Our Forager’s Journey programme is an immersive seven-part wild food adventure through seasons and habitats, based in beautiful locations around Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. The programme, now in its third year, is for those wishing to delve deeper into the fascinating world of wild food, medicine and plant lore.
~Sign up for the 2024 Programme here~
Programme dates for 2024 are as follows:
- Sunday 3rd March
- Saturday 6th April
- Saturday 11th May
- Saturday 1st June
- Sunday 21st July
- Sunday 1st September
- Sunday 6th October
Timings for each day 10.30am-5pm
"Since I first joined you for a course back in October 2021, my world has completely changed. Foraging is such a huge aspect of my life now, & I truly have you both to thank. The way you two taught not only provided me the practical confidence I needed to ID & prepare food, but helped me find & nurture a deep connection between the land & myself.
Though I've got to say the most unexpected takeaway from all of these sessions was the powerful sense of community I felt. I've mostly gone out foraging on my own, so being able to experience the Forager's Journey with so many others was a great change. But it was definitely more than that. I can't quite explain it, but I left every session feeling incredibly full. Like this is exactly what I (and everyone) should be doing. All of the time. It's given me loads of motivation to create these spaces around me, and I can't wait to continue exploring this side of foraging when the spring comes around. What I thought was going to strictly be a foraging course turned into so much more — and I'm incredibly grateful for that!"
The programme includes:
- A guided journey through the forager’s year, learning how to safely identify and sustainably harvest a wide range of wild plants and fungi throughout the seasons
- Understanding of what can be found in different habitats, including woodland, meadow and hedgerow. Your tutors will take you to some of their favourite secret locations in the Calder Valley, passing through stunning scenery on foot
- Practical sessions in processing the plants, nuts, seeds, berries and fungi we find, and using them to make foods, drinks and medicines
- Practical instruction in fire-craft, from using foraged materials to create fire from a spark to cooking over the fire, whatever the weather
- Herbalism and plantlore: Using plants and herbs as medicines and items for a ‘wild first aid kit’, following in the footsteps of our ancestors and drawing on contemporary research
- The folklore & history of the wild foods we find
- A range of wild food tasters to try each session, from traditional preparations like ferments and vinegars to some of our more modern creations such as wild ketchup and chocolate
- Reflective time in nature. We will encourage you to form deep connections with the plants and fungi through focused observation, drawing, and engaging all of your senses
- Rekindling community traditions around collecting and preparing wild foods
- A three-course wild feast to celebrate the end of the programme in October
- ‘Wild work’ assignments. These activities will encourage you to stay on the Forager’s Journey when you are back at home between sessions
- A ‘Forager’s Journey Kit’ containing a journal/ sketch pad, hand lens, stationary and more
Registration and Booking:
The total cost for this seven-part programme is £690.
This is payable in either:
- One instalment of the full £690. Please fill out the registration form and you will then receive details of how to make the payment.
- A deposit of £190 followed by 5 instalments of £100.
You will be guided by:
Live Wild’s Leonie Morris – Leonie is one of Live Wild’s founders and directors, and works with people of all ages to encourage confidence, competence and a sense of belonging in the outdoors. She is a qualified Bushcraft Instructor & Wild Food Teacher, with many years of experience teaching a range of programmes, including regular seasonal foraging courses in locations across the north of England. Leonie is known amongst her foraging colleagues for her particular skills in creating fire whatever the weather using traditional methods, her sharp and seemingly extra-sensory ‘mushroom vision’, and her ability to help people see the world in a completely new way through sharing her extensive knowledge and nature-based wisdom.
Live Wild’s Sophie Wren – Sophie is an experienced Foraging Teacher and a proud member of the Association of Foragers. She has a particular passion for fungi, and has dedicated much of her adult life to learning everything she can about these fascinating beings. Sophie teaches regular seasonal foraging courses across the north of England, and is also part of a team helping to regeneratively manage an important area of ancient woodland. Sophie has a particular interest in ethnobotany and folklore, and likes to share stories of how plants and fungi were used and revered by our ancestors.
Access:
Please note that the course involves some adventurous walks around the valley, sometimes walking for four hours or so during a day, albeit at a steady pace. The ground will be steep and uneven in places. Please contact us if you are concerned that access may be an issue: info@livewild.org.uk
Travel:
Our meeting points will be close to public transport links, easily accessible from Hebden Bridge centre.
Cancellation policy:
Please ensure you can fully commit to this course and all of the sessions before booking. The deposit is nonrefundable under any circumstances. If a booking is cancelled more than three months before the start of the programme then all monies paid after the deposit will be refunded.
If the booking is cancelled within three months of the course date: monies paid after the deposit will only be refunded if Live Wild are able to fill the place on the programme. Should we be unable to fill the place, we cannot offer a refund.