Herbal Solidarity Event at Hospitalfield

Over the last three years, Hospitalfield has been working with Angus Carers and herbalists to develop a project that connects the practice of herbalism with societal structures of care through a model of solidarity.

Initiated by Hospitalfield and artist/herbalist Ju Scott in 2021, in Jan 2024, unpaid carers were invited to join herbalist Anna Kinross and Hospitalfield gardener Carley Wootton in a series of workshops learning how to create simple but useful remedies for them and for those they care for using herbs from Hospitalfield’s Physic Garden. As we talked through the ingredients and made herbal remedies, each of the participants took what they made home (one for themselves and another for anyone they care for).

This event welcomes unpaid carers, family and anyone who would like to learn more about the project. This event will provide practical skill shares sessions and demos so people can experience making simple herbal items. Herbal remedies that have been prepared by the Herbal Solidarity group will be available for distribution to the community. Join in by making your own bath salts and teas, they will share their experience and advice.

More Information on the day. Please sign up to any sessions on arrival.

1.00-3.00pm Herbal Solidarity Care Package
For those that need it most, please take home a ‘Care Package’ including Herbal Face and Body cream, Respiratory Oxymel, Skin Oil and Deep Tissue Salve that have been prepared by the Herbal Solidarity particpants and Herblaist Anna Kinross.

1.30pm Herbal Tea Making and Tasting
Learn a little about gentle medicinal herbs and plants and make your own combination for tea and then sit for a mindful tea tasting session.

2.00pm Tour of the Physic garden by Hospitalfield’s Community Gardener Carley Wootton
The Physic Garden at Hospitalfield tells the story of the monastic herb gardening. Completed in June 2023, the Physic Garden project is the work of herbalist Terrill Dobson and community gardener Carley Wootton who researched, designed and planted the garden along with volunteers, adding to Nigel Dunnet’s original design traditional monastic herbs which best exemplify these three themes. The design of the Physic Garden adheres to a formal symmetry with mirrored planting reflected diagonally on both sides of the quadrant of sixteen garden beds.

1.00 – 3.00pm Hand Massage Station
Take a moment for a restful hand massage given by one of the members of Herbal Solidarity medicine using the herbal face and body cream.

1.00 – 3.00pm Make Your Own Bath Salts 
Learn about herbs to help you relax and make your own combination with organic oats and salt to take away with you.

Please book a free ticket in advance here. Donations welcome.

The Hospitalfield Garden Café will be open 10am – 4pm. Please book a table in advance for lunch. Last orders for coffee and cake at 3.45pm. Our full menu is available from 10am until 3pm.

Access
Hospitalfield House is a Victorian house over several floors with wide staircases and banisters in most cases. Some areas of the house, including the Music Room on the ground floor, are accessible by wheelchair.

Hospitalfield Gardens and Café is wheelchair accessible via a ramp into the Gardens and there are wide pathways throughout the Walled Gardens.

It is possible to access the ground floor level of the restored Fernery.

Disabled parking is available by the Garden Gate entrance to the Walled Garden.

Hospitalfield would like to prepare with you for your visit and give any information which could help, so please do get in touch by emailing info@hospitalfield.org.uk or phoning 01241 656124.

There is disabled parking available on site by the entrance to the Garden.