Hiya and thank you to everybody who came with their stories last night. It was a lot of fun and there was an excellent mix of tales. Just watch out for that Big, Bad Hamster!
The Next Two Moots
The Moot on 13th December will be the annual quiz: thirty questions on Pagan art, herbs, astrology, tree lore, crystals, famous Pagans, witchcraft, gods & goddesses and British traditions. The winner will, of course, receive a bottle of our finest home-brewed wine. Feel free to insert the traditional joke about second prize and two bottles.
The 10th January will have our annual games night. We're open to ideas, so if there's any game you think would be good give us a shout.
We're also open to speakers and suggestions again. Would you like a particular topic or event? Can you do a talk or a workshop?
Coming up
The John Rylands library in Manchester in having a Green Man month all November. It's a beautiful building and there are guided tours if you want them.
If anyone fancies a night at the theatre, WAODS are presenting their production of Little Women at Radcliffe Civic Hall from the 16th to 19th November. It's got nothing to do with Paganism, but I'm in it (in the chorus) so I'm gleefully abusing my position as Moot blog writer to give it a good old plug. Bring tissues!
The Bolton Moot at the Man & Scythe is having a talk by Emma Riddiford called Pink Paganism, a Path for the Not Straight on Tuesday 15th November from 7:30pm. Emma's a good friend of mine and she knows her stuff, which makes it annoying for those of us who can't get there! Perhaps we can sweet talk her into doing the whole thing again for us.
For those who like to rock, there's a day of metal at the Hark to Towler in Tottington, Bury on Sunday 18th December. Be there or still have your full range of hearing!
We've also come up with a provisional date for the Wassail - Saturday 14th January. Pop it in your diary (when you get a new one).
Finally
The Radcliffe moot would like to join with everyone else in sending our condolences and best wishes to the family and friends of John Jewitt, who died on 31st October. John wasn't just the landlord of the Olde Man & Scythe and an impersonator of the Earl of Derby, he was also a really nice man and a friend of the Pagan community. He will be missed.
Love,
Seán
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Saturday 15 October 2011
October Announcements
Okay, okay, I'm late again! I get there in the end ...
Special thanks go to Edwina Hodkinson for taking over on Tuesday night with her very informative stuff on kitchen medicine and herbalism.
If you're looking for a professional herbalist in the North Manchester area you can reach Edwina at edwinahodkinson@yahoo.co.uk or ring her on (0161) 797 2761
The Next Two Moots
Our next moot on 8th November will be our annual post-Samhain storytelling Moot. Please bring a story to tell. It can be just about anything - one from a book, one you've written yourself, a true tale - all we ask is that it takes less than ten minutes to tell. Otherwise we'll be up all night!
The Moot on 13th December will be the annual quiz: thirty questions on Pagan art, herbs, astrology, tree lore, crystals, famous Pagans, witchcraft, gods & goddesses and British traditions. The winner will, of course, receive a bottle of our finest home-brewed wine. Feel free to insert the traditional joke about second prize and two bottles.
Coming Up in October
Megalithic Tours have three day-trips going on in Lancashire this month, including one into Pendle. Details are here.
There's a talk by Mark Rosney on the paranormal, involving demonstrations and experiments. It's called The World of the Paranormal: Part II and is happening at the Manchester New Horizons IVC Clubrooms, on Grosvenor St M1 7HL from 7pm on Monday 17th. It costs £3 each.
Tuesday 18th has the Bolton Moot at the Man & Scythe with a talk by Linda Sever on Heathenry and Northern Tradition.
On Friday 21st there's a gig by the wonderfully scary Tylean at Ara's venue of Sacred Trinity. It's a fiver to get in and there will be a bar. All profits go to the Booth Centre charity for the homeless.
On Saturday 22nd it's the Pagan Federation North West Conference. It will be held in the Green Banks Lecture Theatre, UCLAN, Preston, PR1 7DR. Doors open at 9:30am and there's a closing Winternights ritual by Runic John at 5pm. Talks and workshops will be done by such NW luminaries as (amongst others) Mary Sharrat, Joan Withington, Tasha Woods, Linda Sever, Jez Green and me!
It's a bit too late to get a ticket (probably) but you can pay on the door - £15 for non-members, £13 for members.
If you fancy a bit of culture, some friends of mine are opening a new gallery on Cow Lane, Salford on Friday 28th October at 6pm. Here's the info.
Saturday 29th will see the Radcliffe Moot's annual Samhain party. This year's theme is "Things that go Bump in the Night", so I'm considering turning up as a teenage boy! We start at 8pm and if anyone fancies bringing some firewood it would be most welcome.
Finally, Simon and Bev will be hosting Samhain ritual on Sunday 30th at the Doffcocker Inn on Chorley Old Road in Bolton. Be there for 7pm and all will be revealed!
That's all. Have an awesome Samhain.
Seán
xx
Special thanks go to Edwina Hodkinson for taking over on Tuesday night with her very informative stuff on kitchen medicine and herbalism.
If you're looking for a professional herbalist in the North Manchester area you can reach Edwina at edwinahodkinson@yahoo.co.uk or ring her on (0161) 797 2761
The Next Two Moots
Our next moot on 8th November will be our annual post-Samhain storytelling Moot. Please bring a story to tell. It can be just about anything - one from a book, one you've written yourself, a true tale - all we ask is that it takes less than ten minutes to tell. Otherwise we'll be up all night!
The Moot on 13th December will be the annual quiz: thirty questions on Pagan art, herbs, astrology, tree lore, crystals, famous Pagans, witchcraft, gods & goddesses and British traditions. The winner will, of course, receive a bottle of our finest home-brewed wine. Feel free to insert the traditional joke about second prize and two bottles.
