Randall makes abstract stone sculptures inspired by plants and fungi. Carving by hand with traditional mallets and chisels, she works mainly with British Limestones.
To find out more about the work Amanda does, please click the link below:
Robert Grieves
Using locally and ethically sourced wood, Robert is dedicated to crafting high-quality and highly personal wood creations, promoting sustainable practices and bringing the beauty of nature into your home.
Simon Whitehead
Find out more about the green woodcarvers of Richmond by clicking the link below:
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Dr. Tom Oliver & Marzia Briel in conversation with Hugh Warwick
Fixing ourselves to fix nature
In this discussion and guided meditation, Tom Oliver argues that our current fixes for the environmental crisis are often ineffective and even make things worse. Genuine solutions need to go beyond economic and technological ‘sticking plasters’ and require inner change. This goes right down the level of self-identity- overcoming the illusion of separation from each other and nature. The talk will end with a guided ‘nature-centric meditation’ led by Marzia Briel, helping to break down the barriers between our ego-centric identity and the nature around and within us.
Dr Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver is a Professor of Ecology at the University of Reading. He regularly advises the UK government and EU Commission on environmental issues and is author of the book ‘The Self Delusion: The Surprising Science of Our Connection to Each Other and the Natural World’.
For more information about Dr Oliver, please click the link below:
Marzia Briel
Marzia Briel is a lecturer in Land Law and sits on the Stewardship Council of the Rights of Nature Network. She is a producer, speaker, and meditation guide who uses the power of nature to help explore human connection with our collective consciousness.
Hugh Warwick
Hugh Warwick is an author, photographer and ecologist - with a particular interest in hedgehogs. He is currently writing his 12th book (only 4, so far, have been specifically about hedgehogs), is the spokesperson for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, and is photographer for many of the college choirs in Oxford.
To find out more about Hugh, please click the link below:
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Junior Makerspace
Younger people can get creative, participate in an activity or just be present in the moment in our Junior Makerspace. As always, the Woodland play area will be open too!
Forest School
Forest School is a child-centred, nature-based approach to learning and play that encourages exploration, creativity, and connection with the natural world. Rooted in respect for children’s autonomy and the rhythms of nature, it supports emotional resilience, curiosity, risk-taking, confidence, and a deep sense of belonging.
Join us for a series of playful, nature-connected workshops inspired by Forest School principles and led by experienced Forest School leaders. In this relaxed, creative space, children (and their grown-ups!) are invited to explore, imagine, and connect through hands-on activities that spark curiosity and celebrate the natural world.
Loose Parts Play
Join in making, creating, exploring and experimenting with loose parts. The only limitation is your imagination! All equipment provided by the Oxfordshire Play Association.
Find out more about the Oxfordshire Play Association by clicking the link below:
Harmony Singing for Families
Join us for learning new songs to sing together as a family in harmony.
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