Join us during Hospice UK’s Dying Matters Awareness Week for a peaceful day of crafts and conversations at Humber Woodland of Remembrance, the first green burial ground in Herefordshire. This is an opportunity to connect with nature, explore the beauty of willow craftsmanship, and consider the importance of thoughtful end-of-life planning and remembrance.
As part of our event, Steph Shaw of Wegnalls Willow will be running some drop-in willow weaving workshops alongside showcasing her work. Steph is a Leominster based willow coffin and basketmaker who will be displaying a handcrafted willow coffin and other baskets crafted from sustainable, locally grown materials which demonstrate how we can bring more natural and personal touches to our farewell traditions.
Come and participate in the drop-in willow weaving workshops and create your own willow hearts, wreath bases or bird feeders to take home.
There will also be hot drinks and refreshments available for a donation. Proceeds going to St Michael’s Hospice, Hereford.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 10th May 2025
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Humber Woodland of Remembrance, Humber, Leominster. HR6 0NE
Workshop Details:
- Pricing: Wreath base £5, Hearts £8, Bird feeders £10 per workshop
- Cash and card payments welcome.
- No prior experience needed.
- Materials and tools provided but if you have secateurs, please feel free to bring them.
- All ages are warmly welcomed, but under 16s require adult supervision to participate.
Come and spend some time reflecting, creating, and connecting with the natural world.
This is a drop-in event, so feel free to join us at any time during the listed hours and like our Facebook event for any updates closer to the date.
What is the Dying Matters Awareness week?
Dying Matters Awareness Week takes place each year and is organised by Hospice UK. This year it runs from 5th – 11th May and aims to breakdown the stigma and taboo of talking about death and dying.
Many events take place during the week, all across the UK, to bring communities together to get them to start talking about death and dying.
This year’s theme, ‘The Culture of Dying Matters’, focuses on how different communities and cultures in the UK feel, talk about, and deal with death and dying – and what brings them together.
This event aims to promote the principles of the Dying Matters Awareness Week, by creating a safe, accessible and supportive space to allow:
- Open Conversations: Discussions about death, dying, and remembrance are encouraged in a supportive and natural setting, fostering a culture where these conversations are normalised.
- Planning for the Future: Discover the beauty and sustainability of natural burial and willow coffins as thoughtful end-of-life choices, contributing to a more personal and environmentally friendly approach to farewells.
- Connecting with Nature: Experience the tranquility of the natural burial ground and the therapeutic benefits of working with willow, recognising the importance of nature in our cultural understanding of life and death.
Accessibility:
Humber Woodland of Remembrance is in a field and whilst the workshops will be held under shelter, the ground can be uneven and weather can be unpredictable, so please wear appropriate footwear and clothing:
• Flat shoes or boots
• Warm or waterproof clothing if weather is cold or wet
• Hat and sunscreen if the weather is hot and sunny
Contacts:
Follow our event on Facebook for more updates: Click Here!
Steph Shaw – Wegnalls Willow
Contact me here
Diane Thomas – Humber Woodland of Remembrance
Instagram & Facebook: @humberwoodland
Hospice UK – Dying Matters Awareness Week. Read more here.