Coming Up in October
Megalithic Tours have three day-trips going on in Lancashire this month, including one into Pendle. Details are here.
There's a talk by Mark Rosney on the paranormal, involving demonstrations and experiments. It's called The World of the Paranormal: Part II and is happening at the Manchester New Horizons IVC Clubrooms, on Grosvenor St M1 7HL from 7pm on Monday 17th. It costs £3 each.
Tuesday 18th has the Bolton Moot at the Man & Scythe with a talk by Linda Sever on Heathenry and Northern Tradition.
On Friday 21st there's a gig by the wonderfully scary Tylean at Ara's venue of Sacred Trinity. It's a fiver to get in and there will be a bar. All profits go to the Booth Centre charity for the homeless.
On Saturday 22nd it's the Pagan Federation North West Conference. It will be held in the Green Banks Lecture Theatre, UCLAN, Preston, PR1 7DR. Doors open at 9:30am and there's a closing Winternights ritual by Runic John at 5pm. Talks and workshops will be done by such NW luminaries as (amongst others) Mary Sharrat, Joan Withington, Tasha Woods, Linda Sever, Jez Green and me!
It's a bit too late to get a ticket (probably) but you can pay on the door - £15 for non-members, £13 for members.
If you fancy a bit of culture, some friends of mine are opening a new gallery on Cow Lane, Salford on Friday 28th October at 6pm. Here's the info.
Saturday 29th will see the Radcliffe Moot's annual Samhain party. This year's theme is "Things that go Bump in the Night", so I'm considering turning up as a teenage boy! We start at 8pm and if anyone fancies bringing some firewood it would be most welcome.
Finally, Simon and Bev will be hosting Samhain ritual on Sunday 30th at the Doffcocker Inn on Chorley Old Road in Bolton. Be there for 7pm and all will be revealed!
That's all. Have an awesome Samhain.
Seán
xx
Monday 3 October 2011
STOP PRESS!
STOP PRESS!
There's a change to our next Moot on Tuesday 11th October.
Brother Chris "Hail The Badger" Jeffcott won't be around to do his "2012-and-all-that" talk. He's having an operation and then buggering off to Cornwall. Best of luck, mate. See you soon.
Instead our wonderful friend, Edwina has offered to step into the breach with "Something Herbal". Thank you, Edwina. *mwah*!
Love and herbal thingies,
Seán
Thursday 15 September 2011
September Announcements
Hi everybody, and thank you to all those who could make it to the busiest Moot we've had in quite a while. Extra-special thanks go to Vernon for a very interesting and enlightening talk on Druidry and Unitarianism.
Before we go any further, a little Health & Safety note for our more "manly" men. If you prefer to shake hands rather than hug, please could you remember that some people have delicate joints and easily-dented bones, and be gentle! A proper firm handshake may be the sign of a good, solid bloke, but for some the pain gets in the way of a nice impression.
Anyway, enough of that. What's coming up? Well, quite a lot, actually.
The Next Two Moots
Brother Jeffcott (Chris!) is taking over on 11th October with a talk/discussion of the end-of-the-world phenomenon of 2012 and all that. A load of old cobblers, or is there something in it?
The 8th November moot will be our annual post-Samhain storytelling night. Please bring a story. It can be true or fiction, it can be your own or someone else's, it can be poetry or prose (as long as it's narrative), it can be funny, scary, sad or exciting. All we ask is that it's less than ten minutes in the telling.
Coming Up
September
This coming Saturday 17th will see Bolton invaded by Morris dancers for Rumworth Morris' 35th birthday. There will be six teams from all over the country dancing from 10:45am until 4:15 outside the Man & Scythe on Churchgate, outside the Town Hall and the Market Place.
It'll be particularly good because it will feature the ever rather super Rivington Morris.
The Bolton Moot is also at the Man & Scythe (indoors this time) on Tuesday 20th from 8pm. It's a social, so come and meet the folks.
Fancy some excellent food without your kit on? Of course you do!
The lovely people behind Naked Vegan Cooking have organised a clothing-optional vegan tea party (so you can keep your clothes on if you really want to), at Islington Mill in Salford. It's on Wednesday 21st, will go on from 5pm until 9pm and there will be lots of art made including life-drawing, body painting, photography and so on. All ages, shapes and sizes are welcome. Channel 4 will also be there filming a programme about nudism. A promise has been given that nobody will be photographed or filmed without their consent.
The reason Bolton Moot are having a social is there will be a Bolton Moot Special Event, a ritual for the Autumnal Equinox on Saturday 24th. It's at Simon & Bev's house from 3pm, with the ritual later as it goes dark. Fancy robes aren't necessary unless you want them. There will be charge of £5 per adult to pay for food and drink. More details from Bev & Simon or via us, and we'll put you in touch.
The naked vegans are back on the evening of Monday 26th showcasing the stuff that was made at the previous event. It's from 5pm until 9pm at the Kraak Studio in Manchester and there will be another clothing-optional tea party too. Channel 4 will be there again, and the same photography stipulations have been made.
October
Thursday 6th October is National Vegan Day. Tasty!
If you fancy a bit of Hindu-ness, there's a mela for Diwali at Platt Fields on Saturday 8th, from 3:30-9pm.
If your tastes are a bit closer to home there's always Edgeworth Folk Day, on the same day. It's hard to find any proper information but we think it's at the Barlow Institute BL7 0AP, and it's being opened by Bernard "The Bolton Bullfrog" Wrigley. Now if they'd bother to tell anybody what flippin' time it starts ...
