August 5th, 2013: Wood Magic Picnic and Storytelling Adventure

Our first Wood Magic event took place today at the Richard Jefferies Museum. It looked like it was going to rain, "Bring something waterproof to sit on folks! But don't let the rain stop you, just wellies and waterproofs...stories in the rain is good fun." was the message. 

Mike provided a tarpaulin, I found a lovely spot behind the orchard, under an old plum tree. The stinging nettles needed to be removed, a bench provided and the tarpaulin laid out. It looked very magical, secret, wild! Mike and I could imagine Jefferies sitting in there, writing or thinking. I hid Kapchack's treasure behind the tree. But the children were quick, and all over the tree. In my bid to rescue the gems, I spilt them all over the ground. Some things should not be rescued, was my thought. 

We prepared the workshop room in the cottage: colouring, large paper for group drawings, clay work for the pendants and a lovely story diorama from Jill Carter who also came to help work with the children. It looked super. 

Grown-up children arrived first! Always good to see the like-minded, who love Jefferies, keen to be involved in sharing his stories and environment: Frances Bevan, Ian Hamson, Simon Webb,Joy Bells, Clare Keen, Bea Menier...followed by families with enthusiastic children, "this is wonderful!" said Hannah. Children began to gather sticks, run through the many secret spaces, explore the orchard. Would they ever want to sit down and listen to a story? Perhaps the garden is enough of a story itself! It was for Jefferies. 

At 3pm, we gathered in the 'story-den'. Some children were still very restless, chattery, intrigued, scrambly, like squirrels! Some sat eagerly waiting: word had got out that Kapchack was king! "Is there a king?" "Yes, high up in this tree, there was a king over everybody and everything, and this was his palace!" "And who is the toad? Where did he live?" cried a little voice. What happened to the couple in the orchard? Did he ever find the locket? Alas no! The beautiful young girl went to France and George grew old in the orchard, until one day...

Stories over, Mike gives a tour of the museum, the quiet spaces upstairs are full of interested visitors. Hilda, Joy, Billy and Jill make some pendants with children and eat a little cake...some pringles and bread rolls work their way onto the table. Its a busy place. Some children are still running about with sticks and playing in the den. 

And the rain came down at 4:30pm. Thank you rain for holding back and for giving us a few dry hours on this wonderful afternoon to share one of Swindon's best kept secrets: Richard Jefferies, his stories and gardens, his own love of children too, which is so evident in his storytelling, and ability to have nature whisper into small ears. 

GALLERY: 

pendants and colouring

Jill Carter's World