Stories of Place April 2026 - Grounding in Place

Collage by Holly Doron including photos gifted Deb McDonald, Dionne Williams, Holly Doron, Jo Orchard-Webb and Paul Burns.

Words gifted by Jo

Stories of Place on Tour - sunny April evening.

Saltwells Nature Reserve

Hosted by Nat, Marion, Les and Holly

Gifted volunteer made Saltwells bug houses and poetry anthology by Paul.

We spent time grounding in the sensory/ bee garden in the sunshine, noticing the homes made for solitary bees and their plant companions.

We then gathered inside and sat in a circle in the Wardens community space and were invited by Holly to share:

\* our more-than-human learning companion for the evening

\* reflect upon the lucky pot question from the SoP Hamper we had been given

Holly - Black Cat; bringing good luck and curiosity, I will be looking up into the trees.

Lorna - Chiffchaffs - singing to me all the way from Stourbridge - I have questions about their habitat - where do they hang out?

Deb - Nettle and Wild Garlic - You should be able to smell it. I will be foraging - using the Honourable Harvest principles to ensure we don’t over harvest. I will be making wild garlic pesto and salt. Reflecting upon the lushness of walking barefoot in the grass.

Laura - Grass - This is the first time I have put my bare feet in the grass in a long time and I am reflecting upon that “what if I did that regularly? What feeling would the imbue?’

Luke - Caterpillar - I sent a video to the what’s app of a caterpillar on the path. Getting down close and videoing it up close is a way that grounding has changed my perspective on the many different perspectives that exist of the different beings trying to exist in this world. Struck by the feeling of big disconnect in our world today and only now am I finding ways to reconnect - to have empathy with other beings.

Paul - Ladybird - they were sheltering in the apple tree. I found out from Bek that they are called Little Cows in some countries because they farm Aphids. I enjoyed the sensory footpath and the texture of the grass on my feet.

Hayley- Dragonfly - I didn’t know they were at risk of extinction. I went looking for water. Found a tiny pond but couldn’t find any. \[Les/ Marion: it is a bit early of them - they come in mid May in th ponds in the clay pits. And we have having new ponds made which will attract them.\] So for future generations I am thinking about the importance of water habitats for them.

Nat - Bee - Inspired by the Bee banks in the garden and what a nice big home that is. How might I honour this companion? Well I can think about all the insects adn how I can continue to talk to people about them and help them be aware of their role.

Jack - Black Labrador - my lab was asleep on my lap - and so I didn’t want to move him hence I was a little late today. I work in a very scientific field so when I come here I get to see very different perspectives. Honouring my lab I will be reflect today on the pursuit of stillness.

Les- Bluebell - because Blue is my favourite colour and because it flowers in my birthday month. Like the Wood Anemone they are an indicator of an ancient forest. There are lots of folklore about Bluebells and fairy folk. They are reminder to me that bad things can happen - like the Reed beds being burnt this week - but also lots of positive things can happen and I want to make a differnence by being here.

Clare - Wych Elms - I noticed the nursery of Wych Elms that have been planted and they are home to White-Letter Hairstreak Butterfly. I would like one to plant in my garden. While there is the feeling of sadness because of Dutch Elm disease and loss of habitat for the butterfly there is hope with these newly planted trees will be more disease resistant.

Kumiko - Mining Bees and Cherry trees - I am researching Cherry Trees for my contribution to the Bioregional Bundle. I am learning there is lots of Wild Cherry in England. The newspaper heading would be like in Japan People Watching Cherry Tree Blossom

Dionne - African Migrant Butterfly - I am committed to this Kin. I am interested in how it will respond to a different environment - to this environment and what this might reveal.

Marion - Blue Tit - they come to the feeders when they are refilled. There are lots of folklore about Bluebells are they were considered valuable so to prevent Children from running on them there was a story that the Fae Folk would take the children away if they did. The Fae use the bell to summon their kin to a moot. Deb shared the sinister folkstory from local poet Rob Francis about the Bluebells of Saltwells.

Jo - Brown Long Eared Bat - This is the bat on my Wildlife Test t-shirt and they can be found in the reserve. Les and Marion have been telling me all about them - They use their lovely long ears to glean insects on hedgerow leaves to feed rather than use their echo location which they instead use for navigation. When it is cold they roll up their ears to retain heat!! I will focusing upon their listening perspective.