There are two events on Saturday 15th as well. The first is a stone-circle walk organised by Northern Earth and the second is Tockholes beer festival. You can get the full details from Linda Sever, because she hasn't sent them to us yet! Dig, dig!
Our new friend, Phil has sent us some details of a talk by Mark Rosney on the paranormal, involving demonstrations and experiments. It's called The World of the Paranormal: Part II and is happening at the Manchester New Horizons IVC Clubrooms, on Grosvenor St M1 7HL from 7pm on Monday 17th. It costs £3 each.
Some friends have ours are starting up another folk club, this time at Taurus Bar in Manchester's Gay Village. The Village Folk Club's opening night is on Tuesday 18th at 7:30pm and will feature Rae Spoon, Lianne Hall and the club's musical residents Esther and Ruthie. Cost is £4/£6.
For goths who want to help out the homeless (or just like awesome music!), the wonderful Tylean is doing a benefit gig for the Booth Centre on Friday 21st. She'll be performing at Unpretension, at ARA's usual haunt of Sacred Trinity church, Salford. Doors open at 7pm, it's fiver to get in and take your own drinkies (it's a church!). Go see her, you'll have chills!
The Pagan Federation's North West Conference will be happening at UCLAN in Preston, from 10am to 6pm on Saturday 22nd. Tickets are available at £13 or £15 via the following methods:
Paypal www.eventbrite.com/event/1871895891
or by post from BM Brigantia, London, WEC1N 3XX
OR you might be able to pay on the door.
It looks to be a grand day, with talks and workshops from Lancashire's finest pagan luminaries, some from much further afield and, err, me.
Finally!
Our annual Samhain fancy-dress party will be held at Radcliffe Moot Towers on Saturday 29th, from 8pm. This year's theme, because I've been overruled by an executive decision, will be Things That Go Bump In The Night!
See y'all there, and if you've got wood for burning feel free to bring it.
That's it, I give in now. My typing finger's developing a callous!
Love,
Seán
Before we go any further, a little Health & Safety note for our more "manly" men. If you prefer to shake hands rather than hug, please could you remember that some people have delicate joints and easily-dented bones, and be gentle! A proper firm handshake may be the sign of a good, solid bloke, but for some the pain gets in the way of a nice impression.
Anyway, enough of that. What's coming up? Well, quite a lot, actually.
The Next Two Moots
Brother Jeffcott (Chris!) is taking over on 11th October with a talk/discussion of the end-of-the-world phenomenon of 2012 and all that. A load of old cobblers, or is there something in it?
The 8th November moot will be our annual post-Samhain storytelling night. Please bring a story. It can be true or fiction, it can be your own or someone else's, it can be poetry or prose (as long as it's narrative), it can be funny, scary, sad or exciting. All we ask is that it's less than ten minutes in the telling.
Coming Up
September
This coming Saturday 17th will see Bolton invaded by Morris dancers for Rumworth Morris' 35th birthday. There will be six teams from all over the country dancing from 10:45am until 4:15 outside the Man & Scythe on Churchgate, outside the Town Hall and the Market Place.
It'll be particularly good because it will feature the ever rather super Rivington Morris.
The Bolton Moot is also at the Man & Scythe (indoors this time) on Tuesday 20th from 8pm. It's a social, so come and meet the folks.
Fancy some excellent food without your kit on? Of course you do!
The lovely people behind Naked Vegan Cooking have organised a clothing-optional vegan tea party (so you can keep your clothes on if you really want to), at Islington Mill in Salford. It's on Wednesday 21st, will go on from 5pm until 9pm and there will be lots of art made including life-drawing, body painting, photography and so on. All ages, shapes and sizes are welcome. Channel 4 will also be there filming a programme about nudism. A promise has been given that nobody will be photographed or filmed without their consent.
The reason Bolton Moot are having a social is there will be a Bolton Moot Special Event, a ritual for the Autumnal Equinox on Saturday 24th. It's at Simon & Bev's house from 3pm, with the ritual later as it goes dark. Fancy robes aren't necessary unless you want them. There will be charge of £5 per adult to pay for food and drink. More details from Bev & Simon or via us, and we'll put you in touch.
The naked vegans are back on the evening of Monday 26th showcasing the stuff that was made at the previous event. It's from 5pm until 9pm at the Kraak Studio in Manchester and there will be another clothing-optional tea party too. Channel 4 will be there again, and the same photography stipulations have been made.
October
Thursday 6th October is National Vegan Day. Tasty!
If you fancy a bit of Hindu-ness, there's a mela for Diwali at Platt Fields on Saturday 8th, from 3:30-9pm.
If your tastes are a bit closer to home there's always Edgeworth Folk Day, on the same day. It's hard to find any proper information but we think it's at the Barlow Institute BL7 0AP, and it's being opened by Bernard "The Bolton Bullfrog" Wrigley. Now if they'd bother to tell anybody what flippin' time it starts ...
There are two events on Saturday 15th as well. The first is a stone-circle walk organised by Northern Earth and the second is Tockholes beer festival. You can get the full details from Linda Sever, because she hasn't sent them to us yet! Dig, dig!
Our new friend, Phil has sent us some details of a talk by Mark Rosney on the paranormal, involving demonstrations and experiments. It's called The World of the Paranormal: Part II and is happening at the Manchester New Horizons IVC Clubrooms, on Grosvenor St M1 7HL from 7pm on Monday 17th. It costs £3 each.
Some friends have ours are starting up another folk club, this time at Taurus Bar in Manchester's Gay Village. The Village Folk Club's opening night is on Tuesday 18th at 7:30pm and will feature Rae Spoon, Lianne Hall and the club's musical residents Esther and Ruthie. Cost is £4/£6.
