What role can herbs play in a city, why are they integral to an urban landscape - and are we in the midst of a herbalism resurgence?
Hackney Herbal founder Nat Mady and herbologist Maya Thomas will explore the rich and fascinating history of herbalism in London, from Culpeper to Chelsea Physic Garden, and give practical advice on how and where to start bringing herbs into your life even while living in the city.
Chaired by author Alice Vincent, the evening will discuss the important role of women in herbalism’s history and how it encourages a new way of looking at, and learning about, the diversity of the people and plants that make up the capital. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own herb stories to this intimate and open evening.
Speaker bios
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Nat Mady
Nat Mady
Nat Mady is a Hackney-based community gardener and permaculturist. She founded Hackney Herbal - a social enterprise which grows and sells herbal tea, delivers creative herbal workshops and uses its profits to fund free community activities supporting people in Hackney to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Her projects connect people with the natural world, encouraging people to engage with nature in their urban locality.
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Maya Thomas
Maya Thomas
A cook, writer and herbologist (Dip RBGE), Maya has worked in herb and kitchen gardens the across the UK, including at Weleda and the Chelsea Physic Garden. She's given talks for The Slow Food Movement, Soho FarmHouse and Thyme Cookery School, and runs herbal workshops around the country. @themodernherbal
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Alice Vincent
Alice Vincent
Alice Vincent is an author, journalist and self-taught urban gardener. She has kept a column with The Telegraph since 2014, and brought out her first book, How to Grow Stuff: no stress gardening for beginners, in March 2017. She documents her growing adventures through Instagram and a newsletter under Noughticulture.