For goths who want to help out the homeless (or just like awesome music!), the wonderful Tylean is doing a benefit gig for the Booth Centre on Friday 21st. She'll be performing at Unpretension, at ARA's usual haunt of Sacred Trinity church, Salford. Doors open at 7pm, it's fiver to get in and take your own drinkies (it's a church!). Go see her, you'll have chills!
The Pagan Federation's North West Conference will be happening at UCLAN in Preston, from 10am to 6pm on Saturday 22nd. Tickets are available at £13 or £15 via the following methods:
Paypal www.eventbrite.com/event/1
or by post from BM Brigantia, London, WEC1N 3XX
OR you might be able to pay on the door.
It looks to be a grand day, with talks and workshops from Lancashire's finest pagan luminaries, some from much further afield and, err, me.
Finally!
Our annual Samhain fancy-dress party will be held at Radcliffe Moot Towers on Saturday 29th, from 8pm. This year's theme, because I've been overruled by an executive decision, will be Things That Go Bump In The Night!
See y'all there, and if you've got wood for burning feel free to bring it.
That's it, I give in now. My typing finger's developing a callous!
Love,
Seán
Thursday 11 August 2011
August Announcements
Almost on time, too! Well done to those hardy souls who risked the riots to get to us on Tuesday night, we're very glad you got home safely.
Future Moots
On September 13th, fingers crossed, we've been promised a talk from Vernon the Druid. Vernon's also a Unitarian minister and hopefully he'll be able to tell us how he puts the two together and why.
Chris will be taking over on October 11th with his views on 2012 and all that. Are we all doomed? Looks like we'll find out.
Coming Up
The Newe Bolton Moot is happening on the evening of Tuesday 16th August at the Man & Scythe. Just a social this month, I think.
If anybody fancies a superb night of gothing-it-up we'll be going to Ara on Friday 19th August. You're welcome to join us.
On Sunday 21st August Linda's organised a local history walk. We'll be meeting up at Chorley Railway Station at 12:30 and travelling to the Pikestones on Anglezarke moor where we can have a bit of a picnic followed by a trip to Tockholes Well where Hawky is organising a drum circle. After that it's tea at the Royal Oak.
Lifts will be organised back to Bolton for anyone on public transport.
Our annual Bramble Ramble will take place on Saturday 10th September at Radcliffe Moot Towers. We're having an evening do this time, so we'll be setting off to collect blackberries around 5pm and coming back to ours for drinkies and nibbles.
The following day, Sunday 11th September, has a Mysterious Lancashire conference at Hoghton Community Centre near Belmont. It goes from 10am until 5pm. Details available from Linda
Future Moots
On September 13th, fingers crossed, we've been promised a talk from Vernon the Druid. Vernon's also a Unitarian minister and hopefully he'll be able to tell us how he puts the two together and why.
Chris will be taking over on October 11th with his views on 2012 and all that. Are we all doomed? Looks like we'll find out.
Coming Up
The Newe Bolton Moot is happening on the evening of Tuesday 16th August at the Man & Scythe. Just a social this month, I think.
If anybody fancies a superb night of gothing-it-up we'll be going to Ara on Friday 19th August. You're welcome to join us.
On Sunday 21st August Linda's organised a local history walk. We'll be meeting up at Chorley Railway Station at 12:30 and travelling to the Pikestones on Anglezarke moor where we can have a bit of a picnic followed by a trip to Tockholes Well where Hawky is organising a drum circle. After that it's tea at the Royal Oak.
Lifts will be organised back to Bolton for anyone on public transport.
Our annual Bramble Ramble will take place on Saturday 10th September at Radcliffe Moot Towers. We're having an evening do this time, so we'll be setting off to collect blackberries around 5pm and coming back to ours for drinkies and nibbles.
The following day, Sunday 11th September, has a Mysterious Lancashire conference at Hoghton Community Centre near Belmont. It goes from 10am until 5pm. Details available from Linda
Sunday 17 July 2011
July Additional
AAARGH! I FORGOT THE WHINBERRY WALK!
That's what happens when you've got too much stuff in your head. Thank you to Jonathan for reminding me.
Anyway ...
The Radcliffe Moot's annual Whinberry Walk will take place on Sunday 31st July. We'll meet up at 11:30am on the car park of the Shoulder Of Mutton pub. Here's the address:
The Shoulder of Mutton
Holcombe Village
Ramsbottom
Lancashire
BL8 4LZ
Holcombe Village
Ramsbottom
Lancashire
BL8 4LZ
We'll then take a gentle stroll up Holcombe Hill to Peel Tower where we'll have a little picnic. After that we'll stroll gently back down the hill, filling our butty-boxes with whinberries (or whortleberries, or blaeberries depending where you come from) and finish with a nice toast to Lugh at the Shoulder.
Whatever happens after that is anyone's guess, but we don't have to be up early!
See you there.
Seán
xx
Wednesday 13 July 2011
July Announcements.
Hooray! We're back!
Actually we haven't been anywhere, it's just that I've had my head filled with so much stuff the writing of the Moot blog kept falling out. Thanks go to Francis for reminding me about it.
Anyway. Thank you to Bridget for last night's talk/workshop on chakras which was very enlightening and relaxing. For the future, though, there's not a lot to tell.
We're a bit unplanned at the moment. The next moot on Tuesday 9th August will hopefully be a talk from Vernon the Druid and Unitarian minister, if we can get hold of him. If not, it's been a while since either Sara or I took centre-stage so one of us will take over.
There are only a few announcements too.
Friends will be most welcome to join us at ARA to celebrate Sara's birthday on Friday 22nd.
We'll be away to Silverdale for the Woodspirit camp during the first weekend in August. Amongst hiding amongst the other treats will be a Dionysos talk by me, a Greek shields workshop by Sara, a talk on Ishtar and Purim by Bridget and, I think, some besom-making with Chris HailTheBadger.
That's about it for now.
See y'all soon.
Seán
xx
Actually we haven't been anywhere, it's just that I've had my head filled with so much stuff the writing of the Moot blog kept falling out. Thanks go to Francis for reminding me about it.
Anyway. Thank you to Bridget for last night's talk/workshop on chakras which was very enlightening and relaxing. For the future, though, there's not a lot to tell.
We're a bit unplanned at the moment. The next moot on Tuesday 9th August will hopefully be a talk from Vernon the Druid and Unitarian minister, if we can get hold of him. If not, it's been a while since either Sara or I took centre-stage so one of us will take over.
There are only a few announcements too.
Friends will be most welcome to join us at ARA to celebrate Sara's birthday on Friday 22nd.
We'll be away to Silverdale for the Woodspirit camp during the first weekend in August. Amongst hiding amongst the other treats will be a Dionysos talk by me, a Greek shields workshop by Sara, a talk on Ishtar and Purim by Bridget and, I think, some besom-making with Chris HailTheBadger.
That's about it for now.
See y'all soon.
Seán
xx
Wednesday 11 May 2011
May Announcements and Open Ritual
Oooops! I missed last month, so to make up for it this month's blog is extra-long. That's because we're having our first ever open ritual. Eeep!
The Next Two Moots
Tuesday 14th June. An open ritual to celebrate the summer solstice, presided over by Nadia. See below for details.
It's also Linda's birthday the next day, just in case she's coming.
Tuesday 12th July. I'm going to do a little Womble mithering and she if she can get Dr. Vernon to come over from Wigan (I think he's in Wigan!) and do us a talk on Druidry, and possibly how he squares it with also being a Unitarian minister. He's not been well recently, though, so if he can't make it Bridget will take over with a talk on Chakras.
Coming Up
The Bolton Moot has now moved to Tuesdays. The next one will be from 8pm on the 17th May at, of course, the Man & Scythe.
Don't forget that (according to Harold Camping of Oakland, California) the World is due to end on Saturday 21st May, around 6pm. Just in case he's wrong, though ...
On Wednesday 25th May the Salgofnir's Call heathen moot will be happening at The Angel in Manchester from 7:30.
On Friday 27th May we're going to ARA and anybody who fancies a good old Goth-out is more than welcome to join us. Full details are here.
The Radcliffe Moot would like to officially send its love and best wishes to our friends, Mel and Nick, who are being handfasted on Sunday 29th May.
Friday 3rd June is World Naked Bike Ride in Manchester. Any human-powered transport will do, so come and join the fun being as Bare As You Dare. Details can be found here.
The following day, Saturday 4th June there's a regular litter pick at Eatock Lodges, Westhoughton from 10 until 12.
Finally, I'd like to cordially invite all the Moot's friends to my official stage debut as an adult. I haven't been in a proper play, on a proper stage, in a proper theatre since I was about 12!
I'll be playing Dr MacFarlane in the WAODS production of Hobson's Choice at the Whitefield Garrick from Tuesday 7th until Friday 10th June.
Tickets are £7 each and available via email or by calling 0161 278 8178
The Ritual
All being well we'll be performing this ritual in the back garden, but we'll move indoors if the weather decides to be troublesome.
Rather than being robed or skyclad please could everyone wear some summery, holiday-type clothes.
Please could everyone also bring a small, inexpensive gift representative of the sun and, if possible, some firewood.
The order will go like this:
Opening introduction and lighting candles etc. (Nadia)
Sweeping the circle (a volunteer)
Hand-in-hand to make the circle (everybody)
Calling the quarters (volunteers)
Evokation of the Sun God (Sara)
Chanting and drumming to raise energy for the healing of loved ones (everybody)
The chant will be "Helios, Sol, Apollo, Bel. Rah! Rah! Rah!"
A spiral dance with the song "The sun has got his hat on" (everybody)
Exchanging of gifts (everybody)
A meditation with music (me)
Cakes and wine (Nadia)
Cakes provided by Gillian, wine by us.
Goodbye to the Sun God and the quarters (by Sara and the same volunteers).
Releasing the hands and the circle.
I reckon that about covers it!
Love and spiral dances,
Seán
The Next Two Moots
Tuesday 14th June. An open ritual to celebrate the summer solstice, presided over by Nadia. See below for details.
It's also Linda's birthday the next day, just in case she's coming.
Tuesday 12th July. I'm going to do a little Womble mithering and she if she can get Dr. Vernon to come over from Wigan (I think he's in Wigan!) and do us a talk on Druidry, and possibly how he squares it with also being a Unitarian minister. He's not been well recently, though, so if he can't make it Bridget will take over with a talk on Chakras.
Coming Up
The Bolton Moot has now moved to Tuesdays. The next one will be from 8pm on the 17th May at, of course, the Man & Scythe.
Don't forget that (according to Harold Camping of Oakland, California) the World is due to end on Saturday 21st May, around 6pm. Just in case he's wrong, though ...
On Wednesday 25th May the Salgofnir's Call heathen moot will be happening at The Angel in Manchester from 7:30.
On Friday 27th May we're going to ARA and anybody who fancies a good old Goth-out is more than welcome to join us. Full details are here.
The Radcliffe Moot would like to officially send its love and best wishes to our friends, Mel and Nick, who are being handfasted on Sunday 29th May.
Friday 3rd June is World Naked Bike Ride in Manchester. Any human-powered transport will do, so come and join the fun being as Bare As You Dare. Details can be found here.
The following day, Saturday 4th June there's a regular litter pick at Eatock Lodges, Westhoughton from 10 until 12.
Finally, I'd like to cordially invite all the Moot's friends to my official stage debut as an adult. I haven't been in a proper play, on a proper stage, in a proper theatre since I was about 12!
I'll be playing Dr MacFarlane in the WAODS production of Hobson's Choice at the Whitefield Garrick from Tuesday 7th until Friday 10th June.
Tickets are £7 each and available via email or by calling 0161 278 8178
The Ritual
All being well we'll be performing this ritual in the back garden, but we'll move indoors if the weather decides to be troublesome.
Rather than being robed or skyclad please could everyone wear some summery, holiday-type clothes.
Please could everyone also bring a small, inexpensive gift representative of the sun and, if possible, some firewood.
The order will go like this:
Opening introduction and lighting candles etc. (Nadia)
Sweeping the circle (a volunteer)
Hand-in-hand to make the circle (everybody)
Calling the quarters (volunteers)
Evokation of the Sun God (Sara)
Chanting and drumming to raise energy for the healing of loved ones (everybody)
The chant will be "Helios, Sol, Apollo, Bel. Rah! Rah! Rah!"
A spiral dance with the song "The sun has got his hat on" (everybody)
Exchanging of gifts (everybody)
A meditation with music (me)
Cakes and wine (Nadia)
Cakes provided by Gillian, wine by us.
Goodbye to the Sun God and the quarters (by Sara and the same volunteers).
Releasing the hands and the circle.
I reckon that about covers it!
Love and spiral dances,
Seán
Thursday 10 March 2011
March Announcements
Hello my freaky darlings and welcome back to the Moot blog. It was a little quieter than usual but we seemed to get an awful lot done. Special mention goes to Callieflump, who managed to get to us all the way from Hinckley in Leicestershire.
The Next Few Moots.
We've got some homework for everybody next time. Chris (Hail the Badger!) has asked if we can do anything about the 2012 phenomenon, so at the next Moot on 12th April it will be the End of the World As We Know It! Please could everyone do some research into end-of -the-world dates, theories and occurrences, and let's make it one of our most bizarre discussions yet.
I'm going to try to talk Chris (Hail the Badger!) into chairing the talk too.
Nadia has suggested an open ritual at some point and we've decided that the June moot is the closest we can get to a Sabbat. So we're going to spend the 10th May Moot discussing and planning how to do an open ritual, and actually have the ritual as an early Summer Solstice do on the 14th June.
We've also had some suggestions and requests for stuff on the Mayday Bank Holiday campaign, Chakras and "Paganism for dummies", and Womble has suggested she see if she can talk Vernon the Unitarian Druid into giving us his personal slant on Druidy.
Lookin' good so far!
Coming Up
On Saturday 12th March there's a Rock Nite at Wigan Road Labour Club in Leigh to raise funds for Mad Dave's charity ride, Enduro Africa. It starts at 5pm and it's a fiver on the door. If you want any more details get in touch and we'll pass you on to Womble (Mad Dave's Pagan contact).
There's an attempt going on to create a "Pagan Saint" in the shape of Hypatia of Alexandria (AD 360? - 415). She was a remarkable woman and worth looking up, especially since she was killed for basically standing up against unquestioning church authority.
The day selected is 15th March (the Ides of March)
On Saturday 19th March the Rainy City Roller Girls (including the Bolton Moot's very own Emz) will be involved in a huge double roller derby at Castle Leisure Centre in Bury. It's on from 1:30 to 6:30pm and tickets are £7 in advance and a tenner on the door.
The Bolton Moot are having an Equinox ritual at the Olde Wench and Trinkets on the evening of Tuesday 22nd March. Contact Hawky for more details, or us and we'll put you in touch.
There's also a fairly new Heathen Moot happening in Manchester. It's known as Salgofnir's Call and takes place from 7:30pm on Weds 30th March, at the Angel on Angel St. Tell Damien we sent you.
Manchester's Pagan Wheel is happening on Mon 4th April. It's from 7:30pm at the Waldorf on Gore St and this month's talk is on Perception (tbc).
Saturday 16th April sees the return of Chorlton's annual Big Green Festival, which is on all day in the grounds of St. Clement's church on Edge Lane. It's a good day out, but if you don't do veggie you may need to take your own food!
The Thornborough Henge Bealtaine camp starts for the weekend on Friday 29th April with a big Bealtaine ritual on the Sunday. It's organised by Sacred Brigantia and all the details are here.
Finally, if you're not going to Thornborough you'll be most welcome to celebrate Bealtaine with us at our annual Wicker man Party on Saturday 30th April, 8pm onwards. Expect to dance round the maypole, burn the Wicker Man, sing silly songs and hear some truly dreadful accordion playing!
See you all soon,
Seán
The Next Few Moots.
We've got some homework for everybody next time. Chris (Hail the Badger!) has asked if we can do anything about the 2012 phenomenon, so at the next Moot on 12th April it will be the End of the World As We Know It! Please could everyone do some research into end-of -the-world dates, theories and occurrences, and let's make it one of our most bizarre discussions yet.
I'm going to try to talk Chris (Hail the Badger!) into chairing the talk too.
Nadia has suggested an open ritual at some point and we've decided that the June moot is the closest we can get to a Sabbat. So we're going to spend the 10th May Moot discussing and planning how to do an open ritual, and actually have the ritual as an early Summer Solstice do on the 14th June.
We've also had some suggestions and requests for stuff on the Mayday Bank Holiday campaign, Chakras and "Paganism for dummies", and Womble has suggested she see if she can talk Vernon the Unitarian Druid into giving us his personal slant on Druidy.
Lookin' good so far!
Coming Up
On Saturday 12th March there's a Rock Nite at Wigan Road Labour Club in Leigh to raise funds for Mad Dave's charity ride, Enduro Africa. It starts at 5pm and it's a fiver on the door. If you want any more details get in touch and we'll pass you on to Womble (Mad Dave's Pagan contact).
There's an attempt going on to create a "Pagan Saint" in the shape of Hypatia of Alexandria (AD 360? - 415). She was a remarkable woman and worth looking up, especially since she was killed for basically standing up against unquestioning church authority.
The day selected is 15th March (the Ides of March)
On Saturday 19th March the Rainy City Roller Girls (including the Bolton Moot's very own Emz) will be involved in a huge double roller derby at Castle Leisure Centre in Bury. It's on from 1:30 to 6:30pm and tickets are £7 in advance and a tenner on the door.
The Bolton Moot are having an Equinox ritual at the Olde Wench and Trinkets on the evening of Tuesday 22nd March. Contact Hawky for more details, or us and we'll put you in touch.
There's also a fairly new Heathen Moot happening in Manchester. It's known as Salgofnir's Call and takes place from 7:30pm on Weds 30th March, at the Angel on Angel St. Tell Damien we sent you.
Manchester's Pagan Wheel is happening on Mon 4th April. It's from 7:30pm at the Waldorf on Gore St and this month's talk is on Perception (tbc).
Saturday 16th April sees the return of Chorlton's annual Big Green Festival, which is on all day in the grounds of St. Clement's church on Edge Lane. It's a good day out, but if you don't do veggie you may need to take your own food!
The Thornborough Henge Bealtaine camp starts for the weekend on Friday 29th April with a big Bealtaine ritual on the Sunday. It's organised by Sacred Brigantia and all the details are here.
Finally, if you're not going to Thornborough you'll be most welcome to celebrate Bealtaine with us at our annual Wicker man Party on Saturday 30th April, 8pm onwards. Expect to dance round the maypole, burn the Wicker Man, sing silly songs and hear some truly dreadful accordion playing!
See you all soon,
Seán
Wednesday 9 February 2011
February Announcements
Hi everybody (Hi Dr Seán), and thanks to everyone who came to last night's fascinating and informative talk by Bridget on multiple intelligences. Do we feel thoroughly psychoanalysed or what?
The Next Two Moots
The March and April Moots will be on the 8th and 12th respectively, but I'm not going to tell you what we're doing because I don't know!
We need some help, folks. If you want offer to do a Moot, or request or suggest something specific now's the time. Don't be shy now!
Coming Up
Manchester Museum are hosting a photographic exhibition called Stonehenge: Henge Diggers featuring pictures from the 2008 excavation. It runs from 19th Feb right through to 17 July.
Also at Manchester Museum there's an event for the kids during half-term called The Ancients, all about cave painting and designing stone circles. That's on Friday 25th between 11 and 12.
Do any of you ladies want to try your hand (foot?) at Rapper dancing? (Click here to see a video) The fabulous Sisters In Arms all-female Rapper group will be holding a one evening workshop at Islington Mill in Salford from 7-10 pm on Thursday 24th Feb.
Contact Jen for more info: sistersinarms@virginmedia.com
On Saturday 5th March Shared Earth in Preston are holding a Harry Potter Party from 7pm at the Grasshoppers Rugby Club. This is a fundraiser for Pagancon and costs £15 a head with all your food and entertainment laid on. Tasha's your contact for this one: ferndrake@hotmail.com
Also on the same evening our friend Mel is having a birthday meal at the Chinese Buffet in Bolton from 7pm. We like Mel.
There's another of those free Manchester Museum lectures happening on 23rd March. It's called The Artificial Ape: Technology, Evolution and Humanity. Unfortunately it's on at 3 in the afternoon, but if you're not working or getting the kids from school or something it sounds really good.
Finally, don't forget about Scratching Fanny of Cock Lane on Monday 7th March. It's a talk by Bolton Historical Society at the Parish Hall on Silverwell St from 7:30pm until 9:30.
Camps
Finally, finally, we've got the general dates of some of this year's camps. Karen of Shared Earth has most of the info but what we know so far is:
Thornborough Henge - Bealtaine, but final arrangements have yet to be made.
Pendle Witch Camp - 17 to 20 June
Oakleaf Lammas Camp in Ripon - 29 to 31 July
Woodspirit at Silverdale - 5 to 7 August
The Mercian Gathering at Nuneaton - 2 to 4 September.
Th, th, th, that's all folks.
Love,
Seán
The Next Two Moots
The March and April Moots will be on the 8th and 12th respectively, but I'm not going to tell you what we're doing because I don't know!
We need some help, folks. If you want offer to do a Moot, or request or suggest something specific now's the time. Don't be shy now!
Coming Up
Manchester Museum are hosting a photographic exhibition called Stonehenge: Henge Diggers featuring pictures from the 2008 excavation. It runs from 19th Feb right through to 17 July.
Also at Manchester Museum there's an event for the kids during half-term called The Ancients, all about cave painting and designing stone circles. That's on Friday 25th between 11 and 12.
Do any of you ladies want to try your hand (foot?) at Rapper dancing? (Click here to see a video) The fabulous Sisters In Arms all-female Rapper group will be holding a one evening workshop at Islington Mill in Salford from 7-10 pm on Thursday 24th Feb.
Contact Jen for more info: sistersinarms@virginmedia.com
On Saturday 5th March Shared Earth in Preston are holding a Harry Potter Party from 7pm at the Grasshoppers Rugby Club. This is a fundraiser for Pagancon and costs £15 a head with all your food and entertainment laid on. Tasha's your contact for this one: ferndrake@hotmail.com
Also on the same evening our friend Mel is having a birthday meal at the Chinese Buffet in Bolton from 7pm. We like Mel.
There's another of those free Manchester Museum lectures happening on 23rd March. It's called The Artificial Ape: Technology, Evolution and Humanity. Unfortunately it's on at 3 in the afternoon, but if you're not working or getting the kids from school or something it sounds really good.
Finally, don't forget about Scratching Fanny of Cock Lane on Monday 7th March. It's a talk by Bolton Historical Society at the Parish Hall on Silverwell St from 7:30pm until 9:30.
Camps
Finally, finally, we've got the general dates of some of this year's camps. Karen of Shared Earth has most of the info but what we know so far is:
Thornborough Henge - Bealtaine, but final arrangements have yet to be made.
Pendle Witch Camp - 17 to 20 June
Oakleaf Lammas Camp in Ripon - 29 to 31 July
Woodspirit at Silverdale - 5 to 7 August
The Mercian Gathering at Nuneaton - 2 to 4 September.
Th, th, th, that's all folks.
Love,
Seán
Friday 14 January 2011
January announcements
Yay, slightly late again! Sorry.
Special thanks this month goes to our volunteer Moot secretary, the lovely Womble, who worked all the announcements out for me. I didn't even have to think!
The Next Two Moots
On the 8th Feb Bridget will be doing a wonderful interactive talk on Multiple Intelligences.
After that we're open to offers. If you want to do a Moot, or even request something don't hesitate to ask us.
Coming Up
January
We're having our annual Wassail party on Saturday 15th Jan (that's tomorrow folks), 8pm at Radcliffe Moot Towers. Don't forget your hat!
On Weds 19th there will be a Full Moon Fire Party at Lockside Road, Preston Dock from 6pm onwards. I don't appear to have a postcode, but we can put you in touch with people who know where that is.
Spikey's 40th birthday curry is at the Nawab, on Market St, Westhoughton from 7:30pm. Please could you let him know if you're coming so he can let the restaurant know how many are going to invade.
The Bolton Moot is at the Olde Man & Scythe at 8pm on Sat 22nd. Beware, the cider is dangerous!
We're going to Ara to celebrate my birthday by dressing up as kinky goths and dancing in a silly way. Please do come and join us on Fri 28th. Doors open at 9pm, bring your own drinkies.
February
Marsden's ImBolg Fire Festival is happening on Sat 5th. All details are here, and it's excellent.
Manchester Museum on Oxford Road (M13 9PL) are giving a lecture called "Cursus Awareness: the other Stonehenge Monument" from 3:00-4:30pm on Weds 9th. We've heard some very good reports about these lectures.
March
On Sat 5th Shared Earth (we think) are hosting a Potter Party at Preston Rugby Club, starting at 7pm. It's a fundraiser for Pagancon, with entertainment and a buffet laid on. Tickets are £15 a chuck and available from Tasha who can be contacted here.
Finally, Bolton Historical Association are giving a lecture at the Parish hall on Silverwell St. It's on Mon 7th from 7:30 - 9:30pm and it's called ... (wait for it) ... "Scratching Fanny of Cock Lane".
No, really!
See you tomorrow (if you're coming)
Love,
Seán
Special thanks this month goes to our volunteer Moot secretary, the lovely Womble, who worked all the announcements out for me. I didn't even have to think!
The Next Two Moots
On the 8th Feb Bridget will be doing a wonderful interactive talk on Multiple Intelligences.
After that we're open to offers. If you want to do a Moot, or even request something don't hesitate to ask us.
Coming Up
January
We're having our annual Wassail party on Saturday 15th Jan (that's tomorrow folks), 8pm at Radcliffe Moot Towers. Don't forget your hat!
On Weds 19th there will be a Full Moon Fire Party at Lockside Road, Preston Dock from 6pm onwards. I don't appear to have a postcode, but we can put you in touch with people who know where that is.
Spikey's 40th birthday curry is at the Nawab, on Market St, Westhoughton from 7:30pm. Please could you let him know if you're coming so he can let the restaurant know how many are going to invade.
The Bolton Moot is at the Olde Man & Scythe at 8pm on Sat 22nd. Beware, the cider is dangerous!
We're going to Ara to celebrate my birthday by dressing up as kinky goths and dancing in a silly way. Please do come and join us on Fri 28th. Doors open at 9pm, bring your own drinkies.
February
Marsden's ImBolg Fire Festival is happening on Sat 5th. All details are here, and it's excellent.
Manchester Museum on Oxford Road (M13 9PL) are giving a lecture called "Cursus Awareness: the other Stonehenge Monument" from 3:00-4:30pm on Weds 9th. We've heard some very good reports about these lectures.
March
On Sat 5th Shared Earth (we think) are hosting a Potter Party at Preston Rugby Club, starting at 7pm. It's a fundraiser for Pagancon, with entertainment and a buffet laid on. Tickets are £15 a chuck and available from Tasha who can be contacted here.
Finally, Bolton Historical Association are giving a lecture at the Parish hall on Silverwell St. It's on Mon 7th from 7:30 - 9:30pm and it's called ... (wait for it) ... "Scratching Fanny of Cock Lane".
No, really!
See you tomorrow (if you're coming)
Love,
Seán
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